As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2016

1933 Act File No. 002-27962

1940 Act File No. 811-01545

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

o

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 165

x

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

o

 

AMENDMENT NO. 152

x

 

EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant s Telephone Number)

 

MAUREEN A. GEMMA

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective pursuant to Rule 485 (check appropriate box):

¨

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

x

on September 27, 2016 pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

¨

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

o

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

If appropriate, check the following box:

o

This post effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.







[F1TO10YLCBFPRO002.GIF]


Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

Class A Shares - EACBX Class I Shares - EICBX
A diversified mutual fund seeking current income


Prospectus Dated
September 27, 2016

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether this Prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Information in this Prospectus

 

Page

 

Page

Fund Summary

2

Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks

5

Investment Objective

2

Management and Organization

7

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

2

Valuing Shares

8

Portfolio Turnover

2

Purchasing Shares

8

Principal Investment Strategies

2

Sales Charges

11

Principal Risks

2

Redeeming Shares

13

Performance

3

Shareholder Account Features

14

Management

4

Additional Tax Information

15

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

4

 

 

Tax Information

4

 

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

4

 

 

This Prospectus contains important information about the Fund and the services
available to shareholders. Please save it for reference.  




Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for a reduced sales charge if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $50,000 in Eaton Vance Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus and page 20 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class I

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

4.75%

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

None

None


Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class A

Class I

Management Fees

0.32%

0.32%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.25%

None

Other Expenses*

0.25 %

0.25 %

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

0.82%

0.57%

Expense Reimbursement (1)

(0.17) %

(0.17) %

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses  after Expense Reimbursement

0.65%

0.40%

*

Based on estimates for the current fiscal year.

( 1 )

The investment adviser and administrator has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.65% for Class A shares and 0.40% for Class I shares.  This expense reimbursement will continue through December 31, 2017.  Any amendment to or termination of this reimbursement would require approval of the Board of Trustees.  The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses of unaffiliated funds, taxes or litigation expenses.  Amounts reimbursed may be recouped by the investment adviser during the same fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than the contractual expense cap during such year.

Example.  This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

3 Years

Class A shares

$538

$708

Class I shares

$41

$166

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” the portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds with final maturities of between one and ten years (the “80% Policy”).  For purposes of the 80% Policy, all corporate bonds maturing in a calendar year will be defined as having the same final maturity.  A “corporate bond” is defined as any debt security issued by a corporation or non-governmental entity.  At least 90% of the Fund’s net assets normally is invested in securities rated at least investment grade at the time of investment (which are those rated Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or BBB or higher by either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)) or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of at least investment grade quality.  For purposes of rating restrictions, if securities are rated differently by the rating agencies, the higher rating is used.  The Fund may invest in securities of U.S. and



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


foreign issuers.  The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and for future delivery by means of “forward commitments.”  The Fund may also lend its securities.

In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund will generally seek to weight investments in corporate bonds with a final maturity in each year within the one-to-ten year maturity range such that at least 5% and not more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in corporate bonds in each year within the maturity range.  When a corporate bond has a final maturity of less than one year, the Fund intends to let it mature or sell the bond and reinvest the proceeds in bonds with longer maturities (the “ one-year maturity period”).  The Fund’s investment in bonds with a final maturity of 10 years may be less than 5% due to the timing of the actual maturity of bonds within the one-year maturity period.  The Fund may purchase bonds of any final maturity during the one-year maturity period .  The Fund will not have an average portfolio duration target.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made primarily on the basis of fundamental and quantitative research conducted by the investment adviser’s research staff.  Security selection involves consideration of numerous factors (such as quality of business franchises, financial strength, management capability and integrity, growth potential, valuation and earnings and cash flow capabilities).  The portfolio managers may sell a security when the fundamentals of the company change or to pursue investment options more consistent with the Fund’s laddered maturity structure.  The Fund intends to seek to manage investment risk by maintaining broad issuer and industry diversification among its holdings, and by utilizing fundamental analysis of risk/return characteristics in securities selection.

Principal Risks

Debt Market Risk.  Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for investments held by the Fund, which may reduce their market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted.  Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund can experience downturns in trading activity and, at such times, the supply of such instruments in the market may exceed the demand.  At other times, the demand for such instruments may exceed the supply in the market.  An imbalance in supply and demand in the market may result in valuation uncertainties and greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency in the market.  No active trading market may exist for certain investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets. Adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of some actively traded investments.  Fixed-income markets have recently experienced a period of relatively high volatility. As a result of the Federal Reserve’s action to end its quantitative easing stimulus program as well as the possibility that it may unwind the program and its recent decision to raise the target fed funds rate, fixed-income markets could experience continuing high volatility, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

Interest Rate Risk.   In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates.  The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise.  Generally, securities with longer durations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than shorter duration securities.  In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended.  In a declining interest rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate.

Credit Risk.   Investments in debt obligations are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest.  Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of a debt obligation also may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of fixed-income securities may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments changes.  Credit ratings assigned by rating agencies are based on a number of factors and do not necessarily reflect the issuer’s current financial condition or the volatility or liquidity of the security.  In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of fixed-income securities, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar situation, the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel.  This may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.

Foreign and Emerging Market Investment Risk. Because the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in foreign instruments, the value of shares may be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates and political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country.  Investment markets in emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid and more volatile than developed markets, and emerging market securities often involve higher risk than developed market securities.  Trading in foreign markets often involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The value of investments denominated in foreign currencies can be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Depositary receipts are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign instruments.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


Risk of Leveraged Transactions.   Certain Fund transactions may give rise to leverage.  Such transactions may include, among others, loans of portfolio securities and the use of when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions. Generally, leverage involves the use of borrowed funds or various financial instruments (such as the foregoing transactions) to seek to increase a fund’s potential return.  The Fund is required to segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover the Fund’s obligation created by a transaction that may give rise to leverage.  The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements.  Leverage may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.  The loss on leveraged investments may substantially exceed the initial investment.

Securities Lending Risk.  Securities lending involves possible delay in recovery of the loaned securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower fails financially.

Risks Associated with Active Management.  The success of the Fund’s investment program depends on portfolio management’s successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment.  Active management involves subjective decisions. The portfolio managers also use quantitative investment techniques and analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund. There can be no assurance that these techniques will achieve the desired results.

General Fund Investing Risks.  The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.  It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or person.  

Performance

Performance history will be available for the Fund after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year.

Management

Investment Adviser.  Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”).

Portfolio Managers

Maria C. Cappellano, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since its inception in September 2016.

John H. Croft, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since its inception in September 2016.

Thomas H. Luster, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has managed the Fund since its inception in September 2016.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.  You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or directly from the Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, or by calling 1-800-262-1122.  The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000 for Class A and $250,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances).  There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are exempt from taxation.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund’s shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (collectively, “financial intermediaries”), the Fund, its principal underwriter and its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 




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Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks

A statement of the investment objective and principal investment policies and risks of the Fund is set forth above in its Fund Summary.  Set forth below is additional information about such policies and risks of the Fund described in its Fund Summary above.  Information also is included about other types of investments and practices that the Fund may engage in from time to time.

Fixed-Income Securities.   Fixed-income securities include all types of fixed and floating-rate bonds and notes, such as convertible securities and other hybrid securities (other than preferred stock); corporate commercial paper; mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities; inflation-indexed bonds issued by both governments and corporations; structured notes, including “indexed” securities; loans; loan participations and assignments; delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities; and bank certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits, bank deposits (or investments structured to provide the same type of exposure) and bankers’ acceptances of foreign and domestic banks and other debt instruments. Fixed-income securities are issued by: foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and government-sponsored enterprises; international agencies or supranational entities; the U.S. Government, its agencies or government-sponsored enterprises (or guaranteed thereby); central or quasi-sovereign banks and U.S. and foreign corporations.  Fixed-income securities include deep discount bonds, such as zero coupon bonds, deferred interest bonds, bonds or securities on which the interest is payable in-kind (“PIK securities”), which are debt obligations that are issued at a significant discount from face value, and securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. While zero coupon bonds do not make periodic payments of interest, deferred interest bonds provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins. PIK securities provide that the issuer thereof may, at its option, pay interest in cash or in the form of additional securities.

Credit Quality.  Rating agencies are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of certain fixed income securities.  In evaluating creditworthiness, the investment adviser considers ratings assigned by rating agencies and generally performs additional credit and investment analysis.  Credit ratings issued by rating agencies are based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the issuer’s financial condition and the rating agency’s credit analysis, if applicable, at the time of rating.  The ratings assigned are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risks or necessarily reflect the issuer’s current financial condition. An issuer’s current financial condition may be better or worse than the current rating indicates. A credit rating may have a modifier (such as plus, minus or a numerical modifier) to denote its relative status within the rating. The presence of a modifier does not change the security credit rating (for example, BBB- and Baa3 are within the investment grade rating) for purposes of the Fund’s investment limitations. If a security is rated differently by two or more rating agencies, the highest rating will be used for any Fund rating restrictions.

Foreign and Emerging Market Investments.  Investments in foreign issuers could be affected by factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. Because foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standard practices and requirements and regulatory measures comparable to those in the United States, there may be less publicly available information about such foreign issuers.  Settlements of securities transactions in foreign countries are subject to risk of loss, may be delayed and are generally less frequent than in the United States, which could affect the liquidity of the Fund’s assets.

Foreign issuers may become subject to sanctions imposed by the United States or another country, which could result in the immediate freeze of the foreign issuers’ assets or securities.  The imposition of such sanctions could impair the market value of the securities of such foreign issuers and limit the Fund’s ability to buy, sell, receive or deliver the securities.

As an alternative to holding foreign-traded investments, the Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated investments of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts, which evidence ownership in underlying foreign investments and are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities). Unless otherwise stated in Fund Summary, such investments are not subject to any stated limitation on investing in foreign securities.

The foregoing risks of foreign investing can be more significant in emerging markets. Emerging markets may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in the developed markets of the world. Political and economic structures in emerging market countries generally lack the social, political and economic stability of developed countries, which may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in these countries and also the ability of the Fund to access markets in such countries. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in emerging market countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. The laws of emerging market countries relating to the limited liability of corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less developed than or different from such laws in the United States. It may be more difficult to obtain a judgment in the courts of these countries than it is in the United States. Disruptions due to work stoppages and trading improprieties in foreign securities markets have caused such markets to close. If extended closings were to occur in stock markets where the Fund is heavily invested, the Fund’s ability to redeem Fund shares could become impaired. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to sell



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Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


more liquid securities than it would otherwise choose to sell.  Emerging market securities are also subject to speculative trading, which contributes to their volatility.

Lower Rated Securities.  Investments in obligations rated below investment grade and comparable unrated securities (“junk”) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers.  Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments.  An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs.  Lower rated investments generally are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.

Duration.  Duration measures the time-weighted expected cash flows of a fixed-income security, which can determine its sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates.  Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations.  A mutual fund with a longer dollar-weighted average duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a fund with a shorter dollar-weighted average duration.  Duration differs from maturity in that it considers a security’s coupon payments in addition to the amount of time until the security matures.  Various techniques may be used to shorten or lengthen Fund duration.  As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration.

Forward Commitments.  Fixed-income securities may be purchased on a “forward commitment” or “when-issued” basis (meaning securities are purchased or sold with payment and delivery taking place in the future). In such a transaction, the Fund is securing what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction. However, the yield on a comparable security when the transaction is consummated may vary from the yield on the security at the time that the forward commitment or when-issued transaction was made. From the time of entering into the transaction until delivery and payment is made at a later date, the securities that are the subject of the transaction are subject to market fluctuations. In forward commitment or when-issued transactions, if the seller or buyer, as the case may be, fails to consummate the transaction, the counterparty may miss the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Forward commitment or when-issued transactions may be expected to occur a month or more before delivery is due. However, no payment or delivery is made until payment is received or delivery is made from the other party to the transaction.

Securities Lending. The Fund may seek to earn income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other institutional borrowers.  As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities fails financially.  Loans will only be made to firms that have been approved by the investment adviser, and the investment adviser or the securities lending agent will periodically monitor the financial condition of such organizations while any loans are outstanding.  In addition, loans will only be made when the investment adviser believes the expected returns, net of expenses, justify the attendant risk.  Securities loans currently are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents (such as money market instruments) or other liquid securities held by the custodian and maintained in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned.  The Fund may lend up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including borrowings) or such other amount as is permitted under relevant law.

Illiquid Securities.  The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may be difficult to value properly and may involve greater risks than liquid securities.  Illiquid securities include those legally restricted as to resale (such as those issued in private placements), and may include commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder.  Certain Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A securities may be treated as liquid securities if the investment adviser determines that such treatment is warranted.  Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of these securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them.

Borrowing.  The Fund is permitted to borrow for temporary purposes (such as to satisfy redemption requests, to remain fully invested in anticipation of expected cash inflows and to settle transactions).  Any borrowings by the Fund are subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.  Borrowings are also subject to the terms of any credit agreement between the Fund and lender(s).  The Fund will be required to maintain a specified level of asset coverage with respect to all borrowings and may be required to sell some of its holdings to reduce debt and restore coverage at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.  The rights of the lender to receive payments of interest and repayments of principal of any borrowings made by the Fund under a credit facility are senior to the rights of holders of shares with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation. In the event of a default under a credit arrangement, the lenders may have the right to cause a liquidation of the collateral (i.e., sell Fund assets) and, if any such default is not cured, the lenders may be able to control the liquidation as well. Fund borrowings may be equal to as much as 33 1 / 3 % of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including such borrowings) less the Fund’s liabilities (other than borrowings).  The Fund will not purchase additional investment securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The Fund may invest in cash or cash equivalents, including high quality short-term instruments or an affiliated investment company that invests in such instruments.



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Portfolio Turnover.  The annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed 100%.  A mutual fund with a high turnover rate (100% or more) may generate more capital gains and pay more commissions (which may reduce return) than a fund with a lower rate.  Capital gains distributions (which reduce the after-tax returns of shareholders holding Fund shares in taxable accounts) will be made to shareholders if offsetting capital loss carry forwards do not exist.

Converting to Master-Feeder Structure. The Fund may invest all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company ( master fund ) with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund. Any such master fund would be advised by the Fund s investment adviser (or an affiliate) and the Fund would not pay directly any advisory fee with respect to the assets so invested. The Fund may initiate investments in a master fund at any time without shareholder approval.

General. The Fund's 80% Policy will not be changed unless shareholders are given at least 60 days advance written notice of the change. Unless otherwise stated, the Fund's investment objectives and certain other policies may be changed without shareholder approval. During unusual market conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents temporarily, which may be inconsistent with its investment objective(s ), principal investment strategies and other policies. The Fund might not use all of the strategies and techniques or invest in all of the types of securities described in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information. While at times the Fund may use alternative investment strategies in an effort to limit its losses, it may choose not to do so.

The Fund’s annual operating expenses are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets and may change as Fund assets increase and decrease over time.  Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective .  In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund.  Mutual funds, investment advisers, other market participants and many securities markets are subject to rules and regulations and the jurisdiction of one or more regulators.  Changes to applicable rules and regulations could have an adverse effect on securities markets and market participants, as well as on the Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy.  With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers, such as the Internet, to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks.

Management and Organization

Management.  The Fund’s investment adviser is Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance”), with offices at Two International Place , Boston, MA 02110.  Eaton Vance has been managing assets since 1924 and managing mutual funds since 1931.  Eaton Vance and its affiliates currently manage over $ 330 billion on behalf of mutual funds, institutional clients and individuals.

Eaton Vance manages the investments of the Fund and provides administrative services and related office facilities. Under its investment advisory and administrative agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance receives an annual fee for its services as follows:

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $1 billion

0.3200%

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

0.3075%

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

0.2950%

$5 billion and over

0.2875%

Thomas H. Luster, Maria C. Cappellano and John H. Croft act as co-portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception in September 2016.  Mr. Luster is a co-director of Eaton Vance’s diversified fixed income group and is a Vice President of Eaton Vance and has managed other Eaton Vance funds for over five years.  Ms. Cappellano is a Vice President of Eaton Vance and has been a member of Eaton Vance’s diversified fixed income group for over five years.  Mr. Croft is a Vice President of Eaton Vance and has managed other Eaton Vance funds for over five years.

The Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report covering the fiscal period ending February 28 will provide information regarding the basis for the Trustees’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory and administrative agreement.

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of Fund shares with respect to which that portfolio manager has management responsibilities.

Eaton Vance provides sub-transfer agency and related services to Eaton Vance mutual funds pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement.  For its services under the agreement, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate fee from such funds equal to the lesser of $2.5 million or its actual expenses incurred in performing such services.



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Organization. The Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust . The Fund offers multiple classes of shares.  Each Class represents a pro rata interest in the Fund but is subject to different expenses and rights.  The Fund does not hold annual shareholder meetings but may hold special meetings for matters that require shareholder approval (such as electing or removing trustees, approving management or advisory contracts or changing investment policies that may only be changed with shareholder approval).

Valuing Shares

The Fund values its shares once each day only when the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) is open for trading (typically Monday through Friday), as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time).  The purchase price of Fund shares is their net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge), which is derived from the value of Fund holdings. When purchasing or redeeming Fund shares through a financial intermediary, your financial intermediary must receive your order by the close of regular trading on the Exchange in order for the purchase price or the redemption price to be based on that day’s net asset value per share. It is the financial intermediary’s responsibility to transmit orders promptly. The Fund may accept purchase and redemption orders as of the time of their receipt by certain financial intermediaries (or their designated intermediaries).

The Trustees have adopted procedures for valuing investments and have delegated to the investment adviser(s) the daily valuation of such investments.  Pursuant to the procedures, independent pricing services are used to value debt obligations at their market value.  In determining market value, the pricing service considers various factors and market information. Exchange-listed securities and other instruments (including derivatives) normally are valued at last sale or closing prices.  Non-exchange traded derivatives are normally valued on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or pricing services.  Such values may be based on valuation models, information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield or market data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics.  In certain situations, the investment adviser(s) may use the fair value of a security if market prices are unavailable or deemed unreliable, or if events occur after the close of a securities market (usually a foreign market) and before portfolio assets are valued which would materially affect net asset value.  A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures.  Because foreign securities trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased.  Eaton Vance has established a Valuation Committee that oversees the valuation of investments.

Purchasing Shares

You may purchase shares through your financial intermediary or by mailing an account application form to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).  Purchase orders will be executed at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge) next determined after their receipt in proper form (meaning that they are complete and contain all necessary information) by the Fund’s transfer agent.  The Fund’s transfer agent or your financial intermediary must receive your purchase in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) for your purchase to be effected at that day’s net asset value.   If you purchase shares through a financial intermediary, that intermediary may charge you a fee for executing the purchase for you.

The Fund may suspend the sale of its shares at any time and any purchase order may be refused for any reason.  The funds sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization (the “Eaton Vance funds”) do not accept investments from residents of the European Union or Switzerland.  The funds also do not accept investments from other non-U.S. residents, provided that a fund may accept investments from certain non-U.S. investors at the discretion of the principal underwriter.  The Fund does not issue share certificates.

As used throughout this Prospectus, the term “employer sponsored retirement plan” includes the following: an employer sponsored pension or profit sharing plan that qualifies under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (such as a 401(k) plan, money purchase pension, profit sharing and defined benefit plan); ERISA covered 403(b) plan; Taft–Hartley multi-employer plan; and non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements that operate in a similar manner to a qualified retirement plan (including 457 plans and executive deferred compensation arrangements). Individual Retirement Accounts are not employer sponsored retirement plans for purposes of this definition.

Class A Shares

Your initial investment must be at least $1,000.  After your initial investment, additional investments may be made in any amount at any time by sending a check payable to the order of the Fund or the transfer agent directly to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).  Please include your name and account number and the name of the Fund and Class of shares with each investment.  You also may make additional investments by accessing your account via the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com.  Purchases made through the Internet from a pre-designated bank account will have a trade date that is the first business day after the purchase is requested (provided the request is submitted no later than the close of regular trading



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on the Exchange).  For more information about purchasing shares through the Internet, please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time).  

You may purchase additional shares by automatically investing a designated amount from your bank account on a periodic basis provided such investments equal a minimum of $200 per year.  You must elect this privilege on your account application or by providing written instructions.  Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time) for further information.  The minimum initial investment amount and Fund policy of redeeming accounts with low account balances are waived for bank automated investing accounts, certain group purchase plans (including employer sponsored retirement plans and proprietary fee-based programs sponsored by financial intermediaries) and for persons affiliated with Eaton Vance, its affiliates and certain Fund service providers (as described in the Statement of Additional Information).

Class I Shares

Class I shares are offered to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform.  Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and employer sponsored retirement plans.  Class I shares also are offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance.  Your initial investment must be at least $250,000.  Subsequent investments of any amount may be made at any time, including through automatic investment each month or quarter from your bank account.  You may make automatic investments of $50 or more each month or each quarter from your bank account.  You can establish bank automated investing on the account application or by providing written instructions.  Please call 1-800-262-1122  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time) for further information.   

The minimum initial investment is waived for persons affiliated with Eaton Vance, its affiliates and certain Fund service providers (as described in the Statement of Additional Information). The minimum initial investment also is waived for: (i) permitted exchanges; (ii) employer sponsored retirement plans; (iii) corporations, endowments and foundations with assets of at least $100 million; and (iv) accounts of clients of financial intermediaries who (a) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (b) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform (in each case, as described above), provided the total value of such accounts invested in Class I shares of Eaton Vance funds is at least $250,000 (or is anticipated by the principal underwriter to reach $250,000).

Class I shares may be purchased through a financial intermediary or by requesting your bank to transmit immediately available funds (Federal Funds) by wire.  To make an initial investment by wire, you must complete an account application and telephone Eaton Vance Shareholder Services at 1-800-262-1122  to be assigned an account number.  You may request an account application by calling 1-800-262-1122  Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time).  Shareholder Services must be advised by telephone of each additional investment by wire.

Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing.  The Fund is not intended for excessive trading or market timing.  Market timers seek to profit by rapidly switching money into a fund when they expect the share price of the fund to rise and taking money out of the fund when they expect those prices to fall.  By realizing profits through short-term trading, shareholders that engage in rapid purchases and sales (including exchanges, if permitted) of a fund’s shares may dilute the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Volatility resulting from excessive purchases and sales of fund shares, especially involving large dollar amounts, may disrupt efficient portfolio management.  In particular, excessive purchases and sales of a fund’s shares may cause a fund to have difficulty implementing its investment strategies, may force the fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times to raise cash or may cause increased expenses (such as increased brokerage costs, realization of taxable capital gains without attaining any investment advantage or increased administrative costs).

A fund that invests all or a portion of its assets in foreign securities may be susceptible to a time zone arbitrage strategy in which shareholders attempt to take advantage of fund share prices that may not reflect developments in a foreign securities market that occur after the close of such market but prior to the pricing of fund shares.  In addition, a fund that invests in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid (including restricted securities and emerging market securities) is susceptible to the risk that the current market price for such securities may not accurately reflect current market values.  A shareholder may seek to engage in short-term trading to take advantage of these pricing differences (commonly referred to as “price arbitrage”).   The investment adviser is authorized to use the fair value of a security if prices are unavailable or are deemed unreliable (see “Valuing Shares”).  The use of fair value pricing and the restrictions on excessive trading and market timing described below are intended to reduce a shareholder’s ability to engage in price or time zone arbitrage to the detriment of the Fund.

The Boards of the Eaton Vance funds have adopted policies to discourage short-term trading and market timing and to seek to minimize their potentially detrimental effects. Pursuant to these policies, an Eaton Vance fund shareholder who, through one or more accounts, completes two round-trips within 90 days generally will be deemed to be market timing or trading excessively in fund shares.  “Two round-trips within 90 days” means either (1) a purchase of fund shares followed by a redemption of fund shares followed by a purchase followed by a redemption or (2) a redemption of fund shares followed by a purchase of fund



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shares followed by a redemption followed by a purchase, in either case with the final transaction in the sequence occurring within 90 days of the initial transaction in the sequence.  Purchases and redemptions subject to the limitation include those made by exchanging to or from another fund. Under the policies, the Fund or its sub-transfer agent or principal underwriter will reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate an exchange privilege or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in the Eaton Vance funds if the Fund or the principal underwriter determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or excessive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the Fund.  The Fund and its principal underwriter use reasonable efforts to detect market timing and excessive trading activity, but they cannot ensure that they will be able to identify all cases of market timing and excessive trading.  The Fund or its principal underwriter may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason.  Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the Fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of a Fund’s shareholders.  No Eaton Vance fund has any arrangement to permit market timing.

The following fund share transactions (to the extent permitted by a fund’s prospectus) generally are exempt from the market timing and excessive trading policy described above because they generally do not raise market timing or excessive trading concerns:  

·

transactions made pursuant to a systematic purchase plan or as the result of automatic reinvestment of dividends or distributions, or initiated by the Fund (e.g., for failure to meet applicable account minimums);

·

transactions made by participants in employer sponsored retirement plans involving participant payroll or employer contributions or loan repayments, redemptions as part of plan terminations or at the direction of the plan, mandatory retirement distributions, or rollovers;

·

transactions made by model-based discretionary advisory accounts; or

·

transactions made by an Eaton Vance fund that is structured as a “fund-of-funds,” provided the transactions are in response to fund inflows and outflows or are part of a reallocation of fund assets in accordance with its investment policies.

It may be difficult for the Fund or the principal underwriter to identify market timing or excessive trading in omnibus accounts traded through financial intermediaries.  The Fund and the principal underwriter have provided guidance to financial intermediaries (such as banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and retirement administrators) concerning the application of the Eaton Vance funds’ market timing and excessive trading policies to Fund shares held in omnibus accounts maintained and administered by such intermediaries, including guidance concerning situations where market timing or excessive trading is considered to be detrimental to the Fund.  The Fund or its principal underwriter may rely on a financial intermediary’s policy to restrict market timing and excessive trading if it believes that policy is likely to prevent market timing that is likely to be detrimental to the Fund.  Such policy may be more or less restrictive than the Fund’s policy.  Although the Fund or the principal underwriter reviews trading activity at the omnibus account level for activity that indicates potential market timing or excessive trading activity, the Fund and the principal underwriter typically will not request or receive individual account data unless suspicious trading activity is identified.  The Fund and the principal underwriter generally rely on financial intermediaries to monitor trading activity in omnibus accounts in good faith in accordance with their own or Fund policies.  The Fund and the principal underwriter cannot ensure that these financial intermediaries will in all cases apply the policies of the Fund or their own policies, as the case may be, to accounts under their control.

Choosing a Share Class. The Fund offers different classes of shares.  The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and will likely have different share prices due to differences in class expenses.  A share class also may be subject to a sales charge.  In choosing the class of shares that suits your investment needs, you should consider:

·

how long you expect to own your shares;

·

how much you intend to invest; and

·

the total operating expenses associated with owning each class.

Each investor’s considerations are different.  You should speak with your financial intermediary to help you decide which class of shares is best for you.  Set forth below is a brief description of each class of shares offered by the Fund.

Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus a front-end sales charge of up to 4.75%.  This charge is deducted from the amount you invest.  The Class A sales charge is reduced for purchases of $50,000 or more.  The sales charge applicable to your purchase may be reduced under the right of accumulation or a statement of intention, which are described in “Reducing or Eliminating Class A Sales Charges” under “Sales Charges” below.  Some investors may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at net asset value under certain circumstances, which are also described below.  Class A shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 0.25% annually of average daily net assets.



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Class I shares are offered to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform.  Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and employer sponsored retirement plans.  Class I shares are also offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, and certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance. Class I shares do not pay distribution or service fees.

Payments to Financial Intermediaries. In addition to payments disclosed under Sales Charges below, the principal underwriter, out of its own resources, may make cash payments to certain financial intermediaries who provide marketing support, transaction processing and/or administrative services and, in some cases, include some or all Eaton Vance funds in preferred or specialized selling programs.  Payments made by the principal underwriter to a financial intermediary may be significant and are typically in the form of fees based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed and/or accounts attributable to that financial intermediary.  Financial intermediaries also may receive amounts from the principal underwriter in connection with educational or due diligence meetings that include information concerning Eaton Vance funds.  The principal underwriter may pay or allow other promotional incentives or payments to financial intermediaries to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.  

Certain financial intermediaries that maintain fund accounts for the benefit of their customers provide sub-accounting, recordkeeping and/or administrative services to the Eaton Vance funds and are compensated for such services by the funds.  As used in this Prospectus, the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment adviser, financial planner, a retirement plan and/or its administrator, their designated intermediaries and any other firm having a selling, administration or similar agreement with the principal underwriter or its affiliates.

Sales Charges

Class A Front-End Sales Charge.  Class A shares are offered at net asset value per share plus a sales charge that is determined by the amount of your investment.  The current sales charge schedule is:

Amount of Purchase

Sales Charge *
as Percentage of
Offering Price

Sales Charge *
as Percentage of Net
Amount Invested

Dealer Commission
as a Percentage of
Offering Price

Less than $50,000

4.75%

4.99%

4.00%

$50,000 but less than $100,000

4.50%

4.71%

3.75%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

3.75%

3.90%

3.00%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

3.00%

3.09%

2.50%

$500,000 but less than $1,000,000

2.00%

2.04%

1.75%

$1,000,000 but less than $5,000,000

0.00**

0.00**

TIERED**

$5,000,000 or more

0.00**

0.00**

TIERED**

*

Because the offering price per share is rounded to two decimal places, the actual sales charge you pay on a purchase of Class A shares may be more or less than your total purchase amount multiplied by the applicable sales charge percentage.

**

No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more.  The principal underwriter will pay a commission to financial intermediaries on sales of $1 million or more as follows: 0.75% on amounts of $1 million or more but less than $5 million; plus 0.50% on amounts of $5 million or more.  A CDSC of 1.00% will be imposed on such investments (as described below) in the event of redemptions within 18 months of purchase.

The principal underwriter may also pay commissions of up to 1.00% on sales of Class A shares made at net asset value to certain employer sponsored retirement plans.

Reducing or Eliminating Class A Sales Charges.   Front-end sales charges on purchases of Class A shares may be reduced under the right of accumulation or under a statement of intention.  To receive a reduced sales charge, you must inform your financial intermediary or the Fund at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction.  If you do not let your financial intermediary or the Fund know you are eligible for a reduced sales charge at the time of purchase, you will not receive the discount to which you may otherwise be entitled.

Right of Accumulation.  Under the right of accumulation, the sales charge you pay is reduced if the current market value of your holdings in the Fund or any other Eaton Vance fund (based on the current maximum public offering price) plus your new purchase total $50,000 or more.  Shares owned by you, your spouse and children under age twenty-one may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation, including shares held for the benefit of any of you in omnibus or “street name” accounts.  In addition, shares held in a trust or fiduciary account of which any of the foregoing persons is the sole beneficiary (including employer sponsored retirement plans and Individual Retirement Accounts) may be combined for



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purposes of the right of accumulation.  Shares purchased and/or owned in a SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plan may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation for the plan and its participants.  You may be required to provide documentation to establish your ownership of shares included under the right of accumulation (such as account statements for you, your spouse and children or marriage certificates, birth certificates and/or trust or other fiduciary-related documents).  

Statement of Intention.   Under a statement of intention, purchases of $50,000 or more made over a 13-month period are eligible for reduced sales charges.  Shares eligible under the right of accumulation (other than those included in employer sponsored retirement plans) may be included to satisfy the amount to be purchased under a statement of intention.  Under a statement of intention, the principal underwriter may hold 5% of the dollar amount to be purchased in escrow in the form of shares registered in your name until you satisfy the statement or the 13-month period expires.  A statement of intention does not obligate you to purchase (or the Fund to sell) the full amount indicated in the statement.  

Class A shares are offered at net asset value (without a sales charge) to accounts of clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers.   Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and employer sponsored retirement plans.  Class A shares also are offered at net asset value to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates; certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance; and to certain fund service providers as described in the Statement of Additional Information.  Class A shares may also be purchased at net asset value pursuant to the reinvestment privilege and exchange privilege and when distributions are reinvested.  Shares held in commission-based broker-dealer accounts may not qualify for purchases of Class A shares at net asset value.  See “Shareholder Account Features” for details.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge .  Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $1 million or more are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge or “ CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase.   The CDSC is generally paid to the principal underwriter.  The CDSC is based on the lower of the net asset value at the time of purchase or the time of redemption.  Shares acquired through the reinvestment of distributions are exempt from the CDSC.  Redemptions are made first from shares that are not subject to a CDSC.

CDSC Waivers. CDSCs are waived for certain redemptions pursuant to a Withdrawal Plan (see “Shareholder Account Features”) and in connection with certain redemptions from employer sponsored retirement plans.  The CDSC is also waived following the death of a beneficial owner of shares (a death certificate and other applicable documents may be required).

Distribution and Service Fees. Class A shares have in effect a plan under Rule 12b-1 that allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of shares and service fees for personal and/or shareholder account services (so-called 12b-1 fees”).   Class A shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 0.25% of average daily net assets annually.  After the sale of shares, the principal underwriter receives the distribution and service fees for one year. the sale of shares, the principal underwriter receives the distribution and service fees for one year.  Thereafter financial intermediaries generally receive from the principal underwriter 0.25% annually of average daily net assets based on the value of shares sold by such financial intermediaries for shareholder servicing performed by such intermediaries.  Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the sales charge rule of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

More information about sales charges is available free of charge on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com and in the Statement of Additional Information.  Please consult the Eaton Vance website for any updates to sales charge information before making a purchase of Fund shares.



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Redeeming Shares

You can redeem shares in any of the following ways:

By Mail

Send your request to the transfer agent (see back cover for address). The request must be signed exactly as your account is registered (for instance, a joint account must be signed by all registered owners to be accepted) and a Medallion signature guarantee may be required.  Circumstances that may require a Medallion signature guarantee include, but are not limited to, requests to distribute redemption proceeds to a party other than the registered account owner(s); requests to mail redemption proceeds to an address other than the address of record; requests to distribute proceeds to a bank account not on file; or transaction requests from an account beneficiary when an account owner is deceased.  You can obtain a Medallion signature guarantee at banks, savings and loan institutions, credit unions, securities dealers, securities exchanges, clearing agencies and registered securities associations that participate in The Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, Inc. (STAMP, Inc.).  Only Medallion signature guarantees issued in accordance with STAMP, Inc. will be accepted.  You may be asked to provide additional documents if your shares are registered in the name of a corporation, partnership or fiduciary.

By Telephone

Certain shareholders can redeem by calling 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time). Proceeds of a telephone redemption are generally limited to $100,000 per account (which may include shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds) and can be sent only to the account address or to a bank pursuant to prior instructions.

By Internet

Certain shareholders can redeem by logging on to the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com. Proceeds of internet redemptions are generally limited to $100,000 per account (which may include shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds) and can be sent only to the account address or to a bank pursuant to prior instructions.  

For Additional Information

Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time).

Through a Financial Intermediary

Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting the order promptly.  A financial intermediary may charge a fee for this service.

The Fund's transfer agent or your financial intermediary must receive your redemption in proper form (meaning that it is complete and contains all necessary information) no later than the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) for your redemption to be effected at that day’s net asset value.  Your redemption proceeds normally will be paid in cash within seven days, reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC and any federal income and state tax required to be withheld.  Payments will be sent by regular mail.  However, if you have given complete written authorization in advance, you may request that the redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account.  The bank designated may be any bank in the United States.  The request may be made by calling 1-800-262-1122 or by sending a Medallion signature guaranteed letter of instruction to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).  Certain redemption requests including those involving shares held by certain corporations, trusts or certain other entities and shares that are subject to certain fiduciary arrangements may require additional documentation and may be redeemed only by mail.  You may be required to pay the costs of such transaction by the Fund or your bank.  No costs are currently charged by the Fund.  However, charges may apply for expedited mail delivery services.  The Fund may suspend or terminate the expedited payment procedure upon at least 30 days’ notice.

If you recently purchased shares, the proceeds of a redemption will not be sent until the purchase check (including a certified or cashier’s check) has cleared. If the purchase check has not cleared, redemption proceeds may be delayed up to 15 days from the purchase date.  If your account value falls below $750 (other than due to market decline), you may be asked either to add to your account or redeem it within 60 days.  If you take no action, your account will be redeemed and the proceeds sent to you.

While redemption proceeds are normally paid in cash, redemptions may be paid by distributing marketable securities.  If you receive securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.




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Shareholder Account Features

Distributions.  You may have your Fund distributions paid in one of the following ways:

• Full Reinvest Option

Distributions are reinvested in additional shares.   This option will be assigned if you do not specify an option.

• Partial Reinvest Option

Dividends are paid in cash* and capital gains are reinvested in additional shares.

• Cash Option

Distributions are paid in cash.*

• Exchange Option

Distributions are reinvested in additional shares of any class of another Eaton Vance fund chosen by you, subject to the terms of that fund’s prospectus.  Before selecting this option, you must obtain a prospectus of the other fund and consider its objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully.

*

If any distribution check remains uncashed for six months, Eaton Vance reserves the right to invest the amount represented by the check in Fund shares at the then-current net asset value of the Fund and all future distributions will be reinvested.

Information about the Fund.  From time to time, you may receive the following:

·

Semiannual and annual reports containing a list of portfolio holdings as of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters, respectively, performance information and financial statements.

·

Periodic account statements, showing recent activity and total share balance.

·

Tax information needed to prepare your income tax returns.

·

Proxy materials, in the event a shareholder vote is required.

·

Special notices about significant events affecting your Fund.

Most fund information (including semiannual and annual reports, prospectuses and proxy statements) as well as your periodic account statements can be delivered electronically.  For more information please go to www.eatonvance.com/edelivery.

The Eaton Vance funds have established policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings and other information concerning Fund characteristics.  A description of these policies and procedures is provided below and additionally in the Statement of Additional Information.  Such policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings are designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information about the funds.

The Fund will file with the SEC a list of its portfolio holdings as of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q.  The Fund’s annual and semiannual reports (as filed on Form N-CSR) and each Form N-Q may be viewed on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).  The most recent fiscal quarter-end holdings may also be viewed on the Eaton Vance website (www.eatonvance.com).  Portfolio holdings information that is filed with the SEC is posted on the Eaton Vance website approximately 60 days after the end of the quarter to which it relates. Portfolio holdings information as of each month end is posted to the website approximately one month after such month end. The Fund also posts information about certain portfolio characteristics (such as top ten holdings and asset allocation) at least quarterly on the Eaton Vance website approximately ten business days after the period and the Fund may also post performance attribution as of a month end or more frequently if deemed appropriate.

Withdrawal Plan.  You may redeem shares on a regular periodic basis by establishing a systematic withdrawal plan.  Withdrawals will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 12% annually of the greater of either the initial account balance or the current account balance.  Because purchases of Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge, Class A shareholders should not make withdrawals from their accounts while also making purchases.

Exchange Privilege.  You may exchange your Fund shares for shares of the same Class of another Eaton Vance fund.  For purposes of exchanges among Eaton Vance funds, Class A and Class I shares are deemed to be the same as Investor Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively, of other Eaton Vance funds. Exchanges are made at net asset value.  If your shares are subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate.  For purposes of the CDSC, your shares will continue to age from the date of your original purchase of Fund shares. Any class of shares of a fund may be exchanged for any other class of shares of that fund, provided that the shares being exchanged are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conditions for investing in the other class of shares described in the applicable prospectus are satisfied.



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Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


Before exchanging, you should read the prospectus of the new fund carefully.  Exchanges are subject to the terms applicable to purchases of the new fund’s shares as set forth in its prospectus.  If you wish to exchange shares, write to the transfer agent (see back cover for address), log on to your account at www.eatonvance.com or call 1-800-262-1122.  Periodic automatic exchanges are also available.  The exchange privilege may be changed or discontinued at any time.  You will receive at least 60 days’ notice of any material change to the privilege.  This privilege may not be used for “market timing” and may be terminated for market timing accounts or for any other reason.  For additional information, see “Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing” under “Purchasing Shares.” Ordinarily exchanges between different funds are taxable transactions for federal tax purposes, while permitted exchanges of one class for shares of another class of the same fund are not. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of federal, state, local and other taxes to transactions in Fund shares.

Reinvestment Privilege.  If you redeem shares, you may reinvest at net asset value all or any portion of the redemption proceeds in the same class of shares of the Fund you redeemed from, provided that the reinvestment occurs within 60 days of the redemption, and the privilege has not been used more than once in the prior 12 months. Under these circumstances your account will be credited with any CDSC paid in connection with the redemption. Any CDSC period applicable to the shares you acquire upon reinvestment will run from the date of your original share purchase.  Reinvestment requests must be in writing.  At the time of a reinvestment, you or your financial intermediary must notify the Fund or the transfer agent that you are reinvesting redemption proceeds in accordance with this privilege.  If you reinvest, your purchase will be at the next determined net asset value following receipt of your request.

Telephone and Electronic Transactions.  You can redeem or exchange shares by telephone as described in this Prospectus.  In addition, certain transactions may be conducted through the Eaton Vance website.  The transfer agent and the principal underwriter have procedures in place to authenticate telephone and electronic instructions (such as using security codes or verifying personal account information).  As long as the transfer agent and principal underwriter follow reasonable procedures, they will not be responsible for unauthorized telephone or electronic transactions and you bear the risk of possible loss resulting from these transactions.  You may decline the telephone redemption option on the account application.  Telephone instructions are recorded.

“Street Name” Accounts.  If your shares are held in a “street name” account at a financial intermediary, that intermediary (and not the Fund or its transfer agent) will perform all recordkeeping, transaction processing and distribution payments.  Because the Fund does not maintain an account for you, you should contact your financial intermediary to make transactions in shares, make changes in your account, or obtain account information.  You will not be able to utilize a number of shareholder features, such as telephone or internet transactions, directly with the Fund and certain features may be subject to different requirements.  If you transfer shares in a “street name” account to an account with another financial intermediary or to an account directly with the Fund, you should obtain historical information about your shares prior to the transfer.  

Procedures for Opening New Accounts.  To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each new customer who opens a Fund account and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations.  When you open an account, the transfer agent or your financial intermediary will ask you for your name, address, date of birth (for individuals), residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing) and social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other government-issued identifying number.  You also may be asked to produce a copy of your driver’s license, passport or other identifying documents in order to verify your identity.  In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic databases.  Other information or documents may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.  Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information described above.  If a person fails to provide the information requested, any application by that person to open a new account will be rejected.  Moreover, if the transfer agent or the financial intermediary is unable to verify the identity of a person based on information provided by that person, it may take additional steps including, but not limited to, requesting additional information or documents from the person, closing the person’s account or reporting the matter to the appropriate federal authorities.  If your account is closed for this reason, your shares may be automatically redeemed at the net asset value next determined.  If the Fund’s net asset value has decreased since your purchase, you will lose money as a result of this redemption.  The Fund has also designated an anti-money laundering compliance officer.

Account Questions.  If you have any questions about your account or the services available, please call Eaton Vance Shareholder Services at 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time), or write to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

15

Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


Additional Tax Information

The Fund declares distributions daily and ordinarily pays distributions monthly. It may also be necessary, due to Federal tax requirements, for the Fund to make a special income and/or capital gains distribution at the end of the calendar year. Different Classes may distribute different amounts. Your account will be credited with distributions beginning on the business day after the day when the funds used to purchase your Fund shares are collected by the transfer agent.  Distributions may not be paid if Fund expenses exceed Fund income for the period.  The Fund makes distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually.

A portion of any distribution of the Fund’s investment income may be taxed as ordinary income. Any distribution by the Fund of net realized short-term capital gains generally will be taxed as ordinary income.  Distributions of any net long-term capital gains (net gains from investments held for more than one year) will be taxed as long-term capital gains.  Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares in the Fund.  Distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” (as further described in the Statement of Additional Information) will be taxable to shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and the Fund level.  Over time, distributions by the Fund can generally be expected to include ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain distributions taxable as long-term capital gains.  The Fund’s distributions will be taxable as described above whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.  A portion of the Fund’s income distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.

Investors who purchase shares at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized or realized but undistributed will pay the full price for the shares and then may receive some portion of the purchase price back as a taxable distribution.  Certain distributions paid in January may be taxable to shareholders as if received on December 31 of the prior year.  A redemption of Fund shares, including an exchange for shares of another fund, is a taxable transaction.

The unearned income of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts is subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax.  For individuals, the tax is on the lesser of the “net investment income” and the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly).  Net investment income includes, among other things, interest, dividends, and gross income and capital gains derived from passive activities and trading in securities or commodities.  Net investment income is reduced by deductions “properly allocable” to this income.

The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains), which may decrease the Fund’s yield on such securities.  These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of an applicable tax treaty.  Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund.  In addition, investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the Fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the Fund’s distributions.

A Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 28% of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding.  Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding.  Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

Certain foreign entities may be subject to a 30% withholding tax on dividend income paid and, after December 31, 2018, on redemption proceeds paid under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions subject to FATCA must agree to disclose to the relevant revenue authorities certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners and other foreign entities must certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners to the Fund. For more detailed information regarding FATCA withholding and compliance, please refer to the Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors concerning the applicability of U.S. federal, state, local and other taxes to an investment.


 



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

16

Prospectus dated September 27, 2016


[F1TO10YLCBFPRO004.GIF]


More Information

About the Fund:   More information is available in the Statement of Additional Information.  The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.  Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.  In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the past fiscal year.  You may obtain free copies of the Statement of Additional Information and the shareholder reports on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by contacting the principal underwriter:

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
Two International Place
Boston, MA  02110
1-800-262-1122
website: www.eatonvance.com

You will find and may copy information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information and shareholder reports):  at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, DC (call 1- 202 -551-8090 for information on the operation of the public reference room); on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov); or, upon payment of copying fees, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1520, or by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov.

Shareholder Inquiries:  You can obtain more information from Eaton Vance Shareholder Services or the Fund transfer agent, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.  If you own shares and would like to add to, redeem from or change your account, please write or call below:

Regular Mailing Address:
Eaton Vance Funds
P.O. Box 9653
Providence, RI  02940-9653

 

Overnight Mailing Address:
Eaton Vance Funds
4400 Computer Drive
Westborough, MA  01581

 

Phone Number:
1-800-262-1122
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET


The Fund's Investment Company Act No. is 811-01545

 

23313 9 .27. 16

© 2016 Eaton Vance Management







STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 27, 2016








Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

Class A Shares - EACBX Class I Shares - EICBX

Two International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
1-800-262-1122

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides general information about the Fund. The Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust.  Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus.  

This SAI contains additional information about:

 

Page

 

 

Page

Strategies and Risks

2

 

Sales Charges

20

Investment Restrictions

4

 

Performance

22

Management and Organization

6

 

Taxes

23

Investment Advisory and Administrative Services

15

 

Portfolio Securities Transactions

31

Other Service Providers

18

 

Financial Statements

33

Calculation of Net Asset Value

18

 

Additional Information About Investment Strategies

33

Purchasing and Redeeming Shares

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A: Class A Fees, Performance and Ownership

66

 

Appendix D: Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures

77

Appendix B: Class I  Performance and Ownership

67

 

Appendix E: Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

79

Appendix C: Ratings

68

 

 

 


This SAI is NOT a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the Fund Prospectus dated September 27, 2016, as supplemented from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-262-1122.

© 2016 Eaton Vance Management




Definitions

The following terms that may be used in this SAI have the meaning set forth below:

1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

1933 Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

Board means Board of Trustees or Board of Directors, as applicable;

“CEA” means Commodity Exchange Act;

“CFTC” means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission;

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

“Eaton Vance family of funds” means all registered investment companies advised, administered and/or distributed by Eaton Vance or its affiliates;

“Eaton Vance funds” means the mutual funds sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization;

“Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange;

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority;

“Fund” means the Fund or Funds listed on the cover of this SAI unless stated otherwise;

“investment adviser” means the investment adviser identified in the prospectus and, with respect to the implementation of the Fund’s investment strategies (including as described under “Taxes”) and portfolio securities transactions, any sub-adviser identified in the prospectus;

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service;

“Portfolio” means a registered investment company (other than the Fund) sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization in which one or more Funds and other investors may invest substantially all or any portion of their assets as described in the prospectus, if applicable;

“Subsidiary” means a wholly-owned subsidiary that certain funds may have established to pursue their investment objective. The Fund described in this SAI has not established a subsidiary;

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and

“Trust” means Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, of which the Fund is a series.

STRATEGIES AND RISKS

The Fund prospectus identifies the types of investments in which the Fund will principally invest in seeking its investment objective(s) and the principal risks associated therewith. The categories checked in the table below are all of the investments the Fund is permitted to make, including its principal investments and the investment practices the Fund (either directly or through one or more Portfolios as may be described in the prospectus) is permitted to engage in. To the extent that an investment type or practice listed below is not identified in the Fund prospectus as a principal investment strategy, the Fund generally expects to invest less than 5% of its total assets in such investment type.  If a particular investment type or practice that is checked and listed below but not referred to in the prospectus becomes a more significant part of the Fund’s strategy, the prospectus may be amended to disclose that investment type or practice.  Information about the various investment types and practices and the associated risks checked below is included in alphabetical order in this SAI under “Additional Information about Investment Strategies.”



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

2

SAI dated September 27, 2016



Investment Type

Permitted for or Relevant to the Fund

Asset-Backed Securities (“ABS”)

Auction Rate Securities

Build America Bonds


Call and Put Features on Securities

Cash Equivalents

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ( CMOs )  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities ( CMBS )

Commodity-Related Investments

 

Common Stocks

Contingent Convertible Securities

Convertible Securities

Credit Linked Securities

Derivative Instruments and Related Risks

Derivative-Linked and Commodity-Linked Hybrid Instruments

Direct Investments

 

Emerging Market Investments

Equity Investments

Equity-Linked Securities

Exchange-Traded Funds ( ETFs )

Exchange-Traded Notes ( ETNs )

Fixed-Income Securities

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign Investments

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Forward Rate Agreements

Futures Contracts

High Yield Securities

Hybrid Securities

Illiquid Securities

Indexed Securities

 

Inflation-Indexed (or Inflation-Linked) Bonds

Junior Loans

 

Liquidity or Protective Put Agreements

Loans

 

Master Limited Partnerships ( MLPs )

Mortgage-Backed Securities ( MBS )

Mortgage Dollar Rolls



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

3

SAI dated September 27, 2016



Investment Type

Permitted for or Relevant to the Fund

Municipal Lease Obligations ( MLOs )

 

Municipal Obligations

Option Contracts

Pooled Investment Vehicles

Preferred Stock

Real Estate Investments

Repurchase Agreements

Residual Interest Bonds

 

Restricted Securities

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Rights and Warrants

Royalty Bonds

 

Senior Loans

 

Short Sales

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities ( SMBS )

Structured Notes

Swap Agreements

Swaptions

Trust Certificates

U.S. Government Securities

Unlisted Securities

Variable Rate Instruments

When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitments

Zero Coupon Bonds, Deep Discount Bonds and Payment In-Kind ( PIK ) Securities


Other Disclosures Regarding Investment Practices

Permitted for or Relevant to the Fund

Asset Coverage

Average Effective Maturity

Borrowing for Investment Purposes

 

Borrowing for Temporary Purposes

Cyber Security Risk

Diversified Status

Dividend Capture Trading

 

Duration

Investing in a Portfolio

 

Investments in the Subsidiary

 

Loan Facility

 



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

4

SAI dated September 27, 2016



Other Disclosures Regarding Investment Practices

Permitted for or Relevant to the Fund

Operational Risk

Option Strategy

 

Participation in the ReFlow Liquidity Program

Portfolio Turnover

Securities Lending

Short-Term Trading

Significant Exposure to Health Sciences Companies

 

Significant Exposure to Smaller Companies

 

Significant Exposure to Utility and Financial Services Companies

Tax-Managed Investing

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The following investment restrictions of the Fund are designated as fundamental policies and as such cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, which as used in this SAI means the lesser of:  (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented at the meeting; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  Accordingly, the Fund may not:

(1)

Borrow money or issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act;

(2)

Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities).  The deposit or payment by the Fund of initial, maintenance or variation margin in connection with all types of options and futures contract transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on margin;

(3)

Underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of others, except insofar as it may technically be deemed to be an underwriter in selling a portfolio security under circumstances which may require the registration of the same under the Securities Act of 1933;

(4)

Purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate;

(5)

Make loans to other persons, except by (a) the acquisition of debt securities and making portfolio investments, (b) entering into repurchase agreements (c) lending portfolio securities and (d) lending cash consistent with applicable law;

(6)

With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at current value) in the securities of any one issuer, or invest in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies; or

(7)

Concentrate its investments in any particular industry or group of industries, but, if deemed appropriate for the Fund’s objective, up to (but less than) 25% of the value of its assets may be invested in securities of companies in any one industry (although more than 25% may be invested in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities).

In addition, the Fund may:

(8)

Purchase and sell commodities and commodities contracts of all types and kinds (including without limitation futures contracts, options on futures contracts and other commodities-related investments) to the extent permitted by law.

For purposes of determining industry classifications, the investment adviser considers an issuer to be in a particular industry if a third party has designated the issuer to be in that industry, unless the investment adviser is aware of circumstances that make



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

5

SAI dated September 27, 2016


the third party’s classification inappropriate. In such a case, the investment adviser will assign an industry classification to the issuer.

The Fund’s borrowing policy is consistent with Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act, which states that it shall be unlawful for any registered open-end company to issue any class of senior security or to sell any senior security of which it is the issuer, except that any such registered company shall be permitted to borrow from any bank; provided, that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings of such registered company; and provided further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300% such registered company shall, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%.

Notwithstanding its investment policies and restrictions, the Fund may, in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, invest: (i) all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objective(s), policies and restrictions as the Fund; or (ii) in more than one open-end management investment company sponsored by Eaton Vance or its affiliates, provided any such company has investment objective(s), policies and restrictions that are consistent with those of the Fund.

In addition, to the extent a registered open-end investment company acquires securities of a portfolio in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) under the 1940 Act, such portfolio shall not acquire any securities of a registered open-end investment company in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) under the 1940 Act.

The following nonfundamental investment policies have been adopted by the Fund.  A nonfundamental investment policy may be changed by the Board with respect to the Fund without approval by the Fund’s shareholders.  The Fund will not:

·

make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, unless at all times when a short position is open (i) it owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short or (ii) it holds in a segregated account cash or other liquid securities (to the extent required under the 1940 Act) in an amount equal to the current market value of the securities sold short, and unless not more than 25% of its net assets (taken at current value) is held as collateral for such sales at any one time; or

·

invest more than 15% of net assets in investments which are not readily marketable, including restricted securities and repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.  Restricted securities for the purposes of this limitation do not include securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of said Act that the members of the Board, or their delegate, determines to be liquid.  Any such determination by a delegate will be made pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board.  When investing in Rule 144A securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity may be increased to the extent that eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing such securities.

Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction set forth in the Prospectus or this SAI states a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or describes a policy regarding quality standards, such percentage limitation or standard shall be determined immediately after and as a result of the acquisition by the Fund of such security or asset.  Accordingly, unless otherwise noted, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, assets or other circumstances or any subsequent rating change made by a rating service (or as determined by the investment adviser if the security is not rated by a rating agency), will not compel the Fund to dispose of such security or other asset.  However, the Fund must always be in compliance with the borrowing policy and limitation on investing in illiquid securities set forth above.  If a sale of securities is required to comply with the 15% limit on illiquid securities, such sales will be made in an orderly manner with consideration of the best interests of shareholders.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

6

SAI dated September 27, 2016


MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

Fund Management.  The Trustees of the Trust are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the affairs of the Trust.  The Board members and officers of the Trust are listed below.  Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years.  Board members and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office.  The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act.  The business address of each Board member and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.  As used in this SAI, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “Eaton Vance” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “EVMI” refers to Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (see “Principal Underwriter” under “Other Service Providers”).  EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of Eaton Vance and BMR.  EVMI is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC.  Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with Eaton Vance listed below.

Name and Year of Birth

 

Trust Position(s)

 

Term of Office and
Length of Service

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience

 

Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee (1)

 

Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years (2)

Interested Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THOMAS E. FAUST JR.
1958

 

Trustee

 

Since 2007

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance and BMR, and Director of EVD and EVMI.  Trustee and/or officer of 175 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with BMR, Eaton Vance, EVC, EVD, EVMI and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

 

175

 

Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCOTT E. ESTON
1956

 

Trustee

 

Since 2011

 

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo and Co., L.L.C. (investment management firm) (1997-2009), including Chief Operating Officer (2002-2009), Chief Financial Officer (1997-2009) and Chairman of the Executive Committee (2002-2008); President and Principal Executive Officer, GMO Trust (open-end registered investment company) (2006-2009). Former Partner, Coopers and Lybrand L.L.P. (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1987-1997).  Mr. Eston has apprised the Board of Trustees that he intends to retire as a Trustee of all Eaton Vance funds at a mutually convenient time in 2017.

 

175

 

None

MARK R. FETTING
1954

 

Trustee

 

Since 2016

 

Private investor.  Formerly, held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004).  Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008).  Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

 

175

 

Director and Chairman of Legg Mason, Inc. (2008-2012); Director/Trustee and Chairman of Legg Mason family of funds (14 funds) (2008-2012); and Director/Trustee of the Royce family of funds (35 funds) (2001-2012).

CYNTHIA E. FROST
1961

 

Trustee

 

Since 2014

 

Private investor.  Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012); Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000); Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995); Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989); Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

 

175

 

None



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

7

SAI dated September 27, 2016



Name and Year of Birth

 

Trust Position(s)

 

Term of Office and
Length of Service

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience

 

Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee (1)

 

Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years (2)

GEORGE J. GORMAN
1952

 

Trustee

 

Since 2014

 

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

 

175

 

Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust ( 11 funds) ( 2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds ( 9 funds) ( 2010-2014).

VALERIE A. MOSLEY
1960

 

Trustee

 

Since 2014

 

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm).  Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012).  Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992).  Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

 

175

 

Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

WILLIAM H. PARK
1947

 

Chairperson of the Board and Trustee

 

Chairperson of the Board since 2016 and Trustee since 2003

 

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group, L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

 

175

 

None

HELEN FRAME PETERS
1948

 

Trustee

 

Since 2008

 

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999).  Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

 

175

 

Formerly, Director of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (wholesale club retailer) (2004-2011). Formerly, Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust (exchange traded funds) (2000-2009). Formerly, Director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (a bank for banks) (2007-2009).

SUSAN J. SUTHERLAND
1957

 

Trustee

 

Since 2015

 

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

 

175

 

Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).



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SAI dated September 27, 2016



Name and Year of Birth

 

Trust Position(s)

 

Term of Office and
Length of Service

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience

 

Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee (1)

 

Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years (2)

HARRIETT TEE TAGGART
1948

 

Trustee

 

Since 2011

 

Managing Director, Taggart Associates (a professional practice firm). Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1983-2006).

 

175

 

Director of Albemarle Corporation (chemicals manufacturer) (since 2007) and The Hanover Group (specialty property and casualty insurance company) (since 2009). Formerly, Director of Lubrizol Corporation (specialty chemicals) (2007-2011).

RALPH F. VERNI
1943

 

Trustee

 

since 2005

 

Consultant and private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer (1982-1992), Chief Financial Officer (1988-1990) and Director (1982-1992), New England Life.  Formerly, Chairperson, New England Mutual Funds (1982-1992). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, State Street Management & Research (1992-2000). Formerly, Chairperson, State Street Research Mutual Funds (1992-2000). Formerly, Director, W.P. Carey, LLC (1998-2004) and First Pioneer Farm Credit Corp. (financial services cooperative) (2002-2006).  Consistent with the Trustee retirement policy, Mr. Verni is currently expected to retire as a Trustee of all Eaton Vance funds effective July 1, 2017.

 

175

 

None

SCOTT E. WENNERHOLM
1959

 

Trustee

 

Since 2016

 

Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm). Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (since 2012). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011).  Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004).  Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

 

175

 

None

(1)

Includes both master and feeder funds in a master-feeder structure.

(2)

During their respective tenures, the Trustees (except for Mmes. Frost and Sutherland and Messrs. Fetting, Gorman and Wennerholm ) also served as Board members of one or more of the following funds (which operated in the years noted): eUnits TM 2 Year U.S. Market Participation Trust:  Upside to Cap / Buffered Downside (launched in 2012 and terminated in 2014); eUnits TM 2 Year U.S. Market Participation Trust II:  Upside to Cap / Buffered Downside (launched in 2012 and terminated in 2014); and Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Trust (launched in 1998 and terminated in 2009).  However, Ms. Mosley did not serve as a Board member of eUnits TM 2 Year U.S. Market Participation Trust:  Upside to Cap / Buffered Downside (launched in 2012 and terminated in 2014).




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SAI dated September 27, 2016



Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Name and Year of Birth

 

Trust Position(s)

 

Term of Office and
Length of Service

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

PAYSON F. SWAFFIELD
1956

 

President

 

Since 2013

 

Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of Eaton Vance and BMR.  Officer of 144 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.

MAUREEN A. GEMMA
1960

 

Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

Vice President since 2011, Secretary since 2007 and Chief Legal Officer since 2008

 

Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR.  Officer of 175 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.

JAMES F. KIRCHNER
1967

 

Treasurer

 

Since 2013

 

Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR.  Officer of 175 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.

PAUL M. O’NEIL
1953

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since 2004

 

Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR.  Officer of 175 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR.

The Board has general oversight responsibility with respect to the business and affairs of the Trust and the Fund. The Board has engaged an investment adviser and (if applicable) a sub-adviser (collectively the “adviser”) to manage the Fund and an administrator to administer the Fund and is responsible for overseeing such adviser and administrator and other service providers to the Trust and the Fund. The Board is currently composed of twelve Trustees, including eleven Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (each a “noninterested Trustee”). In addition to six regularly scheduled meetings per year, the Board holds special meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may require action prior to the next regular meeting. As discussed below, the Board has established five committees to assist the Board in performing its oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed a noninterested Trustee to serve in the role of Chairperson. The Chairperson’s primary role is to participate in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the identification of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson also presides at all meetings of the Board and acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Board members generally between meetings. The Chairperson may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. In addition, the Board may appoint a noninterested Trustee to serve in the role of Vice-Chairperson.  The Vice-Chairperson has the power and authority to perform any or all of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and/or as requested by the Chairperson.  Except for any duties specified herein or pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-laws, the designation of Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson does not impose on such noninterested Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board, generally.

The Fund and the Trust are subject to a number of risks, including, among others, investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks. Risk oversight is part of the Board’s general oversight of the Fund and the Trust and is addressed as part of various activities of the Board and its Committees. As part of its oversight of the Fund and the Trust, the Board directly, or through a Committee, relies on and reviews reports from, among others, Fund management, the adviser, the administrator, the principal underwriter, the Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”), and other Fund service providers responsible for day-to-day oversight of Fund investments, operations and compliance to assist the Board in identifying and understanding the nature and extent of risks and determining whether, and to what extent, such risks can or should be mitigated. The Board also interacts with the CCO and with senior personnel of the adviser, administrator, principal underwriter and other Fund service providers and provides input on risk management issues during meetings of the Board and its Committees. Each of the adviser, administrator, principal underwriter and the other Fund service providers has its own, independent interest and responsibilities in risk management, and its policies and methods for carrying out risk management functions will depend, in part, on its individual priorities, resources and controls. It is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals.

The Board, with the assistance of management and with input from the Board's various committees, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of Fund performance. The Board has appointed a Fund CCO who oversees the implementation and testing of the Fund compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Fund and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board’s periodic review of the advisory, subadvisory (if applicable),



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SAI dated September 27, 2016


distribution and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible. With respect to valuation, the Board approves and periodically reviews valuation policies and procedures applicable to valuing the Fund’s shares. The administrator, the investment adviser and the sub-adviser (if applicable) are responsible for the implementation and day-to-day administration of these valuation policies and procedures and provides reports  to the Audit Committee of the Board and the Board regarding these and related matters. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board or the Board receives reports periodically from the independent public accounting firm for the Fund regarding tests performed by such firm on the valuation of all securities, as well as with respect to other risks associated with mutual funds. Reports received from service providers, legal counsel and the independent public accounting firm assist the Board in performing its oversight function.

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust does not set forth any specific qualifications to serve as a Trustee.  The Charter of the Governance Committee also does not set forth any specific qualifications, but does set forth certain factors that the Committee may take into account in considering noninterested Trustee candidates.  In general, no one factor is decisive in the selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considers when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board are the following: (i) knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) experience as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) educational background; (iv) reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) specific financial, technical or other expertise, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board members’ existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the ability to qualify as a noninterested Trustee for purposes of the 1940 Act and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the individual and the Fund; and (viii) such other factors as the Board determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board.

Among the attributes or skills common to all Board members are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other members of the Board, management, sub-advisers, other service providers, counsel and independent registered public accounting firms, and to exercise effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as members of the Board.  Each Board member’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the Board member’s business, consulting, public service and/or academic positions and through experience from service as a member of the Boards of the Eaton Vance family of funds (“Eaton Vance Fund Boards”) (and/or in other capacities, including for any predecessor funds), public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations as set forth below.  Each Board member’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively also has been enhanced by his or her educational background, professional training, and/or other life experiences.

In respect of each current member of the Board, the individual’s substantial professional accomplishments and experience, including in fields related to the operations of registered investment companies, were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a member of the Board.  The following is a summary of each Board member’s particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Board’s conclusion that he or she should serve as a member of the Board:

Scott E. Eston. Mr. Eston has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2011 and is the Chairperson of the Contract Review Committee. He currently serves on the board and on the investment committee of Michigan State University Foundation, and on the investment advisory sub-committee of Michigan State University. From 1997 through 2009, Mr. Eston served in several capacities at Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo and Co. (“GMO”), including as Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and also as the President and Principal Executive officer of GMO Trust, an affiliated open-end registered investment company. From 1978 through 1997, Mr. Eston was employed at Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (since 1987 as a Partner).

Thomas E. Faust Jr.  Mr. Faust has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2007.  He is currently Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance and BMR, and Director of EVD and EVMI.  Mr. Faust has served as a Director of Hexavest Inc. since 2012 and of SigFig Wealth Management LLC since 2016.  Mr. Faust previously served as an equity analyst, portfolio manager, Director of Equity Research and Management and Chief Investment Officer of Eaton Vance (1985-2007).  He holds B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from Harvard Business School.  Mr. Faust has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1988.

Mark R. Fetting. Mr. Fetting has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since September 1, 2016.  He has over 30 years of experience in the investment management industry as an executive and in various leadership roles.  From 2000 through 2012, Mr. Fetting served in several capacities at Legg Mason, Inc., including most recently serving as President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman from 2008 to his retirement in 2012.  He also served as a Director/Trustee and



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SAI dated September 27, 2016


Chairman of the Legg Mason family of funds (2008-2012) and Director/Trustee of the Royce family of funds (2001-2012).  From 2001 through 2008, Mr. Fetting also served as President of the Legg Mason family of funds.  From 1991 through 2000, Mr. Fetting served as Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies.  Early in his professional career, Mr. Fetting was a Vice President at T. Rowe Price and served in leadership roles within the firm’s mutual fund division from 1981 through 1987.

Cynthia E. Frost . Ms. Frost has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014.  From 2000 through 2012, Ms. Frost was the Chief Investment Officer of Brown University, where she oversaw the evaluation, selection and monitoring of the third party investment managers who managed the university’s endowment.  From 1995-2000, Ms. Frost was a Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company, which oversaw Duke University’s endowment.  Ms. Frost also served in various investment and consulting roles at Cambridge Associates (1989-1995), Bain and Company (1987-1989) and BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985). She serves as a member of an advisory board of Creciente Partners Investment Management, LLC, a manager of a multi-manager hedge fund, and has additional experience as a member of the investment committee of several non-profit organizations.

George J. Gorman .  Mr. Gorman has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014 and is the Chairperson of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee.  From 1974 through 2009, Mr. Gorman served in various capacities at Ernst & Young LLP, including as a Senior Partner in the Asset Management Group (from  1988) specializing in managing engagement teams responsible for auditing mutual funds registered with the SEC, hedge funds and private equity funds.  Mr. Gorman also has experience serving as an independent trustee of other mutual fund complexes, including the Bank of America Money Market Funds Series Trust (2011-2014) and the Ashmore Funds (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley.  Ms. Mosley has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014.  She currently owns and manages a consulting and investment firm, Valmo Ventures and is a Director of Progress Investment Management Company, a manager of emerging managers.  From 1992 through 2012, Ms. Mosley served in several capacities at Wellington Management Company, LLP, an investment management firm, including as a Partner, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist.  Ms. Mosley also served as Chief Investment Officer at PG Corbin Asset Management from 1990-1992 and worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody from 1986-1990.  Ms. Mosley is a Director of Dynex Capital, Inc., a mortgage REIT, where she serves on the board’s audit and investment committees.  She also serves as a trustee or board member of several major non-profit organizations and endowments, including Mass Ventures, a quasi-public early-stage investment corporation active in Massachusetts, and New Profit, a non-profit venture philanthropy fund.  She is a member of the Risk Audit Committee of the United Auto Workers Retiree Medical Benefits Trust and a member of the Investment Advisory Committee of New York State Common Retirement Fund.

William H. Park.  Mr. Park has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2003 and is the Independent Chairperson of the Board.  Mr. Park was formerly a consultant (2012-2014) and formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. from 2010-2011. Mr. Park also served as Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. from 2006-2010, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC from 2002-2005, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation from 1982-2001 and as Senior Manager of Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) from 1972-1981.

Helen Frame Peters.  Ms. Peters has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2008 and is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Management Committee.  Ms. Peters is currently a Professor of Finance at Carroll School of Management, Boston College and was formerly Dean of Carroll School of Management from 2000-2002. Ms. Peters was previously a Director of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. from 2004-2011.  In addition, Ms. Peters was the Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income at Scudder Kemper Investments from 1998-1999 and Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income at Colonial Management Associates from 1991-1998.  Ms. Peters also served as a Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust from 2000-2009 and as a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston from 2007-2009.

Susan J. Sutherland.   Ms. Sutherland has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2015.  Ms. Sutherland also serves as a director of Hagerty Holding Corp., a leading provider of specialized automobile and marine insurance.  Ms. Sutherland was a Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., a global provider of customized reinsurance and insurance products, from 2013 until its sale in 2015.  From 1982 through 2013, Ms. Sutherland was an associate, counsel and then a partner in the Financial Institutions Group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she primarily represented U.S. and international insurance and reinsurance companies, investment banks and private equity firms in insurance-related corporate transactions.  In addition, Ms. Sutherland is qualified as a Governance Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors and has also served as a board member of prominent non-profit organizations.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016


Harriett Tee Taggart. Ms. Taggart has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2011 and is the Chairperson of the Governance Committee. Ms. Taggart currently manages a professional practice, Taggart Associates. Since 2007, Ms. Taggart has been a Director of Albemarle Corporation, a specialty chemical company where she serves as a member of the Executive Compensation Committee. Since 2009 she has served as a Director of the Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. where she serves as Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee.  Ms. Taggart is also a trustee or member of several major non-profit boards, advisory committees and endowment investment companies. From 1983 through 2006, Ms. Taggart served in several capacities at Wellington Management Company, LLP, an investment management firm, including as a Partner, Senior Vice President and chemical industry sector portfolio manager. Ms. Taggart also served as a Director of the Lubrizol Corporation, a specialty chemicals manufacturer from 2007-2011.

Ralph F. Verni.  Mr. Verni has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2005 and is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee.  Mr. Verni was formerly the Chief Investment Officer (from 1982-1992), Chief Financial Officer (from 1988-1990) and Director (from 1982-1992) of New England Life.  Mr. Verni was also the Chairperson of the New England Mutual Funds from 1982-1992; President and Chief Executive Officer of State Street Management & Research from 1992-2000; Chairperson of the State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1992-2000; Director of W.P. Carey, LLC from 1998-2004; and Director of First Pioneer Farm Credit Corp. from 2002-2006.  Mr. Verni has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1977.

Scott E. Wennerholm. Mr. Wennerholm has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since September 1, 2016.  He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry in various leadership and executive roles.  From 2005 through 2011, Mr. Wennerholm served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (from 2005-2011).  He also served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management from 1997-2004 and was a Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services from 1994-1997.  Mr. Wennerholm currently serves as a Trustee at Wheelock College, a postsecondary institution.

The Board of the Trust has several standing Committees, including the Governance Committee, the Audit Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee and the Contract Review Committee.  Each of the Committees are comprised of only noninterested Trustees.

Mmes. Taggart (Chairperson), Frost, Mosley, Peters and Sutherland, and Messrs. Eston, Fetting, Gorman, Park , Verni and Wennerholm are members of the Governance Committee.  The purpose of the Governance Committee is to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the structure, membership and operation of the Board and the Committees thereof, including the nomination and selection of noninterested Trustees and a Chairperson of the Board and the compensation of such persons.  

The Governance Committee will, when a vacancy exists, consider a nominee for Trustee recommended by a shareholder, provided that such recommendation is submitted in writing to the Fund’s Secretary at the principal executive office of the Fund. Such recommendations must be accompanied by biographical and occupational data on the candidate (including whether the candidate would be an “interested person” of the Fund), a written consent by the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as Trustee if elected, record and ownership information for the recommending shareholder with respect to the Fund, and a description of any arrangements or understandings regarding recommendation of the candidate for consideration.

Messrs. Verni (Chairperson), Eston, Gorman , Park and Wennerholm are members of the Audit Committee.  The Board has designated Mr. Park, a noninterested Trustee, as audit committee financial expert.  The Audit Committee’s purposes are to (i) oversee the  Fund's accounting and financial reporting processes, its internal control over financial reporting, and, as appropriate, the internal control over financial reporting of certain service providers; (ii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of the quality and integrity of the  Fund's financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the  Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the  Fund's accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement and, when appropriate, replacement of the independent registered public accounting firm, and, if applicable, nominate the independent registered public accounting firm to be proposed for shareholder ratification in any proxy statement of the  Fund; (v) evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and the audit partner in charge of leading the audit; and (vi) prepare, as necessary, audit committee reports consistent with the requirements of applicable SEC and stock exchange rules for inclusion in the proxy statement of the  Fund.  

Messrs. Eston (Chairperson), Fetting, Gorman , Park and Wennerholm , and Mmes. Frost, Mosley, Peters, Sutherland and Taggart are members of the Contract Review Committee.  The purposes of the Contract Review Committee are to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the following matters: (i) contractual arrangements with each service provider to the Fund , including advisory, sub-advisory, transfer agency, custodial and fund accounting, distribution



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SAI dated September 27, 2016


services and administrative services; (ii) any and all other matters in which any service provider (including Eaton Vance or any affiliated entity thereof) has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the interests of the Fund or investors therein; and (iii) any other matter appropriate for review by the noninterested Trustees, unless the matter is within the responsibilities of the other Committees of the Board.  

Mmes. Peters (Chairperson), Frost, Mosley and Taggart and Mr. Fetting are members of the Portfolio Management Committee. The purposes of the Portfolio Management Committee are to: (i) assist the Board in its oversight of the portfolio management process employed by the Fund and its investment adviser and sub-adviser(s), if applicable, relative to the Fund’s stated objective(s), strategies and restrictions; (ii) assist the Board in its oversight of the trading policies and procedures and risk management techniques applicable to the Fund ; and (iii) assist the Board in its monitoring of the performance results of all funds and portfolios, giving special attention to the performance of certain funds and portfolios that it or the Board identifies from time to time.

Messrs. Gorman (Chairperson), Eston , Verni and Wennerholm , and Ms. Sutherland are members of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. The purposes of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee are to: (i) assist the Board in its oversight role with respect to compliance issues and certain other regulatory matters affecting the Fund ; (ii) serve as a liaison between the Board and the Fund’s CCO; and (iii) serve as a “qualified legal compliance committee” within the rules promulgated by the SEC.  

Share Ownership.  The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund and in the Eaton Vance family of funds overseen by the Trustee as of December 31, 2015.  None of the Trustees owned shares of the Fund as of December 31, 2015 since the Fund had not commenced operations.

Name of Trustee

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially Owned in Funds
Overseen by Trustee in the
Eaton Vance Family of Funds

Interested Trustee

 

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

over $100,000

Noninterested Trustees

 

Scott E. Eston

over $100,000

Mark. R. Fetting*

None

Cynthia E. Frost

over $100, 00 **

George J. Gorman

over $100,000

Valerie A. Mosley

over $100,000

William H. Park

over $100,000

Helen Frame Peters

over $100,000

Susan J. Sutherland

over $100,000**

Harriett Tee Taggart

over $100,000

Ralph F. Verni

over $100,000

Scott E. Wennerholm*

None

 

 

*

Messrs. Fetting and Wennerholm began serving as Trustees effective September 1, 2016 .

 

 

**

Includes shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned through the Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan.

As of December 31, 2015, no noninterested Trustee or any of their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any class of securities of EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD.



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SAI dated September 27, 2016


During the calendar years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, no noninterested Trustee (or their immediate family members) had:

(1)

 Any direct or indirect interest in Eaton Vance, EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD;

(2)

 Any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or series of similar transactions with (i) the Trust or any Fund; (ii) another fund managed by EVC, distributed by EVD or a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; (iii) EVC or EVD; (iv) a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; or (v) an officer of any of the above; or

(3)

 Any direct or indirect relationship with (i) the Trust or any Fund; (ii) another fund managed by EVC, distributed by EVD or a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; (iii) EVC or EVD; (iv) a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; or (v) an officer of any of the above.

During the calendar years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, no officer of EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD served on the Board of Directors of a company where a noninterested Trustee of the Trust or any of their immediate family members served as an officer.

Noninterested Trustees may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of a Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”).  Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, an eligible Board member may elect to have his or her deferred fees invested in the shares of one or more funds in the Eaton Vance family of funds, and the amount paid to the Board members under the Deferred Compensation Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments.  Deferral of Board members’ fees in accordance with the Deferred Compensation Plan will have a negligible effect on the assets, liabilities, and net income of a participating fund or portfolio, and do not require that a participating Board member be retained.  There is no retirement plan for Board members.

The fees and expenses of the Trustees of the Trust are paid by the Fund (and other series of the Trust). (A Board member who is a member of the Eaton Vance organization receives no compensation from the Trust.) During the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017, it is estimated that the Trustees of the Trust will earn the following compensation in their capacities as Board members from the Trust.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Board members earned the following compensation in their capacities as members of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards (1) :

Source of Compensation

Scott E.
Eston

Mark R.
Fetting

Cynthia E.
Frost

George J.
Gorman

Valerie A.
Mosley

William H.
Park

Helen Frame
Peters

Susan J.
Sutherland

Harriett Tee
Taggart

Ralph F.
Verni

Scott E.
Wennerholm

Trust (2)

$2,663

$2,417

$2,417

$2,663

$2,499

$2,839

$2,663

$2,417

$2,663

$3,264

$2,417

Trust and Fund Complex (1)

$312,083

$290,000

$290,000 (3)

$297,500

$300,000

$316,250

$316,250

$290,000 (4)

$316,250

$415,833

$290,000

 (1)

As of September 1, 2016 , the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of 175 registered investment companies or series thereof. Messrs. Fetting and Wennerholm began serving as Trustees effective September 1, 2016, and thus the compensation figures listed for the Trust and Fund Complex is estimated based on the amount each would have received if they had been Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015. Ms. Sutherland began serving as a Trustee effective May 1, 2015, and thus the compensation figures listed for the Trust and the Trust and Fund Complex are estimated based on amounts she would have received if she had been a Trustee for the full calendar year ended December 31, 2015. Ronald A. Pearlman retired as a Trustee effective July 1, 2015. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2015, he received $235,000 from the Trust and Fund Complex.

(2)

The Trust consisted of 14 Funds as of September 1, 2016.

(3)

Includes $180,000 of deferred compensation.

(4)

Includes $277,490 of deferred compensation.

Fund Organization. The Fund is a series of the Trust, which was organized under Massachusetts law on March 27, 1989 as a trust with transferable shares, commonly referred to as a “Massachusetts business trust” and is operated as an open-end management investment company. The Trust may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (no par value per share) in one or more series (such as the Fund). The Trustees of the Trust have divided the shares of the Fund into multiple classes. Each class represents an interest in the Fund, but is subject to different expenses, rights and privileges. The Trustees have the authority under the Declaration of Trust to create additional classes of shares with differing rights and privileges.  When issued and outstanding, shares are fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.  Shareholders of the Trust are entitled to one vote for each full share held.  Fractional shares may be voted proportionately.  Shares of all Funds in the Trust will be voted together with respect to the election or removal of Trustees and on other matters affecting all Funds similarly. On matters affecting only a particular Fund, all shareholders of the affected Fund will vote together as a single class, except that only shareholders of a particular class may vote on matters affecting only that class.  Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights and are freely



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transferable. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets attributable to that class available for distribution to shareholders.

As permitted by Massachusetts law, there will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees of the Trust holding office have been elected by shareholders.  In such an event the Trustees then in office will call a shareholders’ meeting for the election of Trustees.  Except for the foregoing circumstances and unless removed by action of the shareholders in accordance with the Trust’s By-laws, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.  The Trust’s By-laws provide that any Trustee may be removed with or without cause, by (i) the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the shares or, (ii) the affirmative vote of, or written instrument, signed by at least two-thirds of the remaining Trustees, provided however, that the removal of any noninterested Trustee shall additionally require the affirmative vote of, or a written instrument executed by, at least two-thirds of the remaining noninterested Trustees.  No person shall serve as a Trustee if shareholders holding two-thirds of the outstanding shares have removed him or her from that office either by a written declaration filed with the Trust’s custodian or by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose. The By-laws further provide that under certain circumstances the shareholders may call a meeting to remove a Trustee and that the Trust is required to provide assistance in communication with shareholders about such a meeting.

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust may be amended by the Trustees when authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, the financial interests of which are affected by the amendment.  The Trustees may also amend the Declaration of Trust without the vote or consent of shareholders to change the name of the Trust or any series, if they deem it necessary to conform it to applicable federal or state laws or regulations, or to make such other changes (such as reclassifying series or classes of shares or restructuring the Trust) provided such changes do not have a materially adverse effect on the financial interests of shareholders.  The Trust’s By-laws provide that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with any litigation or proceeding in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust.  However, no indemnification will be provided to any Trustee or officer for any liability to the Trust or shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that any legal proceeding brought by or on behalf of a shareholder seeking to enforce any provision of, or based upon any matter arising out of, related to or in connection with, the Declaration of Trust, the Trust, any Fund or Class or the shares of any Fund must be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for Massachusetts or, if such court does not have jurisdiction for the matter, then in the Superior Court of Suffolk County for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  If a shareholder brings a claim in another venue and the venue is subsequently changed through legal process to the foregoing Federal or state court, then the shareholder will be required to reimburse the Trust and other persons for the expenses incurred in effecting the change in venue.  

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust also provides that, except to the extent explicitly permitted by Federal law, a shareholder may not bring or maintain a court action on behalf of the Trust or any Fund or class of shares (commonly referred to as a derivative claim) without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring the action.  Within 90 days of receipt of the demand, the Trustees will consider the merits of the claim and determine whether commencing or maintaining an action would be in the best interests of the Trust or the affected Fund or Class.  Any decision by the Trustees to bring, maintain or settle, or to not bring, maintain or settle the action, will be final and binding upon shareholders and therefore no action may be brought or maintained after a decision is made to reject a demand.  In addition, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, each shareholder acknowledges and agrees that any alleged injury to the Trust’s property, any diminution in the value of a shareholder’s shares and any other claim arising out of or relating to an allegation regarding the actions, inaction or omissions of or by the Trustees, the officers of the Trust or the investment adviser of the Fund is a legal claim belonging only to the Trust and not to the shareholders individually and, therefore, that any such claim is subject to the demand requirement for derivative claims referenced above.

The Trust or any series or class thereof may be terminated by: (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust or the appropriate series or class thereof, or by an instrument or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the holders of two-thirds of the shares of the Trust or a series or class thereof, provided, however, that, if such termination is recommended by the Trustees, the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or a series or class thereof entitled to vote thereon shall be sufficient authorization; or (2) by the approval of a majority of the Trustees then in office, to be followed by a written notice to shareholders.

Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust.  Numerous investment companies registered under the 1940 Act have been formed as Massachusetts business trusts, and management is not aware of an instance where such liability has



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been imposed.  The Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the Trust’s By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders.  The Declaration of Trust also contains provisions limiting the liability of a series or class to that series or class.  Moreover, the Trust’s By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability.  The assets of the Fund are readily marketable and will ordinarily substantially exceed its liabilities. In light of the nature of the Fund’s business and the nature of its assets, management believes that the possibility of the Fund’s liability exceeding its assets, and therefore the shareholder’s risk of personal liability, is remote.

Proxy Voting Policy.  The Board adopted a proxy voting policy and procedures (the “Fund Policy”), pursuant to which the Board has delegated proxy voting responsibility to the investment adviser and adopted the proxy voting policies and procedures of the investment adviser (the “Adviser Policies”).  An independent proxy voting service has been retained to assist in the voting of Fund proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping and disclosure services.  The members of the Board will review the Fund’s proxy voting records from time to time and will annually consider approving the Adviser Policies for the upcoming year.  For a copy of the Fund Policy and Adviser Policies, see Appendix D and Appendix E, respectively.  Pursuant to certain provisions of the 1940 Act and certain exemptive orders relating to funds investing in other funds, a Fund or Portfolio may be required or may elect to vote its interest in another fund in the same proportion as the holders of all other shares of that fund.   Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Investment Advisory and Administrative Services. The investment adviser manages the investments and affairs of the Fund and provides related office facilities and personnel subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.  The investment adviser furnishes investment research, advice and supervision, furnishes an investment program and determines what securities will be purchased, held or sold by the Fund and what portion, if any, of the Fund’s assets will be held uninvested.  The Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement requires the investment adviser to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust who are members of the investment adviser's organization and all personnel of the investment adviser performing services relating to research and investment activities.

The Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement with the investment adviser continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the noninterested Trustees of the Trust cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and (ii) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.  The Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days’ written notice by the Board of either party, or by vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and the Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. The Agreement provides that the investment adviser may render services to others.  The Agreement also provides that the investment adviser shall not be liable for any loss incurred in connection with the performance of its duties, or action taken or omitted under the Agreement, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, or for any losses sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other investment.  The Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any person not a party to it any right, benefit or remedy of any nature.

Information About Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance is a business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  EV serves as trustee of Eaton Vance.  EV and Eaton Vance are wholly-owned subsidiaries of EVC, a Maryland corporation and publicly-held holding company.  BMR is an indirect subsidiary of EVC.   EVC through its subsidiaries and affiliates engages primarily in investment management, administration and marketing activities.  The Directors of EVC are Thomas E. Faust Jr., Ann E. Berman, Leo I. Higdon, Jr., Brian D. Langstraat, Dorothy E. Puhy, Winthrop H. Smith, Jr. and Richard A. Spillane, Jr.  All shares of the outstanding Voting Common Stock of EVC are deposited in a Voting Trust, the Voting Trustees of which are Mr. Faust, Jeffrey P. Beale, Craig R. Brandon, Daniel C. Cataldo, Michael A. Cirami, Cynthia J. Clemson, James H. Evans, Maureen A. Gemma, Laurie G. Hylton, Mr. Langstraat, Frederick S. Marius, David C. McCabe, Scott H. Page, Edward J. Perkin, Lewis R. Piantedosi, Charles B. Reed, Craig P. Russ, John L. Shea, Eric A. Stein, Payson F. Swaffield, Michael W. Weilheimer, R. Kelly Williams and Matthew J. Witkos (all of whom are officers of Eaton Vance or its affiliates).  The Voting Trustees have unrestricted voting rights for the election of Directors of EVC.  All of the outstanding voting trust receipts issued under said Voting Trust are owned by certain of the officers of Eaton Vance who may also be officers, or officers and Directors of EVC and EV.  As indicated under “Management and Organization,” all of the officers of the Trust (as well as Mr. Faust who is also a Trustee) hold positions in the Eaton Vance organization.



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Code of Ethics.  The investment adviser, principal underwriter, and the Fund have adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal securities transactions pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act.  Under the Codes, employees of the investment adviser and the principal underwriter may purchase and sell securities (including securities held or eligible for purchase by the Fund) subject to the provisions of the Codes and certain employees are also subject to pre-clearance, reporting requirements and/or other procedures.

Portfolio Managers.  The portfolio managers (each referred to as a “portfolio manager”) of the Fund are listed below.  The following table shows, as of August 31, 2016, the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the accounts managed within each category.  The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in those accounts.

 

Number of
All Accounts

Total Assets of
All Accounts

Number of Accounts
Paying a Performance Fee

Total Assets of Accounts
Paying a Performance Fee

Maria C. Cappellano

 

 

 

 

Registered Investment Companies

0

$0

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

1

$3,130.7

0

$0

Other Accounts

0

$0

0

$0

John H. Croft

 

 

 

 

Registered Investment Companies

6

$5,327.5

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

$0

0

$0

Other Accounts

56

$1,328.4 (2)

0

$0

Thomas H. Luster (1)

 

 

 

 

Registered Investment Companies

3

$594.7

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

1

$3,130.7

0

$0

Other Accounts

29

$469.9

0

$0

(1)

This portfolio manager serves as portfolio manager of one or more registered investment companies that invests or may invest in one or more underlying registered investment companies in the Eaton Vance family of funds or other pooled investment vehicles sponsored by Eaton Vance.  The underlying investment companies may be managed by this portfolio manager or another portfolio manager.

(2)

For “Other Accounts” that are part of a wrap account program, the number of accounts is the number of sponsors for which the portfolio manager provides advisory services rather than the number of individual customer accounts within each wrap account program.

The portfolio managers did not beneficially own any equity securities of the Fund since the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI.  The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned in the Eaton Vance Family of funds by the portfolio manager(s) as of December 31, 2015.  

Portfolio Managers

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Owned in
the Eaton Vance Family of Funds

Maria C. Cappellano

$500,001 - $1,000,000

John H. Croft

$100,001 - $500,000

Thomas H. Luster

Over $1,000,000

It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which a portfolio manager is responsible on the other.  For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he or she advises.  In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, the portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund.  In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account.  The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities.  Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his or her discretion in a manner that he or she believes is equitable to all interested persons.  The investment adviser has adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern



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the investment adviser's trading practices, including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocations, cross trades and best execution.

Compensation Structure for Eaton Vance.  Compensation of the investment adviser's portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components:  (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock and restricted shares of EVC’s nonvoting common stock.  The investment adviser’s investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to the investment adviser’s employees.  Compensation of the investment adviser’s investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis.  Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.

Method to Determine Compensation.  The investment adviser compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus the benchmark(s) stated in the prospectus, as well as an appropriate peer group (as described below).  In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance.  Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to, the Sharpe ratio (Sharpe ratio uses standard deviation and excess return to determine reward per unit of risk).  Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end.  Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc.  When a fund’s peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by the investment adviser’s management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group or market index.  In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods.  A portion of the compensation payable to equity portfolio managers and investment professionals will be determined based on the ability of one or more accounts managed by such manager to achieve a specified target average annual gross return over a three year period in excess of the account benchmark.  The cash bonus to be payable at the end of the three year term will be established at the inception of the term and will be adjusted positively or negatively to the extent that the average annual gross return varies from the specified target return.  For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes.  For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis.  For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the fund’s success in achieving its objective.  For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts.  Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.

The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers’ performance in meeting them.

The investment adviser seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry.  The investment adviser participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals.  Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of the investment adviser and its parent company.  The overall annual cash bonus pool is generally based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus adjusted operating income.  While the salaries of the investment adviser’s portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein.  For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration.   Effective December 31, 2012, the CFTC adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swaps agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments.  The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the investment adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund are subject to CFTC regulation. Because of their management of other strategies, Eaton Vance and BMR are registered with the CFTC as commodity pool operators. Eaton Vance and BMR are also registered as commodity trading advisors.  The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the investment strategies or this SAI.



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Administrative Services.  Eaton Vance also provides administrative services to the Fund.  Under its Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement, Eaton Vance has been engaged to administer the Fund’s affairs, subject to the supervision of the Board, and shall furnish office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for administering the affairs of the Fund.

Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services.  Eaton Vance provides sub-transfer agency and related services to Eaton Vance mutual funds pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement.  Under the agreement, Eaton Vance provides:  (1) specified sub-transfer agency services; (2) compliance monitoring services; and (3) intermediary oversight services.  For the services it provides, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate annual fee equal to the lesser of $2.5 million or the actual expenses incurred by Eaton Vance in the performance of such services. The Fund will pay a pro rata share of such fee.

Expenses. The Fund is responsible for all expenses not expressly stated to be payable by another party (such as expenses required to be paid pursuant to an agreement with the investment adviser and administrator or the principal underwriter).  In the case of expenses incurred by the Trust, the Fund is responsible for its pro rata share of those expenses.  Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan for Eaton Vance Funds, Fund expenses are allocated to each class on a pro rata basis, except that distribution and service fees are allocated exclusively to the class that incurs them.

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Principal Underwriter.  Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (“EVD”), Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 is the principal underwriter of the Fund.  The principal underwriter acts as principal in selling shares under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust.  The expenses of printing copies of prospectuses used to offer shares and other selling literature and of advertising are borne by the principal underwriter.  The fees and expenses of qualifying and registering and maintaining qualifications and registrations of the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws are borne by the Fund.  The Distribution Agreement is renewable annually by the members of the Board (including a majority of the noninterested Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement or any applicable Distribution Plan), may be terminated on sixty days’ notice either by such Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Fund shares or on six months’ notice by the principal underwriter and is automatically terminated upon assignment.  The principal underwriter distributes shares on a “best efforts” basis under which it is required to take and pay for only such shares as may be sold.  EVD is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC.  Mr. Faust is a Director of EVD.

Custodian.  State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as custodian to the Fund.  State Street has custody of all cash and securities of the Fund, maintains the general ledger of the Fund and computes the daily net asset value of shares of the Fund.  In such capacity it attends to details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, transfer or other dealings with the Fund’s investments, receives and disburses all funds and performs various other ministerial duties upon receipt of proper instructions from the Trust.  State Street provides services in connection with the preparation of shareholder reports and the electronic filing of such reports with the SEC.  EVC and its affiliates and their officers and employees from time to time have transactions with various banks, including State Street.  It is Eaton Vance’s opinion that the terms and conditions of such transactions were not and will not be influenced by existing or potential custodial or other relationships between the Fund and such banks.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.   Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116, independent registered public accounting firm, audits the Fund's financial statements and provides other audit, tax and related services.

Transfer Agent.  BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, serves as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value of the Fund is determined by State Street (as agent and custodian) by subtracting the liabilities of the Fund from the value of its total assets.  The Fund is closed for business and will not issue a net asset value on the following business holidays and any other business day that the Exchange is closed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Fund’s net asset value per share is readily accessible on the Eaton Vance website (www.eatonvance.com).

The Board has approved procedures pursuant to which investments are valued for purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value.  Listed below is a summary of the methods generally used to value investments (some or all of which may be held by the Fund) under the procedures.



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·

Equity securities (including common stock, exchange-traded funds, closed end funds, preferred equity securities, exchange-traded notes and other instruments that trade on recognized stock exchanges) are valued at the last sale, official close or if there are no reported sales at the mean between the bid and asked price on the primary exchange on which they are traded.  

·

Most debt obligations are valued on the basis of market valuations furnished by a pricing service or at the mean of the bid and asked prices provided by recognized broker/dealers of such securities.  The pricing service may use a pricing matrix to determine valuation.  

·

Short-term obligations and money market securities maturing in sixty days or less typically are valued at amortized cost which approximates value.  

·

Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange quotations supplied by a pricing service.

·

Senior and Junior Loans are valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service.  The pricing service uses transactions and market quotations from brokers in determining values.

·

Futures contracts are valued at the settlement or closing price on the primary exchange or board of trade on which they are traded.

·

Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices.  Over-the-counter options are valued based on quotations obtained from a pricing service or from a broker (typically the counterparty to the option).

·

Non-exchange traded derivatives (including swap agreements (other than those which have been centrally cleared), forward contracts and equity participation notes) are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by a pricing service or using quotes provided by a broker/dealer (typically the counterparty).  Swap agreements that have been cleared by a central counterparty (“CCP”) are valued at the daily settlement price provided by the CCP.

·

Precious metals are valued are valued at the New York Composite mean quotation.

·

Liabilities with a payment or maturity date of 364 days or less are stated at their principal value and longer dated liabilities generally will be carried at their fair value.

·

Valuations of foreign equity securities and total return swaps and exchange-traded futures contracts on non-North American equity indices may be adjusted from prices in effect at the close of trading on foreign exchanges to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange. Such fair valuations may be based on information provided by a pricing service.

Investments which are unable to be valued in accordance with the foregoing methodologies are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the members of the Board.  Such methods may include consideration of relevant factors, including but not limited to (i) the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, (ii) the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, (iii) quotations or relevant information obtained from broker-dealers or other market participants, (iv) information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), (v) an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial condition, (vi) an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold (vii) an analysis of the terms of any transaction involving the issuer of such securities; and (viii) any other factors deemed relevant by the investment adviser.  The portfolio managers of one Eaton Vance fund that invests in Senior and Junior Loans may not possess the same information about a Senior or Junior Loan as the portfolio managers of another Eaton Vance fund.  As such, at times the fair value of a Loan determined by certain Eaton Vance portfolio managers may vary from the fair value of the same Loan determined by other portfolio managers.

PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES

Additional Information About Purchases.  Fund shares are offered for sale only in states where they are registered.  Fund shares are continuously offered through financial intermediaries which have entered into agreements with the principal underwriter.  Fund shares are sold at the public offering price, which is the net asset value plus the initial sales charge, if any.  The Fund receives the net asset value.  The principal underwriter receives the sales charge, all or a portion of which may be reallowed to the financial intermediaries responsible for selling Fund shares.  The sales charge table in the Prospectus is applicable to purchases of the Fund alone or in combination with purchases of certain other funds offered by the principal underwriter, made at a single time by (i) an individual, or an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of twenty-one, purchasing shares for his or their own account, and (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account.  The table is also presently applicable to (1) purchases of Class A shares pursuant to a written



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Statement of Intention; or (2) purchases of Class A shares pursuant to the Right of Accumulation and declared as such at the time of purchase. See “Sales Charges.”

In connection with employer sponsored retirement plans, the Fund may accept initial investments of less than the minimum investment amount on the part of an individual participant.  In the event a shareholder who is a participant of such a plan terminates participation in the plan, his or her shares will be transferred to a regular individual account.  However, such account will be subject to the right of redemption by the Fund as described below.

Class I Share Purchases. Class I shares are available for purchase by clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and employer sponsored retirement plans. Class I shares also are offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates; certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance ; current and retired members of Eaton Vance Fund Boards; employees of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and such persons’ spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts.

Waiver of Investment Minimums. In addition to waivers described in the Prospectus, minimum investment amounts are waived for current and retired members of Eaton Vance Fund Boards, clients (including custodial, agency, advisory and trust accounts), current and retired officers and employees of Eaton Vance, its affiliates and other investment advisers and sub-advisers to the Eaton Vance family of funds, and for such persons’ spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts.  The minimum initial investment amount is also waived for officers and employees of the Fund’s custodian and transfer agent and in connection with the merger (or similar transaction) of an investment company (or series or class thereof) or personal holding company with the Fund (or class thereof).  Investments in a Fund by ReFlow in connection with the Reflow liquidity program are also not subject to the minimum investment amount.

Suspension of Sales.  The Trust may, in its absolute discretion, suspend, discontinue or limit the offering of one or more of its classes of shares at any time.  In determining whether any such action should be taken, the Trust’s management intends to consider all relevant factors, including (without limitation) the size of the Fund or class, the investment climate and market conditions and the volume of sales and redemptions of shares. The Class A Distribution Plan may continue in effect and payments may be made under the Plan following any such suspension, discontinuance or limitation of the offering of shares; however, there is no contractual obligation to continue the Plan for any particular period of time.  Suspension of the offering of shares would not, of course, affect a shareholder’s ability to redeem shares.

Additional Information About Redemptions.  The right to redeem shares of the Fund can be suspended and the payment of the redemption price deferred when the Exchange is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings), during periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC, or during any emergency as determined by the SEC which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or value its assets, or during any other period permitted by order of the SEC for the protection of investors.

Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Trust reserves the right to redeem accounts with balances of less than $750.  Prior to such a redemption, shareholders will be given 60 days’ written notice to make an additional purchase.  However, no such redemption would be required by the Trust if the cause of the low account balance was a reduction in the net asset value of shares. No CDSC or redemption fees, if applicable, will be imposed with respect to such involuntary redemptions.

While normally payments will be made in cash for redeemed shares, the Trust, subject to compliance with applicable regulations, has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of shares of the Fund, either totally or partially, by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities.  The securities so distributed would be valued pursuant to the valuation procedures described in this SAI.  If a shareholder received a distribution in kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan.  The transfer agent will send to the shareholder regular monthly or quarterly payments of any permitted amount designated by the shareholder based upon the value of the shares held.  The checks will be drawn from share redemptions and hence, may require the recognition of taxable gain or loss.  Income dividends and capital gains distributions in connection with withdrawal plan accounts will be credited at net asset value as of the record date for each distribution.  Continued withdrawals in excess of current income will eventually use up principal, particularly in a period of declining market prices.  A shareholder may not have a withdrawal plan in effect at the same time he or she has authorized Bank Automated Investing or is otherwise making regular purchases of Fund shares.  The shareholder, the transfer agent or the principal underwriter may terminate the withdrawal plan at any time without penalty.



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Other Information. The Fund s net asset value per share is normally rounded to two decimal places.  In certain situations (such as a merger, share split or a purchase or sale of shares that represents a significant portion of a share class), the administrator may determine to extend the calculation of the net asset value per share to additional decimal places to ensure that neither the value of the Fund nor a shareholder’s shares is diluted materially as the result of a purchase or sale or other transaction.

SALES CHARGES

Dealer Commissions.  The principal underwriter may, from time to time, at its own expense, provide additional incentives to financial intermediaries which employ registered representatives who sell Fund shares and/or shares of other funds distributed by the principal underwriter.  In some instances, such additional incentives may be offered only to certain financial intermediaries whose representatives sell or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares.  In addition, the principal underwriter may from time to time increase or decrease the sales commissions payable to financial intermediaries.  The principal underwriter may allow, upon notice to all financial intermediaries with whom it has agreements, discounts up to the full sales charge during the periods specified in the notice.  During periods when the discount includes the full sales charge, such financial intermediaries may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

Purchases at Net Asset Value. Class A shares may be sold at net asset value (without a sales charge) to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform; current and retired members of Eaton Vance Fund Boards; to clients (including custodial, agency, advisory and trust accounts) and current and former officers and employees of Eaton Vance, its affiliates and other investment advisers and sub-advisers of Eaton Vance sponsored funds; and to such persons’ spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts.  Such shares may also be issued at net asset value (1) in connection with the merger (or similar transaction) of an investment company (or series or class thereof) or personal holding company with the Fund (or class thereof), (2) to HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) and to employer sponsored retirement plans and trusts used to fund those plans, (3) to officers and employees of the Fund’s custodian and transfer agent and (4) in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program.  Class A shares may also be sold at net asset value to registered representatives and employees of financial intermediaries.  Sales charges generally are waived because either (i) there is no sales effort involved in the sale of shares or (ii) the investor is paying a fee (other than the sales charge) to the financial intermediary involved in the sale.  Any new or revised sales charge or CDSC waiver will be prospective only.

CDSC Waiver.  CDSCs will be waived in connection with minimum required distributions from employer sponsored retirement plans and individual retirement accounts by applying the rate required to be withdrawn under the applicable rules and regulations of the IRS to the balance of shares in your account.

Statement of Intention.  If it is anticipated that $50,000 or more of Class A shares and shares of other funds exchangeable for Class A shares of another Eaton Vance fund will be purchased within a 13-month period, the Statement of Intention section of the account application should be completed so that shares may be obtained at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum.  Shares eligible for the right of accumulation (see below) as of the date of the statement and purchased during the 13-month period will be included toward the completion of the statement.  If you make a statement of intention, the transfer agent is authorized to hold in escrow sufficient shares (5% of the dollar amount specified in the statement) which can be redeemed to make up any difference in sales charge on the amount intended to be invested and the amount actually invested.  A statement of intention does not obligate the shareholder to purchase or the Fund to sell the full amount indicated in the statement.

If the amount actually purchased during the 13-month period is less than that indicated in the statement, the shareholder will be requested to pay the difference between the sales charge applicable to the shares purchased and the sales charge paid under the statement of intention.  If the payment is not received in 20 days, the appropriate number of escrowed shares will be redeemed in order to realize such difference. Shareholders will not receive a lower sales charge if total purchases during the 13-month period are large enough to qualify for a lower sales charge than that applicable to the amount specified in the statement. If the sales charge rate changes during the 13-month period, all shares purchased or charges assessed after the date of such change will be subject to the then applicable sales charge.

Right of Accumulation.  Under the right of accumulation, the applicable sales charge level is calculated by aggregating the dollar amount of the current purchase and the value (calculated at the maximum current offering price) of shares owned by the shareholder.  The sales charge on the shares being purchased will then be applied at the rate applicable to the aggregate.  Share purchases eligible for the right of accumulation are described under “Sales Charges” in the Prospectus.  For any such discount to be made available at the time of purchase a purchaser or his or her financial intermediary must provide the principal underwriter (in the case of a purchase made through a financial intermediary) or the transfer agent (in the case of an investment made by



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mail) with sufficient information to permit verification that the purchase order qualifies for the accumulation privilege.  Confirmation of the order is subject to such verification.  The right of accumulation privilege may be amended or terminated at any time as to purchases occurring thereafter.

Distribution Plans

The Trust has in effect a compensation-type Distribution Plan for Class A shares (the “Class A Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.  The Class A Plan is designed to (i) finance activities which are primarily intended to result in the distribution and sales of Class A shares and to make payments in connection with the distribution of such shares and (ii) pay service fees for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts to the principal underwriter, financial intermediaries and other persons.  The distribution and service fees payable under the Class A Plan shall not exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for any fiscal year.  Class A distribution and service fees are paid monthly in arrears.  For the distribution and service fees paid by Class A shares, see Appendix A.

The Board believes that the Plan will be a significant factor in the expected growth of the Fund’s assets, and will result in increased investment flexibility and advantages which have benefitted and will continue to benefit the Fund and its shareholders.  The Eaton Vance organization may profit by reason of the operation of a Plan through an increase in Fund assets and if at any point in time the aggregate amounts received by the principal underwriter pursuant to a Plan exceeds the total expenses incurred in distributing Fund shares. For sales commissions and CDSCs, if applicable, see Appendix A .

A Plan continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually by the vote of both a majority of (i) the noninterested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to the Plan (the “Plan Trustees”) and (ii) all of the Trustees then in office.  A Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Plan Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Class.  Quarterly Board member review of a written report of the amount expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made is required.  A Plan may not be amended to increase materially the payments described therein without approval of the shareholders of the affected Class and the Board.  So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the noninterested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such Trustees.  The Trustees, including the Plan Trustees, initially approved the current Plan(s) on August 10, 2016.  Any Board member who is an “interested” person of the Trust has an indirect financial interest in a Plan because his or her employer (or affiliates thereof) receives distribution and/or service fees under the Plan or agreements related thereto.

PERFORMANCE

Performance Calculations.  Average annual total return before deduction of taxes (“pre-tax return”) is determined by multiplying a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000 by the average annual compound rate of return (including capital appreciation/depreciation, and distributions paid and reinvested) for the stated period and annualizing the result.  The calculation assumes (i) that all distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period, (ii) the deduction of the maximum of any initial sales charge from the initial $1,000 purchase, (iii) a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the period, and (iv) the deduction of any applicable CDSC at the end of the period.  

Average annual total return after the deduction of taxes on distributions is calculated in the same manner as pre-tax return except the calculation assumes that any federal income taxes due on distributions are deducted from the distributions before they are reinvested.  Average annual total return after the deduction of taxes on distributions and taxes on redemption also is calculated in the same manner as pre-tax return except the calculation assumes that (i) any federal income taxes due on distributions are deducted from the distributions before they are reinvested and (ii) any federal income taxes due upon redemption are deducted at the end of the period.  After-tax returns are based on the highest federal income tax rates in effect for individual taxpayers as of the time of each assumed distribution and redemption (taking into account their tax character), and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.  In calculating after-tax returns, the net value of any federal income tax credits available to shareholders is applied to reduce federal income taxes payable on distributions at or near year-end and, to the extent the net value of such credits exceeds such distributions, is then assumed to be reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset value on the last day of the fiscal year in which the credit was generated or, in the case of certain tax credits, on the date on which the year-end distribution is paid.   For pre-tax and after-tax total return information, see Appendix A and Appendix B.

In addition to the foregoing total return figures, the Fund may provide pre-tax and after-tax annual and cumulative total return, as well as the ending redeemable cash value of a hypothetical investment.  If shares are subject to a sales charge, total return figures may be calculated based on reduced sales charges or at net asset value.  These returns would be lower if the full sales charge was imposed.  After-tax returns may also be calculated using different tax rate assumptions and taking into account state and local income taxes as well as federal taxes.



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Yield is computed pursuant to a standardized formula by dividing the net investment income per share earned during a recent thirty-day period by the maximum offering price (including the maximum of any initial sales charge) per share on the last day of the period and annualizing the resulting figure.  Yield figures do not reflect the deduction of any applicable CDSC, but assume the maximum of any initial sales charge.  Actual yield may be affected by variations in sales charges on investments.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings and Related Information.  The Board has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policies”) with respect to the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings of the Fund.  See the Fund's Prospectus for information on disclosure made in filings with the SEC and/or posted on the Eaton Vance website (www.eatonvance.com) and disclosure of certain portfolio characteristics.  Pursuant to the Policies, information about portfolio holdings of the Fund may also be disclosed as follows:

·

Confidential disclosure for a legitimate Fund purpose:  Portfolio holdings may be disclosed, from time to time as necessary, for a legitimate business purpose of the Fund, believed to be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, provided there is a duty or an agreement that the information be kept confidential.  Any such confidentiality agreement includes provisions intended to impose a duty not to trade on the non-public information.  The Policies permit disclosure of portfolio holdings information to the following: 1) affiliated and unaffiliated service providers that have a legal or contractual duty to keep such information confidential, such as employees of the investment adviser (including portfolio managers and, in the case of a Portfolio, the portfolio manager of any account that invests in the Portfolio), the administrator, custodian, transfer agent, principal underwriter, etc. described herein and in the Prospectus;  2) other persons who owe a fiduciary or other duty of trust or confidence to the Fund (such as Fund legal counsel and independent registered public accounting firm); or 3) persons to whom the disclosure is made in advancement of a legitimate business purpose of the Fund and who have expressly agreed in writing to maintain the disclosed information in confidence and to use it only in connection with the legitimate business purpose underlying the arrangement.  To the extent applicable to an Eaton Vance fund, such persons may include securities lending agents which may receive information from time to time regarding selected holdings which may be loaned by a Fund, in the event a Fund is rated, credit rating agencies (Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group), analytical service providers engaged by the investment adviser (Advent, Bloomberg L.P., Evare, Factset, McMunn Associates, Inc., MSCI/Barra and The Yield Book, Inc.), proxy evaluation vendors (Institutional Shareholder Servicing Inc.), pricing services (TRPS Mark-to-Market Pricing Service, WM Company Reuters Information Services and Non-Deliverable Forward Rates Service, Markit Pricing Direct, FT Interactive Data Corp., Standard & Poor’s Securities Evaluation Service, Inc., SuperDerivatives and Stat Pro.), which receive information as needed to price a particular holding, translation services, third-party reconciliation services, lenders under Fund credit facilities (Citibank, N.A. and its affiliates), consultants and other product evaluators (Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC) and, for purposes of facilitating portfolio transactions, financial intermediaries and other intermediaries (national and regional municipal bond dealers and mortgage-backed securities dealers).  These entities receive portfolio information on an as needed basis in order to perform the service for which they are being engaged.  If required in order to perform their duties, this information will be provided in real time or as soon as practical thereafter.  Additional categories of disclosure involving a legitimate business purpose may be added to this list upon the authorization of the Fund’s Board.  In addition to the foregoing, disclosure of portfolio holdings may be made to the Fund’s investment adviser as a seed investor in a fund, in order for the adviser or its parent to satisfy certain reporting obligations and reduce its exposure to market risk factors associated with any such seed investment. Also, in connection with a redemption in kind, the redeeming shareholder may be required to agree to keep the information about the securities to be so distributed confidential, except to the extent necessary to dispose of the securities.

·

Historical portfolio holdings information:  From time to time, the Fund may be requested to provide historic portfolio holdings information or certain characteristics of portfolio holdings that have not been made public previously.  In such case, the requested information may be provided if: the information is requested for due diligence or another legitimate purpose; the requested portfolio holdings or portfolio characteristics are for a period that is no more recent than the date of the portfolio holdings or portfolio characteristics posted to the Eaton Vance website; and the dissemination of the requested information is reviewed and approved in accordance with the Policies.

The Fund, the investment adviser and principal underwriter will not receive any monetary or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

The Policies may not be waived, or exception made, without the consent of the CCO of the Fund .  The CCO may not waive or make exception to the Policies unless such waiver or exception is consistent with the intent of the Policies, which is to ensure that disclosure of portfolio information is in the best interest of Fund shareholders.  In determining whether to permit a waiver of or exception to the Policies, the CCO will consider whether the proposed disclosure serves a legitimate purpose of the Fund, whether it could provide the recipient with an advantage over Fund shareholders or whether the proposed disclosure gives rise to a conflict of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and its investment adviser, principal underwriter or other affiliated person.  



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The CCO will report all waivers of or exceptions to the Policies to the Board at their next meeting.  The Board may impose additional restrictions on the disclosure of portfolio holdings information at any time.

The Policies are designed to provide useful information concerning the Fund to existing and prospective Fund shareholders while at the same time inhibiting the improper use of portfolio holdings information in trading Fund shares and/or portfolio securities held by the Fund.  However, there can be no assurance that the provision of any portfolio holdings information is not susceptible to inappropriate uses (such as the development of “market timing” models), particularly in the hands of highly sophisticated investors, or that it will not in fact be used in such ways beyond the control of the Fund.

TAXES

The following is a summary of some of the tax consequences affecting the Fund and its shareholders.  The summary does not address all of the special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as individual retirement accounts and employer sponsored retirement plans, tax-exempt entities, foreign investors, insurance companies and financial institutions. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to special tax rules that may apply in their particular situations, as well as the federal, state, local, and, where applicable, foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.  

Taxation of the Fund.  The Fund, as a series of the Trust, is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.  The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund intends to satisfy certain requirements relating to sources of its income and diversification of its assets and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income (including tax-exempt income, if any) and net short-term and long-term capital gains (after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code, so as to maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying any federal income tax.  Based on advice of counsel, the Fund will not recognize gain or loss on its distribution of appreciated securities in shareholder-initiated redemptions of its shares.  If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies the above-mentioned distribution requirements, it will not be subject to federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Fund intends to qualify as a RIC for its current fiscal year.  

The Fund also seeks to avoid payment of federal excise tax. However, if the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for such year and substantially all of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted to so elect and so elects), plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. In order to avoid incurring a federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that the Fund distributes (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income (excluding tax-exempt income, if any) for such year, (ii) at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (which is the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses), generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards, and (iii) 100% of any income and capital gains from the prior year (as previously computed) that was not paid out during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements it will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. Under current law, provided that the Fund qualifies as a RIC (and, where applicable, the Portfolio is treated as a partnership for Massachusetts and federal tax purposes), the Fund should not be liable for any income, corporate excise or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including distributions of tax-exempt income and net capital gain (if any), will be taxable to the shareholder as dividend income. However, such distributions may be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, in order to re-qualify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions.

In certain situations, the Fund may, for a taxable year, elect to defer all or a portion of its net capital losses (or if there is no net capital loss, then any net long-term or short-term capital loss) realized after October and its late-year ordinary losses (defined as the sum of the excess of post-October foreign currency and passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) losses over post-October foreign currency and PFIC gains plus the excess of post-December ordinary losses over post-December ordinary income) realized after December until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses.  Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October (or December) may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.



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The Code contains a provision codifying the judicial economic substance doctrine, which has traditionally been used by courts to deny tax benefits for transactions that lack economic substance; a strict liability penalty is imposed for an understatement of tax liability due to a transaction’s lack of economic substance.

Taxation of the Portfolio.  If the Fund invests its assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally must satisfy the applicable source of income and asset diversification requirements in order for the Fund to also satisfy these requirements. For federal income tax purposes, the Portfolio intends to be treated as a partnership that is not a “publicly traded partnership” and, as a result, will not be subject to federal income tax. The Fund, as an investor in the Portfolio, will be required to take into account in determining its federal income tax liability its share of such Portfolio’s income, gains, losses, deductions and credits, without regard to whether it has received any distributions from such Portfolio. The Portfolio will allocate at least annually among its investors, including the Fund, the Portfolio’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses, and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit. For purposes of applying the requirements of the Code regarding qualification as a RIC, the Fund (i) will be deemed to own its proportionate share of each of the assets of the Portfolio and (ii) will be entitled to the gross income of the Portfolio attributable to such share. Under current law, provided that the Portfolio is treated as a partnership for Massachusetts and federal tax purposes, the Portfolio should not be liable for any income, corporate excise or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Taxation of the Subsidiary. See the definition of Subsidiary under Definitions at the front of this SAI for information about whether any Fund and/or Portfolio (if applicable) described herein has established a Subsidiary.  The Subsidiary is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As described in the prospectus, the Fund has either applied for or received from the IRS a private letter ruling or has received advice from counsel relating to the treatment of the income allocated to the Fund from the Subsidiary for purposes of the Fund’s status as a “RIC” under the Code.  Foreign corporations, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless they are deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that the Subsidiary will conduct it activities in a manner so as to meet the requirements of a safe harbor under Section 864(b)(2) of the Code under which the Subsidiary may engage in trading in stocks or securities or certain commodities without being deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, if certain of the Subsidiary's activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor (which is not expected), then the activities of the Subsidiary may constitute a U.S. trade or business, and would be taxed as such.

The Subsidiary is treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) for tax purposes and the Fund is treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of the Subsidiary. As a result, the Fund is required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary's “subpart F income,” whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary's income will be “subpart F income.” The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary's “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund's tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary's underlying income. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income earned by the Fund.  

Tax Consequences of Certain Investments.  The following summary of the tax consequences of certain types of investments applies to the Fund and the Portfolio, as appropriate.  References in the following summary to “the Fund” are to any Fund or Portfolio that can engage in the particular practice as described in the prospectus or SAI.  

Securities Acquired at Market Discount or with Original Issue Discount.  Investment in securities acquired at a market discount, or in zero coupon, deferred interest, payment-in-kind and certain other securities with original issue discount, generally may cause the Fund to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities. Such income will be accrued daily by the Fund and, in order to avoid a tax payable by the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash so that the Fund may make required distributions to its shareholders.  The Fund may elect to accrue market discount income on a daily basis.

Lower Rated or Defaulted Securities.   Investments in securities that are at risk of, or are in, default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income.

Municipal Obligations.   Any recognized gain or income attributable to market discount on long-term tax-exempt municipal obligations (i.e., obligations with a term of more than one year) purchased after April 30, 1993 (except to the extent of a portion of the discount attributable to original issue discount), is taxable as ordinary income. A long-term debt obligation is generally treated as acquired at a market discount if purchased after its original issue at a price less than (i) the stated principal amount payable at maturity, in the case of an obligation that does not have original issue discount or (ii) in the case of an obligation that



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does have original issue discount, the sum of the issue price and any original issue discount that accrued before the obligation was purchased, subject to a de minimis exclusion.

From time to time proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on certain types of municipal obligations, and it can be expected that similar proposals may be introduced in the future. As a result of any such future legislation, the availability of municipal obligations for investment by the Fund and the value of the securities held by it may be affected. It is possible that events occurring after the date of issuance of municipal obligations, or after the Fund’s acquisition of such an obligation, may result in a determination that the interest paid on that obligation is taxable, even retroactively.

If the Fund seeks income exempt from state and/or local taxes, information about such taxes is contained in an appendix to this SAI (see the Table of Contents).  

Tax Credit Bonds.   If the Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more tax credit bonds (including Build America Bonds, clean renewable energy bonds and other qualified tax credit bonds) on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year and the Fund satisfies the minimum distribution requirement, the Fund may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholder‘s proportionate share of tax credits from the applicable bonds that otherwise would be allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to their proportionate share of those offsetting tax credits. A shareholder‘s ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code. Even if the Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.

Derivatives.   The Fund’s investments in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts (to the extent permitted) and certain other transactions may be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of Fund securities, convert capital gain into ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of Fund distributions.

Investments in so-called “section 1256 contracts,” such as regulated futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most stock indices, are subject to special tax rules. All section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions in section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a “hedging transaction” nor part of a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund.  Unless an election is made, net 1256 gain or loss on forward currency contracts will be treated as ordinary income or loss.

Fund positions in index options that do not qualify as “section 1256 contracts” under the Code generally will be treated as equity options governed by Code Section 1234. Pursuant to Code Section 1234, if a written option expires unexercised, the premium received is short-term capital gain to the Fund. If the Fund enters into a closing transaction with respect to a written option, the difference between the premium received and the amount paid to close out its position is short-term capital gain or loss. If an option written by the Fund that is not a “section 1256 contract” is cash settled, any resulting gain or loss will be short-term capital gain. For an option purchased by the Fund that is not a “section 1256 contract”, any gain or loss resulting from sale of the option will be a capital gain or loss, and will be short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If the option expires, the resulting loss is a capital loss and is short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If a put option written by the Fund is exercised and physically settled, the premium received is treated as a reduction in the amount paid to acquire the underlying securities, increasing the gain or decreasing the loss to be realized by the Fund upon sale of the securities. If a call option written by the Fund is exercised and physically settled, the premium received is included in the sale proceeds, increasing the gain or decreasing the loss realized by the Fund at the time of option exercise.

As a result of entering into swap contracts, the Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. The Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund has been a party to a swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, the Fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to



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future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss.

Short Sales.   In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when the Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale is generally considered to be capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules generally treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by the Fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by the Fund for more than one year. In general, the Fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered.

Constructive Sales.   The Fund may recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain “appreciated financial positions” if the Fund enters into a short sale, offsetting notional principal contract, or forward contract transaction with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property. Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment include interests (including options and forward contracts and short sales) in stock and certain other instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply if the transaction is closed out not later than thirty days after the end of the taxable year in which the transaction was initiated, and the underlying appreciated securities position is held unhedged for at least the next sixty days after the hedging transaction is closed.

Gain or loss on a short sale will generally not be realized until such time as the short sale is closed. However, as described above in the discussion of constructive sales, if the Fund holds a short sale position with respect to securities that have appreciated in value, and it then acquires property that is the same as or substantially identical to the property sold short, the Fund generally will recognize gain on the date it acquires such property as if the short sale were closed on such date with such property. Similarly, if the Fund holds an appreciated financial position with respect to securities and then enters into a short sale with respect to the same or substantially identical property, the Fund generally will recognize gain as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date it enters into the short sale. The subsequent holding period for any appreciated financial position that is subject to these constructive sale rules will be determined as if such position were acquired on the date of the constructive sale.

Foreign Investments and Currencies.   The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains), which would decrease the Fund’s income on such securities. These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of an applicable U.S. income tax treaty. If more than 50% of Fund assets at year end consists of the debt and equity securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries. If the election is made, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata share of such taxes. A shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code (including a holding period requirement applied at both the Fund and shareholder level), as a result of which a shareholder may not get a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes. In particular, the Fund must own the dividend-paying stock for more than 15 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days prior to the ex-dividend date. Likewise, shareholders must hold their Fund shares (without protection from risk or loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 additional days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days prior to the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim the foreign tax with respect to a given dividend. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but no deduction) for such taxes. Individual shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) may not deduct such taxes for AMT purposes.

Transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, forward contracts and similar instruments (to the extent permitted) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency.   Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss.

Investments in PFICs could subject the Fund to U.S. federal income tax or other charges on certain distributions from such companies and on disposition of investments in such companies; however, the tax effects of such investments may be mitigated by making an election to mark such investments to market annually or treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund”. If the Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code, the Fund might be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not



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distributed to the Fund, and such amounts would be subject to the distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Alternatively, if the Fund were to make a mark-to-market election with respect to a PFIC, the Fund would be treated as if it had sold and repurchased the PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the Fund would report any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. This election must be made separately for each PFIC, and once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years unless revoked with the consent of the IRS. The Fund may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock in any particular year. As a result, the Fund may have to distribute this “phantom” income and gain to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax.

U.S. Government Securities.   Distributions paid by the Fund that are derived from interest on obligations of the U.S. Government and certain of its agencies and instrumentalities (but generally not distributions of capital gains realized upon the disposition of such obligations) may be exempt from state and local income taxes. The Fund generally intends to advise shareholders of the extent, if any, to which its distributions consist of such interest. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the possible exclusion of such portion of their dividends for state and local income tax purposes.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”).   Any investment by the Fund in equity securities of a REIT qualifying as such under Subchapter M of the Code may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds.   Periodic adjustments for inflation to the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond may give rise to original issue discount, which will be includable in the Fund’s gross income (see “Securities Acquired at Market Discount or with Original Issue Discount” above).  Also, if the principal value of an inflation-indexed bond is adjusted downward due to inflation, amounts previously distributed in the taxable year may be characterized in some circumstances as a return of capital (see “Taxation of Fund Shareholders” below).

Taxation of Fund Shareholders.   Subject to the discussion of distributions of tax-exempt income below, Fund distributions of investment income and net gains from investments held for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Fund distributions of any net gains from investments held for more than one year are taxable as long-term capital gains. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated the gains, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares in the Fund.  Dividends and distributions on the Fund’s shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they are made out of the Fund’s earnings and profits, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment.  Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund’s net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.  

Distributions paid by the Fund during any period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income and capital gains actually earned during the period.  If the Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Fund‘s current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder‘s tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.  A shareholder’s tax basis cannot go below zero and any return of capital distributions in excess of a shareholder’s tax basis will be treated as capital gain.

Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take taxable distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made.  However, for federal income tax purposes, dividends that are declared by the Fund in October, November or December as of a record date in such month and actually paid in January of the following year will be treated as if they were paid on December 31 of the year declared.  Therefore, such dividends will generally be taxable to a shareholder in the year declared rather than in the year paid.

The amount of distributions payable by the Fund may vary depending on general economic and market conditions, the composition of investments, current management strategy and Fund operating expenses.  The Fund will inform shareholders of the tax character of distributions annually to facilitate shareholder tax reporting.  



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The Fund may elect to retain its net capital gain, in which case the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the 35% corporate tax rate.  In such a case, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders of record on the last day of its taxable year treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

Any Fund distribution, other than dividends that are declared by the Fund on a daily basis, will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset value of Fund shares by the amount of the distribution. If a shareholder buys shares when the Fund has unrealized or realized but not yet distributed ordinary income or capital gains, the shareholder will pay full price for the shares and then may receive a portion back as a taxable distribution even though such distribution may economically represent a return of the shareholder’s investment.

Tax-Exempt Income.   Distributions by the Fund of net tax-exempt interest income that are properly reported as “exempt-interest dividends” may be treated by shareholders as interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes under Section 103(a) of the Code.  In order for the Fund to be entitled to pay the tax-exempt interest income as exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders, the Fund must satisfy certain requirements, including the requirement that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax under Code Section 103(a).  Interest on certain municipal obligations may be taxable for purposes of the federal AMT and for state and local purposes. In addition, corporate shareholders must include the full amount of exempt-interest dividends in computing the preference items for the purposes of the AMT. Fund shareholders are required to report tax-exempt interest on their federal income tax returns.

Tax-exempt distributions received from the Fund are taken into account in determining, and may increase, the portion of social security and certain railroad retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income tax.  Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry Fund shares that distributes exempt-interest dividends will not be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a shareholder receives exempt interest dividends with respect to any Fund share and if the share is held by the shareholder for six months or less, then any loss on the sale or exchange of the share may, to the extent of the exempt-interest dividends, be disallowed.  Furthermore, a portion of any exempt-interest dividend paid by the Fund that represents income derived from certain revenue or private activity bonds held by the Fund may not retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of a shareholder who is a “substantial user” of a facility financed by such bonds, or a “related person” thereof. In addition, the receipt of dividends and distributions from the Fund may affect a foreign corporate shareholder’s federal “branch profits” tax liability and the federal “excess net passive income” tax liability of a shareholder of a Subchapter S corporation. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether they are (i) “substantial users” with respect to a facility or “related” to such users within the meaning of the Code or (ii) subject to a federal alternative minimum tax, the federal “branch profits” tax, or the federal “excess net passive income” tax.

Qualified Dividend Income.   “Qualified dividend income” received by an individual is taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain (currently at a maximum rate of 20% plus a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax). In order for a dividend received by Fund shareholders to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stock in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning at the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. Payments in lieu of dividends, such as payments pursuant to securities lending arrangements, also do not qualify to be treated as qualified dividend income.  In general, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. In any event, if the aggregate qualified dividends received by the Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income, then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than properly reported capital gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain with respect to the sale of stocks and securities included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.



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Dividends Received Deduction for Corporations.   A portion of distributions made by the Fund which are derived from dividends from U.S. corporations may qualify for the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”) for corporations. The DRD is reduced to the extent the Fund shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under the Code and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date or if the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Receipt of certain distributions qualifying for the DRD may result in reduction of the tax basis of the corporate shareholder’s shares. Distributions eligible for the DRD may give rise to or increase the alternative minimum tax for certain corporations.  Payments in lieu of dividends, such as payments pursuant to securities lending arrangements, also do not qualify for the DRD.   

Recognition of Unrelated Business Taxable Income by Tax-Exempt Shareholders.   Under current law, tax-exempt investors generally will not recognize unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) from distributions from the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could recognize UBTI if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of a tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code section 514(b). In addition, certain types of income received by the Fund from REITs, real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), taxable mortgage pools or other investments may cause the Fund to designate some or all of its distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To Fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may: (1) constitute taxable income as UBTI for those shareholders who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, employer sponsored retirement plans and certain charitable entities; (2) not be offset by otherwise allowable deductions for tax purposes; (3) not be eligible for reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (4) cause the Fund to be subject to tax if certain “disqualified organizations” as defined by the Code are Fund shareholders.

Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares.  Generally, upon the sale or (if permitted) exchange of Fund shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less.

Any loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of Fund shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any Fund distributions treated as long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of a loss realized on a sale or other disposition of Fund shares may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shareholder acquired other shares of the same Fund (whether through the reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within the period beginning 30 days before the redemption of the loss shares and ending 30 days after such date. Any disallowed loss will result in an adjustment to the shareholder’s tax basis in some or all of the other shares acquired.   See the prospectus for information regarding any permitted exchange of Fund shares.

Sales charges paid upon a purchase of shares subject to a front-end sales charge cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on a redemption or exchange of the shares before the 91st day after their purchase to the extent a sales charge is reduced or eliminated in a subsequent acquisition of Fund shares (or shares of another fund) on or before January 31 of the following calendar year pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. Any disregarded amounts will result in an adjustment to the shareholder’s tax basis in some or all of any other shares acquired.

Applicability of Medicare Contribution Tax.   The Code imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts. For individuals, the tax is on the lesser of the “net investment income” and the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly). Net investment income includes, among other things, interest, dividends, and gross income and capital gains derived from passive activities and trading in securities or commodities. Net investment income is reduced by deductions “properly allocable” to this income.

Back-Up Withholding for U.S. Shareholders.   Amounts paid by the Fund to individuals and certain other shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certain certifications required by the IRS as well as shareholders with respect to whom the Fund has received certain information from the IRS or a broker, may be subject to “backup” withholding of federal income tax arising from the Fund’s taxable dividends and other distributions as well as the proceeds of redemption transactions (including repurchases and exchanges), at a rate of 28%. An individual’s TIN is generally his or her social security number. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

Taxation of Foreign Shareholders.   In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends and exempt-interest dividends) paid to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code (a “foreign person” or “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). The withholding tax does not



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apply to regular dividends paid to a foreign person who provides an IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the foreign person’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the foreign person were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A foreign person who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.  A foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on gains realized on the sale of shares of the Fund, net capital gain dividends, exempt interest dividends, and amounts retained by the Fund that are reported as undistributed capital gains.

Properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year).  However, depending on its circumstances, the Fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.  In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder would need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or substitute Form).  In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary could withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain.  Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

Distributions that the Fund reports as “short-term capital gain dividends” or “long-term capital gain dividends” will not be treated as such to a recipient foreign shareholder if the distribution is attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation and the Fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceeded certain levels. Instead, if the foreign shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of distribution, such distributions will be subject to 30% withholding by the Fund and will be treated as ordinary dividends to the foreign shareholder; if the foreign shareholder owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the distribution, such distribution will be treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the foreign shareholder to U.S. filing requirements. The rules described in this paragraph, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the Fund’s participation or a foreign shareholder’s participation in a wash sale transaction or the payment of a substitute dividend.  

Additionally, if the Fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, a foreign shareholder realizing gains upon redemption from the Fund could be subject to the 35% withholding tax and U.S. filing requirements unless the foreign person had not held more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares throughout either such person’s holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years, 50% or more of the value of the Fund’s shares were held by U.S. entities.

The same rules apply with respect to distributions to a foreign shareholder from the Fund and redemptions of a foreign shareholder’s interest in the Fund attributable to a REIT’s distribution to the Fund of gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation, if the Fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels.  

Provided that 50% or more of the value of the Fund’s stock is held by U.S. shareholders, distributions of U.S. real property interests (including securities in a U.S. real property holding corporation, unless such corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market and the Fund has held 5% or less of the outstanding shares of the corporation during the five-year period ending on the date of distribution), in redemption of a foreign shareholder’s shares of the Fund will cause the Fund to recognize gain.  If the Fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will be equal to the fair market value of such interests over the Fund’s adjusted basis to the extent of the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the Fund during the five-year period ending on the date of redemption.

In the case of foreign non-corporate shareholders, the Fund may be required to backup withhold U.S. federal income tax on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax unless such shareholders furnish the Fund with proper notification of their foreign status.

Shares of the Fund held by a non-U.S. shareholder at death will be considered situated within the United States and subject to the U.S. estate tax.



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Compliance with the HIRE Act.   A 30% withholding tax is imposed on U.S.-source dividends, interest and other income items, including those paid by the Fund and, after December 31, 2018, will be imposed on proceeds from the sale of property producing U.S.-source dividends, including shares in the Fund, paid to (i) foreign financial institutions including non-U.S. investment funds unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain other foreign entities, unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners.  To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to either enter into agreements with the IRS that state that they will provide the IRS information, including the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of direct and indirect U.S. account holders, comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts, report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained, agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information, and determine certain other information as to their account holders or, in the event that an applicable intergovernmental agreement and implementing legislation are adopted, agree to provide certain information to other revenue authorities for transmittal to the IRS. Other foreign entities will need to either provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership unless certain exceptions apply or agree to provide certain information to other revenue authorities for transmittal to the IRS.  Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in the Fund.  

Requirements of Form 8886.   Under Treasury Regulations, if a shareholder realizes a loss on disposition of the Fund’s shares of at least $2 million in any single taxable year or $4 million in any combination of taxable years for an individual shareholder or at least $10 million in any single taxable year or $20 million in any combination of taxable years for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances. Under certain circumstances, certain tax-exempt entities and their managers may be subject to excise tax if they are parties to certain reportable transactions.

Other Taxes.  Dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation.

Changes in Taxation.  The taxation of the Fund, the Portfolio, the Subsidiary and shareholders may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations, IRS revenue procedures and/or guidance issued by the IRS.

PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Decisions concerning the execution of portfolio security transactions, including the selection of the market and the broker-dealer firm, are made by the investment adviser.  The Fund is responsible for the expenses associated with its portfolio transactions.  The investment adviser is also responsible for the execution of transactions for all other accounts managed by it.  The investment adviser places the portfolio security transactions for execution with one or more broker-dealer firms.  The investment adviser uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio security transactions at prices which in the investment adviser’s judgment are advantageous to the client and at a reasonably competitive spread or (when a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably competitive commission rates.  In seeking such execution, the investment adviser will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including without limitation the full range and quality of the broker-dealer firm’s services, responsiveness of the firm to the investment adviser, the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security, the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities of the broker-dealer firm, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the firm, the value and quality of the services rendered by the firm in this and other transactions, and the amount of the spread or commission, if any.  In addition, the investment adviser may consider the receipt of Research Services (as defined below), provided it does not compromise the investment adviser’s obligation to seek best overall execution for the Fund and is otherwise in compliance with applicable law.  The investment adviser may engage in portfolio brokerage transactions with a broker-dealer firm that sells shares of Eaton Vance funds, provided such transactions are not directed to that firm as compensation for the promotion or sale of such shares.

Transactions on stock exchanges and other agency transactions involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions.  Such commissions vary among different broker-dealer firms, and a particular broker-dealer may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction and the volume of business done with such broker-dealer.  Transactions in foreign securities often involve the payment of brokerage commissions, which may be higher than those in the United States.  There is generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter markets including transactions in fixed-income securities which are generally purchased and sold on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through



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broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account rather than as brokers.  Such firms attempt to profit from such transactions by buying at the bid price and selling at the higher asked price of the market for such obligations, and the difference between the bid and asked price is customarily referred to as the spread.  Fixed-income transactions may also be transactions directly with the issuer of the obligations.  In an underwritten offering the price paid often includes a disclosed fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer.  Although spreads or commissions paid on portfolio security transactions will, in the judgment of the investment adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided, commissions exceeding those which another firm might charge may be paid to broker-dealers who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of the investment adviser’s clients in part for providing brokerage and research services to the investment adviser as permitted by applicable law.

Pursuant to the safe harbor provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Section 28(e)”) and to the extent permitted by other applicable law, a broker or dealer who executes a portfolio transaction on behalf of the investment adviser client may receive a commission that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such compensation was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.  This determination may be made on the basis of either that particular transaction or on the basis of the overall responsibility which the investment adviser and its affiliates have for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion.  “Research Services” as used herein includes any and all brokerage and research services to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) and other applicable law. Generally, Research Services may include, but are not limited to, such matters as research, analytical and quotation services, data, information and other services products and materials which assist the investment adviser in the performance of its investment responsibilities. More specifically, Research Services may include general economic, political, business and market information, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities and portfolio strategies and transactions, technical analysis of various aspects of the securities markets, recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities and other portfolio transactions, certain financial, industry and trade publications, certain news and information services, and certain research oriented computer software, data bases and services.  Any particular Research Service obtained through a broker-dealer may be used by the investment adviser in connection with client accounts other than those accounts which pay commissions to such broker-dealer, to the extent permitted by applicable law.  Any such Research Service may be broadly useful and of value to the investment adviser in rendering investment advisory services to all or a significant portion of its clients, or may be relevant and useful for the management of only one client’s account or of a few clients’ accounts, or may be useful for the management of merely a segment of certain clients’ accounts, regardless of whether any such account or accounts paid commissions to the broker-dealer through which such Research Service was obtained.  The investment adviser evaluates the nature and quality of the various Research Services obtained through broker-dealer firms and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may attempt to allocate sufficient portfolio security transactions to such firms to ensure the continued receipt of Research Services which the investment adviser believes are useful or of value to it in rendering investment advisory services to its clients.  The investment adviser may also receive brokerage and Research Services from underwriters and dealers in fixed-price offerings, when permitted under applicable law.

Research Services provided by (and produced by) broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions or from affiliates of executing broker-dealers are referred to as “Proprietary Research.” Except for trades executed in jurisdictions where such consideration is not permissible, the investment adviser may and does consider the receipt of Proprietary Research Services as a factor in selecting broker dealers to execute client portfolio transactions, provided it does not compromise the investment adviser’s obligation to seek best overall execution.  In jurisdictions where permissible, the investment adviser also may consider the receipt of Research Services under so called “client commission arrangements” or “commission sharing arrangements” (both referred to as “CCAs”) as a factor in selecting broker dealers to execute transactions, provided it does not compromise the investment adviser’s obligation to seek best overall execution. Under a CCA arrangement, the investment adviser may cause client accounts to effect transactions through a broker-dealer and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions paid on those transactions to a pool of commission credits that are paid to other firms that provide Research Services to the investment adviser. Under a CCA, the broker-dealer that provides the Research Services need not execute the trade.  Participating in CCAs may enable the investment adviser to consolidate payments for research using accumulated client commission credits from transactions executed through a particular broker-dealer to periodically pay for Research Services obtained from and provided by other firms, including other broker-dealers that supply Research Services. The investment adviser believes that CCAs offer the potential to optimize the execution of trades and the acquisition of a variety of high quality Research Services that the investment adviser might not be provided access to absent CCAs.  The investment adviser will only enter into and utilize CCAs to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) and other applicable law.

Fund trades may implicate laws of the United Kingdom, including rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority, which govern client trading commissions and Research Services (“UK Law”). Broadly speaking, under UK Law the investment adviser may not accept any good or service when executing an order unless that good or service either is directly related to the execution of trades on behalf of its clients/customers or amounts to the provision of substantive research (as defined under UK Law). These



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requirements may also apply with respect to orders in connection with which the investment adviser receives goods and services under a CCA or other bundled brokerage arrangement.

The investment companies sponsored by the investment adviser or its affiliates also may allocate brokerage commissions to acquire information relating to the performance, fees and expenses of such companies and other investment companies, which information is used by the members of the Board of such companies to fulfill their responsibility to oversee the quality of the services provided to various entities, including the investment adviser, to such companies.  Such companies may also pay cash for such information.

Securities considered as investments for the Fund may also be appropriate for other investment accounts managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates.  Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell securities by the Fund and one or more of such other accounts simultaneously, the investment adviser will allocate the security transactions (including “new” issues) in a manner which it believes to be equitable under the circumstances.  As a result of such allocations, there may be instances where the Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts.  If an aggregated order cannot be filled completely, allocations will generally be made on a pro rata basis.  An order may not be allocated on a pro rata basis where, for example: (i) consideration is given to portfolio managers who have been instrumental in developing or negotiating a particular investment; (ii) consideration is given to an account with specialized investment policies that coincide with the particulars of a specific investment; (iii) pro rata allocation would result in odd-lot or de minimis amounts being allocated to a portfolio or other client; or (iv) where the investment adviser reasonably determines that departure from a pro rata allocation is advisable.  While these aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of the members of the Board that the benefits from the investment adviser organization outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

There are no financial statements for the Fund because prior to the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations.

Householding.  Consistent with applicable law, duplicate mailings of shareholder reports and certain other Fund information to shareholders residing at the same address may be eliminated.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Asset Coverage

To the extent required by SEC guidance, if a transaction creates a future obligation of the Fund to another party the Fund will: (1) cover the obligation by entering into an offsetting position or transaction; and/or (2) segregate cash and/or liquid securities with a value (together with any collateral posted with respect to the obligation) at least equal to the marked-to-market value of the obligation. Assets used as cover or segregated cannot be sold while the position(s) requiring coverage is open unless replaced with other appropriate assets. The types of transactions that may require asset coverage include (but are not limited to) reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, short sales, securities lending, forward contracts, certain options, forward commitments, futures contracts, when-issued securities, swap agreements and residual interest bonds.



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Asset-Backed Securities (“ABS”)

ABS are collateralized by pools of automobile loans, educational loans, home equity loans, credit card receivables, equipment or automobile leases, commercial mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), utilities receivables, secured or unsecured bonds issued by corporate or sovereign obligors, unsecured loans made to a variety of corporate commercial and industrial loan customers of one or more lending banks, or a combination of these bonds and loans. ABS are “pass through” securities, meaning that principal and interest payments made by the borrower on the underlying assets are passed through to the ABS holder. ABS are issued through special purpose vehicles that are bankruptcy remote from the issuer of the collateral. ABS are subject to interest rate risk and prepayment risk.   Some ABS may receive prepayments that can change their effective maturities.  Issuers of ABS may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets or may have no security in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. In addition, ABS may experience losses on the underlying assets as a result of certain rights provided to consumer debtors under federal and state law. The value of ABS may be affected by the factors described above and other factors, such as the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the underlying assets or the entities providing credit enhancements and the ability of the servicer to service the underlying collateral. The value of ABS representing interests in a pool of utilities receivables may be adversely affected by changes in government regulations. While certain ABS may be insured as to the payment of principal and interest, this insurance does not protect the market value of such obligations or the Fund’s net asset value. The value of an insured security will be affected by the credit standing of its insurer.

Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) are types of ABS that are backed solely by a pool of other debt securities.  CDOs and CLOs are typically issued in various classes with varying priorities.  The risks of an investment in a CDO or CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the CDO or CLO in which the Fund invests.  In addition to interest rate, prepayment, default and other risks of ABS and fixed income securities, in general, CDOs and CLOs are subject to additional risks, including the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments, the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default, the Fund may invest in CDOs or CLOs that are subordinate to other classes, and the complex structure may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Auction Rate Securities

Auction rate securities, such as auction preferred shares of closed-end investment companies, are preferred securities and debt securities with dividends/coupons based on a rate set at auction. The auction is usually held weekly for each series of a security, but may be held less frequently. The auction sets the rate, and securities may be bought and sold at the auction.  Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities normally permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by a “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Security holders that submit sell orders in a failed auction may not be able to sell any or all of the shares for which they have submitted sell orders. Security holders may sell their shares at the next scheduled auction, subject to the same risk that the subsequent auction will not attract sufficient demand for a successful auction to occur. Broker-dealers may also try to facilitate secondary trading in the auction rate securities, although such secondary trading may be limited and may only be available for shareholders willing to sell at a discount.  Since mid-February 2008, existing markets for certain auction rate securities have become generally illiquid and investors have not been able to sell their securities through the regular auction process. It is uncertain, particularly in the near term, when or whether there will be a revival of investor interest in purchasing securities sold through auctions. In addition, there may be no active secondary markets for many auction rate securities. Moreover, auction rate securities that do trade in a secondary market may trade at a significant discount from the underlying liquidation or principle amount of the securities. Finally, there recently have been a number of governmental investigations and regulatory settlements involving certain broker-dealers with respect to their prior activities involving auction rate securities.



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Valuations of such securities is highly speculative, however, dividends on auction rate preferred securities issued by a closed-end fund may be reported, generally on Form 1099, as exempt from federal income tax to the extent they are attributable to tax-exempt interest income earned by the Fund on the securities and distributed to holders of the preferred securities, provided that the preferred securities are treated as equity securities for federal income tax purposes, and the closed-end fund complies with certain requirements under the Code. Investments in auction rate preferred securities of closed-end funds are subject to limitations on investments in other U.S. registered investment companies, which limitations are prescribed by the 1940 Act.

Average Effective Maturity

Average effective maturity is a weighted average of all the maturities of bonds owned by the Fund. Average effective maturity takes into consideration all mortgage payments, puts and adjustable coupons.  In the event the Fund invests in multiple Portfolios, its average weighted maturity is the sum of its allocable share of the average weighted maturity of each of the Portfolios in which it invests, which is determined by multiplying the Portfolio’s average weighted maturity by the Fund’s percentage ownership of that Portfolio.

Borrowing for Investment Purposes

Successful use of a borrowing strategy depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and market movements. There is no assurance that a borrowing strategy will be successful. Upon the expiration of the term of the Fund’s existing credit arrangement, the lender may not be willing to extend further credit to the Fund or may be willing to do so at an increased cost to the Fund. If the Fund is not able to extend its credit arrangement, it may be required to liquidate holdings to repay amounts borrowed from the lender. Borrowing to increase investments generally will magnify the effect on the Fund’s net asset value of any increase or decrease in the value of the security purchased with the borrowings. Successful use of a borrowing strategy depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and market movements. There can be no assurance that the use of borrowings will be successful. In connection with its borrowings, the Fund will be required to maintain specified asset coverage with respect to such borrowings by both the 1940 Act and the terms of its credit facility with the lender.  The Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio investments on unfavorable terms if market fluctuations or other factors reduce the required asset coverage to less than the prescribed amount. Borrowings involve additional expense to the Fund.

Borrowing for Temporary Purposes

The Fund may borrow for temporary purposes (such as to satisfy redemption requests, to remain fully invested in advance of the settlement of share purchases, and to settle transactions).  The Fund’s ability to borrow is subject to its terms and conditions of its credit arrangements, which in some cases may limit the Fund’s ability to borrow under the arrangement.  The Fund will be required to maintain a specified level of asset coverage with respect to all borrowings and may be required to sell some of its holdings to reduce debt and restore coverage at times when it may not be advantageous to do so.  The rights of the lender to receive payments of interest and repayments of principal of any borrowings made by the Fund under a credit arrangement are senior to the rights of holders of shares, with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation. In the event of a default under a credit arrangement, the lenders may have the right to cause a liquidation of the collateral (i.e., sell Fund assets) and, if any such default is not cured, the lenders may be able to control the liquidation as well.  Credit arrangements are subject to annual renewal, which cannot be assured.  If the Fund does not have the ability to borrow for temporary purposes, it may be required to sell securities at inopportune times to meet short-term liquidity needs.  Because the Fund is a party to a joint credit arrangement, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time.  Borrowings involve additional expense to the Fund.



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Build America Bonds

Build America Bonds are taxable municipal obligations issued pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Act”) or other legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support. Enacted in February 2009, the Act authorizes state and local governments to issue taxable bonds on which, assuming certain specified conditions are satisfied, issuers may either (i) receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury with respect to its interest payments on the bonds (“direct pay” Build America Bonds); or (ii) provide tax credits to investors in the bonds (“tax credit” Build America Bonds). Unlike most other municipal obligations, interest received on Build America Bonds is subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state income tax. Under the terms of the Act, issuers of direct pay Build America Bonds are entitled to receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury currently equal to 35% (or 45% in the case of Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds) of the interest paid. Holders of tax credit Build America Bonds can receive a federal tax credit currently equal to 35% of the coupon interest received. The Fund may invest in “principal only” strips of tax credit Build America Bonds, which entitle the holder to receive par value of such bonds if held to maturity. The Fund does not expect to receive (or pass through to shareholders) tax credits as a result of its investments.  The federal interest subsidy or tax credit continues for the life of the bonds. Build America Bonds are an alternative form of financing to state and local governments whose primary means for accessing the capital markets has been through issuance of tax-free municipal bonds. Build America Bonds can appeal to a broader array of investors than the high income U.S. taxpayers that have traditionally provided the market for municipal bonds. Build America Bonds may provide a lower net cost of funds to issuers. Pursuant to the terms of the Act, the issuance of Build America Bonds ceased on December 31, 2010.  As a result, the availability of such bonds is limited and the market for the bonds and/or their liquidity may be affected.

Call and Put Features on Securities

Issuers of securities may reserve the right to call (redeem) the securities. If an issuer redeems a security with a call right during a time of declining interest rates, the holder of the security may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment return as provided by the securities redeemed. Some securities may have “put” or “demand” features that allow early redemption by the holder. Longer term fixed-rate securities may give the holder a right to request redemption at certain times (often annually after the lapse of an intermediate term). This “put” or “demand” feature enhances a security’s liquidity by shortening its effective maturity and enables the security to trade at a price equal to or very close to par. If a demand feature terminates prior to being exercised, the holder of the security would be subject to the longer maturity of the security, which could experience substantially more volatility.  Securities with a “put” or “demand” feature are more defensive than conventional long term securities (protecting to some degree against a rise in interest rates) while providing greater opportunity than comparable intermediate term securities, because they can be retained if interest rates decline.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include short term, high quality, U.S. dollar denominated instruments such as commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances issued by U.S. or foreign banks, and Treasury bills and other obligations with a maturity of one year or less, including those issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities.  See “U.S. Government Securities” below. Certificates of deposit are certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank, are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. Bankers’ acceptances are short-term credit instruments used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. They are termed “accepted” when a bank guarantees their payment at maturity.

 

The obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental regulation.  Payment of interest and principal upon these obligations may also be affected by governmental action in the country of domicile of the branch (generally referred to as sovereign risk). In addition, evidence of ownership of portfolio securities may be held outside of the U.S. and generally will be subject to the risks associated with the holding of such property overseas. Various provisions of U.S. law governing the establishment and operation of domestic branches do not apply to foreign branches of domestic banks. The obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state regulation as well as by governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office.



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Cash equivalents are often acquired directly from the issuers thereof or otherwise are normally traded on a net basis (without commission) through broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account. Such firms attempt to profit from such transactions by buying at the bid price and selling at the higher asked price of the market, and the difference is customarily referred to as the spread. Cash equivalents may be adversely affected by market and economic events, such as a sharp rise in prevailing short-term interest rates; adverse developments in the banking industry, which issues or guarantees many money market securities; adverse economic, political or other developments affecting domestic issuers of money market securities; changes in the credit quality of issuers; and default by a counterparty.  These securities may be subject to federal income, state income and/or other taxes.  Instead of investing in cash equivalents directly, the Fund may invest in an affiliated money market fund (such as Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, which is managed by Eaton Vance) or unaffiliated money market fund.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”)  

CMOs are backed by a pool of mortgages or mortgage loans.  The key feature of the CMO structure is the prioritization of the cash flows from the pool of mortgages among the several classes, or tranches, of the CMO, thereby creating a series of obligations with varying rates and maturities.  Senior CMO classes will typically have priority over residual CMOs as to the receipt of principal and or interest payments on the underlying mortgages.  CMOs also issue sequential and parallel pay classes, including planned amortization and target amortization classes, and fixed and floating rate CMO tranches.  CMOs issued by U.S. government agencies are backed by agency mortgages, while privately issued CMOs may be backed by either government agency mortgages or private mortgages.  Payments of principal and interest are passed through to each CMO tranche at varying schedules resulting in bonds with different coupons, effective maturities and sensitivities to interest rates. Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class, concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis.  Sequential pay CMOs generally pay principal to only one class at a time while paying interest to several classes.  CMOs generally are secured by an assignment to a trustee under the indenture pursuant to which the bonds are issued as collateral consisting of a pool of mortgages. Payments with respect to the underlying mortgages generally are made to the trustee under the indenture. CMOs are designed to be retired as the underlying mortgages are repaid. In the event of sufficient early prepayments on such mortgages, the class or series of CMO first to mature generally will be retired prior to maturity. Therefore, although in most cases the issuer of CMOs will not supply additional collateral in the event of such prepayments, there will be sufficient collateral to secure CMOs that remain outstanding. Floating rate CMO tranches carry interest rates that are tied in a fixed relationship to an index subject to an upper limit, or “cap,” and sometimes to a lower limit, or “floor.” CMOs may be less liquid and may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (“CMBS”)

CMBS include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real property, such as hotels, office buildings, retail stores, hospitals and other commercial buildings. CMBS may have a lower repayment uncertainty than other mortgage-related securities because commercial mortgage loans generally prohibit or impose penalties on prepayment of principal.  The risks of investing in CMBS reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans, including the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make loan payment, and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. CMBS may be less liquid and may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.



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Commodity-Related Investments

The value of commodities investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity, which may include weather, embargoes, tariffs, and health, political, international and regulatory developments. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. Exposure to commodities and commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. In addition, adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of actively traded commodities investments. Certain types of commodities instruments (such as total return swaps and commodity-linked notes) are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the instrument will not perform or will be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument. To the extent commodity-related investments are held through the Subsidiary, the Subsidiary is not subject to U.S. laws (including securities laws) and their protections. The Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands, a foreign jurisdiction, and can be affected by developments in that jurisdiction.

 

Certain commodities are subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks and result in greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.  The commodities that underlie commodity futures contracts and commodity swaps may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments.  Unlike the financial futures markets, in the commodity futures markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.

 

In the commodity futures markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling futures contracts today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the futures contract at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the futures market are purchasing futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the futures contract at a higher futures price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Fund. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets has shifted when it is time for the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new futures contract, the Fund might reinvest at higher or lower futures prices, or choose to pursue other investments.

Common Stocks

Common stock represents an equity ownership interest in the issuing corporation. Holders of common stock generally have voting rights in the issuer and are entitled to receive common stock dividends when, as and if declared by the corporation’s board of directors. Common stock normally occupies the most subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure. Returns on common stock investments consist of any dividends received plus the amount of appreciation or depreciation in the value of the stock.

 

Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long term and particularly during periods of high or rising concerns about inflation, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns and may not maintain their real value during inflationary periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock. Also, the prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks. Common stock prices fluctuate for many 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 issuer occur. In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.



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Contingent Convertible Securities

Contingent convertible securities (sometimes referred to as “CoCos”) are convertible securities with loss absorption characteristics. These securities provide for mandatory conversion into common stock of the issuer under certain circumstances. The mandatory conversion may be automatically triggered, for instance, if a company fails to meet the capital minimum with respect to the security, the company’s regulator makes a determination that the security should convert or the company receives specified levels of extraordinary public support. Since the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in these instruments could experience a reduced income rate, potentially to zero; and conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, hence worsening standing in a bankruptcy. In addition, some such instruments have a set stock conversion rate that would cause an automatic write-down of capital if the price of the stock is below the conversion price on the conversion date. Under similar circumstances, the liquidation value of certain types of contingent convertible securities may be adjusted downward to below the original par value. The write down of the par value would occur automatically and would not entitle the holders to seek bankruptcy of the company. In certain circumstances, contingent convertible securities may write down to zero and investors could lose the entire value of the investment, even as the issuer remains in business.  CoCos may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price.  See also “Hybrid Securities.”

Convertible Securities

A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred security, or other security that entitles the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer.   A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued or the dividend paid on such security until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities. The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. A convertible security ranks senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but is usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities.  Convertible securities may be purchased for their appreciation potential when they yield more than the underlying securities at the time of purchase or when they are considered to present less risk of principal loss than the underlying securities. Generally speaking, the interest or dividend yield of a convertible security is somewhat less than that of a non-convertible security of similar quality issued by the same company.  A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument.

 

Convertible securities are issued and traded in a number of securities markets. Even in cases where a substantial portion of the convertible securities held by the Fund are denominated in U.S. dollars, the underlying equity securities may be quoted in the currency of the country where the issuer is domiciled. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt security is denominated and the currency in which the share price is quoted will affect the value of the convertible security.  With respect to convertible securities denominated in a currency different from that of the underlying equity securities, the conversion price may be based on a fixed exchange rate established at the time the securities are issued, which may increase the effects of currency risk.

 

Holders of convertible securities generally have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to other debt securities of the same issuer. Certain convertible debt securities may provide a put option to the holder, which entitles the holder to cause the securities to be redeemed by the issuer at a premium over the stated principal amount of the debt securities under certain circumstances.  Certain convertible securities may include loss absorption characteristics that make the securities more equity-like.  This is particularly true of convertible securities issued by companies in the financial services sector.  See “Contingent Convertible Securities.”



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Synthetic convertible securities may include either cash-settled convertibles or manufactured convertibles.  Cash-settled convertibles are instruments that are created by the issuer and have the economic characteristics of traditional convertible securities but may not actually permit conversion into the underlying equity securities in all circumstances. As an example, a private company may issue a cash-settled convertible that is convertible into common stock only if the company successfully completes a public offering of its common stock prior to maturity and otherwise pays a cash amount to reflect any equity appreciation. Manufactured convertibles are created by the investment adviser or another party by combining separate securities that possess one of the two principal characteristics of a convertible security, i.e. , fixed-income (“fixed-income component”) or a right to acquire equity securities (“convertibility component”). The fixed-income component is achieved by investing in nonconvertible fixed-income securities, such as nonconvertible bonds, preferred securities and money market instruments. The convertibility component is achieved by investing in call options, warrants, or other securities with equity conversion features (“equity features”) granting the holder the right to purchase a specified quantity of the underlying stocks within a specified period of time at a specified price or, in the case of a stock index option, the right to receive a cash payment based on the value of the underlying stock index. A manufactured convertible differs from traditional convertible securities in several respects. Unlike a traditional convertible security, which is a single security that has a unitary market value, a manufactured convertible is comprised of two or more separate securities, each with its own market value. Therefore, the total “market value” of such a manufactured convertible is the sum of the values of its fixed-income component and its convertibility component. More flexibility is possible in the creation of a manufactured convertible than in the purchase of a traditional convertible security. Because many corporations have not issued convertible securities, the investment adviser may combine a fixed-income instrument and an equity feature with respect to the stock of the issuer of the fixed-income instrument to create a synthetic convertible security otherwise unavailable in the market. The investment adviser may also combine a fixed-income instrument of an issuer with an equity feature with respect to the stock of a different issuer when the investment adviser believes such a manufactured convertible would better promote the Fund’s objective than alternative investments. For example, the investment adviser may combine an equity feature with respect to an issuer’s stock with a fixed-income security of a different issuer in the same industry to diversify the Fund’s credit exposure, or with a U.S. Treasury instrument to create a manufactured convertible with a higher credit profile than a traditional convertible security issued by that issuer. A manufactured convertible also is a more flexible investment in that its two components may be purchased separately and, upon purchasing the separate securities, “combined” to create a manufactured convertible. For example, the Fund may purchase a warrant for eventual inclusion in a manufactured convertible while postponing the purchase of a suitable bond to pair with the warrant pending development of more favorable market conditions.  The value of a manufactured convertible may respond to certain market fluctuations differently from a traditional convertible security with similar characteristics. For example, in the event the Fund created a manufactured convertible by combining a short-term U.S. Treasury instrument and a call option on a stock, the manufactured convertible would be expected to outperform a traditional convertible of similar maturity that is convertible into that stock during periods when Treasury instruments outperform corporate fixed-income securities and underperform during periods when corporate fixed-income securities outperform Treasury instruments.

Credit Linked Securities

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Credit linked securities are issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, invests in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps, and other securities in order to provide exposure to certain fixed-income markets. Credit linked securities may be used as a cash management tool in order to gain exposure to a certain market and to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available.  Like an investment in a bond, investments in credit linked securities represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. However, these payments are conditioned on the issuer’s receipt of payments from, and the issuer’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the issuer invests. An issuer may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the issuer would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the issuer would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and principal that the holder of the credit linked security would receive. Credit linked securities generally will be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the securities and they may constitute illiquid investments.



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Cyber Security Risk

With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers, such as the Internet to conduct business, the 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 or breaches by the Fund’s investment adviser or administrator and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund 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 various Fund service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems intended to identify and mitigate cyber attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund and issuers in which the Fund invests. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Derivative Instruments and Related Risks

Generally, derivatives can be characterized as financial instruments whose performance is derived at least in part from the performance of an underlying reference instrument.  Derivative instruments may be acquired in the United States or abroad and include the various types of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) instruments described herein and other instruments with substantially similar characteristics and risks.  Derivative instruments may be based on securities, indices, currencies, commodities, economic indicators and events (referred to as “reference instruments”).  Fund obligations created pursuant to derivative instruments may be subject to the requirements described under “Asset Coverage” herein.

 

Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks, including adverse or unexpected movements in the price of the reference instrument, and counterparty, liquidity, tax, correlation and leverage risks.  Use of derivative instruments may cause the realization of higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if such instruments had not been used. Success in using derivative instruments to hedge portfolio assets depends on the degree of price correlation between the derivative instruments and the hedged asset.  Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors, including temporary price disparities among the trading markets for the derivative instrument, the reference instrument and the Fund’s assets.  To the extent that a derivative instrument is intended to hedge against an event that does not occur, the Fund may realize losses.

 

OTC derivative instruments involve an additional risk in that the issuer or counterparty may fail to perform its contractual obligations. Some derivative instruments are not readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, an option or commodity exchange or swap execution facility or clearinghouse may suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative instrument, which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the closing out of positions to limit losses.  The staff of the SEC takes the position that certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, are illiquid. The ability to terminate OTC derivative instruments may depend on the cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded derivative instruments, the only source of price quotations may be the selling dealer or counterparty. In addition, certain provisions of the Code limit the use of derivative instruments.   Derivatives permit the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments in specific securities.  There can be no assurance that the use of derivative instruments will benefit the Fund.



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The regulation of derivatives has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and regulations proposed to be promulgated thereunder require many derivatives to be cleared and traded on an exchange, expand entity registration requirements, impose business conduct requirements on dealers that enter into swaps with a pension plan, endowment, retirement plan or government entity, and require banks to move some derivatives trading units to a non-guaranteed affiliate separate from the deposit-taking bank or divest them altogether. Although the CFTC has released final rules relating to clearing, reporting, recordkeeping, required margin and registration requirements under the legislation, many of the provisions are subject to further final rule making, and thus its ultimate impact remains unclear. See also “Swap Agreements” herein. New regulations and the implementation of existing regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to fully execute its investment strategies as a result. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions also could prevent the Fund from using these instruments or affect the pricing or other factors relating to these instruments, or may change the availability of certain investments.

 

Likewise, the SEC has proposed regulations that, if adopted, would significantly change the manner in which a Fund must segregate assets to cover its future obligations. The proposed regulations would restrict its ability to enter into derivative transactions for speculative or hedging purposes and would require the Fund’s Board to adopt a derivative risk management and governance framework. These regulations could also limit the ability of a Fund to use these instruments as part of its investment management strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which a Fund engages in derivative transactions also could prevent the Fund from using these instruments or affect the pricing or other factors relating to these instruments, or may change the availability of certain investments.

 

Legislation may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. The effects of any new governmental regulation cannot be predicted and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective(s).

Derivative-Linked and Commodity-Linked Hybrid Instruments

A derivative-linked or commodity-linked hybrid instrument (referred to herein as a “hybrid instrument”) is a type of potentially high-risk derivative that combines a traditional stock, bond, or commodity with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a hybrid instrument is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some commodity, currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed-income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid instrument may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example of a hybrid instrument is a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid instrument would be a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.

 

The risks of investing in hybrid instruments reflect a combination of the risks of investing in securities, options, futures and currencies. An investment in a hybrid instrument may entail significant risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional debt instrument that has a fixed principal amount, is denominated in U.S. dollars or bears interest either at a fixed rate or a floating rate determined by reference to a common, nationally published benchmark. The risks of a particular hybrid instrument will depend upon the terms of the instrument, but may include the possibility of significant changes in the benchmark(s) or the prices of the underlying assets to which the instrument is linked. Such risks generally depend upon factors unrelated to the operations or credit quality of the issuer of the hybrid instrument, which may not be foreseen by the purchaser, such as economic and political events, the supply and demand of the underlying assets and interest rate movements. Hybrid instruments may be highly volatile and their use by the Fund may not be successful.  Hybrid instruments may also carry liquidity risk since the instruments are often “customized” to meet the portfolio needs of a particular investor, and therefore, the number of investors that are willing and able to buy such instruments in the secondary market may be smaller than that for more traditional debt securities.  



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Hybrid instruments may bear interest or pay preferred dividends at below market (or even relatively nominal) rates. Alternatively, hybrid instruments may bear interest at above market rates but bear an increased risk of principal loss (or gain). The latter scenario may result if “leverage” is used to structure the hybrid instrument. Leverage risk occurs when the hybrid instrument is structured so that a given change in a benchmark or underlying asset is multiplied to produce a greater value change in the hybrid instrument, thereby magnifying the risk of loss as well as the potential for gain.

 

Hybrid instruments are potentially more volatile and carry greater market risks than traditional debt instruments. Depending on the structure of the particular hybrid instrument, changes in a benchmark may be magnified by the terms of the hybrid instrument and have an even more dramatic and substantial effect upon the value of the hybrid instrument. Also, the prices of the hybrid instrument and the benchmark or underlying asset may not move in the same direction or at the same time.

 

Hybrid instruments can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return and creating exposure to a particular market or segment of that market. The value of a hybrid instrument or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid instrument. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid instrument could be zero. The purchase of hybrid instruments also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.

 

Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets. These are derivative securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to commodity futures contracts, commodity options, or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid instruments may be either equity or debt securities, leveraged or unleveraged, and are considered hybrid instruments because they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A portion of the value of these instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable. The Fund will invest only in commodity-linked hybrid instruments that qualify under applicable rules of the CFTC for an exemption from the provisions of the CEA.  Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund’s investments in these products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.

Direct Investments

Direct investments include (i) the private purchase from an enterprise of an equity interest in the enterprise in the form of shares of common stock or equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures or similar enterprises, and (ii) the purchase of such an equity interest in an enterprise from a principal investor in the enterprise. At the time of making a direct investment, the Fund will enter into a shareholder or similar agreement with the enterprise and one or more other holders of equity interests in the enterprise. These agreements may, in appropriate circumstances, provide the ability to appoint a representative to the board of directors or similar body of the enterprise and for eventual disposition of the investment in the enterprise. Such a representative would be expected to monitor the investment and protect the Fund’s rights in the investment and would not be appointed for the purpose of exercising management or control of the enterprise.

Diversified Status

With respect to 75% of its total assets, an investment company that is registered with the SEC as a “diversified” fund: (1) may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer (except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and securities of other investment companies); and (2) may not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer.

Dividend Capture Trading

In a typical dividend capture trade, the Fund would buy a stock prior to its ex-dividend date and sell the stock at a point either on or after the ex-dividend date.  The use of a dividend capture trading strategy exposes the Fund to higher portfolio turnover, increased trading costs and potential for capital loss or gain, particularly in the event of significant short-term price movements of stocks subject to dividend capture trading.



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Duration

Duration measures the time-weighted expected cash flows of a fixed-income security, which can determine its sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates. Securities with longer durations generally tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. A mutual fund with a longer dollar-weighted average duration generally can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a fund with a shorter dollar-weighted average duration. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers a security’s coupon payments in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. Various techniques may be used to shorten or lengthen Fund duration. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration.  The duration of a Fund that invests in multiple Portfolios is the sum of its allocable share of the duration of each of the Portfolios in which it invests, which is determined by multiplying the Portfolio’s duration by the Fund’s percentage ownership of that Portfolio.

Emerging Market Investments

The risks described under “Foreign Investments” herein generally are heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.  Also, investments in securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets may involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or non-existent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities, as compared to securities of comparable issuers in more developed capital markets; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iii) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments; (iv) national policies that may limit investment opportunities, such as restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; and (v) the lack or relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Trading practices in emerging markets also may be less developed, resulting in inefficiencies relative to trading in more developed markets, which may result in increased transaction costs.  

 

Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in emerging market countries.  There can be no assurance that repatriation of income, gain or initial capital from these countries will occur.  In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors.  

 

Political and economic structures in emerging market countries may undergo significant evolution and rapid development, and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. In such a dynamic environment, there can be no assurance that any or all of these capital markets will continue to present viable investment opportunities. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such an event, it is possible that the entire value of an investment in the affected market could be lost. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the value of investments in these countries and the availability of additional investments. The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain of these countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in these countries may make investments in the countries illiquid and more volatile than investments in developed markets.

 

Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In certain countries with emerging capital markets, reporting standards vary widely. As a result, traditional investment measurements used in the United States, such as price/earnings ratios, may not be applicable. Certain emerging market securities may be held by a limited number of persons. This may adversely affect the timing and pricing of the acquisition or disposal of securities.  The prices at which investments may be acquired may be affected by trading by persons with material non-public information and by securities transactions by brokers in anticipation of transactions in particular securities.



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Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because brokers and counterparties in such markets may be less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets.  As an alternative to investing directly in emerging markets, exposure may be obtained through derivative investments.

Equity Investments

Equity investments include common stocks; preferred stocks; depositary receipts; equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures and other unincorporated entities or enterprises; convertible and contingent convertible preferred stocks; rights and warrants and other securities that are treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (see “Preferred Stock” and “Hybrid Securities”).

Equity-Linked Securities

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Equity-linked securities are privately issued securities whose investment results are designed to correspond generally to the performance of a specified stock index or “basket” of securities, or sometimes a single stock.  These securities are used for many of the same purposes as derivative instruments and share many of the same risks.  Equity-linked securities may be considered illiquid and thus subject to the Fund’s restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

ETFs are pooled investment vehicles that are designed to provide investment results corresponding to an index. These indexes may be either broad-based, sector or international.  ETFs usually are units of beneficial interest in an investment trust or represent undivided ownership interests in a portfolio of securities (or commodities), in each case with respect to a portfolio of all or substantially all of the component securities of, and in substantially the same weighting as, the relevant benchmark index.  ETFs are designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the component securities (or commodities) of the benchmark index. ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis.   The values of ETFs are subject to change as the values of their respective component securities (or commodities) fluctuate according to market volatility.  Investments in ETFs may not exactly match the performance of a direct investment in the respective indices to which they are intended to correspond due to the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or other extraordinary circumstances, such as discrepancies with respect to the weighting of securities.  Typically, the ETF bears its own operational expenses, which are deducted from its assets. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund must bear these expenses in addition to the expenses of its own operation.

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange during normal trading hours. However, investors can also hold the ETN until maturity. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day’s market benchmark or strategy factor.

 

ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

 

ETNs are subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress are considering proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs.



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An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form.

 

The market value of ETN shares may differ from that of their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.

Fixed-Income Securities

Fixed-income securities include bonds, preferred, preference and convertible securities, notes, debentures, asset-backed securities (including those backed by mortgages), loan participations and assignments, equipment lease certificates, equipment trust certificates and conditional sales contracts. Generally, issuers of fixed-income securities pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity.  Some fixed-income securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values, and values accumulate over time to face value at maturity.  The market prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality and maturity.  In general, market prices of fixed-income securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Fixed-income securities are subject to risk factors such as sensitivity to interest rate and real or perceived changes in economic conditions, payment expectations, liquidity and valuation.  Fixed-income securities with longer maturities (for example, over ten years) are more affected by changes in interest rates and provide less price stability than securities with short-term maturities (for example, one to ten years). Fixed-income securities bear the risk of principal and interest default by the issuer, which will be greater with higher yielding, lower grade securities. During an economic downturn, the ability of issuers to service their debt may be impaired.  The rating assigned to a fixed-income security by a rating agency does not reflect assessment of the volatility of the security’s market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the securities. Credit ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and a rating agency’s investment analysis at the time of rating, and the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition. Credit quality can change from time to time, and recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high yield security. If relevant to the Fund(s) in this SAI, corporate bond ratings are described in an appendix to the SAI (see the table of contents).  Preferred stock and certain other hybrid securities may pay a fixed-dividend rate, but may be considered equity securities for purposes of a Fund’s investment restrictions (see “Preferred Stock” and “Hybrid Securities”).  As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may also invest in event-linked instruments.

Foreign Currency Transactions

As measured in U.S. dollars, the value of assets denominated in foreign currencies may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations. Currency exchange rates can also be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Foreign currency exchange transactions may be conducted on a spot ( i.e. , cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through entering into derivative currency transactions (see “Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts,” “Option Contracts,” “Futures Contracts” and “Swap Agreements – Currency Swaps” herein).  Currency transactions are subject to the risk of a number of complex political and economic factors applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies. Furthermore, unlike trading in most other types of instruments, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying the derivative currency transactions. As a result, available information may not be complete. In an over-the-counter trading environment, there are no daily price fluctuation limits.



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Foreign Investments

Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, because foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements and regulatory measures comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign debt markets is less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker-dealers and listed companies than in the United States. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments, which could affect investments in those countries. Any of these actions could adversely affect securities prices, impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities, or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back to the United States, or otherwise adversely affect Fund operations.  In the event of nationalization, expropriation or confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment in that country.  

 

Other potential foreign market risks include exchange controls, difficulties in valuing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, and difficulties of enforcing favorable legal judgments in foreign courts.  Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Certain economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures.  Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States.  Foreign countries may not have the infrastructure or resources to respond to natural and other disasters that interfere with economic activities, which may adversely affect issuers located in such countries.

 

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Payment for securities before delivery may be required and in some countries delayed settlements are customary, which increases the Fund’s risk of loss. The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and related cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight over their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries may put limits on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security or any of their agents goes bankrupt.  Certain countries may require withholding on dividends paid on portfolio securities and on realized capital gains.

 

In addition, it is often more expensive to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the United States. Foreign brokerage commissions are generally higher than commissions on securities traded in the United States and may be non-negotiable.  The fees paid to foreign banks and securities depositories generally are higher than those charged by U.S. banks and depositories.  The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount earned on investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund as compared to investment companies that invest only in the United States.

 

Depositary receipts (including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts “GDRs”)) are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer and are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, they continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include the political and economic risks of the underlying issuer’s country, as well as in the case of depositary receipts traded on foreign markets, exchange risk.  Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. Unsponsored depositary receipts are established without the participation of the issuer. As a result, available information concerning the issuer of an unsponsored depository receipt may not be as current as for sponsored depositary receipts, and the prices of unsponsored depositary receipts may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. Unsponsored depositary receipts may involve higher expenses, may not pass through voting or other shareholder rights and they may be less liquid.



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Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus, in determining the domicile of an issuer, the investment adviser may consider the domicile determination of the Fund’s benchmark index or a leading provider of global indexes and may take into account such factors as where the company’s securities are listed, and where the company is legally organized, maintains principal corporate offices and/or conducts its principal operations.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts may be bought or sold to protect against an adverse change in the relationship between currencies or to increase exposure to a particular foreign currency. Cross-hedging may be done by using forward contracts in one currency (or basket of currencies) to hedge against fluctuations in the value of instruments denominated in a different currency (or the basket of currencies and the underlying currency). Use of a different foreign currency (for hedging or non-hedging purposes) magnifies exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are individually negotiated and privately traded so they are dependent upon the creditworthiness of the counterparty. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the instruments denominated in the corresponding currencies will not generally be possible. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge against long-term currency changes.

 

When a currency is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be linked to such currency. Currency transactions can result in losses if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. In addition, there is the risk that the perceived linkage between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time the hedge is in place. If the Fund purchases a bond denominated in a foreign currency with a higher interest rate than is available on U.S. bonds of a similar maturity, the additional yield on the foreign bond could be substantially reduced or lost if the Fund were to enter into a direct hedge by selling the foreign currency and purchasing the U.S. dollar.  

 

Some of the forward foreign currency exchange contracts may be classified as non-deliverable forwards (“NDFs”). NDFs are cash-settled, forward contracts that may be thinly traded. NDFs are commonly quoted for time periods of one month up to two years, and are normally quoted and settled in U.S. dollars, but may be settled in other currencies. They are often used to gain exposure to or hedge exposure to foreign currencies that are not internationally traded.  NDFs may also be used to gain or hedge exposure to gold.

Forward Rate Agreements

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Under a forward rate agreement, the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates. If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates. Any such gain received by the Fund would be taxable.  These instruments are traded in the OTC market.

Futures Contracts

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Futures contracts are standardized contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of the underlying reference instrument at a specified future date at a specified price.  These contracts are traded on exchanges, so that, in most cases, either party can close out its position on the exchange for cash, without delivering the underlying asset.  Upon purchasing or selling a futures contract, a purchaser or seller is required to deposit collateral (initial margin).  Each day thereafter until the futures position is closed, the purchaser or seller will pay additional margin (variation margin) representing any loss experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day or be entitled to a payment representing any profit experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day.  A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes as well as financial instruments and foreign currencies. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future.  In computing daily net asset value, the Fund will mark to market its open futures positions. The Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Futures contracts are traded on exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed by the CFTC and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm that is a member of the relevant exchange or board.



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Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying reference instrument, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). Closing a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or commodity with the same delivery date. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss.

Health Sciences Companies

To the extent described in the Prospectus, the Fund may concentrate its investments in health sciences companies.

High Yield Securities

High yield securities (commonly referred to as “junk”) are considered to be of below investment grade quality and generally provide greater income potential and/or increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities but they also typically entail greater potential price volatility and principal and income risk.  High yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the entity’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments.  Also, their yields and market values may fluctuate more than higher rated securities.  Fluctuations in value do not affect the cash income from the securities, but are reflected in the Fund’s net asset value.  The greater risks and fluctuations in yield and value occur, in part, because investors generally perceive issuers of lower rated and unrated securities to be less creditworthy. The secondary market on which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities.

Hybrid Securities

Hybrid securities generally possess characteristics common to both equity and debt securities. These securities may at times behave more like equity than debt, or vice versa. Preferred stocks, convertible securities and certain debt obligations are types of hybrid securities.  Hybrid securities generally have a preference over common stock and perpetual or near perpetual terms. Hybrid securities generally do not have voting rights or have limited voting rights.  Because hybrid securities have both debt and equity characteristics, their values vary in response to many factors, including general market and economic conditions, issuer-specific events, changes in interest rates, credit spreads and the credit quality of the issuer, and, for convertible securities, factors affecting the securities into which they convert.  Hybrid securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. Hybrid securities may pay a fixed or variable rate of interest or dividends. The prices and yields of nonconvertible hybrid securities generally move with changes in interest rates and the issuer’s credit quality, similar to the factors affecting debt securities. If the issuer of a hybrid security experiences financial difficulties, the value of such security may be adversely affected similar to the issuer’s outstanding common stock or subordinated debt instruments.  See also “Preferred Stock,” “Convertible Securities” and “Contingent Convertible Securities.”  

Illiquid Securities

Illiquid securities include securities legally restricted as to resale, and may include commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A securities may, however, be treated as liquid by the investment adviser pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, which require consideration of factors such as trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers willing to purchase the security. Even if determined to be liquid, Rule 144A securities may increase the level of portfolio illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing such securities.

 

It may be difficult to sell illiquid securities at a price representing fair value until such time as the securities may be sold publicly. It also may be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value.  Where registration is required, a considerable period of time may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when the Fund would be permitted to sell. Thus, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price as that prevailing at the time of the decision to sell. The Fund may incur additional expense when disposing of illiquid securities, including all or a portion of the cost to register the securities.  The Fund also may acquire securities through private placements under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities that are in addition to applicable legal restrictions. Such restrictions might prevent the sale of such securities at a time when such sale would otherwise be desirable.



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At times, a portion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in securities as to which the Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the investment adviser and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all of such securities. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when the investment adviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held.  It may also be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value.  See also “Restricted Securities.”

Indexed Securities

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Indexed securities are securities that fluctuate in value with an index. The interest rate or, in some cases, the principal payable at the maturity of an indexed security may change positively or inversely in relation to one or more interest rates, financial indices, securities prices or other financial indicators (“reference prices”). An indexed security may be leveraged to the extent that the magnitude of any change in the interest rate or principal payable on an indexed security is a multiple of the change in the reference price. Thus, indexed securities may decline in value due to adverse market changes in reference prices. Because indexed securities derive their value from another instrument, security or index, they are considered derivative debt securities, and are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest rate and/or other market risks. Indexed securities may include interest only (“IO”) and principal only (“PO”) securities, floating rate securities linked to the Cost of Funds Index (“COFI floaters”), other “lagging rate” floating securities, floating rate securities that are subject to a maximum interest rate (“capped floaters”), leveraged floating rate securities (“super floaters”), leveraged inverse floating rate securities (“inverse floaters”), dual index floaters, range floaters, index amortizing notes and various currency indexed notes.  Indexed securities may be issued by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities or, if privately issued, collateralized by mortgages that are insured, guaranteed or otherwise backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

Inflation-Indexed (or Inflation-Linked) Bonds

Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities the principal value of which is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Inflation-indexed bonds are issued by governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and corporations. Two structures are common: The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the inflation accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.  The principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond is adjusted in response to changes in the level of inflation.  Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, and therefore, the principal amount of such bonds cannot be reduced below par even during a period of deflation.  However, the current market value of these bonds is not guaranteed and will fluctuate, reflecting the risk of changes in their yields.  In certain jurisdictions outside the United States, the repayment of the original bond principal upon the maturity of an inflation-indexed bond is not guaranteed, allowing for the amount of the bond repaid at maturity to be less than par.  The interest rate for inflation-indexed bonds is fixed at issuance as a percentage of this adjustable principal.  Accordingly, the actual interest income may both rise and fall as the principal amount of the bonds adjusts in response to movements in the Consumer Price Index.  

 

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds. While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.

Investing in a Portfolio

The Board may discontinue the Fund’s investment in one or more Portfolios if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. In such an event, the Board would consider what action might be taken, including investing Fund assets in another pooled investment entity or retaining an investment adviser to manage Fund assets in accordance with its investment objective(s). The Fund’s investment performance and expense ratio may be affected if its investment structure is changed or if another Portfolio investor withdraws all or a portion of its investment in the Portfolio.



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Investments in the Subsidiary

The Subsidiary is organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is overseen by a sole director affiliated with Eaton Vance. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, and it is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors. The Subsidiary expects to invest primarily in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including swap agreements, commodity options, futures and options on futures, backed by a portfolio of inflation-indexed securities and other fixed-income securities and is also permitted to invest in any other investments permitted by the Fund. To the extent that the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with those derivative instruments and other securities, which are discussed elsewhere in the Prospectus and this SAI.

 

While the Subsidiary may be operated similarly to the Fund, it is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in the Prospectus and this SAI, is not subject to the investor protections of the 1940 Act and other U.S. regulations. Changes in the laws of the U.S. and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the Prospectus and this SAI and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.

Junior Loans

Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure and possible unsecured status, certain loans (“Junior Loans”) involve a higher degree of overall risk than Senior Loans (described below) of the same borrower.  Junior Loans may be direct loans or purchased either in the form of an assignment or a loan participation.  Junior Loans are subject to the same general risks inherent in any loan investment (see “Loans” below). Junior Loans include secured and unsecured subordinated loans, as well as second lien loans and subordinated bridge loans. A second lien loan is generally second in line in terms of repayment priority and may have a claim on the same collateral pool as the first lien, or it may be secured by a separate set of assets. Second lien loans generally give investors priority over general unsecured creditors in the event of an asset sale.

 

Bridge loans or bridge facilities are short-term loan arrangements (e.g., 12 to 18 months) typically made by a borrower in anticipation of intermediate-term or long-term permanent financing. Most bridge loans are structured as floating-rate debt with step-up provisions under which the interest rate on the bridge loan rises the longer the loan remains outstanding and may be converted into senior exchange notes if the loan has not been prepaid in full on or prior to its maturity date. Bridge loans may be subordinate to other debt and may be secured or unsecured. Bridge loans are generally made with the expectation that the borrower will be able to obtain permanent financing in the near future. Any delay in obtaining permanent financing subjects the bridge loan investor to increased risk. A borrower with an outstanding bridge loan may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness. From time to time, the Fund may make a commitment to participate in a bridge loan facility, obligating itself to participate in the facility if it funds. In return for this commitment, the Fund receives a fee.

 

For additional disclosure relating to investing in loans (including Junior Loans), see “Loans” below.  

Liquidity or Protective Put Agreements

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  The Fund may enter into a separate agreement with the seller of an instrument or some other person granting the Fund the right to put the instrument to the seller thereof or the other person at an agreed upon price.  Interest income generated by certain municipal bonds with put or demand features may be taxable.

Loan Facility

Senior Debt Portfolio may employ borrowings and leverage as described in the Prospectus. The Portfolio has entered into a commercial paper program and liquidity facility subject to the terms of an Order of the SEC (Release No. 26320) granting an exemption from Section 18(f)(1) of the 1940 Act. The program, administered by Citicorp North America, Inc., is with certain conduit lenders who issue commercial paper, in an amount currently up to approximately $1.2 billion and by direct bank lending of approximately $800 million currently, through which the Portfolio employs leverage pursuant to its investment guidelines and subject to the risks described in the Prospectus. Under the terms of the program, the Portfolio pays an annual fee equal to 0.67% on its outstanding borrowings for the administration of the program, an annual fee of either 0.15% or 0.25% on the total commitment amount depending on the amount of outstanding borrowings, and an up-front fee of 0.10% on the commitment amount, as well as interest on advances under the program.  The program term is 364-days.  There can be no assurance that the program will be renewed or renewed on the same terms or amount once it expires.



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Loans

Loans may be primary, direct investments or investments in loan assignments or participation interests.  A loan assignment represents a portion or the entirety of a loan and a portion of the entirety of a position previously attributable to a different lender. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement and has the same rights and obligations as the assigning investor.  However, assignments through private negotiations may cause the purchaser of an assignment to have different and more limited rights than those held by the assigning investor.  Loan participation interests are interests issued by a lender or other entity and represent a fractional interest in a loan. The Fund typically will have a contractual relationship only with the financial institution that issued the participation interest. As a result, the Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the financial institution and only upon receipt by such entity of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation interest, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other investors through set-off against the borrower and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation interest. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the financial institution issuing the participation interest. In the event of the insolvency of the entity issuing a participation interest, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such entity.

 

Loans may be originated by a lending agent, such as a financial institution or other entity, on behalf of a group or “syndicate” of loan investors (the “Loan Investors”).  In such a case, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal, and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the Loan Investors. Failure by the agent to fulfill its obligations may delay or adversely affect receipt of payment by the Fund. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a loan agreement or participation (as applicable) the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund must rely on the Agent and the other Loan Investors to pursue appropriate remedies against the borrower.

 

Loan investments may be made at par or at a discount or premium to par.  The interest payable on a loan may be fixed or floating rate, and paid in cash or in-kind.  In connection with transactions in loans, the Fund may be subject to facility or other fees.  Loans may be secured by specific collateral or other assets of the borrower, guaranteed by a third party, unsecured or subordinated.  During the term of a loan, the value of any collateral securing the loan may decline in value, causing the loan to be under collateralized. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy fully a borrower’s obligations under the loan. In addition, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of the collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of such collateral.

 

A lender’s repayment and other rights primarily are determined by governing loan, assignment or participation documents, which (among other things) typically establish the priority of payment on the loan relative to other indebtedness and obligations of the borrower.  In the event of bankruptcy, applicable law may impact a lender’s ability to enforce its rights under such documents.  Investing in loans involves the risk of default by the borrower or other party obligated to repay the loan.  In the event of insolvency of the borrower or other obligated party, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such entity unless it has rights that are senior to that of other creditors or secured by specific collateral or assets of the borrower.  Fixed-rate loans are also subject to the risk that their value will decline in a rising interest rate environment.  This risk is mitigated for floating-rate loans, where the interest rate payable on the loan resets periodically by reference to a base lending rate.  The base lending rate usually is the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the Federal Reserve federal funds rate, the prime rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. LIBOR usually is an average of the interest rates quoted by several designated banks as the rates at which they pay interest to major depositors in the London interbank market on U.S. dollar-denominated deposits.



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The Fund will take whatever action it considers appropriate in the event of anticipated financial difficulties, default or bankruptcy of the borrower or other entity obligated to repay a loan. Such action may include: (i) retaining the services of various persons or firms (including affiliates of the investment adviser) to evaluate or protect any collateral or other assets securing the loan or acquired as a result of any such event; (ii) managing (or engaging other persons to manage) or otherwise dealing with any collateral or other assets so acquired; and (iii) taking such other actions (including, but not limited to, payment of operating or similar expenses relating to the collateral) as the investment adviser may deem appropriate to reduce the likelihood or severity of loss on the Fund’s investment and/or maximize the return on such investment.  The Fund will incur additional expenditures in taking protective action with respect to loans in (or anticipated to be in) default and assets securing such loans.  In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive equity or equity-like securities from a borrower to settle the loan or may acquire an equity interest in the borrower.  Representatives of the Fund also may join creditor or similar committees relating to loans.

 

Lenders can be sued by other creditors and the debtor and its shareholders. Losses could be greater than the original loan amount and occur years after the loan’s recovery. If a borrower becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, a court may invalidate the Fund’s security interest in any loan collateral or subordinate the Fund’s rights under the loan agreement to the interests of the borrower’s unsecured creditors or cause interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. There are also other events, such as the failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings, which could lead to the invalidation of the Fund’s security interest in loan collateral. If any of these events occur, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected.

 

Interests in loans generally are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and no active market may exist for many loans, making them illiquid. As described below, a secondary market exists for many Senior Loans, but it may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.

 

From time to time the investment adviser and its affiliates may borrow money from various banks in connection with their business activities. Such banks may also sell interests in loans to or acquire them from the Fund or may be intermediate participants with respect to loans in which the Fund owns interests. Such banks may also act as agents for loans held by the Fund.

 

To the extent that legislation or state or federal regulators that regulate certain financial institutions impose additional requirements or restrictions with respect to the ability of such institutions to make loans, particularly in connection with highly leveraged transactions, the availability of loans for investment may be adversely affected. Further, such legislation or regulation could depress the market value of loans.

 

For additional disclosures relating to Junior and Senior Loans, see “Junior Loans” and “Senior Loans” herein.

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”)

MLPs are publicly-traded limited partnership interests or units. An MLP that invests in a particular industry (e.g., oil and gas) will be harmed by detrimental economic events within that industry. As partnerships, MLPs may be subject to less regulation (and less protection for investors) under state laws than corporations. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which may reduce the amount of income paid by an MLP to its investors.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (“MBS”)

MBS are “pass through” securities, meaning that a pro rata share of regular interest and principal payments, as well as unscheduled early prepayments, on the underlying mortgage pool is passed through monthly to the holder.  MBS may include conventional mortgage pass through securities, participation interests in pools of adjustable and fixed rate mortgage loans, stripped mortgage-backed securities (described herein), floating rate mortgage-backed securities and certain classes of multiple class CMOs. MBS pay principal to the holder over their term, which differs from other forms of debt securities that normally provide for principal payment at maturity or specified call dates. MBS are subject to the general risks associated with investing in real estate securities; that is, they may lose value if the value of the underlying real estate to which a pool of mortgages relates declines.  In addition, investments in MBS involve certain specific risks, including the failure of a party to meet its commitments under the related operative documents, adverse interest rate changes and the effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows.  Certain MBS may be purchased on a when-issued basis subject to certain limitations and requirements.



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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

There are currently four types of MBS: (1) those issued by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”); (2) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by pass through securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities; (3) those issued by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities without a government guarantee, such as credit risk transfer bonds; and (4) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or pass through securities without a government guarantee but that usually have some form of private credit enhancement.  Privately issued MBS are structured similar to GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC MBS, and are issued by originators or and investors in mortgage loans, including depositary institutions mortgage banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.

 

GNMA Certificates and FNMA Mortgage-Backed Certificates are MBS representing part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans. GNMA loans (issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial banks and savings and loan associations) are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A pool of such mortgages is assembled and, after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors through securities dealers. Once such pool is approved by GNMA, the timely payment of interest and principal on the Certificates issued representing such pool is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  FNMA, a federally chartered corporation owned entirely by private stockholders, purchases both conventional and federally insured or guaranteed residential mortgages from various entities, including savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers, and packages pools of such mortgages in the form of pass-through securities generally called FNMA Mortgage-Backed Certificates, which are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government; however, they are supported by the right of FNMA to borrow from the U.S. Treasury Department.

 

 FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government created by Congress for the purposes of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing, issues participation certificates (“PCs”) representing undivided interest in FHLMC’S mortgage portfolio. While FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of the principal of its PCs, its PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. FHLMC PCs differ from GNMA Certificates in that the mortgages underlying the PCs are monthly “conventional” mortgages rather than mortgages insured or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality. However, in several other respects, such as the monthly pass-through of interest and principal (including unscheduled prepayments) and the unpredictability of future unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgage pools, FHLMC PCs are similar to GNMA Certificates.  

 

While it is not possible to accurately predict the life of a particular issue of MBS, the actual life of any such security is likely to be substantially less than the final maturities of the mortgage loans underlying the security. This is because unscheduled early prepayments of principal on MBS will result from the prepayment, refinancings or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool. Prepayments of MBS may not be able to be reinvested at the same interest rate.  Because of the regular scheduled payments of principal and the early unscheduled prepayments of principal, MBS is less effective than other types of obligations as a means of “locking-in” attractive long-term interest rates. As a result, this type of security may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other U.S. Government securities of comparable maturities, although many issues of MBS may have a comparable risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. If MBS is purchased at a premium above its par value, a scheduled payment of principal and an unscheduled prepayment of principal, which would be made at par, will accelerate the realization of a loss equal to that portion of the premium applicable to the payment or prepayment. If MBS has been purchased at a discount from its par value, both a scheduled payment of principal and an unscheduled prepayment of principal will increase current returns and will accelerate the recognition of income, which, when distributed to Fund shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





Mortgage Dollar Rolls

In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund sells MBS for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) MBS on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the MBS.  The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sales. Cash proceeds may be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the Fund.  The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage.  A “covered roll” is a specific type of dollar roll for which there is an offsetting cash position or permissible liquid assets earmarked or in a segregated account to secure the obligation for the forward commitment to buy MBS, or a cash equivalent security position that matures on or before the forward settlement date of the dollar roll transaction. The Fund will enter into only covered rolls. Covered rolls are not treated as a borrowing or other senior security and will be excluded from the calculation of the Fund’s borrowings and other senior securities.

Municipal Lease Obligations (“MLOs”)

MLOs are obligations in the form of a lease, installment purchase or conditional sales contract (which typically provide for the title to the leased asset to pass to the governmental issuer) that is issued by state or local governments to acquire equipment and facilities. Interest income from MLOs is generally exempt from local and state taxes in the state of issuance.  MLOs, like other municipal debt obligations, are subject to the risk of non-payment. Although MLOs do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the issuer’s unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is frequently backed by the issuer’s 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 may be secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult. Participations in municipal leases are undivided interests in a portion of the total obligation. Participations entitle their holders to receive a pro rata share of all payments under the lease.

 

MLOs and participations therein represent a type of financing that may not have the depth of marketability associated with more conventional securities and, as such, they may be less liquid than conventional securities.  Certain MLOs may be deemed illiquid for the purpose of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities, unless determined by the investment adviser, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board, to be liquid securities. The investment adviser will consider an MLO to be liquid if it is rated investment grade (being an MLO rated BBB or Baa or higher) by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization or is insured by an insurer rated investment grade.  If an MLO or participation does not meet the foregoing criteria, then the investment adviser will consider the MLO to be illiquid unless it conducts an analysis of relevant factors and concludes that the MLO is liquid.  In conducting such an analysis, the investment adviser will consider the factors it believes are relevant to the marketability of the obligation, to the extent that information regarding such factor is available to the investment adviser and pertinent to the liquidity determination, which may include: (1) the willingness of dealers to bid for the obligation; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the obligation and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the frequency of trades and quotes for the obligation; (4) the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the obligation, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer; (5) the willingness of the governmental issuer to continue to appropriate funds for the payment of the obligation; (6) how likely or remote an event of non-appropriation may be, which depends in varying degrees on a variety of factors, including those relating to the general creditworthiness of the governmental issuer, its dependence on its continuing access to the credit markets, and the importance to the issuer of the equipment, property or facility covered by the lease or contract; (7) an assessment of the likelihood that the lease may or may not be cancelled; and (8) other factors and information unique to the obligation in determining its liquidity.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

The ability of issuers of MLOs 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 from and value of the obligation. Issuers of MLOs might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, holders of MLOs could experience delays and limitations with respect to the collection of principal and interest on such MLOs and 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 Fund might take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities or otherwise incur costs to protect its rights, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect the net asset value of the Fund. When the lease contains a non-appropriation clause, however, the failure to pay would not be a default and the Fund would not have the right to take possession of the assets. Any income derived from the Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.

Municipal Obligations

Municipal obligations 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.  Certain types of bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately owned or operated facilities, including certain facilities for the local furnishing of electric energy or gas, sewage facilities, solid waste disposal facilities and other specialized facilities. Municipal obligations include bonds as well as tax-exempt commercial paper, project notes and municipal notes such as tax, revenue and bond anticipation notes of short maturity, generally less than three years. While most municipal bonds pay a fixed rate of interest semiannually in cash, there are exceptions. Some bonds pay no periodic cash interest, but rather make a single payment at maturity representing both principal and interest. Some bonds may pay interest at a variable or floating rate.  Bonds may be issued or subsequently offered with interest coupons materially greater or less than those then prevailing, with price adjustments reflecting such deviation.  Municipal obligations also include trust certificates representing interests in municipal securities held by a trustee. The trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities.

 

In general, there are three categories of municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax and is not a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”): (i) certain “public purpose” obligations (whenever issued), which include obligations issued directly by state and local governments or their agencies to fulfill essential governmental functions; (ii) certain obligations issued before August 8, 1986 for the benefit of non-governmental persons or entities; and (iii) certain “private activity bonds” issued after August 7, 1986, which include “qualified Section 501(c)(3) bonds” or refundings of certain obligations included in the second category. Opinions relating to the validity of municipal bonds, exclusion of municipal bond interest from an investor’s gross income for federal income tax purposes and, where applicable, state and local income tax, are rendered by bond counsel to the issuing authorities at the time of issuance.

 

Interest on certain “private activity bonds” issued after August 7, 1986 is exempt from regular federal income tax, but such interest (including a distribution by the Fund derived from such interest) is treated as a tax preference item that could subject the recipient to or increase the recipient’s liability for the AMT. For corporate shareholders, the Fund’s distributions derived from interest on all municipal obligations (whenever issued) are included in “adjusted current earnings” for purposes of the AMT as applied to corporations (to the extent not already included in alternative minimum taxable income as income attributable to private activity bonds).

 

The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are “general obligation” and “revenue” bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes. The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate and amount.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

Typically, the only security for a limited obligation or revenue bond is the net revenue derived from a particular facility or class of facilities financed thereby or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special tax or other special revenues. Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of revenue-producing public capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; hospitals; and convention, recreational, tribal gaming and housing facilities. Although the security behind these bonds varies widely, many lower rated bonds provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund that may also be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer's obligations. In addition, some revenue obligations (as well as general obligations) are insured by a bond insurance company or backed by a letter of credit issued by a banking institution.  Revenue bonds also include, for example, pollution control, health care and housing bonds, which, although nominally issued by municipal authorities, are generally not secured by the taxing power of the municipality but by the revenues of the authority derived from payments by the private entity that owns or operates the facility financed with the proceeds of the bonds. Obligations of housing finance authorities have a wide range of security features, including reserve funds and insured or subsidized mortgages, as well as the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Many of these bonds do not generally constitute the pledge of the credit of the issuer of such bonds. The credit quality of such revenue bonds is usually directly related to the credit standing of the user of the facility being financed or of an institution which provides a guarantee, letter of credit or other credit enhancement for the bond issue.  The Fund may on occasion acquire revenue bonds that carry warrants or similar rights covering equity securities. Such warrants or rights may be held indefinitely, but if exercised, the Fund anticipates that it would, under normal circumstances, dispose of any equity securities so acquired within a reasonable period of time.  Investing in revenue bonds may involve (without limitation) the following risks.

 

Hospital bond ratings are often based on feasibility studies that contain projections of expenses, revenues and occupancy levels.   A hospital’s income available to service its debt may be influenced by demand for hospital services, management capabilities, the service area economy, efforts by insurers and government agencies to limit rates and expenses, competition, availability and expense of malpractice insurance, and Medicaid and Medicare funding.

 

Education-related bonds are comprised of two types: (i) those issued to finance projects for public and private colleges and universities, charter schools and private schools, and (ii) those representing pooled interests in student loans. Bonds issued to supply educational institutions with funding are subject to many risks, including the risks of unanticipated revenue decline, primarily the result of decreasing student enrollment, decreasing state and federal funding, or changes in general economic conditions. Additionally, higher than anticipated costs associated with salaries, utilities, insurance or other general expenses could impair the ability of a borrower to make annual debt service payments. Student loan revenue bonds are generally offered by state (or sub-state) authorities or commissions and are backed by pools of student loans. Underlying student loans may be guaranteed by state guarantee agencies and may be subject to reimbursement by the United States Department of Education through its guaranteed student loan program. Others may be private, uninsured loans made to parents or students that may be supported by reserves or other forms of credit enhancement. Cash flows supporting student loan revenue bonds are impacted by numerous factors, including the rate of student loan defaults, seasoning of the loan portfolio, and student repayment deferral periods of forbearance. Other risks associated with student loan revenue bonds include potential changes in federal legislation regarding student loan revenue bonds, state guarantee agency reimbursement and continued federal interest and other program subsidies currently in effect.

 

Transportation debt may be issued to finance the construction of airports, toll roads, highways, or other transit facilities. Airport bonds are dependent on the economic conditions of the airport’s service area and may be affected by the business strategies and fortunes of specific airlines. They may also be subject to competition from other airports and modes of transportation. Air traffic generally follows broader economic trends and is also affected by the price and availability of fuel. Toll road bonds are also affected by the cost and availability of fuel as well as toll levels, the presence of competing roads and the general economic health of an area. Fuel costs, transportation taxes and fees, and availability of fuel also affect other transportation-related securities, as do the presence of alternate forms of transportation, such as public transportation.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

Industrial development bonds are normally secured only by the revenues from the project and not by state or local government tax payments, they are subject to a wide variety of risks, many of which relate to the nature of the specific project. Generally, IDBs are sensitive to the risk of a slowdown in the economy.

Electric utilities face problems in financing large construction programs in an inflationary period, cost increases and delay occasioned by safety and environmental considerations (particularly with respect to nuclear facilities), difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable prices, and in achieving timely and adequate rate relief from regulatory commissions, effects of energy conservation and limitations on the capacity of the capital market to absorb utility debt.

Water and sewer revenue bonds are generally secured by the fees charged to each user of the service. The issuers of water and sewer revenue bonds generally enjoy a monopoly status and latitude in their ability to raise rates. However, lack of water supply due to insufficient rain, run-off, or snow pack can be a concern and has led to past defaults. Further, public resistance to rate increases, declining numbers of customers in a particular locale, costly environmental litigation, and federal environmental mandates are challenges faced by issuers of water and sewer bonds.

 

The obligations of any person or entity to pay the principal of and interest on a municipal obligation are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and laws, if any, that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. Certain bond structures may be subject to the risk that a taxing authority may issue an adverse ruling regarding tax-exempt status.  There is also the possibility that as a result of adverse economic conditions (including unforeseen financial events, natural disasters and other conditions that may affect an issuer’s ability to pay its obligations), litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of any person or entity to pay when due principal of and interest on a municipal obligation may be materially affected or interest and principal previously paid may be required to be refunded. There have been instances of defaults and bankruptcies involving municipal obligations that were not foreseen by the financial and investment communities. The Fund will take whatever action it considers appropriate in the event of anticipated financial difficulties, default or bankruptcy of either the issuer of any municipal obligation or of the underlying source of funds for debt service. Such action may include: (i) retaining the services of various persons or firms (including affiliates of the investment adviser) to evaluate or protect any real estate, facilities or other assets securing any such obligation or acquired by the Fund as a result of any such event; (ii) managing (or engaging other persons to manage) or otherwise dealing with any real estate, facilities or other assets so acquired; and (iii) taking such other actions as the adviser (including, but not limited to, payment of operating or similar expenses of the underlying project) may deem appropriate to reduce the likelihood or severity of loss on the fund’s investment.  The Fund will incur additional expenditures in taking protective action with respect to portfolio obligations in (or anticipated to be in) default and assets securing such obligations.

 

Historically, municipal bankruptcies have been rare and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such bankruptcy are unclear. Further, the application of state law to municipal obligation issuers could produce varying results among the states or among municipal obligation issuers within a state. These uncertainties could have a significant impact on the prices of the municipal obligations in which the Fund invests.  There could be economic, business or political developments or court decisions that adversely affect all municipal obligations in the same sector.  Developments such as changes in healthcare regulations, environmental considerations related to construction, construction cost increases and labor problems, failure of healthcare facilities to maintain adequate occupancy levels, and inflation can affect municipal obligations in the same sector.  As the similarity in issuers of municipal obligations held by the Fund increases, the potential for fluctuations in the Fund’s share price also may increase.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

The secondary market for some municipal obligations issued within a state (including issues that are privately placed with the Fund) is less liquid than that for taxable debt obligations or other more widely traded municipal obligations.  No established resale market exists for certain of the municipal obligations in which the Fund may invest. The market for obligations rated below investment grade is also likely to be less liquid than the market for higher rated obligations. As a result, the Fund may be unable to dispose of these municipal obligations at times when it would otherwise wish to do so at the prices at which they are valued.

Municipal obligations that are rated below investment grade but that, subsequent to the assignment of such rating, are backed by escrow accounts containing U.S. Government obligations may be determined by the investment adviser to be of investment grade quality for purposes of the Fund’s investment policies. In the case of a defaulted obligation, the Fund may incur additional expense seeking recovery of its investment. Defaulted obligations are denoted in the “Portfolio of Investments” in the “Financial Statements” included in the Fund’s reports to shareholders.

The yields on municipal obligations depend on a variety of factors, including purposes of the issue and source of funds for repayment, general money market conditions, general conditions of the municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal obligations which they undertake to rate, and in the case of insurers, other factors including the claims-paying ability of such insurer. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are based on judgment and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. In addition, the market price of such obligations will normally fluctuate with changes in interest rates, and therefore the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by such changes.

Operational Risk

The Fund’s service providers, including the investment adviser, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could negatively impact the Fund. While service providers are expected to have appropriate operational risk management policies and procedures, their methods of operational risk management may differ from the Fund's in the setting of priorities, the personnel and resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. It also is not possible for Fund service providers to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects.

Option Contracts

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  An option contract is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the reference instrument underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the reference instrument (or the cash) upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the reference instrument (or the cash). Upon exercise of an index option, the writer of an option on an index is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. Options may be “covered,” meaning that the party required to deliver the reference instrument if the option is exercised owns that instrument (or has set aside sufficient assets to meet its obligation to deliver the instrument).  Options may be listed on an exchange or traded in the OTC market.  In general, exchange-traded options have standardized exercise prices and expiration dates and may require the parties to post margin against their obligations, and the performance of the parties' obligations in connection with such options is guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. OTC options have more flexible terms negotiated between the buyer and the seller, but generally do not require the parties to post margin and are subject to counterparty risk. OTC options also involve greater liquidity risk.  The staff of the SEC takes the position that certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, are illiquid.  Derivatives on economic indicators generally are offered in an auction format and are booked and settled as OTC options.  Options on futures contracts are discussed herein under “Futures Contracts.”



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

If a written option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. If a purchased option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital loss equal to the premium paid. Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an exchange traded option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series (type, exchange, reference instrument, exercise price, and expiration). A capital gain will be realized from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is less than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it is more, a capital loss will be realized. If the premium received from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, the Fund will realize a capital gain or, if it is less, the Fund will realize a capital loss. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, the current market price of the reference instrument in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the reference instrument, and the time remaining until the expiration date.  There can be no assurance that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be consummated when desired.

 

Straddles are a combination of a call and a put written on the same reference instrument. A straddle is deemed to be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The same liquid assets may be used to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put.  The Fund may also buy and write call options on the same reference instrument to cover its obligations.  Because such combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open or close.  In an equity collar, the Fund simultaneously writes a call option and purchases a put option on the same instrument.

 

To the extent that the Fund writes a call option on an instrument it holds and intends to use such instrument as the sole means of “covering” its obligation under the call option, the Fund has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the instrument above the exercise price during the option period, but, as long as its obligation under such call option continues, has retained the risk of loss should the value of the reference instrument decline. If the Fund were unable to close out such a call option, it would not be able to sell the instrument unless the option expired without exercise.  Uncovered calls have speculative characteristics and are riskier than covered calls because there is no instrument or cover held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge.    

 

The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation under the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying reference instrument at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose the premium it paid for the option.  Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on options markets, the Fund may be unable to close out a position.

Option Strategy

The Fund implements the Option Strategy or Enhancement Strategy, as further described under “Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks” in the Prospectus, whereby it writes a series of call and put option spread combinations on the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500 Index) and/or a proxy for the S&P 500 Index (such as SPDR Trust Series I units (SPDRs)).



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Participation in the ReFlow Liquidity Program

The Fund may participate in the ReFlow liquidity program, which is designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing net redemptions of their shares. Pursuant to the program, ReFlow Fund, LLC (“ReFlow”) provides participating mutual funds with a source of cash to meet net shareholder redemptions by standing ready each business day to purchase fund shares up to the value of the net shares redeemed by other shareholders that are to settle the next business day. Following purchases of fund shares, ReFlow then generally redeems those shares when the fund experiences net sales, at the end of a maximum holding period determined by ReFlow (currently 28 days) or at other times at ReFlow’s discretion.  While ReFlow holds fund shares, it will have the same rights and privileges with respect to those shares as any other shareholder.  For use of the ReFlow service, a fund pays a fee to ReFlow each time it purchases fund shares, calculated by applying to the purchase amount a fee rate determined through an automated daily auction among participating mutual funds. Such fee is allocated among a fund’s share classes based on relative net assets.  ReFlow’s purchases of fund shares through the liquidity program are made on an investment-blind basis without regard to the fund’s investment objective, policies or anticipated performance.  In accordance with federal securities laws, ReFlow is prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a fund. ReFlow will purchase Class I or Institutional Class shares (or, if applicable Class A or Investor Class shares) at net asset value and will not be subject to any sales charge (in the case of Class A shares), investment minimum or redemption fee applicable to such shares. ReFlow will periodically redeem its entire share position in the Fund and request that such redemption be met in kind in accordance with the Fund’s redemption-in-kind policies described under “Redeeming Shares” in the Prospectus.  Investments in a fund by ReFlow in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program are not subject to the two round-trips within 90 days limitation described in “Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing” under “Purchasing Shares” in the Prospectus. The investment adviser believes that the program assists in stabilizing the Fund’s net assets to the benefit of the Fund and its shareholders.  To the extent the Fund’s net assets do not decline, the investment adviser may also benefit.

Pooled Investment Vehicles

The Fund may invest in pooled investment vehicles including other open-end or closed-end investment companies affiliated or unaffiliated with the investment adviser, exchange-traded funds (described herein) and other collective investment pools in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Closed-end investment company securities are usually traded on an exchange.  The demand for a closed-end fund’s securities is independent of the demand for the underlying portfolio assets, and accordingly, such securities can trade at a discount from, or a premium over, their net asset value.  The Fund generally will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees paid by a pooled investment vehicle in which it invests in addition to the investment advisory fee paid by the Fund.

Portfolio Turnover

A change in the securities held by the Fund is known as “portfolio turnover” and generally involves expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer markups and other transaction costs on both the sale of securities and the reinvestment of the proceeds in other securities. If sales of portfolio securities cause the Fund to realize net short-term capital gains, such gains will be taxable as ordinary income to taxable shareholders.  The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal year is the ratio of the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities to the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is not a limiting factor when the investment adviser considers a change in the Fund's portfolio holdings.  The portfolio turnover rate(s) of the Fund for recent fiscal periods is included in the Financial Highlights in the Prospectus.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a corporation, company or trust that has a higher claim on the assets and earnings than common stock. Preferred stock usually has limited voting rights. Preferred stock involves credit risk, which is the risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, or fail to pay dividends when expected, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. A company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends after the company makes the required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt instruments but before dividend payments are made to common stockholders.  However, preferred stock may not pay scheduled dividends or dividends payments may be in arrears.  The value of preferred stock may react more strongly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Certain preferred stocks may be convertible to common stock.  See “Convertible Securities” and “Contingent Convertible Securities.”  Preferred stock may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price.  Because they may make regular income payments, preferred stocks may be considered fixed-income securities for purposes of a Fund’s investment restrictions.



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SAI dated September 27, 2016





Real Estate Investments

Real estate investments, including real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are sensitive to factors, such as changes in: real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws, among others. Changes in underlying real estate values may have a magnified effect to the extent that investments concentrate in particular geographic regions or property types. Investments in REITs may also be adversely affected by rising interest rates. By investing in REITs, the Fund indirectly will bear REIT expenses in addition to its own expenses.

Private REITs are unlisted, which may make them difficult to value and less liquid.  Moreover, private REITs are generally exempt from 1933 Act registration and, as such, the amount of public information available with respect to private REITs may be less extensive than that available for publicly traded REITs.

Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of a security coupled with an agreement to resell at a specified date and price.  In the event of the bankruptcy of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement, recovery of cash may be delayed. To the extent that, in the meantime, the value of the purchased securities may have decreased, a loss could result. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days will be treated as illiquid. Unless the Prospectus states otherwise, the terms of a repurchase agreement will provide that the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will always be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the agreement, and will be marked to market daily.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

65

SAI dated September 27, 2016





Residual Interest Bonds

The Fund may invest in residual interest bonds in a trust that holds municipal securities. The interest rate payable on a residual interest bond bears an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security issued by the trust. Because changes in the interest rate on the other security inversely affect the interest paid on the residual interest bond, the value and income of a residual interest bond is generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. Residual interest bonds have interest rate adjustment formulas that generally reduce or, in the extreme, eliminate the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates rise, and increase the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates fall. Residual interest bonds have varying degrees of liquidity, and the market for these securities is relatively volatile. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising long-term interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when long-term interest rates decline. Although volatile, residual interest bonds typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality and maturity. These securities usually permit the investor to convert the floating rate to a fixed rate (normally adjusted downward), and this optional conversion feature may provide a partial hedge against rising rates if exercised at an opportune time. While residual interest bonds expose the Fund to leverage risk because they provide two or more dollars of bond market exposure for every dollar invested, they are not subject to the Fund’s restrictions on borrowings.

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may enter into a so-called shortfall and forbearance agreement relating to a residual interest bond held by the Fund. Such agreements commit the Fund to reimburse the difference between the liquidation value of the underlying security (which is the basis of the residual interest bond) and the principal amount due to the holders of the floating rate security issued in conjunction with the residual interest bond upon the termination of the trust issuing the residual interest bond. Absent a shortfall and forbearance agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses not to enter into such an agreement, the residual interest bond could be terminated and the Fund could incur a loss. The Fund’s investments in residual interest bonds and similar securities described in the Prospectus and this SAI will not be considered borrowing for purposes of the Fund’s restrictions on borrowing described herein and in the Prospectus.

On December 10, 2013, five U.S. federal agencies published final rules implementing section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Volcker Rule”). The Volcker Rule prohibits banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading of certain instruments and limits such entities’ investments in, and relationships with, covered funds, as defined in the rules. The compliance date for the Volcker Rule with respect to covered funds in place prior to December 31, 2013 is July 21, 2016. The Volcker Rule precludes banking entities and their affiliates from (i) sponsoring residual interest bond programs as presently structured and (ii) continuing relationships with or services for existing residual interest bond programs. Certain existing residual interest bonds were restructured in order to comply with the Volker Rule prior to July 2015 while other existing residual interest bonds must do so by July 2016. The effects of the Volcker Rule may make it more difficult for the Fund to maintain current or desired levels of income.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





Restricted Securities

Restricted securities cannot be sold to the public without registration under the 1933 Act. Unless registered for sale, restricted securities can be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to an exemption from registration. Restricted securities may be considered illiquid and subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities.

Restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk which may result in substantial losses. The securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund. The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including securities initially offered and sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Securities”) and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers initially offered and sold outside the United States without registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S (“Regulation S Securities”) under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A Securities and Regulation S Securities generally may be traded freely among certain qualified institutional investors, such as the Fund, and non-U.S. persons, but resale to a broader base of investors in the United States may be permitted only in much more limited circumstances. 

The Fund also may purchase restricted securities that are not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Fund may acquire such securities through private placement transactions, directly from the issuer or from security holders, generally at higher yields or on terms more favorable to investors than comparable publicly traded securities. However, the restrictions on resale of such securities may make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them at the time considered most advantageous and/or may involve expenses that would not be incurred in the sale of securities that were freely marketable. Risks associated with restricted securities include the potential obligation to pay all or part of the registration expenses in order to sell certain restricted securities. A considerable period of time may elapse between the time of the decision to sell a security and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell it under an effective registration statement and/or after an applicable waiting period. If adverse conditions were to develop during this period, the Fund might obtain a price that is less favorable than the price that was prevailing at the time it decided to sell.  See also “Illiquid Securities.”

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed upon time (normally within seven days) and price, which reflects an interest payment. The Fund may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement for various purposes, including, but not limited to, when it is able to invest the cash acquired at a rate higher than the cost of the agreement or as a means of raising cash to satisfy redemption requests without the necessity of selling portfolio assets.  In a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities transferred to another party or the securities in which the proceeds may be invested would affect the market value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase fluctuations in the value of the Fund.  Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be the practical equivalent of borrowing funds, they constitute a form of leverage.  Such agreements will be treated as subject to investment restrictions regarding “borrowings.” If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

67

SAI dated September 27, 2016





Rights and Warrants

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe for shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued. Rights normally have a short life, usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the public offering price. Warrants are securities that are typically issued together with a debt security or preferred stock and that give the holder the right to buy a proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price. Warrants are freely transferable and are often traded on major exchanges. Unlike rights, warrants normally have a life that is measured in years and entitle the holder to buy common stock of a company at a price that is usually higher than the market price at the time the warrant is issued. Corporations often issue warrants to make the accompanying debt security more attractive.

Warrants and rights may entail greater risks than certain other types of investments. Generally, rights and warrants do not carry the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or before their expiration date. If the market price of the underlying stock does not exceed the exercise price during the life of the warrant or right, the warrant or right will expire worthless.  (Canadian special warrants issued in private placements prior to a public offering are not considered warrants.) 

Royalty Bonds

To the extent described in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in royalty bonds.

Securities Lending

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to major banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions in compliance with the 1940 Act. No lending may be made with any companies affiliated with the investment adviser.  These loans earn income and are collateralized by cash, securities or letters of credit.  The Fund may realize a loss if it is not able to invest cash collateral at rates higher than the costs to enter into the loan.    The Fund invests cash collateral in an unaffiliated money market fund that operates in compliance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and maintains a stable $1.00 net asset value per share.  When the loan is closed, the lender is obligated to return the collateral to the borrower.  The lender could suffer a loss if the value of the collateral is below the market value of the borrowed securities or if the borrower defaults on the loan.  The lender may pay reasonable finder’s, lending agent, administrative and custodial fees in connection with its loans. The investment adviser may instruct the securities lending agent to terminate loans and recall securities with voting rights so that the securities may be voted in accordance with the Fund’s proxy voting policy and procedures if deemed appropriate to do so.  See “Taxes” for information on the tax treatment of payments in lieu of dividends received pursuant to securities lending arrangements.

Senior Loans

Senior Loans are loans that are senior in repayment priority to other debt of the borrower.  Senior Loans generally pay interest that floats, adjusts or varies periodically based on benchmark indicators, specified adjustment schedules or prevailing interest rates.  Senior Loans are often secured by specific assets or “collateral,” although they may not be secured by collateral.  A Senior Loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors (“Loan Investors”), generally referred to as a “syndicate.” The Agent typically administers and enforces the Senior Loan on behalf of the Loan Investors in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Loan Investors.  Loan interests primarily take the form of assignments purchased in the primary or secondary market. Loan interests may also take the form of participation interests in, or novations of, a Senior Loan.  Senior Loans primarily include senior floating rate loans and secondarily senior floating rate debt obligations (including those issued by an asset-backed pool), and interests therein.

 

Loan Collateral. Borrowers generally will, for the term of the Senior Loan, pledge collateral to secure their obligation. In addition Senior Loans may be guaranteed by or secured by assets of the borrower’s owners or affiliates. During the term of the Senior Loan, the value of collateral securing the Loan may decline in value, causing the Loan to be under-collateralized. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy fully a borrower’s obligations under a Senior Loan. In addition, if a Senior Loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of the collateral and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of such collateral.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

Fees. The Fund may receive a facility fee when it buys a Senior Loan, and pay a facility fee when it sells a Senior Loan. On an ongoing basis, the Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a Senior Loan. In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a Senior Loan by a borrower or an amendment fee.

 

Loan Administration.  In a typical Senior Loan, the Agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal, and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the Loan Investors. Failure by the Agent to fulfill its obligations may delay or adversely affect receipt of payment by the Fund. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a loan agreement or participation (as applicable) the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund must rely on the Agent and the other Loan Investors to use appropriate remedies against the borrower. The Agent is typically responsible for monitoring compliance with covenants contained in the loan agreement based upon reports prepared by the borrower.  The typical practice of an Agent or a Loan Investor in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower may involve the risk of fraud by the borrower.  It is unclear whether an investment in a Senior Loan offers the securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation.

 

A financial institution’s appointment as Agent may usually be terminated in the event that it fails to observe the requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent.  A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the Loan Agreement should remain available to holders of Senior Loans. However, if assets held by the Agent for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Senior Loan, or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other Interposed Persons, similar risks may arise.

 

Additional Information. The Fund may purchase and retain in its portfolio a Senior Loan where the borrower has experienced, or may be perceived to be likely to experience, credit problems, including involvement in or recent emergence from bankruptcy reorganization proceedings or other forms of debt restructuring. While such investments may provide opportunities for enhanced income as well as capital appreciation, they generally involve greater risk and may be considered speculative.  The Fund may from time to time participate in ad-hoc committees formed by creditors to negotiate with the management of financially troubled borrowers. The Fund may incur legal fees as a result of such participation.  In addition, such participation may restrict the Fund’s ability to trade in or acquire additional positions in a particular security when it might otherwise desire to do so. Participation by the Fund also may expose the Fund to potential liabilities under bankruptcy or other laws governing the rights of creditors and debtors. The Fund will participate in such committees only when the investment adviser believes that such participation is necessary or desirable to enforce the Fund’s rights as a creditor or to protect the value of a Senior Loan held by the Fund.

 

In some instances, other accounts managed by the investment adviser may hold other securities issued by borrowers the Senior Loans of which may be held by the Fund. These other securities may include, for example, debt securities that are subordinate to the Senior Loans held by the Fund, convertible debt or common or preferred equity securities.  In certain circumstances, such as if the credit quality of the borrower deteriorates, the interests of holders of these other securities may conflict with the interests of the holders of the borrower’s Senior Loans. In such cases, the investment adviser may owe conflicting fiduciary duties to the Fund and other client accounts. The investment adviser will endeavor to carry out its obligations to all of its clients to the fullest extent possible, recognizing that in some cases, certain clients may achieve a lower economic return, as a result of these conflicting client interests, than if the investment adviser’s client accounts collectively held only a single category of the issuer’s securities.

 

The Fund may acquire warrants and other equity securities as part of a unit combining a Senior Loan and equity securities of a borrower or its affiliates. The Fund may also acquire equity securities or debt securities (including non-dollar denominated debt securities) issued in exchange for a Senior Loan or issued in connection with the debt restructuring or reorganization of a borrower, or if such acquisition, in the judgment of the investment adviser, may enhance the value of a Senior Loan or would otherwise be consistent with the Fund’s investment policies.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

For Eaton Vance Floating Rate Portfolio, Senior Debt Portfolio and Eaton Vance VT Floating-Rate Income Fund only: The Fund will acquire participations only if the Loan Investor selling the participation, and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the Loan Investor (an “Interposed Person”), at the time of investment, has outstanding debt or deposit obligations rated investment grade (BBB or A-3 or higher by S&P or Baa or P- 3 or higher by Moody’s or comparably rated by another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization) or determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality.

 

For additional disclosure relating to investing in loans (including Senior Loans), see “Loans” above.

Short Sales

Short sales are transactions in which a party sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To complete such a transaction, the party must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. When the party is required to return the borrowed security, it typically will purchase the security in the open market. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the party sold the security. Until the security is replaced, the party is required to repay the lender any dividends or interest, which accrues during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, it also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out. Transaction costs are incurred in effecting short sales. A short seller will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which it replaces the borrowed security. A gain will be realized if the price of the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends or interest the short seller may be required to pay, if any, in connection with a short sale. Short sales may be “against the box” or uncovered.  In a short sale “against the box,” at the time of the sale, the short seller owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire the identical security at no additional cost.  In an uncovered short sale, the short seller does not own the underlying security and, as such, losses from uncovered short sales may be significant.  The Fund may sell short securities representing an index or basket of securities whose constituents the Fund holds in whole or in part. A short sale of an index or basket of securities will be a covered short sale if the underlying index or basket of securities is the same or substantially identical to securities held by the Fund.  Use of short sales is limited by the Fund’s non-fundamental restriction relating thereto.

Short-Term Trading

Fixed-income securities may be sold in anticipation of market decline (a rise in interest rates) or purchased in anticipation of a market rise (a decline in interest rates) and later sold. In addition, such a security may be sold and another purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what is believed to be a temporary disparity in the normal yield relationship between the two securities. Yield disparities may occur for reasons not directly related to the investment quality of particular issues or the general movement of interest rates, such as changes in the overall demand for or supply of various types of fixed-income securities or changes in the investment objectives of investors.  

Smaller Companies

The investment risk associated with smaller companies is higher than that normally associated with larger, more established companies due to the greater business risks associated with small size, the relative age of the company, limited product lines, distribution channels and financial and managerial resources. Further, there is typically less publicly available information concerning smaller companies than for larger companies. The securities of small companies are often traded only over-the-counter and may not be traded in the volumes typical of trading on a national securities exchange. As a result, stocks of smaller companies are often more volatile than those of larger companies, which are often traded on a national securities exchange.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities (“SMBS”)

SMBS are multiclass mortgage securities. SMBS commonly involve two classes of securities that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving most of the interest from the mortgages, while the other class will receive most of the principal. In the most extreme case, the interest only class receives all of the interest while the principal only class receives the entire principal. The yield to maturity on an interest only class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including pre-payments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the yield to maturity from these securities. If the underlying mortgages experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the initial investment in these securities may not be recouped. Although the market for such securities is increasingly liquid, certain SMBS may not be readily marketable and will be considered illiquid. The market value of the class consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest from mortgages are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other MBS because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

Structured Notes

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Structured notes are derivative debt instruments, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator (for example, a currency, security, commodity or index thereof). The terms of the instrument may be “structured” by the purchaser and the borrower issuing the note. Indexed securities may include structured notes as well as securities other than debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. The terms of structured notes and indexed securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity, which may result in a loss of invested capital. Structured notes and indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the unrelated indicator may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or the value of the structured note or indexed security at maturity may be calculated as a specified multiple of the change in the value of the unrelated indicator. Structured notes and indexed securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of investments because the investor bears the risk of the unrelated indicator. Structured notes or indexed securities also may be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt securities.

Swap Agreements

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined reference instrument or instruments, which can be adjusted for an interest rate factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount” ( i.e. , the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index).  Other types of swap agreements may calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, a party’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  

 

Whether the use of swap agreements will be successful will depend on the investment adviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of reference instruments are likely to produce greater returns than other instruments.  Swap agreements may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and they may have terms of greater than seven days.  The Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund under the swap).  Developments in the swaps market, including government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements, as well as to participate in swap agreements in the future.  If there is a default by the counterparty to a swap, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreement, but any recovery may be delayed depending on the circumstances of the default.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

The swaps market was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which was enacted in 2010 in response to turmoil in the financial markets and other market events. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new regulatory framework for certain OTC derivatives, such as swaps, in which the Fund may invest. The Dodd-Frank Act requires many swap transactions to be executed on registered exchanges or through swap execution facilities, cleared through a regulated clearinghouse, and publicly reported. In addition, many market participants are now regulated as swap dealers or major swap participants, and are, or will be, subject to certain minimum capital and margin requirements and business conduct standards. The statutory requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act are being implemented primarily through rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and/or the CFTC. There is a prescribed phase-in period during which most of the mandated rulemaking and regulations are being implemented, and temporary exemptions from certain rules and regulations have been granted so that current trading practices will not be unduly disrupted during the transition period.

 

Currently, central clearing is only required for certain market participants trading certain instruments, although central clearing for additional instruments is expected to be implemented by the CFTC until the majority of the swaps market is ultimately subject to central clearing. In addition, uncleared OTC swaps will be subject to regulatory collateral requirements that could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market. These developments could cause the Fund to terminate new or existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such instruments at an inopportune time. Until the mandated rulemaking and regulations are implemented completely, it will not be possible to determine the complete impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations on the Fund, and the establishment of a centralized exchange or market for swap transactions may not result in swaps being easier to value or trade. However, it is expected that swap dealers, major market participants, and swap counterparties will experience other new and/or additional regulations, requirements, compliance burdens, and associated costs. The legislation and rules to be promulgated may exert a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective, either through limits or requirements imposed on the Fund or its counterparties. The swap market could be disrupted or limited as a result of the legislation, and the new requirements may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and of doing business, which could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to buy or sell OTC derivatives.

 

Swap agreements include (but are not limited to):

 

Currency Swaps. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the rights of the parties to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Because currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. If the investment adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market value and currency exchange rates, performance may be adversely affected.

 

Equity Swaps. An equity swap is an agreement in which at least one party’s payments are based on the rate of return of an equity security or equity index, such as the S&P 500. The other party’s payments can be based on a fixed rate, a non-equity variable rate, or even a different equity index. The Fund may enter into equity index swaps on a net basis pursuant to which the future cash flows from two reference instruments are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two.      



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





 

Credit Default Swaps.  Under a credit default swap agreement, the protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally 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, such as a default, on a reference instrument has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the reference instrument in exchange for an equal face amount of the reference instrument described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.  The determination of a credit event under the swap agreement will depend on the terms of the agreement and may rely on the decision of persons that are not a party to the agreement.  The Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund).

 

Inflation Swaps.  Inflation swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments or an exchange of floating rate payments based on two different reference indices. By design, one of the reference indices is an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index. Inflation swaps can be designated as zero coupon, where both sides of the swap compound interest over the life of the swap and then the accrued interest is paid out only at the swap’s maturity.

 

Total Return Swaps. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of the assets underlying the contract, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Generally, the Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each total return swap will be accrued on a daily basis.  If the total return swap transaction is entered into on other than a net basis, the full amount of the Fund’s obligations will be accrued on a daily basis, and the full amount of the Fund’s obligations will be segregated by the Fund in an amount equal to or greater than the market value of the liabilities under the total return swap or the amount it would have cost the Fund initially to make an equivalent direct investment, plus or minus any amount the Fund is obligated to pay or is to receive under the total return swap agreement.

 

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps and Floors. Interest rate swaps are OTC contracts in which each party agrees to make a periodic interest payment based on an index or the value of an asset in return for a periodic payment from the other party based on a different index or asset. 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. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index rises above a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap.  The Fund usually will enter into interest rate swap transactions on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis. If the interest rate swap transaction is entered into on other than a net basis, the full amount of the Fund’s obligations will be accrued on a daily basis.  Certain federal income tax requirements may limit the Fund’s ability to engage in certain interest rate transactions.



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

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SAI dated September 27, 2016





Swaptions

See also “Derivative Instruments and Related Risks” herein.  A swaption is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When the Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Tax-Managed Investing

Taxes are a major influence on the net returns that investors receive on their taxable investments. There are four components of the returns of a mutual fund that invests in equities that are treated differently for federal income tax purposes: price appreciation, distributions of qualified dividend income, distributions of other investment income, and distributions of realized short-term and long-term capital gains. Distributions of income other than qualified dividend income and distributions of net realized short-term gains (on stocks held for one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income.  Distributions of qualified dividend income and net realized long-term gains (on stocks held for more than one year) are currently taxed at rates up to 20%. The Fund’s investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by IRS interpretations of the Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations. Returns derived from price appreciation are untaxed until the shareholder disposes of his or her shares. Upon disposition, a capital gain (short-term, if the shareholder has held his or her shares for one year or less, otherwise long-term) equal to the difference between the net proceeds of the disposition and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis is realized.

Trust Certificates

Trust certificates are investments in a limited purpose trust or other vehicle formed under state law. Trust certificates in turn invest in instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps, preferred securities and other securities, in order to customize the risk/return profile of a particular security. Like an investment in a bond, investments in trust certificates represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the certificate. However, these payments are conditioned on the trust’s receipt of payments from, and the trust’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the trust invests. Investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management risk. It is expected that the trusts that issue credit-linked trust certificates will constitute “private” investment companies, exempt from registration under the 1940 Act. Although the trusts are typically private investment companies, they are generally not actively managed. It is also expected that the certificates will be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the certificates and they may constitute illiquid investments.



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U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Government securities include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, including: U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less); U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one year to ten years); and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally maturities of greater than ten years); and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury; (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality; or (d) the credit of the agency or instrumentality. U.S. Government securities also include any other security or agreement collateralized or otherwise secured by U.S. Government securities.  Agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government include but are not limited to: Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Land Banks, Federal Financing Bank, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Farm Credit Bank System, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal National Mortgage Association, General Services Administration, Government National Mortgage Association, Student Loan Marketing Association, United States Postal Service, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, Washington D.C. Armory Board and any other enterprise established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government generally is not obligated to provide support to its instrumentalities.  The principal of and/or interest on certain U.S. Government securities could be: (a) payable in foreign currencies rather than U.S. dollars; or (b) increased or diminished as a result of changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the value of foreign currencies. The value of such portfolio securities denominated in foreign currencies may be affected favorably by changes in the exchange rate between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.  

Unlisted Securities

Unlisted securities are neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded over-the-counter. Unlisted securities may include investments in new and early stage companies, which may involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses and may be considered speculative. Such securities will generally be deemed to be illiquid. Because of the absence of any public trading market for these investments, it may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Furthermore, issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to public disclosure and other investor protection requirements applicable to publicly traded securities. If such securities are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Fund may be required to bear the expenses of registration. In addition, in foreign jurisdictions any capital gains realized on the sale of such securities may be subject to higher rates of foreign taxation than taxes payable on the sale of listed securities.

Utility and Financial Services Companies

To the extent described in the Prospectus, the Fund may concentrate its investments in utility and/or financial services companies.

Variable Rate Instruments

Variable rate instruments provide for adjustments in the interest or dividend rate payable on the instrument at specified intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, semiannually, etc.) based on market conditions, credit ratings or interest rates and the investor may have the right to “put” the security back to the issuer or its agent. Variable rate instruments normally provide that the holder can demand payment of the instrument on short notice at par with accrued interest.  These instruments may be secured by letters of credit or other support arrangements provided by banks. To the extent that such letters of credit or other arrangements constitute an unconditional guarantee of the issuer’s obligations, a bank may be treated as the issuer of a security for the purposes of complying with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 5(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 5b-2 thereunder. The Fund may use these instruments as cash equivalents pending longer term investment of its funds.  The rate adjustment features may limit the extent to which the market value of the instruments will fluctuate.



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When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitments

Securities may be purchased on a “forward commitment,” “when-issued” or “delayed delivery” basis (meaning securities are purchased or sold with payment and delivery taking place in the future beyond normal settlement times) in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction.  When the Fund agrees to purchase such securities, it assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security from the date of the agreement to purchase.  The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

 

From the time of entering into the transaction until delivery and payment is made at a later date, the securities that are the subject of the transaction are subject to market fluctuations. In forward commitment, when-issued or delayed delivery transactions, if the seller or buyer, as the case may be, fails to consummate the transaction, the counterparty may miss the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. However, no payment or delivery is made until payment is received or delivery is made from the other party to the transaction.

Zero Coupon Bonds, Deep Discount Bonds and Payment In-Kind (“PIK”) Securities

Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations that do not require the periodic payment of interest and are issued at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds 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 purchase. The effect of owning debt obligations 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 debt obligation. 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 holder’s ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. The Fund is required to accrue income from zero coupon bonds on a current basis, even though it does not receive that income currently in cash, and the Fund is required to distribute that income for each taxable year. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions.

 

Bonds and preferred stocks that make “in-kind” payments and other securities that do not pay regular income distributions may experience greater volatility in response to interest rate changes and issuer developments. PIK securities generally carry higher interest rates compared to bonds that make cash payments of interest to reflect their payment deferral and increased credit risk. PIK securities generally involve significantly greater credit risk than coupon loans because the Fund receives no cash payments until the maturity date or a specified cash payment date. Even if accounting conditions are met for accruing income payable at a future date under a PIK bond, the issuer could still default when the collection date occurs at the maturity of or payment date for the PIK bond.  PIK bonds may be difficult to value accurately because they involve ongoing judgments as to the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral.  If the issuer of a PIK security defaults, the Fund may lose its entire investment. PIK interest has the effect of generating investment income and increasing the incentive fees, if any, payable at a compounding rate.  Generally, the deferral of PIK interest increases the loan to value ratio.





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APPENDIX A

Class A Fees, Performance & Ownership

Prior to the date of this SAI, this Class of the Fund had not yet commenced operations so there is no fee or performance information.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities.  As of September 27, 2016, there were no shares of this Class of the Fund outstanding.




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APPENDIX B

Class I Performance & Ownership

Prior to the date of this SAI, this Class of the Fund had not yet commenced operations so there is no performance or ownership information.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. As of September 27, 2016, there were no shares of this Class of the Fund outstanding.




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APPENDIX C

RATINGS

The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings available at the date of this SAI for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on a particular date.

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (“Moody’s”)

Ratings assigned on Moody’s 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 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 the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments.

GLOBAL LONG-TERM RATINGS SCALE

Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low risk.

A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics

Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.  

C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s 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.

GLOBAL SHORT-TERM RATING SCALE

Moody’s short term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime ratings categories.



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ISSUER RATINGS

Issuer Ratings are opinions of the ability of entities to honor senior unsecured financial counterparty obligations and contracts. As such, Issuer Ratings incorporate any external support that is expected to apply to all current and future issuance of senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts, such as explicit support stemming from a guarantee of all senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts, and/or implicit support for issuers subject to joint default analysis (e.g. banks and government-related issuers). Issuer Ratings do not incorporate support arrangements, such as guarantees, that apply only to specific (but not to all) senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts.

US MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS AND DEMAND OBLIGATION RATINGS

SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

While the global short-term ‘prime’ rating scale is applied to US municipal tax-exempt commercial paper, these programs are typically backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities and their short-term prime ratings usually map to the long-term rating of the enhancing bank or financial institution and not to the municipality’s rating. Other short-term municipal obligations, which generally have different funding sources for repayment, are rated using two additional short-term rating scales (i.e., the MIG and VMIG scales discussed below).

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 issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels—MIG 1 through MIG 3—while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.

MIG 1 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.

MIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3 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.

SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Demand Obligation Ratings

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term rating and demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree 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. The rating transitions on the VMIG scale, as shown in the diagram below, differ from those on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support generally will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

VMIG 1: 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.

VMIG 2: 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.

VMIG 3: 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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SG:  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.

STANDARD & POOR’S RATINGS SERVICES (“S&P”)

ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS DEFINITIONS

A Standard & Poor's 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 Standard & Poor's view of the obligor's 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 days—including 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.

LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS:

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on Standard & Poor's analysis of the following considerations:

·   Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

·   Nature of and provisions of the obligation and the promise that is imputed;

·   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. Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA:  An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA:   An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

A:  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 obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

BBB: 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.

BB, B, CCC, CC and C

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.

BB: An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.



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B: An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable 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 obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC: 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.

CC: An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poor's expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

C:   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 .

D: 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 Standard & Poor's 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 obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to’ CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

A-1: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s 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 obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

A-2: 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 obligor’s capacity to meet its financial    commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3: 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.

B: A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as having 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 obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments .

C: 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.

D:  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 Standard & Poor's 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 obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS DEFINITIONS

Standard & Poor's issuer credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about an obligor's overall creditworthiness. This opinion focuses on the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due. It does not apply to any specific financial obligation, as it does not take into account the nature of and provisions of the obligation, its standing in



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bankruptcy or liquidation, statutory preferences, or the legality and enforceability of the obligation. Counterparty credit ratings, corporate credit ratings and sovereign credit ratings are all forms of issuer credit ratings.

Issuer credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term.

LONG-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS

AAA: An obligor rated ‘AAA’ has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. ‘AAA’ is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P.

AA: An obligor rated ‘AA’ has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.

A: An obligor rated ‘A’ has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

BBB: An obligor rated ‘BBB’ has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.

BB, B, CCC and CC

Obligors rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, and ‘CC’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘CC’ the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB: An obligor ‘BB’ is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

B: An obligor rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable than the obligors rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meets its financial commitments.

CCC: An obligor rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.

CC: An obligor rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poor's expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

R: An obligor rated 'R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others.  

SD and D : An obligor rated 'SD' (selective default) or 'D' is in default on one or more of its financial obligations including rated and unrated financial obligations but excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital or in non-payment according to terms. An obligor is considered in default unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made within five business days of the due date in the absence of a stated grace period, or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. A 'D' rating is assigned when Standard & Poor's believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An 'SD' rating is assigned when Standard &

Poor's believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. An obligor's rating is lowered to 'D' or 'SD' if it is conducting a distressed exchange offer.

NR: An issuer designated as NR is not rated.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to’ CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.



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SHORT-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS

A-1: An obligor rated ‘A-1’ has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments is extremely strong.

A-2: An obligor rated ‘A-2’ has satisfactory capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.

A-3: An obligor rated ‘A-3’ has adequate capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.

B: An obligor rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. Ratings ‘B-1’, ‘B-2’, and ‘B-3’ may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the ‘B’ category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C: An obligor rated 'C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment that would result in a 'SD' or 'D' issuer rating, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for it to meet its financial commitments.

R: An obligor rated ‘R’ is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others.

SD and D:   An obligor rated 'SD' (selective default) or 'D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated), excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital or in nonpayment according to terms, when it came due. An obligor is considered in default unless Standard & Poor's 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. A 'D' rating is assigned when Standard & Poor's believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or  substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An 'SD' rating is assigned when Standard & Poor's believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital, but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. An obligor's rating is lowered to 'D' or 'SD' if it is conducting a distressed exchange offer.

NR: An issuer designated as NR is not rated.

MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM NOTE RATINGS

SHORT-TERM NOTES: An S&P U.S. municipal note ratings reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poor's analysis will review the following considerations: Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:

SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt will be given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.



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FITCH RATINGS

LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS

Investment Grade

AAA: Highest credit quality ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. The capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: 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.

A: High credit quality . ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. The capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions that is the case for higher ratings.

BBB:  'BBB' ratings indicate that expectations of default 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.

BB:  Speculative.  'BB' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

B:  Highly speculative.   B' ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC:  Substantial credit risk.  Default is a real possibility.

CC:  Very high levels of credit risk.  Default of some kind appears probable.

C :  Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default appears imminent or inevitable.

D:  Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or

the distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

Notes to Long-Term ratings:

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’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ‘B’.

Short-Term Credit Ratings Assigned to Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance

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.

F1:  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.

F2: Good short-term credit quality .  Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.



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F3: Fair short-term credit quality .  The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B: Speculative short-term credit quality .   Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C:  High short-term default risk.  Default is a real possibility.

RD: 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.

D:  Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

DESCRIPTION OF INSURANCE FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Insurance Financial Strength Ratings

Moody’s Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations and also reflect the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default . Specific obligations are considered unrated unless they are individually rated because the standing of a particular insurance obligation would depend on an assessment of its relative standing under those laws governing both the obligation and the insurance company.

Standard & Poor’s Insurance Financial Strength Ratings

A Standard & Poor's insurer financial strength rating is a forward-looking opinion about the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are also assigned to health maintenance organizations and similar health plans with respect to their ability to pay under their policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. This opinion is not specific to any particular policy or contract, nor does it address the suitability of a particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties, timeliness of payment, nor the likelihood of the use of a defense such as fraud to deny claims. Insurer financial strength ratings do not refer to an organization's ability to meet nonpolicy (i.e., debt) obligations. Assignment of ratings to debt issued by insurers or to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts, or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurer financial strength ratings, and follows procedures consistent with those used to assign an issue credit rating. An insurer financial strength rating is not a recommendation to purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer.

Long-Term Insurer Financial Strength Ratings

Category Definition

AAA

An insurer rated 'AAA' has extremely strong financial security characteristics. 'AAA' is the highest insurer financial strength rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.

AA

An insurer rated 'AA' has very strong financial security characteristics, differing only slightly from those rated higher.

A

An insurer rated 'A' has strong financial security characteristics, but is somewhat more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are insurers with higher ratings.

BBB

An insurer rated 'BBB' has good financial security characteristics, but is more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are higher-rated insurers.

BB; CCC; and CC

An insurer rated 'BB' or lower is regarded as having vulnerable characteristics that may outweigh its strengths. 'BB' indicates the least degree of vulnerability within the range; 'CC' the highest.



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BB

An insurer rated 'BB' has marginal financial security characteristics. Positive attributes exist, but adverse business conditions could lead to insufficient ability to meet financial commitments.

B

An insurer rated 'B' has weak financial security characteristics. Adverse business conditions will likely impair its ability to meet financial commitments.

CCC

An insurer rated 'CCC' has very weak financial security characteristics, and is dependent on favorable business conditions to meet financial commitments.

CC

An insurer rated 'CC' has extremely weak financial security characteristics and is likely not to meet some of its financial commitments.

SD or D

An insurer rated 'SD' (selective default) or 'D' is in default on one or more of its insurance policy obligations but is not under regulatory supervision that would involve a rating of 'R'. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on a policy obligation are at risk. A 'D' rating is assigned when Standard & Poor's believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay substantially all of its obligations in full in accordance with the policy terms. An 'SD' rating is assigned when Standard & Poor's believes that the insurer has selectively defaulted on a specific class of policies but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other classes of obligations. A selective default includes the completion of a distressed exchange offer. Claim denials due to lack of coverage or other legally permitted defenses are not considered defaults.

R

An insurer rated 'R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision, the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others. The rating does not apply to insurers subject only to non-financial actions such as market conduct violations.

NR

An insurer designated 'NR' is not rated, which implies no opinion about the insurer's financial security.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to’ CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Fitch Insurer Financial Strength Rating

The Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization. The IFS Rating is assigned to the insurance company's policyholder obligations, including assumed reinsurance obligations and contract holder obligations, such as guaranteed investment contracts. The IFS Rating reflects both the ability of the insurer to meet these obligations on a timely basis, and expected recoveries received by claimants in the event the insurer stops making payments or payments are interrupted, due to either the failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention. In the context of the IFS Rating, the timeliness of payments is considered relative to both contract and/or policy terms but also recognizes the possibility of reasonable delays caused by circumstances common to the insurance industry, including claims reviews, fraud investigations and coverage disputes.

The IFS Rating does not encompass policyholder obligations residing in separate accounts, unit-linked products or segregated funds, for which the policyholder bears investment or other risks. However, any guarantees provided to the policyholder with respect to such obligations are included in the IFS Rating.

Expected recoveries are based on the agency's assessments of the sufficiency of an insurance company's assets to fund policyholder obligations, in a scenario in which payments have ceased or been interrupted. Accordingly, expected recoveries exclude the impact of recoveries obtained from any government sponsored guaranty or policyholder protection funds. Expected



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recoveries also exclude the impact of collateralization or security, such as letters of credit or trusteed assets, supporting select reinsurance obligations.

IFS Ratings can be assigned to insurance and reinsurance companies in any insurance sector, including the life & annuity, non-life, property/casualty, health, mortgage, financial guaranty, residual value and title insurance sectors, as well as to managed care companies such as health maintenance organizations.

The IFS Rating does not address the quality of an insurer's claims handling services or the relative value of products sold.

The IFS Rating uses the same symbols used by the agency for its International and National credit ratings of long-term or short-term debt issues. However, the definitions associated with the ratings reflect the unique aspects of the IFS Rating within an insurance industry context.

Obligations for which a payment interruption has occurred due to either the insolvency or failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention will generally be rated between 'B' and 'C' on the Long-Term IFS Rating scales (both International and National). International Short-Term IFS Ratings assigned under the same circumstances will align with the insurer's International Long-Term IFS Ratings.




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APPENDIX D

Eaton Vance Funds

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures

I. Overview

The Boards of Trustees (the Board ) of the Eaton Vance Funds 1 have determined that it is in the interests of the Funds shareholders to adopt these written proxy voting policy and procedures (the Policy ).  For purposes of this Policy:

·

Fund means each registered investment company sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization; and

·

Adviser means the adviser or sub-adviser responsible for the day-to-day management of all or a portion of the Fund s assets.

II. Delegation of Proxy Voting Responsibilities

The Board hereby delegates to the Adviser responsibility for voting the Fund’s proxies as described in this Policy. In this connection, the Adviser is required to provide the Board with a copy of its proxy voting policies and procedures (“Adviser Procedures”) and all Fund proxies will be voted in accordance with the Adviser Procedures, provided that in the event a material conflict of interest arises with respect to a proxy to be voted for the Fund (as described in Section IV below) the Adviser shall follow the process for voting such proxy as described in Section IV below.

The Adviser is required to report any material change to the Adviser Procedures to the Board in the manner set forth in Section V below.  In addition, the Board will review the Adviser Procedures annually.

III. Delegation of Proxy Voting Disclosure Responsibilities

Pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act ), the Fund is required to file Form N-PX no later than August 31st of each year.  On Form N-PX, the Fund is required to disclose, among other things, information concerning proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio investments, whether or not the Fund (or its Adviser) voted the proxies relating to securities held by the Fund and how it voted on the matter and whether it voted for or against management.

To facilitate the filing of Form N-PX for the Fund:

·

The Adviser is required to record, compile and transmit in a timely manner all data required to be filed on Form N-PX for the Fund that it manages.  Such data shall be transmitted to Eaton Vance Management, which acts as administrator to the Fund (the “Administrator”) or the third party service provider designated by the Administrator; and

·

the Administrator is required to file Form N-PX on behalf of the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) as required by the 1940 Act.  The Administrator may delegate the filing to a third party service party provided each such filing is reviewed and approved by the Administrator.

IV. Conflicts of Interest

The Board expects the Adviser, as a fiduciary to the Fund it manages, to put the interests of the Fund and its shareholders above those of the Adviser.  When required to vote a proxy for the Fund, the Adviser may have material business relationships with the issuer soliciting the proxy that could give rise to a potential material conflict of interest for the Adviser. 2  In the event such a material conflict of interest arises, the Adviser, to the extent it is aware or reasonably should have been aware of the material conflict, will refrain from voting any proxies related to companies giving rise to such material conflict until it notifies and consults with the appropriate Board, or any committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees identified by the Board (as long as such committee, sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees) (the “Board Members”), concerning the material conflict. 3  For ease of communicating with the Board Members, the Adviser is required to provide the foregoing notice to the Fund’s Chief Legal Officer who will then notify and facilitate a consultation with the Board Members.

Once the Board Members have been notified of the material conflict:

·

They shall convene a meeting to review and consider all relevant materials related to the proxies involved.  This meeting shall be convened within 3 business days, provided that it an effort will be made to convene the meeting sooner if the proxy must be voted in less than 3 business days;



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·

In considering such proxies, the Adviser shall make available all materials requested by the Board Members and make reasonably available appropriate personnel to discuss the matter upon request.

·

The Board Members will then instruct the Adviser on the appropriate course of action with respect to the proxy at issue.

If the Board Members are unable to meet and the failure to vote a proxy would have a material adverse impact on the Fund(s) involved, the Adviser will have the right to vote such proxy, provided that it discloses the existence of the material conflict to the Chairperson of the Board as soon as practicable and to the Board at its next meeting.  Any determination regarding the voting of proxies of the Fund that is made by the Board Members shall be deemed to be a good faith determination regarding the voting of proxies by the full Board.

V. Reports and Review

The Administrator shall make copies of each Form N-PX filed on behalf of the Fund available for the Boards review upon the Boards request.  The Administrator (with input from the Adviser for the Fund) shall also provide any reports reasonably requested by the Board regarding the proxy voting records of the Fund.

The Adviser shall report any material changes to the Adviser Procedures to the Board as soon as practicable and the Boards will review the Adviser Procedures annually.

The Adviser also shall report any changes to the Adviser Procedures to the Fund Chief Legal Officer prior to implementing such changes in order to enable the Administrator to effectively coordinate the Fund’s disclosure relating to the Adviser Procedures.

To the extent requested by the Commission, the Policy and the Adviser Procedures shall be appended to the Fund’s statement of additional information included in its registration statement.

_____________________

1

The Eaton Vance Funds may be organized as trusts or corporations.  For ease of reference, the Funds may be referred to herein as Trusts and the Funds’ Board of Trustees or Board of Directors may be referred to collectively herein as the Board.

2

An Adviser is expected to maintain a process for identifying a potential material conflict of interest.  As an example only, such potential conflicts may arise when the issuer is a client of the Adviser and generates a significant amount of fees to the Adviser or the issuer is a distributor of the Adviser’s products.

3

If a material conflict of interest exists with respect to a particular proxy and the proxy voting procedures of the relevant Adviser require that proxies are to be voted in accordance with the recommendation of a third party proxy voting vendor, the requirements of this Section IV shall only apply if the Adviser intends to vote such proxy in a manner inconsistent with such third party recommendation.




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APPENDIX E

EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT

BOSTON MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

EATON VANCE INVESTMENT COUNSEL

EATON VANCE TRUST COMPANY

EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

I.  Introduction

Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited and Eaton Vance Trust Company (each an “Adviser” and collectively the “Advisers”) have each adopted and implemented policies and procedures that each Adviser believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with its fiduciary duties and, to the extent applicable, Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.  The Advisers’ authority to vote the proxies of their clients is established by their advisory contracts or similar documentation, such as the Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.  These proxy policies and procedures reflect the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements governing advisers and the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts set out in the Department of Labor Bulletin 94-2 C.F.R. 2509.94-2 (July 29, 1994).  

II.  Overview

Each Adviser manages its clients’ assets with the overriding goal of seeking to provide the greatest possible return to such clients consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each client.  In pursuing that goal, each Adviser seeks to exercise its clients’ rights as shareholders of voting securities to support sound corporate governance of the companies issuing those securities with the principle aim of maintaining or enhancing the companies’ economic value.   

The exercise of shareholder rights is generally done by casting votes by proxy at shareholder meetings on matters submitted to shareholders for approval (for example, the election of directors or the approval of a company’s stock option plans for directors, officers or employees). Each Adviser has established guidelines (“Guidelines”) as described below and generally will utilize such Guidelines in voting proxies on behalf of its clients.  The Guidelines are largely based on those developed by the Agent (defined below) but also reflect input from the Global Proxy Group (defined below) and other Adviser investment professionals and are believed to be consistent with the views of the Adviser on the various types of proxy proposals.  These Guidelines are designed to promote accountability of a company’s management and board of directors to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those of shareholders.  The Guidelines provide a framework for analysis and decision making but do not address all potential issues.

Except as noted below, each Adviser will vote any proxies received by a client for which it has sole investment discretion through a third-party proxy voting service (“Agent”) in accordance with the Guidelines in a manner that is reasonably designed to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, as described more fully below.  The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.  Where applicable, proxies will be voted in accordance with client-specific guidelines or, in the case of an Eaton Vance Fund that is sub-advised, pursuant to the sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures.  Although an Adviser retains the services of the Agent for research and voting recommendations, the Adviser remains responsible for proxy voting decisions.

III.  Roles and Responsibilities

A.  Proxy Administrator

The Proxy Administrator and/or her designee coordinate the consideration of proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent, and otherwise administers these Procedures.  In the Proxy Administrator’s absence, another employee of the Adviser may perform the Proxy Administrator’s responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Global Proxy Group. The Proxy Administrator also may designate another employee to perform certain of the Proxy Administrator’s duties hereunder, subject to the oversight of the Proxy Administrator.

B.  Agent

The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the clients’ custodians and the Advisers to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion.  Each Adviser shall instruct the custodian for its clients to deliver proxy ballots and related materials to the Agent.  The Agent shall vote and/or refer all



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proxies in accordance with the Guidelines.  The Agent shall retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Agent.  With respect to each Eaton Vance Fund memorialized therein, such record must reflect all of the information required to be disclosed in the Fund’s Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to the extent applicable.  In addition, the Agent is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to an Adviser upon request.

Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services to the Advisers, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest, and shall disclose such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein.   Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations of the Agent shall refer to those in which no conflict of interest has been identified.  The Advisers are responsible for the ongoing oversight of the Agent as contemplated by SEC Staff Legal Bulletin No. 20 (June 30, 2014).  Such oversight currently may include one or more of the following:

·

periodic review of Agent’s proxy voting platform and reporting capabilities (including recordkeeping);

·

periodic review of a sample of ballots for accuracy and correct application of the Guidelines;

·

periodic meetings with Agent’s client services team;

·

periodic in-person and/or web-based due diligence meetings;

·

receipt and review of annual certifications received from the Agent; and/or

·

annual review of due diligence materials provided by the Agent, including review of procedures and practices regarding potential conflicts of interests.

C.  Global Proxy Group

The Adviser shall establish a Global Proxy Group which is responsible for establishing the Guidelines (described below) and reviewing such Guidelines at least annually.  The Global Proxy Group shall also review recommendations to vote proxies in a manner that is contrary to the Guidelines and when the proxy relates to a conflicted company of the Adviser or the Agent as described below.

The members of the Global Proxy Group shall include the Chief Equity Investment Officer of Eaton Vance Management (“EVM”) and selected members of the Equity Departments of EVM and Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited (“EVMI”) and EVM’s Global Income Department.  The Proxy Administrator is not a voting member of the Global Proxy Group.  Members of the Global Proxy Group may be changed from time to time at the Advisers’ discretion.  Matters that require the approval of the Global Proxy Group may be acted upon by its member(s) available to consider the matter.

IV.  Proxy Voting

A.  The Guidelines

The Global Proxy Group shall establish recommendations for the manner in which proxy proposals shall be voted (the “Guidelines”).  The Guidelines shall identify when ballots for specific types of proxy proposals shall be voted (1) or referred to the Adviser.  The Guidelines shall address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among other matters, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and other proposals affecting shareholder rights.  In determining the Guidelines, the Global Proxy Group considers the recommendations of the Agent as well as input from the Advisers’ portfolio managers and analysts and/or other internally developed or third party research.  

The Global Proxy Group shall review the Guidelines at least annually and, in connection with proxies to be voted on behalf of the Eaton Vance Funds, the Adviser will submit amendments to the Guidelines to the Fund Boards each year for approval.

With respect to the types of proxy proposals listed below, the Guidelines will generally provide as follows:

1.  Proposals Regarding Mergers and Corporate Restructurings/Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers

The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee for all proposals relating to Mergers and Corporate Restructurings.

2.  Corporate Structure Matters/Anti-Takeover Defenses

As a general matter, the Advisers will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions (except in the case of closed-end management investment companies).



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3.  Proposals Regarding Proxy Contests

The Agent shall be directed to refer contested proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee.

4.  Social and Environmental Issues

The Advisers generally support management on social and environmental proposals.

Interpretation and application of the Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer or the Adviser may be or become subject. The Guidelines generally relate to the types of proposals that are most frequently presented in proxy statements to shareholders.  In certain circumstances, an Adviser may determine to vote contrary to the Guidelines subject to the voting procedures set forth below.    

B.  Voting Procedures

Except as noted in Section V below, the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee shall instruct the Agent to vote proxies as follows:

1.  Vote in Accordance with Guidelines

If the Guidelines prescribe the manner in which the proxy is to be voted, the Agent shall vote in accordance with the Guidelines, which for certain types of proposals, are recommendations of the Agent made on a case-by-case basis.  

2.  Seek Guidance for a Referred Item or a Proposal for which there is No Guideline

If (i) the Guidelines state that the proxy shall be referred to the Adviser to determine the manner in which it should be voted or (ii) a proxy is received for a proposal for which there is no Guideline, the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee shall consult with the analyst(s) covering the company subject to the proxy proposal and shall instruct the Agent to vote in accordance with the determination of the analyst. The Proxy Administrator and/or her designee will maintain a record of all proxy proposals that are referred by the Agent, as well as all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received and the resolution of the matter.  Where more than one analyst covers a particular company and the recommendations of such analysts for voting a proposal subject to this Section IV.B.2 conflict, the Global Proxy Group shall review such recommendations and any other available information related to the proposal and determine the manner in which it should be voted, which may result in different recommendations for clients (including Funds).   

3.  Votes Contrary to the Guidelines or Where Agent is Conflicted

In the event an analyst with respect to companies within his or her coverage area may recommend a vote contrary to the Guidelines, the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee will provide the Global Proxy Group with the Agent’s recommendation for the Proposal along with any other relevant materials, including a description of the basis for the analyst’s recommendation via email and the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee will then instruct the Agent to vote the proxy in the manner determined by the Global Proxy Group.  The Adviser will provide a report to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds reflecting any votes cast on behalf of the Eaton Vance Funds contrary to the Guidelines, and shall do so quarterly.  A similar process will be followed if the Agent has a conflict of interest with respect to a proxy as described in Section VI.B.

4.  Do Not Cast a Vote

It shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to take no action on a proxy for which no client holds a position or otherwise maintains an economic interest in the relevant security at the time the vote is to be cast.  In addition, the Advisers may determine not to vote (i) if the economic effect on shareholders' interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant ( e.g., proxies in connection with securities no longer held in the portfolio of a client or proxies being considered on behalf of a client that is no longer in existence); (ii) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits ( e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security); or (iii) in markets in which shareholders' rights are limited, and the Adviser is unable to timely access ballots or other proxy information.  Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agent's recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for herein.

C.  Securities on Loan

When a fund client participates in the lending of its securities and the securities are on loan at the record date for a shareholder meeting, proxies related to such securities generally will not be forwarded to the relevant Adviser by the fund’s custodian and therefore will not be voted.  In the event that the Adviser determines that the matters involved would have a material effect on the applicable fund’s investment in the loaned securities, the Adviser will make reasonable efforts to terminate the loan in time to be able to cast such vote or exercise such consent.  The Adviser shall instruct the fund’s



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security lending agent to refrain from lending the full position of any security held by a fund to ensure that the Adviser receives notice of proxy proposals impacting the loaned security.

V.  Recordkeeping

The Advisers will maintain records relating to the proxies they vote on behalf of their clients in accordance with Section 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.  Those records will include:

·

A copy of the Advisers’ proxy voting policies and procedures;

·

Proxy statements received regarding client securities. Such proxy statements received from issuers are either in the SEC’s EDGAR database or are kept by the Agent and are available upon request;

·

A record of each vote cast;

·

A copy of any document created by the Advisers that was material to making a decision on how to vote a proxy for a client or that memorializes the basis for such a decision; and

·

Each written client request for proxy voting records and the Advisers’ written response to any client request (whether written or oral) for such records.

All records described above will be maintained in an easily accessible place for five years and will be maintained in the offices of the Advisers or their Agent for two years after they are created.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section V, Eaton Vance Trust Company shall maintain records relating to the proxies it votes on behalf of its clients in accordance with laws and regulations applicable to it and its activities.  In addition, EVMI shall maintain records relating to the proxies it votes on behalf of its clients in accordance with UK law.

VI.  Assessment of Agent and Identification and Resolution of Conflicts with Clients

A.  Assessment of Agent

The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (i) is independent from the Advisers, (ii) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (iii) can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the clients and, where applicable, their beneficial owners. The Advisers shall utilize, and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy voting service. The Agent shall also notify the Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection with establishing the Agent’s independence, competence or impartiality.

B.  Conflicts of Interest

As fiduciaries to their clients, each Adviser puts the interests of its clients ahead of its own.  In order to ensure that relevant personnel of the Advisers are able to identify potential material conflicts of interest, each Adviser will take the following steps:

·

Quarterly, the Eaton Vance Legal and Compliance Department will seek information from the department heads of each department of the Advisers and of Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (“EVD”) (an affiliate of the Advisers and principal underwriter of certain Eaton Vance Funds).   Each department head will be asked to provide a list of significant clients or prospective clients of the Advisers or EVD.    

·

A representative of the Legal and Compliance Department will compile a list of the companies identified (the “Conflicted Companies”) and provide that list to the Proxy Administrator.

·

The Proxy Administrator will compare the list of Conflicted Companies with the names of companies for which he or she has been referred a proxy statement (the “Proxy Companies”).  If a Conflicted Company is also a Proxy Company, the Proxy Administrator will report that fact to the Global Proxy Group.

·

If the Proxy Administrator expects to instruct the Agent to vote the proxy of the Conflicted Company strictly according to the Guidelines contained in these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Policies”) or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable, he or she will (i) inform the Global Proxy Group of that fact, (ii) instruct the Agent to vote the proxies and (iii) record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.

·

If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines, the Global Proxy Group will then determine if a material conflict of interest exists between the relevant Adviser and its clients (in consultation with the Legal and Compliance Department if needed).  If the Global Proxy Group determines that a



Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

94

SAI dated September 27, 2016


material conflict exists, prior to instructing the Agent to vote any proxies relating to these Conflicted Companies the Adviser will seek instruction on how the proxy should be voted from:

·

The client, in the case of an individual, corporate, institutional or benefit plan client;

·

In the case of a Fund, its board of directors, any committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees (as long as such committee, sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees); or

·

The adviser, in situations where the Adviser acts as a sub-adviser to such adviser.  

The Adviser will provide all reasonable assistance to each party to enable such party to make an informed decision.

If the client, Fund board or adviser, as the case may be, fails to instruct the Adviser on how to vote the proxy, the Adviser will generally instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to abstain from voting in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety.  If however, the failure of the Adviser to vote its clients’ proxies would have a material adverse economic impact on the Advisers’ clients’ securities holdings in the Conflicted Company, the Adviser may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to vote such proxies in order to protect its clients’ interests.   In either case, the Proxy Administrator will record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.

The Advisers shall also identify and address conflicts that may arise from time to time concerning the Agent.  Upon the Advisers’ request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose a conflict of interest with respect to the Agent’s proxy analysis or recommendations.  Such information shall include, but is not limited to, a monthly report from the Agent detailing the Agent’s Corporate Securities Division clients and related revenue data.  The Advisers shall review such information on a monthly basis.  The Proxy Administrator shall instruct the Agent to refer any proxies for which a material conflict of the Agent is deemed to be present to the Proxy Administrator.  Any such proxy referred by the Agent shall be referred to the Global Proxy Group for consideration accompanied by the Agent’s written analysis and voting recommendation.  The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Global Proxy Group.


(1)

The Guidelines will prescribe how a proposal shall be voted or provide factors to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Agent in recommending a vote pursuant to the Guidelines.  




Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

95

SAI dated September 27, 2016



PART C - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits (with inapplicable items omitted)

 

(a)

 

 

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust dated April 26, 2016 filed as Exhibit (a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 filed April 28, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-002411) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b)

 

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust adopted April 23, 2012 filed as Exhibit (b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 filed September 27, 2012 (Accession No. 0000940394-12-000998) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c)

 

 

Reference is made to Item 28(a) and 28(b) above.

 

(d)

(1)

(a)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund (now Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund), and Boston Management and Research dated April 13, 2004 filed as Exhibit (d)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 filed April 28, 2004 (Accession No. 0000940394-04-000434) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Fee Reduction Agreement dated March 1, 2014 between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust on behalf of Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund (now Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund) and Eaton Vance Management filed as Exhibit (d)(1)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 filed February 26, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-000268) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(2)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Boston Management and Research and Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited for Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund dated November 16, 2015 filed as Exhibit (d)(2)to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 filed February 26, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-001998) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(3)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund, and Eaton Vance Management dated February 13, 2006 filed as Exhibit (d)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 filed February 14, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06-000187) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(4)

(a)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund (now Eaton Vance Hedged Stock Fund), and Eaton Vance Management dated February 11, 2008 filed as Exhibit (d)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 filed February 28, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08-000203) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Fee Reduction Agreement dated June 16, 2008 between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust on behalf of Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund (now Eaton Vance Hedged Stock Fund) and Eaton Vance Management filed as Exhibit (a)(10)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 filed August 28, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08-001208) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(5)

 

Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Commodity Strategy Fund, and Eaton Vance Management dated April 7, 2010 filed as Exhibit (d)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 filed April 29, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000423) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(6)

(a)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Short Term Real Return Fund (now Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund), and Eaton Vance Management dated March 30, 2010 filed as Exhibit (d)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 filed April 7, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000357) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Fee Reduction Agreement dated August 12, 2013 between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust on behalf of Eaton Vance Short Term Real Return Fund (now Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund) and Eaton Vance Management filed as Exhibit (d)(8)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 filed February 26, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-000268) and incorporated herein by reference.



C-1





 

 

(7)

 

Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund (now Parametric Absolute Return Fund), and Eaton Vance Management dated August 9, 2010 filed as Exhibit (d)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 filed September 27, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-001000) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(8)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund (now Parametric Absolute Return Fund), and Parametric Risk Advisors LLC dated August 9, 2010 filed as Exhibit (d)(16) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 filed September 27, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-001000) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(9)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund, and Boston Management and Research dated April 30, 2012 filed as Exhibit (d)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 filed April 26, 2012 (Accession No. 0000940394-12-000429) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(10)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund, and Boston Management and Research dated April 30, 2012 filed as Exhibit (d)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 filed April 26, 2012 (Accession No. 0000940394-12-000429) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(11)

 

Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Bond Fund, and Eaton Vance Management dated January 31, 2013 filed as Exhibit (d)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 filed January 29, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-000205) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(12)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Bond Fund II, and Eaton Vance Management dated November 3, 2014 filed as Exhibit (d)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 146 filed November 3, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-001449) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(13)

 

Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund, and Eaton Vance Management dated September 27, 2016 filed herewith.

 

(e)

(1)

(a)

Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement effective as of May 1, 2014 between each Trust identified on Schedule A on behalf of each of its series listed on Schedule A, and Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. filed as Exhibit (e)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 filed April 28, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-000655) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement effective as of May 1, 2014 filed herewith.

 

 

(2)

 

Selling Group Agreement between Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and Authorized Dealers filed as Exhibit (e)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 filed April 26, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07-000430) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(f)

 

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has granted the Registrant an exemptive order that permits the Registrant to enter into deferred compensation arrangements with its independent Trustees.  See in the Matter of Capital Exchange Fund, Inc., Release No. IC-20671 (November 1, 1994).

 

(g)

(1)

 

Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Eaton Vance Funds and State Street Bank & Trust Company dated September 1, 2013 filed as Exhibit (g)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 211 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 002-90946, 811-04015) filed September 24, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-001073) and incorporated herein by reference.



C-2





 

 

(2)

 

Amended and Restated Services Agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Company dated September 1, 2010 filed as Exhibit (g)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 filed September 27, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-001000) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(3)

 

Amendment Number 1 dated May 16, 2012 to Amended and Restated Services Agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Company dated September 1, 2010 filed as Exhibit (g)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (File Nos. 033-71320, 811-08134) filed May 29, 2012 (Accession No. 0000940394-12-000641) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(4)

 

Amendment dated September 1, 2013 to Amended and Restated Services Agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Company dated September 1, 2010 filed as Exhibit (g)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 211 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 002-90946, 811-04015) filed September 24, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-001073) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(h)

(1)

(a)

Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (on behalf of each of its series listed on Appendix A) and Eaton Vance Management dated June 11, 2012 filed as Exhibit (h)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 filed September 27, 2012 (Accession No. 0000940394-12-000998) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amendment dated August 10, 2014 to the Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (on behalf of each of its series listed on Appendix A) and Eaton Vance Management dated June 11, 2012 filed as Exhibit (h)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 146 filed November 3, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-001449) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(c)

Amendment dated October 31, 2014 to the Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (on behalf of each of its series listed on Appendix A) and Eaton Vance Management dated June 11, 2012 filed as Exhibit (h)(1)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 147 filed November 12, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-001493) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(d)

Amended Appendix A effective November 3, 2014, as revised November 7, 2014 to the Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement filed as Exhibit (h)(1)(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 filed February 26, 2015 (Accession No. 0000940394-15-000260) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(2)

 

Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement effective September 1, 2016 filed herewith.

 

 

(3)

 

Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement effective January 1, 2014 between BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. and Eaton Vance Management filed as Exhibit (h)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos. 002-22019, 811-01241) filed January 27, 2014 (Accession No. 0000940394-14-000132) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(4)

 

Fee Reduction Agreement dated October 15, 2007 between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust on behalf of Eaton Vance Balanced Fund and Eaton Vance Management filed as Exhibit (h)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 filed December 14, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07-002080) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(5)

(a)

Expense Waivers/Reimbursements Agreement between Eaton Vance Management and each of the entities (on behalf of certain of their series) listed on Schedule A dated October 31, 2012 filed as Exhibit (h)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 of Eaton Vance Investment Trust (File Nos. 033-01121, 811-04443) filed July 26, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-000938) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to the Expense Waivers/Reimbursements Agreement dated October 31, 2012 filed herewith.

 

(i)

 

 

Opinion of Internal Counsel dated September 26, 2016 filed herewith.



C-3



 

(m)

(1)

(a)

Master Distribution Plan for Class A, Advisers Class and Investor Class shares adopted May 1, 2013 on behalf of each Trust and their respective series listed on Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (File Nos. 033-71320, 811-08134) filed May 30, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-000754) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to Master Distribution Plan for Class A, Advisers Class and Investor Class shares adopted May 1, 2013 filed herewith as Exhibit (e)(1)(b).

 

 

(2)

 

Master Distribution Plan for Class B shares adopted May 1, 2013 on behalf of each Trust and their respective series listed on Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (File Nos. 033-71320, 811-08134) filed May 30, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-000754) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(3)

(a)

Master Distribution Plan for Class C shares adopted May 1, 2013 on behalf of each Trust and their respective series listed on Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (File Nos. 033-71320, 811-08134) filed May 30, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-000754) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated May 3, 2015 to Master Distribution Plan for Class C shares adopted May 1, 2013 filed as Exhibit (e)(1)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (File Nos. 033-71320, 811-08134) filed April 30, 2015 (Accession No. 0000940394-15-000628) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(4)

(a)

Master Distribution Plan for Class R shares adopted May 1, 2013 on behalf of each Trust and their respective series listed on Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 204 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 002-90946, 811-04015) filed May 30, 2013 (Accession No. 0000940394-13-000762) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated May 1, 2016 to Master Distribution Plan for Class R shares adopted May 1, 2013 filed as Exhibit (e)(1)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 filed April 28, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-002411) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(n)

(1)

(a)

Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan for Eaton Vance Funds dated April 26, 2016 filed as Exhibit (n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 filed April 28, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-002411) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan for Eaton Vance funds dated April 26, 2016 filed herewith.

 

(p)

(1)

 

Code of Ethics adopted by the Eaton Vance Entities and the Eaton Vance Funds effective September 1, 2000, as revised February 19, 2016 filed as Exhibit (p)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 filed February 26, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-001998) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

(2)

 

Code of Ethics adopted by LGM (Investments) Limited and its subsidiaries effective November 2015 filed as Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 filed April 28, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-002411) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(q)

 

 

Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Bond Portfolio, Bond Portfolio II, CMBS Portfolio, Core Bond Portfolio, Dividend Builder Portfolio, Eaton Vance Floating Rate Portfolio, Greater India Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, Large-Cap Value Portfolio, Senior Debt Portfolio, Short-Term U.S. Government Portfolio and Stock Portfolio dated August 10, 2015 filed as Exhibit (q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 filed February 26, 2016 (Accession No. 0000940394-16-001998) and incorporated herein by reference.




C-4


Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control

Not applicable

Item 30. Indemnification

Article IV of the Registrant s Declaration of Trust permits Trustee and officer indemnification by By-Law, contract and vote.  Article XI of the By-Laws contains indemnification provisions.  Registrant’s Trustees and officers are insured under a standard mutual fund errors and omissions insurance policy covering loss incurred by reason of negligent errors and omissions committed in their capacities as such.

The distribution agreement of the Registrant also provides for reciprocal indemnity of the principal underwriter, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers, on the other.

Item 31. Business and other Connections of Investment Advisers

Reference is made to: (i) the information set forth under the caption Management and Organization in the Statement of Additional Information; (ii) the Eaton Vance Corp. Form 10-K filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (File No. 1-8100); and (iii) the Form ADV of Eaton Vance Management (File No. 801-15930) and Boston Management and Research (File No. 801-43127) filed with the Commission, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

(a)

Registrant s principal underwriter, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., is the principal underwriter for each of the registered investment companies named below:


Eaton Vance Growth Trust

Eaton Vance Investment Trust

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust

Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc.

Eaton Vance Series Trust II

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

Eaton Vance Variable Trust


 

(b)

(1)
Name and Principal
Business Address*

(2)
Positions and Offices
with Principal Underwriter

(3)
Positions and Offices
with Registrant

 

 

 

Robb Allen

Vice President

None

Julie Andrade

Vice President

None

Brian Arcara

Vice President

None

Christopher Arthur

Vice President

None

Brian Austin

Vice President

None

Michelle Baran

Vice President

None

Ira Baron

Vice President

None

Jeffrey P. Beale

Vice President

None

Brian Blair

Vice President

None

Stephanie H. Brady

Vice President

None

Timothy Breer

Vice President

None

Joe Brody

Vice President

None

Mark Burkhard

Vice President

None

Joseph Bustros

Vice President

None



C-5





Eric Caplinger

Vice President

None

Kristin Carcio

Vice President

None

Daniel C. Cataldo

Vice President and Treasurer

None

Tiffany Cayarga

Vice President

None

Patrick Cerrato

Vice President

None

Randy Clark

Vice President

None

Tyler Cortelezzi

Vice President

None

Enrico Coscia

Vice President

None

Patrick Cosgrove

Vice President

None

Peter Crowley

Vice President

None

Robert Cunha

Vice President

None

Rob Curtis

Vice President

None

Kevin Darrow

Vice President

None

Holly DiCostanzo

Vice President

None

Brian Dunkley

Vice President

None

James Durocher

Senior Vice President

None

Margaret Egan

Vice President

None

Robert Ellerbeck

Vice President

None

Daniel Ethier

Vice President

None

Troy Evans

Vice President

None

Lawrence L. Fahey

Vice President

None

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

Director

Trustee

Scott Firth

Vice President

None

James Foley

Vice President

None

Kathleen Fryer

Vice President

None

Jonathan Futterman

Vice President

None

Anne Marie Gallagher

Vice President

None

Gregory Gelinas

Vice President

None

Patrick Gill

Vice President

None

Bradford Godfrey

Vice President

None

Seth Goldzweig

Vice President

None

Andrew Goodale

Vice President

None

David Gordon

Vice President

None

John Greenway

Vice President

None

Daniel Grzywacz

Vice President

None

Steven Heck

Vice President

None

Richard Hein

Vice President

None

Joseph Hernandez

Vice President

None

Dori Hetrick

Vice President

None

Toebe Hinckle

Vice President

None



C-6





Suzanne Hingel

Vice President

None

Perry D. Hooker

Vice President

None

Christian Howe

Vice President

None

Laurie G. Hylton

Director

None

Jonathan Isaac

Vice President

None

Adrian Jackson

Vice President

None

Ryan Jenkins

Vice President

None

Brian Johnson

Vice President

None

Elizabeth Johnson

Vice President

None

Steve Jones

Vice President

None

Doug Keagle

Vice President

None

Sean Kelly

Senior Vice President

None

William Kennedy

Vice President

None

Joseph Kosciuszek

Vice President

None

Kathleen Krivelow

Vice President

None

David Lefcourt

Vice President

None

Benjamin LeFevre

Vice President

None

Andrew Leimenstoll

Vice President

None

Paul Leonardo

Vice President

None

Scott Lindsay

Vice President

None

John Loy

Vice President

None

Coleen Lynch

Vice President

None

John Macejka

Vice President

None

James Maki

Vice President

None

Tim Mamis

Vice President

None

Christopher Marek

Vice President

None

Frederick S. Marius

Vice President, Secretary, Clerk and Chief Legal Officer

None

Geoff Marshall

Vice President

None

Christopher Mason

Vice President

None

Daniel J. McCarthy

Vice President

None

Don McCaughey

Vice President

None

James McCuddy

Vice President

None

Tim McEwen

Vice President

None

Ian McGinn

Vice President

None

Shannon McHugh-Price

Vice President

None

David Michaud

Vice President

None

Mark Milan

Vice President

None

John Moninger

Senior Vice President

None

Chris Morahan

Vice President

None

Meghan Moses

Vice President

None



C-7





Matthew Navins

Vice President

None

Christopher Nebons

Vice President

None

Paul Nicely

Vice President

None

David Oliveri

Vice President

None

Philip Pace

Vice President

None

Steven Perlmutter

Vice President

None

Steve Pietricola

Vice President

None

John Pumphrey

Vice President

None

James Putman

Vice President

None

Henry Rehberg

Vice President

None

Christopher Remington

Vice President

None

David Richman

Vice President

None

Christopher Rohan

Vice President

None

Kevin Rookey

Vice President

None

John Santoro

Vice President

None

Rocco Scanniello

Vice President

None

Michael Shea

Vice President

None

Alan Simeon

Vice President

None

Randy Skarda

Vice President

None

David Smith

Chief Compliance Officer

None

Jamie Smoller

Vice President

None

Daniel Sullivan

Vice President

None

Elaine Sullivan

Vice President

None

Michael Sullivan

Vice President

None

Eileen Tam

Vice President

None

Brian Taranto

Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

None

Robyn Tice

Vice President

None

John M. Trotsky

Vice President

None

Geoffrey Underwood

Vice President

None

Randolph Verzillo

Vice President

None

Shannon Vincent

Vice President

None

Greg Walsh

Vice President

None

Christopher Webber

Vice President

None

Stan Weiland

Vice President

None

Collin Weir

Vice President

None

Scott Weisel

Vice President

None

David White

Vice President

None

Steve Widder

Vice President

None

Tim Williamson

Vice President

None

Matthew J. Witkos

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

None



C-8





Dan Yifru

Vice President

None

Trey Young

Vice President

None

Gregor Yuska

Vice President

None

Anthony Zanetti

Vice President

None

David Zigas

Vice President

None

 

 

* Address is Two International Place, Boston, MA  02110

 

(c)

Not applicable

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Registrant’s custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, and its transfer agent, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-5120, with the exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents which are in the possession and custody of the administrator and investment adviser or sub-adviser.  Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment advisers are in the custody and possession of Eaton Vance Management and Boston Management and Research, both located at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110, LGM Investments Limited, located at 95 Wigmore Street, London, England and Parametric Risk Advisors, LLC located at 518 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.

Item 34. Management Services

Not applicable

Item 35. Undertakings

None.




C-9


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on September 26, 2016.

 

EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST

 

By:

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

 

 

Payson F. Swaffield, President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 26, 2016.

Signature

Title

 

 

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

President (Chief Executive Officer)

Payson F. Swaffield

 

 

 

/s/ James F. Kirchner

Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

James F. Kirchner

 

 

 

Signature

Title

Signature

Title

 

 

 

 

Scott E. Eston*

Trustee

William H. Park*

Trustee

Scott E. Eston

 

William H. Park

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas E. Faust Jr.*

Trustee

Helen Frame Peters*

Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

 

Helen Frame Peters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee

Susan J. Sutherland*

Trustee

Mark R. Fetting

 

Susan J. Sutherland

 

 

 

 

 

Cynthia E. Frost*

Trustee

Harriett Tee Taggart*

Trustee

Cynthia E. Frost

 

Harriett Tee Taggart

 

 

 

 

 

George J. Gorman*

Trustee

Ralph F. Verni*

Trustee

George J. Gorman

 

Ralph F. Verni

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie A. Mosley*

Trustee

 

Trustee

Valerie A. Mosley

 

Scott E. Wennerholm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*By:

/s/ Maureen A. Gemma

 

 

Maureen A. Gemma (As attorney-in-fact)

 



C-10


EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 483 of Regulation C.

Exhibit No.

Description


(d)

(13)

 

Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund, and Eaton Vance Management dated September 27, 2016

(e)

(1)

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2014

(h)

(2)

 

Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement effective September 1, 2016

(h)

(5)

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to the Expense Waivers/Reimbursements Agreement dated October 31, 2012

(i)

 

 

Opinion of Internal Counsel dated September 26, 2016

(n)

(1)

(b)

Amended Schedule A dated September 27, 2016 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated April 26, 2016




C-11


EXHIBIT (d)(13)

EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST


 INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT


ON BEHALF OF


EATON VANCE 1-TO-10 YEAR LADDERED CORPORATE BOND FUND



AGREEMENT made this 27 th day of September, 2016, between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund (the “Fund”), and Eaton Vance Management, a Massachusetts business trust (“Eaton Vance”).


1.

Duties of Eaton Vance .  The Trust hereby employs Eaton Vance to act as investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and to administer the Fund’s affairs, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.


Eaton Vance hereby accepts such employment, and undertakes to afford to the Trust the advice and assistance of Eaton Vance’s organization in the choice of investments, in the purchase and sale of securities and in the administration of the Fund and to furnish for the use of the Fund office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund and for administering its affairs and to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust who are members of Eaton Vance’s organization and all personnel of Eaton Vance performing services relating to research and investment and administrative activities.  Eaton Vance shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.


In connection with its responsibilities as administrator of the Fund, Eaton Vance will:


·

assist in preparing all annual, semi-annual and other reports required to be sent to Fund shareholders and/or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and arrange for such filing and printing and dissemination of such reports to shareholders;

 

·

prepare and assemble all reports required to be filed by the Trust on behalf of the Fund with the SEC on Form N-SAR, or on such other form as the SEC may substitute for Form N-SAR, and file such reports with the SEC;


·

review the provision of services by the Fund’s independent public accounting firm, including, but not limited to, the preparation by such firm of audited financial statements of the Fund and the Fund’s federal, state and local tax returns; and make such reports and recommendations to the Trustees of the Trust concerning the performance of the independent accountants as the Trustees deem appropriate;


·

arrange for the filing with the appropriate authorities all required federal, state and local tax returns;


·

arrange for the dissemination to shareholders of the Fund’s proxy materials, and oversee the tabulation of proxies by the Fund’s transfer agent or other duly authorized proxy tabulator;








·

review and supervise the provision of custodian services to the Fund; and make such reports and recommendations to the Trustees concerning the provision of such services as the Trustees deem appropriate;


·

oversee the valuation of all such portfolio investments and other assets of the Fund as may be designated by the Trustees (subject to any guidelines, directions and instructions of the Trustees), and review and supervise the calculation of the net asset value of the Fund’s shares by the custodian;


·

negotiate the terms and conditions under which transfer agency and dividend disbursing services will be provided to the Fund, and the fees to be paid by the Fund in connection therewith; review and supervise the provision of transfer agency and dividend disbursing services to the Fund; and make such reports and recommendations to the Trustees concerning the performance of the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent as the Trustees deem appropriate;


·

establish the accounting policies of the Fund; reconcile accounting issues that may arise with respect to the Fund’s operations; and consult with the Fund’s independent accountants, legal counsel, custodian, accounting and bookkeeping agents and transfer and dividend disbursing agent as necessary in connection therewith;


·

determine the amount of all distributions (if any) to be paid by the Fund to its shareholders; prepare and arrange for the publishing of notices to shareholders regarding such distributions (if required) and provide the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent and custodian with such information as is required for such parties to effect the payment of distributions;


·

review the Fund’s bills and authorize payments of such bills by the Fund’s custodian;


·

oversee services provided to the Fund by external counsel;


·

arrange for the preparation and filing of all other reports, forms, registration statements and documents required to be filed by the Trust on behalf of the Fund with the SEC and any other regulatory body; and


·

provide other internal legal, auditing, accounting and administrative services as ordinarily required in conducting the Fund’s business affairs.


Eaton Vance shall provide the Trust with such investment management and supervision as the Trust may from time to time consider necessary for the proper supervision of the Fund.  As investment adviser to the Trust, Eaton Vance shall furnish continuously an investment program and shall determine from time to time what securities and other investments shall be acquired, disposed of or exchanged and what portion of the Fund’s assets shall be held uninvested, subject always to the applicable restrictions of the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and registration statement of the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, all as from time to time amended.  Eaton Vance is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the Trust, to buy, sell, and otherwise trade in any and all types of securities, derivatives and investment instruments on behalf of the Fund. Should the Trustees of the Trust at any time, however, make any specific determination as to investment policy for the Fund and notify Eaton Vance thereof in writing, Eaton Vance shall be bound by such determination for the period, if any, specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such determination has been revoked.  Eaton Vance shall take, on behalf of the Trust, all actions which it deems necessary or desirable to implement the investment policies of the Trust and of the Fund.







2



Eaton Vance shall place all orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund either directly with the issuer or with brokers or dealers selected by Eaton Vance, and to that end Eaton Vance is authorized as the agent of the Fund to give instructions to the custodian of the Fund as to deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, Eaton Vance shall adhere to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, Eaton Vance shall not be deemed to have assumed any duties with respect to, and shall not be responsible for, the distribution of shares of the Fund, nor shall Eaton Vance be deemed to have assumed or have any responsibility with respect to functions specifically assumed by any transfer agent, custodian or shareholder servicing agent of the Trust or the Fund.


2.

Compensation of Eaton Vance .  For the services, payments and facilities to be furnished hereunder by Eaton Vance, Eaton Vance shall be entitled to receive from the Fund fees in an amount equal to the following average daily net assets of the Fund throughout each month:

 

Average Daily Net Assets for the Month

Annual Fee Rate

Up to $1 billion

0.3200%

$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion

0.3075%

$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion

0.2950%

$5 billion and over

0.2875%


Such compensation shall be paid monthly in arrears.  The Fund’s daily net assets shall be computed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the Trust and any applicable votes and determinations of the Trustees of the Trust.  In case of initiation or termination of the Agreement during any month with respect to the Fund, the fee for that month shall be based on the number of calendar days during which it is in effect.  Eaton Vance may, from time to time, waive all or a part of the above compensation.


3.

Allocation of Charges and Expenses .  Eaton Vance shall pay the entire salaries and fees of all of the Trust’s Trustees and officers employed by Eaton Vance and who devote part or all of their time to the affairs of Eaton Vance, and the salaries and fees of such persons shall not be deemed to be expenses incurred by the Trust for purposes of this Section 3.  Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, it is understood that the Fund will pay all expenses other than those expressly stated to be payable by Eaton Vance hereunder, which expenses payable by the Fund shall include, without implied limitation:

 

·

expenses of organizing and maintaining the Fund and continuing its existence;

 

·

commissions, fees and other expenses connected with the acquisition and disposition of securities and other investments;


·

auditing, accounting and legal expenses;


·

taxes and interest;

 

·

governmental fees;

 

·

expenses of issue, sale and redemption of shares;


·

expenses of registering and qualifying the Trust, the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws and of preparing and printing registration statements or other offering statements or memoranda for such purposes and for distributing the same to shareholders and investors, and



3


fees and expenses of registering and maintaining registrations of the Fund under state securities laws;


·

registration of the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940;


·

expenses of reports and notices to shareholders and of meetings of shareholders and proxy solicitations therefor;


·

expenses of reports to regulatory bodies;


·

insurance expenses;


·

association membership dues;


·

fees, expenses and disbursements of custodians and subcustodians for all services to the Fund (including without limitation safekeeping of funds, securities and other investments, keeping of books and accounts, and determination of net asset values);


·

fees, expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, shareholder servicing agents and registrars for all services to the Fund;


·

expenses for servicing shareholder accounts;

 

·

any direct charges to shareholders approved by the Trustees of the Trust;

 

·

compensation and expenses of Trustees of the Trust who are not members of Eaton Vance’s organization;


·

all payments to be made and expenses to be assumed by the Fund in connection with the distribution of Fund shares;


·

any pricing or valuation services employed by the Fund to value its investments including primary and comparative valuation services;


·

any investment advisory, sub-advisory or similar management fee payable by the Fund;


·

all expenses incurred in connection with the Fund’s use of a line of credit; and


·

such non-recurring items as may arise, including expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and the obligation of the Trust to indemnify its Trustees and officers with respect thereto.


4.

Other Interests .  It is understood that Trustees and officers of the Trust and shareholders of the Fund are or may be or become interested in Eaton Vance as trustees, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise and that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of Eaton Vance are or may be or become similarly interested in the Fund, and that Eaton Vance may be or become interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise.  It is also understood that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of Eaton Vance may be or become interested (as directors, trustees, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise) in other companies or entities (including, without limitation, other investment companies) which Eaton Vance may organize, sponsor or acquire, or with which it may merge or consolidate, and which may include the words “Eaton Vance” or “Boston Management and Research” or any combination thereof as part of their name, and that Eaton Vance or its subsidiaries or affiliates may enter into advisory or management agreements or other contracts or relationships with such other companies or entities.




4


5.

Limitation of Liability of Eaton Vance .  The services of Eaton Vance to the Trust and the Fund are not to be deemed to be exclusive, Eaton Vance being free to render services to others and engage in other business activities.  In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of Eaton Vance, Eaton Vance shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses which may be sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other investment.


The Trust expressly acknowledges the provision in the Declaration of Trust of Eaton Vance limiting the personal liability of the Trustees of Eaton Vance and the shareholders of Eaton Vance, and the Trust hereby agrees that it shall have recourse to Eaton Vance for payment of claims or obligations as between Eaton Vance and the Trust arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek satisfaction from the Trustees or shareholders or any Trustee of Eaton Vance.


6.

Sub-Advisers and Sub-Administrators .  Eaton Vance may employ one or more sub-advisers or sub-administrators from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of Eaton Vance including the selection of brokers or dealers or other persons to execute the Fund’s portfolio security transactions, and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between Eaton Vance and such sub-adviser or sub-administrator and approved by the Trustees of the Trust, all as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940.  The performance of each such sub-investment adviser or sub-administrator of its obligation under any such agreement shall be supervised by Eaton Vance.  Further, Eaton Vance may, with the approval of the Trustees of the Trust and without the vote of any Interests in the Trust, terminate any agreement with any sub-investment adviser or sub-administrator and/or enter into an agreement with one or more other sub-investment advisers or sub-administrators, all as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules hereunder.  In the event a sub-adviser or sub-administrator is employed, Eaton Vance retains the authority to immediately assume responsibility for any functions delegated to a sub-adviser or sub-administrator, subject to approval by the Board and notice to the sub-adviser or sub-administrator.  


7.

Duration and Termination of this Agreement .  This Agreement shall become effective upon the date of its execution, and, unless terminated as herein provided, shall remain in full force and effect through and including the second anniversary of the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as such continuance after such second anniversary is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of Eaton Vance or the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other, terminate this Agreement without the payment of any penalty, by action of Trustees of the Trust or the trustees of Eaton Vance, as the case may be, and the Trust may, at any time upon such written notice to Eaton Vance, terminate this Agreement by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.


8.

Amendments of the Agreement .  This Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by both parties hereto, provided that no material amendment to this Agreement shall be effective until approved (i) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of Eaton Vance or the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.


9.

Limitation of Liability of Trust .  Eaton Vance expressly acknowledges the provision in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust limiting the personal liability of the Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of the Fund, and Eaton Vance hereby agrees that it shall have recourse to the Trust or the Fund for payment of claims or obligations as between the Trust or the Fund and Eaton Vance arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek satisfaction from the Trustees or shareholders or any Trustee of the Trust or shareholder of the Fund.




5


10.

Use of the Name “Eaton Vance”.  Eaton Vance hereby consents to the use by the Fund of the name “Eaton Vance” as part of the Fund’s name; provided, however, that such consent shall be conditioned upon the employment of Eaton Vance or one of its affiliates as the investment adviser or administrator of the Fund.  The name “Eaton Vance” or any variation thereof may be used from time to time in other connections and for other purposes by Eaton Vance and its affiliates and other investment companies that have obtained consent to the use of the name “Eaton Vance”.  Eaton Vance shall have the right to require the Fund to cease using the name “Eaton Vance” as part of the Fund’s name if the Fund ceases, for any reason, to employ Eaton Vance or one of its affiliates as the Fund’s investment adviser or administrator.  Future names adopted by the Fund for itself, insofar as such names include identifying words requiring the consent of Eaton Vance, shall be the property of Eaton Vance and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions.


11.

No Third Party Beneficiaries.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any person not a party hereto any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.


12.

Certain Definitions .  The terms “assignment” and “interested persons” when used herein shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as now in effect or as hereafter amended subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by any rule, regulation or order.  The term “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall mean the vote, at a meeting of shareholders, of the lesser of (a) 67 per centum or more of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at the meeting if the holders of more than 50 per centum of the shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy at the meeting, or (b) more than 50 per centum of the shares of the Fund.


[Signature page follows.]



6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.



EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST on behalf of

EATON VANCE 1-TO-10 YEAR LADDERED CORPORATE BOND FUND



By:

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

Payson F. Swaffield, President


EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT



By:

/s/ Maureen A. Gemma

Maureen A. Gemma, Vice President





7


EXHIBIT (e)(1)(b)






SCHEDULE A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set forth below is a listing of: (i) all of the Trusts and other entities (together, "Trusts") that are a party to the Amended and Restated Master Distribution Agreement with Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. dated May 1, 2014, as may be amended (the "Agreement"); (ii) the Classes offered by each series of the Trusts ("Funds")(with "N/A" indicating that a Fund does not offer a particular Class of shares); (iii) the fees payable by a Fund per annum (as a percentage of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class) pursuant to the Distribution Plan or Service Plan adopted by the Class ("Fees"); and (iv) in the case of a Fund offering Class B and/or Class C shares that are subject to a Fee Cap (as defined in the Agreement), the amount of such Fee Cap. (a)  Where applicable, the distribution fee and service fee payable under a Distribution Plan are listed as "distribution fee/service fee."  Distribution fees and service fees are accrued daily and payable monthly.  This Schedule A shall be appended to and be a part of the Master Distribution Agreement and, with respect to each Class of shares that has adopted a Master Distribution Plan, the information herein with respect to such Class shall constitute the Schedule A for such Plan.

 

 

 

Trust and Funds

Classes (b)

 

 

A (c)

Advisers (c)

Investor (c)

B

C

R (1)

R6

I

Institutional

 

Eaton Vance Growth Trust

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

 

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Select Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

None

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Focused Global Opportunities Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Focused Growth Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Focused International Opportunities Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Focused Value Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Hexavest Emerging Markets Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Hexavest Global Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Hexavest International Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein All Asset Strategy Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Equity Strategy Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A



Page 1 of 6



 

Trust and Funds

Classes (b)

 

 

A (c)

Advisers (c)

Investor (c)

B

C

R (1)

R6

I

Institutional

 

Eaton Vance Investment Trust (2)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

 

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Massachusetts Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance National Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

3.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Arizona Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance California Municipal Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Connecticut Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Georgia Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Maryland Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Minnesota Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Missouri Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Municipal Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance North Carolina Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Oregon Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance South Carolina Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Virginia Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A



Page 2 of 6



 

Trust and Funds

Classes (b)

 

 

A (c)

Advisers (c)

Investor (c)

B

C

R (1)

R6

I

Institutional

 

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (3)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

 

Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance TABS 1-to-10 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance TABS 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance TABS Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance TABS Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Core Plus Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Diversified Currency Income Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Advantage Fund

0.25

0.25

N/A

0.40/.0.20

FINRA

0.60/0.15

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Fund

0.25

0.25

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate & High Income Fund

0.25

0.25

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

None

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Global Income Builder Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Global Macro Capital Opportunities Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Government Obligations Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance High Income Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy Absolute Return Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy All Market Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Short Duration Government Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.60/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Short Duration High Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A




Page 3 of 6



 

Trust and Funds

Classes (b)

 

 

A (c)

Advisers (c)

Investor (c)

B

C

R (1)

R6

I

Institutional

 

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (continued)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

 

Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

4.50

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Stock Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Dividend Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.1

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.2

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Growth Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Value Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

 

Parametric Emerging Markets Core Fund

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

 

Parametric Emerging Markets Fund

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

None

N/A

None

 

Parametric Dividend Income Fund

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

 

Parametric International Equity Fund

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.50/0.25

None

N/A

None

 

Parametric Tax-Managed International Equity Fund

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc. (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

None

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Series Trust II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Income Fund of Boston

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

None

None

N/A

 

Parametric Tax-Managed Emerging Markets Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None




Page 4 of 6



 

Trust and Funds

Classes (b)

 

 

A (c)

Advisers (c)

Investor (c)

B

C

R (1)

R6

I

Institutional

 

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fee Cap (d)

Fees

Fees

Fees

Fees

 

Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

None

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Commodity Strategy Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Greater India Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

5.00

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Growth Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Hedged Stock Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

None

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Multisector Income Fund (formerly Eaton Vance Bond Fund)

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

0.50/0.25

None

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

FINRA

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.75/0.25

6.25

0.50/0.25

N/A

None

N/A

 

Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75/0.25

6.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Page 5 of 6



FOOTNOTES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Compliance with the Fee Cap shall be determined in accordance with NASD Conduct Rule 2830(d).  

 

(b)

Distribution or Service Plans have not been adopted for Class R6, Class I and Institutional shares and such Classes do not pay Fees.

 

(c)

Pursuant to the Master Distribution Plan for Class A, Advisers Class and Investor Class Shares, fees payable pursuant to such Plan are referred to as "distribution and service fees".

 

(d)

If the Fee Cap is listed as "FINRA", then the Fund is subject to the maximum amount permitted under NASD Conduct Rule 2830(d), which is 6.25% as of the date hereof.

 

(1)

The Master Distribution Plan for Class R Shares authorizes distribution and service fee payments of up to 0.75% annually.  The Board of Trustees has authorized distribution and service fees equal to 0.50% annually.

 

(2)

The Master Distribution Plans for Class A, Advisers Class and Investor Class Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares (as applicable) authorize distribution and service fees of up to 0.25% annually.  The Board of Trustees has authorized distribution and service fees of 0.15% annually.

 

(3)

The Master Distribution Plans for Class A, Advisers Class and Investor Class Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares (as applicable) authorize service fees (or in the case of Class A shares, distribution and service fees) of up to 0.25% annually.  In the case of each Fund (except the Eaton Vance California and Municipal Opportunities Funds, the Eaton Vance National and High Yield Municipal Income Funds, the Eaton Vance TABS 1-to-10, 5-to-15 and 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Funds and the Eaton Vance TABS Intermediate-Term and Short-Term Municipal Bond Funds), the Board of Trustees has authorized the payment of such fees in the amount of 0.20% annually.

 

(4)

Although a Maryland corporation, Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc. (the "Corporation") is referred to herein as "Trust" for convenience.  References in the Agreement to Trustees are deemed to refer to the Directors of the Corporation.  

 

Dated: September 27, 2016




Page 6 of 6


EXHIBIT (h)(2)


TRANSFER AGENCY AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT


This Transfer Agency And Shareholder Services Agreement is made as of September 1, 2016 (" Effective Date ") by and between BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (" BNYM "), and each investment company listed on the signature page to this Agreement (the " Investment Company ") and each Portfolio of each such Investment Company contained on Schedule B (each such Investment Company and Portfolio in its individual and separate capacity being a " Fund ").  Capitalized terms, and certain noncapitalized terms, not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in Schedule A ( Schedule A also contains an index of defined terms providing the location of all defined terms). The term " Agreement " means this Transfer Agency And Shareholder Services Agreement as constituted on the Effective Date, and thereafter as it may be amended from time to time as provided for herein. All references to " Schedule B " herein mean Schedule B attached hereto as constituted on the Effective Date, and thereafter as it may be amended from time to time (deemed or in writing) pursuant to Section 16 or 19(l).


Background


Prior to the date hereof, BNYM, the Investment Companies and certain of the Funds entered into the Transfer Agency And Shareholder Services Agreement, effective as of September 1, 2011, and various amendments thereto (such Agreement and all such Amendments being collectively the " Prior Agreement "). The Funds and BNYM intend for the Prior Agreement to terminate and be superseded by this Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement.


Terms


NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, each Fund and BNYM, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree to the statements made in the preceding paragraphs and as follows:   

 

1.

Scope of Appointment .  The Fund hereby appoints BNYM to serve as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to the Fund and BNYM accepts such appointments and agrees in connection with such appointments to furnish the services expressly set forth in Section 3. BNYM shall be under no duty to provide any service to or on behalf of the Fund in connection with such appointment except as expressly set forth in Section 3 or as BNYM and the Fund may specifically agree in a written amendment hereto; provided that the foregoing is not intended to limit any obligation of BNYM expressly set forth in this Agreement. BNYM shall not bear, or otherwise be responsible for, any fees, costs or expenses charged by any third party service providers engaged by the Fund or by any other third party service provider not engaged by BNYM.


2.

Records; Access .  The books and records pertaining to the Fund which the Fund is obligated to keep pursuant to Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and which are kept by BNYM pursuant to Section 3 shall be the property of the Fund. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, BNYM shall provide Authorized Persons with (i) access to such books and records during BNYM's normal business hours, and (ii) copies of such books and records as specified by the Fund at the Fund's expense.


3.

Services .


(a)

General Services :


(1)

Services to be provided on an ongoing basis to the extent applicable to a particular Fund:                


(i)

Accept, effect and post Share purchases, redemptions, exchanges and transfers;




Page 1



(ii)

Review new share ownership and account applications and if not in good order correspond to a commercially reasonable extent with submitting persons to complete or correct information;


(iii)

Establish shareholder registrations for shares and shareholder accounts and accept, effect and post changes to such shareholder registrations;  


(iv)

Direct payment processing of checks and wires;


(v)

Prepare and mail to shareholders confirmation of activity;


(vi)

Mail duplicate confirmations to broker-dealers of their clients' activity, whether executed  through the broker-dealer or directly with BNYM;


(vii)

As reasonably requested by the Fund: provide periodic shareholder lists and statistics to the Fund in standard BNYM System reports and certify shareholder lists;


(viii)

Prepare periodic mailing of year-end federal tax and quarterly and year-end statement information;


(ix)

Provide industry-appropriate detailed data for underwriter/broker confirmations;


(x)

Notify on a timely basis the Fund's investment adviser, accounting agent, and custodian (" Fund Custodian ") of Share activity;


(xi)

Perform other participating broker-dealer shareholder services as may be agreed upon from time to time;          


(xii)

Calculate 12b-1 payments and such other fees, commissions, concessions and intermediary payables as the Fund and BNYM shall reasonably agree;


(xiii)

Remediation Services, as required; and


(xiv)

Perform certain administrative and ministerial duties relating to opening, maintaining and processing transactions for shareholders or financial intermediaries that report transactions to the Funds through the NSCC.


(2)

Purchase of Shares .  BNYM shall issue and credit an account of an investor, in the manner described in the Fund's prospectus, once it receives:


(i)

A purchase order in completed proper form and otherwise in good order;


(ii)

Proper information to establish a shareholder account; and


(iii)

Confirmation of receipt or crediting of funds for such order to the Fund Custodian.       


(3)

Redemption of Shares . BNYM shall process requests to redeem Shares as follows:


(i)

All requests to transfer or redeem Shares and payment therefor shall be made in accordance with the Fund's prospectus, when the shareholder tenders Shares in proper form, accompanied by such documents as BNYM reasonably may deem necessary, and otherwise in good order.  





Page 2



(ii)

BNYM reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement on the instructions is valid and genuine and that the requested transfer or redemption is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal to process transfers or redemptions which BNYM, in its reasonable judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is reasonably satisfied that there is no basis to any Claims adverse to such transfer or redemption, but BNYM shall inform relevant parties of such improprieties or lack of authorization in accordance with Written Procedures.


(iii)

When Shares are redeemed, BNYM shall deliver to the Fund Custodian and the Fund or its designee a notification setting forth the number of Shares redeemed.  Such redeemed Shares shall be reflected on appropriate accounts maintained by BNYM reflecting outstanding Shares of the Fund and Shares attributed to individual accounts.


(iv)

BNYM shall, upon receipt of the monies provided to it by the Fund Custodian for the redemption of Shares, pay such monies as are received from the Fund Custodian, all in accordance with the procedures established from time to time between BNYM and the Fund.


(v)

BNYM shall not process or effect any redemption requests with respect to Shares of the Fund after receipt by BNYM or its agent of notification of the suspension of the determination of the net asset value of the Fund.


(4)

Dividends and Distributions .  Upon receipt by BNYM of Written Instructions containing all requisite information that may be reasonably requested by BNYM, including payment directions and authorization, BNYM shall issue Shares in payment of the dividend or distribution, or, upon shareholder election, pay such dividend or distribution in cash.  If requested by BNYM, the Fund shall furnish a certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees declaring and authorizing the payment of a dividend or other distribution but BNYM shall have no duty to request such.  Issuance of Shares or payment of a dividend or distribution as provided for in this Section 3(a)(4), as well as payments upon redemption as described in Section 3(a)(3), shall be made after deduction and payment of any and all amounts required to be withheld in accordance with any applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or regulations.  BNYM shall (i) mail to the Fund's shareholders such tax forms and other information, or permissible substitute notice, relating to dividends and distributions paid by the Fund as are required to be filed and mailed by applicable law, rule or regulation; and (ii) prepare, maintain and file with the IRS and other appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to all dividends by the Fund paid to its shareholders (above threshold amounts stipulated by applicable law) as required by tax or other laws, rules or regulations; provided , however , notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3(a)(4) or this Agreement, and for clarification: (A) BNYM's exclusive obligations with respect to any written statement that Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act may require to be issued with respect to the Fund (" 19(a) Statement ") shall be, upon receipt of specific Written Instructions to such effect, to receive from the Fund the text which is to be printed on the 19(a) Statement, to print such text on appropriate paper stock and to mail such document to shareholders, and (B) BNYM's sole obligation with respect to any dividend or distribution that Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act may require be accompanied by a 19(a) Statement shall be to perform only the conduct expressly directed by this Section 3(a)(4) and shall expressly exclude any duty associated with any determination of the appropriateness of, or the drafting or other preparation of the text to be printed on, a 19(a) Statement.


(5)

Shareholder Account Services .  BNYM may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus:

              

(i)

for issuance of Shares obtained through:


(A)

Any pre-authorized check plan; and    

         

(B)

Direct purchases through broker wire orders, checks and applications.  

              



Page 3



(ii)

for a shareholder's:


(A)

Exchange of Shares for shares of another fund with which the Fund has exchange privileges; and/or       

(B)

Automatic redemption from an account where that shareholder participates in an automatic redemption plan.     


(6)

Communications to Shareholders .  BNYM shall print and mail the documents listed below to Fund shareholders, subject in the case of clause (i) below to the receipt of Written Instructions reasonably satisfactory to BNYM, and BNYM shall mail such other documents to Fund shareholders as may be reasonably requested by the Fund in Written Instructions:      

   

(i)

Reports to shareholders;

(ii)

Confirmations of purchases and sales of Fund shares;

(iii)

Monthly or quarterly statements;

(iv)

Dividend and distribution notices; and

(v)

Tax form information.


(7)

Records .  


(a)

BNYM shall maintain records of the accounts for each shareholder showing the following information to the extent received by BNYM:


(i)

Name, address and United States Tax Identification or Social Security number;

(ii)

Number and class of Shares held and number and class of Shares for which certificates, if any, have been issued, including certificate numbers and denominations;

(iii)

Historical information regarding the account of each shareholder, including dividends and distributions paid and the date and price for all transactions on a shareholder's account;

(iv)

Share-lot level activity;

(v)

Any stop or restraining order placed against a shareholder's account;

(vi)

Any correspondence relating to the current maintenance of a shareholder's account; and

(vii)

Information with respect to withholding taxes.


(b)

BNYM shall maintain the records required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act to be kept by the Fund with respect to the Services performed hereunder by BNYM on behalf of the Fund, and shall keep such other records in connection with performing the Services as may be specified in the Written Procedures.      


(8)

[Reserved - Intentionally Omitted]


(9)

Shareholder Inspection of Stock Records .  Upon a request from any Fund shareholder to inspect stock records, BNYM will notify the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund will issue instructions granting or denying each such request.  Unless BNYM has acted contrary to the Fund's instructions, the Fund agrees to and does hereby release BNYM from any liability for refusal of permission for a particular shareholder to inspect the Fund's stock records.


(10)

[Reserved - Intentionally Omitted]


(11)

Lost Shareholders .  


(A)

BNYM shall perform such services as are required in order to comply with Rule 17Ad-17 of the 1934 Act (the " Lost Shareholder Rule "), including, but not limited to, those set forth below.


(i)

documentation of search policies and procedures;

(ii)

execution of required searches;



Page 4




(iii)

tracking results and maintaining data sufficient to comply with the Lost Shareholder Rule; and

(iv)

preparation and submission of data required under the Lost Shareholder Rule.


(B)

For purposes of clarification: (i) Section 3(a)(11)(A) does not obligate BNYM to perform the services described therein for broker-controlled accounts, omnibus accounts and similar accounts with respect to which BNYM does not receive or maintain information which would permit it to determine whether the account owner is a "lost securityholder", as that term is defined in the Lost Shareholder Rule; and (ii) no provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 3(a)(11)(A), obligates BNYM to perform any escheat services or abandoned property services for any Fund or any accounts hereunder - the Fund agrees and acknowledges that the Fund alone is responsible for compliance with applicable escheat and abandoned property laws.


(12)

Tax Advantaged Accounts .


(A)

Certain definitions:


(i)

" Eligible Assets " means shares of the Fund and such other assets as the Fund and BNYM may mutually agree.


(ii)

" Participant " means a beneficial owner of a Custodied Account.


(iii)

" Custodied Account " means a Tax Advantaged Account with respect to which the Custodian serves as the custodian.


(iv)

" Tax Advantaged Account " means (A) any of the following accounts: (i) a Traditional, SEP, Roth, or SIMPLE individual retirement account within the meaning of Section 408 of the Code, and (ii) a Coverdell educational savings account within the meaning of Section 530 of the Code; (B) which is facilitated or sponsored by the Fund (or affiliates of the Fund's investment advisor or management company and approved by the Fund) and with respect to which the contributions of Participants are used to purchase or invest solely in Eligible Assets.


(B)

In addition to appropriate services provided to a Custodied Account and Participants in accordance with other provisions of Section 3(a), BNYM shall provide the following administrative services to the extent the particular administrative service is appropriate under the Code, subject to applicable terms and conditions of the Code, this Agreement, Written Procedures, Account Documentation and the Fund's prospectus:


(i)

Upon receipt of a properly completed application for a Custodied Account, establish a Custodied Account in the Fund and maintain the Custodied Account thereafter in accordance with this Agreement;


(ii)

Process instructions received in good order regarding contributions, including using contribution payments actually received to purchase appropriate Eligible Assets, and keep appropriate records of contributions for tax reporting purposes;


(iii)

Effect instructions for distributions received in good order and establish and maintain a record of the types and reasons for distributions ( e.g. , attainment of age 59-1/2, disability, death, return of excess contributions);


(iv)

Send blank designation of beneficiary forms to Participants and process designation of beneficiary forms completed and received from Participants in good order;




Page 5




(v)

Process instructions received in good order for exchanges of Shares, rollovers, direct rollovers, conversions, reconversions, recharacterizations, return of excess contributions and transfers of assets (or the proceeds of liquidated assets) to a successor custodian or successor trustee;


(vi)

Upon receipt in good order of a notification of the death of a Participant, process transfers and distributions in accordance with instructions received in good order;


(vii)

Prepare any annual reports or returns required to be prepared and/or filed by a custodian of Tax Advantaged Accounts, including, but not limited to, an annual fair market value report, Forms 1099R and 5498; and file same with the Internal Revenue Service and provide same to the Participant or Participant's beneficiary, as applicable;


(viii)

Perform applicable federal withholding and send to the Participant or Participant's beneficiary, as applicable, an annual TEFRA notice regarding required federal tax withholding;


(ix)

Upon the receipt after the Service Effective Date of a request to open a Custodied Account, BNYM shall provide appropriate Account Documentation (as defined below) to open the Custodied Account and thereafter as necessary to maintain the Custodied Account in compliance with the Code; and


(x)

BNYM shall maintain the Account Documentation in compliance with applicable provisions of the Code.


(C)

BNYM shall arrange for BNYM Trust, BNY Mellon Bank or other qualified institution (which may be an Affiliate of BNYM) to serve as custodian for the Tax Advantaged Accounts.  The institution serving as custodian pursuant to the foregoing authorization is referred to herein as the " Custodian ".  In consideration for such service and the services of the Custodian, the Fund agrees as follows:


(i)

The Fund will provide at least thirty (30) days' advance written notice to Participants in connection with a Fund liquidation or any other event or circumstance or act or course of conduct involving the Fund or assets held in a Custodied Account that would result in an involuntary liquidation of any asset held in a Custodied Account or would otherwise materially affect the Custodied Account, its operation, the rights or obligations of a Participant, any asset in a Custodied Account or the terms or provisions of a Custodied Account (" Material Event "), regardless of whether the Material Event was or was not described in an amendment to the Fund's prospectus or statement of additional information, and reimburse BNYM and the Custodian for all reasonable costs, including costs of legal counsel, incurred in determining, in consideration of the Material Event, an appropriate course of conduct under the law, including the Code, and under agreements with Participants and in implementing the course of conduct determined to be appropriate.  The Fund shall, in addition, provide at least sixty (60) days' advance written notice of the Material Event to BNYM, or if such notice is impractical due to circumstances beyond the Fund's control, advance written notice that in time and detail permits BNYM a reasonable opportunity to review the circumstances of the Material Event, consult with legal counsel, and prepare, print and mail materials it determines in view of its duties as Custodian under the Code and Account Documentation to be appropriate to give Participants not less than 30 days advance notice of any consequences of the Material Event on the Custodied Accounts, but in no event shall such advance written notice be given to BNYM less than 45 days in advance.


(ii)

The Fund, at its cost and expense, at the request of BNYM or the Custodian and in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Code, will:


(aa)

appoint and provide for a qualified successor custodian for all Custodied Accounts in the event this Agreement expires or is terminated or if any other event or circumstance occurs



Page 6


which constitutes commercially reasonable cause for the Custodian to resign as custodian of the Custodied Accounts or seek appointment of a successor custodian,


(bb)

provide for any interim custodial or transfer arrangements made appropriate by any of the circumstances governed by clause (aa),


(cc)

cause all Custodied Accounts and all assets in the Custodied Accounts to transfer to such successor or interim custodians; and


(dd)

notify appropriate parties of custodial resignations and appointments.


(iii)

The Fund, at its cost and expense, will, prior to the Services Effective Date or such later date as the Fund and BNYM may agree upon as the " Transfer Date " (which is hereby defined to mean the date custody of the Tax-Advantaged Accounts is transferred from a prior custodian or trustee to the Custodian and the conversion of the Tax-Favored Accounts from a prior service provider to BNYM System occurs), act in accordance with clause (aa), clause (bb) or a combination of clauses (aa) and (bb), pursuant to reasonable instructions received from BNYM or the Custodian:


(aa)

where it has the right to do so, unilaterally amend account documentation of Tax-Advantaged Accounts to conform such documentation in all material respects to the BNYM Account Documentation (as defined in clause (bb) immediately below) and communicate such amendments, or furnish such amended documentation, to account owners; and


(bb)

require Participants and " Related Parties " (which is hereby defined to mean all employers, advisors or other parties involved in any manner in the creation, sponsorship or administration of Custodied Accounts or their relevant plans or involved in any other capacity with Custodied Accounts or their relevant plans) to adopt, execute or otherwise agree to " BNYM Account Documentation " (which is hereby defined to mean disclosure documents, custodial agreements, account agreements and such other forms, agreements and materials which BNYM reasonably determines to be appropriate for the establishment and administration of the Custodied Accounts or relevant plans under applicable law, including the Code, or for performance of the services provided by BNYM or the Custodian).


BNYM shall not be obligated to convert to the BNYM System, or provide a Custodian for, any Tax-Advantaged Accounts of the Fund which BNYM determines are not bound by BNYM Account Documentation or by account documentation substantially similar in all material respects with the Account Documentation.


(iv)

Subsequent to the Transfer Date, at its cost and expense, the Fund will provide to persons applying to become a Participant or a Related Party, all BNYM Account Documentation that BNYM or the Custodian has most recently designated as the current version of the BNYM Account Documentation , including without limitation all privacy notices of BNYM and the Custodian, obtain the signature of all such persons on the appropriate BNYM Account Documentation, and, to the extent requested by BNYM, furnish a copy of the executed BNYM Account Documentation to BNYM. The performance by BNYM and the Custodian of the respective obligations set forth in this Section 12 subsequent to the Transfer Date shall be contingent upon the Fund's compliance with this Section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) and the Fund shall upon the reasonable request of BNYM certify to its compliance with this Section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) or otherwise verify or provide verification of its compliance with this Section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv).


(v)

Subsequent to the Transfer Date, in the event of changes to the BNYM Account Documentation or other need to communicate in writing with Participants or Related Parties: (aa) the Custodian may directly furnish new or revised BNYM Account Documentation and any other written notifications,



Page 7


materials and communications which it reasonably determines to be appropriate to its role as custodian (" Related Custodian Materials ") to Participants and Related Parties at the Fund's cost and expense, payable upon being invoiced for same, or (bb) in lieu of the distribution method provided for in clause (aa) with respect to particular BNYM Account Documentation or Related Custodian Materials, the Fund will, at its cost and expense, upon the reasonable request of BNYM or the Custodian include such items in a Fund mailing of Fund materials.


(D)

In consideration for BNYM or the Custodian furnishing any one or more of the services provided for in this Section 3(a)(12), the Fund shall pay to BNYM the related Fees and Reimbursable Expenses as set forth in the Fee Agreement.  The Fund may direct BNYM to collect such Fees and Reimbursable Expenses from the assets in relevant Tax Advantaged Accounts upon appropriate disclosure to Participants, but shall remain responsible for such Fees and Reimbursable Expenses to the extent it does not so direct BNYM or such amounts are not collectable from the Tax Advantaged Accounts.


(13)

Print Mail .  The Fund hereby engages BNYM as its exclusive print/mail service provider with respect to all communications sent to shareholders pursuant to Sections 3(a)(6)(ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), all checks distributed by BNYM in performing the services described in Section 3 and any other print/mail output that is incidental and reasonably related to services provided under this Agreement. BNYM agrees to provide the aforementioned print/mail services and, upon the reasonable request of the Fund, any other print/mail services as listed in the Fee Agreement.


(14)

Legal Process .  In the event (i) BNYM directly receives a Legal Process Item (defined immediately below) that has been properly served, (ii) the Fund receives a Legal Process Item that has been properly served and delivers the Legal Process Item to BNYM, or (iii) the Fund accepts service of a Legal Process Item that has not been properly served and delivers the Legal Process Item to BNYM, then in each such case BNYM will within a commercially reasonable period following receipt of such Legal Process Item take such commercially reasonable actions as may be directed by the Legal Process Item, including without limitation furnishing information and documentation, redeeming Shares and disbursing the proceeds, and placing transactional restrictions on and removing transactional restrictions from accounts.  " Legal Process Item " means civil and criminal subpoenas, civil or criminal seizure or restraining orders, IRS and state tax authority civil or criminal notices including notices of lien or levy, writs of execution and other functionally equivalent legal process items directed at BNYM or the Fund requiring that a particular action or actions be taken with respect to a current or former shareholder of a Fund or a Fund account of such a shareholder.  BNYM may in its reasonable discretion seek to limit or reduce by any reasonable means the scope and coverage of a Legal Process Item and seek extensions of the period to respond.  In the event BNYM receives a Legal Process Item which requires a response following its receipt sooner than that which can be achieved in a commercially reasonable period taking commercially reasonable efforts, BNYM will commence commercially reasonable efforts to respond and seek an extension of time to respond.


(15)

Cost Basis Reporting .  In accordance with IRS Regulations, utilizing relevant information provided to BNYM in the ordinary course of performing the services provided for in the Agreement,  report cost basis information to shareholders on an average cost basis by tax year and Shares, except when the Shareholder requests such reporting to occur on another basis permitted by the Written Procedures.


(16)

FATCA Services .  BNYM shall implement on behalf of the Fund the " FATCA Services ," which is here by defined to mean processes and procedures reasonably designed for the Fund to comply on a commercially reasonable basis, to the extent applicable, with: (i) Chapter 4 of Subtitle A, Sections 1471 through 1474, of the Code (as defined in clause (ii) of the definition of Code in Schedule A) (the foregoing being commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) (" FATCA "), all as in effect as of the Effective Date, and (ii) subject to the Sections 9(f) and 19(c) of the Agreement, modifications to FATCA and new Code provisions related to FATCA that become effective after the Effective Date, as agreed to by BNYM, pursuant to said Sections.


(17)

[Reserved - Intentionally Omitted]




Page 8



(18)

Electronic Record Retention Section (" ERR Section ") .


(a)

For purposes of this ERR Section, each capitalized term below in quotation marks shall have the meaning ascribed to it:


(i)

" 90-Day Date " means, with respect to a particular Scanned Document, the date that follows by 90 days the date that such Scanned Document was scanned into the BNYM System.


(ii)

" 90-Day Record " means a Scanned Document that has been held for 90 days or more pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (b) of this ERR Section.


(iii)

" Destruction Instructions " means instructions provided by the Fund: (i) in form and content reasonably satisfactory to BNYM, directing BNYM, automatically and without further instructions of any nature from the Fund, to instruct the Storage Contractor (as defined in subsection (b) below) to destroy Scanned Documents once they become 90-Day Records; and (ii) either (A) in a written instrument signed by an Authorized Person and delivered to BNYM, or (B) delivered in an email from an Authorized Person to an employee of BNYM specifically designated to receive Destruction Instructions from the Fund.


(iv)

" Document " means the original physical copy of a document, paper, correspondence, instrument or other item or material of whatsoever nature received by BNYM in connection with the services provided by BNYM pursuant to this Agreement by mail through the US Postal Service or by delivery to or through United Parcel Service, Federal Express or other national courier company agreed to by BNYM and the Fund.


(v)

" ERR Effective Date " means the date the terms of this ERR Section become applicable to the Fund.


(vi)

" Imaged Record " means the electronic image in the BNYM System of an Original Document after it has been scanned into the BNYM System.


(vii)

" Nonrequired Records " means Documents relating to the services performed by BNYM for the Funds pursuant to the Agreement that are not Required Records but which are retained by BNYM by virtue of standard operating procedures of BNYM or procedures mutually agreed to by BNYM and the Fund.


(viii)

" Original Document " means a Document  that constitutes a Record.


(ix)

" Records " means, collectively, Nonrequired Records and Required Records.


(x)

" Regulations " means, collectively, (i) the provisions of SEC Rule 17A-6 governing the requirements of an electronic record retention system applicable to records required to be retained by a SEC-registered transfer agent, (ii) the provisions of Section  31(a) of 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder governing the requirements of an electronic record retention system applicable to records required to be retained pursuant to Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, and (iii) successor provisions to any of the foregoing.


(xi)

" Required Records " means Documents relating to the services performed by BNYM for the Funds pursuant to the Agreement required to be retained under the 1940 Act which BNYM has agreed to keep in accordance with Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.


(xii)

"S can", "scanned" and "scanning " means copying a document in a manner that captures and preserves in an electronic medium all essential features of the print and picture images on the



Page 9


document and the indexing, routing history, and comment data that becomes associated with the document during transaction processing by BNYM.


(xiii)

" Scanned Document " means an Original Document that has been scanned into the BNYM System and with respect to which an Imaged Record has been created.


(b)

An Original Document scanned by BNYM into BNYM System shall, following such scanning, (i) be retained in its original physical form by BNYM at facilities owned, leased or rented by BNYM which are within a reasonable proximity of the facilities at which the scanning occurred for a period of ten (10) days or such longer period as BNYM in its reasonable discretion shall determine appropriate (" On-Site Period "), and (ii) upon termination of the On-Site Period, shall cause the Original Document to be picked up by a third party records storage service selected by BNYM in its reasonable discretion (" Storage Contractor ") and stored at facilities of the Storage Contractor, subject to the further terms of this ERR Section. BNYM shall implement commercially reasonable measures reasonably designed to cause each Imaged Record to be a legible, true and complete copy of its corresponding Scanned Document and to correct a Scanned Document if subsequent to its pick-up by the Storage Contractor pursuant to clause (ii) above BNYM determines that the Scanned Document is not a legible, true and complete copy of its corresponding Document.


(c)

Subsection (b) of this ERR Section shall not apply to Documents that are returned to sender or otherwise dispatched, processed, delivered or handled in a manner other than that provided for in subsection (b) of this ERR Section due to a reasonable implementation of anti-money laundering or other regulatory, compliance or legal practices or procedures of BNYM, standard operating procedures of BNYM or any applicable procedures mutually agreed to by BNYM and the Fund (collectively, the " Applicable Procedures "). The Applicable Procedures shall apply to such Documents. In addition, this ERR Section shall not apply to electronic or imaged records, whether or not such records constitute Records, created other than by the scanning of an Original Document into the BNYM System; Applicable Procedures shall apply to such electronic or imaged records as well.


(d)

BNYM shall maintain an electronic record retention facility (" Electronic Storage Facility ") for the Imaged Records within the BNYM System that is commercially reasonably designed to comply with  the Regulations.  BNYM represents and warrants that the Electronic Storage Facility resides on databases within BNYM’s secure data center environments and are fully replicated and made redundant on a daily basis. BNYM will notify the Fund about any material changes to the Electronic Storage Facility and in the event the changes materially adversely impact the Fund and BNYM does not within a reasonable period remediate such adverse impact to the Fund's reasonable satisfaction the Fund may terminate its receipt of services under this ERR Section.


(e)

(1)

Following the end of each calendar month, BNYM will promptly request that the Storage Contractor provide BNYM with a list of all Scanned Documents that became 90-Day Records during the month just ended.  Upon receipt of the list, BNYM will conduct such reconciliation, verification and investigation of items on the list as may be reasonable and the Fund agrees to provide such assistance and information during such activities as BNYM may reasonably request.  BNYM will use commercially reasonable efforts to conclude all such reconciliation, verification and investigation activities within 30 days of the end of the relevant month, provided it receives all reasonably requested  assistance and information from the Fund on a timely basis, and on the date that all reconciliation, verification and investigation activities are concluded with respect to a particular month:


(i)

if there are Destruction Instructions in effect for the Fund, BNYM will instruct the Storage Contractor to destroy all 90-Day Records not previously destroyed by the Storage Contractor; and


(ii)

if there are no Destruction Instructions in effect for the Fund, BNYM will provide the Fund with a listing of the 90-Day Records that have not previously been destroyed and upon



Page 10


receiving instructions from the Fund directing it to destroy some or all of such 90-Day Records promptly instruct the Storage Contractor to destroy the specified 90-Day Records.


(2)

BNYM will obtain from the Storage Contractor, and provide to the Fund, a certification of destruction applicable to 90-Day Records that have been destroyed.  


(3)

The Fund acknowledges that: (i) BNYM's contract with the company that BNYM intends to utilize as the Storage Contractor permits the Storage Contractor up to 60 days from the receipt of a destruction request from BNYM to perform the requested destruction, (ii) in the event BNYM contracts with a different company to be the Storage Contractor it will seek to include the same 60 day requirement in the contract with that new Storage Contractor but makes no representations or warranties with respect to the destruction period that it will be able to negotiate with a new Storage Contractor.  BNYM will use commercially reasonable efforts to require the Storage Contractor to destroy records within the period provided for in such agreements.


(f)

All fees and charges and out-of-pocket expenses of the Storage Contractor incurred in connection with the services described in this ERR Section shall be borne by the Fund, including without limitation transport charges, storage charges, destruction charges and certification charges, and shall be paid by the Fund upon being invoiced for same by BNYM in a manner consistent with its payment of all other amounts invoiced by BNYM. The Fund acknowledges, if for any reason, including in connection with a termination of this Agreement or a deconversion of records to another service provider, that the Fund requests that some or all of the Imaged Records be converted, transferred, copied, downloaded, printed or otherwise moved or duplicated electronically, onto paper or into any other medium in any manner, the Fund shall be responsible for the payment of all commercially reasonable BNYM fees and charges, and reimbursement of all commercially reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses, invoiced by BNYM in connection with such activities.


(g)

The terms of this ERR Section shall apply only to Original Documents scanned into the BNYM System on and after the ERR Effective Date and the Imaged Records resulting therefrom.  For clarification: provisions of the Agreement applicable to Original Documents and record retention prior to the ERR Effective Date shall continue to apply to Original Documents scanned into the BNYM System prior to the ERR Effective Date and the electronic records resulting therefrom.


(19)

Ancillary Services .   To the extent set forth in the Written Procedures, BNYM shall perform such other services ancillary in nature to the services described in this Section 3(a) that are customarily performed by a transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent.


(20)

Technology Services .


(a)

Each calendar year the Technology Resources will perform the Technology Services on an aggregate and collective basis for the Funds for the Technology Hours, and BNYM will assign a manager to supervise the Technology Resources when performing the Technology Services.  The Funds will designate a single representative to coordinate all matters relating to the Technology Services between the Funds and BNYM. For purposes of this Section 20:


(i)

" Print/Mail Components " means the components of the BNYM System utilized to print and mail the shareholder communications pursuant to Section 3(a)(6).


(ii)

" Print/Mail Technology Hours " for a given calendar year means the product obtained by multiplying the Print/Mail Technology Resources Number times 1,500.


(iii)

" Print/Mail Technology Resources " means the computer programmers, analysts, testers and computer system subject matter experts utilized by BNYM in its discretion to perform the Print/Mail Technology Services.




Page 11



(iv)

" Print/Mail Technology Resources Number " means the fraction two-thirds (2/3).


(v)

" Print/Mail Technology Services " means:


(aa)

All design, coding, development, testing, implementation and other related activities of BNYM performed pursuant to Section 2.16 of  Schedule C in connection with a Company Modification (as defined in Section 2.16 of Schedule C) related to the Print/Mail Components; and


(bb)

All Updates and Upgrades (as each is defined in Schedule C): (I) to those portions of the Print/Mail Components that due to Fund requirements, specifications or systems either differ from comparable portions of the Print/Mail Components utilized to service clients generally or are additional to the portions of the Print/Mail Components utilized to service clients generally, or (II) to those portions of the Print/Mail Components not subject to clause (I) if the Funds request that such Updates and Upgrades occur sooner than scheduled by BNYM.


(vi)

" TA Components " means all components of the BNYM  System other than the Print/Mail Components.


(vii)

" TA Technology Hours " for a given calendar year means the product obtained by multiplying the TA Technology Resources Number times 1,500.  


(viii)

" TA Technology Resources " means the computer programmers, analysts, testers and computer system subject matter experts utilized by BNYM in its discretion to perform the TA Technology Services.


(ix)

" TA Technology Resources Number " means four (4).


(x)

" TA Technology Services " means:


(aa)

All design, coding, development, testing, implementation and other related activities of BNYM performed pursuant to Section 2.16 of  Schedule C in connection with a Company Modification (as defined in Section 2.16 of Schedule C) related to the TA Components;


(bb)

All Updates and Upgrades (as each is defined in Schedule C): (I) to those portions of the TA Components that due to Fund requirements, specifications or systems either differ from comparable portions of the TA Components utilized to service clients generally or are additional to the portions of the TA Components utilized to service clients generally, or (II) to those portions of the TA Components not subject to clause (I) if the Funds request that such Updates and Upgrades occur sooner than scheduled by BNYM;


(cc)

All activities involving the BNYM System in connection with (I) conversions and deconversions of files, (II) any transfer of files or services to another service provider, (III) any transfer of information to 3 rd parties outside of the ordinary course of business of the other services provided for herein; (IV) any request for books or records of the Funds or other requests or instructions from the Funds;


(dd)

All activities associated with maintaining BNYM System connectivity to the Funds'  voice response unit (" VRU ") and maintaining VRU access to Fund information in the BNYM System; and






Page 12



(ee)

Any other technology-related services or activities as BNYM reasonably determines to be appropriate for performance of the services in accordance with the Agreement or as the Funds and BNYM may mutually agree in writing.


(xi)

" Technology Hours ", whether used in the singular or plural sense, means the TA Technology Hours considered collectively with the Print/Mail Technology Hours.  For clarification: the 1,500 hours referenced the definitions of TA Technology Hours and Print/Mail Technology Hours represents time spent performing Technology Services and excludes time off from work in accordance with personnel policies of BNYM, such as vacation, sick, personal and holiday time, time spent performing duties reasonably imposed on BNYM employees as employees such as training, governance and compliance activities and staff meetings, and time not worked as a result of open requisitions.


(xii)

" Technology Resources ", whether used in the singular or plural sense, means the TA Technology Resources considered collectively with the Print/Mail Technology Resources.


(xiii)

" Technology Services ", whether used in the singular or plural sense, means the TA Technology Services considered collectively with the Print/Mail Technology Services.


(b)

BNYM shall allocate the TA Technology Hours and Print/Mail Technology Hours to be worked by computer programmers, analysts, testers and computer system subject matter experts on particular TA Technology Services and Print/Mail Technology Services, respectively, and shall allocate TA Technology Hours to particular TA Technology Services, and Print/Mail Technology Hours to particular Print/Mail Technology Services, in a manner that BNYM, acting in a commercially reasonable manner, determines to be an effective allocation for performing, respectively, the TA Technology Services and the Print/Mail Technology Services (" Technology Allocations ").


(c)

In the event (i) the Funds request in writing that BNYM provide Technology Services in excess of the Technology Allocation, (ii) the request cannot be fulfilled by revising the Technology Allocation in a manner mutually agreeable to the Funds and BNYM, and (iii) fulfilling the request requires the use of technology-related resources that must be allocated and approved by senior management of BNYM's Asset Servicing line of business or BNYM's Technology Services line of support and BNYM is able to obtain such allocation, then BNYM will engage in commercially reasonable measures as appropriate under the circumstances given its firm commitments to other clients and resource availability in the labor markets to open requisitions for additional personnel in response to the request and to fill the open requisitions resulting from such request; provided , however , BNYM will not under any circumstances be required to utilize persons employed or subcontracted by BNYM at the time of the request and who are not already working on Technology Services to provide the Technology Services for the additional requested hours; and (ii) the Funds will pay for the additional Technology Services at the Customization Rate set forth in the Fee Agreement.


(b)

Anti-Money Laundering Program Services.  BNYM will perform the services described in subsections (1) through (7) of this Section 3(b) (" AML Services ").


(1)

Anti-Money Laundering .


(A)

BNYM will perform actions reasonably designed to assist the Fund in complying with Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act,  as amended, as follows:  BNYM will: (i) establish and implement written internal policies, procedures and controls reasonably designed to help prevent the Fund from being used to launder money or finance terrorist activities; (ii) provide for independent testing, by an employee who is not responsible for the operation of BNYM's anti-money laundering (" AML ") program or by an outside party, for compliance with BNYM's written AML policies and procedures; (iii) designate a person or persons responsible for implementing and



Page 13


monitoring the operation and internal controls of BNYM's AML program; and (iv) provide ongoing training of BNYM personnel relating to the prevention of money-laundering activities.  


(B)

BNYM will provide to the Fund:


(i)

a copy of BNYM's written AML policies and procedures, or, alternatively, access to such policies and procedures at a BNYM website;

(ii)

a copy of the report prepared by independent accountants covering the independent accountants' examination of BNYM's AML controls and control objectives; and

(iii)

a summary of the AML training provided for appropriate BNYM personnel.


(C)

Without limiting or expanding subsections (A) or (B) above, the parties agree this Section 3(b)(1) relates solely to Fund compliance with Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act and does not relate to any other obligation the Fund may have under the USA PATRIOT Act, including without limitation Section 326 thereof.


(2)

Foreign Account Due Diligence .


(A)

To assist the Fund in complying with requirements regarding a due diligence program for "foreign financial institution" accounts in accordance with applicable regulations promulgated by U.S. Department of Treasury under Section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act, as amended (" FFI Regulations "), BNYM will do the following:


(i)

Implement and operate a due diligence program that includes appropriate, specific, risk-based policies, procedures and controls that are reasonably designed to enable the Fund to detect and report, on an ongoing basis, any known or suspected money laundering activity conducted through or involving any correspondent account established, maintained, administered or managed by the Fund for a "foreign financial institution" (as defined in 31 CFR 1010.605(f))(" Foreign Financial Institution ");


(ii)

Conduct due diligence to identify and detect any Foreign Financial Institution accounts in connection with new accounts and account maintenance;


(iii)

Assess the money laundering risk presented by each such Foreign Financial Institution account, based on a consideration of all appropriate relevant factors (as generally outlined in 31 CFR 1010.610), and assign a risk category to each such Foreign Financial Institution account;


(iv)

Apply risk-based procedures and controls to each such Foreign Financial Institution account reasonably designed to detect and report known or suspected money laundering activity, including a periodic review of the Foreign Financial Institution account activity sufficient to determine consistency with information obtained about the type, purpose and anticipated activity of the account;


(v)

Include procedures to be followed in circumstances in which the appropriate due diligence cannot be performed with respect to a Foreign Financial Institution account;


(vi)

Adopt and operate enhanced due diligence policies for certain Foreign Financial Institution accounts in compliance with 31 CFR 1010.610(b);


(vii)

Record due diligence program and maintain due diligence records relating to Foreign Financial Institution accounts; and


(viii)

Report to the Fund about measures taken under (i)-(vii) above.




Page 14



(B)

Nothing in Section 3(b)(2) shall be construed to require BNYM to perform any course of conduct that is not required for Fund compliance with the FFI Regulations.


(C)

Without limiting or expanding subsections (A) or (B) above, the parties agree this Section 3(b)(2) relates solely to Fund compliance with Section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act and does not relate to any other obligation the Fund may have under the USA PATRIOT Act, including without limitation Section 326 thereof.


(3)

Customer Identification Program .


(A)

To assist the Fund in complying with requirements regarding a customer identification program in accordance with applicable regulations promulgated by U.S. Department of Treasury under Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act (" CIP Regulations "), BNYM will do the following:


(i)

Implement procedures which require that prior to establishing a new account in the Fund BNYM obtain the name, date of birth (for natural persons only), address and government-issued identification number (collectively, the " Data Elements ") for the " Customer " (defined for purposes of this Agreement as provided in 31 CFR 1024.100(c)) associated with the new account.


(ii)

Use collected Data Elements to attempt to reasonably verify the identity of each new Customer promptly before or after each corresponding new account is opened.  Methods of verification may consist of non-documentary methods (for which BNYM may use unaffiliated information vendors to assist with such verifications) and documentary methods (as permitted by 31 CFR 1024.220), and may include procedures under which BNYM personnel perform enhanced due diligence to verify the identities of Customers the identities of whom were not successfully verified through the first-level (which will typically be reliance on results obtained from an information vendor) verification process(es).


(iii)

Record the Data Elements and maintain records relating to verification of new Customers consistent with 31 CFR 1024.220(a)(3).


(iv)

Regularly report to the Fund about measures taken under (i)-(iii) above.


(v)

If BNYM provides services by which prospective Customers may subscribe for shares in the Fund via the Internet or telephone, BNYM will work with the Fund to notify prospective Customers, consistent with 31 CFR 1024.220(a)(5), about the program conducted by the Fund in accordance with the CIP Regulations.


(B)

Nothing in Section 3(b)(3) shall be construed to require BNYM to perform any course of conduct that is not required for Fund compliance with the CIP Regulations, including by way of illustration not limitation the collection of Data Elements or verification of identity for individuals opening Fund accounts through financial intermediaries which use the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation.


(C)

Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, the BNYM agrees to provide to the Fund information relating to the AML Services it provides under this Section 3(b). BNYM acknowledges that the Fund will rely on BNYM’s performance of the AML Services and BNYM agrees to provide the Fund upon request an annual certification confirming its performance of the AML Services.


(4)

FinCEN Requests Under USA PATRIOT Act Section 314(a) .  BNYM will provide the services set forth in this Section 3(b)(4) with respect to FinCEN Section 314(a) information requests (" Information



Page 15


Requests ") received by the Fund. Upon receipt by BNYM of an Information Request delivered by the Fund in full compliance with all 314(a) Procedures (as defined below), BNYM will compare appropriate information contained in the Information Request against relevant information contained in account records maintained for the Fund. Information relating to potential matches resulting from these comparisons, after review by BNYM for quality assurance purposes (" Comparison Results "), will be made available to the Fund in a timely manner.  In addition, a potential match will be analyzed by BNYM in conjunction with other relevant activity contained in records for the particular relevant account, and if, after such analysis, BNYM determines that further investigation is warranted because the activity might constitute "suspicious activity", as that term is used for purposes of the USA PATRIOT Act, then BNYM will deliver a suspicious activity referral to the Fund. BNYM shall have no responsibility for filing reports with FinCEN that may be appropriate based on the Comparison Results or a referral.  Such responsibility, as between the Fund and BNYM, shall remain with the Fund exclusively.  " 314(a) Procedures " means the procedures adopted from time to time by BNYM governing the delivery and processing of Information Requests transmitted by BNYM's clients to BNYM, including without limitation requirements governing the timeliness, content, completeness, format and mode of transmissions to BNYM.


(5)

U.S. Government List Matching Services .


(A)

BNYM will compare Appropriate List Matching Data (as defined in subsection (C) below) contained in BNYM databases which are maintained for the Fund pursuant to this Agreement (" Fund Data ") to, as they become available, " U.S. Government Lists ", which is hereby defined to mean the following:


(i)

data promulgated in connection with the list of Specially Designated Nationals published by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (" OFAC ") and any other sanctions lists or programs administered by OFAC to the extent such lists or programs remain operative and applicable to the Fund (" OFAC Lists ");


(ii)

data promulgated in connection with the published  Financial Action Task Force lists (" FATF Lists ");


(iii)

data promulgated in connection with determinations by the Director (the " Director ") of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of the Treasury that a foreign jurisdiction, institution, class of transactions, type of account or other matter is a primary money laundering concern (" PMLC Determination "); and


(iv)

data promulgated in connection with any other lists, programs or determinations (A) which BNYM determines to be substantially similar in purpose to any of the foregoing lists, programs or determinations, or (B) which BNYM and the Fund agree in writing to add to the service described in this subsection (a).


(B)

In the event that following a comparison of Fund Data to a U.S. Government List as described in subsection (a) BNYM determines that any Fund Data constitutes a "match" with the U.S. Government List in accordance with the criteria applicable to the particular U.S. Government List, BNYM:


(i)

will notify the Fund of such match in a manner that is timely, giving consideration to the Fund's regulatory obligations with respect to the match;


(ii)

will send any other notifications required by applicable law or regulation by virtue of the match;


(iii)

if a match to an OFAC List, will to the extent required by applicable law or regulation assist the Fund in taking appropriate steps to block any transactions or



Page 16


attempted transactions to the extent such action may be required by applicable law or regulation;


(iv)

if a match to the FATF Lists or a PMLC Determination, will to the extent required by applicable law or regulation conduct a suspicious activity review of accounts related to the match and if suspicious activity is detected will deliver a suspicious activity referral to the Fund;


(v)

if a match to a PMLC Determination, will assist the Fund in taking the appropriate special measures imposed by the Director; and


(vi)

will assist the Fund in taking any other appropriate actions required by applicable law or regulation.


(C)

" Appropriate List Matching Data " means (A) account registration and alternate payee data, to the extent made appropriate by statutes, rules or regulations governing the U.S. Government Lists, (ii) data determined by BNYM in light of statutes, rules or regulations governing the U.S. Government Lists to be necessary to provide the services described in this Section 3(b)(5), and (iii) data the parties agree in writing to be necessary to provide the services described in this Section 3(b)(5).


(D)

BNYM may fulfill its obligations under this Section 3(b)(5) by utilizing commercially available lists that contain the data promulgated as the U.S. Government Lists, whether such lists consist of data exclusive to one U.S. Government List or of data representing a combination of several watch lists, including several U.S. Government Lists.


(6)

Legal Process SAR Referral .  Upon the conclusion of the legal process service described in Section 3(a)(14), BNYM will review the Legal Process Item and other pertinent account records to determine whether such information reasonably indicates "suspicious activity" has occurred, and if it determines suspicious activity has occurred deliver a suspicious activity referral to the Fund.


(7)

Suspicious Activity Monitoring .  BNYM as agent of the Fund will engage in a commercially reasonable monitoring of activities occurring with respect to the Fund during BNYM's performance of transaction processing and recordkeeping services and if in the course of such monitoring it determines that any of such activities could indicate the existence of suspicious activity and that an investigation of the potential suspicious activity is warranted, then BNYM will deliver a suspicious activity referral to the Fund.


(8)

BNYM agrees to permit governmental authorities with jurisdiction over the Fund to conduct examinations of the operations and records relating to the services performed by BNYM under this Section 3(b) upon reasonable advance request and during normal business hours and to furnish copies at the Fund's cost and expense of information reasonably requested by the Fund or such authorities and relevant to the services, subject to pre-approval by the Fund of any such cost or expense but BNYM shall not be obligated to provide copies to the extent the cost and expense is not approved.


(9)

For purposes of clarification: All Written Procedures relating to the services performed by BNYM pursuant to this Section 3(b) and any information, written matters or other recorded materials relating to such services and maintained by BNYM shall constitute Confidential Information of BNYM, except to the extent, if any, such materials constitute Fund records under the Securities Laws.


(10)

The Fund is solely and exclusively responsible for determining the applicability to the Fund of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, regulations of FinCEN, and all other laws and regulations, as they may be constituted from time to time (" Fund AML Laws "), for complying with the Fund AML Laws, for determining the extent to which the AML Services assist the Fund in complying with the Fund AML Laws, and for furnishing any supplementation or augmentation to the AML Services it determines to be



Page 17


appropriate, and acknowledges that BNYM has given no advice and makes no representations with respect to such matters.  Section 3(b) of the Agreement shall not be construed to impose on BNYM any obligation other than to engage in the specific course of conduct specified by the provisions therein, and in particular shall not be construed to impose any other obligation on BNYM to design, develop, implement, administer, or otherwise manage compliance activities of the Fund. The services provided pursuant to this Section 3(b) may be changed at any time and from time to time by BNYM in its reasonable sole discretion to include commercially reasonable provisions appropriate to the relevant requirements of the Fund AML Laws and the description of services contained in Section 3 shall be deemed revised accordingly without written amendment pursuant to Section 16(a).  BNYM shall provide to the Fund for its review notice of the nature or content of any such changes that BNYM reasonably believes the Fund should be informed about and consult with the Fund to the extent requested by the Fund due to any responsibilities of the nature described in the first sentence of this Section 3(b)(10).


(c)

Red Flags Services .


(1)

The provisions of this Section 3(c) (the " Red Flags Section ") shall apply in the event the Fund elects to receive the " Red Flags Services ", which are hereby defined to mean the following services:


(i)

BNYM will maintain written controls reasonably designed to detect the occurrence of Red Flags (as defined below) in connection with (i) account opening and other account activities and transactions conducted directly through BNYM with respect to Direct Accounts (as defined below), and (ii) transactions effected directly through BNYM by Covered Persons (as defined below) in Covered Accounts (as defined below).  Such controls, as they may be revised from time to time hereunder, are referred to herein as the " Controls ".  Solely for purposes of the Red Flags Section, the capitalized terms below will have the respective meaning ascribed to each:


(A)

" Red Flag " means a pattern, practice, or specific activity or a combination of patterns, practices or specific activities which may indicate the possible existence of Identity Theft (as defined below) affecting a Registered Owner (as defined below) or a Covered Person.


(B)

" Identity Theft " means a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority.


(C)

" Registered Owner " means the owner of record of a Direct Account on the books and records of the Fund maintained by BNYM as registrar of the Fund (the " Fund Registry ").


(D)

" Covered Person " means the owner of record of a Covered Account on the Fund Registry.


(E)

" Direct Account " means an Account established directly with and through BNYM as a registered account on the Fund Registry and through which the owner of record has the ability to directly conduct account and transactional activity with and through BNYM.


(F)

" Covered Account " means an Account established by a financial intermediary for another as the owner of record on the Fund Registry and through which such owner of record has the ability to conduct transactions in Fund shares directly with and through BNYM.


(G)

" Account " means (1) an account holding Fund Shares with respect to which a natural person is the owner of record, and (2) any other account holding Fund Shares with respect to which there is a reasonably foreseeable risk to the particular account owner's customers from identity theft, including financial, operational, compliance, reputation, or litigation risks.


(ii)

BNYM will provide the Fund with a printed copy of or Internet viewing access to the Controls.





Page 18



(iii)

BNYM will provide the Fund with notice that is reasonably timely under the circumstances of Red Flags which it detects and reasonably determines to indicate a significant risk of Identity Theft to a Registered Owner or Covered Person (" Possible Identity Theft ") and assist the Fund in determining the appropriate response of the Fund to the Possible Identity Theft.


(iv)

BNYM will (A) engage an independent auditing firm or other similar firm of independent examiners to conduct an annual examination of the Controls and issue a report on the results of the examination (the " Examination Report "), and (B) furnish a copy of the Examination Report to the Fund; and


(v)

Upon the Fund's reasonable request on not more than a quarterly basis, issue a certification in a form determined to be appropriate by BNYM in its reasonable discretion, certifying to BNYM's continuing compliance with the Controls after the date of the most recent Examination Report.

  

(2)

The Fund agrees it is responsible for complying with and determining the applicability to the Fund of Section 615(e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC or other applicable federal agency (the " Red Flags Requirements "), for determining the extent to which the Red Flags Services assist the Fund in complying with the Red Flags Requirements, and for furnishing any supplementation or augmentation to the Red Flags Services it determines to be appropriate, and that BNYM has given no advice and makes no representations with respect to such matters.  This Red Flags Section shall not be interpreted in any manner which imposes a duty on BNYM to act on behalf of the Fund or otherwise, including any duty to take any action upon the occurrence of a Red Flag, other than as expressly provided for in this Red Flags Section.  The Controls and the Red Flags Services may be changed at any time and from time to time by BNYM in its reasonable sole discretion to include commercially reasonable provisions appropriate to the Red Flags Requirements, as they may be constituted from time to time. BNYM shall provide to the Fund for its review notice of the nature or content of any such change that it reasonably believes the Fund should be informed about and consult with the Fund to the extent requested by the Fund due to any responsibilities of the nature described in the first sentence of this Section 3(c)(2).


(d)

Access To And Use Of The BNYM System .  The terms of Schedule C to this Agreement shall apply to the Fund's access to and use of any component of the BNYM System (as defined in Schedule C).


4.

Confidentiality .   


(a)

Each party shall keep the Confidential Information (as defined in subsection (b) below) of the other party in confidence and will not use or disclose or allow access to or use of such Confidential Information except in connection with the activities contemplated by this Agreement or as otherwise expressly agreed in writing. Each party acknowledges that the Confidential Information of the disclosing party will remain the sole property of such party.  In complying with the first sentence of this subsection (a), each party will use the same degree of care it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than a commercially reasonable degree of care.  


(b)

Subject to the exceptions, qualifications and other terms of subsections (c) and (d) below, " Confidential Information " means (i) this Agreement and its contents, all compensation agreements, arrangements and understandings (including waivers) respecting this Agreement, disputes pertaining to the Agreement, and information about a party's exercise of rights hereunder, performance of obligations hereunder or other conduct of a party in connection with the Agreement, (ii) information and data of, owned by or about a disclosing party or its affiliates, customers, or subcontractors that may be provided to the other party or become known to the other party in the course of the relationship established by this Agreement, regardless of form or content, including but not limited to (A) competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, studies, plans, reports, surveys, summaries, documentation and analyses, regardless of form, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates,



Page 19


business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Fund or BNYM, their respective subsidiaries and Affiliates and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of them; (B) scientific, technical or technological information, a design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Fund or BNYM a competitive advantage over its competitors; (C) a confidential or proprietary concept, documentation, report, data, specification, computer software, source code, object code, flow chart, database, invention, know how, trade secret, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; (D) information related to security, disaster recovery, business continuity and any other operational plans, procedures, practices and protocols; and (E) anything designated as confidential, and (iii) to any extent not included within clause (i) or clause (ii) above, with respect to BNYM, the Proprietary Items (as defined in Schedule C), any information within the BNYM System accessed by the Fund that is not Company Data (as defined in Schedule C) or any information provided by BNYM from within the BNYM System that is not Company Data.


(c)  Information or data that would otherwise constitute Confidential Information under subsection (b) above shall not constitute Confidential Information to the extent it:


(i)

is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained;

(ii)

is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party;

(iii)

is rightfully received from a third party who, to the receiving party's knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality;

(iv)

is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; or

(v)

has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party without reference to the Confidential Information provided by the protected party.    


(d)

Confidential Information of a disclosing party may be used or disclosed by the receiving party in the circumstances set forth below but except for such permitted use or disclosure shall remain Confidential Information subject to all applicable terms of this Agreement:


(i)

in connection with activities contemplated by this Agreement, including disclosure in connection with such activities to a party’s accountants, auditors and attorneys who have a need to know and who provide services to it under professional or contractual obligations of confidentiality;


(ii)

as required by law or regulation, including the Securities Laws, or pursuant to a court order, subpoena, order or request of a governmental or regulatory or self-regulatory authority or agency, or binding discovery request in pending litigation (provided the receiving party will provide the other party written notice of such requirement or request, to the extent such notice is permitted, and subject to proper jurisdiction, if applicable);


(iii)

in connection with inquiries, examinations, audits or other reviews by a governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority or agency, audits by independent auditors or accountants or requests for advice or opinions from counsel; or


(iv)

the information or data is relevant and material to any Claim or cause of action between the parties or the defense of any Claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party.


(e)

Subject to the exceptions in (d), each party agrees not to publicly disseminate, broadcast or release Confidential Information of the other party or mutual Confidential Information even if such action otherwise could be construed to be permitted by other provisions of this Section 4.


(f)

The provisions of this Section 4 shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years after such termination.




Page 20



5.

Privacy .  


(a)

Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that, subject to the reuse and re-disclosure provisions of Regulation S-P, 17 CFR Part 248.11, it shall not disclose the non-public personal information of investors in the Fund obtained under this Agreement, except disclosures in connection with carrying out the services set forth in this Agreement or as otherwise permitted by law or regulation.  BNYM agrees to implement and maintain appropriate security measures to protect "personal information", as that term is defined in 201 CMR 17.00: Standards For The Protection Of Personal Information Of Residents Of The Commonwealth (" Massachusetts Privacy Regulation "), consistent with the Massachusetts Privacy Regulation and any applicable federal regulations.  BNYM will implement and maintain a comprehensive information security program with written policies and procedures reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the non-public personal information of the Fund's current and former shareholders.  The information security program will contain administrative, technical and physical safeguards reasonably designed to: (i) protect the security and confidentiality of such information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to individuals, and (iv) provide for appropriate disposal of such information.  BNYM will review its written policies and procedures, at least annually, and update them as needed to comply with applicable federal and Massachusetts law.  Upon request, BNYM shall certify to the Funds that it has implemented and maintained measures reasonably designed to protect personal information consistent with applicable Massachusetts and federal law.


(b)

BNYM agrees that it shall promptly notify the Fund once it has determined that any security breach involving possible unauthorized disclosure of or access to non-public personal information related to the Fund and posing a risk of identity theft or fraud or requiring notification to affected individuals under state or federal law has occurred. Without limiting the remedies available to the Fund, should BNYM fail to report any such security breach and such failure to report has a material adverse effect on the Fund or its customers, or should BNYM fail to take reasonable measures to resolve such a security breach and such failure to take reasonable measures has a material adverse effect on the Fund or its customers, such failure shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement. BNYM agrees that this paragraph shall cover any of its affiliates, subcontractors or agents that obtains access to personal information related to the Fund under this Agreement, and that BNYM will be liable to the Fund for the compliance of such persons with this provision. This paragraph will survive termination or expiration of the Agreement for so long as BNYM continues to possess or have access to personal information related to the Fund.


6.

Cooperation with Accountants .  BNYM shall cooperate with the independent public accountants for the Fund and shall take commercially reasonable measures to furnish or to make available to such accountants information relating to this Agreement and BNYM's performance of the obligations hereunder as requested by such accountants and necessary for the expression of their opinion.


7.

Ownership Rights .     Ownership rights with respect to property utilized in connection with the parties' use of the BNYM System shall be governed by applicable provisions of Schedule C.  


8.

Disaster Recovery .  BNYM shall maintain or arrange with third parties for back-up facilities (" Back-Up Facilities ") to the primary operations and data centers used by BNYM to provide the services (" Primary Facilities ").  The Back-Up Facilities will be capable of providing the services in the event an incident to the Primary Facilities significantly interrupts the delivery of a significant service. In the event of equipment failures, BNYM shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions, including using the Back-Up Facilities where appropriate. BNYM shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such loss or interruption is not caused by the intentional misconduct, recklessness or negligence of BNYM in the performance of its duties under this Agreement and it maintains and acts in accordance with its business continuity plan, which it shall make available to the Fund (in full or summary form) upon reasonable request.



Page 21



9.

Compensation .


(a)

As compensation for services rendered by BNYM during the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to BNYM such fees and charges (the " Fees ") as may be agreed to from time to time in writing by the Fund and BNYM (the " Fee Agreement ").  In addition, the Fund agrees to pay, and will be billed separately in arrears for, reasonable expenses incurred by BNYM in the performance of its duties hereunder (" Reimbursable Expenses ").


(b)

BNYM may establish demand deposit accounts or other accounts in its own name for the benefit of the Fund at third party financial institutions (" Third Party Institution "), including without limitation Third Party Institutions that may be an affiliate of BNYM (" Affiliated Third Party Institutions ") or a client of BNYM, for the purpose of administering funds received by BNYM in the course of performing its services hereunder (" Service Accounts ").  BNYM may establish Service Accounts primarily or exclusively with Affiliated Third Party Institutions and retain funds primarily or exclusively in the Service Accounts at Affiliated Third Party Institutions.  BNYM and its Affiliated Third Party Institutions may derive a benefit from the funds placed on deposit with the Affiliated Third Party Institutions in Service Accounts due to the availability of the funds for use by the Affiliated Third Party Institutions in their business operations and BNYM takes that possibility of deriving benefit from such funds into consideration when determining the Fees and other terms set forth in the Fee Agreement.  As of the Effective Date, BNYM does not receive any balance credits, interest income, dividend income or other money or money-equivalent benefits (" Monetary Benefits ") with respect to Service Accounts but reserves the right to retain any Monetary Benefits related to Service Accounts that may accrue to it or be paid to it in the future as well as the right to transfer amounts between Service Accounts for cash management purposes.


(c)

In connection with BNYM's performance of transfer agency services, the Fund acknowledges and agrees that:


(i)

BNYM in its role as transfer agent may be notified of a Fund payment obligation that BNYM as transfer agent is expected to satisfy, such as a same-day settlement obligation with the NSCC, by forwarding payment to the NSCC or other obligee but the amount required to satisfy the particular payment obligation of the Fund may exceed the amount of funds then available for transfer in the relevant Service Accounts (such excess amount if transferred by BNYM being hereinafter referred to as an " Overdraft Amount ");


(ii)

BNYM is not obligated to transfer any funds representing Overdraft Amounts and may in its sole discretion decline without liability hereunder to transfer funds representing Overdraft Amounts;


(iii)

Notwithstanding the absence of an obligation to do so, BNYM may elect to transfer funds representing Overdraft Amounts (from sources other than the Service Accounts) as a courtesy to a Fund and to maintain BNYM's good standing with the NSCC and other participants in the financial services industry and that by electing to transfer funds representing Overdraft Amounts BNYM does not, even if it has transferred such funds as part of a regular pattern of conduct, waive any rights under this Section 9(c) or assume the obligation it has expressly disclaimed in clause (ii) above and BNYM may at any time in its sole discretion and without notice decline to continue to make such transfers;  and


(iv)

The Fund is at all times obligated to pay to BNYM an amount of money equal to the Overdraft Amounts that have not been offset by credits posted to the relevant Service Account subsequent to the transfer of the Overdraft Amount and such amounts, together with such accrued interest as may be charged by BNY Mellon Bank (at a commercially reasonable interest rate to be agreed upon by the parties), are payable, and shall be paid, by the Fund immediately upon demand by BNYM.





Page 22



(d)

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to BNYM that (i) the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement, and (iii) any benefits accruing to BNYM or to the adviser or sponsor to the Fund in connection with this Agreement, including but not limited to any fee waivers, conversion cost reimbursements, up-front payments, signing payments or periodic payments made or to be made by BNYM to such adviser or sponsor or any affiliate of the Fund relating to the Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Board of Directors of the Fund and that, if required by applicable law, such Board of Directors has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, any such fees and expenses, and any such benefits.


(e)

No termination of this Agreement shall cause, and no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in any manner that would cause, BNYM's right to receive payment of its fees and charges for services actually performed hereunder, and the Fund's obligation to pay such fees and charges, to be barred, limited, abridged, conditioned, reduced, abrogated, or subject to a cap or other limitation or exclusion of any nature.


(f)

Provisions of this Agreement providing for BNYM to receive commercially reasonable compensation or fees and reimbursement of expenses from the Fund for services or a course of conduct it might perform supplemental to the services expressly provided for herein or in circumstances outside the ordinary course of business shall not be diminished to any degree solely due to such compensation, fees and reimbursable expenses not being expressly provided for in the Fee Agreement.   


(g)

In the event the Fund or any class, tier or other subdivision of the Fund is liquidated, ceases operations, dissolves or otherwise winds down operations (" Dissolution Event ") or effects a final distribution to shareholders (a " Final Distribution "), the Fund shall be responsible for paying to BNYM all fees and reimbursing BNYM for all reasonable expenses associated with services to be provided by BNYM in connection with the Dissolution Event or Final Distribution, whether provided pursuant to a specific request of the Fund or provided by BNYM due to industry standards or due to obligations under applicable law or regulation by virtue of the services previously performed for Fund (" Final Expenses ").  In connection with the foregoing, the Fund shall (i) notify BNYM as promptly as practicable following first approval of the Dissolution Event or Final Distribution or any aspect of the Dissolution Event or Final

Distribution by its Board and furnish BNYM with copies of all materials filed with the SEC or distributed to shareholders related thereto, (ii) calculate, set aside, reserve and withhold from the Final Distribution or from any distribution subsequent to Board approval of the Dissolution Event or Final Distribution all amounts necessary to pay the Final Expenses and shall notify BNYM as far in advance as practicable of any deadline for submitting materials appropriate or necessary for the determination of such amounts, and (iii) provide sufficient staff or other accommodations to ensure timely payment of Final Expenses as they come due.


10.

Instructions .  


(a)  

BNYM will engage in conduct when so directed by a Written Instruction or an Implementing Communication if the Written Instruction or an Implementing Communication, as appropriate, complies with applicable requirements set forth in this Section 10.


(i)

Written Instructions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement: (A) unless the terms of this Agreement, Written Procedures or other written agreement between the Fund and BNYM expressly provide, in the reasonable discretion of BNYM, all requisite details and directions for it to take a specific course of conduct, BNYM may, prior to engaging in a course of conduct on a particular matter, whether the course of conduct is proposed by or otherwise originates with BNYM or is directed by the Fund in a Fund Communication, require the Fund to provide it with Written Instructions with respect to the particular conduct, and (B) BNYM may also require Written Instructions with respect to conduct specified in a Fund Communication if it reasonably determines that the Agreement, Written Procedures or other written agreement between the Fund



Page 23


and BNYM provides for the Fund to furnish a Written Instruction in connection with the specified conduct.


(ii)

Implementing Communications .  " Implementing Communication " means Fund Communications that are not a Written Instruction and that BNYM has determined in accordance with clause (i) above are not required in whole or in part to be the subject of a Written Instruction.


(b)

Subject to the right of BNYM to require in accordance with Section 10(a)(i) that conduct directed by a Fund Communication be provided in a Written Instruction, BNYM reserves the right to decline to act in accordance with a Fund Communication:


(i)

for a Bona Fide Reason; or


(ii)

if the Fund Communication (or contents thereof) does not constitute in all material respects, in the sole judgment of BNYM exercised reasonably, a  " Standard Instruction ", which is hereby defined to mean:


(A)

an instruction received by BNYM directing a course of conduct substantially similar in all material respects to a course of conduct provided for in a Written Procedure, or


(B)

if a Written Procedure provides for a particular form of instruction to be used in connection with a matter (a " Standard Form "), an instruction received by BNYM (I) on the specified Standard Form which responds appropriately to all requirements of the specified Standard Form, or (II) in a format other than the specified Standard Form but conforming in all material respects to, and responding appropriately to all requirements of, the specified Standard Form in BNYM's sole judgment exercised reasonably.  


(c)

Notwithstanding the right reserved by BNYM in Section 10(b) to decline to engage in conduct directed by a Fund Communication that is not a Standard Instruction (such instruction being a " Non-Standard Instruction "):


(i)

BNYM will in good faith consider implementing a Non-Standard Instruction if:


(A)

BNYM in its sole judgment exercised reasonably determines sufficient time exists under the circumstances to evaluate fully and implement the requested conduct; and

(B)

the Fund makes its request in writing (including via e-mail) to a Customer Service Officer and provides all written materials, including descriptions and responses to questions, that in the reasonable judgment of BNYM are appropriate to fully evaluate the request.


(ii)

BNYM will attempt to evaluate the request with existing resources on the basis of the written materials but if at any time it determines in its sole judgment exercised reasonably that Research is required to fully evaluate the request or the development, implementation or performance of the Non-Standard Instruction, BNYM will notify the Fund of the Research required by BNYM and resume the evaluation only if (A) the Fund obtains and provides all Research required by BNYM or (B) the Fund authorizes BNYM in writing to obtain the required Research at the Fund's cost and expense.


(iii)

BNYM may at any time after such a request is made, and before or after the written materials and, if applicable, the Research are furnished in whole or in part, decline without liability or further obligation of any nature hereunder to implement a Non-Standard Instruction:


(A)

for a Bona Fide Reason;

(B)

if it determines in its sole judgment exercised reasonably that there is insufficient time to fully evaluate and implement the requested alternative to the applicable Standard Instruction; or



Page 24



(C)

if it determines in its sole judgment exercised reasonably and in good faith based on the course of discussions that it and the Fund will be unable to agree in writing to mutually satisfactory terms and conditions governing the Non-Standard Instruction.  


(iv)

BNYM will act in accordance with a Non-Standard Instruction solely pursuant to the terms of a mutually agreeable written instrument executed by the Fund and BNYM with respect to the conduct constituting the Non-Standard Instruction (such written instrument is referred to herein as an " Accepted Non-Standard Instruction "). For the avoidance of doubt, such conduct is included within the conduct described in clause (b) of Section 12.


(d)

(1)

The Fund shall implement commercially reasonable measures to provide that Fund Communications delivered to BNYM are authorized, accurate and complete.  BNYM is not obligated to act, and may refrain from acting, on any " Ineligible Communication ", which is hereby defined to mean a Fund Communication that BNYM in good faith determines:


(i)

to be vague, ambiguous or incomplete;

(ii)

to contain an error that is not reasonably reconcilable;

(iii)

to have been received too late to be acted upon;

(iv)

to be incapable of being implemented due to a failure to meet applicable specifications or system requirements;

(v)

to be in conflict with a previous or contemporaneous Fund Communication; or

(vi)

to be incapable of being executed in accordance with all applicable performance standards or due to any other defect.


(2)

BNYM will as promptly as reasonable in consideration of the subject matter of the Fund Communication notify the Fund in a timely manner of its determination that a Fund Communication is an Ineligible Communication; provided , however , BNYM shall have no duty to inspect for or discover an Ineligible Communication. BNYM may act in reliance on Fund Communications as received by it and shall have no duty to inquire into any matter regarding the Fund Communication, including without limitation the validity, authority, truthfulness, accuracy or genuineness of the Fund Communication, or to verify the identity of an individual giving the Fund Communication; provided , however , BNYM shall be obligated to verify that the name of any person executing a Written Instruction is listed as an Authorized Person. BNYM may assume and rely on the assumption that any Fund Communication is not in any way inconsistent with the provisions of the Fund's prospectus or organizational documents, this Agreement or any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Directors or shareholders. BNYM may also rely on and is authorized by the Fund to act in reliance on communications from shareholders of the Fund and from persons reasonably believed to be representatives of shareholders of the Fund with respect to all matters reasonably related to the services provided for herein other than those BNYM determine to be not in good order or which it reasonably rejects on other grounds (" Shareholder Communications ", and together with Fund Communications (excluding Fund Communications identified to the Fund as Ineligible Communications), " Service Communications "). BNYM shall notify the Fund of any such rejections in accordance with Written Procedures.

 

(e)

Absent Liable Conduct on the part of BNYM, BNYM shall not be liable to the Fund for any Loss of the Fund, and the Fund shall indemnify and defend BNYM in accordance with Section 12 against any Loss, directly or indirectly arising from or incurred due to or in connection with:


(i)

BNYM's reasonable good faith interpretation of a Service Communication;

(ii)

BNYM's reasonable reliance on, or conduct it reasonably engages in pursuant to, a Service Communication;

(iii)

a delay in BNYM's implementing a course of conduct contained in an Ineligible Communication;

(iv)

BNYM's failure to engage in conduct requested by a Service Communication with respect to which it has no duty to act;




Page 25



(v)

any error, omission, inaccuracy, inconsistency, misrepresentation, fraud, forgery or other defect in a Service Communication;

(vi)

any failure to receive an item intended to be a Service Communication or the delay of its actual receipt or its receipt in a form, configuration or with contents other than as transmitted;

(vii)

any interception of or unauthorized access to or use of a Service Communication or item intended to be a Service Communication prior to receipt by BNYM; or

(viii)

the invalidity or lack of truthfulness, accuracy, authority or genuineness of a Service Communication.


(f)

In addition to any other provision of this Agreement that may be applicable to a particular Instruction, BNYM may include in the writing constituting a Standard Instruction, or in a Standard Form, appropriate operational, procedural and functional terms and provisions, provisions appropriate to its agency role, and provisions appropriate in light of or imposed by applicable law or regulations, rules of the DTCC, NSCC or similar service providers or governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority, or Industry Standards.  In addition, in the absence of provisions in this Agreement that in the sole judgment of BNYM exercised reasonably provide sufficient authority, indemnification, limitations on liability or confidentiality and privacy protections, BNYM may require third parties purportedly authorized to act on behalf of or for the benefit of the Fund in connection activities contemplated by this Agreement, or the Fund, to execute a document containing such terms and conditions as BNYM may reasonably require prior to engaging in any course of conduct with such third parties.


(g)  

While reserving its right under this Section 10 to decline to act in accordance with instructions not constituting Written Instructions, BNYM may agree to act in accordance with Oral Instructions on a particular matter, and, with respect to each acceptance of Oral Instructions, the Fund agrees that it will deliver to BNYM, for receipt by 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) on the same business day as the day the Oral Instructions were given, Written Instructions which confirm the course of conduct contained in the Oral Instructions. Under all circumstances and for all purposes of the Agreement: BNYM's written memorialization of the Oral Instructions shall constitute the Written Instructions applicable to the particular matter; and the validity and authorization of such Written Instructions and of the conduct undertaken by BNYM and BNYM's right to rely on such Written Instructions shall not be abridged, abrogated or adversely impacted in any manner or under any circumstances.


(h)

In the event facts, circumstances, or conditions exist or events occur, including without limitation situations contemplated by Section 10(d), and BNYM reasonably determines that it must take a course of conduct in response to such situation (including a course of action that constitutes taking no action) and must receive an Instruction from the Fund to direct its conduct, and BNYM so notifies two Authorized Persons of the Fund, and the Fund fails to furnish Instructions (" Response Failure "), BNYM will in good faith seek to determine the appropriate course of conduct in response to the circumstances and will have all rights with respect the conduct taken in good faith in such circumstances (including a course of action that constitutes taking no action) that it would have if the conduct were specified in Written Instructions.


(i)

Any form furnished by the Fund to third parties for use in connection with the activities or services of BNYM contemplated by this Agreement that does not constitute a Standard Form or a form that is substantially equivalent in all material respects to a Standard Form (" Non-Standard Form ") shall constitute a Non-Standard Instruction subject to all terms of this Section 10 applicable to Non-Standard Instructions . BNYM may without liability hereunder decline to accept or act upon a Non-Standard Form and the Fund indemnifies and releases BNYM for and from Loss incurred in connection with reasonable conduct BNYM engages in in connection with the Non-Standard Form, including accepting or declining to accept or acting or declining to act upon a Non-Standard Form.


11.

Terms Relating to Liability .


(a)

With respect to BNYM's obligations under this Agreement, BNYM shall be liable to the Fund (or any person or entity claiming through or for the Fund) for loss, cost, expense and damages caused by a



Page 26


breach of any such obligation, the recovery of which is not excluded by another provision of this Agreement, only to the extent the breach constitutes intentional misconduct, reckless disregard or negligence of BNYM or of a third party delegated duties, subcontracted or otherwise engaged by BNYM to perform services hereunder on BNYM's behalf (" Liable Conduct ").  In the absence of a finding to the contrary, the acceptance, processing and/or negotiation of a fraudulent payment for the purchase of Shares shall be presumed not to have been Liable Conduct.


(b)

BNYM's maximum aggregate cumulative liability to the Fund and all persons or entities claiming through the Fund, considered as a whole, during the effectiveness of the Agreement, for all loss, cost, expense and damages the recovery of which is not otherwise excluded by another provision of this Agreement shall not exceed two (2) times the fees actually paid to BNYM by the Fund for services provided hereunder during the twelve (12) months immediately prior to the last Loss Date.  In the event a maximum aggregate cumulative liability pursuant to this Section 11(b) must be calculated in connection with a last Loss Date occurring during the first twelve months of this Agreement, fees paid under the Prior Agreement for the portion of the 12-month calculation period that services were provided under the Prior Agreements shall be used in such calculation.


(c)

Notwithstanding any other provision, and for all purposes, of this Agreement:


Neither party nor its Affiliates shall be liable for any Loss (including Loss caused by delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data) or breach hereunder occurring directly or indirectly by reason of any event or circumstance, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, which despite the taking of commercially reasonable measures is beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation: extraordinary forces of nature and natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, severe storms (storms with wind, rain or hail forces comparable to a hurricane but not meeting technical hurricane criteria), tornados, earthquakes and wildfires; national or local states of emergencies; epidemics; action or inaction of civil or military authority; war, terrorism, riots or insurrection; criminal acts; job action by organized labor; building or area evacuations ordered by lawful authority; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; denial of service attacks; non-performance by third parties (not including third parties delegated duties, subcontracted or otherwise engaged by BNYM to perform services hereunder on BNYM's behalf, other than non-performance caused by one or more events described in this subsection); or functions or malfunctions of the internet, firewalls, encryption systems or security devices caused by any of the foregoing (all and any of the foregoing being an " Event Beyond Reasonable Control ").  Upon the occurrence of an Event Beyond Reasonable Control, the affected Party shall be excused from any non-performance caused by the Event Beyond Reasonable Control for so long as the Event Beyond Reasonable Control or damages caused by it prevail and such party continues to use commercially reasonable efforts to attempt to perform the obligation so impacted, including invoking disaster recovery or business continuity plans when applicable.


(d)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement except the second sentence of this Section 11(d) and Section 12(a), in no event shall either party, its Affiliates or any of its or their directors, officers, employees, agents or subcontractors be liable under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, for exemplary, punitive, special, incidental, indirect or consequential damages, or for any other losses which are not direct damages regardless of whether such losses or damages were or should have been foreseeable and regardless of whether any entity or person has been advised of the possibility of such losses or damages, all and each of which such loss is hereby excluded by agreement of the parties.  The foregoing limitation on liability shall not apply to damages or payments, as the case may be, to the extent arising under the Gain/Loss Policy or from the intentional misconduct or reckless disregard of BNYM occurring in the performance of the Services.  For purposes of clarification: no other provision of this Agreement except the foregoing sentence and Section 12(a) shall be interpreted to condition, limit, modify, nullify or otherwise prevail in whole or in part over this Section 11(d).


(e)

Each party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other party may become responsible.




Page 27



(f)

With respect to securities data, files, reports, information and research furnished to BNYM by third parties (not including third parties delegated duties, subcontracted or otherwise engaged by BNYM to perform services hereunder on its behalf) and included in the BNYM System (" Securities Data "), the Fund acknowledges that BNYM makes no warranty concerning the Securities Data and BNYM disclaims all responsibility for the Securities Data, including its content, accuracy, completeness, availability or timeliness of delivery, and BNYM shall not be liable for Loss caused by Errant Securities Data (as defined below); provided , however , with respect to transaction activity communicated to BNYM by the DTCC or NSCC, BNYM will maintain commercially reasonable processes and procedures to detect and attempt to resolve rejected transactions. " Errant Securities Data " means Securities Data not being provided to BNYM with the content and at the time which is standard for the industry or which is required for or used in the performance of any service provided for in the Agreement.


(g)

If BNYM becomes aware of a matter that involves a check or draft drawn by a shareholder or a check or draft issued to a shareholder (or alternate payee) that is alleged to be fraudulently endorsed, with respect to which a signature guarantee, signature validation or other guarantee or certification is alleged to be fraudulently procured or tendered, or that involves any other matter relating to a payment instrument or system that may give rise to a Claim under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by a particular State or Territory of the United States (" UCC ") or under a signature guarantee or other program, such as the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, based on whole or in part on provisions of the UCC (" UCC Program "), BNYM will take commercially reasonable measures to investigate the matter (" Check Matter ") and if its fraud investigators reasonably determine at any time based solely on facts discovered during the investigation that a shareholder or the Fund may possess a valid Claim under the UCC or otherwise to recover any amount from a bank or other financial institution expressly subject to the UCC, BNYM will when considered commercially reasonable under the UCC take measures to file a Claim on behalf of the Fund for recovery of the relevant amount with the appropriate party (" Initial Claim ").  BNYM will inform the Fund if the Claim is denied in whole or in part, if any recovery is made or if BNYM gets no response to the Claim, and in the event of any recovery will consult with the Fund with respect to the depositing of the recovered amount in a Service Account, the crediting of a shareholder account or any other appropriate conduct, and will provide reasonable cooperation at the Fund's cost and expense with any actions the  Fund may subsequently elect to take to seek any further recovery.   Absent Liable Conduct in BNYM's processing of any underlying transaction, as between the Fund and BNYM, the Fund shall be solely responsible for any amounts not recovered or not capable of being recovered in a Check Matter, any market exposure (gain or loss) experienced by a shareholder or the Fund as a result of a Check Matter, any fraud or similar conduct not constituting a Check Matter or involving a forged or unauthorized drawer signature or altered instrument, and all costs and expenses of seeking any recovery in a Check Matter other than costs associated with filing any Initial Claim. This Section 11(i) sets forth the sole responsibility of BNYM with respect to the matters addressed herein.


(h)

BNYM shall be entitled to rely on, and engage in conduct based upon, its reasonable interpretation of " Legal Authority " (which is hereby defined to mean all laws and all regulations, rules, legal process and other acts and communications of an official nature of governmental, quasi-governmental bodies, regulatory and self-regulatory bodies) and the analysis and advice of legal counsel, including such reliance and conduct in circumstances when available Legal Authority is in conflict or does not provide unambiguous precedent or guidance. BNYM may rely and act in accordance with the analysis and advice of legal counsel that is reasoned notwithstanding the existence or availability of a differing legal analysis or advice or of different interpretations. For the avoidance of doubt, such conduct is included within the conduct described in clause (b) of Section 12 and the rights described in Section 12 apply in the event the Fund requests that BNYM engage in conduct other than in accordance with BNYM's reasonable interpretation of Legal Authority or reasoned legal analysis or legal advice and BNYM engages in such conduct.


(i)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, no party to this Agreement shall be liable to any other party to this Agreement for any costs or expenses of any nature related to legal counsel, legal representation or legal action, including without limitation costs and expenses associated with litigation,



Page 28


threatened litigation and dispute resolution, court costs and costs of arbitration, discovery, experts, settlement and investigation that arise in connection with any claim, indemnification, action or demand made or sought under this Agreement between parties to this Agreement . Each party shall bear its own such costs and expenses.


(j)

This Section 11 shall survive termination of this Agreement.


12.

Indemnification .  


(a)

The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless BNYM and its affiliates, and to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Custodian and its affiliates in connection with services it provides pursuant to Section 3(a)(12), and the respective directors, trustees, officers, agents and employees of each, from any and all Losses related to any Claim arising directly or indirectly from: (a) conduct of the Fund or a Fund contractor, subcontractor or prior or current service provider in connection with activities contemplated by the Agreement; (b) conduct of BNYM as agent of the Fund not involving Liable Conduct in the execution of the conduct, including without limitation conduct taken by BNYM pursuant to Fund Communications, Written Procedures, Legal Authority, Section 10(h) (Response Failure), or Non-Standard Forms, and (c) a Fund Error or Errant Securities Data.  BNYM shall have no liability to the Fund or any person claiming through or for the Fund for any Loss caused in whole or in part by any conduct described in the preceding sentence.


(b)

BNYM shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and its respective directors, trustees, officers, agents and employees for the loss, cost, expense and damages for which BNYM is liable to the Fund under Section 11(a) of the Agreement.


(c)

In any case in which a party may be asked to indemnify or hold the other party harmless, the indemnifying party shall be advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question and the party seeking indemnification shall notify the indemnifying party promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to present a Claim for indemnification, but any delay in such notification shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 12 except to the extent such delay has materially prejudiced the indemnifying party. Where the indemnifying party is additionally obligated to defend the indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall have the option to defend against any Claim which may be the subject of this indemnification and, in the event that the indemnifying party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the indemnifying party and reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party, and thereupon the indemnifying party shall take over complete defense of the Claim and the party seeking indemnification shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in such situation for which it seeks indemnification, unless a conflict develops in the chosen counsel's simultaneous representation of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party. The party seeking indemnification will not confess any Claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnifying party will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the indemnifying party’s prior written consent.


(d)

This Section 12(c) shall survive termination of this Agreement.


13.

Duration and Termination .


(a)

This Agreement shall be effective on the Effective Date and continue, unless validly terminated pursuant to this Section 13 prior thereto, until the date which is the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of the Service Effective Date (the " Initial Term ").


(b)

(1)

This Agreement shall automatically renew on the final day of the Initial Term and the final day of each Renewal Term for an additional term which will continue until the first (1st) anniversary of such renewal date (each such additional term being a " Renewal Term "), unless the Funds acting collectively, on one hand, or BNYM, on the other hand, gives written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew and such notice is received by the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term (a " Non-Renewal Notice ").  In the event a



Page 29


party provides a Non-Renewal Notice, this Agreement shall terminate on the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable, or, if later and applicable, the later of the day substantially all Services cease to be provided (for avoidance of doubt, other than Trailing Services) or the date the Deconversion (or final Deconversion if more than one) is completed.


(2)

In connection with a termination occurring pursuant to a termination notice under Sections 13(c) or 13(d) or a Non-Renewal Notice, if Deconversion Services are requested by the Fund BNYM shall make commercially reasonable efforts to perform the requested Deconversion Services as of the dates reasonably requested by the Fund, subject to BNYM's existing work and project schedules and the availability of personnel with requisite expertise.


(c)

If a party (BNYM or any Fund) materially breaches this Agreement (a " Defaulting Party ") the other party (on one hand, BNYM; on the other hand, the Funds acting collectively) (the " Non-Defaulting Party ") may give written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party (BNYM or the Funds collectively) (" Breach Notice "), and if such material breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after the Breach Notice is given, then the Non Defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice of termination to the Defaulting Party (" Breach Termination Notice "), in which case this Agreement shall terminate on the 30th day following the date the Breach Termination Notice is given, or such later date as may be specified in the Breach Termination Notice (but not later than the last day of the Initial Term or then-current Renewal Term, as appropriate), or, if later and applicable, the later of the day substantially all Services cease to be provided (for avoidance of doubt, other than Trailing Services) or the date the Deconversion (or final Deconversion if more than one) is completed.


(d)

In the event a majority of the non-interested members of the Board of Trustees of any Fund determines in their sole discretion, in the exercise of their fiduciary duties and pursuant to their reasonable business judgment after consultation with Eaton Vance, that BNYM has materially failed to perform in accordance with the performance standards set forth in this Agreement, then such Fund or Funds may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to BNYM of such determination and BNYM shall have 60 days (or such longer period if the non-interested trustees so determine) to correct such performance to the reasonable satisfaction of the non-interested trustees. If BNYM does not correct its performance to the reasonable satisfaction of the non-interested trustees, such Fund or Funds may terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days written notice.


(e)

(1)

In connection with any termination of this Agreement or services by the Fund, whether alone or in conjunction with other Funds, the Fund shall also pay to BNYM the amounts described in clauses (A) and (B) below not later than the " Payment Date ", which is hereby defined to mean (i) the date of termination of the Agreement or service (whether such date is determined by the sending of a Non-Renewal Notice, by designation of a date in a notice of termination), or, (ii) if either of the following, or both, should occur before such termination date, the date that either of the following first occurs: (aa) the date of cessation of a substantial portion of the services provided for in Section 3 of the Agreement, or (bb) the date that performance of significant Deconversion Services is scheduled to commence:


(A)

any Fees and Reimbursable Expenses that may be owed by the Fund pursuant to Section 9(a) for services performed by BNYM pursuant to the Agreement through and including the Payment Date (whether already invoiced, pending invoice or estimated in good faith);


(B)

the amount estimated in good faith by BNYM (" Good Faith Estimate ") for:


(I)

any services to be provided by BNYM following the Payment Date that may relate to a cessation of operations or the winding up of the affairs of the Fund or a termination of the Agreement, including by way of example and not limitation, answering general shareholder inquiries, furnishing historical shareholder account information to authorized parties, providing tax services with respect to transactions occurring before the termination such as the filing of final tax forms, maintaining a Service Account for checks not yet cleared, and compliance with



Page 30


record retention requirements (" Trailing Services "), at the fees set forth in the Fee Agreement or, if applicable fees are not provided for therein, at commercially reasonable rates, and


(II)

the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses expected to be incurred in performing the Trailing Services (" Reimbursable Trailing Expenses "); and


(III)

if BNYM is requested to perform any Deconversion Services (as defined below): (I) fees and charges of BNYM for such Deconversion Services at the rates set forth in the Fee Agreement or, if applicable fees are not provided for therein, fees at commercially reasonable rates, and (II) amounts to reimburse BNYM for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reasonably expected to be incurred in performing the Deconversion Services.  " Deconversion Services " means a Deconversion and any and all other measures taken and conduct engaged in by BNYM associated with any transfer or movement of files, records, materials or information or a conversion thereof, including but not limited to the transfer, movement or duplication of any files, records, materials or information and any conversion of such from the formats and specifications of the BNYM System to the formats and specifications of a successor service provider or as otherwise specified by the Funds. BNYM's obligation to perform any Deconversion Services is expressly conditioned on the prior performance by the Funds, to BNYM's reasonable satisfaction, of their obligations under Section 3(a)(12)(C)(ii).


(2)

For avoidance of doubt: to the extent BNYM performs any services pursuant to Section 3 or Schedule C of the Agreement subsequent to the Payment Date, the Fund shall pay for such services upon being invoiced for such services in accordance with the terms of the invoice.


(3)

Within 120 days following the Deconversion (or final Deconversion if more than one):


(A)

BNYM shall determine any (i) amounts payable by the Fund for services provided pursuant to Section 3 or Schedule C of the Agreement that have not been paid, (ii) amounts payable by the Fund for Trailing Services, for reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing the Trailing Services, for Deconversion Services and for reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing the Deconversion Services that have not been paid by the Fund, whether or not included in whole or in part in the Good Faith Estimate, and (iii) amounts paid by the Fund pursuant to Sections 13(e)(1)(B) and 13(e)(2) in excess of amounts actually owed by the Fund to BNYM for the services indicated therein; and


(B)

BNYM shall net the amounts determined in accordance with clause (A) above and notify the Fund whether BNYM owes money to the Fund or the Fund owes money to BNYM and the amount owed; and


(4)

Within thirty (30) calendar days of the notification provided for by Section 13(e)(3)(B), BNYM will pay the Fund any amount it owes the Fund and the Fund shall pay BNYM any amount it owes BNYM.


(f)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, BNYM may in its sole discretion, upon the happening of any of the following, terminate this Agreement immediately (and, for clarification, immediately cease providing all services hereunder) by sending notice of termination to the Fund: (i) the Fund commences as debtor any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or there is commenced against the Fund any such case or proceeding; (ii) the Fund commences as debtor any case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for the Fund or any substantial part of its property or there is commenced against the Fund any such case or proceeding; (iii) the Fund makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) the Fund states in



Page 31


any medium, written, electronic or otherwise, any public communication or in any other public manner its inability to pay debts as they come due.  BNYM may exercise its termination right under this Section 13(f) at any time after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events notwithstanding that such event may cease to be continuing prior to such exercise, and any delay in exercising this right shall not be construed as a waiver or other extinguishment of that right.  Any exercise by BNYM of its termination right under this Section 13(f) shall be without any prejudice to any other remedies or rights available to BNYM and shall not be subject to any fee or penalty, whether monetary or equitable.  Notwithstanding clause (iii) of Section 15, notice of termination under this Section 13(f) shall be considered given and effective when given, not when received.


(g)

References in this Agreement to a termination of the Agreement  on or as of a particular day or date means that termination occurs at 11:59 PM on the particular day or date.


14.

Policies and Procedures .


(a)

BNYM shall perform the services provided for in this Agreement in accordance with the written policies, processes, procedures, manuals, documentation and other operational guidelines of BNYM governing the performance of the services in effect at the time the services are performed (" Standard Procedures ").  BNYM may embody in its Standard Procedures, including Standard Procedures for determining whether an instruction it receives is "in good order" (" IGO ") or is "not in good order" (" NIGO "), and act in reliance on: a reasoned course of conduct, conduct it reasonably determines to be commercially reasonable or conduct consistent with generally accepted industry practices, principles or standards (" Industry Standard ").  Likewise, when in connection with a providing a service, including IGO and NIGO determinations, BNYM is required to engage in conduct for which it does not have a Standard Procedure or Standard Procedures only partially address the facts and circumstances of a particular issue, BNYM may engage in and act in reliance on: a reasoned course of conduct, conduct it reasonably determines to be commercially reasonable or conduct consistent with Industry Standards.  In making the decisions described in the foregoing sentences BNYM may rely on such information, data, research, analysis and advice, including legal analysis and advice, as it reasonably determines appropriate under the circumstances.  For clarification: the published guidelines of the Securities Transfer Association shall constitute an Industry Standard on the subject matter addressed therein.  BNYM may revise the Standard Procedures in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14(a).


(b)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the following terms of this Section 14(b) shall apply in the event facts, circumstances or conditions exist or events occur which would require a service to be provided hereunder other than in accordance with BNYM's Standard Procedures, or if BNYM is requested by the Fund, or a third party authorized to act for the Fund, to deviate from a Standard Procedure in connection with the performance of a service hereunder or institute a service or procedure with respect to which there is no Standard Procedure (collectively, a " Non-Standard Procedure "):


 (i)

BNYM will in good faith consider implementing a Non-Standard Procedure if the Fund requests such in writing and provides all written materials, including descriptions, specifications, business requirements and responses to questions of BNYM, that in the sole judgment of BNYM exercised reasonably are appropriate to fully evaluate the request.


(ii)

BNYM will attempt to evaluate the request with existing resources on the basis of the written materials but if at any time it determines in its sole judgment exercised reasonably that Research is required to fully evaluate the request or the development, implementation or performance of the Non-Standard Procedure, BNYM will notify the Fund of the Research required and resume the evaluation only if the Fund obtains and provides all Research required by BNYM or if it authorizes BNYM in a writing reasonably satisfactory to BNYM to obtain the required Research at the Fund's cost and expense.


(iii)

BNYM may at any time after such a request is made, and before or after the written materials and, if applicable, the Research are furnished in whole or in part, decline without liability or further



Page 32


obligation of any nature hereunder to implement a Non-Standard Procedure (i) for a Bona Fide Reason or (ii) if it determines in its sole judgment exercised reasonably that it and the Fund are unable to mutually agree in writing to all terms and conditions governing the development, implementation and performance of the Non-Standard Procedure, including without limitation terms and conditions regarding appropriate procedures, indemnification and payment terms.  


(iv)

A Non-Standard Procedure that BNYM agrees to implement in a written instrument executed by the Fund and BNYM is referred to herein as an " Exception Procedure " and BNYM shall obligated to perform a Non-Standard Procedure only to the extent expressly provided for in an Exception Procedure. For the avoidance of doubt, conduct engaged in pursuant to an Exception Procedure is included within the conduct described in clause (b) of Section 12.


(c)

In the event that Fund requests documentation, analysis or verification in whatsoever form regarding the commercial reasonableness or industry acceptance of conduct provided for in a Standard Procedure, BNYM will cooperate to furnish such materials as it may have in its possession at the time of the request without cost to the Fund, but the Fund agrees to reimburse BNYM for all reasonable out of pockets costs and expenses incurred, including the costs of legal or expert advice or analysis, in obtaining additional materials in connection with the request.


(d)

If in the course of acting in accordance with a Non-Standard Procedure, BNYM encounters questions, issues or uncertainty of a legal or other nature as to the appropriate course of conduct under the Non-Standard Procedure, the Fund agrees that any expenses incurred by BNYM in consulting with third parties, such as, without limitation, attorneys, auditors or accountants, to resolve the questions, issues or uncertainty shall be the responsibility of the Fund to be paid upon being invoiced by BNYM.  Prior to engaging any such third party BNYM shall advise the Fund it is doing so and the Fund shall have the option of obtaining such consulting services on its own and providing the results to BNYM.  For the avoidance of doubt, conduct engaged in pursuant to this Section 14(d) is included within the conduct described in clause (b) of Section 12.


15.

Notices .  Notices permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing and:


(i)

addressed as follows, unless a notice provided in accordance with this Section 15 shall specify a different address or individual:  


(A)

if to BNYM, to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, Attention: President; with a copy to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware  19809, Attention: Legal Department; and


(B)

if to the Fund, c/o Eaton Vance Management, Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110, Attention: Fund Secretary;


(ii)

delivered: by hand (personal delivery by an Authorized Person to addressee); private messenger, with signature of recipient; U.S. Postal Service (with return receipt or other delivery verification provided); overnight national courier service, with signature of recipient, or facsimile sending device providing for automatic confirmation of receipt; and


(iii)

deemed given on the day received by the receiving party.


16.

Amendments .  


(a)

This Agreement, or any term thereof, including without limitation the Schedules hereto, may be changed only by a written amendment signed by all parties to this Agreement.





Page 33



(b)

Notwithstanding subsection (a) above, in the event an officer of the Investment Company or other person acting with apparent authority on behalf of the Investment Company requests that BNYM perform some or all of the services provided for in this Agreement for a Portfolio not listed on Schedule B , as amended, and such Portfolio accepts such services and the relevant Investment Company or Portfolio pays amounts provided for in the Fee Agreement as Fees and Reimbursable Expenses, then in the absence of an express written statement to the contrary such services are provided in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Schedule B is deemed amended to include the particular Portfolio and the Portfolio shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement with respect to all matters addressed herein, except that BNYM may at any time thereafter terminate such deemed amendment to this Agreement, and terminate services to such Portfolio, if within 60 days of the first such acceptance of services by the Portfolio the Investment Company and BNYM do not execute an written amendment to Schedule B on terms mutually acceptable to BNYM and the Investment Company in their respective sole discretion. BNYM and the Investment Company each reserve the right to negotiate terms appropriate to such additional Portfolios which differ from the terms herein.


17.

Assignment; Subcontracting .  Except as expressly provided in this Section 17, no party may assign or transfer this Agreement or assign or transfer any right or obligation hereunder without the written consent of the other party and any attempt at such assignment or transfer, or any such assignment or transfer, shall be void.  For clarification: "assign" and "transfer" as used in the foregoing sentence are intended to mean conveyances (whether by contract or operation of law) which fully and irrevocably vest in the assignee or transferee exclusively all the rights and obligations being conveyed and fully and irrevocably divest the assignor or transferor of all the rights and obligations being conveyed.  A merger, a sale of a majority or more of the assets, equity interests or voting control, or a transfer by operation of law or pursuant to court order shall be considered a "transfer" under this Section.  Notwithstanding the foregoing: To the extent appropriate under rules and regulations of the NSCC, BNYM may satisfy its obligations with respect to services involving the NSCC through an Affiliate that is a member of the NSCC by delegation or subcontracting; BNYM may assign or transfer this Agreement to an Affiliate or transfer this Agreement in connection with a sale of a majority or more of its assets, equity interests or voting control, provided that BNYM gives the Investment Company thirty (30) days' prior written notice of such assignment or transfer and such assignment or transfer does not impair the Investment Company's receipt of services under this Agreement in any material respect, and the assignee or transferee agrees to be bound by all terms of this Agreement in place of BNYM; and BNYM may subcontract with, hire, engage or otherwise outsource to any third party with respect to the performance of any one or more of the functions, services, duties or obligations of BNYM under this Agreement but any such subcontracting, hiring, engaging or outsourcing shall not relieve BNYM of any of its liabilities hereunder and BNYM shall require any such third party to adopt confidentiality and privacy measures that are no less protective of the Fund’s Confidential Information than those required by the provisions set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation Sections 4 and 5 herein.


18.

Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts; such execution of counterparts may occur by manual signature, facsimile signature, manual signature transmitted by means of facsimile transmission or manual signature contained in an imaged document attached to an email transmission; and each such counterpart executed in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed an original, with all such counterparts together constituting one and the same instrument.  The exchange of executed copies of this Agreement or of executed signature pages to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or as an imaged document attached to an email transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery hereof and may be used for all purposes in lieu of a manually executed copy of this Agreement.


19.

Miscellaneous .  


(a)

Entire Agreement .  This Agreement, and the related Fee Agreement, embody the final, complete, exclusive and fully integrated record of the agreement of the parties on the subject matter herein and therein and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, proposals, responses to requests for proposal,



Page 34


memoranda of understanding or memoranda of any other nature, terms sheets, letters of intent and communications of any other nature relating to such subject matter.


(b)

Non-Solicitation .  During the effectiveness of this Agreement and for one year thereafter, the Fund shall not, directly or indirectly, knowingly solicit or recruit for employment or hire, or make a recommendation, or referral or otherwise knowingly assist or facilitate the solicitation or recruitment of any BNYM employee, for employment by any other entity. To "knowingly" solicit, recruit, hire, assist or facilitate, within the meaning of this provision, does not include, and therefore does not prohibit, solicitation, recruitment or hiring of a BNYM employee by another entity if the BNYM employee was identified solely as a result of the BNYM employee's response to a general advertisement in a publication of trade or industry interest or other similar general solicitation.


(c)

Changes That Materially Affect Obligations .  


(i)

The Fund agrees to provide BNYM with at least 30 days advance written notice of any new or modified feature, policy, operation, parameter or other aspect of the Fund's business that could impact BNYM's provision of the services by requiring revised or new conduct, including without limitation revisions or additions to, or new, Shareholder Materials (" Company Standards "), or in the event such advance notice is not practicable due to circumstances beyond the Fund's reasonable control, as much advance notice as is practicable under such circumstances.


(ii)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, including without limitation the description of services in Section 3:


To the extent that any service or course of conduct of BNYM provided hereunder is configured or performed as it is at a particular time in whole or in part due to Company Standards, standards imposed by clearing corporations or other industry-wide service bureaus or organizations, or laws, rules, regulations, orders or legal process in effect at such time (" Service Requirements ") and BNYM's performance of a service or a course of conduct related thereto in compliance with any new or amended Service Requirement requires BNYM to develop, implement or provide a new or modified service, process, procedure, resource or functionality (" New Service "), BNYM shall be obligated to develop and perform a New Service only in accordance with a written amendment to this Agreement entered into in its discretion. If in order to perform an obligation under this Agreement BNYM develops, implements or provides a new or modified service, process, procedure, resource or functionality that it may not be obligated to the Fund to develop, implement or provide in accordance with the foregoing sentence but that it develops, implements and provides for clients generally due to a new or revised Service Requirement, BNYM shall entitled to commercially reasonable fees and charges and reimbursement of reasonable expenses for such development, implementation and performance if it elects to invoice the Fund for such, or to such other fees, charges or  expense reimbursement as otherwise mutually agreed by the parties.


(d)

Captions .  The captions in this Agreement are included for conve­nience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provi­sions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.


(e)

Requested Information and  Documentation . The Fund will provide in a timely manner such information and documentation as BNYM may reasonably request in connection with providing services under this Agreement and BNYM will not be liable for any Loss incurred by the Fund due to a failure or delay in providing such information or documentation.


(f)

Governing Law .  The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws, shall govern the interpretation, validity, and enforcement of this agreement. All actions arising from or related to this Agreement shall be brought in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Boston, and the parties hereby submit themselves to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts .


(g)

Partial Invalidity .  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.  In such



Page 35


case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.


(h)

Parties in Interest .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except with respect to those certain provisions providing for rights of the Custodian or obligations of the Fund with respect to the Custodian, and those certain provisions benefitting affiliates of the parties, this Agreement is not for the benefit of any other person or entity and (ii) there shall be no third party beneficiaries hereof.


(i)

No Representations or Warranties .  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, BNYM hereby disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, made to the Fund or any other person, including, without limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise (irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or usage of trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to services provided under this Agreement.  BNYM disclaims any warranty of title or non-infringement except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.


(j)

Customer Identification Program Notice . To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S. Federal law requires each financial institution to obtain, verify, and record certain information that identifies each person who initially opens an account with that financial institution on or after October 1, 2003. Certain of BNYM's affiliates are financial institutions, and BNYM may, as a matter of policy, request (or may have already requested) the name, address and taxpayer identification number or other government-issued identification number of the Fund or others, and, if such other is a natural person, that person's date of birth. BNYM may also ask (and may have already asked) for additional identifying information, and BNYM may take steps (and may have already taken steps) to verify the authenticity and accuracy of these data elements.


(k)

Use of "Fund" .  In the event "Fund" as used in this Agreement refers to Portfolios listed on Schedule B , notwithstanding such use, the Investment Company bears to the extent permitted by law all responsibilities, obligations, liabilities and duties of all such Portfolios to the extent not performed by such Portfolios.


(l)

Additional Fund Adoption .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if BNYM is requested orally or in writing to furnish any service provided for in this Agreement to any investment company that is not a party to this Agreement or any class, tier, portfolio, series or other subdivision of an investment company that is not party to this Agreement (" Additional Fund ") by any representative of a Fund who BNYM reasonably believes also to be a representative of the Additional Fund, and BNYM provides such service to such Additional Fund, then, from the date BNYM commences providing such service, such Additional Fund shall be deemed a party to and bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect to all matters addressed herein even in the absence of a writing by such Additional Fund agreeing to be so bound by this Agreement and Schedule B shall be deemed amended to include the Additional Fund.


(m)

Requests to Transfer Information to Third Parties .  In the event that the Fund, other than pursuant to a Standard Procedure, whether by Written Instructions, Fund Communications or otherwise, requests or instructs BNYM to send, deliver, mail, transmit or otherwise transfer to a third party which is not a subcontractor of BNYM and which is not the DTCC, NSCC or other SEC-registered clearing corporation, or to make available to such a third party for retrieval from within the BNYM System, any information in the BNYM System:  BNYM may decline to provide the information requested on the terms contained in the request due to legal or regulatory concerns, transmission specifications not supported by BNYM, or other good faith or bona fide business reasons, but will in good faith discuss the request and attempt to accommodate the Fund with respect to the request, and BNYM will not be obligated to act on any such request unless it agrees in writing to the terms of the information transfer.  In the event BNYM so agrees in writing to transfer information or make it available within the BNYM System: the Fund shall pay a reasonable fee for such activities upon being invoiced for same by BNYM; BNYM shall have no liability or duty with respect to such information after it releases the information or makes it available within the



Page 36


BNYM System, as the case may be, provided BNYM does not commit Liable Conduct when executing the express instructions of the written information transfer request; BNYM shall be entitled to the indemnification provided for at Section 12 pursuant to clause (b) in connection with the activities contemplated by any such written information transfer request, including for the avoidance of doubt third party claims; and BNYM may conclusively presume without a duty of independent verification that the Fund has received all applicable third party authorizations.


(n)

Service Indemnifications; Survival .  Any indemnification provided to BNYM by the Fund in connection with any service provided under the Agreement, including by way of illustration and not limitation, indemnifications provided in connection with an Accepted Non-Standard Instruction and indemnifications contained in any agreements regarding an Exception Procedure (" Service Indemnifications "), shall survive any termination of this Agreement. In addition, Sections 4, 5, 7, 10(d), (e), (g) - (i), 11, 12, 19(e), (i), (m), (n) and (s) and provisions necessary to the interpretation of such Sections and any Service Indemnifications and the enforcement of rights conferred by any of the foregoing shall survive any termination of this Agreement.  In the event the Board of the Fund authorizes a liquidation of the Fund or termination of the Agreement, BNYM may require as a condition of any services provided in connection with such liquidation or termination that the Fund make provisions reasonably satisfactory to BNYM for the satisfaction of contingent liabilities outstanding at the time of the liquidation or termination.


(o)

Compliance with Law . Each of BNYM and the Fund agrees to comply in all material respects with the respective laws, rules, regulations and legal process applicable to the operation of its business.  For clarification: With respect to BNYM, the foregoing requires compliance with laws, rules, regulations and legal process applicable to BNYM directly, not derivatively by virtue of providing services to the Fund.  The Fund agrees that BNYM is not obligated to assist the Fund with, or bring the Fund into, compliance with laws, rules, regulations and legal process applicable to the Fund, except where BNYM has expressly agreed to assume such an obligation hereunder and then it is obligated only to perform strictly in accordance with the express terms of the assumed obligation.


(p)

Further Actions .  Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.


(q)

Enterprise Nature of Services .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in  furnishing the services provided for in this Agreement or any component or segment of such services BNYM may utilize any combination of its own employees, facilities, equipment, systems and other resources and the employees, facilities, equipment, systems and other resources of its Affiliates, including employees, facilities, equipment, systems and other resources shared by BNYM and its Affiliates, and BNYM may satisfy its obligations under this Agreement directly or through Affiliates.  References to employees, facilities, equipment, systems or other resources of BNYM in this Agreement shall mean employees, facilities, equipment, systems or other resources of BNYM and its Affiliates considered collectively.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 19(q) shall have the effect of transferring any obligation of BNYM to any other entity, including Affiliates.


(r)

Centralized Functions .  The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial organization that includes BNYM and provides services to clients through its affiliates and subsidiaries in multiple jurisdictions (the " BNY Mellon Group ").  The BNY Mellon Group may centralize functions including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, storage, compilation and analysis of customer-related data, and other functions (the " Centralized Functions ") in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries and third-party service providers subject to confidentiality obligations comparable to those provided for herein ("third party service providers").  Solely in connection with the Centralized Functions: (i) the Fund consents to the disclosure of and authorizes BNYM to disclose information regarding the Fund to the BNY Mellon Group and to its third-party service providers, and (ii) BNYM may store the names and business addresses of the Fund’s employees on the systems or in the records of the BNY Mellon Group or its third party service providers.




Page 37



(s)

No Interpretation Against A Party . All parties to the Agreement have had access to and use of legal counsel to the extent each has deemed sufficient and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any Claim or defense that this Agreement, or any provision of this Agreement, should be interpreted or construed against a party solely on the basis that the particular party drafted or was responsible for the drafting of the Agreement or a particular provision.


(t)

Funds Added After Effective Date .  Each Fund that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 16(b) or 20(l) agrees to be bound by all terms of this Agreement as if an original signatory hereto and, in addition, each Custody Client that becomes a party to this Agreement after the Effective Date further agrees to be bound by Appendix D as if an original signatory thereto.


(u)

Liability of Trustees, Officers and Shareholders. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Investment Company and signed by an authorized Officer thereof, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees 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, and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders of the Investment Company, but bind only the property of the Investment Company. No series or class of an Investment Company shall be liable for the obligations of another series or class.


(v)

Termination of Prior Agreement .  Immediately upon the execution of this Agreement the Prior Agreement shall cease to have any force or effect and be terminated and superseded in its entirety by this Agreement.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.


BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Eaton Vance Growth Trust

Eaton Vance Investment Trust

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust

By: /s/ Kenneth C. Roehner

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust

Name: Kenneth C. Roehner

Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc.

Eaton Vance Series Trust

Title: Managing Director

Eaton Vance Series Trust II

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust


On its own behalf and, individually and separately, but not jointly, on behalf of each Portfolio of the Investment Company listed on Schedule B to the Agreement



By: /s/ James F. Kirchner


Name: James F. Kirchner


Title: Treasurer




Page 38



SCHEDULE  A

Definitions


As used in this Agreement:          


" 1933 Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


" 1934 Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


" 1940 Act " means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


" Affiliate " means an entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the subject entity, with "control" for this purpose defined to mean direct or beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the equity interests of an entity and possession of the power to elect 50% or more of the entity's directors, trustees or similar persons performing policy-making functions.


" Authorized Person " means (i) with respect to the Fund, each individual identified to BNYM as an Authorized Person on the properly completed version of Schedule D most recently provided to BNYM, and (ii) with respect to BNYM, employees designated in writing as authorized to receive facsimile transmissions or emails, or both, as Written Instructions (as provided in the definition of Written Instructions).  Any limitation on the authority of an Authorized Person of the Fund to give Instructions must be expressly set forth in a written document signed by both parties.


" BNY Mellon Bank " means The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York chartered commercial bank and affiliate of BNYM, and its lawful successors and assigns.


" BNYM Trust " means BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company, an affiliate of BNYM, and its lawful successors and assigns.


" Bona Fide Reason " means a bona fide legal, commercial or business reason including by way of example and not limitation the following:


(i)

the course of conduct is not consistent or compliant with, is in conflict with, or requires a deviation from an Industry Standard or a Written Procedure;


(ii)

the course of conduct is not reasonably necessary or appropriate to or consistent with the services contemplated by this Agreement or constitutes a change to a service;


(iii)

the course of conduct is in conflict or inconsistent with or violates a law, rule, regulation, or order or legal process of any nature;


(iv)

the course of conduct is in conflict or inconsistent with or will violate a provision of this Agreement or constitutes a unilateral amendment of the Agreement;


(v)

the course of conduct imposes on BNYM a risk, cost, liability or obligation not contemplated by this Agreement with potentially adverse consequences to BNYM incurred from sources external to BNYM, including without limitation, for illustration and not limitation: sanction, criticism, fines, penalties, examination comments or special examination of a governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority; civil, criminal or regulatory action; a loss or downgrading of membership, participation or access rights or privileges in or to organizations providing common services to the financial services industry; or significant reputational harm.


(vi)

the course of conduct imposes on BNYM a risk, cost, liability or obligation not contemplated by this Agreement related to internal matters, such as, without limitation: imposes costs and expenses



Page 39


on BNYM that are not adequately recovered by payments the Fund indicates it is willing to pay and BNYM reasonably anticipates disputes over invoices; contemplates higher or additional performance standards; adds gain/loss, operational, strategic, compliance or credit risk; requires performance of a course of conduct customarily performed pursuant to a separate service or fee agreement; requires more than an incidental increase in the resources required to provide services to the Fund; or is reasonably likely to result in a diversion of resources or disruption in established work flows, course of operations or functioning of controls;


(vii)

the course of conduct requires technology, personnel with technological expertise, a technology service or product or another resource that is not available on a commercially reasonable basis or constitutes a service or function that is not closely related to services commonly performed by organizations acting as transfer agents, registrars, dividend disbursing agents and shareholder servicing agents to SEC-registered open-end investment companies; or


(viii)

BNYM lacks sufficient information, analysis or legal advice to determine that the conditions in clauses (iii) or (v) do not exist and the Funds and BNYM fail to reach agreement on a reasonable method of paying any expense of obtaining such information.


" Claim " means any claim, demand, suit, action, obligation, liability, suit, controversy, breach, proceeding or allegation of any nature, including any threat of any of the foregoing (including but not limited to those arising out of or related to this Agreement) and regardless of the form of action or legal theory or forum.


" Code " means: (i) when reference is made to a specific Section of the "Code" - the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, otherwise (ii) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated by the IRS under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the revenue rulings, revenue procedures, technical advice memorandums, notices and announcements published by the IRS with respect to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.


" conduct " or " course of conduct " means a single act, two or more acts, a single instance of an action not being taken or of forbearance given, two or more instances of an action not being taken or of forbearance given, or any combination of the foregoing.


" Deconversion " means the completion of the transfer of Fund data, information and records from the production database and production environment of the Fund in the BNYM System to the production database and production environment of the Fund in the computer system of a successor transfer agency services provider with the intention that on the next occurring business day such successor service provider will perform transfer agency services for the Fund utilizing such transferred data, information and records.


" Dedicated Personnel " means individuals employed by or under contract with BNYM whose primary duty is providing services to or on behalf of the Fund.


" DTCC " means the Depository Trust Clearing Corporation, and its successors and assigns.


" Eaton Vance " means Eaton Vance Management, a Massachusetts business trust.


" External Research " means consultation with and the written opinions, analysis, research or other work product of third party technical specialists, legal counsel or other advisors, consultants or professionals.


" FinCEN " means the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.


" Fund Communication " means any Instruction, direction, notice, instrument, data, file or other information or communication of whatsoever nature BNYM receives, or reasonably believes it received, from the Fund through a communications media of any nature, including without limitation communications media currently existing, such as telephone, facsimile transmission, telegraph, telegram, US Postal Service, personal delivery, private courier, commercial courier, electronic mail (email), private messaging systems,



Page 40


or messaging systems constituting part of an industry utility (such as the NSCC) service, and communications media that may be developed in the future.


" Fund Error " means the Fund or a third party acting on behalf of the Fund or conveying Fund data or information committing an error, furnishing inaccurate, incorrect or incomplete data or information to BNYM or the Custodian or by other act or omission requiring Remediation Services.


" Fund Shares " (see "Shares")


" Gain/Loss Policy " means the Eaton Vance Gain/Loss Standard Operating Policy executed between the parties simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, as such may be amended from time to time.


" in good order " means in accordance with all applicable requirements set forth in the Written Procedures, including receipt of any required supporting documentation.


" Instructions " means Oral Instructions and Written Instructions considered collectively or individually.


" Intellectual Property Rights " means copyright, patent, trade secret, trademark and any other proprietary or intellectual property rights.


" Internal Research " means consultation with and the written opinions, analysis, research or other work product of (i) individuals employed by or under contract with BNYM who are not Dedicated Personnel, and (ii) individuals who are Dedicated Personnel but the consultation or opinions, analysis, research or other work product is not incidental to the services performed by such individual for the Fund.


" IRS " means the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.


" Loss " and " Losses " means any one, or any series of related, losses, costs, damages, expenses, awards, judgments, assessments, fines, penalties, payments or payment obligations, reimbursements, adverse monetary consequences or monetary liabilities or obligations of any nature, including without limitation any of the foregoing arising out of any Claim or obligation to indemnify and defend, and all costs of litigation or threatened litigation such as but not limited to court costs, costs of counsel, discovery, experts, settlement and investigation.


" Loss Date " means the date of occurrence of the event or circumstance causing a particular Loss, or the date of occurrence of the first event or circumstance in a series of events or circumstances causing a particular Loss.


" NSCC " means the National Securities Clearing Corporation, and its successors and assigns.


" Oral Instruction " means an instruction (i) given to BNYM by voice in person, or in a person-to-person conversation over a telephone connection, by an Authorized Person of the Fund (or by a person reasonably believed by BNYM to be an Authorized Person of the Fund). BNYM may, in its sole discretion in each separate instance, consider and rely upon an instruction it receives from an Authorized Person via electronic mail as an Oral Instruction (unless the electronic mail satisfies the criteria, in the definition of Written Instruction, to constitute a Written Instruction, in which case it will constitute a Written Instruction).


" Portfolio " means each separate subdivision of the Investment Company, whether characterized or structured as a portfolio, tier, series or otherwise, but excludes classes unless for purposes of Sections 18(f)(1) and 18(f)(2) of the 1940 Act and Rules 18f-2 and 18f-3 promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act the class must be provided with rights and liabilities separate and distinct from all other subdivisions of a Fund.





Page 41



" Remediation Services " means the additional services required to be provided hereunder by BNYM or the Custodian in connection with a Fund Error in order to correct, remediate, adjust, reprocess, repeat, reverse or otherwise modify conduct previously taken in accordance with the Agreement to achieve the outcome originally intended by the previous conduct.


" Research " means either or both of External Research and Internal Research.


" SEC " means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


" Securities Laws " means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act.


" Services " means the services described in Section 3 and Schedule C of the Agreement.


" Shareholder Materials " means the Fund's prospectus, statement of additional information and any other materials relating to the Fund provided to Fund shareholders by the Fund.


" Shares " or " Fund Shares " means the shares or other units of beneficial interest of each Fund.


" Written Instruction " means:


(1)

a written instruction (i) which is a Standard Instruction, or if not a Standard Instruction, then an Accepted Non-Standard Instruction, (ii) which is signed by an Authorized Person of the Fund (or a person reasonably believed by BNYM to be an Authorized Person of the Fund), (iii) which is agreed to in writing by BNYM on the instrument containing the written instructions, if such signature is required by BNYM as part of a Standard Form, (iv) which is addressed to and received by BNYM, and (iv) which is delivered by (A) hand (personally by the signing Authorized Person or by a third party providing confirmation of receipt), (B) private messenger, U.S. Postal Service or overnight national courier which provides confirmation of receipt with respect to the particular delivery signed by the receiving party, or (C) facsimile sending device which provides automatic confirmation of the standard details of receipt if the facsimile transmission is sent to an Authorized Person of BNYM or to the Relationship Manager or Customer Service Officer of BNYM;


(2)

trade instructions transmitted to and received by BNYM by means of an electronic transaction reporting system which requires use of a password or other authorized identifier in order to gain access; and


(3)

electronic mail or "email" sent by an Authorized Person of the Fund to, and acknowledged by, an Authorized Person of BNYM.


" Written Procedures " means, collectively, Standard Procedures and Exception Procedures.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

(includes defined terms through Schedule A; excludes terms defined in Schedule C solely for Schedule C)


Term

Location

1933 Act

Schedule A

1934 Act

Schedule A

1940 Act

Schedule A

19(a) Statement

§ 3(a)(4)

314(a) Procedures

§ 3(b)(4)

90-Day Date

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(i)

90-Day Record

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(ii)

Accepted Non-Standard Instruction

§ 10(c)(iv)

Account

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(G)

Additional Fund

§ 19(l)

Affiliate

Schedule A



Page 42



Affiliated Third Party Institutions

§ 9(b)

Agreement

Preamble

AML

§ 3(b)(l)(A)

AML Services

§ 3(b)

Applicable Procedures

§ 3(a)(18)(c)

Appropriate List Matching Data

§ 3(b)(5)(C)

Authorized Person

Schedule A

Back-Up Facilities

§ 8

BNYM

Preamble

BNYM Account Documentation

§ 3(a)(12)(C)(iii)(bb)

BNY Mellon Bank

Schedule A

BNY Mellon Group

§ 19(r)

BNYM System

§ 3(d)

BNYM Trust

Schedule A

Bona Fide Reason

Schedule A

Breach Notice

§ 13(c)

Breach Termination Notice

§ 13(c)

Centralized Functions

§ 19(r)

Change in Control

§ 13(d)(1)(iii)

Check Matter

§ 11(i)

CIP Regulations

§ 3(b)(3)(A)

Claim

Schedule A

Code

Schedule A

Company Standards

§ 19(c)

Comparison Results

§ 3(b)(4)

conduct

Schedule A

Confidential Information

§ 4(b)

Controls

§ 3(c)(1)(i)

course of conduct

Schedule A

Covered Account

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(F)

Covered Person

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(D)

Custodian

§ 3(a)(12)(C)

Custodied Account

§ 3(a)(12)(A)(iii)

Customer

§ 3(b)(3)(A)(i)

Data Elements

§ 3(b)(3)(A)(i)

Deconversion

Schedule A

Deconversion Services

§ 13(e)(1)(B)(III)

Dedicated Personnel

Schedule A

Defaulting Party

§ 13(c)

Destruction Instructions

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(iii)

Direct Account

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(E)

Director

§ 3(b)(5)(A)(iii)

Dissolution Event

§ 9(g)

Document

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(iv)

DTCC

Schedule A

Eaton Vance

Schedule A

Effective Date

Preamble

Electronic Storage Facility

§ 3(a)(18)(d)

Eligible Assets

§ 3(a)(12)(A)(i)

Errant Securities Data

§ 11(h)

Evaluation Report

§ 3(c)(1)(iv)

ERR Effective Date

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(v)

Event Beyond Reasonable Control

§ 11(c)

Exception Procedure

§ 14(b)(iv)

External Research

Schedule A

FATCA

§ 3(a)(16)

FATCA Services

§ 3(a)(16)



Page 43



FATF Lists

§ 3(b)(5)(A)(ii)

Fee Agreement

§ 9(a)

Fees

§ 9(a)

FFI Regulations

§ 3(b)(2)(A)

Final Distribution

§ 9(g)

Final Expenses

§ 9(g)

FinCEN

Schedule A

Foreign Financial Institution

§ 3(b)(2)(A)(i)

Fund

Background

Fund AML Laws

§ 3(b)(10)

Fund Communication

Schedule A

Fund Custodian

§ 3(a)(1)(x)

Fund Data

§ 3(b)(5)(A)

Fund Error

Schedule A

Fund Registry

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(C)

Fund Shares

Schedule A

Gain/Loss Policy

Schedule A

Good Faith Estimate

§ 13(e)(1)(B)

Identification Data

§ 3(a)(15)(C)

Identity Theft

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(B)

IGO

§ 14(a)

Imaged Record

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(vi)

Implementing Communication

§ 10(a)(ii)

Ineligible Communication

§ 10(d)(1)

Industry Standard

§ 14(a)

Information Requests

§ 3(b)(4)

in good order

Schedule A

Initial Claim

§ 11(i)

Initial Term

§ 13(a)

Instructions

Schedule A

Intellectual Property Rights

Schedule A

Internal Research

Schedule A

Investment Company

Preamble

IRS

Schedule A

Legal Authority

§ 11(j)

Legal Process Item

§ 3(a)(14)

Liable Conduct

§ 11(a)

Loss, Losses

Schedule A

Loss Date

Schedule A

Lost Shareholder Rule

§ 3(a)(11)(A)

Massachusetts Privacy Regulation

§ 5

Material Event

§ 3(a)(12)(C)(i)

Monetary Benefits

§ 9(b)

New Service

§ 19(c)

NIGO

§ 14(a)

Non-Defaulting Party

§ 13(c)

Non-Renewal Notice

§ 13(b)(1)

Non-Required Records

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(vii)

Non-Standard Form

§ 10(i)

Non-Standard Instruction

§ 10(c)

Non-Standard Procedures

§ 14(b)

NQR

§ 3(a)(17)

NSCC

Schedule A

OFAC

§ 3(b)(5)(A)(i)

OFAC Lists

§ 3(b)(5)(A)(i)

Omnibus Conversions

§ 13(d)(2)

On-Site Period

§ 3(a)(18)(b)



Page 44



Oral Instruction

Schedule A

Original Document

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(viii)

Overdraft Amount

§ 9(c)(i)

Participant

§ 3(a)(12)(A)(ii)

Payment Date

§ 13(e)(1)

PMLC Determination

§ 3(b)(5)(A)(iii)

Portfolio

Schedule A

Possible Identity Theft

§ 3(c)(1)(iii)

Primary Facilities

§ 8

Print/Mail Components

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(i)

Print/Mail Technology Hours

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(ii)

Print/Mail Technology Resources

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(iii)

Print/Mail Technology Resources Number

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(iv)

Print/Mail Technology Services

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(v)

Prior Agreement

Background

Records

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(ix)

Red Flag

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(A)

Red Flags Requirements

§ 3(c)(2)

Red Flags Section

§ 3(c)(1)

Red Flags Services

§ 3(c)(1)

Registered Owner

§ 3(c)(1)(i)(C)

Regulations

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(x)

Reimbursable Expenses

§ 9(a)

Reimbursable Trailing Expenses

§ 13(e)(1)(B)(II)

Related Custodian Materials

§ 3(a)(12)(C)(v)

Related Parties

§ 3(a)(12)(C)(iii)(bb)

Remediation Services

Schedule A

Removed Accounts

§ 13(d)(2)

Removed Account Fee

§ 13(d)(2)

Renewal Term

§ 13(b)(1)

Required Records

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(xi)

Research

Schedule A

Response Failure

§ 10(h)

Scan, Scanned, Scanning

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(xii)

Scanned Document

§ 3(a)(18)(a)(xiii)

SEC

Schedule A

Securities Data

§ 11(h)

Securities Laws

Schedule A

Services

Schedule A

Service Accounts

§ 9(b)

Service Communications

§ 10(d)(2)

Service Indemnifications

§ 19(n)

Shareholder Materials

Schedule A

Shareholder Communications

§ 10(d)(2)

Shareholder Transactions

§ 13(d)(2)

Shares

Schedule A

Standard Form

§ 10(b)(ii)(B)

Standard Instruction

§ 10(b)(ii)

Standard Procedures

§ 14(a)

Storage Contractor

§ 3(a)(18)(b)

TA Components

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(vi)

TA Technology Hours

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(vii)

TA Technology Resources

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(viii)

TA Technology Resources Number

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(ix)

TA Technology Services

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(x)

Tax Advantaged Account

§ 3(a)(12)(A)(iv)

Technology Allocations

§ 3(a)(20)(b)



Page 45



Technology Hours

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(xi)

Technology Resources

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(xii)

Technology Services

§ 3(a)(20)(a)(xiii)

Third Party Institution

§ 9(b)

Trailing Services

§ 13(e)(1)(B)(I)

Transfer Date

§ 3(a)(12)(C)(iii)

UCC

§ 11(i)

UCC Program

§ 11(i)

UCITA

§ 19(f)

U.S. Government Lists

§ 3(b)(5)(A)

Written Instruction

Schedule A

Written Procedures

Schedule A


[End of Schedule A]



Page 46


SCHEDULE  B

(Dated: September 1, 2016)


THIS SCHEDULE B is Schedule B to that certain Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement dated as of September 1, 2016, between BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. and the following Funds, individually and separately, but not jointly.  


EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST

Eaton Vance Asian Small Companies Fund (Liquidated 1/27/15)*

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Select Equity Fund

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund

Eaton Vance Focused Growth Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance Focused International Opportunities Fund (Opened to public 12/16/15)

Eaton Vance Focused Value Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance Global Natural Resources Fund (Liquidated 10/29/15)*

Eaton Vance Global Opportunities Fund (Opened to public 12/17/15)

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

Eaton Vance Hexavest Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Eaton Vance Hexavest Global Equity Fund (Liquidated 9/18/15)*

Eaton Vance Hexavest International Equity Fund

Eaton Vance Hexavest U.S. Equity Fund

Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund (Opened to public 12/16/15)

Eaton Vance Multi-Cap Growth Fund

(merged into Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust - Eaton Vance Growth Fund, effective 2/27/15)*

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein All Asset Strategy Fund

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Equity Strategy Fund  

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Market Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

Parametric Balanced Risk Fund (Liquidated 8/28/15)*


EATON VANCE INVESTMENT TRUST

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Massachusetts Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance National Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Opportunities Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance New York Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund, effective 4/25/16)


EATON VANCE MUNICIPALS TRUST

Eaton Vance Arizona Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance California Municipal Opportunities Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Fund, effective 4/13/15)

Eaton Vance Connecticut Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Georgia Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Maryland Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Minnesota Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Missouri Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Municipal Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance North Carolina Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Oregon Municipal Income Fund



Page 47



EATON VANCE MUNICIPALS TRUST (continued)

Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance South Carolina Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Virginia Municipal Income Fund


EATON VANCE MUNICIPALS TRUST II

Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies 1-to-10 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

(Opened to public 5/4/15)

Eaton Vance Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund, effective 4/15/15)

Eaton Vance Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

(Opened to public 5/4/15)

Eaton Vance Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Municipal Bond Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund, effective 2/17/15)

Eaton Vance Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund, effective 2/17/15)


EATON VANCE MUTUAL FUNDS TRUST

Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Horizon Growth Fund

(merged into Eaton Vance Growth Trust - Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund, effective 12/4/15)*

Eaton Vance Core Plus Bond Fund (f/k/a Eaton Vance Build America Bond Fund, effective 4/13/15)

Eaton Vance Currency Income Advantage Fund

Eaton Vance Diversified Currency Income Fund  

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Fund

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate & High Income Fund

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Advantage Fund

Eaton Vance Global Income Builder Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Global Dividend Income Fund, effective 12/7/15)

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

Eaton Vance Global Macro Capital Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance Government Obligations Fund

Eaton Vance High Income Opportunities Fund

Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy Absolute Return Fund

Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy All Market Fund

Eaton Vance Short Duration Government Income Fund

Eaton Vance Short Duration High Income Fund

Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

Eaton Vance Stock Fund

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Dividend Income Fund

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Small-Cap Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund, effective 8/7/15)

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.1

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.2

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Growth Fund



Page 48



EATON VANCE MUTUAL FUNDS TRUST (continued)

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Value Fund

Eaton Vance U.S. Government Money Market Fund (liquidated 10/29/15)*

Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund  

Parametric Dividend Income Fund

Parametric Emerging Markets Core Fund  

Parametric Emerging Markets Fund

Parametric Global Small-Cap Fund

Parametric International Equity Fund

Parametric Tax-Managed International Equity Fund  


EATON VANCE SERIES FUND, INC.

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Institutional Emerging Markets Debt Fund, effective 9/3/15)


EATON VANCE SERIES TRUST

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.0


EATON VANCE SERIES TRUST II

Eaton Vance Income Fund of Boston

Parametric Tax-Managed Emerging Markets Fund  


EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund

Eaton Vance Bond Fund

Eaton Vance Bond Fund  II   (liquidated 4/21/16)*

Eaton Vance Commodity Strategy Fund

Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (f/k/a Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund, effective 5/1/15)

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund

Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund

(f/k/a Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund, effective 7/6/15)

Eaton Vance Greater India Fund

Eaton Vance Growth Fund

Eaton Vance Hedged Stock Fund

(added to Schedule B as of the date indicated above, but date opened to public not known)

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund

Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund

Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Equity Option Fund

(not active fund, will be removed from future versions of Schedule B, effective date of inactive status not known)

Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund

Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund

Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund

Parametric Absolute Return Fund  


*

Will be removed from future versions of this Schedule B.




Page 49


SCHEDULE  C


Terms And Conditions Governing Use Of The BNYM System


SECTION 0.

GENERAL


0.1

Capitalized Terms.  Capitalized terms not defined in this Schedule C shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Main Agreement.  Capitalized terms defined in this Schedule C shall have that meaning solely in this Schedule C and not in any other part of the Agreement unless expressly stated otherwise in a specific instance. References to Section numbers in this Schedule C shall mean Sections of this Schedule C unless expressly stated otherwise in a specific instance. References to the "Agreement" in this Schedule C means the Main Agreement and this Schedule C.


0.2

Purpose.  BNYM utilizes some components of the BNYM System to perform the Core Services.  But BNYM does not utilize all components of the BNYM System to provide the Core Services.  Some components of the BNYM System are maintained by BNYM and offered to customers solely to permit customers to access the data and information maintained in the BNYM System in connection with the Core Services and put it to additional uses.  Consequently, Company is given rights pursuant to this Schedule C (i) to access and use components of the BNYM System, from the Company System (as defined in Section 2.7), to engage in activities that are separate and distinct and apart from the activities engaged in by BNYM to provide the Core Services, and (ii) to authorize third parties, the "Permitted Users", to access and use certain Component Systems to engage in activities that are also separate and distinct and apart from the activities engaged in by BNYM to provide the Core Services.  Such access and use of the BNYM System by Company from the Company System and by Permitted Users may include the ability to input data and information into the BNYM System that BNYM utilizes in performing the Core Services but which is not required for BNYM to perform the Core Services.  This ability of Company and Permitted Users to access and use the BNYM System represents a service offered by BNYM that is supplemental to the Core Services. No access to or use of the BNYM System by Company or Permitted Users is permitted, required or contemplated by the Core Services or the Main Agreement. This Schedule C governs solely those supplemental services offered by BNYM and Company's use of them.


SECTION 1.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS


" Authorized Person " means the employees of Company and Permitted Users who have been authorized by the Company in accordance with the applicable Documentation and procedures of BNYM to access and use the Licensed System or specific Component Systems and in connection with such access and use to be issued Security Codes (as defined at Section 2.6(b) below).


" BNYM Web Application " means with respect to a relevant Component System the collection of electronic documents and files, content, text, graphics, processes, functions, and software code, including, but not limited to, HTML and XML files, Java and JavaScript files, graphics files, animation files, data, technology, scripts, programs, interfaces and databases residing on a computer system maintained by or for BNYM, accessible via the Internet at an Internet address furnished by BNYM for use of the particular Component System.


" Company " means a Fund.


" Company Data " means (i) data and information regarding each Fund and the shareholders and shareholder accounts of each Fund which is inputted into the Licensed System and the content of records, files and reports generated from such data and information by the Licensed System, and (ii) Company 22c-2 Data (as defined in Section 6.15(a) of this Schedule C).


" Company Web Application " means the collection of electronic documents and files, content, text, graphics, processes, functions, and software code, including, but not limited to, HTML and XML files, Java and JavaScript files, graphics files, animation files, data, technology, scripts, programs, interfaces and databases residing on a computer system maintained by or for the Company, connected to the Internet and utilized by the Company in connection with its use of a Component System as contemplated by applicable Documentation.


" Component System " means, as of its relevant Component Effective Date, each Listed System and each Support Function that is part of the Licensed System and, subsequent to a relevant Component Effective Date, such Listed Systems and Support Functions as they may be changed as provided in subsection (b) of the definition of Licensed System.




Page 50



" Copy " , whether or not capitalized, means any paper, disk, tape, film, memory device, or other material or object on or in which any words, object code, source code or other symbols are written, recorded or encoded, whether permanent or transitory.


" Core Services " means the services described in the Main Agreement that BNYM is obligated to perform for Company (for clarification: excluding the products and services provided pursuant to this Schedule C).


" Documentation " means any user manuals, reference guides, specifications, documentation, instruction materials and similar recorded data and information, whether in electronic or physical output form, that BNYM makes available to, provides access to or provides to the Company, and that describe how the Licensed System is to be operated by users and set forth the features, functionalities, user responsibilities, procedures, commands, requirements, limitations and capabilities of and similar information about the Licensed System.


" Exhibit 1 " means Exhibit 1 to this Schedule C.


" Employee " and " employee " means officers and any employees of the Fund and officers and employees of Related Entities.


" General Upgrade " means (i) an Upgrade that BNYM in its sole and absolute discretion incorporates into the Licensed System at no additional fees or charges to Company, and (ii) an Upgrade that BNYM offers to incorporate into the Licensed System without charge or at such additional fees and charges as the parties shall agree in writing and that Company accepts for incorporation into the Licensed System.


" Harmful Code " means any computer code, software routine, or programming device designed to (a) disable, disrupt, impair, delete, damage, corrupt, reprogram, recode or modify in any way a computer processing system, computer network, computer service, a deliverable for any of the foregoing, interface, data, files, software, storage media, or computer or electronic hardware or equipment (sometimes referred to as a "Trojan horse," "worm," "virus", "preventative routine," "disabling code," or "cookie" devices); (b) impair in any way the operation of any of the foregoing based on the elapsing of a period of time, advancement of a particular date or other numeral (sometimes referred to as "time bombs," "time locks," or "drop dead" devices); or (c) permit a non-authorized party to access, transmit or utilize, as appropriate, any computer processing system, computer network, computer service, deliverable for any of the foregoing, interface, data, files, software, storage media, or computer or electronic hardware or equipment without proper consent (sometimes referred to as "lockups," "traps," "access codes," or "trap door" devices); or (d) any other similar harmful or hidden procedures, routines or mechanisms.


" Intellectual Property Rights " means all intellectual property rights throughout the world, including copyrights, patents, mask works, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable), know how, authors’ rights, rights of attribution, and other proprietary rights and all applications and rights to apply for registration or protection of such rights and the legal rights, interests and protections afforded under applicable patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property laws.


" Component Effective Date " means, with respect to each Component System of the Licensed System that Company is given the right to access and use, the date as of which the Company is first given such right to access and use.


" Licensed Services " means all functions performed by the Licensed System.


" Licensed System " means, collectively:


(a)

as of its applicable Component Effective Date, any one or more of the following: (i) any Listed System to which the Company is given access to and use of by BNYM in its entirety; and (ii) any " Support Function " , which is hereby defined to mean any system, subsystem, software, program, application, interface, process, subprogram, series of commands or function, regardless of the degree of separability from or integration with a Listed System, that Company is given access to and use of to support its utilization of a Listed System - items within "Support Function" and this clause (ii) could be one or more parts of a Listed System or could be items which exist apart from any Listed System but which are provided to support utilization of a Listed System.


(b)

Updates, General Upgrades and Company Modifications (as defined at Section 2.16) to the Listed Systems included within clause (a)(i) above and the systems, subsystems, software, programs, applications, interfaces, processes, subprograms, series of commands and functions included within clause (a)(ii) above.




Page 51



" Listed Systems " means the computer systems listed on Exhibit 1, whether mainframe systems, surround systems, subsystems or component systems, and in the case of the NSCC and CMS means as well the separate and distinct component systems of NSCC and CMS that BNYM may give Company access to and use of at Company's request in lieu of access to and use of the entire NSCC or CMS.


" Main Agreement " means all parts of this Agreement other than this Schedule C.


" Marks " means trademarks, service marks and trade names as those terms are generally understood under applicable intellectual property laws and any other marks, names, words or expressions of a similar character.


" Permitted User " means a person other than an employee of the Company who is authorized by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(ii) and all applicable Documentation to access and use one or more specific Component Systems (for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to the definition of Employee, this may include properly authorized employees of Eaton Vance Management, a Related Party).


" Product Assistance " means assistance provided by BNYM personnel regarding the Licensed System, including regarding its impact on other software, functionality, usage and integration.


" Proprietary Items " means:


(a)

(i) All contents of the Listed Systems, (ii) all systems, subsystems, software, programs, applications, interfaces, processes, subprograms, series of commands or functions, regardless of the degree of separability from or integration with a Listed System, and whether or not part of a Listed System, that BNYM may at any time provide any customer with access to and use of to support the customer's s utilization of a Listed System, including the Support Functions,  (iii) all systems, subsystems, software, programs, applications, interfaces, processes, subprograms, series of commands or functions which BNYM utilizes in providing any of the services, or engaging in any of the activities, contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) all systems, subsystems, software, programs, applications, interfaces, processes, subprograms, series of commands or functions owned, leased, licensed or sublicensed by BNYM which interface with, provide data to or receive data from any of the foregoing, and (v) all updates, upgrades, revisions, modifications, refinements, releases, versions, instances, translations, enhancements and improvements to and of all or any part of the foregoing, whether in existence on, or occurring prior to or subsequent to, the Effective Date (collectively, the " BNYM Software " );


(b)

all facilities, central processing units, nodes, equipment, storage devices, peripherals and hardware utilized by BNYM in connection with the BNYM Software (the " BNYM Equipment " );


(c)

all documentation materials relating to the BNYM Software, including materials describing functions, capabilities, dependencies and responsibilities for proper operation of the Licensed System, including the Documentation, and all updates, upgrades, revisions, modifications, refinements, releases, versions, translations, enhancements and improvements to or of all or any part of foregoing (the " BNYM Documentation " , and together with the BNYM Software and the BNYM Equipment, the " System " or the " BNYM System " ) and all versions of the BNYM System as they may exist after the Effective Date or may have existed at any time prior to the Effective Date;


(d)

all methods, concepts, visual expressions, screen formats, file and report formats, interactivity techniques, engine protocols, models and design features used in the BNYM System;


(e)

source code and object code for all of the foregoing, as applicable;


(f)

all derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patents, copyrights, patentable or copyrightable items and trade secrets prepared or furnished by or for BNYM in connection with the performance of the services or in connection with any activities of the parties related to this Agreement;


(g)

all materials related to the testing, implementation, support and maintenance of all of the foregoing;


(h)

all other documentation, manuals, tutorials, guides, instructions, policy and procedure documents and other materials in any recorded medium prepared or furnished by or for BNYM in connection with the performance of the Licensed Services or in connection with any activities of the parties related this Agreement;






Page 52



(i)

the contents of all databases and other data and information of whatsoever nature in the BNYM System, other than Company Data, whether residing in the BNYM System or existing outside the BNYM System in recorded form whether in hardcopy, electronic or other format; and


(j)

all copies of any of the foregoing in any form, format or medium.


" Related Entity " means an entity that is not a competitor of BNYM in the transfer agency or omnibus subaccounting services business that provides investment advisory, investment management or administrative services to the Fund pursuant to one or more material agreements between the Fund and such entity filed with the SEC (or, if the Fund is not registered with the SEC, pursuant to one or more material agreements that would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Fund were registered with the SEC).


" Terms of Use " means any privacy policy, terms of use or other terms and conditions made applicable by BNYM in connection with the Company's or a Permitted User's access to and use of a Component System or a BNYM Web Application or other access site or access method.


" Third Party Products " means the products or services of parties other than BNYM that constitute part of the Licensed System.


" Third Party Provider " means licensors, subcontractors and suppliers of BNYM furnishing the Third Party Products.


" United States " means the states and the District of Columbia of the United States.


" Update " means a modification to a Component System necessary to maintain the operation of the Component System in compliance with the Documentation in effect as of the Component System's applicable Component Effective Date and includes without limitation modifications correcting any design or operational errors in the Component System and modifications enabling the Component System to be operated in any revised operating environment issued by BNYM and excludes Upgrades.


" Upgrade " means an enhancement to a Component System as it exists on its applicable Component Effective Date, new features and new functionalities added to the Component System as it exists on its applicable Component Effective Date, and all revisions, modifications, refinements, releases, enhancements and improvements to a Component System as it exists on its applicable Component Effective Date which change the operation of Component System rather than just bring it into compliance with the applicable Documentation.


SECTION 2.

ACCESS AND USE RIGHTS AND COMPANY OBLIGATIONS


2.1

Access And Use Rights .  


(a)

(i)

BNYM hereby grants to Company a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and use the Licensed System in the United States through its employees (other than as expressly permitted otherwise by Section 2.1(a)(ii) below), solely in accordance with applicable Documentation, through the interfaces and telecommunication lines designated by BNYM, strictly for the internal business purposes of the Company, solely in support of the Core Services and solely for so long as any applicable fees are paid by Company.  


(ii)

The right granted by Section 2.1(a)(i) includes, where such access and use is expressly contemplated by the Documentation applicable to a particular Component System to which the Company has been given access and use, the right to authorize persons not employees of the Company to access and use in the United States the specified Component System strictly in compliance with applicable Documentation, through the interfaces and telecommunication lines designated by BNYM, solely in support of the Core Services and solely for so long as any applicable fees are paid by Company. Except with respect to Fund shareholders seeking to access IAM, to exercise the right contained in this Section 2.1(a)(ii) the Company must designate such persons to BNYM and approve them in a writing that conforms to the requirements of applicable Documentation and procedures of BNYM and furnish any information reasonably requested by BNYM and otherwise cooperate in complying with reasonable system access procedures established by BNYM. Access to IAM for Fund shareholders shall occur in accordance with the Documentation applicable to IAM.  Upon the exercise by Company of the right contained in this Section 2.1(a)(ii), the term Company shall be redefined for all purposes of this Agreement to mean the Company and all Permitted Users, individually and collectively, unless in an individual case the context clearly requires that the definition be restricted solely to the Company.




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(iii)

Company may not, and shall not, under any circumstances grant any license or sublicense to any right granted by this Section 2.1 or subcontract or delegate any right granted by this Section 2.1 or use the Licensed System to provide services to third parties, other than shareholders of its Funds, or for any other purpose other than that described in Sections 2.1(a)(i) and (ii) and 2.1(b).


(b)

BNYM hereby grants to each of the Company, through its officers, and Eaton Vance as a Permitted User, through its employees, a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to access and use the Licensed System and Documentation from outside the United States, solely in accordance with applicable Documentation, by first establishing connectivity with the computer system of Company or Eaton Vance located in the United States, and accessing and using the Licensed System through such connection and through the interfaces and telecommunication lines designated by BNYM for the access and use by the Company in the United States pursuant to Section (a)(i), strictly for the internal business purposes of the Company and Eaton Vance, solely in support of the Core Services and solely for so long as any applicable fees are paid by Company, provided the Company or Eaton Vance gives at least thirty (30) days advance notice of such to BNYM and BNYM consents in writing (an email is writing for this purpose) to the access and use.  BNYM may not unreasonably withhold or delay such consent.  It shall be reasonable for BNYM to withhold such consent if in its reasonable judgment such access and use (A) would involve the export of Proprietary Items other than the Documentation, (B) would subject BNYM to taxation or other liabilities in a jurisdiction outside the United States, (C) would be a violation of any applicable law, regulation, order or other legal authority, or (D) would occur in a "Prohibited Country", which is hereby defined to be Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and any other country that by action of the US Government (by Executive Order or other binding Presidential pronouncement, by law or by action taken by any agency, unit, department or instrumentality of the US Government) becomes (i) subject to US export controls for anti-terrorism reasons, or (ii) a country with which US citizens are prohibited from engaging in financial or other transactions.  BNYM hereby waives advance notice of and consents to access and use from the United Kingdom or Ireland.  BNYM may revoke a consent it has given in or pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) upon notice to the Company or Eaton Vance if in its reasonable judgment it determines that any one of the circumstances described in clauses (A) through (D) above have become applicable to particular access and use from outside the United States. For clarification: the license granted by this Section 2.1(b) does not include the right to authorize persons who are not officers of the Company and not employees of Eaton Vance to access and use the Licensed System.


(c)

The Company shall be responsible and liable for compliance by Permitted Users with all applicable terms of the Agreement as if the Permitted Users were its own employees. Upon termination of the Main Agreement, all authorizations of Permitted Users by the Company immediately shall be terminated by BNYM.  


(d)

The grant of rights in this Section 2.1 shall be construed narrowly.  No right is conferred hereunder to Company or to any other party, except the right expressly provided for in this Section 2.1.  The rights granted by this Section 2.1 shall immediately terminate without further action required on anyone's part, including without prior notification, upon the termination or expiration of the Agreement.  BNYM and its licensors reserve all rights in the BNYM System not expressly granted to Company in this Section 2.1.  Nothing in this Section 2.1 shall be construed to give Company rights of any nature in source code.  The rights granted to Company by this Section 2.1 are sometimes referred to herein as the " Licensed Rights " .


(e)

For clarification:


Company may be given access to and use of a Listed System which contains integration points or links to one or more Support Functions that are part of a Listed System to which the Company has not been given access and use ( " Linked Functions " ).  The Licensed Rights granted by this Section 2.1 to access and use a particular Listed System containing integration points or links to Linked Functions includes the right to access and use such Linked Functions, does not include the right to use the entire Listed System containing the Linked Functions or other subsystems, software, programs, applications, interfaces, processes, subprograms, series of commands or functions in that Listed System.  To the extent exercise of Licensed Rights hereunder inadvertently or otherwise results in access to or use of a Component System or other system, subsystem, software, program, application, interface, process, subprogram, series of commands or function which is not part of the its Licensed System, all terms of this Agreement shall apply to such access and use.


2.2

Documentation .  Company shall use the Licensed System solely and strictly in accordance and compliance with the Documentation provided or made available to Company by BNYM from time to time and any specifications contained therein.  Company may use only the number of copies of the Documentation that are provided to Company and may not make any additional copies of such Documentation, except that Company may copy the Documentation to the extent reasonably necessary for use in training, routine backup and disaster recovery purposes and upon request



Page 54


of an applicable regulatory authority.  Company shall pay BNYM such fees as it has established for copies of the Documentation, if any, as listed in the Fee Agreement.


2.3

Third Party Software and Services .  Company acknowledges that Third Party Products may constitute part of the Licensed System.  Company's use of Third Party Products shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided , however , access, use, maintenance and support of Third Party Products made available to Company after an applicable Component Effective Date may be conditioned upon Company's execution of an agreement with the applicable Third Party Provider ( " Third Party Agreement " ) which would provide for certain rights and obligations between the Company and the Third Party Provider ( " Direct Third Party Product " ), in which case the terms of the Third Party Agreement will also apply to Company's use of the particular Third Party Product. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentences of this Section 2.3, Company acknowledges that BNYM is not responsible for, nor does BNYM warrant the performance or other features of, nor can it fix errors or defects in, third party software and services and BNYM's sole obligation with respect to third party software and services is to inform the third party of any errors, defects, deficiencies or other matters regarding the third party software and services of which BNYM is made aware by Company and to request and pursue in a commercially reasonable manner remediation of the errors, defects or deficiencies by the third party to the extent BNYM reasonably determines remediation to be available pursuant to the terms of BNYM's agreement with the third party.


2.4

Compliance With Applicable Law .  Company shall comply with all laws, regulations, rules and orders of whatsoever nature of governmental bodies and authorities (whether legislative, executive, independent, self-regulatory or otherwise) applicable to the business or activities in connection with which it utilizes the Licensed System.


2.5

Responsibility For Use .  


(a)

The Company alone will be responsible for furnishing, or arranging for a third party to furnish, all data and information required by the Documentation and the specifications therein for the Licensed System to function and perform in accordance with the Documentation, other than the data and information residing in the Licensed System in connection with BNYM's performance of the Core Services.  BNYM shall have no liability or responsibility for any Loss caused in whole or in part by the Company's or a Permitted User's exercise of the Licensed Rights or use of the Licensed System or by data or information of any nature inputted into the Licensed System by or under the direction or authorization of Company or a Permitted User; provided , however , this Section 2.5 shall not relieve BNYM of its obligation to act in accordance with its obligations under the Main Agreement. Company shall be responsible and solely liable for the cost or expense of regenerating any output or other remedial action if the Company, a Permitted User or an agent of either shall have failed to transmit properly and in the correct format any data or information, shall have transmitted erroneous or incorrect information or data, or shall have failed to timely verify or reconcile any such data or information when it is generated by the Licensed System ( " Data Faults " ).


(b)

Company agrees that it will adopt commercially reasonable procedures and controls to ensure that the data transmitted to the Licensed System by or under the direction or authorization of Company or Permitted Users will not disrupt, disable, harm, or otherwise impede in any manner the operation of the Licensed System or any associated software, firmware, hardware, or BNYM computer system or network.


2.6

Internal Control Obligations .


(a)

Company shall adopt and implement commercially reasonable internal control procedures regarding the use of the Licensed System, which internal control procedures shall be reasonably designed to ensure that any use of the Licensed System complies with (i) Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, 2.12, 2.17, 2.20 and 3.4 of this Schedule C, and (ii) applicable Documentation.  


(b)

Company shall establish and adhere to security policies and procedures intended to (i) safeguard the Licensed System from unauthorized or improper access and use from equipment utilized by the Company, (ii) safeguard the integrity and validity of any user identifications, passwords, mnemonics, security images, security questions and answers, tokens, supertokens and any other data elements intended to safeguard the information in or the operation of the Licensed System or any Component System in any manner from unauthorized users ( " Security Codes " ), and (iii) prevent unauthorized access to and protect electronically stored, processed or transmitted information.  Such policies and procedures shall be at least equal to industry standards and any higher standard agreed upon by the Company and BNYM.


(c)

Unless Company obtains prior written permission from BNYM, Company shall permit only Authorized Persons to use Security Codes assigned to or selected by Company with respect to the Licensed System. The Security Codes shall constitute Confidential Information of both Company and BNYM under the Agreement subject to all



Page 55


obligations thereunder, and Company shall not permit access to Security Codes to any person other than Authorized Persons. Company shall notify BNYM immediately if Company has reason to believe that any person who is not an Authorized Person has obtained access to a Security Code or accessed or used the Licensed System, that an Authorized Person has accessed or used the Licensed System using Security Codes not assigned to that Authorized Person, that any other loss of confidentiality with respect to a Security Code has occurred or the security of the Licensed System has otherwise been breached. BNYM shall not be responsible or liable for any unauthorized use of valid Security Codes assigned to Authorized Persons or Permitted Users.


(d)

Company shall verify and confirm all information entered on the Licensed System and shall notify BNYM of any error in any information entered on the Licensed System as soon as practicable following Company's knowledge of such error.  


(e)

Company will not recirculate, redistribute or otherwise retransmit or re-rout the Licensed System to any third party or authorize the use of any information included on the Licensed System on any equipment or display not authorized by BNYM without BNYM's prior express written approval.


2.7

Company Resources .  


(a)

Company will be solely responsible, at Company's expense, for procuring, maintaining, and supporting all third-party software other than Third Party Products and all workstations, personal computers, printers, controllers or other hardware or peripheral equipment at Company's sites (" Company System ") required for Company to operate the Licensed System in accordance with the Documentation and specifications provided by BNYM from time to time.  BNYM will provide Company with specifications for Company System, including any requirements relating to the connection and operation of the Company System with the Licensed System and Third Party Products.  Company shall conform its operating system environment to the operating system requirements provided by BNYM for the Licensed System.  Company will support and maintain the Company System as necessary to ensure its operation does not impact the Licensed System adversely or otherwise in a manner not contemplated by the Documentation.


(b)

Company shall, at its own expense, devote such of the Company System and other equipment, facilities, personnel and resources reasonably necessary to (a) implement the Licensed System, (b) be trained in the use of the Licensed System, (c) perform timely any electrical work and cable installation necessary for Company's use of the Licensed System, and (d) begin using the Licensed System on a timely basis.  BNYM shall not be responsible for any delays or fees and costs associated with Company's failure to timely perform its obligations under this Section 2.7.


2.8

Company Telecommunications and Data Transmissions .  Company will be solely responsible for complying at all times with telecommunications requirements designated by BNYM for use of the Licensed System.  Any data or information electronically transmitted by or on behalf of Company to the Licensed System will be so transmitted solely and exclusively in the format specified by BNYM.


2.9

[Reserved]


2.10

Certifications and Audits .  Company shall promptly complete and return to BNYM any certifications which BNYM in its sole reasonable discretion may from time to time send to Company, certifying that Company is using the Licensed System in material compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  BNYM may, at its expense and after giving reasonable advance written notice to Company, enter Company locations during normal business hours and audit Company's utilization of the Licensed System, the number of copies of the Documentation in Company's possession, and the scope of use and information pertaining to Company's compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.  The foregoing right may be exercised directly by BNYM or by delegation to an independent auditor acting on its behalf.


2.11

Taxes .  The amounts payable by Company to BNYM in consideration of the performance of services by BNYM under the Agreement, including providing access to and use of the Licensed System pursuant to this Schedule C, do not include, and Company will timely pay, all federal, state and local taxes based on Company's use of the Licensed System or receipt of Documentation (including sales, use, excise and property taxes), if any, assessed or imposed in connection therewith, excluding any taxes imposed upon BNYM based upon BNYM's net income.  BNYM undertakes to inform the Company of any such tax promptly upon receiving notification from any taxing jurisdiction.




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2.12

Use Restrictions .  


(a)

Company will not do or attempt to do, and Company will not knowingly or negligently permit any other person or entity to do or attempt to do, any of the following, directly or indirectly:


(i)

use or access or attempt to use or access any Proprietary Item for any purpose, at any location or in any manner not specifically authorized by this Agreement;

(ii)

make or retain any copy of any Proprietary Item except as specifically authorized by this Agreement;

(iii)

create, recreate or obtain the source code for any Proprietary Item;

(iv)

refer to or otherwise use any Proprietary Item as part of any effort to develop other software, programs, applications, interfaces or functionalities or to compete with BNYM or a Third Party Provider;

(v)

modify, adapt, translate or create derivative works based upon any Proprietary Item, or combine or merge any Proprietary Item or part thereof with or into any other product or service not provided for in this Agreement and not authorized in writing by BNYM;

 (vi)

remove, erase or tamper with any copyright or other proprietary notice printed or stamped on, affixed to, or encoded or recorded in any Proprietary Item, or fail to preserve all copyright and other proprietary notices in any copy of any Proprietary Item made by Company;

(vii)

sell, transfer, assign or otherwise convey in any manner any ownership interest or Intellectual Property Right of BNYM, or market, license, sublicense, distribute or otherwise grant, or subcontract or delegate to any other person, including outsourcers, vendors, consultants, joint venturers and partners, any right to access or use any Proprietary Item, whether on Company's behalf or otherwise;

(viii)

subcontract for or delegate the performance of any act or function involved in accessing or using any Proprietary Item, whether on Company's behalf or otherwise;

(ix)

reverse engineer, re-engineer, decrypt, disassemble, decompile, decipher, reconstruct, re-orient or modify the circuit design, algorithms, logic, source code, object code or program code or any other properties, attributes, features or constituent parts of any Proprietary Item;

(x)

take any action that would challenge, contest, impair or otherwise adversely effect an ownership interest or Intellectual Property Right of BNYM, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to impair Company’s rights to define and defend intellectual property rights in Company Data;

(xi)

use any Proprietary Item to provide remote processing, network processing, network communications, a service bureau or time sharing operation, or services similar to any of the foregoing to any person or entity, whether on a fee basis or otherwise;

(xii)

allow Harmful Code into any Proprietary Item, as applicable, or into any interface or other software or program provided by it to BNYM, through Company's systems or personnel or Company's use of the Licensed Services or Company's activities in connection with this Agreement; or

(xiii)

engage in or attempt to engage in penetration testing or "ethical hacking" of the BNYM System or otherwise engage in or attempt to engage in any activity to use, access or test or expose the BNYM System other than access and use in accordance with the security measures and access methods maintained by BNYM at the time.


(b)

Company shall, promptly after becoming aware of such, notify BNYM of any facts, circumstances or events that are reasonably likely to constitute or result in an activity described in Section 2.12(a), and take all reasonable steps requested by BNYM to prevent, control, remediate or remedy any such facts, circumstances or events or any future occurrence of such facts, circumstances or events.


2.13

Restricted Party Status .  Company warrants at all times that it is not a " Restricted Party " , which shall be defined to mean any person or entity: (i) located in or a national of Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, or any other countries that may, from time to time, become subject to U.S. export controls for anti-terrorism reasons or with which U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in financial transactions; (ii) on the U.S. Department of Commerce Denied Person's List, Entity List, or Unverified List; U.S. Department of the Treasury list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons; or U.S. Department of State List of Debarred Parties; (iii) engaged in activities involving nuclear materials or weapons, missile or rocket technologies, or proliferation of chemical or biological weapons; (iv) affiliated with or a part of any non-U.S. military organization, or (v) designated by the U.S. Government to have a status equivalent to any of the foregoing.  If Company becomes a Restricted Party during the term of this Agreement, the Licensed Rights shall terminate immediately without notice and Company shall have no further rights to use the Licensed System.




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2.14

Mitigation Measures .  Company shall take commercially reasonable measures (except measures causing it to incur out-of-pocket expenses which BNYM does not agree in advance to reimburse) to mitigate losses or potential losses to BNYM, including taking verification, validation and reconciliation measures that are commercially reasonable or standard practice in the Company's business.


2.15

Company Dependencies .  To the extent an obligation of BNYM under this Schedule C is dependent and contingent upon Company's or Permitted User's performance of an action or refraining from performing an action that has been specified or described in this Schedule C or the Documentation or that is part of practices and procedures which are commercially reasonable or standard in the user's industry ( " Company Dependency " ), BNYM shall not be liable for Loss to the extent caused by or resulting from, or that could have been avoided but for, a failure to properly perform or a delay in properly performing a Company Dependency and BNYM's obligation to perform an obligation contemplated by this Agreement shall be waived or delayed to the extent the performance of the related Company Dependency is not properly performed or is delayed, provided that any failure to properly perform or a delay in properly performing a Company Dependency is not the result of BNYM’s failure to act in accordance with its obligations under the Main Agreement or this Schedule D.


2.16

Software Modifications .  Company may request that BNYM, at Company's expense, develop modifications to the software constituting a part of the Licensed System that BNYM generally makes available to customers for modification ( " Software " ) that are required to adapt the Software for Company's unique business requirements.  Such requests, containing the material features and functionalities of all such modifications in reasonable detail, will be submitted by Company in writing to BNYM in accordance with the applicable, commercially reasonable procedures maintained by BNYM at the time of the request.  Company shall be solely responsible for preparing, reviewing and verifying the accuracy and completeness of the business specifications and requirements relied upon by BNYM to estimate, design and develop such modifications to the Software.  BNYM shall have no obligation to develop modifications to the Licensed System requested by Company, but may in its discretion agree to develop requested modifications which it, in its sole discretion, reasonably determines it can accomplish with existing resources or with readily obtainable resources without disruption of normal business operations provided Company agrees at such time in writing to pay all costs and expenses, including out-of-pocket expenses, associated with the customized modification.  BNYM shall be obligated to develop modifications under this Section 2.16 only upon the execution of and in accordance with a writing containing, to BNYM's reasonable satisfaction, all necessary business and technical terms, specifications and requirements for the modification as determined by BNYM in its sole judgment ( " Customization Order " ) and Company's agreement to pay all costs and expenses, including out-of-pocket expenses, associated with the customized modification ( " Customization Fee Agreement " ).   All modifications developed and incorporated into the Licensed System pursuant to a Customization Order are referred to herein as " Company Modifications " .  BNYM may make Company Modifications available to all users of the Licensed System, including BNYM, at any time after implementation of the particular Company Modification and any entitlement of Company to reimbursement on account of such action must be contained in the Customization Fee Agreement.  


2.17

Export of Software .  Except as expressly provided otherwise by Section 2.1(b):


The Company and Permitted Users are without exception prohibited from (i) accessing or using the BNYM System outside the United States, or (ii) exporting, transmitting, transferring or shipping any Proprietary Item to a country or jurisdiction outside the United States.  No provision of the Agreement shall be interpreted to require BNYM to permit access or use outside the United States or to export any Proprietary Item to a country or jurisdiction outside the United States. The Company shall comply with all applicable export and re-export restrictions and regulations of the U.S. Department of Commerce or other U.S. agency or authority and the Company may not transfer a Proprietary Item in violation of any such restrictions and regulations.


2.18

Permitted Users Contemplated By Documentation .  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, to the extent Documentation applicable to a particular Component System contemplates that Company Data will be transmitted or transferred to a Permitted User outside the BNYM System, that Company Data will be made available within the BNYM System for retrieval by a Permitted User for use outside the BNYM System, that the Company Data will be provided or made available to Permitted Users within the BNYM System for use by the Permitted User within the BNYM System or within a system of the Permitted User, or that the Company may authorize Permitted Users to access and use Company Data contained within the Licensed System in any other manner:


(i)

Subject to Section 6.10, the Company hereby grants to BNYM during the during the effectiveness of the Agreement a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive right and license to display the Company Data through any BNYM Web Application contemplated by the Documentation for the applicable Component System and hereby authorizes and directs BNYM, as appropriate, to transmit, transfer, make available and provide the



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Company Data to Permitted Users, as contemplated by the Documentation applicable to the particular Component System, including without limitation through the Internet via a BNYM Web Application or other communication link or method or access site or method designated by BNYM for use of the particular Component System;


(ii)

The Company hereby authorizes and directs BNYM, (A) to permit Permitted Users to view and use Company Data within the Licensed System as contemplated by applicable Documentation, (B) to act on behalf of a shareholder in any way contemplated by applicable Documentation and authorized by the Company in accordance with applicable Documentation, including to effect purchases, sales, redemptions, distributions, exchanges, transfers and other activities and to change the status, data or information involving a shareholder account or assets in a shareholder account, and (C) to the extent contemplated by applicable Documentation, to permit Permitted Users to download and store, copy in on-line and off-line form, reformat, perform calculations with, and distribute, publish, transmit, and display the Company Data in the systems of the Permitted User and to and through any relevant BNYM Web Application;


(iii)

The Company shall have sole responsibility for imposing any desired use restrictions on Permitted Users to the extent use restrictions are contemplated by the applicable Documentation and BNYM shall cooperate in a commercially reasonable manner in imposing such use restrictions to the extent the applicable Documentation contemplates a role for BNYM in imposing such use restrictions;


(iv)

The Company acknowledges and agrees that it alone is responsible for entering into agreements with Permitted Users governing the terms and conditions, as between the Company and the Permitted User, of the Permitted User's use of the Company Data; the Company releases BNYM from any and all responsibility and duty for obtaining any such agreements, including agreements relating to confidentiality and privacy of the data and information, and for any monitoring, supervision or inspection of Permitted Users of any nature; the Company releases BNYM from any Loss the Company may incur, and will indemnify and defend BNYM for any Loss it may incur, arising or resulting from or in connection with Company Data after BNYM, as appropriate, transmits, transfers, makes available or provides the Company Data to the Permitted User in accordance with applicable Documentation, whether through a BNYM Web Application or otherwise;


(v)

The Company shall be responsible and liable to BNYM for the acts and omissions of Permitted Users while accessing and using a Component System pursuant to authorization from the Company and shall indemnify and defend BNYM for all Loss arising from or related to acts or omissions by a Permitted User that would constitute a breach of this Agreement if committed by the Company, that constitute reckless or intentional misconduct or that constitute a breach of a duty of the Permitted User imposed by this Schedule C; and


(vi)

BNYM may immediately terminate access to and use of the Licensed System by a Permitted User if BNYM reasonably believes conduct of the Permitted User would constitute a material breach of this Agreement if committed by the Company, constitutes reckless or intentional misconduct, or constitutes a breach of a duty of the Permitted User imposed by this Schedule C, applicable Documentation or applicable Terms of Use.


2.19

Communications with Third Parties regarding Component System Services .  The Company shall be solely responsible for communicating with third parties to the extent such is reasonably required for services to be provided in accordance with the Documentation for the particular Component System.  


2.20

Compliance with Terms Of Use .  The Company's and, to the extent applicable in connection with a particular Component System, each Permitted User's use of a Component System, a BNYM Web Application and any other access site or access method to a particular Component System shall be conducted in material compliance with applicable Terms of Use.  In addition, Permitted Users shall be required to comply with requirements set forth in applicable Documentation, including requirements relating to Security Codes, as a condition to use of particular Component Systems.


2.21

Third Party Providers To The Company .  The Company shall have sole responsibility to maintain through itself or its agents all agreements with third party providers that may be appropriate for use of a Component System and to pay as they come due all fees and charges associated with such agreements either directly or as passed through on invoices of BNYM.


2.22

Fees .  The Company shall be obligated to pay to BNYM such fees and charges for access and use of any part of the Licensed System as may be set forth in the Fee Agreement and such fees and charges shall be paid in accordance with any applicable provisions set forth in the Main Agreement.  




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SECTION 3.

PROVISIONS REGARDING BNYM


3.1

Right to Modify .  BNYM may alter, modify or change the Licensed System or any component, code, language, function, format, design, architecture, security measure or other element of whatsoever nature of the Licensed System and implement such alterations, modifications and changes into the Documentation and/or the Licensed System as Updates or Upgrades applicable to Company's continued use of the Licensed System after such implementation; provided , however , at no time shall this section be interpreted in such a manner as to allow BNYM by such alterations, modifications or changes to alter the License granted by Section 2.1 or modify any other service obligation of BNYM under this Agreement.


3.2

Training and Product Assistance .  BNYM agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide requested training and Product Assistance for Company's personnel at BNYM's facilities or at Company's facilities in connection with access to and use of the Licensed System and subsequent Updates, as reasonably requested by Company, at BNYM 's then-current charges and rates for such services.  All reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BNYM personnel in connection with and during such training or Product Assistance shall be borne by Company upon pre-approval in writing.


3.3

Monitoring .  BNYM is not responsible for Company's or Permitted User's use of the Licensed System but shall have the right to monitor such use on BNYM's network solely to verify compliance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and for operational purposes related to the delivery of services by the Licensed System.


3.4

BNYM Failure to Receive Data .  BNYM shall not be liable for data or information which the Company, a Permitted User or an agent of either transmits or attempts to transmit to BNYM in connection with its use of a Component System and which is not received by BNYM or for any failure of a Component System to perform a function in connection with any such data or information.  BNYM shall not be obligated to ascertain the accuracy, actual receipt by it or successful transmission to it of any data or information in connection with the Company's or a Permitted User's use of a Component System or to confirm the performance of any function by a Component System based on the transmission of instructions, data or information to BNYM in connection with such use by the Company or a Permitted User.  Sole responsibility for the foregoing shall rest with the party initiating the transmission. For clarification: (i) Consistent with Section 0.2 (Purpose), this Section 3.4 does not apply to BNYM's receipt of data or information in connection with any service BNYM is obligated to perform pursuant to the Main Agreement; the provisions of the Main Agreement alone apply to such services, and (ii) without limiting the generality of clause (i), with respect to files that are customarily received in the ordinary course of business from third party sources identified in advance to BNYM by the Company and acknowledged by BNYM as to the content and timing of the files to be received from such third party sources, and upon such time as procedures are put in place by BNYM to receive such files in the ordinary course of business, BNYM will employ commercially reasonable measures to detect when such files are not received at the customary times, and upon detecting a file has not been received will employ commercially reasonable measures to obtain such file.


3.5

ACH Activity .  To the extent contemplated by the Documentation, and to the extent authorized by the Company and agreed to by BNYM in its sole discretion, BNYM will accept bank account information over the Internet or other communication channel from Permitted Users and take such other actions as may be appropriate to facilitate movement of money to and from shareholder accounts through the Automated Clearing House (" ACH ").  The Company shall be solely responsible for all market risk (gain/loss liability) associated with transactions utilizing the ACH process, provided that BNYM maintains the ACH process in accordance with the standard of care required under the Main Agreement.


SECTION 4.

OWNERSHIP AND OTHER RIGHTS


4.1

BNYM Ownership .  


(a)

BNYM and its licensors, subcontractors and suppliers will continue to own all of their respective right, title, and interest, including Intellectual Property Rights, in and to the BNYM System and the Proprietary Items, regardless of any participation, contributions, collaboration or other participation of the Company in or to the foregoing, and including any part of the foregoing that may be created by or on behalf of, at the direction of or pursuant to business requirements and other specifications provided by the Company, such as, but not limited to, Company Modifications.  For purposes of clarification: the BNYM System and any modifications to the BNYM System or a Proprietary Item, whether or not ordered or paid for by the Company as a customization, are not intended to be and are not a "works made for hire" under Section 101 of the Copyright Act or under any other applicable law, remain proprietary to and the exclusive property of BNYM and accordingly Company hereby transfers, conveys and assigns any ownership



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interests or intellectual property rights it may have in and to Proprietary Items to BNYM.  To the extent requested by BNYM, Company shall cooperate with BNYM, at BNYM's expense, to cause to vest in BNYM any ownership interests or Intellectual Property Rights in any of the forgoing that do not automatically vest in BNYM.  


(b)

In the event a Company Web Application contains a Proprietary Item or other intellectual property of BNYM, including, but not limited to, rights in copyrighted works, trademarks and trade dress, BNYM shall retain all rights in such Proprietary Item or other intellectual property. To the extent a Proprietary Item or other intellectual property of BNYM is duplicated within a Company Web Application to replicate the "look and feel," "trade dress" or other aspect of the appearance or functionality of a BNYM Web Application or other component of the BNYM System, BNYM grants to the Company a limited, non-­exclusive, non-transferable right to use such Proprietary Item or other intellectual property for the duration of its authorized use of the applicable Component System. The right granted by the foregoing sentence is limited to the intellectual property needed to replicate the appearance of the particular BNYM Web Application or other component of the BNYM System and does not extend to any other Proprietary Item or other intellectual property owned by BNYM.  Company shall immediately cease using such Proprietary Item or other intellectual property immediately upon termination of the Licensed Rights governing the relevant Component System.


(c)

This Agreement is not an agreement of sale, and no title, patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret, intellectual property or other ownership rights to any Proprietary Items are transferred to Company by virtue of this Agreement.  Upon BNYM's request, the Company shall promptly inform BNYM in writing of the quantity and location of any tangible Proprietary Item furnished to Company in connection with this Agreement.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, no disclosure of BNYM Confidential Information and no use of Proprietary Items hereunder shall be construed as granting to or conferring on Company any rights, by license or otherwise, for any invention, discovery or improvement made, conceived, or acquired by BNYM prior to or after the date hereof.  No patent application that may hereafter be made, and no claim to any trade secret or other protection, shall be prejudiced by any disclosure of Confidential Information or use of Proprietary Items hereunder.  Any sale, assignment or transfer of any nature or in any manner, or any attempt to do such, by Company or any party through Company of any ownership interest or Intellectual Property Right of BNYM in the Proprietary Items shall be void. Any subcontracting or delegation of any right to access or use a Proprietary Item and any subcontracting for or delegation of the performance of any activities or functions involved in accessing or using a Proprietary Item shall be void and unenforceable against BNYM.  


4.2

Company Ownership .  Company will own its respective right, title, and interest, including Intellectual Property Rights, in and to the Company Data.  Company hereby grants BNYM a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable, revocable (solely upon termination of the Agreement), non-perpetual license to access and use the Company Data, and consents to BNYM's permitting access to, transferring and transmitting Company Data, all as appropriate to Company's use of the Licensed Rights or as contemplated by the Documentation.  No title, patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret, intellectual property or other ownership rights to any Company Data are transferred to BNYM by virtue of this Agreement.


4.3

Mutual Retention of Certain Rights .  Each party acknowledges and agrees that, other than the Licensed Rights provided for by Section 2.1 of this Schedule C, this Agreement does not give a party any right, title or interest in or to any ownership or other rights of the other party to property.  Any software, interfaces or other programs a party provides to the other party hereunder (i) shall be used solely by such receiving party and only during the term of the Agreement and only for the purpose it was provided and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) shall not be used by such party or any affiliate for any other purpose or to connect to or with any other person.  To the extent the Intellectual Property Rights of one party are cached to expedite communication, such party grants to the other party a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use such Intellectual Property Rights for a period of time no longer than that reasonably necessary for the communication and a party shall immediately cease using such Intellectual Property Rights immediately upon termination of the Licensed Rights governing the relevant Component System.


4.4

Use of Hyperlinks .  To the extent use of hyperlinks is contemplated by the Documentation for a particular Component System:  The Company hereby grants to BNYM a royalty-free, nonexclusive, nontransferable and revocable right to use the Company's hyperlink in connection with the relevant Licensed Services; BNYM hereby grants to the Company a royalty-free, nonexclusive, nontransferable and revocable right to use BNYM 's hyperlink in connection with providing the relevant Licensed Services; each party shall reasonably cooperate with the other party concerning the placement, location and destination of such hyperlinks; and a party shall immediately cease using another party's hyperlink immediately upon termination of the Licensed Rights governing the relevant Component System.




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4.5

Use of Marks .  To the extent one party's Marks must be utilized by the other party in connection with the operation of a particular Component System or the Licensed Services related to the particular Component System: the Company hereby grants to BNYM a non-exclusive, limited right to use its Marks solely in connection with the Licensed Services provided by the Component System;  BNYM hereby grants to the Company a non-exclusive, limited right to use its Marks solely in connection with the Licensed Services provided by the Component System; all use of Marks shall be in accordance with the granting party's reasonable policies regarding the advertising and usage of its Marks as established from time to time;  the Company hereby grants BNYM the right to display the Company's Mark's on applicable BNYM Web Applications relating to the Component Systems accessed and used hereunder; each party shall retain all right, title and interest in and to its Marks worldwide, including any goodwill associated therewith, subject to the limited right granted in this Section 4.5; use of the Marks hereunder by the grantee pursuant to this limited right shall inure to the benefit of the trademark owner and grantees shall take no action that is inconsistent with the trademark owner's ownership thereof; each party shall exercise reasonable efforts within commercially reasonable limits, to maintain all on-screen disclaimers and copyright, trademark and service mark notifications, if any, provided to it by the other party in writing from time to time, and all "point and click" features relating to Authorized Persons' acknowledgment and acceptance of such disclaimers and notifications; and a party shall immediately cease using another party's Marks immediately upon termination of the Licensed Rights governing the relevant Component System.


SECTION 5.

       REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES & COVENANTS; INDEMNIFICATION


5.1

Mutual Representations, Warranties and Covenant . Each party warrants, represents and covenants to the other party that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in any act, omission or conduct which would result in the introduction into the software or systems of the other party any Harmful Code.


5.2

Right to Grant Rights; No Infringement; BNYM Indemnification .  


(a)

BNYM warrants to Company that BNYM has the full legal right to grant Company the right to use the Licensed System, as and to the extent permitted under this Agreement, and that the Licensed System when properly used for the purpose and in the manner specifically authorized by this Agreement, does not to BNYM's knowledge infringe in any material respect upon any United States patent or copyright or any trade secret or other proprietary right of any person.  BNYM shall defend and indemnify Company against any third party claim to the extent attributable to a violation of the foregoing warranty.  BNYM shall have no liability or obligation under this Section 5.2 unless Company gives written notice to BNYM within ten (10) days (provided that later notice shall relieve BNYM of its liability and obligations under this Section 5.2 only to the extent that BNYM is prejudiced by such later notice) after any applicable infringement claim is initiated against Company and allows BNYM to have sole control of the defense or settlement of the claim, subject to the agreement of the Company to any settlement that does not release the Company from all liability.  The remedies provided in this Section 5.2 are the sole remedies for a breach of the warranty contained in this Section 5.2.  If any applicable claim is initiated, or in BNYM's sole opinion is likely to be initiated, then BNYM shall have the option, at its expense, to:


(i)

modify or replace the Licensed System or the infringing part of the Licensed System so that the Licensed System is no longer infringing; or


(ii)

procure the right to continue using or providing the infringing part of the Licensed System; or


(iii)

if neither of the remedies provided for in clauses (i) and (ii) can be accomplished in a commercially reasonable fashion, limit or terminate the Licensed Rights with respect to the infringing part of the Licensed System and refund any fees paid by the Company with respect to future periods affected by such limitation or termination.


(b)

Neither BNYM nor any Third Party Provider shall have any liability under any provision of this Agreement with respect to any performance problem, warranty, claim of infringement or other matter to the extent attributable to (i) Company's use of a Proprietary Item in a negligent manner or any manner not consistent with this Schedule C or Company's breach of this Schedule C; (ii) any modification or alteration of a Proprietary Item made by anyone other than BNYM or such Third Party Provider, or its agents, or made by BNYM at the request or direction of the Company, (iii) BNYM's compliance with the instructions or requests of Company relating to a Proprietary Item; (iv) any combination of a Proprietary Item with any item, service, process or data not provided by BNYM, (v) third parties gaining access to a Proprietary Item due to acts or omissions of Company, (vi) third party software not recommended by BNYM or the use of open source software, (vii) Company's failure to license and maintain copies of any third-party software required to operate the any BNYM Software, (viii) Company's failure to operate the BNYM Software



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in accordance with the Documentation, or (ix) Data Faults. (collectively, " Excluded Events " ). Company will indemnify, and with respect to third party claims will defend, and hold harmless BNYM and Third Party Providers from and against any and all Loss and claims resulting or arising from any Excluded Events.


5.3

BNYM Warranties .  BNYM warrants that:


(i)

except for Direct Third Party Products, with respect to which no warranty is made, and subject to the last sentence of Section 2.3, the Licensed System, if used in accordance with applicable Documentation, will operate in material conformity with applicable Documentation, and in the event of a breach of this clause (i) BNYM shall take commercially reasonable actions to restore performance of the Licensed System to the requirements of the foregoing warranty;


(ii)

BNYM owns, or has the right to use under valid and enforceable agreements, all Intellectual Property Rights reasonably necessary for and related to the provision of the Licensed Rights and to grant the right granted under Section 2.1;


(iii)

BNYM’s business is in material compliance with applicable law and regulations the failure to comply with which would have a material adverse effect on BNYM’s performance of its obligations under this Schedule C; and


(iv)

BNYM has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of BNYM.


5.4

Warranty Disclaimer .  THE LICENSED SYSTEM AND ALL RELATED SERVICES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO COMPANY ON AN "AS IS", "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS.  UNLESS A SPECIFIC WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY GIVEN IN THIS SCHEDULE C, NO WARRANTY OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE IN THIS SCHEDULE C, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE AVAILABILITY, CONDITION, MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, DESIGN, OPERATION OR FITNESS FOR OR SATISFACTION IN REGARDS TO A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.


5.5

Limitation of Warranties .  The warranties made by BNYM in this Schedule C, and the obligations of BNYM under this Schedule C, run only to Company and not to its affiliates, its customers or any other persons.


SECTION 6

OTHER PROVISIONS


6.1

Scope of Services .  The scope of services to be provided by BNYM under this Agreement shall not be increased as a result of new or revised regulatory or other requirements that may become applicable with respect to the Company, unless the parties hereto expressly agree in writing to any such increase.  BNYM shall not be obligated to develop or implement Upgrades, but to the extent it elects to do so Section 3.1 shall apply.


6.2

Additional Provision Regarding Governing Law .  This Agreement will not be governed by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The Uniform Computer Information Transaction Act drafted by the National Conference Of Commissioners On Uniform State Laws, or a version thereof, or any law based on or similar to such Act ( " UCITA " ), if and as adopted by the jurisdiction whose laws govern with respect to this Agreement in any form, shall not apply to this Agreement or the activities contemplated hereby.  To the extent UCITA is applicable notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree to opt out of the applicability of UCITA pursuant to the "opt out" provisions contained therein.


6.3

Third Party Providers .  Except for those terms and conditions that specifically apply to Third Party Providers, under no circumstances shall any other person be considered a third party beneficiary of this Agreement or otherwise entitled to any rights or remedies under this Agreement.  Except as may be provided in Third Party Agreements, Company shall have no rights or remedies against Third Party Providers, Third Party Providers shall have no liability of any nature to the Company, and the aggregate cumulative liability of all Third Party Providers to the Company shall be $1.


6.4

[reserved]






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6.5

Assignment .  Company may not, and shall not under any circumstances, assign, license, sublicense, grant rights to use or otherwise transfer any Licensed Rights or any right in or part thereof or any obligation under this Schedule C, and any such assignment or transfer or attempted assignment or transfer shall be void.


6.6

Return of Proprietary Items .  Upon a termination of this Agreement or a termination of the right to use the Licensed System or a right to use a particular Component System, or at the end of a Continuation Period (as defined in Section 6.15), as applicable, Company shall immediately cease attempts to access and use the relevant Component Systems and related Proprietary Items, and Company shall promptly return to BNYM all copies of the relevant Documentation (except Documentation that may have been provided to regulatory authorities pursuant to Section 2.2 and cannot be returned)  and any other related Proprietary Items then in Company's possession. Company shall remain liable for any payments due to BNYM with respect to the period ending on the date of termination or any Continuation Period, as applicable, and any charges arising due to the termination.


6.7

Conflicts .  Applicable terms of the Main Agreement shall apply to this Schedule C but any conflict between a term of the Main Agreement and this Schedule C shall be resolved to the fullest extent possible in favor of the term in this Schedule C.


6.8

Exclusivity .  Company shall solely and exclusively use the Licensed System to perform the computing functions and services made available to the Company by the Licensed System.  For clarification: this means the Company will not use any system, subsystem, component or functionality of another service provider to perform functions or services similar to those provided by the Licensed System.


6.9

Term .  The term of this Schedule C shall be the same as the term in effect for the Main Agreement, including with respect to any renewal terms.  Additionally, with respect to each Component System to which the Company is given access and use, the term applicable to BNYM's obligation to furnish the Component System and the Company's obligation to pay the fees and charges applicable to the Component System ( " Component System Obligations " ) shall be the same as the term applicable to the Core Services, including with respect to any renewal term.  For clarification:  this Schedule C and the Component System Obligations may be terminated only in connection with a termination of the Main Agreement in accordance with the termination provisions set forth in the Main Agreement, except where this Schedule specifically sets forth an additional termination right.


6.10

Confidentiality .  


(a)

Company agrees to maintain the confidentiality of and protect the Proprietary Items and to prevent access and use not permitted hereunder with at least the same degree of care that it utilizes with respect to its own proprietary and nonpublic material, including without limitation agreeing:


(i)

not to disclose to or otherwise permit any person access to, in any manner, the Proprietary Items, or any part thereof in any form whatsoever, except that such disclosure or access shall be permitted to an employee of Company or Eaton Vance in the course of his or her employment and who is bound to maintain the confidentiality thereof;


(ii)

not to use the Proprietary Items for any purpose other than in connection with the Company's exercise of the Licensed Rights, without the consent of BNYM; and


(iii)

to promptly report to BNYM any facts, circumstances or events that are reasonably likely to constitute or result in a breach of this Section 6.10 or a breach of Section 4 of the Main Agreement with respect to the Proprietary Items, and take all reasonable steps requested by BNYM to prevent, control, remediate or remedy any such facts, circumstances or events or any future occurrence of such facts, circumstances or events.  


(b)

BNYM agrees to secure and maintain the confidentiality of the Company Data in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of the Main Agreement.


6.11

Provisions Applicable Solely to IAM .  In connection with any permitted access and use of IAM, the Company agrees, at its expense, to;


(a)

Provide, or retain other persons to provide, all computers, telecommunications equipment, encryption technology and other materials, services, equipment and software reasonably necessary to develop and maintain a Company Web Application as contemplated by IAM Documentation, including the functionality necessary to maintain the hypertext links to IAM ( " Company IAM Site " );



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(b)

Promptly provide BNYM written notice of changes in Fund policies or procedures requiring changes to the IAM settings or parameters or services ( " Parameter Changes " ); provided, however, this provision shall be interpreted to require BNYM to modify only adjustable settings and parameters already provided for in IAM in response to a Parameter Change and not to require BNYM to effect any Upgrade;


(c)

Cooperate with BNYM to develop informational materials for Permitted Users related to the use of IAM and forward a copy of any such informational materials developed solely by Company to BNYM;


(d)

Promptly revise and update applicable prospectuses and other pertinent materials, such as user agreements, to include the appropriate consents, notices and disclosures, including disclaimers and information reasonably requested by BNYM;


(e)

With respect to the Company IAM Site, maintain all on-screen disclaimers and copyright, trademark and service mark notifications, if any, provided by BNYM in writing from time to time, and all "point and click" features relating to acknowledgment and acceptance of such disclaimers and notifications; and


(f)

Design and develop the Company IAM Site functionality necessary to facilitate, implement and maintain the hypertext links to IAM and the various inquiry and transaction web pages and otherwise make the Company IAM Site available to Permitted Users.


6.12

Termination and Suspension by BNYM .  


(a)

In the event of a material breach of this Schedule C by Company, BNYM may terminate the Licensed Rights in their entirety and all access to and use of the Licensed System by complying with the notice and cure period provisions in the Main Agreement applicable to a material breach of the Agreement.


(b)

In the event BNYM reasonably believes in good faith that any activity (i) of the Company or a Permitted User constitutes a breach of a provision of this Schedule C governing access to or use of the BNYM System, or (ii) any activity presents a threat to the integrity or security of the BNYM System or the information contained within it (a " Use Incident " ), BNYM may without incurring any liability hereunder, temporarily suspend access to and use of the Licensed System or a Component System solely for the amount of time necessary for the investigation and resolution of the issues.  BNYM shall notify the Company as soon as practicable under the circumstances of such action and the conduct believed to be a Use Incident.   BNYM shall exercise this right with diligence to minimize the impact of any such suspension. The parties agree to promptly cooperate in good faith to address such issues. The Company shall indemnify BNYM for any Loss, and to the extent applicable defend BNYM against Loss, resulting from or arising out of or in connection with a Use Incident attributable to conduct of the Company, an Authorized Person or Permitted User.


6.13

Equitable Relief .  Company agrees that BNYM would not have an adequate remedy at law in the event of a breach or threatened breach of a Use Provision by the Company and that BNYM would suffer irreparable injury and damage as a result of any such breach.  Accordingly, in the event Company breaches or threatens to breach a Use Provision, in addition to and not in lieu of any legal or other remedies BNYM may pursue hereunder or under applicable law, Company hereby consents to the granting of equitable relief (including the issuance of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or permanent injunction) against it by a court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting any bond or other security therefor, prohibiting any such breach or threatened breach.  In any proceeding upon a motion for such equitable relief, BNYM's ability to answer in damages shall not be interposed as a defense to the granting of such equitable relief.  


6.14

Survival . Sections 2.1(b), 2.12, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6.10, provisions which by their nature are applicable after an agreement termination, provisions expressly stated to survive termination and any provisions appropriate to interpret such provisions or to determine the rights or obligations of the parties surviving termination of the Agreement by law, shall survive any termination of the Main Agreement, this Schedule C or the Licensed Rights.


6.15

Provisions Applicable Solely to the 22c-2 System .  In connection with any permitted access and use of the 22c-2 System, the Company agrees as follows:


(a)

Definitions .  The following terms have the following meanings solely for purposes of this Section 6.15:





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" Commercially Reasonable Efforts " means efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances for a well managed company in the securities processing industry.


" Company 22c-2 Data " means, collectively, the Fund Data, the Shareholder Data and the Supplemental Data.


" Company Database " means the database maintained within the 22c-2 System by and for Company containing the Company 22c-2 Data.


" Financial Intermediary " means a financial intermediary as that term is defined in Rule 22c-2.


" Front End Data " means the transaction data relating to the Funds and the accounts of Shareholders of the Funds (i) specified by applicable Documentation for use within the 22c-2 System to yield reports intended to assist the Company in determining the Financial Intermediaries from which additional transactional details could be requested for purposes of compliance with SEC Rule 22c-2, and (ii) which has been selected by the Company and transmitted to the Company Database.


" Fund Data " means, collectively, the Front End Data and the Fund Settings.


" Fund Settings " means the Fund preferences, parameters, rules and settings inputted into the Company Database and 22c-2 System by Company to administer a Fund's Rule 22c-2 policies.


" Rule 22c-2 " means Rule 22c-2 of the SEC promulgated under the 1940 Act.


" Shareholder " means a shareholder, as that term is defined in Rule 22c-2, of any of the Funds.


" Shareholder Data " means the transaction data with respect to Shareholders in a Fund requested by Company that a Financial Intermediary, for access and use by Company in the 22c-2 System, (i) delivers to BNYM by a Designated Method, or (ii) delivers to Company and is inputted into the Company Database by Company.


" SRO " means any self-regulatory organization, including national securities exchanges and national securities associations.


" Supplemental Data " means any data or information, other than the Shareholder Data and Fund Data, inputted into the Company Database by Company, or provided to BNYM and inputted into the Company Database by BNYM as an additional service, that Company has reasonably determined is necessary in the operation of the 22c-2 System for purposes of compliance with Rule 22c-2.


(b)

Availability .  BNYM shall make the 22c-2 System available to Company from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, during days the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, except for periods therein in which BNYM suspends access for maintenance, backup, updates, upgrades, modifications required due to changes in applicable law, or other commercially reasonable purposes as reasonably determined by BNYM.  BNYM will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to limit any periods of nonavailability due to the foregoing activities.

 

(c)

Third Party Provisions .  Company's use of the 22c-2 System shall be subject to the terms and conditions contained in BNYM's agreements with Third Party Providers that BNYM is required by such agreements to apply to users of the software or services of the particular Third Party Provider to the extent notified of such terms and conditions by BNYM.


(d)

BNYM Modifications .  Company hereby accepts all such modifications, revisions and updates, including changes in programming languages, rules of operation and screen or report format, as and when they are implemented by BNYM, and agrees to take no action intended to have or having the effect of canceling, reversing, nullifying or modifying in any fashion the operation or results of such modifications, revisions and updates. BNYM will make Commercially Reasonable Efforts to give Company advance written notice before any such modifications, revisions or updates to the 22c-2 System go into effect.


(e)

Shareholder Data .


(1)

Company acknowledges that Financial Intermediaries, not BNYM, provide the Shareholder Data, that Company's access to the Shareholder Data through use of the 22c-2 System is dependent upon delivery of the Shareholder Data by the Financial Intermediaries, and that BNYM is not responsible or liable in any manner for any



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act or omission by a Financial Intermediary with respect to the delivery of Shareholder Data. Company also acknowledges that Financial Intermediaries may deliver Shareholder Data which modifies Shareholder Data previously delivered or may refuse to provide Shareholder Data and that BNYM is not responsible or liable in any manner for any such modification of Shareholder Data or any such refusal to deliver Shareholder Data.


(2)

Company has sole responsibility for authorizing and directing a Financial Intermediary to deliver Shareholder Data that Company may require for purposes of Rule 22c-2.  BNYM shall be obligated to receive and input into the Company Database only that Shareholder Data which has been delivered by a Financial Intermediary through the facilities maintained for such purpose by the NSCC or through the internal communications links provided in the 22c-2 System ( " Designated Methods " ). Company shall be solely responsible for inputting into the Company Database and the 22c-2 System any Shareholder Data delivered by a method other than a Designated Method.


(f)

Company 22c-2 Data .  As between Company and BNYM, Company alone shall be responsible for obtaining all Fund Data, Shareholder Data and Supplemental Data that Company determines is required in connection with its use of the 22c-2 System. As between Company and BNYM, Company is also exclusively responsible for (i) the accuracy and adequacy of all Company 22c-2 Data; (ii) the review for accuracy and adequacy of all output of the 22c-2 System before reliance or use (provided the 22c-2 System is operating in accordance with the Documentation); and (iii) the establishment and maintenance of appropriate control procedures and back up procedures to reduce any loss of information, interruption or delay in processing Company 22c-2 Data after received by Company. Company shall comply with all applicable laws and obtain all necessary consents from any person, including Financial Intermediaries, regarding the collection, use and distribution to BNYM of Company 22c-2 Data as contemplated herein and of any other information or data regarding Company and the Funds that Company provides or causes to be provided for the purposes set forth herein.


(g)

Communications Configuration .  Company shall be responsible, at its expense, for procuring and maintaining the communications equipment, lines and related hardware and software reasonably specified by BNYM to comprise the communications configuration required for Company to use the 22c-2 System and any Updates and General Upgrades to the communications configuration.


(h)

Front End Data .  As between Company and BNYM, Company shall be solely responsible for selecting Front End Data, identifying it to BNYM and directing BNYM to transmit the identified Front End Data from the BNYM transfer agent system to the Company 22c-2 Database in the 22c-2 System.  Company hereby authorizes BNYM to transmit Front End Data to the 22c-2 System without further action on anyone's part upon receiving a communication from Company identifying Front End Data for transmission to the 22c-2 System.


(i)

Restricted Use of Company 22c-2 Data .  The Company 22c-2 Data constitutes "Confidential Information" for all purposes of Section 4 and other applicable provisions of the Main Agreement. As between the Company and BNYM, title to all Company 22c-2 Data and all related intellectual property and other ownership rights shall remain exclusively with Company. Company authorizes BNYM to maintain and use Company 22c-2 Data solely in the manner contemplated by applicable Documentation and this Agreement and to aggregate Company 22c-2 Data in the Company Database with data of other users of the 22c-2 System to analyze and enhance the effectiveness of the 22c-2 System and to create broad-based statistical analyses and reports for users and potential users of the 22c-2 System and industry forums.


(j)

Application of Results .  Except to the extent that the results are inaccurate due to the Liable Conduct of BNYM, neither BNYM nor any Third Party Provider shall have liability for any loss or damage resulting from any application of the results, or from any unintended or unforeseen results, obtained from the use of the 22c-2 System or any related service provided by BNYM.


(k)

Exclusion for Unauthorized Actions .  Neither BNYM nor any Third Party Provider shall have any liability with respect to any performance problem, warranty, claim of infringement or other matter to the extent attributable to any unauthorized or improper use, alteration, addition or modification of the 22c-2 System by Company, any combination of the 22c-2 System with software not specified by applicable Documentation and any other use of the 22c-2 System in a manner inconsistent with this Agreement or applicable Documentation.


(l)

Disclaimer .  BNYM DOES NOT WARRANT THAT USE OF THE 22C-2 SYSTEM BY COMPANY GUARANTEES COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 22C-2 OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR SRO LAW OR REGULATION. BNYM DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ASPECT OF LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE BY OR ON BEHALF OF COMPANY, NOR SHALL COMPANY



Page 67


REPRESENT OTHERWISE TO ANY PERSON. COMPANY'S USE OF THE 22C-2 SYSTEM AND ANY OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED LEGAL ADVICE.


(m)

Hardware Disclaimer .  Under no circumstance shall BNYM or a Third Party Provider be liable to Company or any other Person for any loss of profits, loss of use, or for any damage suffered or costs and expenses incurred by Company or any Person, of any nature or from any cause whatsoever, whether direct, special, incidental or consequential, arising out of or related to computer hardware.


(n)

Termination by BNYM .  BNYM may immediately terminate Company's right to use and Company's access to and use of the 22c-2 System upon the occurrence of any of the following events:


(a)

Company engages in conduct which infringes or exceeds the scope of the right granted to Company by Section 2.1 of this Schedule D in a material manner and does not cure the breach within twelve (12) business days after receiving written notice from BNYM; or


(b)

A Third Party Provider terminates any relevant agreement the Third Party Provider has with BNYM that is necessary in order for BNYM to be able to license (or continue to license) the 22c-2 System to Company. BNYM agrees to provide Company with as much notice of such termination as BNYM receives from the Third Party Provider.


(o)

Continuation Period .  In the event the Agreement is terminated and in connection with such a termination the parties agree that Company will continue to have access to and use of the 22c-2 System, then the terms of this Agreement shall apply during any such continuation period.  The term of any such continuation period shall be day to day and the continuation period may be terminated immediately by either party at any time by written notice notwithstanding the contents of any notice or other communication the parties may exchange, unless both parties agree in writing to such contents.  A continuation period as described in this subsection (o) is referred to herein as a " Continuation Period " .


(p)

Effect of Termination .  Following a termination of the Agreement or at the end of a Continuation Period, as applicable, BNYM will (i) dispose of all Company 22c-2 Data in accordance with its applicable backup and data destruction policies, and (ii) use good faith efforts to make electronic copies of Company 22c-2 Data in existing report formats of the 22c-2 System to the extent reasonably requested by Company no less than thirty (30) days in advance of the termination of the Agreement.


(q)

This Agreement shall benefit and be enforceable by Third Party Providers of the 22c-2 System.


6.16

Internet and Mobile Applications .  


(a)

Each party acknowledges that the Internet is an unsecured, unstable, unregulated, unorganized and unreliable network, and that to the extent the ability of the other party to provide or perform services or duties hereunder is dependent upon the Internet and equipment, software, systems, data and services provided by various telecommunications carriers, equipment manufacturers, firewall providers, encryption system developers and other vendors and third parties, each party agrees that the other shall not be liable in any respect for the functions or malfunctions of the Internet.


(b)

In connection with the use of any device by the Company or a Permitted User which utilizes a wireless connection, whether to a router or other computer equipment or to a wireless telecommunications network or system, in whole or in part to access the BYNM System directly or through the Internet, BNYM shall not be responsible in any respect for the functions or malfunctions of such telecommunications network or system or wireless connection or for the loss of personal information or Security Codes or for events of identity theft occurring through such telecommunications network or system or wireless connection.


6.17.

Requirement For Written Consent or Written Release .  No failure to act, no omission, no failure to respond, object or deny consent, and no other instance of an absence of action or communication (collectively, "Forbearance") shall be construed as a consent or waiver (implied, constructive, deemed or otherwise) under this Schedule C.  Any conduct (as defined in the Main Agreement) not expressly permitted by this Schedule C, notwithstanding any number of occurrences of the conduct, any number of requests to engage in the conduct, any failures of BNYM to discover the conduct and any number of related Forbearances, shall be prohibited in the absence of a written consent to the conduct or a written waiver of a relevant prohibition or restriction.




Page 68



6.18

Aggregation And Other Third Party Services .  


(a)

In the event (i) BNYM facilitates connectivity with, develops or implements functionality, APIs, transmission protocols or any other technological service, product or item that permits or enables a third party acting on behalf of the Company or a Permitted User to access or use a Component System or any part of the BNYM System for any purpose ( " Connected Component " ), including without limitation to access, use, extract, retrieve, input or modify Company Data or other confidential, private or personal information of the Company or a Permitted Use or to conduct financial or non-financial transactions (such access and use being an "Investment Service " , and such third party being an " Investment Service Provider " ), (ii) Company elects to access and use or permit Permitted Users to access and use a Connected Component, and (iii) in connection therewith the Company or a Permitted User furnishes one or more Security Codes to the Investment Service Provider:


(1)

Company acknowledges that in order to permit an Investment Service Provider to provide an Investment Service BNYM may implement or operate information security processes, procedures, features or characteristics with respect to the Connected Component that differ from the information security processes, procedures, features and characteristics it maintains for some or all of the other components of the BNYM System ( " Security Differences " ) and in consideration for its access and use of a Connected Component or for BNYM permitting Permitted Users to access and use a Connected System it consents to the existence of the Security Differences and agrees that the Security Differences do not constitute negligence or other Liable Conduct on the part of BNYM; and


(2)

Company agrees that BNYM bears no liability or responsibility of any nature to Company for any Loss or other consequences arising to any extent from any access to or use of a Connected Component by or through an Investment Service Provider's technology system, and that it shall indemnify and defend BNYM in accordance with the terms of Section 12 of the Main Agreement for any Loss incurred by BNYM or its affiliates arising to any extent from any access to or use of a Connected Component by or through an Investment Service Provider's technology system.


(b)

BNYM bears no liability or responsibility for Loss or other consequences arising from the use of a Security Code established by or for the Company or a Permitted User by any person not specifically permissioned by the Security Code to access and use the BNYM System or any of its Component Systems or from the use of such Security Code other than as specifically permissioned by the Security Code.


[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]



Page 69


EXHIBIT 1 TO SCHEDULE C


AdvisorCentral

A portal for trusts, financial advisors, broker/dealers and other financial intermediaries to view mutual fund and client account data on the transfer agent mainframe via the Internet if permitted access by Company and for Company back offices to view the same data.


ACE

(Automated Control Environment) - Windows database and reporting capability which automates accounting functions for mutual fund settlement, gain/loss tracking, dividend/capital gains settlement and tax withholding tracking.


AHD

(Automated Help Desk) - a Web based help desk application used to log and track transactional issues.


AOS

AOS (Advanced Output Solutions) Digital Reports - Provides access to and the ability to print certain print/mail output generated by the Document Solutions system in connection with services provided to customers of clients, such as customer statements, customer confirmations and customer tax forms.


CMS*

(Customer Management Suite) - the combination of functionalities, systems and subsystems which together provide the following capabilities: workflow management, electronic document processing, integrated Web-based front-end processing, customer relationship management and automated servicing of brokers and investors. The principal subsystems are Correspondence, Customer Relationship Manager (automates call center activities), Image and Operational Desktop and includes E-Forms.


COLD

(Computer Output to Laser Disk) - document management system that provides for the laser disc storage in a PC/server environment of certain data and documents generated on a mainframe and quick retrieval.


DAZL

(Data Access Zip Link) - application which extracts broker/dealer data at the representative level, branch level and broker/dealer level and third party administrator data from the transfer agent mainframe and transmits it to Company designated end users for viewing.


DRAS

(Data Repository and Analytics Suite) - a relational data base for management reporting which consists of the Company's entire customer information base as copied nightly from the transfer agent mainframe and includes an integrated reporting tool.


FeeMan

(Fee Manager) - application that facilitates the management, processing and payment of  amounts owed by Funds to financial intermediaries as distribution expenses through: mapping and automatic loading of invoices, comparison of current invoice to past invoices and available subaccounting and transfer agency records, accrual and payment of fund-designated fees without invoices, export of approved payments to third party fulfillment or DTCC settlement system or automated payment from Fund transfer agency accounts, allocation of payments to specific funding sources, modeling of fees and comparison of model to historical data, historical fee analytic capability, invoice analytics that detect invoice variance trends; analytic reports.


FPT

(Fund Pricing Transmission) (formerly known as PRAT) - application that receives fund price and rate information from fund accounting agents on a nightly basis, edits and performs quality control checks on the information, then uploads the prices and rates to the mainframe recordkeeping system, allows the user the ability to view, enter, upload, download, and print price/rate information.


FSR

(Full Service Retail) - principal transfer agent mainframe system which performs comprehensive processing and shareholder recordkeeping functions, including: transaction processing (purchases, redemptions, exchanges, transfers, adjustments, and cancellations), distribution processing (dividends and capital gains), commission processing and shareholder event processing (automatic investment plans, systematic withdrawal plans, systematic exchanges); creating and transmitting standard and custom data feeds to support printed output (statements, confirmations, checks), sales and tax reporting.  FSR interfaces and exchanges data with various surround systems and subsystems and includes a functionality providing for direct online access. Also includes a functionality that temporarily stores systems-generated reports electronically before being transferred to COLD.


IAM

(Internet Account Management, also known as NextGen) - application permitting account owners via the Internet to view account information and effect certain transactions and account maintenance changes and includes administrator site.




Page 70



NSCC*

(National Securities Clearing Corporation) - application allowing web-based utility at user's desktop to support processing linked to NSCC activity, including networking, Fund/SERV, DCC&S, Commission/SERV, mutual fund profile, and transfer of retirement assets, and includes NEWS (NSCC Exception Workflow Processing) which provides for the inputting of reject and exception information to the NSCC system.


Mobius

Document management system that provides for the storage and retrieval of reports generated on a mainframe.


OOM

(Online Output Management) - functionality permitting user to view within the Document Solutions processing system (performs print mail and tax form production and fulfillment services) the location of a specific output, such as a confirmation or statement, in the Document Solutions work flow.


OmniAccess

Platform providing access to and use of 12b-1 omnibus data across fund complexes and their broker-dealer distributors that automates 12b-1 invoice administration and reconciliation processes. Includes capability to view, store, query and research historical 12b-1 data online, sort and export data in CSV and Excel file formats, access 12b-1 processing parameters and rules, compare past and current payments, and research and query data. Access to broker-dealer omnibus data requires the approval of the broker-dealer in dealer agreements or other written format.


RECON

(Reconciliation) - application automating bank DDA (Demand Deposit Account) reconciliation.


TRS

(Tax Reporting Service) - functionality performing all applicable federal and state tax reporting (tax form processing and corrections), tax-related information reporting, and compliance mailings (including W-9, W-8, RMD, B-Notice, and C-Notice).


22c-2 System

The data warehousing, analytic and administrative applications together with the related software, interfaces, functionalities, databases and other components provided by BNYM to assist fund sponsors and their principal underwriters in satisfying requirements imposed by Rule 22c-2.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*

For clarification:  Company or a Permitted User may be given a right to access and use one or more separable components of this system rather than the entire system and any right to access and use one of more of such separable components is limited to the functionalities of the separable components even if certain of functionalities of the separable components may include integration points with functionalities of other system components.


[End to Exhibit 1 to Schedule C]

[End to Schedule C]

 



Page 71


Schedule D


Authorized Persons (All Funds)


Each of the following individuals is an "Authorized Person" of the "Fund", as those terms are defined and used in the Transfer Agency And Shareholder Services Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2016, by and among BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. and the investment companies listed (each an "Investment Company") and Portfolios of each Investment Company listed on Schedule B to such agreement .


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Name:

______________________________________________


Terms not specifically defined in this Schedule D shall have the meaning ascribed elsewhere in the Agreement.


BNYM may at all times rely on the most recently dated Schedule D.   For clarification: this means that BNYM will at all times and under all circumstances rely on and use a properly completed Schedule D until it is replaced by a properly completed Schedule D bearing a later date.  A Schedule D will take effect on the date signed by BNYM.


For clarification: BNYM is not obligated to verify signatures nor issue nor require any security IDs, passwords or other security codes in connection with its interaction with Authorized Persons in such capacity.


Eaton Vance Growth Trust

Acknowledged and accepted:

Eaton Vance Investment Trust

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust

By:

________________________________

Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc.

Eaton Vance Series Trust

Name:

________________________________

Eaton Vance Series Trust II

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

Title:

________________________________


On its own behalf and, individually and separately,

Date:

________________________________

but not jointly, on behalf of each Portfolio of the

Investment Company listed on Schedule B to the

Agreement


By:

________________________________


Name:

________________________________


Title:

________________________________


Date:

________________________________



Page 72


EXHIBIT (h)(5)(b)

Schedule A

As of September 27, 2016



Trust, Series and Class

Contractual
Expense Cap

Effective
Date

Termination
Date

Eaton Vance Growth Trust

 

 

 

Greater China Growth Fund Class A

1.95%

4/28/2011

12/31/2016

Greater China Growth Fund Class B

2.65%

4/28/2011

12/31/2016

Greater China Growth Fund Class C

2.65%

4/28/2011

12/31/2016

Greater China Growth Fund Class I

1.65%

4/28/2011

12/31/2016

 

 

 

 

Atlanta Capital Select Equity Fund Class A

1.20%

12/30/2011

1/31/2017

Atlanta Capital Select Equity Fund Class C

1.95%

3/19/2013

1/31/2017

Atlanta Capital Select Equity Fund Class I

0.95%

12/30/2011

1/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Focused Growth Opportunities Fund Class A

1.05%

6/30/2014

6/30/2017

Focused Growth Opportunities Fund Class C

1.80%

6/30/2014

6/30/2017

Focused Growth Opportunities Fund Class I

0.80%

6/30/2014

6/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Focused Value Opportunities Fund Class A

1.05%

6/30/2014

6/30/2017

Focused Value Opportunities Fund Class C

1.80%

6/30/2014

6/30/2017

Focused Value Opportunities Fund Class I

0.80%

6/30/2014

6/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Hexavest Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class A

1.45%

4/1/2015

11/30/2016

Hexavest Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class I

1.20%

4/1/2015

11/30/2016

 

 

 

 

Hexavest Global Equity Fund Class A

1.18%

4/1/2016

11/30/2016

Hexavest Global Equity Fund Class I

0.93%

4/1/2016

11/30/2016

 

 

 

 

Hexavest International Equity Fund Class A

1.20%

4/1/2015

11/30/2016

Hexavest International Equity Fund Class I

0.95%

4/1/2015

11/30/2016

 

 

 

 

Focused Global Opportunities Fund Class I

0.95%

12/15/2015

3/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Focused International Opportunities Fund Class I

1.00%

12/15/2015

3/31/2017

 

 

 

 

International Small-Cap Fund Class A

1.40%

12/15/2015

3/31/2017

International Small-Cap Fund Class I

1.15%

12/15/2015

3/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance NextShares Trust

 

 

 

Global Income Builder NextShares

0.90%

3/28/2016

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Stock NextShares

0.65%

2/25/2016

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II

 

 

 

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond NextShares

0.35%

3/28/2016

5/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust

 

 

 

Municipal Opportunities Fund Class A

1.00%

7/10/2014

11/30/2016

Municipal Opportunities Fund Class C

1.75%

8/18/2014

11/30/2016

Municipal Opportunities Fund Class I

0.75%

7/10/2014

11/30/2016

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II

 

 

 

TABS Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund Class A

0.90%

6/1/2014

5/31/2017

TABS Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund Class C

1.65%

6/1/2014

5/31/2017

TABS Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund Class I

0.65%

6/1/2014

5/31/2017

 

 

 

 

TABS 1-to-10 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class A

0.65%

5/3/2015

5/31/2017

TABS 1-to-10 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class C

1.40%

5/3/2015

5/31/2017

TABS 1-to-10 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class I

0.40%

5/3/2015

5/31/2017





Trust, Series and Class

Contractual
Expense Cap

Effective
Date

Termination
Date

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (continued)

 

 

 

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class A

0.65%

4/15/2015

5/31/2017

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class C

1.40%

4/15/2015

5/31/2017

TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class I

0.40%

4/15/2015

5/31/2017

 

 

 

 

TABS 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class A

0.65%

5/3/2015

5/31/2017

TABS 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class C

1.40%

5/3/2015

5/31/2017

TABS 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund Class I

0.40%

5/3/2015

5/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Local Income Fund Class A

1.25%

3/1/2009

2/28/2017

Emerging Markets Local Income Fund Class C

1.95%

8/1/2010

2/28/2017

Emerging Markets Local Income Fund Class I

0.95%

11/30/2009

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Diversified Currency Income Fund Class A

1.10%

3/1/2008

2/28/2017

Diversified Currency Income Fund Class C

1.80%

3/1/2011

2/28/2017

Diversified Currency Income Fund Class I

0.80%

3/1/2011

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Stock Fund Class A

0.98%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Stock Fund Class I

1.73%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Stock Fund Class C

0.73%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Investor Class

0.95%

7/10/2014

4/30/2017

Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund Institutional Class

0.70%

7/10/2014

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Parametric International Equity Fund Investor Class

0.90%

7/10/2014

5/31/2017

Parametric International Equity Fund Institutional Class

0.65%

7/10/2014

5/31/2017

Parametric International Equity Fund Class R

1.15%

8/10/2015

5/31/2017

Parametric International Equity Fund Class R6

0.62%

8/10/2015

5/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Core Plus Bond Fund Class A

0.80%

2/1/2015

1/31/2017

Core Plus Bond Fund Class C

1.55%

2/1/2015

1/31/2017

Core Plus Bond Fund Class I

0.55%

2/1/2015

1/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Tax-Managed Global Small-Cap Fund Class A

1.40%

1/1/2016

2/28/2017

Tax-Managed Global Small-Cap Fund Class C

2.15%

1/1/2016

2/28/2017

Tax-Managed Global Small-Cap Fund Class I

1.15%

1/1/2016

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Growth Fund Class A

1.40%

3/1/2013

2/28/2017

Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Growth Fund Class B

2.15%

3/1/2013

2/28/2017

Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Growth Fund Class C

2.15%

3/1/2013

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Multi-Strategy All Market Fund Class A

1.35%

11/1/2011

2/28/2017

Multi-Strategy All Market Fund Class C

2.10%

11/1/2011

2/28/2017

Multi-Strategy All Market Fund Class I

1.10%

11/1/2011

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Parametric Tax-Managed International Equity Fund Investor Class

1.50%

12/1/2012

2/28/2017

Parametric Tax-Managed International Equity Fund Class C

2.25%

12/1/2012

2/28/2017

Parametric Tax-Managed International Equity Fund Institutional Class

1.25%

12/1/2012

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Short Duration High Income Fund Class A

1.05%

11/1/2013

2/28/2017

Short Duration High Income Fund Class I

0.80%

11/1/2013

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Parametric Emerging Markets Core Fund Investor Class

1.15 %

9/24/2013

12/31/2016

Parametric Emerging Markets Core Fund Institutional Class

0.90%

9/24/2013

12/31/2016





Trust, Series and Class

Contractual
Expense Cap

Effective
Date

Termination
Date

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (continued)

 

 

 

Parametric Dividend Income Fund Investor Class

0.85%

7/10/2014

6/30/2017

Parametric Dividend Income Fund Institutional Class

0.60%

7/10/2014

6/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Global Macro Capital Opportunities Fund Class A

1.65%

11/3/2014

2/28/2017

Global Macro Capital Opportunities Fund Class I

1.40%

11/3/2014

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities Fund Class A

1.15%

9/3/2015

11/30/2016

Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities Fund Class I

0.90%

9/3/2015

11/30/2016

Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities Fund Class R6

0.85%

9/3/2015

11/30/2016

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

 

 

 

Short Duration Real Return Fund Class A

0.90%

7/16/2013

2/28/2017

Short Duration Real Return Fund Class C

1.65%

7/16/2013

2/28/2017

Short Duration Real Return Fund Class I

0.65%

7/16/2013

2/28/2017

 

 

 

 

Hedged Stock Fund Class A

1.15%

10/31/2014

3/31/2017

Hedged Stock Fund Class C

1.90%

10/31/2014

3/31/2017

Hedged Stock Fund Class I

0.90%

10/31/2014

3/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Core Bond Fund Class I

0.50%

12/1/2011

4/30/2017

Core Bond Fund Class A

0.75%

12/1/2011

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Fund Class I

1.00%

5/1/2007

4/30/2017

Real Estate Fund Class A

1.25%

6/8/2010

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Growth Fund Class A

1.05%

7/10/2014

4/30/2017

Growth Fund Class C

1.80%

7/10/2014

4/30/2017

Growth Fund Class I

0.80%

7/10/2014

4/30/2017

Growth Fund Class R

1.30%

7/10/2014

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Commodity Strategy Fund Class A

1.35%

11/6/2015

4/30/2017

Commodity Strategy Fund Class C

2.10%

11/6/2015

4/30/2017

Commodity Strategy Fund Class I

1.10%

11/6/2015

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Greater India Fund Class A

1.88%

4/28/2011

4/30/2017

Greater India Fund Class B

2.58%

4/28/2011

4/30/2017

Greater India Fund Class C

2.58%

4/28/2011

4/30/2017

Greater India Fund Class I

1.58%

4/28/2011

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Global Small-Cap Fund Class A

1.40%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Global Small-Cap Fund Class C

2.15%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Global Small-Cap Fund Class I

1.15%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

Balanced Fund Class A

0.98%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Balanced Fund Class B

1.73%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Balanced Fund Class C

1.73%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Balanced Fund Class I

0.73%

1/1/2016

4/30/2017

Balanced Fund Class R

1.23%

5/1/2016

4/30/2017

Balanced Fund Class R6

0.69%

5/1/2016

4/30/2017

 

 

 

 

1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund Class A

0.65%

9/27/2016

12/31/2017

1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund Class I

0.40%

9/27/2016

12/31/2017

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Variable Trust

 

 

 

VT Large-Cap Value Fund Initial Class

1.20%

5/1/2015

5/1/2017

VT Large-Cap Value Fund ADV Class

0.95%

5/1/2015

5/1/2017

VT Large-Cap Value Fund Institutional Class

0.70%

5/1/2016

5/1/2017




[EXHIBITI_EX99ZI002.GIF]





Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

www.eatonvance.com




EXHIBIT (i)



September 26, 2016


Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110


Ladies and Gentlemen:


Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the “Trust”) is a voluntary association (commonly referred to as a “business trust”) established under Massachusetts law with the powers and authority set forth under its Declaration of Trust dated March 27, 1989, as amended and restated September 27, 1993, as amended (the “Declaration of Trust”).


I am of the opinion that all legal requirements have been complied with in the creation of the Trust, and that said Declaration of Trust is legal and valid.


The Trustees of the Trust have the powers set forth in the Declaration of Trust, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions therein provided.  As provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize one or more series or classes of shares, without par value, and the number of shares of each series or class authorized is unlimited.  The series and classes of shares established and designated as of the date hereof and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission are identified on Appendix A hereto.  


Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may from time to time issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold shares of the Trust for cash or for property.  All such shares, when so issued, shall be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.


I have examined originals, or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such certificates, records and other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.


Based upon the foregoing, and with respect to Massachusetts law (other than the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act), only to the extent that Massachusetts law may be applicable and without reference to the laws of the other several states or of the United States of America, I am of the opinion that under existing law:


1.

The Trust is a trust with transferable shares of beneficial interest organized in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Declaration of Trust is legal and valid under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.



Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

September 26, 2016

Page 2





2.

Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust registered by Form N-1A may be legally and validly issued in accordance with the Declaration of Trust upon receipt of payment in compliance with the Declaration of Trust and, when so issued and sold, will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.


I am a member of the Massachusetts bar and have acted as internal legal counsel to the Trust in connection with the registration of shares.


I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 165 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


Very truly yours,



/s/ Velvet Regan

Velvet Regan, Esq.

Vice President

Eaton Vance Management






Appendix A


Established and Designated Series of the Trust


Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund (4)

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (6)

Eaton Vance Commodity Strategy Fund (4)

Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (3) (formerly Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund)

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (4)

Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund (4)

Eaton Vance Greater India Fund (1)

Eaton Vance Growth Fund (2)

Eaton Vance Hedged Stock Fund (4)

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund (5)

Eaton Vance Multisector Income Fund (5) (formerly Eaton Vance Bond Fund)

Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund (3)

Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund (4)

Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund (2)

Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund (1)



  

____________________________

Authorized Classes are as follows:


(1)  Classes A, B, C and I

(2)  Classes A, B, C, I and R

(3)  Classes A and I

(4)  Classes A, C and I

(5)  Classes A, C, I, R and R6

(6)  Classes A, B, C, I, R and R6





EXHIBIT (n)(1)(b)


Schedule A


Schedule of Share Classes and Annual 12b-1 Distribution and Service Fees

(as a % of average daily net assets)

Dated September 27, 2016


 

A

B

C

I

Investor

Inst’l*

Advisers

R (1)

R6

Eaton Vance Growth Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Select Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

None

Eaton Vance Focused Global Opportunities Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Focused Growth Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Focused International Opportunities Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Focused Value Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

0.30

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Hexavest Emerging Markets Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Hexavest Global Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Hexavest International Equity Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance International Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein All Asset Strategy Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Equity Strategy Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Investment Trust (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Massachusetts Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance National Limited Maturity Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Arizona Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance California Municipal Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Connecticut Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Georgia Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Maryland Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Minnesota Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Missouri Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Municipal Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance North Carolina Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Ohio Municipal Income Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Oregon Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance South Carolina Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Virginia Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance TABS 1-to-10 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance TABS 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance TABS Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance TABS Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A



 



 

A

B

C

I

Investor

Inst’l*

Advisers

R (1)

R6

Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Core Plus Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Diversified Currency Income Fund

0.30

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund

0.30

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Advantage Fund

0.25

0.60

0.75

None

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate & High Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

None

Eaton Vance Global Income Builder Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund

0.30

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return Fund

0.30

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance Global Macro Capital Opportunities Fund

0.30

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Government Obligations Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance High Income Opportunities Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy Absolute Return Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Multi-Strategy All Market Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Short Duration Government Income Fund

0.25

1.00

0.85

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Short Duration High Income Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Short Duration Strategic Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance Stock Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Dividend Income Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.1

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.2

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Growth Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Value Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parametric Commodity Strategy Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parametric Dividend Income Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parametric Emerging Markets Core Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parametric Emerging Markets Fund

N/A

N/A

1.00

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

Parametric International Equity Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

0.75

None

Parametric Tax-Managed International Equity Fund

N/A

N/A

1.00

N/A

0.25

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance NextShares Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Balanced NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Global Income Builder NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Growth NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Small-Cap NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Stock NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein All Asset Strategy NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Equity Strategy NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parametric Emerging Markets NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Parametric International Equity NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Bond NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Global Macro Absolute Return NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Government Obligations NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance High Income Opportunities NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance National Municipal Income NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance TABS 5-to-15 Year Laddered Municipal Bond NextShares

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc. (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Debt Opportunities Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Series Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.0

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Series Trust II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Income Fund of Boston

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

None

Parametric Tax-Managed Emerging Markets Fund

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A



 



 

A

B

C

I

Investor

Inst’l*

Advisers

R (1)

R6

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance 1-to-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

None

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

None

Eaton Vance Commodity Strategy Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Global Small-Cap Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Greater India Fund

0.30

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Growth Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance Hedged Stock Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

None

Eaton Vance Multisector Income Fund ( formerly Bond Fund)

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

None

Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund

0.25

N/A

N/A

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Short Duration Real Return Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund

0.25

1.00

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.75

N/A

Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund

0.25

N/A

1.00

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

* Institutional Class Shares

(1)

The distribution plan for Class R shares authorized distribution and service fee payments of up to 0.75% annually.  The Fund’s Board of Trustees has authorized distribution and service fees equal to 0.50% annually.

(2)

The distribution plans for Class A, Class B and Class C shares (as applicable) authorize distribution and service fees of up to 0.25% annually.  The Funds’ Board of Trustees has authorized distribution and service fees of 0.15% annually.

(3)

The distribution plans for Class A, Class B and Class C shares (as applicable) authorize distribution and service fees of up to 0.25% annually.  The Funds’ (except the Eaton Vance California and Municipal Opportunities Funds, the Eaton Vance National and High Yield Municipal Income Funds, the Eaton Vance TABS 1-to-10, 5-to-15 and 10-to-20 Year Laddered Municipal Bond Funds and the Eaton Vance TABS Intermediate-Term and Short-Term Municipal Bond Funds) Board of Trustees has authorized distribution and service fees of 0.20% annually.

(4)

Although a Maryland corporation, Eaton Vance Series Fund, Inc. (the "Corporation") is referred to herein as "Trust" for convenience.  References in the Plan to Trustees are deemed to refer to the Directors of the Corporation.