As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2021

Securities Act File No. 333-231722

Investment Company Act File No. 811-23445

 

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form N-2

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
  Post-Effective Amendment No.     
    and
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 2

 

 

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust

 

 

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606

Address of Principal Executive Offices (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

(800) 257-8787

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code

Mark L. Winget

Vice President and Secretary

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Name and Address (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code) of Agent for Service.

 

 

Copies of Communications to:

 

David P. Glatz   Joel D. Corriero   Eric F. Fess
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

191 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 1601

Chicago, Illinois 60606

  Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

2005 Market Street

Suite 2600

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

  Chapman and Cutler LLP

111 W. Monroe

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

☒ Check box if any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan.

☐ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)

Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)).

☒ Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).

☐ New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

Title of Securities
Being Registered
   Amount Being
Registered
     Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit
     Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)
     Amount of
Registration
Fee(2)
 
Common Shares, $0.01 par value      100,000      $ 10.00      $ 1,000,000      $ 121.20  

 

(1)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)

Previously paid.

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that the Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING OFFERS TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

 

Preliminary Prospectus dated                              , 2021

Subject to Completion

 

LOGO

 

Interval Fund

 

2021

 

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Common Shares

 

      Class I            Class A        
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund    NMSSX    NHYEX

The Fund. Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest (the “Common Shares”) and is operated as an “interval fund.” The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future.

Investment Objectives. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Fund’s primary investment objective. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve either of its investment objectives or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful.

Fund Strategies and Policies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Assets (as defined on page 4) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities (as described below) that offer favorable risk/reward potential. The Fund may also use leverage. These investment strategies should be considered high risk relative to strategies employed by investment grade municipal bond mutual funds.

The Fund invests significantly in lower-quality long-term municipal bonds. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by the subadviser to be of comparable quality. Low- to medium-quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or “junk bonds”). Below investment grade securities (securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower) are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with

 

(continued on following page)

 

The date of this prospectus is                                         , 2021.

Prospectus


Fund Strategies.

(continued from previous page)

 

respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration.

As an “interval fund”, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See “Repurchase Offers” below. The Fund’s investment adviser believes the Fund’s “interval fund” structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, the subadviser may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, the Fund’s investment adviser believes that the Fund’s interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).

Leverage. The Fund anticipates using leverage to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940. If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either investments in inverse floating rate securities, which represent leveraged investments in underlying bonds, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately         % of the Fund’s Managed Assets. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”). See “Leverage,” “Special Risk Considerations—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk,” “—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Riskand “—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

Repurchase Offers. In order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at net asset value, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares at net asset value. If the value of Common Shares tendered for repurchase exceeds the value the Fund intended to repurchase, the Fund may determine to repurchase less than the full number of Common Shares tendered. In such event, Common Shareholders will have their Common Shares repurchased on a pro rata basis, and tendering shareholders will not have all of their tendered Common Shares repurchased by the Fund. The Fund expects the first repurchase request deadline to occur no later than six months after the initial effective date of this registration statement. See “Periodic Repurchase Offers” and “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Repurchase Offers Risk.”

Fund Distributions. The Fund currently intends to declare dividends daily, and pay such dividends monthly, usually on the first business day of the month. The Fund also intends to declare and pay any capital gains once a year at year end. See “Distributions.”

Purchasing Class I Shares. Only certain investors are eligible to purchase Class I Common Shares. See “Plan of Distribution—Share Classes.” The minimum initial investment for Class I Common Shares is $100,000 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for certain eligible investors. See “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus and “Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors” in the Statement of Additional Information for details. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount. See “Plan of Distribution—Purchasing Shares.”

Purchasing Class A Common Shares. The minimum initial investment for Class A Common Shares is $2,500 per account, except that the minimum investment may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers, the Trustees and certain employees and their extended family members of Nuveen, LLC and its affiliates. See “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus for details. The minimum subsequent

investment amount for Class A Common Shares is $100. See “Plan of Distribution—Purchasing Shares.”

 

      Price to Public(1)      Maximum Sales Load     Proceeds to the Fund(2)  
Per Class I Common Share      $10.00        None       $                  
Per Class A Common Share      $10.00        2.50% (4)      $                  
Maximum Offering(3)      $10.00        None       $                  

 

(notes continued on following page)

 

Prospectus


(1)

The Common Shares are offered on a best efforts basis. The Class I Common Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value per Common Share. The Class A Common Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value per Common Share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price. No escrow arrangements have been established in connection with the continuous offering. It is estimated that the Fund will be able to invest all or substantially all of the net proceeds according to its investment objectives and policies within approximately three months after receipt of the proceeds, subject to market conditions.

 

(2)

Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to (i) reimburse all organization expenses of the Fund (approximately $        ) and (ii) pay the Fund’s initial offering costs. Based on an estimated offering size of $         (approximately                  Common shares), Nuveen Fund Advisors would pay all initial offering costs, which is currently estimated to be $        . The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organization expense or initial offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

 

(3)

Assumes sale of all Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares currently registered at the Price to the Public. There is no assurance that the Fund will raise such amounts.

(4)

Reduced for purchases of $100,000 and over. See “Plan of Distribution—Sales Charge—Class A Common Shares”.

Investor Suitability.

 

   

The Fund’s Common Shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange. The Fund’s Common Shares have no trading market and no market is expected to develop.

 

   

An investment in the Fund is not suitable for investors who need certainty about their ability to access all of the money they invest in the short term.

 

   

Even though the Fund will make periodic repurchase offers for its outstanding Common Shares, subject to the limitations described herein, investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment.

 

   

There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell your Common Shares at any given time or in the quantity that you desire.

 

   

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to make any distributions or maintain a certain level of distributions to Common Shareholders.

This prospectus sets forth concisely information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing, and should be retained for future reference. Investing in the Fund’s Common Shares involves certain risks, including the risks associated with the Fund’s use of leverage. The Fund’s anticipated exposure to below investment grade quality securities (or junk bonds) and special situations municipal securities involves special risks, including an increased risk with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest, dividends and repay principal. You could lose some or all of your investment. See “Risks” beginning on page 38 of this prospectus. Certain of these risks are summarized in “Prospectus Summary—Special Risk Considerations” beginning on page 8 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

You should read this prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated             , 2021, as amended or supplemented through the effective date of this prospectus, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page 80 of this prospectus, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available, and other information about the Fund, and make shareholder inquiries by calling (833) 688-3368 or by writing to the Fund, or from the Fund’s website (www.nuveen.com). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this prospectus. You also may obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

Prospectus


Table of Contents

 

Prospectus Summary      1  
Summary of Fund Expenses    21  
Financial Highlights    22  
The Fund    22  
Use of Proceeds    22  
The Fund’s Investments    23  
Portfolio Composition and Other Information    27  
Leverage    35  
Risks    38  
Management of the Fund    54  
Net Asset Value    56  
Distributions    57  
Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options    58  
Description of Shares and Debt    59  
Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and
By-Laws
   62  
Conversion to Open-End Fund    63  
Tax Matters    64  
Plan of Distribution    67  
Periodic Repurchase Offers    76  
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent    79  
Legal Opinions and Experts    79  
Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional
Information
   80  

The Fund’s Common Shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. The Fund’s business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

NOT FDIC OR GOVERNMENT INSURED     MAY LOSE VALUE     NO BANK GUARANTEE


Prospectus Summary

This is only a summary. You should review the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) prior to making an investment in the Fund, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risks.”

The Fund

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”) and is operated as an “interval fund.” The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future pursuant to exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The Offering

The Class I Common Shares are being offered initially at an offering price of $10.00 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share. The minimum initial investment for Class I Common Shares is $100,000 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for certain eligible investors. See “Plan of Distribution” in this Prospectus and “Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors” in the SAI for details. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount.

The Class A Common Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per Common Share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price. The minimum initial investment for Class A Common Shares is $2,500 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for certain eligible investors. See “Plan of Distribution” in this Prospectus for details. The minimum subsequent investment amount will be $100. Class A Common Shares are subject to an initial sales charge. The initial sales charge will vary depending upon the size of your purchase. See “Plan of Distribution—Sales Charge—Class A Common Shares” for details.

If additional classes of Common Shares are offered by the Fund, those additional classes of Common Shares would be expected to be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share, plus an initial sales charge, unless you are eligible for a waiver. The initial sales charge will vary depending upon the size of your purchase. Proceeds from the offering will be held by the Fund’s custodian. In this prospectus, we refer to holders of Common Shares as “Common Shareholders.”

Common Shares are being offered through Nuveen Securities, LLC (the “Distributor”), on a best efforts basis. For additional information regarding Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares please see “Plan of Distribution—Share Classes” in this prospectus. The Fund reserves the right to reject a purchase order for any reason. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser (“Nuveen Fund Advisors”), will pay all organizational expenses and initial offering costs of the Fund.

Periodic Repurchase Offers; Unlisted Shares

In order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy, which may only be changed by a majority vote of shareholders, to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board of Trustees”), for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the outstanding Common Shares at NAV. Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer (the “Repurchase Offer Notice”) will be sent to Common Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Common Shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”).

The Fund does not currently expect to charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% of the repurchase proceeds, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the Common Shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if Nuveen Fund Advisors determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

1


Investment Objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Fund’s primary investment objective. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve either of its investment objectives or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful. See “The Fund’s Investments” and “Risks.”

Fund Strategies

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, the Fund’s subadviser (“Nuveen Asset Management”), uses a research-driven approach that seeks attractive income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in high yield municipal securities. The Fund invests in below investment grade bonds that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present.

The Fund may also invest in special situations municipal securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities: (i) of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or (ii) that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. Special situations municipal securities may offer illiquidity and complexity premiums, which may create significant investment opportunity for the Fund.

As an “interval fund”, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See “Periodic Repurchase Offers; Unlisted Shares” above. Nuveen Fund Advisors believes the Fund’s “interval fund” structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, Nuveen Asset Management may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, the Fund’s investment advisor believes that the Fund’s interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).

Portfolio Contents

The Fund will invest its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities. Municipal securities include municipal bonds, notes, securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, certificates of participation, variable rate demand obligations, lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bond trusts, including inverse floating rate securities, and other forms of municipal bonds and securities, and other related instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.

Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities, such as housing, medical and educational construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax exempt interest rates and


 

2

Prospectus Summary


represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the leverage of the Fund.

The market value of a municipal security will generally depend upon its form, maturity, call features and interest rate, as well as the credit quality or credit rating of the issuer, all such factors examined in the context of the municipal securities market and interest rate levels and trends.

Most municipal securities generate income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may also invest in municipal securities that are subject to regular federal income tax. Although municipal bonds issued to finance activities with a broad public purpose are generally exempt from federal income tax, taxable municipal bonds are issued to finance activities with less significant benefits to the public, such as the construction of sports facilities, and as such the interest paid to holders of such bonds is taxable as ordinary income. Many taxable municipal bonds offer yields comparable to those of other taxable bonds, such as corporate and agency bonds. Taxable municipal bonds may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and pay interest based on fixed or floating rate coupons. Maturities may range from long-term to short-term.

The Fund may also invest in “AMT Bonds”, which are municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers.

The Fund may invest in “tobacco settlement bonds.” Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are secured or payable solely from the collateralization of the proceeds from class action or other litigation against the tobacco industry. Investments in tobacco settlement bonds are subject to risks. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Tobacco Settlement Bond Risk” below.

Special Situations Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:

 

   

of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or

 

   

that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors.

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk” below.

Corporate Debt Securities. The Fund may also invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.

Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Fund’s investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuer’s capital structure.

U.S. Treasury Securities. The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.

See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information” for additional information on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest.


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

3


Derivatives. The Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.”

Investment Policies

Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest subject to the following policies:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality;

 

   

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in special situations municipal securities;

 

   

The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in any one issuer;

 

   

The Fund will not invest in common equity securities. This policy does not apply to shares of other investment companies or to common equity securities acquired in connection with a work-out of an issuer of a debt security as discussed below; and

 

   

The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity or duration of the municipal securities in which it will invest.

The foregoing policies are considered to apply only at the time of investment and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities. .

“Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

Low to medium quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or “junk bonds”). Below investment grade securities are generally securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment and are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, a security’s rating is determined using the lowest rating of Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business (“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P”) and Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”) if all three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) rate the security. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality is used. The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in low to medium quality municipal securities may vary over time, and may fluctuate significantly over time, over the minimum of 75% described above.

While investments in special situations municipal securities may be a component of the Fund’s investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objectives, the ability of the Fund to invest in special situation municipal securities may be limited by the availability of attractive opportunities in the market. The portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in such securities, if any, may fluctuate significantly over time up to the 25% limit described above.


 

4

Prospectus Summary


Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a work-out arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to a defaulted security, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.

The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio securities. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the NAV of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio securities, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio securities.

For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.

The Fund’s investment policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI as such are considered fundamental. See also “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Common Shares. When used with respect to approval of a changes to the Fund’s fundamental policies, a “majority of the outstanding” shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less. All of the Fund’s other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the Common Shareholders.

Leverage

The Fund anticipates using leverage to seek to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either the or investments in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Fund’s investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate certificates, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest (“Preferred Shares”), which have seniority over the Common Shares, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately             % of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including investing in inverse floating rate securities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and issuance of Preferred Shares. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives such as financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments that may have the economic effect of leverage. See “Leverage” and “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.”

Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.”


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

5


Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Selling a portfolio security and agreeing to buy it back under a reverse repurchase agreement is economically equivalent to borrowing. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk.”

The Fund may reduce or increase the amount of leverage based upon changes in market conditions and the composition of the Fund’s holdings. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used, variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings and the levels of Common Share subscription and repurchase offer activity related to the Fund’s continuously offered interval fund structure. So long as the net income received on the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense on any leverage, the investment of leverage proceeds will generate more net income than if the Fund had not used leverage. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with leverage is less than the then current expense on outstanding leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make expense payments on outstanding leverage, which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of such fee to Nuveen Asset Management) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds realized and managed from the Fund’s use of most types of leverage (excluding the leverage exposure attributable to the use of futures, swaps and similar derivatives). Because Managed Assets include the Fund’s net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Fund’s investment of the proceeds of its leverage, it is anticipated that the Fund’s Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Fund’s investment objectives. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on their assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund. However, a decision to employ or increase leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets and therefore Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by recommending to the Board of Trustees to leverage the Fund (or increase such leverage) only when they determine that such action would be in the best interests of the Fund, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Fund’s performance and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.

The Fund may borrow for temporary purposes as permitted by the 1940 Act.

The use of leverage creates additional risks for Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Fund’s NAV, net income and distributions in relation to market changes. See “Leverage” and “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk,” “—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk” and “—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage. The Fund’s use of leverage may not work as planned or achieve its goals.

Distributions

Commencing with the Fund’s first dividend, the Fund currently intends to declare dividends daily and pay such dividends monthly, usually on the first business day of the month. Your account will begin to accrue dividends on the business day after the day when the monies used to purchase your Common Shares are collected by the transfer agent. The distribution paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during such period, and any such under- (or over-) distribution of income is reflected in the Fund’s NAV. This policy is designed to result in the distribution of substantially all of the Fund’s net income over time. The Fund declares and pays any capital gains once a year at year end. The Fund may declare and pay dividends, capital gains or other taxable distributions more frequently, if necessary or appropriate in the Board of Trustees discretion.

The Fund will continue to pay at least the percentage of its net investment income and any gains necessary to maintain its status as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


 

6

Prospectus Summary


The Fund reserves the right to change its distribution policy and the basis for establishing the rate of its monthly distributions at any time upon notice to Common Shareholders, upon a determination by the Board of Trustees that such change is in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.

Automatic Reinvestment

The Fund automatically reinvests your dividends in additional Fund shares unless you request otherwise. You may request to have your dividends paid to you by check, sent via electronic funds transfer through Automated Clearing House network. For further information, contact your financial advisor or call Nuveen Investor Services at (800) 257-8787. If you request that your distributions be paid by check but those distributions cannot be delivered because of an incorrect mailing address, or if a distribution check remains uncashed for six months, the undelivered or uncashed distributions and all future distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares at the current NAV. See “Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options” for more information.

Investment Adviser and Subadviser

Investment Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors is the Fund’s investment adviser, responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation.

Nuveen Fund Advisors offers advisory and investment management services to a broad range of investment company clients. Nuveen Fund Advisors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund, oversees the management of the Fund’s portfolio, manages the Fund’s business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”). TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen LLC (“Nuveen”) managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Subadviser. Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s subadviser responsible for investing the Fund’s Managed Assets. Nuveen Asset Management is a subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Management Fees. The Fund will pay Nuveen Fund Advisors an annual management fee, payable monthly in arrears, in a maximum amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. This maximum fee is equal to the sum of two components—a “fund-level fee,” based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a “complex-level fee,” based upon the aggregate amount of all eligible assets of all Nuveen Funds (as described in “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements—Complex-Level Fee”). The fund-level fee is 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. The complex-level fee begins at a maximum of 0.2000% of average daily Managed Assets, based upon complex-wide eligible assets of $55 billion, with lower fees for eligible assets above that level. For more information, see “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements.” Based on eligible assets as of                 , 2021, the complex-level fee would be     % of Managed Assets, and the total fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors would be     % of Managed Assets.

Pursuant to an investment subadvisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Fund Advisors will pay Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee equal to 50% of the investment management fee paid on the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for investing the Fund’s Managed Assets. The amount of fees paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be higher if the Fund utilizes leverage because the fees will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets—this may create an incentive for Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management to seek to use leverage.

For more information on fees and expenses, including fees attributable to Common Shares, see “Summary of Fund Expenses” and “Management of the Fund.”

Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent

Nuveen Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, will serve as the Fund’s principal underwriter and distributor. State Street Bank and Trust Company will serve as the Fund’s custodian, and DST Systems, Inc. will serve as the transfer agent. See “Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent.”


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

7


Investor Suitability

An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. It is possible that you will lose money. Common Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their Common Shares. However, in order to provide some liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund will conduct periodic repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Common Shares.

The Common Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Common Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Investors should consider Common Shares to be an illiquid investment. There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell your Common Shares at any given time or in the quantity that you desire or that that the Fund will be able to make any distributions or maintain a certain level of distributions to Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Common Shareholders to special risks. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Repurchase Offers Risk.” An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the Common Shares and should be viewed as a long-term investment. Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objectives and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs.

Special Risk Considerations

Investment in the Fund involves special risk considerations, which are summarized below. The risks have been divided into (i) Portfolio Level Risks, (ii) Fund Level Risks, and (iii) Other Risks. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. See “Risks” for a more complete discussion of the special risk considerations of an investment in the Fund.

Portfolio Level Risks

Municipal Securities Market Risk—The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Fund’s portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Nuveen Asset Management than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. In addition, the market for below investment grade municipal securities has experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, periods of significant volatility, which could negatively impact the value of the municipal securities in the Fund’s portfolio.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in December 2019, and the resulting pandemic, has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in certain financial markets, including the municipal bond market. See “—Other Risks—Global Economic Risk”. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks of the municipal securities market have been magnified. These risks have had, and will continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies and therefore on the governments in those localities. These risks may also adversely affect several sectors of the municipal bond market, such as retirement facilities, transportation facilities such as airports, hospitals and colleges, among many others. All this has adversely affected the municipal securities market, and may continue to do so for an extended period.

Although the detection of COVID-19 in China was made public in December 2019, U.S. securities markets did not start to fully acknowledge the risks and potential economic impact until the latter portion of February 2020, when outbreaks outside of China were first reported. Certain parts of the municipal bond markets experienced significant volatility and drops in values, particularly below-investment grade municipal bonds. It is possible that similar market dislocations will recur as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, which may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments.

The impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving, and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues. Businesses are also implementing similar precautionary measures. Such measures, as well as the general uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19, are creating significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues generated by tourist dollars. Additionally, the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact state and local budgetary matters, as states and municipalities may be more likely to run budget deficits (or larger deficits) during the period of economic contraction stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.


 

8

Prospectus Summary


Issuer Credit Risk—Issuers of municipal securities in which the Fund may invest may default, or may be in default at the time of purchase, on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a municipal security experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a municipal security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.

Credit Spread Risk—Credit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market believes that municipal securities generally have a greater risk of default. Increasing credit spreads may reduce the market values of the Fund’s securities. Credit spreads often increase more for lower rated and unrated securities than for investment grade securities. In addition, when credit spreads increase, reductions in market value will generally be greater for longer-maturity securities.

Below Investment Grade Risk—Securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and may be subject to higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade securities of comparable terms and duration. Issuers of lower grade securities may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. The prices of these lower grade securities are typically more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn. The secondary market for lower rated securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular security.

If a below investment grade security goes into default, or its issuer enters bankruptcy, it might be difficult to sell that security in a timely manner at a reasonable price.

Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk—The availability of special situations municipal securities that present attractive investment opportunities has historically been sporadic and may in the future be rare or at times non-existent. As such, the portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. At times when the portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities is low, due to lack of availability of special situations municipal securities or otherwise, that low level exposure to such securities may impede the Fund’s ability to fully pursue its investment objectives.

Special situations municipal securities present both unusual opportunities and challenges. The ability of the Fund to capitalize on its investments in special situations municipal securities will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, Nuveen Asset Management’s ability (1) to select special situations municipal securities to invest in that have good prospects for improving their creditworthiness over time, or otherwise experiencing price improvement; (2) to manage the various special situations municipal securities’ credits through the recovery process, including work-outs, buyouts and bankruptcies; (3) to buy attractively-priced special situations municipal securities that have the potential to appreciate significantly in value or minimize losses, depending on market conditions; and (4) to liquidate its investments in special situations municipal securities, either by selling such securities to other investors at attractive prices, or by receiving cash, securities or other assets of value after and as a result of a work-out or the issuer’s emergence from bankruptcy.

Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to succeed in these efforts will require skills and techniques that are different from or in addition to the skills and techniques used by a typical municipal investment manager. There is no assurance that Nuveen Asset Management will succeed in its efforts, or that market circumstances will end up being favorable to deriving outsized returns from investments in special situations municipal securities.

Interest Rate Risk—Generally, when market interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. As interest rates decline, issuers of municipal securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding municipal securities and potentially reducing the Fund’s income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life of municipal securities, potentially locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Fund’s value. In typical market interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term municipal securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term municipal securities as interest rates change. The Federal Reserve recently reduced the federal funds rate several times.


 

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Duration Risk—Duration is the sensitivity, expressed in years, of the price of a fixed-income security to changes in the general level of interest rates (or yields). Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate (or yield) changes, which typically corresponds to increased volatility and risk, than securities with shorter durations. For example, if a security or portfolio has a duration of three years and interest rates increase by 1%, then the security or portfolio would decline in value by approximately 3%. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers potential changes to interest rates, and a security’s coupon payments, yield, price and par value and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. The duration of a security will be expected to change over time with changes in market factors and time to maturity.

Call Risk—The Fund may invest in municipal securities that are subject to call risk. Such municipal securities may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or “called,” before their stated maturity or redemption date. In general, an issuer will call its instruments if they can be refinanced by issuing new instruments which bear a lower interest rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call its high yielding municipal securities. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.

Reinvestment Risk—Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called municipal securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Fund’s NAV and/or a Common Shareholder’s overall returns.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk—The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a “tender option bond trust”) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Inverse Floating Rate Securities.” In general, income on inverse floating rate securities will decrease when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floating rate securities may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal. In addition, inverse floating rate securities may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate, which effectively leverages the Fund’s investment. As a result, the market value of such securities generally will be more volatile than that of fixed rate securities.

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the special purpose trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the special purpose trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. In such instances, the Fund may be at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities.

The Fund’s investments in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund may be highly leveraged. The structure and degree to which the Fund’s inverse floating rate securities are highly leveraged will vary based upon a number of factors, including the size of the trust itself and the terms of the underlying municipal security. In the event of a significant decline in the value of an underlying security, the Fund may suffer losses in excess of the amount of its investment (up to an amount equal to the value of the municipal securities underlying the inverse floating rate securities) as a result of liquidating special purpose trusts or other collateral required to maintain the Fund’s anticipated leverage ratio.

The Fund’s investment in inverse floating rate securities will create leverage, which will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund. Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be “called away” on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the


 

10

Prospectus Summary


volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Share may be greater for a fund (like the Fund) that relies primarily on inverse floating rate securities to achieve a desired leverage ratio. The Fund may be required to sell its inverse floating rate securities at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

If the Fund has a need for cash and the securities in a special purpose trust are not actively trading due to adverse market conditions; and

 

   

If the value of an underlying security declines significantly and if additional collateral has not been posted by the Fund.

See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.”

Municipal Securities Market Liquidity Risk—Inventories of municipal securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell municipal securities at attractive prices, and increase municipal security price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade municipal securities in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal securities at attractive prices. In addition, recent federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of municipal securities, which may further decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell municipal securities. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of municipal securities to raise cash to meet its obligations, those sales could further reduce the municipal securities’ prices and hurt performance. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in unrated municipal securities. The market for these municipal securities may be less liquid than the market for rated municipal securities of comparable quality. Less public information is typically available about unrated municipal securities or issuers than rated municipal securities or issuers.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities Risk—Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable. These securities may include restricted securities, including securities issued in private placements, which cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of securities, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s NAV and ability to make dividend distributions.

Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risk—The Fund may invest in securities of an issuer that is in default or that is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings at the time of purchase. In addition, the Fund may hold investments that at the time of purchase are not in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, but may later become so. Moreover, the Fund may invest in securities either rated Caa/CCC or lower, or unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality. Some or many of these low-rated securities, although not in default, may be “distressed,” meaning that the issuer is experiencing financial difficulties or distress at the time of acquisition. Such securities would present a substantial risk of future default, which may cause the Fund to incur losses, including additional expenses, to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on those securities. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio security, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Defaulted or distressed securities may be subject to restrictions on resale.

Derivatives Risk—The Fund’s use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the investments underlying the derivatives. If the Fund enters into a derivative transaction, it could lose more than the principal amount invested.

The risks associated with derivatives transactions include (i) the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, (ii) the possible default of the counterparty to the transaction, (iii) illiquidity of the derivative instruments, and (iv) high volatility losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. In addition, as the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

11


its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Although both over-the-counter (“OTC”) and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a lack of liquidity, OTC non-standardized derivative transactions are generally less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators, government regulation and intervention, and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.

Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management correctly forecasting market circumstances, liquidity, market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management incorrectly forecast these and other factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be unfavorably affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that the derivatives investing techniques, as they may be developed and implemented by the Fund, will be successful in mitigating risk or achieving the Fund’s investment objectives. The use of derivatives to enhance returns may be particularly speculative.

The Fund may enter into various types of derivatives transactions, including financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate, total return and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts and other derivative instruments consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. In addition, the use of derivatives requires an understanding by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management of not only the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the derivative itself. The derivatives market is subject to a changing regulatory environment. It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the derivatives market, including the SEC’s recently adopted rules on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to successfully use derivative instruments. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Derivatives Risk,” “—Counterparty Risk,” “—Hedging Risk,” “—Taxability Risk,” and the SAI.

Risk of Swaps and Swap Options—The Fund may enter into debt-related derivatives instruments including credit default swap contracts, total return swap contracts and interest rate swaps. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered illiquid. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two-party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights.

The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. When the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Risk of Financial Futures and Options Transactions—The Fund may use certain transactions for hedging the portfolio’s exposure to credit risk and the risk of increases in interest rates, which could result in poorer overall performance for the Fund. The Fund’s use of certain transactions to reduce risk involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.


 

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Prospectus Summary


There are certain risks associated with the use of financial futures and options to hedge investment portfolios. There may be an imperfect correlation between price movements of the futures and options and price movements of the portfolio securities being hedged. Losses may be incurred in hedging transactions, which could reduce the portfolio gains that might have been realized if the hedging transactions had not been entered into. If the Fund engages in futures transactions or in the writing of options on futures, it will be required to maintain initial margin and maintenance margin and may be required to make daily variation margin payments in accordance with applicable rules of the exchanges and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). If the Fund purchases a financial futures contract or a call option or writes a put option in order to hedge the anticipated purchase of municipal securities, and if the Fund fails to complete the anticipated purchase transaction, the Fund may have a loss or a gain on the futures or options transaction that will not be offset by price movements in the municipal securities that were the subject of the anticipatory hedge. The cost of put options on debt securities or indexes effectively increases the cost of the securities subject to them, thereby reducing the yield otherwise available from these securities. If the Fund decides to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, the Fund will be required to establish an account for such purposes with one or more CFTC-registered futures commission merchants. A futures commission merchant could establish initial and maintenance margin requirements for the Fund that are greater than those which would otherwise apply to the Fund under applicable rules of the exchanges and the CFTC. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a derivatives or futures or a futures option position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Risk of Financial Futures and Options Transactions.”

Puerto Rico Municipal Securities Market Risk—To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations (collectively referred to in this prospectus as “Puerto Rico” or the “Commonwealth”), it will be disproportionally affected by political, social and economic conditions and developments in the Commonwealth. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that territory could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Several major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015 and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Additionally, numerous issuers have entered Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversite, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), which is similar to bankruptcy protection, through which the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can restructure its debt. However, Puerto Rico’s case is the first ever heard under PROMESA and there is no existing case precedent to guide the proceedings. Accordingly, Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring process could take significantly longer than traditional municipal bankruptcy proceedings. Further, it is not clear whether a debt restructuring process will ultimately be approved or, if so, the extent to which it will apply to Puerto Rico municipal securities sold by an issuer other than the territory. A debt restructuring could reduce the principal amount due, the interest rate, the maturity, and other terms of Puerto Rico municipal securities, which could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rican municipal securities. Legislation, including PROMESA that would allow Puerto Rico to restructure its municipal debt obligations, thus increasing the risk that Puerto Rico may never pay off municipal indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed, could also impact the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities.

These challenges and uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria and the resulting natural disaster in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Rico’s infrastructure is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an uncertain economic state. The full extent of the natural disaster’s impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is difficult to estimate.


 

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Puerto Rico’s political and economic conditions could have a negative impact on the liquidity or value of Puerto Rican municipal securities, and consequently may affect the Fund’s investments and its performance if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Puerto Rican municipal securities.

Municipal Lease Obligation Risk—Participation interests in municipal leases are undivided interests in a lease, installment purchase contract, or conditional sale contract entered into by a state or local government unit to acquire equipment or facilities. Participation interests in municipal leases pose special risks because many leases and contracts contain "non-appropriation" clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for this purpose by the appropriate legislative body. If an issuer stopped making payment on the municipal lease, the obligation held by the Fund would likely lose some or all of its value. In addition, some municipal lease obligations may be less liquid than other debt obligations, making it difficult for the Fund to sell the obligation at an acceptable price. Although these kinds of obligations are secured by the leased equipment or facilities, it might be difficult and time consuming to dispose of the equipment or facilities in the event of non-appropriation, and the Fund might not recover the full principal amount of the obligation.

Unrated Investments Risk—Unrated investments determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality to rated investments that the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated investments and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information is typically available about unrated investments or issuers than rated investments or issuers.

Valuation Risk—The municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest typically are valued by a pricing service utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell a portfolio security at the price established by the pricing service, which could result in a loss to the Fund. Pricing services generally price municipal bonds assuming orderly transactions of an institutional "round lot" size, but some trades may occur in smaller, "odd lot" sizes, often at lower prices than institutional round lot trades. Different pricing services may incorporate different assumptions and inputs into their valuation methodologies, potentially resulting in different values for the same securities. As a result, if the Fund were to change pricing services, or if the Fund’s pricing service were to change its valuation methodology, there could be a material impact, either positive or negative, on the Fund’s NAV.

Zero Coupon Bonds Risk—As interest on zero coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of the bonds are subject to greater fluctuations than are the value of bonds that distribute income regularly and may be more speculative than such bonds. Accordingly, the values of zero coupon bonds may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while zero coupon bonds generate income for purposes of generally accepted accounting standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause the Fund to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by certain tax laws.

Hedging Risk—The Fund’s use of derivatives or other transactions to reduce risks involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to correctly predict changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.

Tax Risk—The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a registered investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax if it complies with certain income, distribution and diversification requirements. If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC, subject to certain cure provisions, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the corporate income tax rate. The value of the Fund’s investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and rules. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to U.S. regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences of their investments. The Fund’s investment in AMT Bonds may trigger adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. If you are, or as a result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for you. In addition, distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation


 

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Prospectus Summary


as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Interest income on municipal securities also may be subject to state and local income taxes. See “Tax Matters.”

Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk—Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price and date, thereby establishing an effective interest rate. The Fund’s use of reverse repurchase agreements, in economic essence, constitute a securitized borrowing by the Fund from the security purchaser. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for the purpose of creating a leveraged investment exposure and, as such, their usage involves essentially the same risks associated with a leveraging strategy generally since the proceeds from these agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements tend to be short-term in tenor, and there can be no assurances that the purchaser (lender) will commit to extend or “roll” a given agreement upon its agreed-upon repurchase date or an alternative purchaser can be identified on similar terms.

Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that purchaser fails to return the securities as agreed upon, files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. The Fund may be restricted from taking normal portfolio actions during such time, could be subject to loss to the extent that the proceeds of the agreement are less than the value of securities subject to the agreement and may experience adverse tax consequences.

Taxability Risk—The Fund will invest in municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income under the regular U.S. federal income tax, and Nuveen Asset Management will not independently verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of such a municipal security, however, the security may be determined to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. In addition, the Fund’s investment in tender offer bonds (“TOBs”) includes the risk that the Fund might not be considered the owner for federal income tax purposes of the municipal obligations underlying a TOB and thus would not be permitted to treat income derived from the TOB as exempt from federal income taxes. Further, under some circumstances, the creation of a TOB could be considered a reissuance of the underlying municipal obligations, which might not satisfy the then current requirements for a tax-exempt obligation. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as “exempt-interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased federal income tax liabilities. Certain other investments made by the Fund, including derivatives transactions, may result in the receipt of taxable income or gains by the Fund.

Inflation Risk—Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline.

Insurance Risk—The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies that provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance for municipal securities have in the past incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit quality investments that have experienced recent defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such losses reduced the insurers’ capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a municipal security suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant and the value of the municipal security would more closely, if not entirely, reflect such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a municipal security would decline and may not add any value. The insurance feature of a municipal security does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.

Debt Securities Risk—Issuers of debt instruments in which the Fund may invest may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt instrument experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. There can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuer’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a security. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.


 

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Tender Option Bond Regulatory Risk—The federal banking regulators, the SEC and the CFTC in recent years have adopted rules and regulations that have impacted or may impact TOB trusts and securities issued by such trusts, including most notably the so-called “Volcker Rule”, added to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 with the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Volcker Rule places certain restrictions on the ability of any “banking entity” to sponsor, acquire interests in and engage in certain activities with a TOB trust. As a result, certain activities to support the remarketing of floating rate certificates undertaken by banking entities, in their role as remarketing agents or liquidity providers to TOB trusts, before the compliance date for the Volcker Rule, are no longer permitted under the standard TOB trust structure. To be compliant with the Volcker Rule, the standard TOB trust structure has been modified since the Rule’s adoption (i) to shift certain rights and responsibilities from the remarketing agent and liquidity provider to the owners of the inverse floating rate securities such as the Fund itself, and (ii) to change the way in which liquidity is provided to support remarketing of the floating rate securities. Holders of the inverse floating rate securities, including the Fund, may delegate many of these responsibilities to a third party administrator, which would generate additional costs relative to the standard TOB trust structure. The total impact of these modifications remains to be fully seen, but the operational and structural changes associated with these modifications may make early unwinds of TOB trusts in adverse market scenarios more likely, may make the use of TOB trusts more expensive and, overall, may make it more difficult to use TOB trusts to effectively leverage municipal investments to the extent that the Fund may desire. In addition, these modifications have raised or may raise other regulatory issues that may require further refinement to the structure, may impede the future use of TOB trusts as a means of financing leverage, or may increase future costs of TOB-based leverage.

Tobacco Settlement Bond Risk—Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing state’s proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”). The MSA is an agreement reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. Under the terms of the MSA, the actual amount of future settlement payments by tobacco manufacturers is dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. Payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline.

Fund Level Risks

Investment and Market Risk—An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

Repurchase Offers Risk—As described under “Periodic Repurchase Offers” above, the Fund is an “interval fund” and, in order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, intends to conduct quarterly repurchase offers of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. In each quarter, such repurchase offers will be for at least 5% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act.

The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 7.5% of its outstanding Common Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund’s Common Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Fund’s investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Fund’s investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Fund’s repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Fund’s repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected,


 

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Prospectus Summary


the Fund employs leverage, repurchases of Common Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Common Shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Fund’s expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Board of Trustees may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Fund’s outstanding shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Board of Trustees determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if Common Shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Common Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, Common Shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some Common Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A Common Shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV of Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV for tendered Common Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to Common Shareholders.

While the Fund anticipates having enough cash on hand to fund share repurchases, it may need to sell securities in order to generate enough cash to fund share repurchases. This may cause the Fund to have a higher portfolio turnover rate than is generally anticipated. A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes to Fund investors. This is because the sale of securities may accelerate the recognition of capital gains by the Fund (if the Fund’s basis in securities sold is less than the proceeds from the sale of the security) which may be distributed to investors, and it is more likely that such gains will be taxable as short-term capital gains rather than long-term capital gains that are taxable at lower rates.

If shares tendered by an investor are repurchased by the Fund, it will be a taxable transaction to the investor either in the form of a “sale or exchange” which would be taxable to an investor at capital gain tax rates, assuming such shares are held as a capital asset, or, under certain circumstances, a “dividend” which would be taxable to an investor at ordinary income tax rates. See “Tax Matters—Sale, Exchange of Liquidation of Fund Shares” in the SAI for additional information.

Leverage Risk—The use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders, including potential interest rate risks and the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and Common Share distributions. The use of leverage in a declining market will likely cause a greater decline in Common Share NAV than if the Fund were not to have used leverage.

The Fund will pay (and Common Shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the Fund’s use of leverage, which will result in a reduction in the NAV of the Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may, based on its assessment of market conditions, composition of the Fund’s holdings, increase or decrease the amount of leverage. Such changes may impact the Fund’s distributions. There is no assurance that the Fund will utilize leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will be successful. Furthermore, the amount of fees paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management for investment advisory services will be higher if the Fund uses leverage because the fees will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets—this may create an incentive for Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management to leverage the Fund or increase the Fund’s leverage. See “Leverage.”

Non-Diversified Status Risk—The Fund is a non-diversified fund. As defined in the 1940 Act, a non-diversified fund may invest a significant part of its investments in a smaller number of issuers than can a diversified fund. Having a larger percentage of assets in a smaller number of issuers makes a non-diversified fund, like the Fund, more susceptible to the risk that one single event or occurrence can have a significant adverse impact upon the Fund.

Large Shareholder Risk—To the extent a large proportion of the Common Shares are held by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder), including affiliates of Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Fund is subject to the risk that these shareholders will purchase Common Shares in large amounts rapidly or unexpectedly. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Furthermore, it is possible that in response to a repurchase offer, the total amount of Common Shares tendered by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder) may exceed the number of Common Shares that the Fund has offered to repurchase. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Common Shareholders, the Fund will


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

17


repurchase only a pro rata portion of shares tendered by each shareholder. See “Fund Level Risks—Repurchase Offers Risk” above.

Small Fund Risk—There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size. A fund with a smaller asset base may experience higher expenses and portfolio transaction costs than a fund with a larger asset base. To the extent that the Fund does not grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size, it may be liquidated, and the expenses, timing and tax consequences of such liquidation may not be favorable to certain shareholders.

Other Risks

Economic and Political Events Risk—The Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds of similar projects (such as those relating to the education, health care, housing, transportation, or utilities industries), industrial development bonds, or in particular types of municipal securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds or moral obligation bonds). Such developments may adversely affect a specific industry or local political and economic conditions, and thus may lead to declines in the bonds’ creditworthiness and value.

Global Economic Risk—National and regional economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country, region or market might adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or market. Changes in legal, political, regulatory, tax and economic conditions may cause fluctuations in markets and securities prices around the world, which could negatively impact the value of the Fund’s investments. Major economic or political disruptions, particularly in large economies like China’s, may have global negative economic and market repercussions. Additionally, the aftermath of the war in Iraq, instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East, and environmental disasters and the spread of infectious illnesses or other public health emergencies, possible terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world, continued tensions between North Korea and the United States and the international community generally, growing social and political discord in the United States, the European debt crisis, the response of the international community—through economic sanctions and otherwise—to Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine and posture vis-a-vis Ukraine, further downgrade of U.S. Government securities, the change in the U.S. president and the new administration and other similar events may adversely affect the global economy and the markets and issuers in which the Fund invests. Recent examples of such events include the outbreak of a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 that was first detected in China in December 2019 and heightened concerns regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missile programs. These events could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closure, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the economy. These events could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers, including Nuveen Asset Management, rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of the Fund.

In December 2019, an initial outbreak of COVID-19 was reported and has resulted in numerous deaths and the imposition of both local and more widespread quarantine measures, border closures and other travel restrictions, causing social unrest and commercial disruption on a global scale. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, central banks and governments have responded with liquidity injections to ease the strain on financial systems and stimulus measures to buffer the shock to businesses and consumers. These measures have helped stabilize the markets over the short term, but volatility will likely remain elevated until the health crisis itself is under control (via fewer new cases, lower infection rates and/or verified treatments). There are still many unknowns and new information is incoming daily, compounding the difficulty of modeling outcomes for epidemiologists and economists alike.

Additionally, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in certain financial markets. There are no comparable recent events in the U.S. that provide guidance as to the effect of the spread of COVID-19 and a potential pandemic on the economy as a whole and, consequently, the Fund. Accordingly, while there have been proposed, and in some cases enacted, economic stimulus measures aimed at curbing the negative economic impacts to the U.S. and other countries as a result of COVID-19, it cannot be determined at this time whether such stimulus measures will have a stabilizing economic effect.

To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Fund may experience negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Fund is subject, including: (1) issuers of municipal securities could be materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which may, in turn, negatively affect the value of such securities


 

18

Prospectus Summary


or such issuers’ ability to make interest payments or distributions to the Fund and result in a decrease in the NAV of the Fund; (2) operational impacts on and availability of key personnel of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, and/or any of the Fund’s other service providers, vendors and counterparties as they face changed circumstances and/or illness related to the pandemic; and (3) limitations on the Fund’s ability to make distributions or dividends, as applicable, to Common Shareholders. The Fund does not know and cannot predict how long the securities markets may be affected by these events and the effects of these and similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. The Fund may be adversely affected by abrogation of international agreements and national laws which have created the market instruments in which the Fund may invest, failure of the designated national and international authorities to enforce compliance with the same laws and agreements, failure of local, national and international organizations to carry out their duties prescribed to them under the relevant agreements, revisions of these laws and agreements which dilute their effectiveness or conflicting interpretation of provisions of the same laws and agreements.

Governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have in the past responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions into companies, new monetary programs and dramatically lower interest rates. An unexpected or quick reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of these policies, could increase volatility in securities markets, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments. See "—Recent Market Conditions" below.

Recent Market Conditions—In response to the financial crisis and recent market events, the United States and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Policy and legislative changes by the United States government and the Federal Reserve to assist in the ongoing support of financial markets, both domestically and in other countries, are changing many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, such countries are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws and the imposition of trade barriers. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Changes to the Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates, may affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, the contentious domestic political environment, as well as political and diplomatic events within the United States and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced the federal corporate income tax rate, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the United States and abroad, but there is a consensus that interest rates will increase during the life of the Fund, which could negatively impact the price of debt securities. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the United States and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on


 

Prospectus Summary

 

 

19


debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse.

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom ("UK") held a referendum on whether to remain a member state of the European Union ("EU"), in which voters favored the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, an event widely referred to as "Brexit" and which triggered a two-year period of negotiations on the terms of withdrawal. The formal notification to the European Council required under Article 50 of the Treaty on EU was made on March 29, 2017, following which the terms of exit were negotiated. On January 31, 2020, the UK formally withdrew from the EU and the two sides entered into a transition phase, where the UK effectively remained in the EU from an economic perspective, but no longer had any political representation in the EU parliament. The transition period concluded on December 31, 2020, and EU law no longer applies in the UK. On December 30, 2020, the UK and EU signed an EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (“UK/EU Trade Agreement”), which went into effect on January 1, 2021 and sets out the foundation of the economic and legal framework for trade between the UK and EU. As the UK/EU Trade Agreement is a new legal framework, the implementation of the UK/EU Trade Agreement may result in uncertainty in its application and periods of volatility in both the UK and wider European markets. The longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to be put in place between the UK and the EU are unclear at this stage, remain subject to negotiation and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the UK and in wider European markets for some time. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the UK and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time. Additionally, a number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military attacks could occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geographical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets.

The current political climate has intensified concerns about a potential trade war between China and the United States, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of China’s export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. U.S. companies that source material and goods from China and those that make large amounts of sales in China would be particularly vulnerable to an escalation of trade tensions. Uncertainty regarding the outcome of the trade tensions and the potential for a trade war could cause the U.S. dollar to decline against safe haven currencies, such as the Japanese yen and the euro. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

The impact of these developments in the near- and long-term is unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

Legislation and Regulatory Risk—At any time after the date of this prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund, securities held by the Fund or the issuers of such securities. Fund shareholders may incur increased costs resulting from such legislation or additional regulation. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk—Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management each provide a wide array of portfolio management and other asset management services to a mix of clients and may engage in ordinary course activities in which their respective interests or those of their clients may compete or conflict with those of the Fund. In certain circumstances, and subject to its fiduciary obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Nuveen Asset Management may have to allocate a limited investment opportunity among its clients, which include closed-end funds, open-end funds and other commingled funds. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management have each adopted policies and procedures designed to address such situations and other potential conflicts of interests.


 

20

Prospectus Summary


Summary of Fund Expenses

This table is intended to assist investors in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in the Fund. With respect to Class A Shares, you may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Plan of Distribution—Sales Charge—Class A Common Shares.”

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

(fees paid directly from your investment):

      Class I(1)     Class A  
Maximum Initial Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)
     None (1)      2.50%  
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or repurchase proceeds, whichever is lower)
     None       1.50% (2) 
Dividend Reinvestment Fees      None       None  
Repurchase Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed)
     2.00% (3)      2.00% (3) 
(1)

While neither the Fund nor the Distributor impose an initial sales charge on Class I Common Shares, if you buy Class I Common Shares through certain financial firms, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information.

(2)

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.50% may be assessed on Class A Common Shares purchased without a sales charge if they are repurchased before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(3)

The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee; however, the Fund may, in the future, impose repurchase fees of up to 2.00% on Common Shares accepted for repurchase that have been held for less than one year.

[To be provided by amendment.]

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

        
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):         
     Percentage of Net Assets
Attributable to
Common Shares
(assuming the use of
leverage)(1)
 
      Class I      Class A  
Management Fees(2)      %        %  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees      N/A        %  
Fees on Preferred Shares and Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters(1)(3)      %        %  
Other Expenses(4)      %        %  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(5)      %        %  
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(5)      %        %  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses      %        %  
(1)

The table above (including the footnotes) assumes the use of leverage representing approximately     % of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

(2)

The table above is based on Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares, calculated at the highest Fund-level breakpoint (0.8000% of Managed Assets or     % of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares) and the highest complex-level breakpoint (0.2000% of Managed Assets or     % of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares). As of                 , 2021 the complex-level fee was     % of Managed Assets or     % of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares. See “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements.”

(3)

Fees on Preferred Shares assume annual dividends paid and amortization of offering costs, if any. Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters, if any, include interest expense attributable to inverse floating rate securities created by selling a fixed-rate bond to a broker dealer for deposit into the special purpose trust and receiving in turn the residual interest in the trust. The actual fees on Preferred Shares and interest and related expenses from inverse floaters are subject to change based on prevailing market conditions.

(4)

Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(5)

Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through July 31, 2022 so that total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily Managed Assets of any class of Fund shares. This expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Example

As required by relevant SEC regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in the Common Shares, assuming a 5% annual return(1):

 

      Class I
Common Shares
     Class A
Common Shares
 
1 Year    $       
3 Years    $       
5 Years    $       
10 Years    $             
(1)

The example above should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated Dividend Cost on Preferred Shares and Other Expenses set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate, that the Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as described above) remain the same during the first year. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the example.

 

Summary of Fund Expenses

 

 

21


Financial Highlights

The Fund and its Common Shares have not previously been offered. Therefore, the Fund does not have any financial history. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports when they are prepared.

The Fund

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) that continuously offers its Common Shares and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future pursuant to exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 22, 2019, pursuant to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”), which is governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On February 27, 2020, and March 1, 2021, the Fund filed an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Fund. On March 2, 2021 the Fund filed an Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Classes to designate the Class A Common Shares. The Fund has no operating history. The Fund’s principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (800) 257-8787.

Use of Proceeds

The Fund will invest the proceeds of the continuous offering of Common Shares on an ongoing basis in accordance with its investment objectives and policies as stated below. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest all or substantially all of the net proceeds according to its investment objectives and policies within approximately three months after receipt of the proceeds, depending on the amount and timing of proceeds available to the Fund as well as the availability of investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and except to the extent proceeds are held in cash to pay dividends or expenses, satisfy repurchase offers or for temporary defensive purposes. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds of an offering will be invested in high quality, short-term, municipal or other tax-exempt securities, although the Fund may, if necessary, also invest in other high-quality, short-term securities.

 

22

Financial Highlights/The Fund/Use of Proceeds


The Fund’s Investments

Investment Objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Fund’s primary investment objective. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve either of its investment objectives or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful. See “Risks.” The Fund’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

Fund Strategies

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, the Fund’s subadviser (“Nuveen Asset Management”), uses a research-driven approach that seeks attractive income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in high yield municipal securities. The Fund invests in below investment grade bonds that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present.

The Fund may also invest in special situations municipal securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities: (i) of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or (ii) that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. Special situations municipal securities may offer illiquidity and complexity premiums, which may create significant investment opportunity for the Fund.

The Fund may also use certain hedging techniques to reduce exposure of the portfolio to adverse business or market conditions. See “—Other Policies” and “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Hedging Risk” below.

As an “interval fund”, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See “Periodic Repurchase Offers” below. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser (“Nuveen Fund Advisors”) believes the Fund’s “interval fund” structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, Nuveen Asset Management may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, Nuveen Fund Advisors believes that the Fund’s interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).

Portfolio Contents

The Fund will invest its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities. Municipal securities include municipal bonds, notes, securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, certificates of participation, variable rate demand obligations, lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bond trusts, including inverse floating rate securities, and other forms of municipal bonds and securities, and other related instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.

Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities, such as housing, medical and educational construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities

 

The Fund’s Investments

 

 

23


that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the leverage of the Fund.

The market value of a municipal security will generally depend upon its form, maturity, call features and interest rate, as well as the credit quality or credit rating of the issuer, all such factors examined in the context of the municipal securities market and interest rate levels and trends.

Most municipal securities generate income that is tax exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may also invest in municipal securities that are subject to regular federal income tax. Although municipal bonds issued to finance activities with a broad public purpose are generally exempt from federal income tax, taxable municipal bonds are issued to finance activities with less significant benefits to the public, such as the construction of sports facilities, and as such the interest paid to holders of such bonds is taxable as ordinary income. Many taxable municipal bonds offer yields comparable to those of other taxable bonds, such as corporate and agency bonds. Taxable municipal bonds may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and pay interest based on fixed or floating rate coupons. Maturities may range from long-term to short-term.

The Fund may also invest in “AMT Bonds”, which are municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers.

Special Situations Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:

 

   

of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or

 

   

that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors.

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk” below.

Corporate Debt Securities. The Fund may also invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.

Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Fund’s investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuer’s capital structure.

U.S. Treasury Securities. The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.

See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information” for additional information on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest.

Derivatives. The Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.”

 

24

The Fund’s Investments


Investment Policies

Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest subject to the following policies:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality;

 

   

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in special situations municipal securities;

 

   

The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in any one issuer;

 

   

The Fund will not invest in common equity securities. This policy does not apply to shares of other investment companies or to common equity securities acquired in connection with a work-out of an issuer of a debt security as discussed below; and

 

   

The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity or duration of the municipal securities in which it will invest.

The foregoing policies are considered to apply only at the time of investment and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities.

“Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

Low to medium quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or “junk bonds”). Below investment grade securities are generally securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment and are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, a security’s rating is determined using the lowest rating of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch if all three NRSROs rate the security. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality is used. The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in low to medium quality municipal securities may vary over time, and may fluctuate significantly over time, over the minimum of 75% described above.

While investments in special situations municipal securities may be a component of the Fund’s investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objectives, the ability of the Fund to invest in special situation municipal securities may be limited by the availability of attractive opportunities in the market. The portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in such securities, if any, may fluctuate significantly over time up to the 25% limit described above.

Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a work-out arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to a defaulted security, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.

The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio securities. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the NAV of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio securities, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio securities.

For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in

 

The Fund’s Investments

 

 

25


cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.

The Fund’s investment policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI as such are considered fundamental. See also “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Common Shares. When used with respect to approval of a changes to the Fund’s fundamental policies, a “majority of the outstanding” shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less. All of the Fund’s other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the Common Shareholders.

 

26

The Fund’s Investments


Portfolio Composition and Other Information

The Fund’s portfolio will be composed principally of the following investments. More detailed information about the Fund’s portfolio investments are contained in the SAI under “Portfolio Composition and Other Information.”

Municipal Securities

Municipal securities are either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public projects (such as roads or public buildings), to pay general operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt.

Municipal securities may also be issued for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source; revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund may also purchase municipal securities that represent lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, tender option bonds and other forms of municipal bonds and securities.

The municipal securities in which the Fund will invest are generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam), and pay interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer (or on the basis of other authority believed by Nuveen Asset Management to be reliable), is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, although the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. Municipal securities issued by Puerto Rico involve specific risks. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Puerto Rico Municipal Securities Market Risk” below.

The yields on municipal securities depend on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The market value of municipal securities will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of their issuers to meet interest and principal payments.

The Fund may invest in “tobacco settlement bonds.” Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are secured or payable solely from the collateralization of the proceeds from class action or other litigation against the tobacco industry. Investments in tobacco settlement bonds are subject to risks. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Tobacco Settlement Bond Risk” below.

Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation. The Fund also may purchase municipal securities that represent lease obligations and certificates of participation in such leases. These carry special risks because the issuer of the securities may not be obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase which is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations is generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, as well as from state and local taxes in the state of issuance. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment or facilities. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering, or the failure to recover fully, the Fund’s original investment. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase municipal securities representing lease obligations where Nuveen Asset Management believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.

A certificate of participation represents an undivided interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal leases, an installment purchase agreement or other instruments. The certificates are typically issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements. Such certificates provide the Fund with the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying municipal securities. In addition, such participations generally provide the Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days’ notice, of all or any part of the Fund’s participation interest in the underlying municipal securities, plus accrued interest.

 

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Municipal Notes. Municipal securities in the form of notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs, in anticipation of an issuer’s receipt of other revenues or financing, and typically have maturities of up to three years. Such instruments may include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance the working capital needs of governments. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, property, use and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues available under federal revenue sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds needed for repayment of the bond anticipation notes. Tax and revenue anticipation notes combine the funding sources of both tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Mortgage notes insured by the Federal Housing Authority secure these notes; however, the proceeds from the insurance may be less than the economic equivalent of the payment of principal and interest on the mortgage note if there has been a default. The anticipated revenues from taxes, grants or bond financing generally secure the obligations of an issuer of municipal notes. An investment in such instruments, however, presents a risk that the anticipated revenues will not be received or that such revenues will be insufficient to satisfy the issuer’s payment obligations under the notes or that refinancing will be otherwise unavailable.

Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The principal of, and interest on, pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer.

Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. Under current law, a significant portion of the private activity bond market is comprised of AMT Bonds. The Fund’s distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax. See “Tax Matters.”

Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Inverse floating rate securities are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust, commonly referred to as a “tender option bond trust” (“TOB trust”), that holds municipal bonds. The TOB trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds (“TOBs”)), and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates or receipts. The floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB trust. In this structure, the floating rate security holders have the option, at periodic short-term intervals, to tender their securities to the trust for purchase and to receive the face value thereof plus accrued interest. The obligation of the trust to repurchase tendered securities is supported by a remarketing agent and by a liquidity provider. As consideration for providing this support, the remarketing agent and the liquidity provider receive periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the trust is not obligated to purchase tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults with respect to the underlying municipal bonds or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer.

As the holder of an inverse floating rate investment, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the TOB trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security plus accrued interest, the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal bond deposited into the TOB trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters to the value of the inverse floaters that are issued by the TOB trust. All voting rights and

 

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Portfolio Composition and Other Information


decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the TOB trust are passed through, pro rata, to the holders of the short-term floaters and to the Fund as the holder of the associated inverse floaters.

Because any increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters issued by a TOB trust would reduce the residual interest paid on the associated inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the TOB trust would only affect the value of the inverse floater and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust so long as the value of the municipal bond held by the trust exceeded the face amount of short-term floaters outstanding, the value of inverse floaters is generally more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable municipal bond held on an unleveraged basis outside a TOB trust. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market of fixed-rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but will tend to outperform the market of fixed-rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile in value and return, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields higher than those available on fixed-rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity or illiquidity based primarily upon the inverse floater holder’s ability to sell the underlying bonds deposited in the TOB trust at an attractive price.

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by TOB trusts in which the liquidity providers have recourse to the Fund pursuant to a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the liquidity provider, among other circumstances, upon termination of the TOB trust for the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount and accrued interest due to the holders of floating rate securities issued by the trust. The Fund will enter into such a recourse agreement (1) when the liquidity provider requires such a recourse agreement because the level of leverage in the TOB trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (2) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event the municipal bond held in the trust has declined in value to the point where it may cease to exceed the face amount of outstanding short-term floaters. In an instance where the Fund has entered such a recourse agreement, the Fund may suffer a loss that exceeds the amount of its original investment in the inverse floating rate securities; such loss could be as great as that original investment amount plus the face amount of the floating rate securities issued by the trust plus accrued interest thereon.

The Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with its custodian in accordance with the 1940 Act to cover its obligations with respect to its investments in TOB trusts.

The Fund may invest in both inverse floating rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same TOB trust.

Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may also invest in short-term floating rate securities, as described above, issued by TOB trusts. Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to other periods of up to one year. Since the tender option feature provides a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bond deposited in the trust, the Fund, as the holder of the floating rate securities, relies upon the terms of the remarketing and liquidity agreements with the financial institution that acts as remarketing agent and/or liquidity provider as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the TOB trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal bond deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate securities. The TOB trusts that are organized to issue both short-term floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate securities.

Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure developments to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds, are generally payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.

Zero Coupon Bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives

 

Portfolio Composition and Other Information

 

 

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the par value of the zero coupon bond, which generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (“OID”) approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to shareholders representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds to make income distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.

Special Situations Securities

The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:

 

   

of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or

 

   

that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors.

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk” below.

Corporate Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.

Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Fund’s investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuer’s capital structure.

Corporate bonds are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, the issuer’s performance or credit rating, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity. In addition, corporate restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers or similar corporate transactions are often financed by an increase in a corporate issuer’s debt securities. As a result of the added debt burden, the credit quality and market value of an issuer’s existing corporate bonds may decline significantly. Corporate bonds usually yield more than government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.

U.S. Treasury Securities

The Fund may invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.

Derivatives

The Fund may use in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative instruments. The Fund may also use credit default swaps and interest rate swaps. Credit default swaps may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments

 

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Portfolio Composition and Other Information


(receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. If the Fund is a seller of a contract, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, with respect to such debt obligations. In return, the Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If the Fund is a buyer of a contract, the Fund would have the right to deliver a referenced debt obligation and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event (such as a credit downgrade) by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporation, with respect to its debt obligations. In return, the Fund would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the counterparty would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Fund. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with a counterparty of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Hedging Strategies and Other Uses of Derivatives” in the SAI and “Asset Segregation” below.

The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) may also limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in futures, options on futures and swaps. See “Tax Matters.”

Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to seek to enhance return, to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income. The Fund will value derivative instruments at market/fair value for purposes of calculating compliance with the Fund’s 80% investment policy in municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax.

There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that, if used, that the strategies will be successful.

Swap Transactions. The Fund may enter into total return, interest rate and credit default swap agreements and interest rate caps, floors and collars. The Fund may also enter into options on the foregoing types of swap agreements (“swap options”).

The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any purpose consistent with its investment objectives and strategies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, as a duration management technique, to attempt to reduce risk arising from the ownership of a particular instrument, or to gain exposure to certain sectors or markets in the most economical way possible.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for a specified period of time. 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 asset, reference rate or index. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, e.g., 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. The notional amount of the swap agreement generally is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to the swap agreement have agreed to exchange.

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. Interest rate swaps are bilateral contracts in which each party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on different referenced interest rates (e.g., a fixed rate and a floating rate) applied to a specified notional amount. 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. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

The use of interest rate transactions, such as interest rate swaps and caps, is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps or caps could enhance or

 

Portfolio Composition and Other Information

 

 

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harm the overall performance of the Fund’s common shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the NAV of the common shares. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than the Fund’s fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will reduce common share net earnings. If, on the other hand, short-term interest rates are higher than the fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will enhance common share net earnings. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the common shares by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the common shares in the event that the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount such Fund would have been required to pay had it not entered into the cap agreement.

Municipal Market Data Rate Locks. The Fund may purchase and sell municipal market data rate locks (“MMD Rate Locks”). An MMD Rate Lock permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part of the yield curve. The Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Fund’s yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest rates). An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between the Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Fund buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In connection with investments in MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by the Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap, one party agrees to pay the other the “total return” of a defined underlying asset during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. A total return swap may be applied to any underlying asset but is most commonly used with equity indices, single stocks, bonds and defined baskets of loans and mortgages. The Fund might enter into a total return swap involving an underlying index or basket of securities to create exposure to a potentially widely diversified range of securities in a single trade. An index total return swap can be used by the portfolio managers to assume risk, without the complications of buying the component securities from what may not always be the most liquid of markets. In connection with the Fund’s position in a swap contract, the Fund will segregate liquid assets or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). See “—Asset Segregation” below.

Credit Default Swaps. A credit default swap is a bilateral contract that enables an investor to buy or sell protection against a defined-issuer credit event. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or a seller. The Fund may buy protection to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in an individual security or a segment of the fixed income securities market to which it has exposure, or to take a “short” position in individual bonds or market segments which it does not own. The Fund may sell protection in an attempt to gain exposure to the credit quality characteristics of particular bonds or market segments without investing directly in those bonds or market segments. As the buyer of protection in a credit default swap, the Fund would pay a premium (by means of an upfront payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement) in return for the right to deliver a referenced bond or group of bonds to the protection seller and receive the full notional or par value (or other agreed upon value) upon a default (or similar event) by the issuer(s) of the underlying referenced obligation(s). If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligation to the Fund. Thus, the cost to the Fund would be the premium paid with respect to the agreement. If a credit event occurs, however, the Fund may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. The Fund bears the risk that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations. If the Fund sells or writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. See “—Asset Segregation” below.

If the Fund is a seller of protection in a credit default swap and no credit event occurs, the Fund would generally receive an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a credit event occurs, however, generally the Fund would have to pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. As the protection seller, the Fund effectively adds the economic effect of leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to

 

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Portfolio Composition and Other Information


investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Thus, the Fund bears the same risk as it would by buying the reference obligation(s) directly, plus the additional risks related to obtaining investment exposure through a derivative instrument discussed below under “—Risks Associated with Swap Transactions.”

Swap Options. A swap option 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. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally would incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, 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 swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Risks Associated with Swap Transactions. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights. It also is possible that developments in the derivatives market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap or other agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Futures and Options on Futures Generally. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security, index or interest rate (each a “financial instrument”) for a set price on a future date. Certain futures contracts, such as futures contracts relating to individual securities, call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument. However, these contracts generally are closed out before delivery by entering into an offsetting purchase or sale of a matching futures contract (same exchange, underlying financial instrument, and delivery month). Other futures contracts, such as futures contracts on interest rates and indices, do not call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument, but rather are agreements pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the financial instrument at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally written. These contracts also may be settled by entering into an offsetting futures contract.

Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”), an amount of cash or securities equal to a varying specified percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The margin deposit is intended to ensure completion of the contract. Minimum initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and may be revised. In addition, FCMs may establish margin deposit requirements that are higher than the exchange minimums. Cash held in the margin account generally is not income producing. However, couponbearing securities, such as Treasury securities, held in margin accounts generally will earn income.

Subsequent payments to and from the FCM, called variation margin, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying financial instrument fluctuates, making the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking the contract to market. Changes in variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate its position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a gain or loss. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of the Fund, the Fund may be entitled to the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. Futures transactions also involve brokerage costs and the Fund may have to segregate additional liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC requirements. See “—Asset Segregation” below.

A futures option gives the purchaser of such option the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the purchaser acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. Upon the exercise of a put option, the opposite is true.

 

Portfolio Composition and Other Information

 

 

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Asset Segregation

As a closed-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff. Under current laws, rules and positions, the Fund must maintain liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments and financial agreements (such as reverse repurchase agreements).

Generally, the Fund will maintain an amount of liquid assets with its custodian in an amount at least equal to the current amount of its obligations under derivative instruments and financial agreements, in accordance with SEC guidance. However, the Fund also may “cover” certain obligations by other means such as through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions with respect to certain instruments consistent with existing SEC staff guidance so that its combined position, coupled with any liquid assets maintained by its custodian, equals its net outstanding obligation in related derivatives or financial agreements.

The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into and replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the SEC’s compliance date in 2022.

The Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff.

Bonds

The Fund may invest in a wide variety of bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. government and municipalities (during the initial investment period or for temporary defensive measures) and other issuers. Bonds are fixed or variable-rate debt obligations, including bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities. Bonds generally are used by corporations as well as governments and other issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights).

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest in securities and other instruments that, at the time of investment, are illiquid (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). For this purpose, illiquid securities may include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements.

Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market circumstances were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or its delegate.

Temporary Defensive Investments

For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.

Portfolio Turnover

It is not the Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. Although the Fund cannot predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it is generally not expected to exceed 60% under normal circumstances. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance, and may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be treated as ordinary income. See “Tax Matters.”

 

34

Portfolio Composition and Other Information


Leverage

The Fund anticipates using leverage to seek to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either investments in inverse floating rate securities, which represent leveraged investments in underlying bonds, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and issuing Preferred Shares, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately             % of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including investing in inverse floating rate securities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and issuance of Preferred Shares.

Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.”

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Selling a portfolio security and agreeing to buy it back under a reverse repurchase agreement is economically equivalent to borrowing. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk.”

The Fund may use derivatives, such as interest rate swaps with varying terms, in order to manage the interest rate expense associated with all or a portion of its leverage. Interest rate swaps are bi-lateral agreements whereby parties agree to exchange future payments, typically based upon the differential of a fixed rate and a variable rate, on a specified notional amount. Interest rate swaps can enable the Fund to effectively convert its variable leverage expense to fixed, or vice-versa. For example, if the Fund issues leverage having a short-term floating rate of interest, the Fund could use interest rate swaps to hedge against a rise in the short-term benchmark interest rates associated with its outstanding leverage. In doing so, the Fund would seek to achieve lower leverage costs, and thereby enhance Common Share distributions, over an extended period, which would be the result if short-term market interest rates on average exceed the fixed interest rate over the term of the swap. To the extent the fixed swap rate is greater than short-term market interest rates on average over the period, overall costs associated with leverage will be greater (and thereby reduce distributions to Common Shareholders) than if the Fund had not entered into the interest rate swap(s). See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.”

The Fund also may borrow for temporary purposes as permitted by the 1940 Act.

The Fund may reduce or increase the amount of leverage based upon changes in market conditions and/or composition of the Fund’s holdings. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used, variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings and the levels of Common Share subscription and repurchase offer activity related to the Fund’s continuously offered interval fund structure. So long as the net income received from the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest payments on its leveraging instruments which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of such fee to Nuveen Asset Management) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds realized and managed from the Fund’s use of most types of leverage (excluding the leverage exposure attributable to the use of futures, swaps and similar derivatives). Because Managed Assets include the Fund’s net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Fund’s investment of the proceeds of its leverage, it is anticipated that the Fund’s Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Fund’s investment objectives. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on their assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund. However, a decision to employ or increase leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets and in turn Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s management fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and

 

Leverage

 

 

35


Nuveen Asset Management may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by using leverage only when they determine that such action would be in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s degree of overall use of leverage and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.

The Fund may issue “senior securities” as defined under the 1940 Act. “Senior securities” have seniority over the Common Shares in regard to the income and assets of the Fund. The 1940 Act generally defines a “senior security” as any bond, debenture, note, or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness, and any stock of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payment of dividends (“Preferred Shares”); however, the term does not include any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made for temporary purposes and in an amount not exceeding five percent of the value of the Fund’s total assets. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities” that are Preferred Shares if, immediately after the issuance of Preferred Shares, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such Preferred Shares would be less than 200%. With respect to any such Preferred Shares, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund plus the aggregate liquidation preference of such Preferred Shares.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities representing indebtedness” if, immediately after the issuance of such senior securities representing indebtedness, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such senior securities would be less than 300%. “Senior securities representing indebtedness” include borrowings (including loans from financial institutions) and debt securities. “Senior securities representing indebtedness” also include other derivative investments or transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, to the extent the Fund has not fully covered, segregated or earmarked cash or liquid assets in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. With respect to any such senior securities representing debt, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented by senior securities issued by the Fund.

If the Fund issues senior securities and the asset coverage with respect to such senior securities declines below the required ratios discussed above (as a result of market fluctuations or otherwise), the Fund may sell portfolio securities when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Certain types of leverage used by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to certain covenants, asset coverage or other portfolio composition limits by its lenders, debt or preferred securities purchasers, rating agencies that may rate the debt or preferred securities, or reverse repurchase counterparties. Such limitations may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and may impact whether the Fund is able to maintain its desired amount of leverage. In order to comply with these limitations, the Fund may be required to take certain actions, such as redeeming all or a portion of its Preferred Shares or reducing its borrowings. The Fund may find it necessary to hold a portion of its net assets in cash or other liquid assets or sell a portion of its portfolio investments during times and at prices when it otherwise would not do so in order to accomplish such actions. Accordingly, such actions could reduce the net earnings or returns to Common Shareholders over time, and such impact would be magnified when Preferred Shares and/or borrowings are outstanding as the Fund would be required to make provision for both the potential need to redeem Preferred Shares and/or repay borrowings and its obligation to repurchase Common Shares pursuant to the Fund’s fundamental policy regarding repurchases. See “Periodic Repurchase Offers.” Moreover, the Fund also may be required to redeem its Preferred Shares or reduce borrowings from time to time to permit it to repurchase Common Shares pursuant to the Fund’s repurchase policy in compliance with applicable asset coverage requirements described above. At this time Nuveen Fund Advisors does not believe that any such potential investment limitations will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies.

Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Fund’s net income, distributions and NAV in relation to market changes. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk,” “—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk” and “—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

 

36

Leverage


Effects of Leverage

Assuming the utilization of leverage in an aggregate amount of approximately             % of the Fund’s Managed Assets, at a leverage expense rate of             % payable on such leverage the income generated by the Fund’s portfolio (net of non-leverage expenses) must exceed             % in order to cover such interest and/or dividend payments and other expenses. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates, used for illustration. Actual dividend rates and other leverage expenses may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio) of –10%, –5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. See “Risks.” The table further reflects the use of leverage representing             % of the Fund’s Managed Assets, net of expenses, and the Fund’s currently projected annual interest rate and/or dividend on its leverage of             %.

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses)      (10)%        (5)%      0%      5%      10%
Common Share Total Return                  %                    %                    %                    %                    %  

Common Share Total Return is composed of two elements: the Common Share dividends paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying dividends and other costs on its leverage) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the interest it receives on its portfolio investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.

 

Leverage

 

 

37


Risks

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its Common Shares and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund’s performance and the value of its investments will vary in response to changes in interest rates, inflation, the financial condition of a security’s issuer, ratings on a security, perceptions of the issuer, and other market factors. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

Portfolio Level Risks

Municipal Securities Market Risk—Investing in the municipal securities market involves certain risks. The municipal market is one in which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital, and during the market turmoil in 2008-2009 these firms’ capital was severely constrained. As a result, some firms were unwilling to commit their capital to purchase and to serve as a dealer for municipal bonds. The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Fund’s portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Nuveen Asset Management than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. In addition, the market for below investment grade municipal securities has experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, periods of significant volatility, which could negatively impact the value of the municipal securities in the Fund’s portfolio.

The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Further, some state and local governments have been and in the future may be subject to direct ballot referenda that could limit their financial flexibility, or their ability to levy taxes or raise revenues, which may adversely affect the marketability of notes and bonds issued by those state and local governments. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses. Any income derived from the Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in December 2019, and the resulting pandemic, has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in certain financial markets, including the municipal bond market. See “—Other Risks—Global Economic Risk”. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks of the municipal securities market have been magnified. These risks have had, and will continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies and therefore on the governments in those localities. These risks may also adversely affect several sectors of the municipal bond market, such as retirement facilities, transportation facilities such as airports, hospitals and colleges, among many others. All this has adversely affected the municipal securities market, and may continue to do so for an extended period.

Although the detection of COVID-19 in China was made public in December 2019, U.S. securities markets did not start to fully acknowledge the risks and potential economic impact until the latter portion of February 2020, when outbreaks outside of China were first reported. Certain parts of the municipal bond markets experienced significant volatility and drops in values, particularly below-investment grade municipal bonds. It is possible that similar market dislocations will recur as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, which may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments.

The impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving, and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues. Businesses are also implementing similar precautionary measures. Such measures, as well as the general uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19, are creating significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues generated by tourist dollars. Additionally, the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact state and local budgetary matters, as states and

 

38

Risks


municipalities may be more likely to run budget deficits (or larger deficits) during the period of economic contraction stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issuer Credit Risk—Issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest may default, or may be in default at the time of purchase, on their obligations to pay dividends, principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt security experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. With respect to the Fund’s investments in securities that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuer’s obligation in the event of non-payment of a scheduled dividend, interest or principal payment or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a security. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.

Credit Spread Risk—Credit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market believes that municipal securities generally have a greater risk of default. Increasing credit spreads may reduce the market values of the Fund’s securities. Credit spreads often increase more for lower rated and unrated securities than for investment grade securities. In addition, when credit spreads increase, reductions in market value will generally be greater for longer-maturity securities.

Below Investment Grade Risk—Debt instruments of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest, dividends and repay principal, and are commonly referred to as junk bonds or high yield debt, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. Issuers of lower grade instruments may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. The prices of these lower grade instruments are typically more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade instruments.

If a below investment grade security goes into default, or its issuer enters bankruptcy, it might be difficult to sell that security in a timely manner at a reasonable price.

The secondary market for lower grade instruments may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated instruments, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular instrument. There are fewer dealers in the market for lower grade securities than for investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers for lower grade instruments may vary significantly and the spread between the bid and ask price for such instruments is generally much larger than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for lower grade securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these instruments or may be able to sell the instruments only at prices lower than if such instruments were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated instruments, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund’s NAV.

For these reasons, an investment in the Fund, compared with a portfolio consisting solely of investment grade securities, may experience the following:

 

   

increased price sensitivity resulting from a deteriorating economic environment and changing interest rates;

 

   

greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality;

 

   

adverse issuer specific events that are more likely to render the issuer unable to make interest and/or principal payments; and

 

   

the possibility that a negative perception of the below investment grade market develops, resulting in the price and liquidity of below investment grade securities becoming depressed, and this negative perception could last for a significant period of time.

In the event that the Fund disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, the Fund may experience a greater loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.

Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk—The availability of special situations municipal securities that present attractive investment opportunities has historically been sporadic and may in the future be rare or at times non-existent. As such, the portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. At times when the portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities is low, due to lack of availability of

 

Risks

 

 

39


special situations municipal securities or otherwise, that low level exposure to such securities may impede the Fund’s ability to fully pursue its investment objectives.

Special situations municipal securities present both unusual opportunities and challenges. The ability of the Fund to capitalize on its investments in special situations municipal securities will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, Nuveen Asset Management’s ability (1) to select special situations municipal securities to invest in that have good prospects for improving their creditworthiness over time, or otherwise experiencing price improvement; (2) to manage the various special situations municipal securities’ credits through the recovery process, including work-outs, buyouts and bankruptcies; (3) to buy attractively-priced special situations municipal securities that have the potential to appreciate significantly in value or minimize losses, depending on market conditions; and (4) to liquidate its investments in special situations municipal securities, either by selling such securities to other investors at attractive prices, or by receiving cash, securities or other assets of value after and as a result of a work-out or the issuer’s emergence from bankruptcy.

Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to succeed in these efforts will require skills and techniques that are different from or in addition to the skills and techniques used by a typical municipal investment manager. There is no assurance that Nuveen Asset Management will succeed in its efforts, or that market circumstances will end up being favorable to deriving outsized returns from investments in special situations municipal securities.

Interest Rate Risk—Interest rate risk is the risk that debt securities in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. Generally, when market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities will fall, and vice versa. As interest rates decline, issuers of debt securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities and potentially reducing the Fund’s income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life of securities, potentially locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Fund’s value. In typical market interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term debt securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term debt securities as interest rates change. The Federal Reserve recently reduced the federal funds rate several times.

Duration Risk—Duration is the sensitivity, expressed in years, of the price of a fixed-income security to changes in the general level of interest rates (or yields). Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate (or yield) changes, which typically corresponds to increased volatility and risk, than securities with shorter durations. For example, if a security or portfolio has a duration of three years and interest rates increase by 1%, then the security or portfolio would decline in value by approximately 3%. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers potential changes to interest rates, and a security’s coupon payments, yield, price and par value and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. The duration of a security will be expected to change over time with changes in market factors and time to maturity.

Call Risk—During periods of declining interest rates or for other purposes, issuers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding instruments. This is known as prepayment or “call” risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to call risk. Debt and preferred instruments may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or “called,” before their stated maturity or redemption date. In general, an issuer will call its debt or preferred instruments if they can be refinanced by issuing new instruments which bear a lower interest or dividend rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call its high yielding debt or preferred instruments. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest or dividend rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.

Reinvestment Risk—Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares’ NAV and/or a Common Shareholder’s overall returns. As the average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio shortens, the Fund will reinvest in shorter maturity securities at market interest rates that may be lower than at the Fund’s inception.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk—The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a “tender option bond trust”) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Municipal Securities—Inverse Floating Rate Securities.” In general, income on inverse floating rate securities will decrease when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floating rate securities may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal.

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special

 

40

Risks


purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. In such instances, the Fund may be at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities.

Inverse floating rate securities may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate, which effectively leverages the Fund’s investment. As a result, the market value of such securities generally will be more volatile than that of fixed rate securities.

The Fund’s investments in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund may be highly leveraged. The structure and degree to which the Fund’s inverse floating rate securities are highly leveraged will vary based upon a number of factors, including the size of the trust itself and the terms of the underlying municipal security. In the event of a significant decline in the value of an underlying security, the Fund may suffer losses in excess of the amount of its investment (up to an amount equal to the value of the municipal securities underlying the inverse floating rate securities) as a result of liquidating special purpose trusts or other collateral required to maintain the Fund’s anticipated leverage ratio.

The Fund’s investment in inverse floating rate securities creates leverage. Any leverage achieved through the Fund’s investment in inverse floating rate securities will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk.”

The amount of fees paid to Nuveen Asset Management for investment advisory services will be higher if the Fund uses leverage because the fees will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets—this may create an incentive for Nuveen Asset Management to leverage the Fund. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based, among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be “called away” on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Shares may be greater for a fund (like the Fund) that relies primarily on inverse floating rate securities to achieve a desired leverage ratio. The Fund may be required to sell its inverse floating rate securities at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

If the Fund has a need for cash and the securities in a special purpose trust are not actively trading due to adverse market conditions; and

 

   

If the value of an underlying security declines significantly and if additional collateral has not been posted by the Fund.

There is no assurance that the Fund’s strategy of investing in inverse floating rate securities will be successful.

Municipal Securities Market Liquidity Risk—Inventories of municipal securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell municipal securities at attractive prices, and increase municipal security price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade municipal securities in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal securities at attractive prices. In addition, recent federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of municipal securities, which may further decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell municipal securities. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a

 

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negative effect on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of municipal securities to raise cash to meet its obligations, those sales could further reduce the municipal securities’ prices and hurt performance. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in unrated municipal securities. The market for these municipal securities may be less liquid than the market for rated municipal securities of comparable quality. Less public information is typically available about unrated municipal securities or issuers than rated municipal securities or issuers.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities Risk—Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable. These securities may include restricted securities, including securities issued in private placements, which can not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of securities, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s NAV and ability to make dividend distributions.

Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risk—The Fund may invest in any securities of an issuer that is in default or that is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. However, the Fund may hold investments that at the time of purchase are not in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, but may later become so. Moreover, the Fund may invest to a limited extent in securities rated Caa/CCC or lower, or unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality. Some or many of these low-rated securities, although not in default, may be “distressed,” meaning that the issuer is experiencing financial difficulties or distress at the time of acquisition. Such securities would present a substantial risk of future default which may cause the Fund to incur losses, including additional expenses, to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on those securities. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio security, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Defaulted or distressed securities may be subject to restrictions on resale.

Derivatives Risk—The Fund’s use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the investments underlying the derivatives. If the Fund enters into a derivative transaction, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. The risks associated with derivatives transactions include (i) the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, (ii) the possible default of the counterparty to the transaction, (iii) illiquidity of the derivative instruments, and (iv) high volatility losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. Although both over-the-counter (”OTC”) and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a lack of liquidity, OTC non-standardized derivative transactions are generally less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators, government regulation and intervention, and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.

Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management correctly forecasting market circumstances, liquidity, market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management incorrectly forecast these and other factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be unfavorably affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that the derivatives investing techniques, as they may be developed and implemented by the Fund, will be successful in mitigating risk or achieving the Fund’s investment objectives. The use of derivatives to enhance returns may be particularly speculative.

Risk of Swaps and Swap Options—The Fund may enter into debt-related derivatives instruments including credit default swap contracts and interest rate swaps. Like most derivative instruments, the use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. In addition, the use of swaps requires an understanding by Nuveen Asset Management not only of the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the swap itself. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Because they are

 

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two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered illiquid. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two-party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights.

The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. When the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

It is possible that developments in the derivatives market, including changes in government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Risk of Financial Futures and Options Transactions—The Fund may use certain transactions for hedging the portfolio’s exposure to credit risk and the risk of increases in interest rates, which could result in poorer overall performance for the Fund. The Fund’s use of certain transactions to reduce risk involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.

There are certain risks associated with the use of financial futures and options to hedge investment portfolios. There may be an imperfect correlation between price movements of the futures and options and price movements of the portfolio securities being hedged. Losses may be incurred in hedging transactions, which could reduce the portfolio gains that might have been realized if the hedging transactions had not been entered into. If the Fund engages in futures transactions or in the writing of options on futures, it will be required to maintain initial margin and maintenance margin and may be required to make daily variation margin payments in accordance with applicable rules of the exchanges and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). If the Fund purchases a financial futures contract or a call option or writes a put option in order to hedge the anticipated purchase of municipal securities, and if the Fund fails to complete the anticipated purchase transaction, the Fund may have a loss or a gain on the futures or options transaction that will not be offset by price movements in the municipal securities that were the subject of the anticipatory hedge. The cost of put options on debt securities or indexes effectively increases the cost of the securities subject to them, thereby reducing the yield otherwise available from these securities. If the Fund decides to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, the Fund will be required to establish an account for such purposes with one or more CFTC-registered futures commission merchants. A futures commission merchant could establish initial and maintenance margin requirements for the Fund that are greater than those which would otherwise apply to the Fund under applicable rules of the exchanges and the CFTC. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a derivatives or futures or a futures option position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of the current trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.

Puerto Rico Municipal Securities Market Risk—To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations (collectively referred to in this prospectus as “Puerto Rico” or the “Commonwealth”), it will be disproportionally affected by political, social and economic conditions and developments in the Commonwealth. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that territory could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rican municipal

 

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securities. Several major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015 and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Additionally, numerous issuers have entered Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversite, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), which is similar to bankruptcy protection, through which the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can restructure its debt. However, Puerto Rico’s case is the first ever heard under PROMESA and there is no existing case precedent to guide the proceedings. Accordingly, Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring process could take significantly longer than traditional municipal bankruptcy proceedings. Further, it is not clear whether a debt restructuring process will ultimately be approved or, if so, the extent to which it will apply to Puerto Rico municipal securities sold by an issuer other than the territory. A debt restructuring could reduce the principal amount due, the interest rate, the maturity, and other terms of Puerto Rico municipal securities, which could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rican municipal securities. Legislation, including PROMESA that would allow Puerto Rico to restructure its municipal debt obligations, thus increasing the risk that Puerto Rico may never pay off municipal indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed, could also impact the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities.

These challenges and uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria and the resulting natural disaster in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Rico’s infrastructure is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an uncertain economic state. The full extent of the natural disaster’s impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is difficult to estimate.

Puerto Rico’s political and economic conditions could have a negative impact on the liquidity or value of Puerto Rican municipal securities, and consequently may affect the Fund’s investments and its performance if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Puerto Rican municipal securities.

Municipal Lease Obligation Risk—Participation interests in municipal leases are undivided interests in a lease, installment purchase contract, or conditional sale contract entered into by a state or local government unit to acquire equipment or facilities. Participation interests in municipal leases pose special risks because many leases and contracts contain “non-appropriation” clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for this purpose by the appropriate legislative body. If an issuer stopped making payment on the municipal lease, the obligation held by the Fund would likely lose some or all of its value. In addition, some municipal lease obligations may be less liquid than other debt obligations, making it difficult for the Fund to sell the obligation at an acceptable price. Although these kinds of obligations are secured by the leased equipment or facilities, it might be difficult and time consuming to dispose of the equipment or facilities in the event of non-appropriation, and the Fund might not recover the full principal amount of the obligation.

Unrated Investments Risk—Unrated investments determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality to rated investments that the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated investments and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information is typically available about unrated investments or issuers than rated investments or issuers.

Valuation Risk—The municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest typically are valued by a pricing service utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell a portfolio security at the price established by the pricing service, which could result in a loss to the Fund. Pricing services generally price municipal bonds assuming orderly transactions of an institutional “round lot” size, but some trades may occur in smaller, “odd lot” sizes, often at lower prices than institutional round lot trades. Different pricing services may incorporate different assumptions and inputs into their valuation methodologies, potentially resulting in different values for the same securities. As a result, if the Fund were to change pricing services, or if the Fund’s pricing service were to change its valuation methodology, there could be a material impact, either positive or negative, on the Fund’s NAV.

Zero Coupon Bonds Risk—As interest on zero coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of the bonds are subject to greater fluctuations than are the value of bonds that distribute income regularly and may be more speculative than such bonds. Accordingly, the values of zero coupon bonds may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while zero coupon bonds generate income for purposes of generally accepted accounting

 

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standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause the Fund to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by certain tax laws.

Hedging Risk—The Fund’s use of derivatives or other transactions to reduce risks involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.

Tax Risk—The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains. To qualify for the special tax treatment available to a RIC, the Fund must comply with certain income, distribution, and diversification requirements. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be forced to sell certain assets when it is not advantageous in order to meet these requirements, which may reduce the Fund’s overall return. If the Fund fails to meet any of these requirements, subject to the opportunity to cure such failures under applicable provisions of the Code, the Fund’s income would be subject to a double level of U.S. federal income tax. The Fund’s income, including its net capital gain, would first be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates, even if such income were distributed to shareholders and, second, all distributions by the Fund from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), would be taxable to shareholders as dividends. See “Tax Matters.”

The value of the Fund’s investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and rules. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to U.S. regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences of their investments. The Fund’s investment in AMT Bonds may trigger adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. If you are, or as a result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for you. In addition, distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Interest income on municipal securities also may be subject to state and local income taxes. See “Tax Matters.”

Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk—Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price and date, thereby establishing an effective interest rate. The Fund’s use of reverse repurchase agreements, in economic essence, constitute a securitized borrowing by the Fund from the security purchaser. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for the purpose of creating a leveraged investment exposure and, as such, their usage involves essentially the same risks associated with a leveraging strategy generally since the proceeds from these agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements tend to be short-term in tenor, and there can be no assurances that the purchaser (lender) will commit to extend or “roll” a given agreement upon its agreed-upon repurchase date or an alternative purchaser can be identified on similar terms.

Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that purchaser fails to return the securities as agreed upon, files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. The Fund may be restricted from taking normal portfolio actions during such time, could be subject to loss to the extent that the proceeds of the agreement are less than the value of securities subject to the agreement and may experience adverse tax consequences.

Taxability Risk—The Fund will invest in municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and Nuveen Asset Management will not independently verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of such a municipal security, however, the security may be determined to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as “exempt-interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased federal income tax liabilities.

Distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. See “Tax Matters.”

 

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Inflation Risk—Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline.

Insurance Risk—The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies that provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance for municipal securities have incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit quality investments that have experienced defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such losses have reduced the insurers’ capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a municipal security suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant and the value of the municipal security would more closely, if not entirely, reflect such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a municipal security would decline and may not add any value. The insurance feature of a municipal security does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.

Debt Securities Risk—Issuers of debt instruments in which the Fund may invest may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt instrument experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such instruments generally will fall.

Tender Option Bond Regulatory Risk—The federal banking regulators, the SEC and the CFTC in recent years have adopted rules and regulations that have impacted or may impact TOB trusts and securities issued by such trusts, including most notably the so-called “Volcker Rule”, added to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 with the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Volcker Rule places certain restrictions on the ability of any “banking entity” to sponsor, acquire interests in and engage in certain activities with a TOB trust. As a result, certain activities to support the remarketing of floating rate certificates undertaken by banking entities, in their role as remarketing agents or liquidity providers to TOB trusts, before the compliance date for the Volcker Rule, are no longer permitted under the standard TOB trust structure. To be compliant with the Volcker Rule, the standard TOB trust structure has been modified since the Rule’s adoption (i) to shift certain rights and responsibilities from the remarketing agent and liquidity provider to the owners of the inverse floating rate securities such as the Fund itself, and (ii) to change the way in which liquidity is provided to support remarketing of the floating rate securities. Holders of the inverse floating rate securities, including the Fund, may delegate many of these responsibilities to a third party administrator, which would generate additional costs relative to the standard TOB trust structure. The total impact of these modifications remains to be fully seen, but the operational and structural changes associated with these modifications may make early unwinds of TOB trusts in adverse market scenarios more likely, may make the use of TOB trusts more expensive and, overall, may make it more difficult to use TOB trusts to effectively leverage municipal investments to the extent that the Fund may desire. In addition, these modifications have raised or may raise other regulatory issues that may require further refinement to the structure, may impede the future use of TOB trusts as a means of financing leverage, or may increase future costs of TOB-based leverage.

Tobacco Settlement Bond Risk—Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing state’s proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”). The MSA is an agreement reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. Under the terms of the MSA, the actual amount of future settlement payments by tobacco manufacturers is dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. Payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline.

Fund Level Risks

Investment and Market Risk—An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Common Shares represents an indirect

 

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investment in the securities owned by the Fund. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

Repurchase Offers Risk—As described under “Periodic Repurchase Offers”, the Fund is an “interval fund” and, in order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, intends to conduct quarterly repurchase offers of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. In each quarter, such repurchase offers will be for at least 5% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act.

The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 7.5% of its outstanding Common Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund’s Common Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Fund’s investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Fund’s investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Fund’s repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Fund’s repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected, the Fund employs leverage, repurchases of Common Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Common Shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Fund’s expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Board of Trustees may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Board of Trustees determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if Common Shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Common Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, Common Shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some Common Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A Common Shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV of Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV for tendered Common Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to Common Shareholders.

While the Fund anticipates having enough cash on hand to fund share repurchases, it may need to sell securities in order to generate enough cash to fund share repurchases. This may cause the Fund to have a higher portfolio turnover rate than is generally anticipated. A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes to Fund investors. This is because the sale of securities may accelerate the recognition of capital gains by the Fund (if the Fund’s basis in securities sold is less than the proceeds from the sale of the security) which may be distributed to investors, and it is more likely that such gains will be taxable as short-term capital gains rather than long-term capital gains that are taxable at lower rates.

If shares tendered by an investor are repurchased by the Fund, it will be a taxable transaction to the investor either in the form of a “sale or exchange” which would be taxable to an investor at capital gain tax rates, assuming such shares are held as a capital asset, or, under certain circumstances, a “dividend” which would be taxable to an investor at ordinary income tax rates. See “Tax Matters—Sale, Exchange of Liquidation of Fund Shares” in the SAI for additional information.

Leverage Risk—The Fund’s anticipated use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders, including potential interest rate risks and the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and Common Share distributions. The use of leverage in a declining market will likely cause a greater decline in Common Share NAV than if the Fund were not to have used leverage. The Fund will pay (and Common Shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the Fund’s use of leverage, which will result in a reduction in the NAV of the Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may, based on its assessment of market conditions, composition of the Fund’s holdings, increase or decrease the amount of leverage. Such changes may impact the Fund’s distributions. There is no assurance that the Fund will utilize leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will be successful. See “Leverage.”

 

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The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors for investment advisory services, which in turn pays a portion of its fee to Nuveen Asset Management for investment sub-advisory services, based on a percentage of the Fund’s Managed Assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base the decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund based on their assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund. However, the fact that a decision to employ or increase the Fund’s leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets and therefore Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s fees means that they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by leveraging the Fund (or increasing such leverage) only when they determine that such action is in the best interests of the Fund, and by periodically reviewing the Fund’s performance and use of leverage with the Board of Trustees.

Non-Diversified Status Risk—The Fund is a non-diversified fund. As defined in the 1940 Act, a non-diversified fund may invest a significant part of its investments in a smaller number of issuers than can a diversified fund. Having a larger percentage of assets in a smaller number of issuers makes a non-diversified fund, like the Fund, more susceptible to the risk that one single event or occurrence can have a significant adverse impact upon the Fund.

Large Shareholder Risk—To the extent a large proportion of the Common Shares are held by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder), including affiliates of Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Fund is subject to the risk that these shareholders will purchase Common Shares in large amounts rapidly or unexpectedly. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Furthermore, it is possible that in response to a repurchase offer, the total amount of Common Shares tendered by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder) may exceed the number of Common Shares that the Fund has offered to repurchase. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Common Shareholders, the Fund will repurchase only a pro rata portion of shares tendered by each shareholder. See “Fund Level Risks—Repurchase Offers Risk” above.

Small Fund Risk—There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size. A fund with a smaller asset base may experience higher expenses and portfolio transaction costs than a fund with a larger asset base. To the extent that the Fund does not grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size, it may be liquidated, and the expenses, timing and tax consequences of such liquidation may not be favorable to certain shareholders.

Other Risks

Economic and Political Events Risk—The Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds of similar projects (such as those relating to the education, health care, housing, transportation, or utilities industries), industrial development bonds, or in particular types of municipal securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds or moral obligation bonds). Such developments may adversely affect a specific industry or local political and economic conditions, and thus may lead to declines in the bonds’ creditworthiness and value.

Recent Market Conditions—In response to the financial crisis and recent market events, the United States and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Policy and legislative changes by the United States government and the Federal Reserve to assist in the ongoing support of financial markets, both domestically and in other countries, are changing many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, such countries are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain investments. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws and the imposition of trade barriers. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Changes to the Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates, may affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, the contentious domestic political environment, as well as political and diplomatic events within the United States and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced the federal corporate income tax rate, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

 

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Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of investments. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the United States and abroad, but there is a consensus that interest rates will increase during the life of the Fund, which could negatively impact the price of debt securities. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the United States and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse.

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) held a referendum on whether to remain a member state of the European Union (“EU”), in which voters favored the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, an event widely referred to as “Brexit” and which triggered a two-year period of negotiations on the terms of withdrawal. The formal notification to the European Council required under Article 50 of the Treaty on EU was made on March 29, 2017, following which the terms of exit were negotiated. On January 31, 2020, the UK formally withdrew from the EU and the two sides entered into a transition phase, where the UK effectively remained in the EU from an economic perspective, but no longer had any political representation in the EU parliament. The transition period concluded on December 31, 2020, and EU law no longer applies in the UK. On December 30, 2020, the UK and EU signed an EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (“UK/EU Trade Agreement”), which went into effect on January 1, 2021 and sets out the foundation of the economic and legal framework for trade between the UK and EU. As the UK/EU Trade Agreement is a new legal framework, the implementation of the UK/EU Trade Agreement may result in uncertainty in its application and periods of volatility in both the UK and wider European markets. The longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to be put in place between the UK and the EU are unclear at this stage, remain subject to negotiation and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the UK and in wider European markets for some time. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the UK and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time. Additionally, a number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military attacks could occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geographical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets.

The current political climate has intensified concerns about a potential trade war between China and the United States, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of China’s export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. U.S. companies that source material and goods from China and those that make large amounts of sales in China would be particularly vulnerable to an escalation of trade tensions. Uncertainty regarding the outcome of the trade tensions and the potential for a trade war could cause the U.S. dollar to decline against safe haven currencies, such as the Japanese yen and the euro. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

The impact of these developments in the near- and long-term is unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

Legislation and Regulatory Risk—At any time after the date of this prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund, securities held by the Fund or the issuers of such securities. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Fund shareholders may incur increased costs resulting from such legislation or additional regulation. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives.

For example, the Dodd-Frank Act is designed to impose stringent regulation on the over-the-counter derivatives market in an attempt to increase transparency and accountability and provides for, among other things, new clearing, execution, margin, reporting, recordkeeping, business conduct, disclosure, position limit, minimum net capital and

 

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registration requirements. Although the CFTC has released final rules under the Dodd-Frank Act, many of the provisions are subject to further final rulemaking, and thus the Dodd-Frank Act’s ultimate impact remains unclear.

Additionally, the Fund is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like the Fund, from registration as a “commodity pool operator” under Rule 4.5 promulgated by the CFTC pursuant to its authority under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator.” As a result, the Fund is limited in its ability to use commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes and interest rate futures) or options on commodity futures, engage in swaps transactions or make certain other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles) for purposes other than bona fide hedging. With respect to transactions other than for bona fide hedging purposes, either: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Fund’s positions in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the Fund may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the futures, options or swaps markets. If the Fund does not continue to claim the exclusion, it would likely become subject to registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator. The Fund may incur additional expenses as a result of the CFTC’s registration and regulatory requirements.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk—Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management each provide a wide array of portfolio management and other asset management services to a mix of clients and may engage in ordinary course activities in which their respective interests or those of their clients may compete or conflict with those of the Fund. In certain circumstances, and subject to its fiduciary obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Nuveen Asset Management may have to allocate a limited investment opportunity among its clients, which include closed-end funds, open-end funds and other commingled funds. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management have each adopted policies and procedures designed to address such situations and other potential conflicts of interests.

For additional information about potential conflicts of interest, and the way in which Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management address such conflicts, please see “Subadviser—Nuveen Asset Management Conflict of Interest Policies” in the SAI.

The following risks are not considered to be principal risks of investing in the Fund:

Income Risk—The Fund’s income could decline due to falling market interest rates. This is because, in a falling interest rate environment, the Fund generally will have to invest the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, as well as the proceeds from maturing portfolio securities, in lower-yielding securities.

Deflation Risk—Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies, their assets and revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Borrowing Risk—In addition to borrowing for leverage (see “Leverage”), the Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, to pay dividends, repurchase its shares, or clear portfolio transactions. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the NAV of the Fund’s shares and may affect the Fund’s net income. When the Fund borrows money, it must pay interest and other fees, which will reduce the Fund’s returns if such costs exceed the returns on the portfolio securities purchased or retained with such borrowings. Any such borrowings are intended to be temporary. However, under certain market circumstances, such borrowings might be outstanding for longer periods of time.

Cybersecurity Risk—Technology, such as the internet, has become more prevalent in the course of business, and as such, the Fund and its service providers are susceptible to operational and information security risk resulting from cyber incidents. Cyber incidents refer to both intentional attacks and unintentional events including: processing errors, human errors, technical errors including computer glitches and system malfunctions, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, market-wide technical-related disruptions, unauthorized access to digital systems (through “hacking” or malicious software coding), computer viruses, and cyber-attacks which shut down, disable, slow or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes or website access or functionality (including denial of service attacks). Cyber incidents could adversely impact the Fund and cause the Fund to incur financial loss and expense, as well as face exposure to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures. Cyber incidents may cause a Fund or its service providers to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, lose operational capacity or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other

 

50

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potentially harmful effects, cyber incidents also may result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While the Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, 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 cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund.

Litigation Risk—From time to time, the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may be subject to pending or threatened litigation or regulatory action. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments. The ultimate outcome of any potential litigation or regulatory action or any claims that may arise in the future cannot be predicted and the reputation of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management could be damaged as a result. Certain litigation or regulatory scrutiny could materially adversely affect the Fund. The resolution of certain claims may result in significant fines, judgments, or settlements, which, if partially or completely uninsured, could adversely impact the Fund or the ability of Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management to perform their duties to the Fund.

Certain Affiliations—Certain broker-dealers may be considered to be affiliated persons of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen and/or TIAA. Absent an exemption from the SEC or other regulatory relief, the Fund generally is precluded from effecting certain principal transactions with affiliated brokers, and its ability to purchase securities being underwritten by an affiliated broker or a syndicate including an affiliated broker, or to utilize affiliated brokers for agency transactions, is subject to restrictions. The Fund has not applied for and does not currently intend to apply for such relief. This could limit the Fund’s ability to engage in securities transactions and take advantage of market opportunities.

Asset Segregation Risk—Certain portfolio management techniques, such as, among other things, using reverse repurchase agreements, purchasing investments on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or entering into swap agreements, futures contracts or other derivative transactions, create leverage or its effect, and may be considered “senior securities’” (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act). To avoid having these instruments considered “senior securities,” the Fund may maintain liquid assets with its custodian in an amount with a value at least equal (on a daily market value basis or notional value basis, as applicable) to the aggregate amount of its obligations under these types of leveraging transactions (often referred to as “asset segregation”), enter into offsetting transactions, or otherwise “cover” certain transactions, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the SEC’s compliance date in 2022. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Asset Segregation” above. In the event that the Fund is unable to maintain sufficient assets, or otherwise “cover,” any open positions, a portion or all of these instruments will be classified as a “senior security” for 1940 Act purposes and be subject to certain limitations on “senior securities” under the 1940 Act. See “Leverage” above. The Fund may be restricted in its use of assets that are maintained for “asset segregation,” or committed as “cover,” for certain other purposes, which could result in the Fund earning a lower return on its portfolio than it might otherwise earn if it did not have to maintain those assets in respect of, or otherwise “cover,” such portfolio positions. To the extent the Fund’s assets are maintained or committed as “cover,” it could limit the Fund’s investment flexibility. Maintaining assets and covering positions will not limit or offset losses on the related leveraging positions.

Counterparty Risk—The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative transactions entered into by the Fund. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Fund’s counterparties with respect to derivatives transactions may affect the value of those instruments. Because certain derivative transactions in which the Fund may engage may be traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise becomes unable to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties the Fund may sustain losses (including the full amount of its investment), may be unable to liquidate a derivatives position or may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceedings. By entering into derivatives transactions, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience such financial hardships. Although the Fund intends to enter into transactions only with counterparties that Nuveen Fund Advisors believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and that the Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction. In the event of a counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency, any collateral posted by the Fund in connection with a derivatives transaction may be subject to the conflicting claims of that counterparty’s creditors, and the Fund may be exposed

 

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51


to the risk of a court treating the Fund as a general unsecured creditor of the counterparty, rather than as the owner of the collateral.

The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared OTC derivative transactions. In a cleared derivative transaction, generally, a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative contract and each party to a trade looks only to the clearing organization for performance of financial obligations under the derivative contract. In effect, the clearing organization guarantees a party’s performance under the contract. However, there can be no assurance that a clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund, or that the Fund would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or the Fund’s clearing broker. In addition, cleared derivative transactions benefit from daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Uncleared OTC derivative transactions generally do not benefit from such protections. As a result, for uncleared OTC derivative transactions, there is the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. This risk is heightened for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties.

Risks Related to the Fund’s Clearing Broker and Central Clearing Counterparty—The CEA requires swaps and futures clearing brokers registered as “futures commission merchants” to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of U.S. domestic futures contracts and cleared swaps from the brokers’ proprietary assets. Similarly, the CEA requires each futures commission merchant to hold in separate secure accounts all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of foreign futures contracts and cleared swaps and segregate any such funds from the funds received with respect to domestic futures contracts. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account and may be invested in certain instruments permitted under applicable regulations. There is a risk that assets deposited by the Fund with any swaps or futures clearing broker as margin for futures contracts or cleared swaps may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy losses of other clients of the Fund’s clearing broker. In addition, the assets of the Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the Fund’s clearing broker’s bankruptcy, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for the relevant account class.

Similarly, the CEA requires a clearing organization approved by the CFTC as a derivatives clearing organization to segregate all funds and other property received from a clearing member’s clients in connection with domestic cleared derivative contracts from any funds held at the clearing organization to support the clearing member’s proprietary trading. Nevertheless, all customer funds held at a clearing organization in connection with any futures contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account and are not identified to the name of the clearing member’s individual customers. All customer funds held at a clearing organization with respect to cleared swaps of customers of a clearing broker are also held in an omnibus account, but CFTC rules require that the clearing broker notify the clearing organization of the amount of the initial margin provided by the clearing broker to the clearing organization that is attributable to each customer. With respect to futures and options contracts, a clearing organization may use assets of a non-defaulting customer held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. With respect to cleared swaps, a clearing organization generally cannot do so, but may do so if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting to the clearing organization as to the attribution of margin among its clients. Also, since clearing brokers generally provide to clearing organizations the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer, the Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing organization will not make variation margin payments owed to the Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default. As a result, in the event of a default or the clearing broker’s other clients or the clearing broker’s failure to extend its own funds in connection with any such default, the Fund may not be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited by the clearing broker on behalf of the Fund with the clearing organization.

Other Investment Companies Risk—The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including ETFs. Such securities may be leveraged. As a result, the Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities and therefore magnify the Fund’s leverage risk. Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks. An investment in securities of other investment companies that are leveraged may expose the Fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Fund’s long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of the Common Shares) will be diminished. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the

 

52

Risks


other investment companies’ expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations. As a result, the cost of investing in investment company shares may exceed the costs of investing directly in its underlying investments. Investing in an investment company exposes the Fund to all of the risks of that investment company’s investments. An ETF that is based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the index. The value of an ETF based on a specific index is subject to change as the values of its respective component assets fluctuate according to market volatility. ETFs typically rely on a limited pool of authorized participants to create and redeem shares, and an active trading market for ETF shares may not develop or be maintained. The market value of shares of ETFs and closed-end funds may differ from their NAV.

 

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Management of the Fund

Trustees and Officers

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the Fund’s management, including supervision of the duties performed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management. The names and business addresses of the Fund’s trustees and officers and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set forth under “Management of the Fund” in the SAI.

Investment Adviser and Subadviser

Investment Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors, a registered investment adviser, is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of Nuveen Asset Management, overseeing the Fund’s use of leverage, managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.

Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, the investment management arm of TIAA. TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Subadviser. Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s subadviser responsible for investing the Fund’s Managed Assets. Nuveen Asset Management is a subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Portfolio Managers. John Miller and Steve Hlavin will serve as the Fund’s portfolio managers.

John Miller serves as the head of Nuveen Municipals for Nuveen Asset Management, responsible for the investment process and performance of the firm’s municipal fixed income group. He is also the lead manager of the High Yield Municipal Bond Strategy, the California High Yield Municipal Bond Strategy, and related institutional portfolios. In addition, he co-manages the All-American Municipal Bond Strategy and the Strategic Municipal Opportunities Strategy and oversees a number of closed-end funds. As the head of Nuveen Municipals, Mr. Miller leads Nuveen Asset Management’s ongoing legacy as one of the largest and most experienced municipal bond managers in the investment industry. Mr. Miller also oversees Nuveen Asset Management’s actively managed investment approach that is firmly rooted in rigorous, bottom-up credit research to help identify attractively valued municipal bond investments.

Mr. Miller’s background features nearly 20 years of experience in the municipal marketplace. Before being named the co-head of Nuveen Municipals in 2011, he was chief investment officer for the firm’s municipal bond team starting in 2007. He was named a managing director and head of portfolio management for Nuveen Asset Management in 2006. Mr. Miller earned a B.A. in economics and political science from Duke University, an M.A. in economics from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in finance with honors from the University of Chicago. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago.

Steven Hlavin is a member of the High Yield Portfolio Management Team, and serves as a portfolio manager for the Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Strategy and supports the management of the firm’s other High Yield Municipal Bond portfolios. He oversees a number of state-specific, tax-exempt portfolios including the Kansas Municipal Bond, Louisiana Municipal Bond and Wisconsin Municipal Bond Strategies. Steve is also responsible for the tender option bond/inverse floating rate program used by some of the firm’s closed-end and open-end funds. In addition, he manages two closed-end funds that rely on the use of tender option bonds for leverage and co-manages several ETFs.

Mr. Hlavin began his career in the financial industry in 2003 when he joined Nuveen Asset Management. He earned a B.A. in finance and accounting and an M.B.A. in finance from Miami University.

Additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, and other information is provided in the SAI. The SAI is available free of charge by calling (800) 257-8787 or by visiting Nuveen Investment’s website at www.nuveen.com.

Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements

Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Fund, the Fund will pay Nuveen Fund Advisors an annual management fee, payable monthly in arrears, in a maximum amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. This maximum fee is equal to the sum of a fund-level fee, with with breakpoints based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, with breakpoints based upon the aggregate amount of all eligible assets of all Nuveen Funds, as described below, according to the following schedule.

 

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Fund-Level Fee

The fund-level fee shall be applied according to the following schedule:

 

Fund-Level Average Daily Managed Assets    Fund-Level Fee Rate
For the first $125 million    0.8000%
For the next $125 million   

0.7875%

For the next $250 million   

0.7750%

For the next $500 million   

0.7625%

For the next $1 billion   

0.7500%

For the next $3 billion   

0.7250%

For Managed Assets over $5 billion   

0.7125%

Complex-Level Fee

The effective rates of the complex-level fee at various specified complex-wide asset levels are as indicated in the following table:

 

Complex-Level Asset Breakpoint Level*    Effective
Rate At
Breakpoint
Level
$55 billion    0.2000%
$56 billion    0.1996%
$57 billion    0.1989%
$60 billion    0.1961%
$63 billion    0.1931%
$66 billion    0.1900%
$71 billion    0.1851%
$76 billion    0.1806%
$80 billion    0.1773%
$91 billion    0.1691%
$125 billion    0.1599%
$200 billion    0.1505%
$250 billion    0.1469%
$300 billion    0.1445%
*

The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with Nuveen Fund Advisors’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do include certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors during the 2019 calendar year. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by Nuveen Fund Advisors as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of             , 2021, the complex-level fee rate was     %.

Based on eligible assets as of                 , 2021 the complex-level fee would be     % of Managed Assets, and the total annual management to Nuveen Fund Advisors would be     % of Managed Assets.

In addition to Nuveen Fund Advisors’ management fee, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with Nuveen), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of its independent registered accounting firm, expenses of repurchasing Common Shares, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, listing fees and taxes, if any. All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before payment of distributions to shareholders.

Separately, pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Fund Advisors will pay Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee equal to 50% of the investment management fee paid on the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.

The basis for the Board of Trustees’ initial approval of the Fund’s investment management agreement and sub-advisory agreement will be provided in the Fund’s initial shareholder report. The basis for subsequent continuations of the Fund’s investment management agreement and sub-advisory agreement will be provided in annual or semiannual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.

 

Management of the Fund

 

 

55


Net Asset Value

The NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding.

The price you pay for your Common Shares or the amount you receive upon the repurchase of your Common Shares is based on the Fund’s NAV per Common Share, which is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. The Fund’s latest NAV per Common Share is available on the Funds’ website at www.nuveen.com. The Fund’s NAV is calculated by taking the market value of the Fund’s total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total number of Common Shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the NAV per Common Share. The Fund reserves the right to change the time as of which its respective NAV is calculated if the Fund closes earlier, or as permitted by the SEC.

In determining the Fund’s NAV, portfolio instruments generally are valued using prices provided by independent pricing services or obtained from other sources, such as broker-dealer quotations. Exchange-traded instruments generally are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on an exchange, if available. Independent pricing services typically value non-equity portfolio instruments utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. In valuing municipal securities, the pricing services may also consider, among other factors, the yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating and the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant by the pricing service or the Board of Trustees’ designee. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing services may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management.

If a price cannot be obtained from a pricing service or other pre-approved source, or if Nuveen Fund Advisors deems such price to be unreliable, or if a significant event occurs after the close of the local market but prior to the time at which the Fund’s net asset value is calculated, a portfolio instrument will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or persons acting at its direction. Nuveen Fund Advisors may determine that a price is unreliable in various circumstances. For example, a price may be deemed unreliable if it has not changed for an identified period of time, or has changed from the previous day’s price by more than a threshold amount, and recent transactions and/or broker dealer price quotations differ materially from the price in question.

Short-term fixed-income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s fair value.

The Board of Trustees has adopted valuation procedures for the Fund and has delegated the day-to-day responsibility for fair value determinations to Nuveen Fund Advisors’ Valuation Committee. All fair value determinations made by the Valuation Committee are subject to review and ratification by the Board of Trustees. As a general principle, the fair value of a portfolio instrument is the amount that an owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the instrument’s current sale. A range of factors and analysis may be considered when determining fair value, including relevant market data, interest rates, credit considerations and/or issuer specific news. However, fair valuation involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a portfolio instrument may be materially different from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that instrument. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s valuation requirements on or before the SEC’s compliance date in 2022.

 

56

Net Asset Value


Distributions

Commencing with the Fund’s first dividend, the Fund intends to pay a regular monthly income dividend to Common Shareholders.

The Fund currently intends to distribute, at least annually, realized capital gains (if any). The Fund may declare and pay dividends, capital gains or other taxable distributions more frequently, if necessary or appropriate in the Board of Trustees discretion.

The Fund reserves the right to change its distribution policy and the basis for establishing the rate of its monthly distributions at any time upon notice to Common Shareholders, upon a determination by the Board of Trustees that such change is in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.

 

Distributions

 

 

57


Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options

Each Common Shareholder will have all dividends, including any capital gain dividends, reinvested automatically in additional Common Shares, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. An election to receive cash may be revoked or reinstated at the option of the shareholder. In the case of record shareholders such as banks, brokers or other nominees that hold common shares for others who are the beneficial owners, Common Shares will be administered on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in such shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or nominee should contact the bank, broker or nominee for details. Such shareholders may not be able to transfer their shares to another bank or broker.

Common Shares will be issued to you at their NAV on the ex-dividend date; there is no sales or other charge for reinvestment. You may request to have your dividends paid to you by check, sent via electronic funds transfer through Automated Clearing House network. For further information, contact your financial advisor or call Nuveen Investor Services at (833) 688-3368. If you request that your distributions be paid by check but those distributions cannot be delivered because of an incorrect mailing address, or if a distribution check remains uncashed for six months, the undelivered or uncashed distributions and all future distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares at the current net asset value.

Automatically reinvested dividends and distributions are taxed in the same manner as cash dividends and distributions. See “Tax Matters.”

 

58

Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options


Description of Shares and Debt

Common Shares

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to differences between classes, have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Fund is currently offering two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the ongoing fees and expenses for each share class may be different. The fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in “Summary of Fund Expenses” above. Certain share class details are set forth in “Plan of Distribution” below. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed under “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws,” non-assessable, and will have no preemptive or conversion rights, except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine, or rights to cumulative voting. The Declaration of Trust provides that each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Common Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. However, separate votes are taken by each class of Common Shares on matters affecting an individual class of Common Shares. The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on Preferred Shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. The Fund pays monthly dividends, typically on the first business day of the following month.

The Fund will make available unaudited reports at least semiannually and audited financial statements annually to all of its Common Shareholders.

The Common Shares are not, and are not expected to be, listed for trading on any national securities exchange nor is there expected to be any secondary trading market in the Common Shares.

The following provides information about the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares as of                     , 2021:

 

Title of Class    Authorized
Amount
     Amount Held
by the Fund or
for its Account
     Amount
Outstanding(1)
Class I Common Shares    Unlimited      0      0
Class A Common Shares    Unlimited      0      0
(1)

Prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, Nuveen Fund Advisors will purchase Class I Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act and therefore will own 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur once the Fund commences investment operations and its Common Shares are sold to the public.

Preferred Shares

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Preferred Shares in one or more classes or series, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the approval of the Common Shareholders. The terms of any Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund may be the same as, or different from, the terms described below, subject to applicable law and the Declaration.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities” that are Preferred Shares if, immediately after the issuance of Preferred Shares, the asset coverage ratio would be less than 200%. See “Leverage.” Additionally, the Fund will generally not be permitted to purchase any of its Common Shares or declare dividends (except a dividend payable in Common Shares) or other distributions on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such purchase or declaration, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such Preferred Shares, after taking into account such purchase or distribution, is at least 200%.

Any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund will have priority over the Common Shares. For so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund will not: (1) declare or pay any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in Common Shares) in respect of the Common Shares, (2) call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Shares, or (3) pay any proceeds of the liquidation of the Fund in respect of the Common Shares, unless, in each case, (A) immediately thereafter, the Fund shall be in compliance with the 200% asset coverage limitations set forth under the 1940 Act after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution or redemption or purchase price or liquidation proceeds and (B) all cumulative dividends and other distributions of shares of all series of Preferred Shares of the Fund due on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition shall have been declared and paid.

 

Description of Shares and Debt

 

 

59


Distribution Preference. Any Preferred Shares would have complete priority over the Common Shares as to distribution of assets.

Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation or merger of the Fund with or into another entity or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.

Voting Rights. In connection with any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund must comply with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act, which requires, among other things, that Preferred Shares be voting shares and have equal voting rights with Common Shares. Except as otherwise indicated in the SAI and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Preferred Shares would vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.

In connection with the election of the Fund’s trustees, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s trustees, and the remaining trustees would be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time dividends on the Fund’s outstanding Preferred Shares would be unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Preferred Shares of any class or series, as the case may be, voting as a separate class, would be required to, among other things, (1) take certain actions that would affect the preferences, rights, or powers of such class or series or (2) authorize or issue any class or series ranking prior to the Preferred Shares. Except as may otherwise be required by law, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company and (2) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares; provided however, that such separate class vote would be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By-laws. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any action not described in the preceding sentence requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. The class or series vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above would in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.

The foregoing voting provisions would not apply with respect to the Fund’s Preferred Shares if, at or prior to the time when a vote was required, such shares would have been (1) redeemed or (2) called for redemption and sufficient funds would have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares. The terms of the Preferred Shares may provide that they are redeemable by the Fund at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends, that the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares and that the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund would reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any resale of such shares by the Fund would increase such leverage.

Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund, without approval of the Common Shareholders, to borrow money. In this connection, the Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such debt by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Fund’s assets. In connection with such borrowing, the Fund may be required to maintain minimum average balances with the lender or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit. Any such requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any such senior security representing indebtedness, must have an “asset coverage” of at least 300%. See “Leverage.” Certain types of debt may result in the Fund being subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines

 

60

Description of Shares and Debt


of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

The rights of lenders to the Fund to receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such debt will be senior to those of the Common Shareholders, and the terms of any such debt may contain provisions which limit certain activities of the Fund, including the payment of dividends to Common Shareholders in certain circumstances. Any debt will likely be ranked senior or equal to all other existing and future debt of the Fund.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time, should the Fund have outstanding any “senior securities representing indebtedness,” the Fund may not purchase, redeem or acquire any of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares unless at the time of such purchase, redemption, or acquisition, the asset coverage of such senior securities representing indebtedness pursuant to the 1940 Act (determined after deducting the acquisition price of such Common or Preferred Shares) is at least 300%. Additionally, the Fund will generally not be permitted to declare dividends or other distributions on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration or distribution, the asset coverage applicable to such senior securities representing indebtedness pursuant to the 1940 Act (determined after deducting the dividend or distribution amount) is at least 300%. Further, the 1940 Act (in certain circumstances) grants to the holders of such senior securities representing indebtedness (1) the right to declare a default, and (2) certain voting rights, in the event that specified asset coverage levels on such senior debt securities are not maintained. Specifically, in accordance with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, it shall be deemed an event of default if the asset coverage of such senior debt securities falls below 100% on the last business day of each month for 24 consecutive calendar months. In addition, senior debt security holders will be permitted to elect at least a majority of the Fund’s trustees if the asset coverage of such senior debt securities falls below 100% on the last business day of each month for a 12 calendar month period. These voting rights will continue until such asset coverage equals at least 110% on the last business day of each month for three consecutive calendar months. The provisions described in this paragraph do not apply, however, to bank or other privately arranged debt that is not intended to be publicly distributed.

Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemptive order permitting the Nuveen registered open-end and closed-end funds, including the Fund, to participate in an inter-fund lending facility whereby those funds may directly lend to and borrow money from each other for temporary purposes (e.g., to satisfy redemption requests or when a sale of securities “fails,” resulting in an unanticipated cash shortfall) (the “Inter-Fund Program”). The closed-end Nuveen funds will participate only as lenders, and not as borrowers, in the Inter-Fund Program because such closed-end funds rarely, if ever, need to borrow cash to meet redemptions. The Inter-Fund Program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the Inter-Fund Program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank or other financial institution for a comparable transaction; (2) no fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Inter-Fund Program unless the fund’s outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the inter-fund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided that if the borrowing fund has a secured borrowing outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund, the inter-fund loan must be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value; (3) if a fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after an inter-fund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the inter-fund loan on a secured basis only; (4) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the Inter-Fund Program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan; (5) a fund’s inter-fund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund’s net assets; (6) the duration of inter-fund loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days; and (7) each inter-fund loan may be called on one business days’ notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund. In addition, a Nuveen fund may participate in the Inter-Fund Program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the fund’s investment objective(s) and investment policies. The Board of Trustees of the Nuveen Funds is responsible for overseeing the Inter-Fund Program. The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting the Inter-Fund Program are designed to minimize the risks associated with Inter-Fund Program for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher rate or take other actions to payoff such loan if an inter-fund loan is not available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

 

Description of Shares and Debt

 

 

61


Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws

Shareholder and Trustee Liability. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the Fund’s obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the Fund’s debts or obligations and requires that notice of such limited liability be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the trustees. The Declaration of Trust further provides for indemnification out of the Fund’s assets and property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the Fund’s obligations. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund’s obligations are not binding upon the Fund’s trustees individually, but only upon the Fund’s assets and property, and that the trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. Nothing in the Declaration of Trust, however, protects a trustee against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Declaration of Trust and By-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. If Preferred Shares are issued, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s trustees. In addition, the Declaration of Trust requires a vote by holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets (other than in the regular course of the Fund’s investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund or (5) a removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund’s Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, would be required; provided, however, that where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), only the required vote by the applicable class or series will be required. Approval of shareholders would not be required, however, for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Fund issues shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization that adversely affects the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, the action in question also would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, unless such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time would be required. None of the foregoing provisions may be amended except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of preferred shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that the provisions of the Declaration of Trust relating to such higher votes are in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

The overall effect of the provisions described above is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a third party. They provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.

Preemptive Rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that Common Shareholders shall have no right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares or securities of the Fund, other than such right, if any, as the Board of Trustees in its discretion may determine. As of the date of this prospectus, no preemptive rights have been granted by the Board of Trustees.

Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust and By-laws on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.

 

62

Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws


Conversion to Open-End Fund

The Board of Trustees may also from time to time consider submitting to the Fund’s shareholders a proposal to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company. In determining whether to exercise its sole discretion to submit this issue to shareholders, the Board of Trustees would consider all factors then relevant, including the size of the Fund, the extent to which shareholders have adequate liquidity thorough repurchase offers, the extent to which the Fund’s capital structure is leveraged and the possibility of re-leveraging (if any) and general market and economic conditions.

If previously approved by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Trustees, the Declaration of Trust requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares to approve a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company. In the event there are Preferred Shares outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, is required.

In the event of conversion to an open-end fund, any Preferred Shares would need to be redeemed and all or a portion of any borrowings may need to be repaid upon conversion to an open-end investment company. The Fund may charge sales or redemption fees upon conversion to an open-end fund. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption, whereas the Fund currently makes only quarterly offers to repurchase its Common Shares (typically 5% per quarter), and shareholders do not have the right to otherwise have shares redeemed. Open-end companies are thus subject to more frequent periodic out-flows that can complicate portfolio management in comparison to the Fund. The Fund would expect to pay all such redemption requests in cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new Common Shares may be sold at NAV plus a sales load. In addition, to the extent the Fund is merged, consolidated or converted into an open-end registered investment company, it may no longer be able to use the same investment strategies. As a result, conversion to open-end status may require changes in the management of the Fund’s portfolio in order to meet the liquidity requirements applicable to open-end funds. Because portfolio securities may have to be liquidated to meet redemptions, conversion could affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objectives or to use certain investment policies and techniques described above. In particular, if the Fund were to operate as an open-end investment company, it would be required to hold a greater amount of liquid assets and would be more limited in the amount of leverage it could employ, which could impact the Fund’s performance. As described above, the Fund, like an open-end company, intends to engage in a continuous offering of its Common Shares.

 

Conversion to Open-End Fund

 

 

63


Tax Matters

The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the advice of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, counsel to the Fund.

The discussion below does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, a partnership or other entity treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. stockholders whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, a controlled foreign corporation or a passive foreign investment company, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark-to-market treatment, or persons that will hold Common Stock as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge” or as part of a “constructive sale” for federal income tax purposes.

The discussions below and certain disclosure in the SAI provide general tax information related to an investment in the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. The following tax discussion assumes that you are a U.S. Common Shareholder (as defined below) and that you hold the Common Shares as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). A U.S. Common Shareholder means a person (other than a partnership) that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must (i) derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from certain kinds of investment income; (ii) meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter, and (iii) distribute in each taxable year at least 90% of its net investment income (including net interest income and net short term capital gain) and net tax-exempt income. As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its investment company taxable income and net recognized capital gains. The Fund primarily invests in securities whose income is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Thus, substantially all of the Fund’s dividends paid to you should qualify as “exempt-interest dividends.” A shareholder treats an exempt-interest dividend as interest on state and local bonds exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. U.S. Federal income tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to individuals, trusts and estates. Interest on certain municipal obligations, such as certain private activity bonds, is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayer’s alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income from such municipal obligations, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, although exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, will be taxable to shareholders to the extent that their tax liability is determined under the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage of the Fund’s income attributable to municipal obligations subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

In addition to exempt-interest dividends, the Fund also may distribute to its shareholders amounts that are treated as long-term capital gain or ordinary income (which may include short-term capital gains). These distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending on a shareholder’s situation. Taxable distributions are taxable whether or not such distributions are reinvested in the Fund. Net capital gain distributions (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable at rates applicable to long-term capital gains regardless of how long a Common Shareholder has held his or her Common Shares. Long-term capital gains for noncorporate shareholders are currently taxable at a maximum rate of 20%. The maximum rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%. Also, certain individuals, estates and trusts may be subject to an additional 3.8% tax on net investment income, which includes net capital gains. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. The Fund does not expect that any part of its distributions to shareholders from its investments will qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders or as “qualified dividend income” to noncorporate shareholders.

As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in any taxable year provided that it meets certain distribution requirements. As described in “Distributions” above, the Fund may retain for investment some (or all) of its net capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains as part of its annual reporting to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax

 

64

Tax Matters


purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any; and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as exempt interest, ordinary income and capital gains). Accordingly, if the Fund issues Preferred Shares, it will designate dividends made with respect to Common Shares and Preferred Shares as consisting of particular types of income (e.g., exempt interest, net capital gain and ordinary income) in accordance with the proportionate share of each class in the total dividends paid by the Fund during the year. Dividends and other taxable distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such month and paid during the following January will be treated as having been received by shareholders on December 31 of the year the distributions were declared. Each shareholder will receive an annual statement summarizing the shareholder’s dividend and capital gains distributions (including net capital gains credited to the Common Shareholder but retained by the Fund) after the close of the Fund’s taxable year.

The redemption, sale or exchange of Common Shares normally will result in capital gain or loss to Common Shareholders. Generally a shareholder’s gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the same rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 20%, while short-term capital gains and other ordinary income are currently taxed at ordinary income rates. The maximum rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%. An additional 3.8% tax may apply to certain individual, estate or trust shareholders’ taxable distributions and to any capital gains. Any loss on the sale of shares that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any distribution of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares, unless the shares are of a RIC that declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. If a shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of shares before holding them for more than six months, any loss on the sale or disposition will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net capital gain distributions received by the shareholder on such share. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed to the extent those shares of the Fund are replaced by other substantially identical shares of the Fund or other substantially identical stock or securities (including through reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the original shares. In that event, the basis of the replacement shares of the Fund will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Any interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Fund’s shares to which exempt-interest dividends are allocated is not deductible by shareholders. Under certain applicable rules, the purchase or ownership of shares may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not directly used for the purchase or ownership of the shares. In addition, if you receive Social Security or certain railroad retirement benefits, you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of such benefits as a result of receiving investment income, including exempt-interest dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund.

If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute to shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), including such accrued income, to qualify as a RIC and to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.

The Fund may hold or acquire municipal obligations that are market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond). If the Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary taxable income to the extent of the accrued market discount.

 

Tax Matters

 

 

65


The Fund may be required to “backup” withhold U.S. federal income tax at the current rate of 24% of all taxable distributions payable to Common Shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if the Common Shareholders have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

The Fund’s investment policies permit it to invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate income that is not exempt from U.S. federal or state income tax. The Fund may invest in other securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which is uncertain or subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or their income differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to RICs under the Code. Common Shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

66

Tax Matters


Plan of Distribution

Nuveen Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors (the “Distributor”), is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s Common Shares pursuant to a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with the Fund. The Distributor, located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

The Distributor acts as the distributor of Common Shares for the Fund on a best efforts basis pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of Common Shares of the Fund.

Common Shares of the Fund will be continuously offered through the Distributor. As discussed below, the Fund may authorize one or more intermediaries (e.g., broker-dealers and other financial firms) to receive orders on its behalf. The Common Shares will be offered at NAV per share calculated each regular business day. Please see “Net Asset Value” above.

The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase Common Shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.

No market currently exists for the Fund’s Common Shares. The Fund will not list its Common Shares for trading on any securities exchange. There is currently no secondary market for the Fund’s Common Shares and the Fund does not anticipate that a secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Neither Nuveen Fund Advisors nor the Distributor intends to make a market in the Fund’s Common Shares.

The Fund has agreed to indemnify the Distributor and certain of the Distributor’s affiliates against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, as amended. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Distributor has agreed to indemnify the Fund and each Trustee against certain liabilities under the 1933 Act and in connection with the services rendered to the Fund.

Share Classes

The Fund has adopted a Multi-Class Plan in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it has undertaken to comply with the terms of Rule 18f-3 as a condition of an exemptive order under the 1940 Act which permits it to have, among other things, a multi-class structure. Under the Multi-Class Plan, Common Shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and, generally, have identical voting, distribution, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions, except that: (a) each class has a different designation; (b) each class of Common Shares bears any class-specific expenses; and (c) each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, and shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class.

Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares of the Fund are offered in this prospectus. Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of investments, but each class has its own expense structure and arrangements for shareholder services or distribution, which allows you to choose the class that best fits your situation and eligibility requirements.

Class I Common Shares are generally offered for investment to investors such as pension and profit sharing plans, employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations, corporations and institutions. Class I Common Shares may also be offered to investors participating in fee-based advisory programs that have (or whose trading agents have) an agreement with the Distributor to investors that are clients of certain registered investment advisers that have an agreement with the Distributor if it so deems appropriate. Class I Common Shares are also offered to the Trustees and certain employees and former partners of Nuveen and their extended family members. For these purposes, “extended family members” shall include such person’s spouse or domestic partner, as recognized by applicable state law, children, siblings, current brother/sister-in-laws, parents, and current father/mother-in-laws. Further information about Common Shares that are offered in conjunction with a retirement plan can be obtained directly from such retirement plan.

Class A Common Shares are primarily offered and sold to retail investors by broker-dealers which are members of FINRA and which have agreements with the Distributor, but may be available through other financial firms, including banks and trust companies and to specified benefit plans and other retirement accounts.

 

Plan of Distribution

 

 

67


Intra-Fund Share Common Class Conversions

Conversions at the Request of a Financial Intermediary. Subject to the conditions set forth in this paragraph, Common Shares of one class of the Fund may be converted into (i.e., reclassified as) Common Shares of a different class of the Fund at the request of a shareholder’s financial intermediary. To qualify for a conversion, the shareholder must satisfy the conditions for investing in the class into which the conversion is sought (as described in this prospectus and the SAI). Also, Common Shares are not eligible to be converted until any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) period has expired. No sales charge will be imposed on the conversion of Common Shares. The financial intermediary making the conversion request must submit the request in writing. In addition, the financial intermediary or other responsible party must process and report the transaction as a conversion. The value of the Common Shares received during a conversion will be based on the relative NAV of the Common Shares being converted and the Common Shares received as a result of the conversion. It generally is expected that conversions will not result in taxable gain or loss.

Class A Distribution and Servicing Plan

The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Servicing Plan for Class A Common Shares of the Fund. The Distribution and Servicing Plan operates in a manner consistent with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates the manner in which an open-end investment company may directly or indirectly bear the expenses of distributing its Common Shares. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it has undertaken to comply with the terms of Rule 12b-1 as a condition of an exemptive order under the 1940 Act which permits it to, among other things, impose distribution and shareholder servicing fees. The Distribution and Servicing Plan permits the Fund to compensate the Distributor for using reasonable efforts to secure purchasers of the Fund’s Common Shares, including by providing continuing information and investment services and/or by making payments to certain authorized institutions in connection with the sale of Common Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. Most or all of the distribution and/or service fees are paid to financial firms through which Shareholders may purchase or hold Class A Common Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s Class A Common Share assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of an investment in Class A Common Shares and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The maximum annual rates at which the distribution and/or servicing fees may be paid under the Distribution and Servicing Plan (calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the Class A Common Shares) is 0.75%.

Purchasing Shares

The following section provides basic information about how to purchase Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares of the Fund.

The Fund’s Common Shares are offered for sale in the U.S. and are not widely available outside the United States. For purposes of this policy, a U.S. resident is defined as an account with (i) a U.S. address of record and (ii) all account owners residing in the U.S. at the time of sale. Non-U.S. residents should be aware that U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investment in the Fund. Eligible investors may purchase Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares in the following ways:

Through your broker-dealer or other financial firm. The Fund’s Common Shares may in the future be available through broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, insurance companies and other financial firms. Your broker-dealer or other financial firm may establish different minimum investment requirements than the Fund and may also independently charge you transaction fees and additional amounts (which may vary) in return for its services, which will reduce your return. Shares you purchase through your broker-dealer or other financial firm will normally be held in your account with that firm.

 

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Plan of Distribution


Through the Distributor. You should discuss your investment with your financial advisor before you make a purchase to be sure the Fund is appropriate for you. If you do not list a financial advisor and his/her brokerage firm on the Account Application, the Distributor is designated as the broker of record, but solely for purposes of acting as your agent to purchase shares. Investors who wish to invest direct may obtain an Account Application online at nuveen.com or by calling (833) 688-3368. The completed Account Application may be submitted using the following methods:

Overnight Mail:

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

C/O DST Systems, Inc.

430 W. 7th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105

Regular Mail:

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

C/O DST Systems, Inc.

PO Box 219307

Kansas City, MO 64121-9097

For inquiries, please call DST Call Center: (833) 688-3368 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST).

Payment for the purchase of Common Shares may be made by check payable to the Nuveen Fund Advisors’ Interval Funds and sent to the Regular Mail address above.

In order to receive the current day’s NAV, order instructions must be received in good order prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (“NYSE Close”). Instructions must include the name and signature of an appropriate person designated on the Account Application (“Authorized Person”), account name, account number, name of the Fund and dollar amount. Failure to send the accompanying payment on the same day may result in the cancellation of the order. Payments received without order instructions could result in a processing delay.

An investor may place a purchase order for Common Shares if the purchase amount is to be derived from an advisory account managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors or one of its affiliates, or from an account with a broker-dealer or other financial firm that has established a processing relationship with the Fund on behalf of its customers.

Investment Minimums

Class I Common Shares. The following investment minimums apply for purchases of Class I Common Shares:

 

Initial Investment

  

Subsequent Investments

$100,000 per account    None

Class A Common Shares. The following investment minimums apply for purchases of Class A Common Shares:

 

Initial Investment

  

Subsequent Investments

$2,500 per account    $100

The initial investment minimums may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers. The Fund or the Distributor may lower or waive the minimum initial investment for certain categories of investors at their discretion. The initial investment minimums may also be modified for the Trustees and certain employees and former partners of Nuveen and their extended family members. For these purposes, “extended family members” shall include such person’s spouse or domestic partner, as recognized by applicable state law, children, siblings, current brother/sister-in-laws, parents, and current father/mother-in- laws. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for details.

Class I Common Shares are available for purchase at a modified minimum investment amount by clients of financial intermediaries who charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or related services. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments and foundations. The minimum initial investment for such clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000. The Distributor may also lower the minimum to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries anticipated to reach this Class I Common Shares holdings level.

 

Plan of Distribution

 

 

69


Additionally, Class I Common Shares are also available for purchase by family offices and their clients. A family office is a company that provides certain financial and other services to a high net worth family or families. The minimum initial investment for family offices and their clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of family offices that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000.

Class I Common Shares also are available for purchase, with no minimum initial investment, by certain other categories of investors, including members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and certain employees of Nuveen, LLC, its affiliates and extended family members of such individuals, as described in the “Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors” section in the SAI.

 

   

Additional Investments. An investor may purchase additional Common Shares of the Fund at any time by sending a mailing as outlined above. You may obtain a Subscription Request Form online at nuveen.com or by calling (833) 688-3368. If you invest through a broker-dealer, contact your financial firm for information on purchasing additional Class I Common Shares.

 

   

Other Purchase Information. Purchases of Class I Common Shares will be made in full and fractional shares.

The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares of the Fund or to reject any purchase order, in whole or in part, when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund.

In the interest of economy and convenience, certificates for shares will not be issued.

Sales Charge—Class I Common Shares

Class I Common Shares are not subject to a sales charge.

Sales Charge—Class A Common Shares

This section includes important information about sales charge reduction programs available to investors in Class A Common Shares of the Fund and describes information or records you may need to provide to the Distributor or your financial firm in order to be eligible for sales charge reduction programs.

Unless you are eligible for a waiver, the public offering price you pay when you buy Class A Common Shares of the Fund is the NAV of the Shares plus an initial sales charge. The initial sales charge varies depending upon the size of your purchase, as set forth below. You do not pay a sales charge on the Fund’s distributions or dividends you reinvest in additional Class A Common Shares. For investors investing in Class A Common Shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary, it is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure that you obtain the proper “breakpoint” discount.

Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund Shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process.

Class A Common Shares are subject to the following sales charge:

 

Your Investment    As a % of
offering
price
    As a % of
net amount
invested
   

Dealer’s
concession as a %
of offering price

 
Less than $100,000      2.5     2.56     2.5
$100,000 – $249,999      2.0     2.04     2.0
Over $250,000      None       None       1.5
Note: The above percentages may vary for particular investors due to rounding.

 

Investors in the Fund may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Common Shares through utilization of the Right of Accumulation, Letter of Intent or Reinstatement Privilege. These programs (described below) will apply to purchases of Class A Common Shares of the Fund that are combined with purchases of shares of other closed-end interval funds that Nuveen sponsors in the future (collectively, “Eligible Funds”), which offer Class A Common Shares. Eligible Funds include open-end funds sponsored by Nuveen.

CDSC. If any Class A Common Shares for which you did not pay a sales charge are repurchased before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of your initial purchase falls, a CDSC of 1.5% normally will be collected.

 

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Plan of Distribution


The CDSC is not charged on Class A Common Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions and is charged on the original purchase cost or the NAV of the Class A Common Shares at the time they are repurchased, whichever is lower. In addition, repayment of loans under certain retirement and benefit plans will constitute new sales for purposes of assessing the CDSC. To minimize the amount of any CDSC, the Fund repurchases Shares in the following order:

 

  1.

Shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions (always free of a CDSC);

 

  2.

Shares held for one year or more; and

 

  3.

Shares held before the first anniversary of their purchase.

Investors in the Fund may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Common Shares through utilization of the Rights of Accumulation, Letter of Intention or Reinvestment Privilege. These programs will apply to purchases of other Class A Common Shares of the Fund that are combined with purchases of shares of closed-end interval funds that Nuveen may sponsor in the future which offer Class A Common Shares.

Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

Please inform the Fund or your financial intermediary at the time of your purchase of Fund Class A Common Shares if you believe you qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge.

Reducing Your Class A Common Share Front-End Sales Charge. You may purchase Class A Common Shares at a discount if you qualify under the circumstances outlined below. To receive a reduced front-end sales charge, you must let the Fund or your financial intermediary know at the time of your purchase of Fund Class A Common Shares that you believe you qualify for a discount. If you or a related party have holdings of Eligible Funds in other accounts with your financial intermediary or with other financial intermediaries that may be combined with your current purchase in determining the sales charge as described below, you must let the Fund or your financial intermediary know. Investors should consult with their financial intermediary about the calculation of the sales charge and any additional fees or charges their financial intermediary might impose on Class A Common Shares.

You may be asked to provide supporting account statements or other information to allow us or your financial intermediary to verify your eligibility for a discount. If you or your financial intermediary do not notify the Fund or provide the requested information, you may not receive the reduced sales charge for which you otherwise qualify. Class A Common Shares may be purchased at a discount if you qualify under any of the following conditions:

 

   

Rights of Accumulation – When purchasing Class A Common Shares of the Fund, a Purchaser (as defined below) may combine the value of shares of any Eligible Fund currently owned with a new purchase of Class A Common Shares of the Fund in order to reduce the sales charge on the new purchase.

To the extent that your financial intermediary is able to do so, the value of shares of Eligible Funds determined for the purpose of reducing the sales charge of a new purchase under the Rights of Accumulation will be calculated at the higher of: (1) the aggregate current maximum offering price of your existing shares of Eligible Funds; or (2) the aggregate amount you invested in such Class A Common Shares (including dividend reinvestments but excluding capital appreciation) less any redemptions. You should retain any information and account records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you and any related Purchasers have invested in Eligible Funds. You must inform the Fund and/or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase if you believe your purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and you may be requested to provide documentation of your holdings in order to verify your eligibility as financial intermediaries may have different policies for determining the aggregated holdings of Eligible Funds by related Purchasers. If you do not do so, you may not receive all sales charge reductions for which you are eligible.

 

   

Letter of Intention – In order to reduce your Class A Common Shares front-end sales charge, when purchasing Class A Common Shares of the Fund, a Purchaser may combine purchases of shares of any Eligible Fund the Purchaser intends to make over the next 13 months in determining the applicable sales charge. The 13-month Letter of Intention period commences on the day that the Letter of Intention is received by the Fund, and the Purchaser must tell the Fund that later purchases are subject to the Letter of Intention. Purchases submitted prior to the date the Letter of Intention is received by the Fund are not counted toward the sales charge reduction. Current holdings under Rights of Accumulation may be included in a Letter of Intention in order to reduce the sales charge for purchases during the 13-month period covered by the Letter of Intention. Class A Common Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not included. Class A Common Shares valued at 5% of the amount of intended purchases are escrowed and may be redeemed to cover the additional sales charges payable if the intended purchases under the Letter of Intention are not completed. The Letter of Intention is neither a binding obligation on you to buy, nor on the Fund to sell, any or all of the intended purchase amount.

 

Plan of Distribution

 

 

71


Purchaser. A Purchaser includes: (1) an individual; (2) an individual, his or her spouse, domestic partner, and children under the age of 21; (3) retirement and benefit plans including a 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, money purchase plan, defined benefit plan, and 457(b) plan sponsored by a governmental entity, non-profit organization, school district or church to which employer contributions are made, as well as SIMPLE IRA plans and SEP-IRA plans; or (4) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing Class A Common Shares for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account. An individual may include under item (1) his or her holdings in Eligible Funds as described below in IRAs, as a sole participant of a retirement and benefit plan sponsored by the individual’s business, and as a participant in a 403(b) plan to which only pre-tax salary deferrals are made. An individual, his or her spouse, and domestic partner may include under item (2) their holdings in IRAs, and as the sole participants in retirement and benefit plans sponsored by a business owned by either or both of them. A retirement and benefit plan under item (3) includes all qualified retirement and benefit plans of a single employer and its consolidated subsidiaries, and all qualified retirement and benefit plans of multiple employers registered in the name of a single bank trustee.

Front-End Sales Charge Waivers. Class A Common Shares may be purchased without a front-end sales charge (at NAV) under any of the following conditions:

 

   

purchases of $250,000 or more (may be subject to a CDSC); and

 

   

purchases by employees of any consenting securities dealer having a sales agreement with Nuveen Distributor.

CDSC Waivers. The CDSC will not be assessed on the redemption of Class A Common Shares upon the death of a shareholder or eligible mandatory distributions under the Code. Documentation may be required and some limitations may apply.

Sales Charge Waivers on Transfers between Accounts. Class A Common Shares of any Nuveen Fund can be purchased at NAV under the following circumstances:

 

   

Transfers of Nuveen Fund Shares from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan account to a taxable account in connection with a required minimum distribution; or

 

   

Transfers of Nuveen Fund Shares held in a taxable account to an IRA or other qualified retirement plan account for the purpose of making a contribution to the IRA or other qualified retirement plan account.

A CDSC will not be imposed at the time of the transaction under such circumstances; instead, the date on which such Class A Common Shares were initially purchased will be used to calculate any applicable CDSC when the Class A Common Shares are redeemed. You must inform the Fund and/or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase if you believe your purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and you may be requested to provide documentation of your holdings in order to verify your eligibility. If you do not do so, you may not receive all sales charge reductions for which you are eligible.

Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem Class A Common Shares of a Nuveen Fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds in the same class of any Eligible Fund on or before the 90th day after the redemption without a sales charge unless the reinvestment would be prohibited by that Nuveen Fund’s frequent trading policy (if any). Special tax rules may apply. If you paid a CDSC when you redeemed your Class A Common Shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC. All accounts involved must have the same registration. This privilege does not apply to purchases made through Invest-A-Matic or other automatic investment services. The reinvestment privilege only applies to your Fund’s Class A Common Shares if you previously paid a front-end sales charge in connection with your purchase of such Class A Common Shares.

Financial Intermediary Compensation

As part of a plan for distributing Common Shares, authorized financial intermediaries that sell the Fund’s Common Shares and service its shareholder accounts receive sales and service compensation. Additionally, authorized financial intermediaries may charge a fee to effect transactions in Fund Common Shares.

 

72

Plan of Distribution


Sales compensation originates from sales charges that are paid directly by shareholders and distribution fees that are paid by the Fund out of share class assets. Service compensation originates from service fees. The Fund accrues the distribution and service fees daily at annual rates shown in the ‘‘Fees and Expenses’’ table above based upon average daily net assets. The portion of the distribution and service fees for each share class is as follows:

 

Fee    Class A Common Shares(1)     Class I Common Shares  
Service      0.25      
Distribution      0.50      

 

(1) 

For purchases of Class A Common Shares without a front-end sales charge and for which Nuveen Distributor pays distribution-related compensation, the service and distribution payments shall commence 13 months after purchase.

The Distributor may pay distribution and service fees to authorized financial intermediaries or use the fees for other distribution purposes, including revenue sharing. The amounts paid by the Fund need not be directly related to expenses. If the Distributor’s actual expenses exceed the fee paid to it, the Fund will not have to pay more than that fee. Conversely, if the Distributor’s expenses are less than the fee it receives, the Distributor will keep the excess amount of the fee.

Sales Activities. The Fund may use distribution fees to pay authorized financial intermediaries to finance any activity that primarily is intended to result in the sale of Common Shares. The Distributor uses its portion of the distribution fees attributable to the Common Shares of a particular class for activities that primarily are intended to result in the sale of Common Shares of such class. These activities include, but are not limited to, printing of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports for anyone other than existing shareholders, preparation and distribution of advertising and sales material, expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars, additional payments to authorized financial intermediaries, maintenance of shareholder accounts, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services or personnel, travel, office expenses, equipment and other allocable overhead.

Service Activities. The Distributor may pay service fees to authorized financial intermediaries for any activity that primarily is intended to result in personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts or certain retirement and benefit plans. Any portion of the service fees paid to the Distributor will be used to service and maintain shareholder accounts.

Dealer Concessions on Class A Purchases With a Front-End Sales Charge. See “Sales Charge – Class A Common Shares” for more information.

Dealer Concessions Without a Front-End Sales Charge. For purchases of Class A Common Shares, the Distributor may pay dealers distribution-related compensation (i.e., concessions) according to the schedule set forth below (which may be subject to a CDSC).

Dealers receive concessions described below on purchases made within a 12-month period beginning with the first NAV purchase of Class A Common Shares for the account. The concession rate resets on each anniversary date of the initial NAV purchase, provided that the account continues to qualify for treatment at NAV.

Dealer Concession Schedule – Class A Common Shares for Certain Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge

The dealer concession received is based on the amount of the Class A Common Shares investment as follows:

 

Class A Common Share Investments    Front-End Sales Charge*      Dealer’s Concession  
Over $250,000      None        1.50

 

*

Class A Common Shares purchased without a sales charge will be subject to a 1.50% CDSC if they are redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls.

Revenue Sharing and Other Payments to Dealers and Financial Intermediaries. Nuveen (the term ‘‘Nuveen’’ in this section refers to Nuveen Fund Advisors and also refers to the Distributor unless the context requires otherwise) may make payments to certain financial intermediaries for marketing and distribution support activities. Nuveen makes these payments, at its own expense, out of its own resources (including revenues from advisory fees and distribution and service fees), and without any additional costs to the Fund or the Fund’s Shareholders.

In general, these payments are intended to compensate or reimburse financial intermediary firms for certain activities, including: promotion of sales of Fund Common Shares, such as placing the Nuveen Family of Funds on a preferred list of fund families; making Fund Common Shares available on certain platforms, programs, or trading venues; educating a financial intermediary firm’s sales force about the Fund; providing services to shareholders; and various other promotional efforts and/or costs. The payments made to financial intermediaries may be used to cover costs and expenses related to these promotional efforts, including travel, lodging, entertainment, and meals, among other things. In addition, Nuveen may provide payments to a financial intermediary in connection with Nuveen’s

 

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73


participation in or support of conferences and other events sponsored, hosted, or organized by the financial intermediary. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred by the financial intermediary in engaging in these promotional activities or services and the financial intermediary firm may realize a profit in connection with such activities or services.

Nuveen may make such payments on a fixed or variable basis based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed, and/or accounts attributable to a financial intermediary, among other factors. Nuveen determines the amount of these payments in its sole discretion. In doing so, Nuveen may consider a number of factors, including: a financial intermediary’s sales, assets, and redemption rates; the nature and quality of any shareholder services provided by the financial intermediary; the quality and depth of the financial intermediary’s existing business relationships with Nuveen; the expected potential to expand such relationships; and the financial intermediary’s anticipated growth prospects. Not all financial intermediaries receive revenue sharing payments and the amount of revenue sharing payments may vary for different financial intermediaries. Depending on the particular arrangement, Nuveen may choose not to make payments in relation to certain classes of shares of the Fund.

In some circumstances, these payments may create an incentive for a broker-dealer or its investment professionals to recommend or sell Fund Common Shares to you. Nuveen may benefit from these payments to the extent the broker-dealers sell more Fund Common Shares or retain more Fund Common Shares in their clients’ accounts because Nuveen receives greater management and other fees as Fund assets increase. For more specific information about these payments, including revenue sharing arrangements, made to your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and the conflicts of interest that may arise from such arrangements, please contact your investment professional.

Payments for Recordkeeping, Networking, and Other Services. In addition to the payments from Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Distributor described above, from time to time, Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Distributor may have other relationships with financial intermediaries relating to the provision of services to the Fund, such as providing omnibus account services or executing portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Fund generally may pay recordkeeping fees for services provided to plans where the account is a plan- level or fund-level omnibus account and plan participants have the ability to determine their investments in particular mutual funds. If your financial intermediary provides these services, Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Fund may compensate the financial intermediary for these services. In addition, your financial intermediary may have other relationships with Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Distributor that are not related to the Fund.

For example, the Fund may enter into arrangements with and pay fees to financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping or other subadministrative services to certain groups of investors in the Fund including participants in retirement and benefit plans, investors in fund advisory programs, and clients of financial intermediaries that operate in an omnibus environment (collectively, “Investors”). The recordkeeping services typically include: (a) establishing and maintaining Investor accounts and records; (b) recording Investor account balances and changes thereto; (c) arranging for the wiring of funds; (d) providing statements to Investors; (e) furnishing proxy materials, periodic Fund reports, prospectuses and other communications to Investors as required; (f) transmitting Investor transaction information; and (g) providing information in order to assist the Fund in its compliance with state securities laws. The fees that the Fund pays are designed to compensate financial intermediaries for such services.

The Fund also may pay fees to broker-dealers for networking services. Networking services may include but are not limited to:

 

   

establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records;

 

   

providing client account statements; and

 

   

providing 1099 forms and other tax statements.

The networking fees that the Fund pay to broker-dealers normally result in reduced fees paid by the Fund to the transfer agent, which otherwise would provide these services.

Financial intermediaries may charge additional fees or commissions other than those disclosed in this prospectus, such as a transaction based fee or other fee for its service, and may categorize and disclose these arrangements differently than described in the discussion above and in the SAI. You may ask your financial intermediary about any payments it receives from Nuveen or the Fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

Signature Validation

When a signature validation is called for, a Medallion signature guarantee or Signature validation program (SVP) stamp may be required. A Medallion signature guarantee is intended to provide signature validation for transactions considered financial in nature, and an SVP stamp is intended to provide signature validation for transactions

 

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Plan of Distribution


non-financial in nature. In certain situations, a notarized signature may be used instead of a Medallion signature guarantee or an SVP stamp. A Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution which is participating in a Medallion program or Signature validation program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. When a Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp is required, signature validations from financial institutions which are not participating in one of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that financial institutions participating in a recognized Medallion program may still be ineligible to provide a signature validation for transactions of greater than a specified dollar amount. The Fund may change the signature validation requirements from time to time upon notice to Common Shareholders, which may be given by means of a new or supplemented prospectus. Shareholders should contact the Fund for additional details regarding the Fund’s signature validation requirements.

In addition, corporations, trusts, and other institutional organizations are required to furnish evidence of the authority of the persons designated on the Account Application to effect transactions for the organization.

Acceptance and Timing of Purchase Orders

A purchase order received by the Fund or its designee prior to the NYSE Close, on a day the Fund is open for business, together with payment made in one of the ways described above will be effected at that day’s NAV plus any applicable sales charge. An order received after the NYSE Close will be effected at the NAV determined on the next business day. However, orders received by certain retirement plans and other financial firms on a business day prior to the NYSE Close and communicated to the Fund or its designee prior to such time as agreed upon by the Fund and financial firm will be effected at the NAV determined on the business day the order was received by the financial firm. The Fund is “open for business” on each day the NYSE is open for trading, which excludes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a Business Day and accept purchase orders in accordance with applicable law. The Fund reserves the right to close if the primary trading markets of the Fund’s portfolio instruments are closed and the Fund’s management believes that there is not an adequate market to meet purchase requests. On any business day when the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) recommends that the securities markets close trading early, the Fund may close trading early. Purchase orders will be accepted only on days which the Fund is open for business.

The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any order for purchase of Class I common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The sale of Common Shares may be suspended during any period in which the NYSE is closed other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the SEC, when trading on the NYSE is restricted or during an emergency which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other period as permitted by the SEC for the protection of investors.

Verification of Identity

To help the federal government combat the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations. As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

1. Name;

2. Date of birth (for individuals);

3. Residential or business street address; and

4. Social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above.

Individuals may also be asked for a copy of their driver’s license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify their identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify an individual’s identity by cross-referencing the identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.

After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares until your identity is verified. The Fund also may close your account and redeem your shares or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time.

 

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75


Periodic Repurchase Offers

 

The Fund is a closed-end interval fund and, to provide liquidity and the ability to receive NAV on a disposition of at least a portion of your Common Shares, makes periodic offers to repurchase Common Shares. No shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Common Shares, except as permitted by the Fund’s interval structure. No public market for the Common Shares exists, and none is expected to develop in the future. Consequently, Common Shareholders generally will not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of their Common Shares by the Fund, and then only on a limited basis.

The Fund has adopted, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, requiring the Fund to offer to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its Common Shares at NAV on a regular schedule. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares at NAV subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. The schedule requires the Fund to make repurchase offers every three months. The Fund expects the first Repurchase Request Deadline to occur no later than six months after the initial effective date of this registration statement.

Repurchase Dates

The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers every three months. As discussed below, the date on which the repurchase price for Common Shares is determined will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day).

Repurchase Request Deadline

The date by which shareholders wishing to tender Common Shares for repurchase must respond to the repurchase offer typically falls approximately seven days before the Repurchase Pricing Date (defined below). The Fund currently anticipates that the Repurchase Request Deadline will be the same date as the Repurchase Pricing Date. When a repurchase offer commences, the Fund sends, at least 21 days before the Repurchase Request Deadline, written notice to each Common Shareholder setting forth, among other things:

 

   

The percentage of outstanding Common Shares that the Fund is offering to repurchase and how the Fund will purchase Common Shares on a pro rata basis if the offer is oversubscribed.

 

   

The date on which a Common Shareholder’s repurchase request is due.

 

   

The date that will be used to determine the Fund’s NAV applicable to the repurchase offer (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”).

 

   

The date by which the Fund will pay to Common Shareholders the proceeds from their Common Shares accepted for repurchase.

 

   

The NAV of the Common Shares as of a date no more than seven days before the date of the written notice and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the NAV.

 

   

The procedures by which Common Shareholders may tender their Common Shares and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their tenders before the Repurchase Request Deadline.

 

   

The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone the repurchase offer.

This notice may be included in a shareholder report or other Fund document. The Repurchase Request Deadline will be strictly observed. If a Common Shareholder fails to submit a repurchase request in good order by the Repurchase Request Deadline, the shareholder will be unable to liquidate Common Shares until a subsequent repurchase offer, and will have to resubmit a request in the next repurchase offer. Shareholders may withdraw or change a repurchase request with a proper instruction submitted in good form at any point before the Repurchase Request Deadline.

Determination of Repurchase Price and Payment for Shares

The Repurchase Pricing Date will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day). The Fund expects to distribute payment to Common Shareholders between one and three (3) business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven (7) calendar days after such date. The Fund currently anticipates that the Repurchase Request Deadline will be the same date as the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund’s NAV per share may change materially between the date a repurchase offer is mailed and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and it may also change materially between the Repurchase Request Deadline and Repurchase Pricing Date. The method by which the Fund calculates NAV is

 

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Plan of Distribution


discussed below under “Net Asset Value.” During the period an offer to repurchase is open, shareholders may obtain the current NAV by visiting www.nuveen.com or calling the Fund’s transfer agent at (833) 688-3368.

Repurchase Fee

The Fund does not currently expect to charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% of the repurchase proceeds, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if Nuveen Fund Advisors determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.

Your financial adviser or other financial intermediary may charge service fees for handling Common Share repurchases. In such cases, there may be fees imposed by the intermediary on different terms (and subject to different exceptions) than those set forth above. Please consult your financial adviser or other financial intermediary for details.

Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers

The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer in limited circumstances set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as described below, but only with the approval of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (1) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code; (2) for any period during which the NYSE or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (4) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.

Oversubscribed Repurchase Offers

There is no minimum number of Common Shares that must be tendered before the Fund will honor repurchase requests. However, the Board of Trustees sets for each repurchase offer a maximum percentage of Common Shares that may be repurchased by the Fund, which is currently expected to be 7.5% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares. In the event a repurchase offer by the Fund is oversubscribed, the Fund may repurchase, but is not required to repurchase, additional Common Shares up to a maximum amount of 2% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund. If shareholders tender an amount of Common Shares greater than that which the Fund intends to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis.

If any Common Shares that you wish to tender to the Fund are not repurchased because of proration, you will have to wait until the next repurchase offer and resubmit a new repurchase request, and your repurchase request will not be given any priority over other shareholders’ requests. Thus, there is a risk that the Fund may not purchase all of the Common Shares you wish to have repurchased in a given repurchase offer or in any subsequent repurchase offer. In anticipation of the possibility of proration, some shareholders may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, increasing the likelihood of proration.

There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Common Shares when or in the amount that you desire.

Consequences of Repurchase Offers

From the time the Fund distributes or publishes each repurchase offer notification until the Repurchase Pricing Date for that offer, the Fund must maintain liquid assets at least equal to the percentage of its Common Shares subject to the repurchase offer. For this purpose, “liquid assets” means assets that may be sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund values them, within the period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the repurchase payment deadline, or which mature by the repurchase payment deadline. The Fund is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act to meet repurchase requests.

If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Fund’s expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able sell a significant amount of additional Common Shares so as to mitigate these effects.

 

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77


These and other possible risks associated with the Fund’s repurchase offers are described under “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Repurchase Offers Risk” above. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to Common Shareholders, potentially even to those shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see “Tax Matters” above and in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

78

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Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent

Nuveen Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, will serve as the Fund’s principal underwriter and distributor. The custodian of the Fund’s assets is State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. State Street performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The transfer agent of the Fund is DST Systems, Inc., 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

Legal Opinions and Experts

Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP may rely as to certain matters of Massachusetts law on the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Brockius LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.

Privacy Statement

Nuveen (and its affiliated investment advisors and funds) considers your privacy our utmost concern. In order to provide you with individualized service, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you from information you provide on applications or other forms (such as your address and social security number), and information about your account transactions with us (such as purchases, sales and account balances). We may also collect such information through your account inquiries by mail, email, telephone or on our Website.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you to anyone, except as permitted by law. Specifically, so that we may continue to offer you Nuveen products and services that best meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform administrative or marketing services on our behalf, such as transfer agents, or printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. These companies will use this information only for the services for which we hired them, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

If you decide at some point either to close your account(s) or to become an inactive customer, we will continue to adhere to the privacy policies and practices described in this notice.

With regard to our internal security procedures, we restrict access to your personal and account information to those employees who need to know that information to service your account. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information.

For questions about our policy, or for additional copies of this notice, please go to www.nuveen.com,or contact Nuveen at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, or (800) 257-8787.

 

Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent/Legal Opinions and Experts, Privacy Principles of the Fund

 

 

79


Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information

 

Investment Objectives and Policies      2  
Leverage      5  
Investment Restrictions      9  
Portfolio Composition and Other Information      11  
Management of the Fund      25  
Investment Adviser      47  
Subadviser      47  
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures      51  
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage      51  
Description of Shares and Debt      53  
Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors      55  
Repurchase of Fund Shares      56  
Conversion to Open-End Fund      57  
Tax Matters      57  
Experts      64  
Custodian and Transfer Agent      64  
Additional Information      65  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm      66  
Financial Statements      67  
Appendix A—Description of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings      A-1  
Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures      B-1  

 

80

Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information


Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

                     Shares

Class I Common Shares

$10.00 per Share

Class A Common Shares

$10.00 per Share

Prospectus

                    , 2021

 

 

LPR-HYSS-0120D


The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer and sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED                     , 2021

NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its shares (the “Common Shares”) and is operated as an “interval fund.” The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future.

This Statement of Additional Information relating to Common Shares does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus relating thereto dated                                 , 2021 (the “Prospectus”). In this Statement of Additional Information, holders of Common Shares are referred to as “Common Shareholders.” This Statement of Additional Information does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Shares. Investors should obtain and read the Fund’s Prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Fund’s Prospectus, annual and semi-annual reports (when available) and additional information about the Fund may be obtained without charge by calling (800) 257-8787, by writing to the Fund at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or from the Fund’s website (http://www.nuveen.com). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of the Fund’s Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). You may also obtain a copy of the Fund’s Prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Investment Objectives and Policies

     2  

Leverage

     5  

Investment Restrictions

     9  

Portfolio Composition and Other Information

     11  

Management of the Fund

     26  

Investment Adviser

     48  

Subadviser

     48  

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     52  

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

     52  

Description of Shares and Debt

     54  

Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors

     56  

Repurchase of Fund Shares

     57  

Conversion to Open-End Fund

     58  

Tax Matters

     58  

Experts

     65  

Custodian and Transfer Agent

     65  

Additional Information

     66  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     67  

Financial Statements

     68  

Appendix A—Description of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings

     A-1  

Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     B-1  

This Statement of Additional Information is dated                                 , 2021

 

1


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Fund’s primary investment objective. The Fund’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

Fund Strategies

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, the Fund’s subadviser (“Nuveen Asset Management”), uses a research-driven approach that seeks attractive income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in high yield municipal securities. The Fund invests in below investment grade bonds that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present.

The Fund may also invest in special situations municipal securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities: (i) of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or (ii) that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. Special situations municipal securities may offer illiquidity and complexity premiums, which may create significant investment opportunity for the Fund.

The Fund may also use certain hedging techniques to reduce exposure of the portfolio to adverse business or market conditions. See “—Other Policies” below and “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Hedging Risk” in the Prospectus.

As an “interval fund”, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See “Periodic Repurchase Offers” in the Prospectus. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser (“Nuveen Fund Advisors”), believes the Fund’s “interval fund” structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, Nuveen Asset Management may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, Nuveen Fund Advisors believes that the Fund’s interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).

Portfolio Contents

The Fund will invest its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities. Municipal securities include municipal bonds, notes, securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, certificates of participation, variable rate demand obligations, lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bond trusts, including inverse floating rate securities, and other forms of municipal bonds and securities, and other related instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.

Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be

 

2


issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities, such as housing, medical and educational construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the leverage of the Fund. The market value of a municipal security will generally depend upon its form, maturity, call features and interest rate, as well as the credit quality or credit rating of the issuer, all such factors examined in the context of the municipal securities market and interest rate levels and trends.

The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:

 

   

of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or

 

   

that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors.

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk” in the Prospectus.

See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information” for additional information on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest.

The Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments. See “Leverage” and “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Derivatives Risk” in the Prospectus. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives” in the Prospectus.

Investment Policies

Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest subject to the following policies:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality;

 

   

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in special situations municipal securities;

 

3


   

The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in any one issuer;

 

   

The Fund will not invest in common equity securities. This policy does not apply to shares of other investment companies or to common equity securities acquired in connection with a work-out of an issuer of a debt security as discussed below; and

 

   

The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity or duration of the municipal securities in which it will invest.

The foregoing policies are considered to apply only at the time of investment and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities.

“Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

Low to medium quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or “junk bonds”). Below investment grade securities are generally securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment and are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, a security’s rating is determined using the lowest rating of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch if all three NRSROs rate the security. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality is used. The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in low to medium quality municipal securities may vary over time, and may fluctuate significantly over time, over the minimum of 75% described above.

While investments in special situations municipal securities may be a component of the Fund’s investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objectives, the ability of the Fund to invest in special situation municipal securities may be limited by the availability of attractive opportunities in the market. The portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in such securities, if any, may fluctuate significantly over time up to the 25% limit described above.

Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a work-out arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to a defaulted security, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.

The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio securities. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the NAV of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio securities, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio securities.

 

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For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.

The Fund’s investment policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI as such are considered fundamental. See also “Investment Restrictions” in this SAI. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Common Shares. When used with respect to approval of a changes to the Fund’s fundamental policies, a “majority of the outstanding” shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less. All of the Fund’s other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the Common Shareholders.

Other Policies

The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to attempt to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio instruments. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio instruments, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, to attempt to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio instruments.

Certain investment policies specifically identified in this SAI as such are considered fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. See “Investment Restrictions.” All of the Fund’s other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the shareholders. However, the Fund’s policy of investing at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, is a fundamental policy. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Common Shares. When used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, a “majority of the outstanding” shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less.

LEVERAGE

The Fund anticipates using leverage to seek to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either investments in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Fund’s investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate certificates, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest (“Preferred Shares”), which have seniority over the Common Shares, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately         % of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

 

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The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including investing in inverse floating rate securities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and issuance of Preferred Shares.

Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk” in the Prospectus.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Selling a portfolio security and agreeing to buy it back under a reverse repurchase agreement is economically equivalent to borrowing. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk” in the Prospectus.

The Fund may use derivatives, such as interest rate swaps with varying terms, in order to hedge duration risk or manage the interest rate expense associated with all or a portion of its leverage. Interest rate swaps are bi-lateral agreements whereby parties agree to exchange future payments, typically based upon the differential of a fixed rate and a variable rate, on a specified notional amount. Interest rate swaps can enable the Fund to effectively convert its variable leverage expense to fixed, or vice-versa. For example, if the Fund issues leverage having a short-term floating rate of interest, the Fund could use interest rate swaps to hedge against a rise in the short-term benchmark interest rates associated with its outstanding leverage. In doing so, the Fund would seek to achieve lower leverage costs, and thereby enhance Common Share distributions, over an extended period, which would be the result if short-term market interest rates on average exceed the fixed interest rate over the term of the swap. To the extent the fixed swap rate is greater than short-term market interest rates on average over the period, overall costs associated with leverage will be greater (and thereby reduce distributions to Common Shareholders) than if the Fund had not entered into the interest rate swap(s). See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives” in the Prospectus.

So long as the net income received from the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest and/or dividend payments on its leveraging instruments, which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

The Fund may reduce or increase the amount of leverage based upon changes in market conditions and/or composition of the Fund’s holdings. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used, variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings and the levels of Common Share subscription and repurchase offer activity related to the Fund’s continuously offered interval fund structure. So long as the net income received from the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest payments on its leveraging instruments which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of such fee to Nuveen Asset Management) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds

 

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realized and managed from the Fund’s use of most types of leverage (excluding the leverage exposure attributable to the use of futures, swaps and similar derivatives). Because Managed Assets include the Fund’s net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Fund’s investment of the proceeds of its leverage, it is anticipated that the Fund’s Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Fund’s investment objectives. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on their assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund. However, a decision to employ or increase leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets and in turn Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s management fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by using leverage only when they determine that it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s degree of overall use of leverage and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.

The Fund may issue “senior securities” as defined under the 1940 Act. “Senior securities” have seniority over the Common Shares in regard to the income and assets of the Fund. The 1940 Act generally defines a “senior security” as any bond, debenture, note, or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness, and any stock of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payment of dividends (“Preferred Shares”); however, the term does not include any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made for temporary purposes and in an amount not exceeding five percent of the value of the Fund’s total assets. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities” that are Preferred Shares if, immediately after the issuance of Preferred Shares, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such Preferred Shares would be less than 200%. With respect to any such Preferred Shares, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund plus the aggregate liquidation preference of such Preferred Shares.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities representing indebtedness” if, immediately after the issuance of such senior securities representing indebtedness, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such senior securities would be less than 300%. “Senior securities representing indebtedness” include borrowings (including loans from financial institutions) and debt securities. “Senior securities representing indebtedness” also include other derivative investments or transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, to the extent the Fund has not fully covered, segregated or earmarked cash or liquid assets in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. With respect to any such senior securities representing debt, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented by senior securities issued by the Fund.

If the Fund issues senior securities and the asset coverage with respect to such senior securities declines below the required ratios discussed above (as a result of market fluctuations or otherwise), the Fund may sell portfolio securities when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Certain types of leverage used by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to certain covenants, asset coverage or other portfolio composition limits by its lenders, debt or preferred securities purchasers, rating agencies that may rate the debt or preferred securities, or reverse repurchase counterparties. Such limitations may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and may impact whether the Fund is able to maintain its desired amount of leverage. At this time Nuveen Fund Advisors does not believe that any such potential

 

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investment limitations will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies.

Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Fund’s net income, distributions and NAV in relation to market changes. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk,” “—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk” and “—Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk” in the Prospectus. There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

 

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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Except as described below, the Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares voting as a separate class:

(1) Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except as permitted by the 1940 Act1;

(2) Borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and exemptive orders granted under the 1940 Act1,2;

(3) Act as underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities;

(4) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry; provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities backed principally by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users3;

(5) Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in municipal securities secured by real estate or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such real estate;

(6) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or derivative instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities); and

(7) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and exemptive orders granted under the 1940 Act4.

For the purpose of applying the 25% industry limitation set forth in subparagraph (4) above, such limitation will apply to municipal securities if the payment of principal and interest for such securities is derived principally from a specific project, and in that situation the Fund will consider such municipal securities to be in

 

 

 

1 Section 18(c) of the 1940 Act generally limits a registered closed-end investment company to issuing one class of senior securities representing indebtedness and one class of senior securities representing stock, except that the class of indebtedness or stock may be issued in one or more series, and promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made by a bank or other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly distributed, are not deemed a separate class of senior securities.

2 Section 18(a) of the 1940 Act generally prohibits a registered closed-end fund from incurring borrowings if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate amount of its borrowings exceeds 331/3% of its total assets. The Fund has not applied for, and currently does not intend to apply for, such exemptive relief, but reserves the right to do so in the future.

3 For purposes of this restriction, governments and their political subdivisions are not part of any industry.

4 Section 21 of the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for a registered investment company, like the Fund, to lend money or other property if (i) the investment company’s policies set forth in its registration statement do not permit such a loan or (ii) the borrower controls or is under common control with the investment company. The Fund has not applied for, and currently does not intend to apply for, such exemptive relief, but reserves the right to do so in the future.

 

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an industry associated with the project. In addition, the Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with its concentration policy, to the extent the Fund has sufficient information about such investments.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest only up to 10% of its total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies and only up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, provided the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the acquired investment company at the time such shares are purchased, unless permitted to exceed such limitation pursuant to SEC rule or exemptive relief. As a shareholder in any investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and will also remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies.

In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund may not:

(1) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder; and

(2) Purchase securities of companies for the purpose of exercising control, except to the extent that exercise by the Fund of its rights under loan agreements would be deemed to constitute exercising control.

The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more credit rating agencies that may issue ratings for Preferred Shares, commercial paper or notes, or, if the Fund borrows from a lender, by the lender. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. If these restrictions were to apply, it is not anticipated that these guidelines will impede Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

In addition, the Fund has adopted the following fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers, which may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares voting as a separate class:

(1) The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended from time to time.

(2) The Fund will repurchase shares that are tendered by a specific date (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”), which will be established by the Board of Trustees (the “Board’) in accordance with Rule 23c-3, as amended from time to time. Rule 23c-3 requires the Repurchase Request Deadline to be no less than 21 and no more than 42 days after the Fund sends notification to shareholders of the repurchase offer.

(3) There will be a maximum fourteen (14) calendar day period (or the next business day if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV applicable to the repurchase offer is determined (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”).

Under certain limited circumstances, the Fund may postpone or suspend repurchase offers. See “Periodic Repurchase Offers—Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers” in the Prospectus.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and strategies that are described in the Prospectus.

Municipal Securities

General.    The Fund may invest in various municipal securities, including municipal bonds and notes, other securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, and other related securities and derivative instruments creating exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Municipal securities are often issued by state and local governmental entities to finance or refinance public projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects. Municipal securities may be issued on a long term basis to provide permanent financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of the later issuance of long-term debt. The Fund may purchase municipal securities in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds, tender option bonds, and residual interest bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax-exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which could have the economic effect of leverage.

Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation.    Also included within the general category of municipal securities described in the Prospectus are municipal leases, certificates of participation in such lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (hereinafter collectively called “Municipal Lease Obligations”) of municipal authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality for which the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal Lease Obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the case of a “non-appropriation” lease, the Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property might prove difficult. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase Municipal Lease Obligations where Nuveen Asset Management believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.

Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities.    The principal of and interest on pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed

 

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by the issuer. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the exclusion from gross income for interest on pre-refunded municipal securities effective for such bonds issued after December 31, 2017.

Private Activity Bonds.    Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. Under current law, a significant portion of the private activity bond market is comprised of AMT Bonds. “AMT Bonds” are municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers. The Fund’s distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax.

Special Taxing Districts.    Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure development to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds, are generally payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.

Special Situations Securities

The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:

 

   

of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or

 

   

that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors.

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Special Situations Municipal Securities Risk” below.

Corporate Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.

Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion

 

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rights). The Fund’s investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuer’s capital structure.

Corporate bonds are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, the issuer’s performance or credit rating, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity. In addition, corporate restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers or similar corporate transactions are often financed by an increase in a corporate issuer’s debt securities. As a result of the added debt burden, the credit quality and market value of an issuer’s existing corporate bonds may decline significantly. Corporate bonds usually yield more than government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.

U.S. Treasury Securities

The Fund may invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.

Hedging Strategies and Other Uses of Derivatives

The Fund may periodically engage in hedging transactions, and otherwise use various types of derivative instruments, described below, to reduce risk, to effectively gain particular market exposures, to seek to enhance returns, and to reduce transaction costs, among other reasons. The Fund will value derivative instruments at market/fair value for purposes of calculating compliance with the Fund’s 80% investment policy in investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax.

“Hedging” is a term used for various methods of seeking to preserve portfolio capital value by offsetting price changes in one investment through making another investment whose price should tend to move in the opposite direction.

A “derivative” is a financial contract whose value is based on (or “derived” from) a traditional security (such as a stock or a bond), an asset (such as a commodity like gold), or a market index (such as the Lehman Municipal Bond Index). Some forms of derivatives may trade on exchanges, while non-standardized derivatives, which tend to be more specialized and complex, trade in “over-the-counter” or a one-on-one basis. It may be desirable and possible in various market environments to partially hedge the portfolio against fluctuations in market value due to market interest rate or credit quality fluctuations, or instead to gain a desired investment exposure, by entering into various types of derivative transactions, including financial futures and index futures as well as related put and call options on such instruments, structured notes, or interest rate swaps on taxable or tax-exempt securities or indexes (which may be “forward-starting”), credit default swaps, and options on interest rate swaps, among others.

These transactions present certain risks. In particular, the imperfect correlation between price movements in the futures contract and price movements in the securities being hedged creates the possibility that losses on the hedge by a Fund may be greater than gains in the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, the Fund may not be able to close out the transaction without incurring losses substantially greater than the initial deposit. Finally, the potential deposit requirements in futures contracts create an ongoing greater potential financial risk than do options transactions, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses due to

 

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hedging transactions will reduce yield. Net gains, if any, from hedging and other portfolio transactions will be distributed as taxable distributions to shareholders. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies will generate taxable income.

The Fund will invest in these instruments only in markets believed by Nuveen Asset Management to be active and sufficiently liquid. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies will generate taxable income.

Swap Transactions.    The Fund may enter into total return, interest rate and credit default swap agreements and interest rate caps, floors and collars. The Fund may also enter into options on the foregoing types of swap agreements (“swap options”).

The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any purpose consistent with its investment objectives and strategies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, as a duration management technique, to attempt to reduce risk arising from the ownership of a particular instrument, or to gain exposure to certain sectors or markets in the most economical way possible.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for a specified period of time. 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 asset, reference rate or index. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, e.g., 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. The notional amount of the swap agreement generally is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to the swap agreement have agreed to exchange. See “—Segregation of Assets” below.

Some, but not all, swaps may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purpose. Uncleared swaps have no such protection; each party bears the risk that its direct counterparty will default.

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors.    Interest rate swaps are bilateral contracts in which each party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on different referenced interest rates (e.g., a fixed rate and a floating rate) applied to a specified notional amount. 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. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps could enhance or harm the overall performance of Common Shares. To the extent interest rates decline, the value of the interest rate swap could decline, and could result in a decline in the NAV of Common Shares. In addition, if the counterparty to an interest rate swap defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap to offset the interest payments on borrowings or the dividend payments on any outstanding preferred shares. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive net payments from the counterparty on the swap, which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at that point in time, such a default could negatively impact the performance of Common Shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund would not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement would not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the performance of Common Shares. The Fund

 

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could be required to prepay the principal amount of any borrowings. Such redemption or prepayment would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap transaction. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund.

Municipal Market Data Rate Locks.    The Fund may purchase and sell municipal market data rate locks (“MMD Rate Locks”). An MMD Rate Lock permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part of the yield curve. The Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Fund’s yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest rates). An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between the Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Fund buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In connection with investments in MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by the Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

Total Return Swaps.    In a total return swap, one party agrees to pay the other the “total return” of a defined underlying asset during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. A total return swap may be applied to any underlying asset but is most commonly used with equity indices, single stocks, bonds and defined baskets of loans and mortgages. The Fund might enter into a total return swap involving an underlying index or basket of securities to create exposure to a potentially widely-diversified range of securities in a single trade. An index total return swap can be used by Nuveen Asset Management to assume risk, without the complications of buying the component securities from what may not always be the most liquid of markets.

Credit Default Swaps.    A credit default swap is a bilateral contract that enables an investor to buy or sell protection against a defined-issuer credit event. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or a seller. The Fund may buy protection to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in an individual security or a segment of the fixed income securities market to which it has exposure, or to take a “short” position in individual bonds or market segments which it does not own. The Fund may sell protection in an attempt to gain exposure to the credit quality characteristics of particular bonds or market segments without investing directly in those bonds or market segments.

As the buyer of protection in a credit default swap, the Fund would pay a premium (by means of an upfront payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement) in return for the right to deliver a referenced bond or group of bonds to the protection seller and receive the full notional or par value (or other agreed upon value) upon a default (or similar event) by the issuer(s) of the underlying referenced obligation(s). If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligation to the Fund. Thus, the cost to the Fund would be the premium paid with respect to the agreement. If a credit event occurs, however, the Fund may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. The Fund bears the risk that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations. If the Fund sells or writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. See “—Segregation of Assets” below.

 

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If the Fund is a seller of protection in a credit default swap and no credit event occurs, the Fund would generally receive an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a credit event occurs, however, generally the Fund would have to pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. As the protection seller, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Thus, the Fund bears the same risk as it would by buying the reference obligation(s) directly, plus the additional risks related to obtaining investment exposure through a derivative instrument discussed below under “—Risks Associated with Swap Transactions.”

Swap Options.    A swap option 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. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally would incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, 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 swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Risks Associated with Swap Transactions.    The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights. It also is possible that developments in the derivatives market, including changes in government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap or other agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Futures and Options on Futures.    A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security, index or interest rate (each a “financial instrument”) for a set price on a future date. Certain futures contracts, such as futures contracts relating to individual securities, call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument. However, these contracts generally are closed out before delivery by entering into an offsetting purchase or sale of a matching futures contract (same exchange, underlying financial instrument, and delivery month). Other futures contracts, such as futures contracts on interest rates and indices, do not call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument, but rather are agreements pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the financial instrument at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally written. These contracts also may be settled by entering into an offsetting futures contract.

Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”), an amount of cash or securities equal to a varying specified

 

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percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The margin deposit is intended to ensure completion of the contract. Minimum initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and may be revised. In addition, FCMs may establish margin deposit requirements that are higher than the exchange minimums. Cash held in the margin account generally is not income producing. However, couponbearing securities, such as Treasury securities, held in margin accounts generally will earn income. Subsequent payments to and from the FCM, called variation margin, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying financial instrument fluctuates, making the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking the contract to market. Changes in variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate its position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a gain or loss. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of the Fund, the Fund may be entitled to the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. Futures transactions also involve brokerage costs and the Fund may have to segregate additional liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC requirements. See “—Segregation of Assets” below.

A futures option gives the purchaser of such option the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the purchaser acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. Upon the exercise of a put option, the opposite is true.

The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) may also limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in futures, options on futures and swaps. See “Tax Matters.”

Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to seek to enhance return, to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities, to attempt to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Fund’s portfolio or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income.

There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will determine to use them for the Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful.

Segregation of Assets

As a closed-end investment company regulated with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, the Fund must maintain liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments and financial agreements (such as reverse repurchase agreements). Generally, the Fund will maintain an amount of liquid assets with its custodian in an amount at least equal to the current amount of its obligations, including the value of unpaid past and future payment obligations, under derivative instruments and financial agreements, in accordance with SEC guidance. However, the Fund also may “cover” certain obligations by other means such as through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions with respect to certain obligations consistent with existing guidance from the SEC and its staff so that its combined position, coupled with any liquid assets maintained by its custodian, equals its net outstanding obligation in related derivatives or financial agreements. In the case of financial futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, for example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts’ full notional value while the positions are open. With respect to financial futures contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid

 

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assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. If the Fund writes credit default swaps, it will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts. With respect to such investments, the Fund will segregate or earmark assets in an amount equal to at least 100% of the face amount of the floating rate securities issued by such trusts.

The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into and replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the SEC’s compliance date in 2022.

The Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff.

To the extent the Fund uses its assets to cover its obligations as required by the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff, such assets may not be used for other operational purposes. Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management will monitor the Fund’s use of derivatives and will take action as necessary for the purpose of complying with the asset segregation policy stated above. Such actions may include the sale of the Fund’s portfolio investments.

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements.

Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. To the extent that the Board of Trustees or its delegatee determines that the price of any illiquid security provided by the pricing service is inappropriate, such security will be priced at a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegatee.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities and Floating Rate Securities

Inverse Floating Rate Securities.    Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. The special purpose trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds) and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters or residual interest securities). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates. The short-term floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the special purpose trust. Typically, a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, grants the floating rate security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the institution granting the tender option will not be obligated to accept tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults

 

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or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer. For its inverse floating rate investments, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the special purpose trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security, the Fund as the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal security deposited into the special purpose trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters in relation to the value of the residual inverse floaters that are issued by the special purpose trust. In addition, all voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the special purpose trust are passed through to the Fund, as the holder of the residual inverse floating rate securities. Because increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters reduce the residual interest paid on inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, inverse floaters’ value is generally more volatile than that of fixed rate bonds. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is generally more volatile than the underlying securities due to the leveraging effect of this ownership structure. These securities generally will underperform the market of fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, inverse floaters typically offer the potential exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity based upon, among other things, the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust.

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party liquidity provider to a special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party liquidity provider to such inverse floater, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. Such agreements may expose the Fund to a risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities. The Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with its custodian in accordance with the 1940 Act to cover its obligations with respect to its investments in special purpose trusts. 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 special purpose trust could be liquidated and the Fund could incur a loss. See also “—Segregation of Assets.”

The Fund may invest in both inverse floating rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same special purpose trust.

Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders. See the Prospectus under “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.”

Floating Rate Securities.    The Fund may also invest in floating rate securities, as described above, issued by special purpose trusts. Floating rate securities may take the form of short-term floating rate securities or the option period may be substantially longer. Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to extended periods of one year or multiple years. Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying bond deposited in the trust, the Fund as the holder of the floating rate security relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the option as well as the credit strength of that institution.

 

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As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal security deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate security. The trusts that are organized to issue both short-term floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate security.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in securities of other open or closed-end investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. In addition, the Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund generally expects that it may invest in other investment companies and/or other pooled investment vehicles either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of an offering of its Common Shares or borrowing or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high-yielding municipal securities available in the market. The Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management or their respective affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. The Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Moreover, the Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with its own concentration policy, to the extent the Fund has sufficient information about such investments.

Nuveen Fund Advisors will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available municipal security investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the Fund’s Prospectus, the NAV and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to Common Shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.

Repurchase Agreements

As temporary investments, the Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities (U.S. government securities or municipal securities) agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during the Fund’s holding period. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security that is the subject of the repurchase contract. Income generated from transactions in repurchase agreements will be taxable. The Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic banks that, in the opinion of Nuveen Asset Management, present minimal credit risk. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but the Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. Nuveen Asset Management will monitor the value of the collateral at the time the transaction is entered into and at all times subsequent during the term of the repurchase agreement in an effort to determine that such value always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price. In the event the value of the collateral declines below the

 

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repurchase price, Nuveen Asset Management will demand additional collateral from the issuer to increase the value of the collateral to at least that of the repurchase price, including interest.

Short-Term Investments

Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities

For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents and short- term taxable fixed-income securities, although the Fund intends to invest in taxable short-term investments only in the event that suitable tax-exempt short- term investments are not available at reasonable prices and yields. Short-term taxable fixed income investments are defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks*, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association*, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its agencies, and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.

 

*

These securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

(2) Certificates of Deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current Federal Deposit Insurance Company regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.

(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered into, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. Nuveen Asset Management monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. Nuveen Asset Management does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal

 

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bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.

(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. Nuveen Asset Management will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity measures) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.

Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities

Short-term tax-exempt municipal securities are securities that are exempt from regular federal income tax and mature within three years or less from the date of issuance. Short-term tax-exempt municipal income securities are defined to include, without limitation, the following:

Bond Anticipation Notes (“BANs”) are usually general obligations of state and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for projects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term debt obligations or bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations on its BANs is primarily dependent on the issuer’s access to the long-term municipal bond market and the likelihood that the proceeds of such bond sales will be used to pay the principal and interest on the BANs.

Tax Anticipation Notes (“TANs”) are issued by state and local governments to finance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues. TANs are usually general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an issuer’s capacity to raise taxes due to, among other things, a decline in its tax base or a rise in delinquencies, could adversely affect the issuer’s ability to meet its obligations on outstanding TANs.

Revenue Anticipation Notes (“RANs”) are issued by governments or governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a designated source will be used to repay the notes. In general, they also constitute general obligations of the issuer. A decline in the receipt of projected revenues, such as anticipated revenues from another level of government, could adversely affect an issuer’s ability to meet its obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition, the possibility that the revenues would, when received, be used to meet other obligations could affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal and interest on RANs.

Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for specific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with funds obtained from the Federal Housing Administration.

Bank Notes are notes issued by local government bodies and agencies, such as those described above to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The purposes for which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently issued to meet short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These notes may have risks similar to the risks associated with TANs and RANs.

Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (“Municipal Paper”) represents very short-term unsecured, negotiable promissory notes issued by states, municipalities and their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of municipal paper may be made from various sources, to the extent the funds are available therefrom. Maturities of municipal paper generally will be shorter than the maturities of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited secondary market for issues of Municipal Paper.

 

22


Certain municipal securities may carry variable or floating rates of interest whereby the rate of interest is not fixed but varies with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or a tax-exempt money market index.

While the various types of notes described above as a group represent the major portion of the short-term tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are available in the marketplace and the Fund may invest in such other types of notes to the extent permitted under its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Such notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from those mentioned above.

Auction Rate Securities

Municipal securities also include auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities issued by closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities (collectively, “auction rate securities”). In recent market environments, auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities, and are unlikely to resume. Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “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 a risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there may be no secondary market for these securities, and sales conducted on a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller. Auction rate securities may be called by the issuer. Thus, with respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may differ substantially from cash equivalents, notwithstanding the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Fund’s investments in auction rate securities of closed-end funds are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other fees paid by such closed-end funds in addition to the advisory fees payable directly by the Fund.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions

The Fund may buy and sell municipal securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15-45 days of the trade date. On such transactions the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Beginning on the date the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund is required under rules of the SEC to maintain in a separate account liquid assets, consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities having a market value, at all times, of at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Income generated by any such assets which provide taxable income for federal income tax purposes is includable in the taxable income of the Fund and, to the extent distributed, will be taxable distributions to shareholders. The Fund may enter into contracts to purchase municipal securities on a forward basis (i.e., where settlement will occur more than 60 days from the date of the transaction) only to the extent that the Fund specifically collateralizes such obligations with a security that is expected to be called or mature within sixty days before or after the settlement date of the forward transaction. The commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward basis may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and at the time of delivery the market value may be less than their cost.

Zero Coupon Bonds

A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of the zero coupon bond, which generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (“OID”) approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue

 

23


and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash interest at regular intervals, the instruments’ ongoing accruals require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result, these securities may be subject to greater value fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash on a current basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to shareholders representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds to make income distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.

Further, Nuveen Fund Advisors collects management fees on the value of a zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing non-cash accrual of interest over the life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, Nuveen Fund Advisors receives non-refundable cash payments based on such non-cash accruals while the Fund and Common Shareholders incur the risk that such non-cash accruals ultimately may not be realized.

Structured Notes

The Fund may utilize structured notes and similar instruments for investment purposes and also for hedging purposes. Structured notes are privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/ or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an “embedded index”), such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. The terms of such structured instruments normally provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but not ordinarily below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending upon a variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index or indices or other assets. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss. These types of investments may generate taxable income.

Portfolio Trading and Turnover

Portfolio trading may be undertaken to accomplish the investment objectives of the Fund in relation to actual and anticipated movements in interest rates. In addition, a security may be sold and another of comparable quality purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what Nuveen Asset Management believes to be a temporary price disparity between the two securities. Temporary price disparities between two comparable securities may result from supply and demand imbalances where, for example, a temporary oversupply of certain securities may cause a temporarily low price for such securities, as compared with other securities of like quality and characteristics.

A security also may be sold when Nuveen Asset Management anticipates a change in the price of such security, Nuveen Asset Management believes the price of a security has reached or is near a realistic maximum, or there are other securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes are more attractive given the Fund’s investment objectives. The Fund also may engage to a limited extent in short-term trading consistent with its investment objectives. Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline or purchased in anticipation of a market rise and later sold, but the Fund will not engage in trading solely to recognize a gain. Subject to the

 

24


foregoing, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objectives by prudent selection of securities with a view to holding them for investment. While there can be no assurance thereof, the Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate generally will not exceed 60% under normal circumstances. However, the rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it desirable to sell or purchase securities. Therefore, depending on market conditions, the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed 60% in particular years. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.

 

25


MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors (the “Investment Management Agreement”), is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The number of trustees of the Fund is ten, none of whom are an “interested person” (as the term “interested person” is defined in the 1940 Act) and nine of whom are not interested persons (referred to herein as “independent trustees”). None of the independent trustees has ever been a director, trustee or employee of, or consultant to, Nuveen, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, or their affiliates. Currently the Board of Trustees consists of William C. Hunter, Judith M. Stockdale, Carole E. Stone, Margaret L. Wolff, John K. Nelson, Matthew Thornton III, Terence J. Toth, Robert L. Young, Jack B. Evans and Albin F. Moschner. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, two of the Fund’s trustees would be elected by the holders of such Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund would be elected by holders of common shares and Preferred Shares, voting together as a class. In the event that the Fund fails to pay dividends on outstanding Preferred Shares for two years, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to elect a majority of trustees of the Fund. The officers of the Fund serve annual terms and are elected on an annual basis. The names, business addresses and years of birth of the trustees and officers of the Fund, their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each trustee oversees and other directorships they hold are set forth below. Except as noted in the table below, as of March 8, 2021 the trustees of the Fund are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 68 Nuveen-sponsored open-end mutual funds (the “Nuveen Mutual Funds”); and 63 Nuveen-sponsored closed-end funds and 13 Nuveen-sponsored exchange-traded funds (collectively with the Nuveen Mutual Funds and the Nuveen-sponsored closed-end funds, the “Nuveen Funds”).

 

26


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Independent Trustees

Terence J. Toth

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1959)

  Chairman of
the Board
and Trustee
  Term—Since
Inception

Length of Service—
Since 2008

  Formerly, Co-Founding Partner, Promus Capital (investment advisory firm) (2008-2017); Director of Quality Control Corporation (manufacturing) (since 2012); formerly, Director of Fulcrum IT Services LLC (information technology services firm to government entities) (2010-2019); formerly, Director, LogicMark LLC (health services) (2012-2016); formerly, Director, Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (asset management) (2008-2013); formerly, CEO and President, Northern Trust Global Investments (financial services) (2004-2007); Executive Vice President, Quantitative Management & Securities Lending (2000-2004); prior thereto, various positions with Northern Trust Company (financial services) (since 1994); Member of Catalyst Schools of Chicago Board (since 2008) and Mather Foundation Board (philanthropy) (since 2012) and is Chair of its Investment Committee; formerly, Member, Chicago Fellowship Board (philanthropy) (2005-2016); formerly, Member, Northern Trust Mutual Funds Board (2005-2007), Northern Trust Global Investments Board (2004-2007), Northern Trust Japan Board (2004-2007), Northern Trust Securities Inc. Board (2003-2007) and Northern Trust Hong Kong Board (1997-2004).   144   None

 

27


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by

Trustee

During Past
Five Years

Jack B. Evans

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1948)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception

Length of Service—
Since 1999

 

Chairman (since 2019), formerly, President (1996-2019), The Hall-Perrine Foundation, (private philanthropic corporation); Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation; formerly, Director, Public Member, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2015-2020); formerly, Director (1998-2003), Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; formerly, President and Chief Operating Officer (1972-1995), SCI Financial Group, Inc. (regional financial services firm); formerly, Member and President Pro Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System (2000-2004); formerly, Director (1996-2015), The Gazette Company (media and publishing).

  144  

Director and Chairman (since 2009), United Fire Group, a publicly held company; formerly, Director (2000-2004), Alliant Energy.

 

28


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by

Trustee

During Past
Five Years

William C. Hunter

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1948)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception

Length of Service—
Since 2003

 

Dean Emeritus, formerly, Dean (2006- 2012), Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa; past Director (2005-2015) and past President (2010-2014) of Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society; formerly, Director (1997-2007), Credit Research Center at Georgetown University; formerly, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance (2003-2006), School of Business at the University of Connecticut; previously, Senior Vice President and Director of Research (1995-2003) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

  144  

Director (since 2009) of Wellmark, Inc.; formerly, Director (2004-2018) of Xerox Corporation.

 

29


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Albin F. Moschner

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1952)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception

Length of Service—
Since 2016

  Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Northcroft Partners, LLC (management consulting) (since 2012); previously, held positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc. (consumer wireless services), including Consultant (2011-2012), Chief Operating Officer (2008-2011) and Chief Marketing Officer (2004-2008); formerly, President, Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. (telecommunication services) (2000- 2003); formerly, President, One Point Services at One Point Communications (telecommunication services) (1999-2000); formerly, Vice Chairman of the Board, Diba, Incorporated (internet technology provider) (1996-1997); formerly, various executive positions (1991-1996), including Chief Executive Officer (1995-1996) of Zenith Electronics Corporation (consumer electronics).   144   Formerly, Chairman (2019) and Director (2012-2019), USA Technologies, Inc., a provider of solutions and services to facilitate electronic payment transactions; formerly, Director, Wintrust Financial Corporation (1996-2016).

 

30


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

John K. Nelson

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1962)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception
Length of Service—
Since 2013
  Member of Board of Directors of Core12 LLC (private firm which develops branding, marketing and communications strategies for clients) (since 2008); served on The President’s Council of Fordham University (2010-2019) and previously a Director of the Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (2009-2018); formerly, senior external advisor to the Financial Services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP (2012- 2014); former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Marian University (2010-2014 as trustee, 2011-2014 as Chair); formerly, Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., North America, and Global Head of the Financial Markets Division (2007-2008), with various executive leadership roles in ABN AMRO Bank N.V. between 1996 and 2007.   144   None

 

31


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Judith M. Stockdale

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1947)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception
Length of Service—

Since 1997

 

Board Member of the Land Trust Alliance (national public charity addressing natural land and water conservation in the U.S.) (since 2013); formerly, Board Member of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (national endowment addressing forest health, sustainable forest production and markets, and economic health of forest-reliant communities in the U.S.) (2013-2019); formerly, Executive Director

(1994-2012), Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (private foundation endowed to support both natural land conservation and artistic vitality); prior thereto, Executive Director, Great Lakes Protection Fund (endowment created jointly by seven of the eight Great Lake states’ Governors to take a regional approach to improving the health of the Great Lakes) (1990-1994).

  144   None

Carole E. Stone

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1947)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception
Length of Service—

Since 2007

 

Former Director, Chicago Board Options Exchange (2006-2017) and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (2009-2017); formerly, Commissioner, New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform (2005-2010).

  144  

Formerly, Director, Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (2010-2020) (formerly named CBOE Holdings, Inc.).

 

32


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustee

During Past
Five Years

Matthew Thornton III

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1958)

  Trustee   Term—Since 2020
Length of Service—
Since 2020
 

Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2018-2019), FedEx Freight Corporation, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”) (provider of transportation, e-commerce and business services through its portfolio of companies); formerly, Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations (2006- 2018), Federal Express Corporation, a subsidiary of FedEx; formerly, Member of the Board of Directors (2012-2018), Safe Kids Worldwide® (non-profit organization dedicated to preventing childhood injuries).

  144  

Member of the Board of Directors (since 2014), The Sherwin-Williams Company (develops, manufactures, distributes and sells paints, coatings and related products); Member of the Board of Directors (since 2020), Crown Castle International (provider of communications infrastructure).

Margaret L. Wolff

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1955)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception

Length of Service—
Since 2016

  Formerly, Of Counsel (2005- 2014), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Mergers & Acquisitions Group) (legal services); Member of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital (since 2005); Member (since 2004) and Chair (since 2015) of the Board of Trustees of The John A. Hartford Foundation (philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults); formerly, Member (2005-2015) and Vice Chair (2011- 2015) of the Board of Trustees of Mt. Holyoke College.   144  

Formerly, Member of the Board of Directors (2013- 2017) of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and

The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each, a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.).

 

33


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the Fund
Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Robert L. Young

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1963)

  Trustee   Term—Since
Inception

Length of Service—
Since 2017

  Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (financial services) (2010-2016); formerly, President and Principal Executive Officer (2013-2016), and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2005-2010), of J.P. Morgan Funds; formerly, Director and various officer positions for J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly, JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc. and formerly, One Group Administrative Services) and JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (financial services) (formerly, One Group Dealer Services, Inc.) (1999-2017).   144   None

 

34


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
    Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the
Fund Complex
   

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Officers of the Fund:      

David J. Lamb

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1963)

   

Chief
Administrative
Officer
 
 
 
   


Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2015
 
 
 
 
 

Managing Director of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President of Nuveen, LLC (2006-2017), Vice President prior to 2006.

Mark J. Czarniecki

901 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1979

   

Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
 
 
 
   


Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since 2013
 
 
 
 
 

Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2016) and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2017); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2018); Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen, LLC (since 2013).

Diana R. Gonzalez

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

1978

   

Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
 
 
 
   


Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since 2017
 
 
 
 
 

Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2017); Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen, LLC (since 2017); Associate General Counsel of Jackson National Asset Management (2012-2017).

Nathaniel T. Jones

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1979)

   
Vice President
and Treasurer
 
 
   


Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2016
 
 
 
 
 

Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017), formerly, Vice President (2011-2016) of Nuveen, LLC; Managing Director (since 2015) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Chartered Financial Analyst.

Tina M. Lazar

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1961)

    Vice President      


Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2002
 
 
 
 
 

Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2014-2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC.

Brian J. Lockhart

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1974)

    Vice President      


Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2019
 
 
 
 
 

Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Vice President (2010-2017) of Nuveen, LLC; Head of Investment Oversight (since September 2017), formerly, Team Leader of Manager Oversight (2015-2017); Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Risk Manager.

Jacques M. Longerstaey

8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1963)

    Vice President      


Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2019
 
 
 
 
 

Senior Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer, Nuveen, LLC (since May 2019); Senior Managing Director (since May 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; formerly, Chief Investment and Model Risk Officer, Wealth & Investment Management Division, Wells Fargo Bank (NA) (2013-2019).

 

35


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Kevin J. McCarthy

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1966)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2007
 

Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary and General Counsel (since 2016) of Nuveen Investments, Inc., formerly, Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (2008-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Assistant Secretary (since 2008) of Nuveen Securities, LLC, formerly, Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director (2008-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017), Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, formerly, Co-General Counsel (2011-2020), Executive Vice President (2016-2017), Managing Director, (2008-2016) and Assistant Secretary (2007-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017), Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, formerly, Associate General Counsel (2011-2020), Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (2011-2016); Vice President (since 2007) and Secretary (since 2016), (formerly, Assistant Secretary) of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC and Winslow Capital Management, LLC (since 2010); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC.

Jon Scott Meissner

8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1973)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since 2019
 

Managing Director of Mutual Fund Tax and Financial Reporting groups at Nuveen (since 2017); Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Senior Director of Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC (since 2016); Senior Director (since 2015) Mutual Fund Taxation to the TIAA-CREF Funds, the TIAA-CREF Life Funds, the TIAA Separate Account VA-1 and the CREF Accounts; has held various positions with TIAA since 2004.

 

36


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Deann D. Morgan

730 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(1969)

  Vice President   Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since February
2020
 

President of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2020); Executive Vice President, Global Head of Product at Nuveen, LLC (since November 2019); Co-Chief Executive Officer of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Managing Member of MDR Collaboratory LLC (since 2018); Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management Product Structuring & COO Multi Asset Investing, The Blackstone Group (2013-2017).

Christopher M. Rohrbacher

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1971)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since 2008
 

Managing Director (since 2017), General Counsel (since 2020) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017), of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director, Managing Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2020); Managing Director (since 2017), and Managing Associate General Counsel (since 2016), formerly, Senior Vice President (2012- 2017) and Assistant General Counsel (2008-2016) of Nuveen, LLC.

William A. Siffermann

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1975)

  Vice President   Term—Until
August 2021—
Length of Service—
Since 2017
 

Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017) and Vice President (2011-2016) of Nuveen, LLC.

E. Scott Wickerham

8500 Andrew

Carnegie Boulevard

Charlotte, NC

28262 (1973)

  Vice President
and Controller
  Term—Until
August 2021—
Since 2019
 

Senior Managing Director, Head of Fund Administration at Nuveen, LLC (since 2019), formerly, Managing Director; Senior Managing Director (since 2019), of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (since 2017) of the TIAA-CREF Funds, the TIAA-CREF Life Funds, the TIAA Separate Account VA-1 and Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer (since 2020) and Treasurer (since 2017) to the CREF Accounts; Senior Director, TIAA-CREF Fund Administration (2014-2015); has held various positions with TIAA since 2006.

 

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Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served with
Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Mark L. Winget

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1968)

  Vice President
and Secretary
  Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since 2008
 

Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2008); Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2019); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2020); Vice President (since 2010) and Associate General Counsel (since 2019), formerly, Assistant General Counsel (2008- 2016) of Nuveen, LLC.

Gifford R. Zimmerman

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1956)

  Chief
Compliance
Officer and
Vice President
  Term—Until
August 2021
Length of Service—
Since 1988
 

Formerly, Managing Director (2002-2020) and Assistant Secretary (2002-2020) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; formerly, Managing Director (2002-2020), Assistant Secretary (1997-2020) and Co-General Counsel (2011-2020) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2004) and Assistant Secretary (since 1994) of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; formerly, Managing Director, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (2011-2020); formerly, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (2002-2020), Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC (2006-2020) and Winslow Capital Management, LLC (2010-2020); Chartered Financial Analyst.

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be, each is referred to hereafter as the “Board”) oversees the operations and management of the Nuveen Funds (the “Funds”), including the duties performed for each Fund by its investment adviser. The Board has adopted a unitary board structure. A unitary board consists of one group of trustees who serve on the board of every fund in the complex. In adopting a unitary board structure, the trustees seek to provide effective governance through establishing a board, the overall composition of which, will, as a body, possess the appropriate skills, diversity (including, among other things, gender, race and ethnicity), independence and experience to oversee the Funds’ business. With this overall framework in mind, when the Board, through its Nominating and Governance Committee discussed below, seeks nominees for the Board, the trustees consider, not only the candidate’s particular background, skills and experience, among other things, but also whether such background, skills and experience enhance the Board’s diversity and at the same time complement the Board given its current composition and the mix of skills and experiences of the incumbent trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes that the Board generally benefits from diversity of background (including, among other things, gender, race and ethnicity), skills, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy on diversity or any particular definition of diversity.

The Board believes the unitary board structure enhances good and effective governance, particularly given the nature of the structure of the investment company complex. Funds in the same complex generally are

 

38


served by the same service providers and personnel and are governed by the same regulatory scheme which raises common issues that must be addressed by the trustees across the fund complex (such as compliance, valuation, liquidity, brokerage, trade allocation or risk management). The Board believes it is more efficient to have a single board review and oversee common policies and procedures which increases the Board’s knowledge and expertise withrespect to the many aspects of fund operations that are complex-wide in nature. The unitary structure also enhances the Board’s influence and oversight over the investment adviser and other service providers.

In an effort to enhance the independence of the Board, the Board also has a chair that is an independent trustee. The Board recognizes that a chair can perform an important role in setting the agenda for the Board, establishing the boardroom culture, establishing a point person on behalf of the Board for fund management, and reinforcing the Board’s focus on the long-term interests of shareholders. The Board recognizes that a chair may be able to better perform these functions without any conflicts of interests arising from a position with fund management. Accordingly, the trustees have elected Terence J. Toth as the independent chair of the Board. Specific responsibilities of the chairman include: (i) presiding at all meetings of the Board and of the shareholders; (ii) seeing that all orders and resolutions of the trustees are carried into effect; and (iii) maintaining records of and, whenever necessary, certifying all proceedings of the trustees and the shareholders.

Although the Board has direct responsibility over various matters (such as advisory contracts, underwriting contracts and Fund performance), the Board also exercises certain of its oversight responsibilities through several committees that it has established and which report back to the full Board. The Board believes that a committee structure is an effective means to permit trustees to focus on particular operations or issues affecting the Funds, including risk oversight. More specifically, with respect to risk oversight, the Board has delegated matters relating to valuation and compliance to certain committees (as summarized below) as well as certain aspects of investment risk. In addition, the Board believes that the periodic rotation of trustees among the different committees allows the trustees to gain additional and different perspectives of the Fund’s operations. The Board has established six standing committees: the Executive Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Closed-End Funds Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board also may from time to time create ad hoc committees to focus on particular issues as the need arises. The membership and functions of the standing committees are summarized below.

The Executive Committee, which meets between regular meetings of the Board, is authorized to exercise all of the powers of the Board. Mr. Toth, Chair, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff serve as the current members of the Executive Committee of the Board.

The Board has an Audit Committee, in accordance with Section 3(a) (58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“1934 Act”), that is composed of Independent Trustees who are also “independent” as that term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE pertaining to closed-end funds. The Audit Committee assists the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the accounting and reporting policies, processes and practices of the Funds, and the audits of the financial statements of the Funds; the quality and integrity of the financial statements of the Funds; the Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Funds’ financial statements; the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence; and the pricing procedures of the Funds and the internal valuation group of Nuveen. It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to select, evaluate and replace any independent auditors (subject only to Board and, if applicable, shareholder ratification) and to determine their compensation. The Audit Committee is also responsible for, among other things, overseeing the valuation of securities comprising the Funds’ portfolios. Subject to the Board’s general supervision of such actions, the Audit Committee addresses any valuation issues, oversees the Funds’ pricing procedures and actions taken by Nuveen’s internal valuation group which provides regular reports to the committee, reviews any issues relating to the valuation of the Funds’ securities brought to its attention and considers the risks to the Funds in assessing the possible resolutions to these matters. The Audit Committee may also consider any financial risk exposures for the Funds in conjunction with performing its functions.

 

39


To fulfill its oversight duties, the Audit Committee receives annual and semi-annual reports and has regular meetings with the external auditors for the Funds and the internal audit group at Nuveen. The Audit Committee also may review in a general manner the processes the Board or other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management as well as compliance with legal and regulatory matters relating to the Funds’ financial statements. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. Members of the Audit Committee shall be independent (as set forth in the charter) and free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Trustees, would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as an Audit Committee member. The members of the Audit Committee are Ms. Stone, Chair, Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Stockdale, each of whom is an independent trustee of the Funds. A copy of the Charter is available at www.nuveen.com/fundgovernance.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for seeking, identifying and recommending to the Board qualified candidates for election or appointment to the Board. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee oversees matters of corporate governance, including the evaluation of Board performance and processes, the assignment and rotation of committee members, and the establishment of corporate governance guidelines and procedures, to the extent necessary or desirable, and matters related thereto. Although the unitary and committee structure has been developed over the years and the Nominating and Governance Committee believes the structure has provided efficient and effective governance, the committee recognizes that as demands on the Board evolve over time (such as through an increase in the number of funds overseen or an increase in the complexity of the issues raised), the committee must continue to evaluate the Board and committee structures and their processes and modify the foregoing as may be necessary or appropriate to continue to provide effective governance. Accordingly, the Nominating and Governance Committee has a separate meeting each year to, among other things, review the Board and committee structures, their performance and functions, and recommend any modifications thereto or alternative structures or processes that would enhance the Board’s governance over the Funds’ business.

In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee, among other things, makes recommendations concerning the continuing education of Trustees; monitors performance of legal counsel and other service providers; establishes and monitors a process by which security holders are be able to communicate in writing with members of the Board; and periodically reviews and makes recommendations about any appropriate changes to trustee compensation. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee receives suggestions from various sources, including shareholders, as to suitable candidates. Suggestions should be sent in writing to William Siffermann, Managing Director of Fund Board Relations, Nuveen, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. The Nominating and Governance Committee sets appropriate standards and requirements for nominations for new Trustees and reserves the right to interview any and all candidates and to make the final selection of any new Trustees. In considering a candidate’s qualifications, each candidate must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability (including the time requirements for due diligence site visits to internal and external sub- advisors and service providers) and, if qualifying as an independent trustee candidate, independence from the Advisor, sub-advisors, underwriters or other service providers, including any affiliates of these entities. These skill and experience requirements may vary depending on the current composition of the Board, since the goal is to ensure an appropriate range of skills, diversity and experience, in the aggregate. Accordingly, the particular factors considered and weight given to these factors will depend on the composition of the Board and the skills and backgrounds of the incumbent Trustees at the time of consideration of the nominees. All candidates, however, must meet high expectations of personal integrity, independence, governance experience and professional competence. All candidates must be willing to be critical within the Board and with management and yet maintain a collegial and collaborative manner toward other Board members. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. This committee is composed of the independent Trustees of the Funds. Accordingly, the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Mr. Toth, Chair, Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner, Mr. Nelson, Ms. Stockdale, Ms. Stone, Mr. Thornton, Ms. Wolff and Mr. Young.

 

40


The Dividend Committee is authorized to declare distributions on the Funds’ shares including, but not limited to, regular and special dividends, capital gains and ordinary income distributions. The members of the Dividend Committee are Mr. Young, Chair, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff.

The Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee (the “Compliance Committee”) is responsible for the oversight of compliance issues, risk management and other regulatory matters affecting the Funds that are not otherwise the jurisdiction of the other committees. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Funds’ compliance and risk matters. As part of its duties, the Compliance Committee reviews the policies and procedures relating to compliance matters and recommends modifications thereto as necessary or appropriate to the full Board; develops new policies and procedures as new regulatory matters affecting the Funds arise from time to time; evaluates or considers any comments or reports from examinations from regulatory authorities and responses thereto; and performs any special reviews, investigations or other oversight responsibilities relating to risk management, compliance and/or regulatory matters as requested by the Board.

In addition, the Compliance Committee is responsible for risk oversight, including, but not limited to, the oversight of risks related to investments and operations. Such risks include, among other things, exposures to particular issuers, market sectors, or types of securities; risks related to product structure elements, such as leverage; and techniques that may be used to address those risks, such as hedging and swaps. In assessing issues brought to the committee’s attention or in reviewing a particular policy, procedure, investment technique or strategy, the Compliance Committee evaluates the risks to the Funds in adopting a particular approach or resolution compared to the anticipated benefits to the Funds and their shareholders. In fulfilling its obligations, the Compliance Committee meets on a quarterly basis, and at least once a year in person. The Compliance Committee receives written and oral reports from the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and meets privately with the CCO at each of its quarterly meetings. The CCO also provides an annual report to the full Board regarding the operations of the Funds’ and other service providers’ compliance programs as well as any recommendations for modifications thereto. The Compliance Committee also receives reports from the investment services group of Nuveen regarding various investment risks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board also participates in discussions with management regarding certain matters relating to investment risk, such as the use of leverage and hedging. The investment services group therefore also reports to the full Board at its quarterly meetings regarding, among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance. Accordingly, the Board directly and/or in conjunction with the Compliance Committee oversees matters relating to investment risks. Matters not addressed at the committee level are addressed directly by the full Board. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Compliance Committee are Ms. Wolff, Chair, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Toth and Mr. Young.

The Closed-End Funds Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the Nuveen Funds that are registered as closed-end management investment companies (“Closed-End Funds”). The committee may review and evaluate matters related to the formation and the initial presentation to the Board of any new Closed-End Fund and may review and evaluate any matters relating to any existing Closed-End Fund. The Closed-End Funds Committee receives updates on the secondary closed-end fund market and evaluates the premiums and discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, at each quarterly meeting. The Closed-End Funds Committee reviews, among other things, the premium and discount trends in the broader closed-end fund market, by asset category and by closed-end fund; the historical total return performance data for the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, based on net asset value and price over various periods; the volatility trends in the market; the use of leverage by the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund; the distribution data of the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, and as compared to peer averages; and a summary of common share issuances, if any, and share repurchases, if any, during the applicable quarter by the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund. The Closed-End Funds Committee regularly engages in more in-depth discussions of premiums and discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds. Additionally, the Closed-End Funds Committee members participate in workshops to explore, among other things, actions to address discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds, potential share repurchases and available leverage strategies and their use. The

 

41


committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Closed-End Funds Committee are Mr. Evans, Chair, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Toth, Ms. Wolff and Mr. Young.

Board Diversification and Trustee Qualifications. In determining that a particular trustee was qualified to serve on the Board, the Board considered each trustee’s background, skills, experience and other attributes in light of the composition of the Board with no particular factor controlling. The Board believes that trustees need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Fund management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, and the Board believes each trustee satisfies this standard. An effective trustee may achieve this ability through his or her educational background; business, professional training or practice; public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member or executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. Accordingly, set forth below is a summary of the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this document, that each trustee should serve in that capacity. References to the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills of trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any trustee as having any special expertise or experience and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Jack B. Evans

Mr. Evans has served as Chairman (since 2019), formerly, President from 1996-2019 of the Hall-Perrine Foundation, a private philanthropic corporation. Mr. Evans was formerly President and Chief Operating Officer (1972-1995) of the SCI Financial Group, Inc., a regional financial services firm headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Formerly, he was a member of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago from 1998 to 2003 as well as a Director of Alliant Energy from 2000 to 2004 and President Pro Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Evans is Chairman of the Board (since 2009) of United Fire Group, a Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation and formerly served as a Director and Public Member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery form 2015 to 2020 and served on the Board of The Gazette Company form 1996 to 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Coe College and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa. Mr. Evans joined the Board in 1999.

William C. Hunter

Dr. Hunter became Dean Emeritus of the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa in 2012, after having served as Dean of the College since July 2006. He had been Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance at the University of Connecticut School of Business from 2003 to 2006. From 1995 to 2003, he was the Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He has held faculty positions at Emory University, Atlanta University, the University of Georgia and Northwestern University. He has consulted with numerous foreign central banks and official agencies in Europe, Asia, Central America and South America. He has been a Director of Wellmark, Inc. since 2009. He is a past Director (2005- 2015) and a past President (2010-2014) of Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society, and a past Director (2004-2018) of the Xerox Corporation. Dr. Hunter received his PhD (1978) and MBA (1970) from Northwestern University and his BS from Hampton University (1970). Dr. Hunter joined the Board in 2004.

Albin F. Moschner

Mr. Moschner is a consultant in the wireless industry and, in July 2012, founded Northcroft Partners, LLC, a management consulting firm that provides operational, management and governance solutions. Prior to founding Northcroft Partners, LLC, Mr. Moschner held various positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc., a provider of wireless services, where he was as a consultant from February 2011 to July 2012, Chief Operating Officer from July 2008 to February 2011, and Chief Marketing Officer from August 2004 to June 2008. Before he joined Leap Wireless International, Inc., Mr. Moschner was President of the Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. from 2000 to 2003, and President of One Point Services at One Point Communications from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Moschner also served at Zenith Electronics Corporation as Director, President and Chief

 

42


Executive Officer from 1995 to 1996, and as Director, President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Moschner was formerly Chairman (2019) and a member of the Board of Directors (2012- 2019) of USA Technologies, Inc. and, from 1996 until 2016, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Wintrust Financial Corporation. In addition, he is emeritus (since 2018) of the Advisory Boards of the Kellogg School of Management (1995-2018) and the Archdiocese of Chicago Financial Council (2012-2018). Mr. Moschner received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from The City College of New York in 1974 and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1979. Mr. Moschner joined the Board in 2016.

John K. Nelson

Mr. Nelson is on the Board of Directors of Core12, LLC. (since 2008), a private firm which develops branding, marketing, and communications strategies for clients. Mr. Nelson has extensive experience in global banking and markets, having served in several senior executive positions with ABN AMRO Holdings N.V. and its affiliated entities and predecessors, including LaSalle Bank Corporation from 1996 to 2008, ultimately serving as Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO N.V. North America. During his tenure at the bank, he also served as Global Head of its Financial Markets Division, which encompassed the bank’s Currency, Commodity, Fixed Income, Emerging Markets, and Derivatives businesses. He was a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States and during his tenure with ABN AMRO served as the bank’s representative on various committees of The Bank of Canada, European Central Bank, and The Bank of England. Mr. Nelson previously served as a senior, external advisor to the financial services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP. (2012-2104). At Fordham University, he served as a director of The President’s Council (2010-2019) and previously served as a director of The Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (2009-2018). He served as a trustee and Chairman of The Board of Trustees of Marian University (2011-2013). Mr. Nelson is a graduate of Fordham University and holds a BA in Economics (1984) and an MBA in Finance (1991). Mr. Nelson joined the Board in 2013.

Judith M. Stockdale

Ms. Stockdale retired in 2012 as Executive Director of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, a private foundation working in land conservation and artistic vitality in the Chicago region and the Low Country of South Carolina. She is currently a board member of the Land Trust Alliance (since 2013). Her previous positions include Executive Director of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, Executive Director of Openlands, and Senior Staff Associate at the Chicago Community Trust. She has served on the Advisory Council of the National Zoological Park, the Governor’s Science Advisory Council (Illinois) and the Nancy Ryerson Ranney Leadership Grants Program. She has been a member of the Boards of Brushwood Center, Forefront f/k/a Donors Forum and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. Ms. Stockdale, a native of the United Kingdom, has a Bachelor of Science degree in geography from the University of Durham (UK) and a Master of Forest Science degree from Yale University. Ms. Stockdale joined the Board in 1997.

Carole E. Stone

Ms. Stone recently retired from the Board of Directors of Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (2010-May 2020) (formerly, CBOE Holdings, Inc.) having served from 2010-2020. She previously served on the Boards of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated. Ms. Stone retired from the New York State Division of the Budget in 2004, having served as its Director for nearly five years and as Deputy Director from 1995 through 1999. She has also served as the Chair of the New York Racing Association Oversight Board, as a Commissioner on the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform and as a member of the Boards of Directors of several New York State public authorities. Ms. Stone has a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in Business Administration. Ms. Stone joined the Board in 2007.

Matthew Thornton III

Mr. Thornton has been appointed to the Board effective November 16, 2020. Mr. Thornton has over 40 years of broad leadership and operating experience from his career with FedEx Corporation (FedEx), which,

 

43


through its portfolio of companies, provides transportation, e-commerce and business services. In November 2019, Mr. Thornton retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Freight Corporation (FedEx Freight), a subsidiary of FedEx, where, from May 2018 until his retirement, he had been responsible for day-to-day operations, strategic guidance, modernization of freight operations and delivering innovative customer solutions. From September 2006 to May 2018, Mr. Thornton served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations at Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Express), a subsidiary of FedEx. Prior to September 2006, Mr. Thornton held a range of positions of increasing responsibility with FedEx, including various management positions. In addition, Mr. Thornton currently (since 2014) serves on the Board of Directors of The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Board of Directors of Crown Castle International (since 2020), where he is a member of the Strategy Committee and the Compensation Committee. Formerly (2012-2018), he was a member of the Board of Directors of Safe Kids Worldwide®, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood injuries. Mr. Thornton is a member (since 2014) of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the nation’s premier organization of global black senior executives. He is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Mr. Thornton has been recognized by Black Enterprise on its 2017 list of the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America and by Ebony on its 2016 Power 100 list of the world’s most influential and inspiring African Americans. Mr. Thornton received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Memphis in 1980 and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 2001. Mr. Thornton joined the Board in 2020.

Terence J. Toth

Mr. Toth, the Nuveen Funds’ Independent Chair, was a Co-Founding Partner of Promus Capital (2008-2017). From 2008 to 2013, he was a Director, Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. From 2004 to 2007, he was Chief Executive Officer and President of Northern Trust Global Investments, and Executive Vice President of Quantitative Management & Securities Lending from 2000 to 2004. He also formerly served on the Board of the Northern Trust Mutual Funds. He joined Northern Trust in 1994 after serving as Managing Director and Head of Global Securities Lending at Bankers Trust (1986 to 1994) and Head of Government Trading and Cash Collateral Investment at Northern Trust from 1982 to 1986. He currently serves on the Boards of Quality Control Corporation since 2012 and Catalyst Schools of Chicago since 2008. He is on the Mather Foundation Board since 2012 and is Chair of its Investment Committee and previously served as a Director of LogicMark LLC (2012-2016) and of Fulcrum IT Service LLC (2010-2019). Mr. Toth graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, and received his MBA from New York University. In 2005, he graduated from the CEO Perspectives Program at Northwestern University. Mr. Toth joined the Board in 2008.

Margaret L. Wolff

Ms. Wolff retired from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in 2014 after more than 30 years of providing client service in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group. During her legal career, Ms. Wolff devoted significant time to advising boards and senior management on U.S. and international corporate, securities, regulatory and strategic matters, including governance, shareholder, fiduciary, operational and management issues. Ms. Wolff has been a trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 2005 and, since 2004, she has served as a trustee of The John A. Hartford Foundation (a philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults) where she currently is the Chair. From 2013 to 2017, she was a Board member of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each of which is a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.). From 2005 to 2015, she was a trustee of Mt. Holyoke College and served as Vice Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Wolff received her Bachelor of Arts from Mt. Holyoke College and her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Ms. Wolff joined the Board in 2016.

Robert L. Young

Mr. Young has more than 30 years of experience in the investment management industry. From 1997 to 2017, he held various positions with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“J.P. Morgan Investment”) and

 

44


its affiliates (collectively, “J.P. Morgan”). Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of J.P. Morgan Investment (from 2010 to 2016) and as President and Principal Executive Officer of the J.P. Morgan Funds (from 2013 to 2016). As Chief Operating Officer of J.P. Morgan Investment, Mr. Young led service, administration and business platform support activities for J.P. Morgan’s domestic retail mutual fund and institutional commingled and separate account businesses, and co-led these activities for J.P. Morgan’s global retail and institutional investment management businesses. As President of the J.P. Morgan Funds, Mr. Young interacted with various service providers to these funds, facilitated the relationship between such funds and their boards, and was directly involved in establishing board agendas, addressing regulatory matters, and establishing policies and procedures. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Mr. Young, a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA), was a Senior Manager (Audit) with Deloitte & Touche LLP (formerly, Touche Ross LLP), where he was employed from 1985 to 1996. During his tenure there, he actively participated in creating, and ultimately led, the firm’s midwestern mutual fund practice. Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton and, from 2008 to 2011, he served on the Investment Committee of its Board of Trustees. Mr. Young joined the Board in 2017.

Independent Chairman

The trustees have elected Terence J. Toth as the independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Specific responsibilities of the Chairman include (a) presiding at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the shareholders; (b) seeing that all orders and resolutions of the trustees are carried into effect; and (c) maintaining records of and, whenever necessary, certifying all proceedings of the trustees and the shareholders.

Share Ownership

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of February 28, 2021:

 

     Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities in
the Fund
     Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in
All  Registered
Investment Companies
Overseen by Trustees in
Nuveen Family Investment

Companies
 

Jack B. Evans

     None        Over $100,000  

William C. Hunter

     None        Over $100,000  

Albin F. Moschner

     None        Over $100,000  

John K. Nelson

     None        Over $100,000  

Judith M. Stockdale

     None        Over $100,000  

Carole E. Stone

     None        Over $100,000  

Matthew Thornton III*

     None        None  

Terence J. Toth

     None        Over $100,000  

Margaret L. Wolff

     None        Over $100,000  

Robert L. Young

     None        Over $100,000  

 

*  

Mr. Thornton was appointed to the Board, effective November 16, 2020.

As of February 28, 2021 no trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund or any of his or her immediate family members owns beneficially or of record, any security issued by Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management or Nuveen.

 

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As of February 28, 2021 the officers and trustees of the Fund, in the aggregate, own none of the Fund’s equity securities.

Compensation

The following table shows, for each independent Trustee, (1) the estimated aggregate compensation to be paid by the Fund projected during the Fund’s fiscal year after commencement of operation, (2) the amount of total compensation paid by the Fund that has been deferred and (3) the total compensation paid to each trustee by the Nuveen Funds during the calendar year ended December 31, 2020. The Fund does not have a retirement or pension plan. The officers and trustees affiliated with Nuveen serve without any compensation from the Fund.

The Fund has a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) that permits any trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Fund to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as a trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the trustee. The value of the trustee’s deferral account at any time is equal to the value that the account would have had if contributions to the account had been invested and reinvested in shares of one or more of the eligible Nuveen Funds. At the time for commencing distributions from a trustee’s deferral account, the trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Fund will not be liable for any other fund’s obligations to make distributions under the Plan.

 

     Aggregate
Compensation from Fund(1)
     Amount of Total
Compensation
That Has
Been Deferred(2)
     Total Compensation from
Fund and Fund Complex(3)
 

Jack B. Evans

   $ 631             $ 392,652  

William C. Hunter

     644               396,750  

Albin F. Moschner

     631               380,050  

John K. Nelson

     685               417,500  

Judith M. Stockdale

     638               400,147  

Carole E. Stone

     631               404,611  

Matthew Thornton III(4)

     302               49,500  

Terence J. Toth

     756               467,300  

Margaret L. Wolff

     614               385,629  

Robert L. Young

     625               425,754  

 

(1)  

Proposed on the estimated aggregate compensation to be earned on the independent trustees for the period ending December 31, 2021, representing the Fund’s first fiscal year, for services to the Fund.

(2)

Pursuant to a deferred compensation agreement with certain of the Nuveen Funds, deferred amounts are treated as though an equivalent dollar amount has been invested in shares of one or more eligible Nuveen funds. Total deferred fees for the Fund (including the return from the assumed investment in the eligible Nuveen Funds) payable are stated above.

(3) 

Based on the compensation paid (including any amounts deferred) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020 for services to the Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Because the funds in the Nuveen fund complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis.

(4) 

Mr. Thornton joined the Board effective November 16, 2020.

Effective January 1, 2020, independent trustees receive a $195,000 annual retainer, increased to $200,000 as of January 1, 2021, plus they receive (a) a fee of $6,750 per day, increased to $7,000 per day as of

 

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January 1, 2021, for attendance in person or by telephone at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board; (b) a fee of $3,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at special, non-regularly scheduled Board meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (c) a fee of $2,500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Audit Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (d) a fee of $5,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (e) a fee of $1,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Dividend Committee meetings; (f) a fee of $500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at all other committee meetings ($1,000 for shareholder meetings) where in-person attendance is required and $250 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such committee meetings (excluding shareholder meetings) where in-person attendance is not required, and $100 per meeting when the Executive Committee acts as pricing committee for IPOs, plus, in each case, expenses incurred in attending such meetings; provided that no fees are received for meetings held on days on which regularly scheduled Board meetings are held; and (g) a fee of $2,500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Closed-End Funds Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; provided that no fees are received for meetings held on days on which regularly scheduled Board meetings are held. In addition to the payments described above, the Chair of the Board receives $90,000, increased to $100,000 as of January 1, 2021, and the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Closed-End Funds Committee receive $15,000 each as additional retainers. Independent trustees also receive a fee of $3,000 per day, increased to $3,500 per day as of January 1, 2021, for site visits to entities that provide services to the Nuveen funds on days on which no Board meeting is held. When ad hoc committees are organized, the Nominating and Governance Committee will at the time of formation determine compensation to be paid to the members of such committee; however, in general, such fees will be $1,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at ad hoc committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $500 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required. The annual retainer, fees and expenses are allocated among the Nuveen funds on the basis of relative net assets, although management may, in its discretion, establish a minimum amount to be allocated to each fund. In certain instances fees and expenses will be allocated only to those Nuveen funds that are discussed at a given meeting. In certain circumstances, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board may hold in-person meetings by telephonic or videographic means and be compensated at the in-person rate.

The Fund does not have retirement or pension plans. Certain Nuveen funds (the “Participating Funds”) participate in a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) that permits an independent Trustee to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as an independent Trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating independent Trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Participating Fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to such independent Trustee. The value of an independent Trustee’s deferral account at any time is equal to the value that the account would have had if contributions to the account had been invested and reinvested in shares of one or more of the eligible Nuveen funds. At the time for commencing distributions from an independent Trustee’s deferral account, the Independent trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Participating Fund will not be liable for any other fund’s obligations to make distributions under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

The Fund has no employees. The officers of the Fund and the trustees of the Fund who are not independent Trustees serve without any compensation from the Fund.

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISER

Nuveen Fund Advisors will be responsible for determining the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation, including the Fund’s use of leverage and ongoing monitoring of Nuveen Asset Management. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. For additional information regarding the management services performed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and further information about the investment management agreement between the Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, see “Management of the Fund” in the Prospectus.

Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”). TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee for the overall advisory and administrative services and general office facilities provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors. The Fund’s management fee is separated into two components—a complex-level component, based on the aggregate amount of all Nuveen Fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors, and a specific fund-level component, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund. This pricing structure enables Nuveen Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within each individual fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Fund’s Investment Management Agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors will remain in effect until August 1, 2021. The Investment Management Agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by (1) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (2) a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Investment Management Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or Nuveen Fund Advisors upon 60 days’ written notice, and is automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.

Prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this SAI is a part, Nuveen Fund Advisors will purchase Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act and therefore will own 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur once the Fund commences investment operations and its Common Shares are sold to the public.

SUBADVISER

Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s sub-adviser responsible for investing the Fund’s Managed Assets and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors. John Miller and Steven Hlavin will serve as the Fund’s portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

John Miller serves as the head of Nuveen Municipals for Nuveen Asset Management, responsible for the investment process and performance of the firm’s municipal fixed income group. He is also the lead manager of the High Yield Municipal Bond Strategy, the California High Yield Municipal Bond Strategy, and related institutional portfolios. In addition, he co-manages the All-American Municipal Bond Strategy and the Strategic Municipal Opportunities Strategy and oversees a number of closed-end funds. As the head of Nuveen Municipals, Mr. Miller leads Nuveen Asset Management’s ongoing legacy as one of the largest and most

 

48


experienced municipal bond managers in the investment industry. Mr. Miller also oversees Nuveen Asset Management’s actively managed investment approach that is firmly rooted in rigorous, bottom-up credit research to help identify attractively valued municipal bond investments.

Mr. Miller’s background features nearly 20 years of experience in the municipal marketplace. Before being named the co-head of Nuveen Municipals in 2011, he was chief investment officer for the firm’s municipal bond team starting in 2007. He was named a managing director and head of portfolio management for Nuveen Asset Management in 2006. Mr. Miller earned a B.A. in economics and political science from Duke University, an M.A. in economics from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in finance with honors from the University of Chicago. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago.

Steven Hlavin is a member of the High Yield Portfolio Management Team, and serves as a portfolio manager for the Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Strategy and supports the management of the firm’s other High Yield Municipal Bond portfolios. He oversees a number of state-specific, tax-exempt portfolios including the Kansas Municipal Bond, Louisiana Municipal Bond and Wisconsin Municipal Bond Strategies. Steve is also responsible for the tender option bond/inverse floating rate program used by some of the firm’s closed-end and open-end funds. In addition, he manages two closed-end funds that rely on the use of tender option bonds for leverage and co-manages several ETFs.

Mr. Hlavin began his career in the financial industry in 2003 when he joined Nuveen Asset Management. He earned a B.A. in finance and accounting and an M.B.A. in finance from Miami University.

In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Mr. Miller is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of                     , 2021 unless otherwise indicated:

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts (Total)      Assets (Total)  

Registered Investment Company

      $                    

Other Pooled Vehicles

      $    

Other Accounts

      $    

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts
with Performance-based  Fees
     Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based  Fees)
 

Registered Investment Company

          $ 0  

Other Pooled Vehicles

          $ 0  

Other Accounts

          $ 0  

In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Mr. Hlavin is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of                     , 2021 unless otherwise indicated:

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts (Total)      Assets (Total)  

Registered Investment Company

      $                    

Other Pooled Vehicles

      $    

Other Accounts

          $ 0  

 

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Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts
with Performance-based  Fees
     Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based  Fees)
 

Registered Investment Company

          $ 0  

Other Pooled Vehicles

          $ 0  

Other Accounts

          $ 0  

Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

Because the Fund has not commenced operations, the portfolio managers did not own any securities of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range
of Securities
Beneficially Owned
 

John Miller

     none  

Steven Hlavin

     none  

Separately, pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Fund Advisors will pay Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee equal to 50% of the investment management fee paid on the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.

Nuveen Asset Management Portfolio Manager Compensation

Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary and variable components consisting of (i) a cash bonus; (ii) a long-term performance award; and (iii) participation in a profits interest plan.

Base salary. A portfolio manager’s base salary is determined based upon an analysis of the portfolio manager’s general performance, experience and market levels of base pay for such position.

Cash bonus. A portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus that is based on three variables: risk-adjusted investment performance relative to benchmark generally measured over the most recent three and five year periods (unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter), ranking versus Morningstar peer funds generally measured over the most recent three and five year periods (unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter), and management and peer reviews.

Long-term performance award. A portfolio manager is eligible to receive a long-term performance award that vests after three years. The amount of the award when granted is based on the same factors used in determining the cash bonus. The value of the award at the completion of the three-year vesting period is adjusted based on the risk-adjusted investment performance of Fund(s) managed by the portfolio manager during the vesting period and the performance of the TIAA organization as a whole.

Profits interest plan. Portfolio managers are eligible to receive profits interests in Nuveen Asset Management and its affiliate, Teachers Advisors, LLC, which vest over time and entitle their holders to a percentage of the firms’ annual profits. Profits interests are allocated to each portfolio manager based on such person’s overall contribution to the firms.

There are generally no differences between the methods used to determine compensation with respect to the Funds and the Other Accounts shown in the table below.

Nuveen Asset Management Conflict of Interest Policies

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple accounts are presented a number of potential conflicts, including, among others, those discussed below.

 

50


The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. Nuveen Asset Management seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most accounts managed by a portfolio manager in a particular investment strategy are managed using the same investment models.

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, an account may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, Nuveen Asset Management has adopted procedures for allocating limited opportunities across multiple accounts.

With respect to many of its clients’ accounts, Nuveen Asset Management determines which broker to use to execute transaction orders, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts, Nuveen Asset Management may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, Nuveen Asset Management may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Fund and other accounts which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the other accounts.

Some clients are subject to different regulations. As a consequence of this difference in regulatory requirements, some clients may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques or transactions or to engage in these transactions to the same extent as the other accounts managed by a portfolio manager. Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where Nuveen Asset Management has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of some accounts, with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

Conflicts of interest may also arise when the sub-adviser invests one or more of its client accounts in different or multiple parts of the same issuer’s capital structure, including investments in public versus private securities, debt versus equity, or senior versus junior/subordinated debt, or otherwise where there are different or inconsistent rights or benefits. Decisions or actions such as investing, trading, proxy voting, exercising, waiving or amending rights or covenants, work-out activity, or serving on a board, committee or other involvement in governance may result in conflicts of interest between clients holding different securities or investments. Generally, individual portfolio managers will seek to act in a manner that they believe serves the best interest of the accounts they manage. In cases where a portfolio manager or team faces a conflict among its client accounts, it will seek to act in a manner that it believes best reflects its overall fiduciary duty, which may result in relative advantages or disadvantages for particular accounts.

Nuveen Asset Management has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts common among investment managers. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

Management Fees Waived

Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through July 31, 2022, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding any distribution and/or service fees that may be applicable to a particular class of shares, issuance and dividend costs of Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, litigation expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily Managed Assets of any class of Fund shares. This expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

 

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Code of Ethics

The Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen, Nuveen Asset Management and other related entities have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Fund’s portfolio manager, from engaging in personal investments that compete or interfere with, or attempt to take advantage of a client’s, including the Fund’s, anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and are designed to assure that the interests of clients, including Fund shareholders, are placed before the interests of personnel in connection with personal investment transactions. Personnel subject to a code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, but only so long as such investments are made in accordance with a code’s requirements. Text-only versions of the codes of ethics of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internet web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of those codes of ethics may be obtained, after paying the appropriate duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Nuveen Fund Advisors has delegated to Nuveen Asset Management the full responsibility for proxy voting on securities held in the Fund’s portfolio and related duties in accordance with the Nuveen Asset Management’s policies and procedures. Nuveen Fund Advisors periodically monitors Nuveen Asset Management’s voting to ensure that it is carrying out its duties. Nuveen Asset Management’s proxy voting policies and procedures are attached to this filing as Appendix B.

Voted Proxies. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies (for periods subsequent to the Fund commencing operations) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (or any lesser period of time ending June 30 if the Fund has not been operating for that long) of each year is available starting August 31 of that year without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 257-8787 or by accessing the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. This reference to the website does not incorporate the contents of the website in the Prospectus or the SAI.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, Nuveen Asset Management is primarily responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Commissions are negotiated with broker/dealers on all transactions.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, each of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management is authorized to place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. The general policy of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management in selecting brokers and dealers is to obtain the best results achievable in the context of a number of factors which are considered both in relation to individual trades and broader trading patterns, including the reliability of the broker/dealer, the competitiveness of the price and the commission, the research services received and whether the broker/dealer commits its own capital.

In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which Nuveen Fund Advisors or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if Nuveen

 

52


Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. Investment research services include information and analysis on particular companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, analytical software and similar products and services. If a research service also assists Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in the investment decision making process may be paid in commission dollars. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities that Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management may also have arrangements with brokers pursuant to which such brokers provide research services to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in exchange for a certain volume of brokerage transactions to be executed by such brokers. While the payment of higher commissions increases the Fund’s costs, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management do not believe that the receipt of such brokerage and research services significantly reduces the expenses of Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable. Arrangements for the receipt of research services from brokers may create conflicts of interest.

Research services furnished to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management by brokers that effect securities transactions for the fund may be used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in servicing other investment companies and accounts which it manages. Similarly, research services furnished to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management by brokers who effect securities transactions for other investment companies and accounts which Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management manages may be used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in servicing the Fund. Not all of these research services are used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in managing any particular account, including the Fund.

The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net results, brokerage transactions may be conducted through “affiliated broker/dealers,” as defined in the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and fair in the context of the market in which such affiliates operate.

In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable as an investment for the Fund as well as for one or more of Nuveen Fund Advisors’ or Nuveen Asset Management’s other clients. Investment decisions for the Fund and for Nuveen Fund Advisors’ or Nuveen Asset Management’s other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could adversely affect the price of or the size of the position obtainable in a security for the Fund. When purchases or sales of the same security for the Fund and for other portfolios managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large volume purchases or sales.

Although the Fund does not have any restrictions on portfolio turnover, it is not the Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. Although the Fund cannot predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it is generally not expected to exceed 60% under normal circumstances. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the

 

53


average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs than a lower rate, which costs are borne by the Fund and its shareholders.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES AND DEBT

Common Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to differences between classes, have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed under “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” in the Prospectus, non-assessable, and will have no preemptive or conversion rights, except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine, or rights to cumulative voting. The Fund is currently offering two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares, and may offer additional classes in the future. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the ongoing fees and expenses for each share class may be different. The fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in “Summary of Fund Expenses” in the Prospectus. Certain share class details are set forth in the “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus. The Declaration of Trust provides that each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Common Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on Preferred Shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. See “—Preferred Shares” below.

Preferred Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Preferred Shares in one or more classes or series, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the approval of the Common Shareholders. The terms of any Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund may be the same as, or different from, the terms described below, subject to applicable law and the Declaration of Trust.

Distribution Preference. Any Preferred Shares would have complete priority over the Common Shares as to distribution of assets.

Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation or merger of the Fund with or into any Massachusetts business trust or corporation or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.

Voting Rights. In connection with any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund must comply with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act, which requires, among other things, that Preferred Shares be voting shares and have equal voting rights with Common Shares. Except as otherwise indicated in this SAI and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Preferred Shares would vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.

 

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In connection with the election of the Fund’s trustees, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s trustees, and the remaining trustees would be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time dividends on the Fund’s outstanding Preferred Shares would be unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Preferred Shares of any class or series, as the case may be, voting as a separate class, would be required to, among other things, (1) take certain actions that would affect the preferences, rights, or powers of such class or series or (2) authorize or issue any class or series ranking prior to the Preferred Shares. Except as may otherwise be required by law, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company and (2) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares; provided however, that such separate class vote would be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any action not described in the preceding sentence requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under “Investment Restrictions” in this SAI. The class or series vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above would in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.

The foregoing voting provisions would not apply with respect to the Fund’s Preferred Shares if, at or prior to the time when a vote was required, such shares would have been (1) redeemed or (2) called for redemption and sufficient funds would have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares. The terms of the Preferred Shares may provide that they are redeemable by the Fund at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends, that the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares and that the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund would reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any resale of such shares by the Fund would increase such leverage.

In the event of any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund likely would apply for ratings from an NRSRO. In such event, as long as Preferred Shares are outstanding, the composition of the Fund’s portfolio would reflect guidelines established by such NRSRO. Based on previous guidelines established by such NRSROs for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. However, at this time, no assurance can be given as to the nature or extent of the guidelines that may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of any Preferred Shares.

For more information, see “Description of Shares and Debt—Preferred Shares” in the Prospectus.

Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund, without approval of the Common Shareholders, to borrow money. In this connection, the Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank

 

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borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such debt by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Fund’s assets. In connection with such borrowing, the Fund may be required to maintain minimum average balances with the lender or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit. Any such requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any such senior securities representing indebtedness, must have an “asset coverage” of at least 300%. See “Leverage” in the Prospectus. Certain types of debt may result in the Fund being subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. For more information, see “Description of Shares and Debt—Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness” in the Prospectus.

PURCHASE OF CLASS I COMMON SHARES BY ELIGIBLE INVESTORS

Class I Common Shares are available for purchase by eligible investors. The minimum initial investment for Class I Common Shares is $100,000 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for eligible investors, including certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers, members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and certain employees of Nuveen, LLC, its affiliates and extended family members of such individuals.

Class I Common Shares are available for purchase at a modified minimum investment amount by clients of financial intermediaries who charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or related services. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments and foundations. The minimum initial investment for such clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000. The Distributor may also lower the minimum to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries anticipated to reach this Class I Common Shares holdings level.

Class I Common Shares are also available for purchase by family offices and their clients. A family office is a company that provides certain financial and other services to a high net worth family or families. The minimum initial investment for family offices and their clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of family offices that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000. The Distributor may also lower the minimum to $25,000 for clients of family offices anticipated to reach this Class I Common Shares holdings level.

Class I Common Shares also are available for purchase, with no minimum initial investment, by the following categories of investors:

 

   

bank or broker-affiliated trust departments investing funds over which they exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority and that are held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity;

 

   

advisory accounts of Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates, including other Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”) Mutual and Closed-End Funds whose investment policies permit investments in other investment companies;

 

   

investors purchasing through a brokerage platform of a financial intermediary that has an agreement with the Distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as an agent for such investors. Investors transacting through a financial intermediary’s brokerage platform may be required to pay a commission directly to the intermediary;

 

   

any registered investment company that is not affiliated with the Nuveen funds and which invests in securities of other investment companies;

 

   

any plan organized under section 529 under the Code (i.e., a 529 plan);

 

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current and former trustees/directors of any Nuveen fund, and their immediate family members (“immediate family members” are defined as spouses or domestic partners, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, siblings, a sibling’s spouse and a spouse’s siblings);

 

   

officers of Nuveen and its affiliates, and their immediate family members;

 

   

full-time and retired employees of Nuveen and its affiliates, and their immediate family members, including any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other business organization that is wholly owned by one or more of such persons; and

 

   

any person who, for at least the last 90 days, has been an officer, director or employee of any financial intermediary, and their immediate family members.

Holders of Class I Common Shares may purchase additional Class I Common Shares using dividends and capital gain distributions on their shares.

REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

In order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at net asset value. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board. Notices of each quarterly repurchase offer are sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the “Repurchase Request Deadline” (i.e., the date by which shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer). The Fund determines the NAV applicable to repurchases no later than the 14 days after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day) (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”). The Fund expects to distribute payment to shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than 7 calendar days after such date. The Fund’s Common Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Common Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, Common Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and shareholders to special risks.

The section entitled “Periodic Repurchase Offers” in the Prospectus discusses the type and timing of notice for repurchase offers, the effects of oversubscribed repurchase offers, the determination of the repurchase price, payment by the Fund for Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer, the effect of repurchase policies on the liquidity of the Fund, the consequences of repurchase offers and other details regarding the repurchase offers, including associated risks. The Fund’s fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers are discussed in “Investment Restrictions” in this Statement of Additional Information.

In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares would decrease the Fund’s total assets which would likely have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. Any purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares at a time when Preferred Shares are outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding Common Shares then remaining.

See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Repurchase Offers Risk” in the Prospectus for a description of the risks associated with the Fund’s repurchase offers. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see “Taxation” below.

In addition to the Fund’s policy to make periodic repurchase offers as described above, the Board may consider additional repurchases of its Common Shares on the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company (described below). The Fund cannot assure you that its Board will decide to take or propose any of these actions.

 

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Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income and gains. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board would have to comply with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and other applicable law.

The Fund does not currently intend to charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% of the repurchase proceeds, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if Nuveen Fund Advisors determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.

CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

Conversion to an open-end company would require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, if issued in the future, outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Preferred Shares, if issued in the future, outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, provided, however, that such separate class vote shall be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or By-laws. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” in the Prospectus for a discussion of voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end company. If the Fund converted to an open-end company, it would likely have to significantly reduce any leverage it is then employing, which may require a repositioning of its investment portfolio, which may in turn generate substantial transaction costs, which would be borne by Common Shareholders, and may adversely affect Fund performance and Fund distributions. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption The Fund currently expects that any such redemptions would be made in cash. The Fund may charge sales or redemption fees upon conversion to an open-end fund. The Board of Trustees of the Fund may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to an open-end company depending upon its judgment as to the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.

TAX MATTERS

Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax issues concerning the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to Common Shareholders in light of their particular circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes you are a U.S. Common Shareholder (as defined below) and that you hold your shares as a capital asset (generally, for investment). A U.S. Common Shareholder means a person (other than a partnership) that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

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This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding any matters discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those set forth below. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Common Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other taxing jurisdiction.

The discussion below does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax, a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Common Shareholders whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, a controlled foreign corporation or a passive foreign investment company, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark-to-market treatment, persons with “applicable financial statements” within the meaning of Section 451(b) of the Code, or persons that will hold Common Shares as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge” or as part of a “constructive sale” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Common Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold Common Shares and partners in such a partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under the Code. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is a publicly traded partnership that meets certain requirements with respect to the nature of its income. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its assets. The Fund must, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of a single issuer, of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Finally, to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund must distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, income from the interests in certain qualified publicly traded partnerships, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) each taxable year. If the Fund failed to meet the asset diversification test described above with respect to any quarter, the Fund would nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the requirements for such quarter if the Fund cured such failure within 6 months and either (i) such failure was de minimis or (ii) (a) such failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reported the failure under Treasury regulations to be adopted and paid an excise tax.

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it will be subject

 

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to tax at the corporate income tax rate on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains as part of its annual reporting to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any; and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund intends to distribute to its Common Shareholders at least annually that portion of its investment company taxable income necessary to maintain its qualification as a RIC, as well as net capital gains (except for net capital gains credited to them but retained by the Fund).

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement (including deemed distributions of amounts on which the Fund pays federal income tax). A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, and was unable to cure such failure, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividends. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as “qualified dividend income” (as defined below) in the case of individual and other noncorporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction (“DRD”) in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make certain distributions. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC. The Board of Trustees reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to Common Shareholders.

Distributions

The Fund intends to qualify each year to pay exempt-interest dividends by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year at least 50% of the Fund’s total asset consist of municipal securities which are exempt from U.S. federal income tax.

Distributions from the Fund will constitute exempt-interest dividends to the extent of the Fund’s tax-exempt interest income (net of allocable expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends distributed to shareholders of the Fund are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to alternative minimum tax (AMT) in certain circumstances for noncorporate taxpayers and may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below.

 

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The Fund may elect to retain rather than distribute all or a portion of any net capital gains (which is the excess of long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) otherwise allocable to Common Shareholders and pay U.S. federal income tax on the retained gain. As provided under U.S. federal tax law, Common Shareholders of record as of the end of the Fund’s taxable year will include their allocable share of the retained gain in their income for the year as a long-term capital gain, and will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit for the tax deemed paid on their behalf by the Fund. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain (“capital gain distributions”), if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of their holding period in the Common Shares. Distributions of the Fund’s net realized short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. The maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals is 20%.

If, for any calendar year, the Fund’s total distributions exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each shareholder (up to the amount of the shareholder’s basis in his or her Common Shares) and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Shares (assuming the Common Shares are held as a capital asset). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her Common Shares (but not below zero), thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the subsequent sale or other disposition of the Common Shares. Because the income of the Fund primarily is derived from investments earning interest rather than dividend income, the Fund does not anticipate that any part of its distributions will qualify for qualified dividend treatment or the DRD.

An additional tax at a rate of 3.8% applies to some or all of the net investment income of certain non-corporate taxpayers. For this purpose, “net investment income” includes interest, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to Common Shares), annuities, royalties, rent, net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Common Shares) and certain other income, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the taxation of net investment income.

The interest on private activity bonds in most instances is not federally tax-exempt to a person who is a “substantial user” of a facility financed by such bonds or a “related person” of such “substantial user.” As a result, the Fund may not be an appropriate investment for a shareholder who is considered either a “substantial user” or a “related person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, a “substantial user” of a facility includes a “nonexempt person who regularly uses a part of such facility in his trade or business.” Related persons” are in general defined to include persons among whom there exists a relationship, either by family or business, which would result in a disallowance of losses in transactions among them under various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (or if they are members of the same controlled group of corporations under the Internal Revenue Code), including a partnership and each of its partners (and certain members of their families), an S corporation and each of its shareholders (and certain members of their families) and various combinations of these and other relationships. The foregoing is not a complete description of all of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code covering the definitions of “substantial user” and “related person.”

Federal income tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to individuals, trusts, and estates. Interest on certain municipal securities, such as bonds issued to make loans for housing purposes or to private entities (but not to certain tax-exempt organizations such as universities and non-profit hospitals), is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayer’s alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income from such municipal securities, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, although otherwise exempt from federal income tax, will be taxable to shareholders whose tax liabilities are determined under the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage of the Fund’s income attributable to municipal securities and the portion thereof the interest on which is a tax preference item.

The exemption from U.S. federal income tax for exempt-interest dividends generally does not result in exemption for such dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or local taxing authority. In some

 

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states, however, the portion of any exempt-interest dividends derived from interest received by the Fund on its holdings of that state’s securities and those of its political subdivisions and instrumentalities is exempt from the state’s income tax. The Fund will report annually to its shareholders the percentage of interest income earned by the Fund during the preceding year on tax-exempt obligations indicating, on a state-by-state basis, the source of such income. Shareholders of the Fund are advised to consult their own tax advisors about state and local tax matters.

Tax-exempt income, including exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund, is taken into account in calculating the amount of social security and railroad retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income tax.

The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues Preferred Shares, it intends to allocate capital gain dividends, if any, between its Common Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to the total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the Common Shares and Preferred Shares. Since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in the event of the issuance of Preferred Shares will first be used to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to Common Shareholders.

Sale, Exchange or Liquidation of Fund Shares

The sale, exchange or repurchase of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, such gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held for six months or less (i) will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares and (ii) generally will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed under the Code’s “wash sale” rule if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

A repurchase by the Fund of a shareholder’s shares pursuant to a repurchase offer (as described in the Prospectus) generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the shares by a shareholder provided that either (i) the shareholder tenders, and the Fund repurchases, all of such shareholder’s shares, thereby reducing the shareholder’s percentage ownership of the Fund, whether directly or by attribution under Section 318 of the Code, to 0%, (ii) the shareholder meets numerical safe harbors under the Code with respect to percentage voting interest and reduction in ownership of the Fund following completion of the repurchase offer, or (iii) the repurchase offer otherwise results in a “meaningful reduction” of the shareholder’s ownership percentage interest in the Fund, which determination depends on a particular shareholder’s facts and circumstances.

If a tendering shareholder’s proportionate ownership of the Fund (determined after applying the ownership attribution rules under Section 318 of the Code) is not reduced to the extent required under the tests described above, such shareholder will be deemed to receive a distribution from the Fund under Section 301 of the Code with respect to the shares held (or deemed held under Section 318 of the Code) by the shareholder after the repurchase offer (a “Section 301 distribution”). The amount of this distribution will equal the price paid by

 

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the Fund to such shareholder for the shares sold, and will be taxable as a dividend, i.e., as ordinary income, to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such distribution, with the excess treated as a return of capital reducing the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares held after the repurchase offer, and thereafter as capital gain. Any Fund shares held by a shareholder after a repurchase offer will be subject to basis adjustments in accordance with the provisions of the Code.

Provided that no tendering shareholder is treated as receiving a Section 301 distribution as a result of selling shares pursuant to a particular repurchase offer, shareholders who do not sell shares pursuant to that repurchase offer will not realize constructive distributions on their shares as a result of other shareholders selling shares in the repurchase offer. In the event that any tendering shareholder is deemed to receive a Section 301 distribution, it is possible that shareholders whose proportionate ownership of the Fund increases as a result of that repurchase offer, including shareholders who do not tender any shares, will be deemed to receive a constructive distribution under Section 305(c) of the Code in an amount equal to the increase in their percentage ownership of the Fund as a result of the repurchase offer. Such constructive distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits allocable to it.

Use of the Fund’s cash to repurchase shares may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to satisfy the distribution requirements for treatment as a regulated investment company described above. The Fund may also recognize income in connection with the sale of portfolio securities to fund share purchases, in which case the Fund would take any such income into account in determining whether such distribution requirements have been satisfied.

The foregoing discussion does not address the tax treatment of tendering shareholders who do not hold their shares as a capital asset. Such shareholders should consult their own tax advisors on the specific tax consequences to them of participating or not participating in the repurchase offer.

Nature of Fund’s Investments

Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the fund held the debt obligation unless the fund made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a fund purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the fund generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a fund’s investment in such securities may cause the fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of fund shares.

Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all taxable distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. The withholding percentage is currently 24%. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup

 

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withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Shareholders

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who is not a U.S. Common Shareholder (“foreign shareholder”) depends on whether the income of the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder. If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Fund shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund shares.

Income not Effectively Connected

If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. Distributions which are reported by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” are currently exempt from the 30% withholding tax. Interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a foreign person and satisfy certain other requirements.

Distributions of capital gain dividends (including any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported as undistributed capital gains) and gains recognized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the foreign shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the foreign shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. See “Tax Matters—Backup Withholding.”

Income Effectively Connected

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Foreign corporate shareholders also may be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

FATCA Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Under legislation known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the Fund will be required to withhold 30% on income dividends made by the Fund to shareholders that fail to meet prescribed

 

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information reporting or certification requirements. After, December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain dispositions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or foreign individual that timely provides the certifications required by the Fund or its agent on a valid IRS Form W-9, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, respectively. Shareholders potentially subject to withholding include foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), such as foreign investment funds, and non-financial foreign entities (“NFFEs”). To avoid withholding under FATCA, an FFI generally must enter into an information sharing agreement with the IRS in which it agrees to report certain identifying information (including name, address, and taxpayer identification number) with respect to its U.S. account holders (which, in the case of an entity shareholder, may include its direct and indirect U.S. owners), and an NFFE generally must identify itself and may be required to provide other required information to the Fund or other withholding agent regarding its U.S. owners, if any. Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by regulations and other guidance. A non-U.S. entity that invests in the Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. A foreign shareholder resident or doing business in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA may be subject to different requirements provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement. Foreign shareholders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in Fund shares.

Other Tax Considerations

Fund shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Common Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Common Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.

EXPERTS

The Financial Statements of the Fund are audited by                                                              , an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and will be included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.                  provides assistance on accounting, tax and related matters to the Fund. The principal business address of                  is                                                               .

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. State Street performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The transfer agent of the Fund is DST Systems, Inc., 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.                                                                                  .

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares of the Fund offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC in Washington, D.C. The Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

[To be provided by amendment.]

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

[To be provided by amendment.]

 

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Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

[To be provided by amendment.]

 

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Notes to Financial Statements

[To be provided by amendment.]

 

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APPENDIX A

Ratings of Investments

Standard & Poor’s Corporation—A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P”), rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:

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 S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

1. 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;

2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

3. 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 applies 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 Standard & Poor’s. 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 obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

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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 nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B

An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the 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

N.R.

This indicates that no rating has been requested, 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.

 

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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 Standard & Poor’s. 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 commitment on these obligations 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 vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the 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.

Dual Ratings: Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM NOTE RATINGS DEFINITIONS

A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poor’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.

 

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In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poor’s analysis will review the following considerations:

1. Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

2. 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.

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 service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2

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

SP-3

Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.— A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

LONG-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

Moody’s long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

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 credit risk.

A

Obligations rated A are judged to be 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. They are considered medium grade 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.

 

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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. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*

 

*

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE PROGRAM RATINGS

Moody’s assigns provisional ratings to medium-term note (“MTN”) programs and definitive ratings to the individual debt securities issued from them (referred to as drawdowns or notes).

MTN program ratings are intended to reflect the ratings likely to be assigned to drawdowns issued from the program with the specified priority of claim (e.g., senior or subordinated). To capture the contingent nature of a program rating, Moody’s assigns provisional ratings to MTN programs. A provisional rating is denoted by a (P) in front of the rating.

The rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN or bank/deposit note program is definitive in nature, and may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuer’s default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different rating. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.

Moody’s encourages market participants to contact Moody’s Ratings Desks or visit moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.

SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

Moody’s 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. Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

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.

 

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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 rating categories.

U.S. MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate U.S. 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.

MIG1

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.

MIG2

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

MIG3

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.

Fitch Ratings, Inc.— A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.

LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS

AAA

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

 

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AA

Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of a very low default 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 default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB

Good credit quality. ‘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; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

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 is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:

a. the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

b. the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or

c. Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of ‘RD’ or ‘D’ to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

RD

Restricted default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business. This would include:

a. the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

 

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b. the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

c. the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or

d. execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D

Default. ‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, nonpayment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: 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’.

Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:

 

   

The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer default.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as counterparty to trade credit.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency’s opinion on its relative vulnerability to default.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 

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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.

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 heightened 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. Applicable to entity ratings only.

D

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

Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:

 

   

The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an obligation default.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of the rated issuer or obligation.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

RATING WATCHES AND RATING OUTLOOKS

Rating Watch

Rating Watches indicate that there is a heightened probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such a change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative”, for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving”, if ratings may be raised, lowered or affirmed. However, ratings that are not on Rating Watch can be raised or lowered without being placed on Rating Watch first, if circumstances warrant such an action.

 

A-9


A Rating Watch is typically event-driven and, as such, it is generally resolved over a relatively short period. The event driving the Watch may be either anticipated or have already occurred, but in both cases, the exact rating implications remain undetermined. The Watch period is typically used to gather further information and/or subject the information to further analysis. Additionally, a Watch may be used where the rating implications are already clear, but where a triggering event (e.g. shareholder or regulatory approval) exists. The Watch will typically extend to cover the period until the triggering event is resolved or its outcome is predictable with a high enough degree of certainty to permit resolution of the Watch.

Rating Watches can be employed by all analytical groups and are applied to the ratings of individual entities and/or individual instruments. At the lowest categories of speculative grade (‘CCC’, ‘CC’ and ‘C’) the high volatility of credit profiles may imply that almost all ratings should carry a Watch. Watches are nonetheless only applied selectively in these categories, where a committee decides that particular events or threats are best communicated by the addition of the Watch designation.

Rating Outlook

Rating Outlooks indicate the direction a rating is likely to move over a one- to two-year period. They reflect financial or other trends that have not yet reached the level that would trigger a rating action, but which may do so if such trends continue. The majority of Outlooks are generally Stable, which is consistent with the historical migration experience of ratings over a one- to two-year period. Positive or Negative rating Outlooks do not imply that a rating change is inevitable and, similarly, ratings with Stable Outlooks can be raised or lowered without a prior revision to the Outlook, if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, where the fundamental trend has strong, conflicting elements of both positive and negative, the Rating Outlook may be described as Evolving.

Outlooks are currently applied on the long-term scale to issuer ratings in corporate finance (including sovereigns, industrials, utilities, financial institutions and insurance companies) and public finance outside the U.S.; to issue ratings in public finance in the U.S.; to certain issues in project finance; to Insurer Financial Strength Ratings; to issuer and/or issue ratings in a number of National Rating scales; and to the ratings of structured finance transactions. Outlooks are not applied to ratings assigned on the short-term scale and are applied selectively to ratings in the ‘CCC’, ‘CC’ and ‘C’ categories. Defaulted ratings typically do not carry an Outlook.

Deciding When to Assign Rating Watch or Outlook

Timing is informative but not critical to the choice of a Watch rather than an Outlook. A discrete event that is largely clear and the terms of which are defined, but which will not happen for more than six months—such as a lengthy regulatory approval process—would nonetheless likely see ratings placed on Watch rather than a revision to the Outlook. An Outlook revision may, however, be deemed more appropriate where a series of potential event risks has been identified, none of which individually warrants a Watch but which cumulatively indicate heightened probability of a rating change over the following one to two years.

A revision to the Outlook may also be appropriate where a specific event has been identified, but where the conditions and implications of that event are largely unclear and subject to high execution risk over an extended period—for example a proposed, but politically controversial, privatization.

STANDARD RATING ACTIONS

Affirmed*

The rating has been reviewed and no change has been deemed necessary.

Confirmed

Action taken in response to an external request or change in terms. Rating has been reviewed in either context, and no rating change has been deemed necessary.

Downgrade*

The rating has been lowered in the scale.

 

A-10


Matured*/Paid-In-Full

a. ‘Matured’—This action is used when an issue has reached the end of its repayment term and rating coverage is discontinued. Denoted as ‘NR’.

b. ‘Paid-In-Full’—This action indicates that the issue has been paid in full. As the issue no longer exists, it is therefore no longer rated. Denoted as ‘PIF’.

New Rating*

Rating has been assigned to a previously unrated issue primarily used in cases of shelf issues such as MTNs or similar programs.

Prerefunded*

Assigned to long-term US Public Finance issues after Fitch assesses refunding escrow.

Publish*

Initial public announcement of rating on the agency’s website, although not necessarily the first rating assigned. This action denotes when a previously private rating is published.

Upgrade*

The rating has been raised in the scale.

Withdrawn*

The rating has been withdrawn and the issue or issuer is no longer rated by Fitch Ratings. Indicated in rating databases with the symbol ‘WD’.

Rating Modifier Actions

Modifiers include Rating Outlook, Rating Watch, and Recovery Rating.

Rating Watch Maintained*

The issue or issuer has been reviewed and remains on active Rating Watch status.

Rating Watch On*

The issue or issuer has been placed on active Rating Watch status.

Rating Watch Revision*

Rating Watch status has changed.

Support Floor Rating Revision

Applicable only to Support ratings related to Financial Institutions, which are amended only with this action.

Under Review*

Applicable to ratings that may undergo a change in scale not related to changes in fundamental credit quality. Final action will be “Revision Rating”

Revision Outlook*

The Rating Outlook status has changed independent of a full review of the underlying rating.

 

*

A rating action must be recorded for each rating in a required cycle to be considered compliant with Fitch policy concerning aging of ratings. Not all Ratings or Data Actions, or changes in rating modifiers, will meet this requirement. Actions that meet this requirement are noted with an “ * “ in the above definitions.

 

A-11


APPENDIX B

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

Effective Date: January 1, 2011, as last amended March 5, 2020

 

 

 

I.     General Principles

A.    Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“NAM”) is an investment sub-adviser for certain of the Nuveen Funds (the “Funds”) and investment adviser for institutional and other separately managed accounts (collectively, with the Funds, “Accounts”). As such, Accounts may confer upon NAM complete discretion to vote proxies.1

B.    When NAM has proxy voting authority, it is NAM’s duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients (which may involve affirmatively deciding that voting the proxies may not be in the best interests of certain clients on certain matters). In voting proxies, NAM also seeks to enhance total investment return for its clients.

C.    If NAM contracts with another investment adviser to act as a sub-adviser for an Account, NAM may delegate proxy voting responsibility to the sub-adviser. Where NAM has delegated proxy voting responsibility, the sub-adviser will be responsible for developing and adhering to its own proxy voting policies, subject to oversight by NAM.

D.    NAM’s Proxy Voting Committee (“PVC”) provides oversight of NAM’s proxy voting policies and procedures, including (1) providing an administrative framework to facilitate and monitor the exercise of such proxy voting and to fulfill the obligations of reporting and recordkeeping under the federal securities laws; and (2) approving the proxy voting policies and procedures.

II.    Policies

The PVC after reviewing and concluding that such policies are reasonably designed to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, has approved and adopted the proxy voting policies (“Policies”) of Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”), a leading national provider of proxy voting administrative and research services.i As a result, such Policies set forth NAM’s positions on recurring proxy issues and criteria for addressing non-recurring issues. These Policies are reviewed periodically by ISS, and therefore are subject to change. Even though it has adopted the Policies as drafted by ISS, NAM maintains the fiduciary responsibility for all proxy voting decisions.

III.    Procedures

A.    Supervision of Proxy Voting. Day-to-day administration of proxy voting may be provided internally or by a third-party service provider, depending on client type, subject to the ultimate oversight of the PVC. The PVC shall supervise the relationships with NAM’s proxy voting services, ISS. ISS apprises Nuveen Global Operations (“NGO”) of shareholder meeting dates, and casts the actual proxy votes. ISS also provides research

 

 

1 

NAM does not vote proxies where a client withholds proxy voting authority, and in certain non-discretionary and model programs NAM votes proxies in accordance with its Policies in effect from time to time. Clients may opt to vote proxies themselves, or to have proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the client’s cost. i ISS has separate polices for Taft Hartley plans and it is NAM’s policy to apply the Taft Hartley polices to accounts that are Taft Hartley plans and have requested the application of such policies.

 

B-1


on proxy proposals and voting recommendations. ISS serves as NAM’s proxy voting record keepers and generate reports on how proxies were voted. NGO periodically reviews communications from ISS to determine whether ISS voted the correct amount of proxies, whether the votes were cast in a timely manner, and whether the vote was in accordance with the Policies or NAM’s specific instructions

B.     General Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest.

 

  1.

NAM believe that most conflicts of interest faced by NAM in voting proxies can be avoided by voting in accordance with the Policies. Examples of such conflicts of interest are as follows:2

 

  a.

The issuer or proxy proponent (e.g., a special interest group) is TIAA-CREF, the ultimate principal owner of NAM, or any of its affiliates.

 

  b.

The issuer is an entity in which an executive officer of NAM or a spouse or domestic partner of any such executive officer is or was (within the past three years of the proxy vote) an executive officer or director.

 

  c.

The issuer is a registered or unregistered fund or other client for which NAM or another affiliated adviser has a material relationship as investment adviser or sub-adviser (e.g., Nuveen Funds and TIAA Funds) or an institutional separate account.

 

  d.

Any other circumstances that NAM is aware of where NAM’s duty to serve its clients’ interests, typically referred to as its “duty of loyalty,” could be materially compromised.

 

  2.

To further minimize this risk, Compliance will review ISS’ conflict avoidance policy at least annually to ensure that it adequately addresses both the actual and perceived conflicts of interest ISS may face.

 

  3.

In the event that ISS faces a material conflict of interest with respect to a specific vote, the PVC shall direct ISS how to vote. The PVC shall receive voting direction from appropriate investment personnel. Before doing so, the PVC will consult with Legal to confirm that NAM faces no material conflicts of its own with respect to the specific proxy vote.

 

  4.

Where ISS is determined to have a conflict of interest, or NAM determines to override the Policies and is determined to have a conflict, the PVC will recommend to NAM’s Compliance Committee or designee a course of action designed to address the conflict. Such actions could include, but are not limited to:

 

  a.

Obtaining instructions from the affected client(s) on how to vote the proxy;

 

  b.

Disclosing the conflict to the affected client(s) and seeking their consent to permit NAM to vote the proxy;

 

  c.

Voting in proportion to the other shareholders;

 

  e.

Recusing the individual with the actual or potential conflict of interest from all discussion or consideration of the matter, if the material conflict is due to such person’s actual or potential conflict of interest; or

 

  f.

Following the recommendation of a different independent third party.

 

 

2 

A conflict of interest shall not be considered material for the purposes of these Policies and Procedures with respect to a specific vote or circumstance if the matter to be voted on relates to a restructuring of the terms of existing securities or the issuance of new securities or a similar matter arising out of the holding of securities, other than common equity, in the context of a bankruptcy or threatened bankruptcy of the issuer.

 

B-2


  5.

In addition to all of the above-mentioned and other conflicts, the Head of Equity Research, NGO and any member of the PVC must notify NAM’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of any direct, indirect or perceived improper influence exerted by any employee, officer or director of TIAA or its subsidiaries with regard to how NAM should vote proxies. NAM Compliance will investigate any such allegations and will report the findings to the PVC and, if deemed appropriate, to NAM’s Compliance Committee. If it is determined that improper influence was attempted, appropriate action shall be taken. Such appropriate action may include disciplinary action, notification of the appropriate senior managers, or notification of the appropriate regulatory authorities. In all cases, NAM will not consider any improper influence in determining how to vote proxies, and will vote in the best interests of clients.

C.     Proxy Vote Override. From time to time, a portfolio manager of an account (a “Portfolio Manager”) may initiate action to override the Policies’ recommendation for a particular vote. Any such override by a NAM Portfolio Manager (but not a sub-adviser Portfolio Manager) shall be reviewed by NAM’s Legal Department for material conflicts. If the Legal Department determines that no material conflicts exist, the approval of one member of the PVC shall authorize the override. If a material conflict exists, the conflict and, ultimately, the override recommendation will be rejected and will revert to the original Policies recommendation or will be addressed pursuant to the procedures described above under “Conflicts of Interest.”

In addition, the PVC may determine from time to time that a particular recommendation in the Policies should be overridden based on a determination that the recommendation is inappropriate and not in the best interests of shareholders. Any such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of a meeting of the PVC at which such decision is made.

D.    Securities Lending.

 

  1.

In order to generate incremental revenue, some clients may participate in a securities lending program. If a client has elected to participate in the lending program then it will not have the right to vote the proxies of any securities that are on loan as of the shareholder meeting record date. A client, or a Portfolio Manager, may place restrictions on loaning securities and/or recall a security on loan at any time. Such actions must be affected prior to the record date for a meeting if the purpose for the restriction or recall is to secure the vote.

 

  2.

Portfolio Managers and/or analysts who become aware of upcoming proxy issues relating to any securities in portfolios they manage, or issuers they follow, will consider the desirability of recalling the affected securities that are on loan or restricting the affected securities prior to the record date for the matter. If the proxy issue is determined to be material, and the determination is made prior to the shareholder meeting record date the Portfolio Manager(s) will contact the Securities Lending Agent to recall securities on loan or restrict the loaning of any security held in any portfolio they manage, if they determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to do so.

E.    Proxy Voting Records. As required by Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, NAM shall make and retain five types of records relating to proxy voting; (1) NAM’s Policies; (2) proxy statements received for securities in client accounts; (3) records of proxy votes cast by NAM on behalf of clients accounts; (4) records of written requests from clients about how NAM voted their proxies, and written responses from NAM to either a written or oral request by clients; and (5) any documents prepared by the adviser that were material to making a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for the decision. NAM relies on ISS to make and retain on NAM’s behalf certain records pertaining to Rule 204-2.

 

B-3


F.    Fund of Funds Provision. In instances where NAM provides investment advice to a fund of funds that acquires shares of affiliated funds or three percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of an unaffiliated fund, the acquiring fund shall vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the acquired fund. If compliance with this procedure results in a vote of any shares in a manner different than the Policies’ recommendation, such vote will not require compliance with the Proxy Vote Override procedures set forth above.

G.    Legacy Securities. To the extent that NAM receives proxies for securities that are transferred into an account’s portfolio that were not recommended or selected by it and are sold or expected to be sold promptly in an orderly manner (“legacy securities”), NAM will generally refrain from voting such proxies. In such circumstances, since legacy securities are expected to be sold promptly, voting proxies on such securities would not further NAM’s interest in maximizing the value of client investments. NAM may agree to an account’s special request to vote a legacy security proxy, and would vote such proxy in accordance with the Policies.

H.    Terminated Accounts. Proxies received after the termination date of an account generally will not be voted. An exception will be made if the record date is for a period in which an account was under NAM’s discretionary management or if a separately managed account (“SMA”) custodian failed to remove the account’s holdings from its aggregated voting list.

I.    Non-votes. NGO shall be responsible for obtaining reasonable assurance from ISS that it voted proxies on NAM’s behalf, and that any special instructions from NAM about a given proxy or proxies are submitted to ISS in a timely manner. It should not be considered a breach of this responsibility if NGO or NAM does not receive a proxy from ISS or a custodian with adequate time to analyze and direct to vote or vote a proxy by the required voting deadline.

NAM may determine not to vote proxies associated with the securities of any issuer if as a result of voting such proxies, subsequent purchases or sales of such securities would be blocked. However, NAM may decide, on an individual security basis that it is in the best interests of its clients to vote the proxy associated with such a security, taking into account the loss of liquidity. In addition, NAM may determine not to vote proxies where the voting would in NAM’s judgment result in some other financial, legal, regulatory disability or burden to the client (such as imputing control with respect to the issuer) or to NAM or its affiliates.

NAM may determine not to vote securities held by SMAs where voting would require the transfer of the security to another custodian designated by the issuer. Such transfer is generally outside the scope of NAM’s authority and may result in significant operational limitations on NAM’s ability to conduct transactions relating to the securities during the period of transfer. From time to time, situations may arise (operational or otherwise) that prevent NAM from voting proxies after reasonable attempts have been made.

J.    Review and Reports.

 

  1.

The PVC shall maintain a review schedule. The schedule shall include reviews of the Policies and the policies of any Sub-adviser engaged by NAM, the proxy voting record, account maintenance, and other reviews as deemed appropriate by the PVC. The PVC shall review the schedule at least annually.

 

  2.

The PVC will report to NAM’s Compliance Committee with respect to all identified conflicts and how they were addressed. These reports will include all accounts, including those that are sub-advised. NAM also shall provide the Funds that it sub-advises with information necessary for preparing Form N-PX.

 

B-4


K.     Vote Disclosure to Clients. NAM’s institutional and SMA clients can contact their relationship manager for more information on NAM’s Policies and the proxy voting record for their account. The information available includes name of issuer, ticker/CUSIP, shareholder meeting date, description of item and NAM’s vote.

IV.    Responsible Parties

PVC

NGO

NAM Compliance

Legal Department

 

B-5


Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Common Shares

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

                                 , 2021


PART C—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25: Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

1.

Financial Statements:

Registrant has not conducted any business as of the date of this filing, other than in connection with its organization. Financial statements indicating that the Registrant has met the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act will be filed with a Pre-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-2.

 

2.

Exhibits:

 

  a.1      Declaration of Trust dated May  22, 2019 is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on May 23, 2019, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  a.2      Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated February 27, 2020.
  a.3      Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated February 23, 2021.
  b.1      By-laws of Registrant is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on May 23, 2019, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  b.2      Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant.*
  c.      None.
  d.      Share class designation for the Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares, dated February 23, 2021.
  e.      None.
  f.      None.
  g.1      Investment Management Agreement dated January 13, 2020.
  g.2      Sub-Advisory Agreement dated January 13, 2020.
  h.      Form of Distribution Agreement.*
  i.      Nuveen Open-End and Closed-End Funds Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors and Trustees is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on December 19, 2019, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  j.1      Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated July 15, 2015 (the “Custodian Agreement”).
  j.2      Appendix A to Custodian Agreement dated January 6, 2020.
  k      Amended and Restated Agency Agreement between Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., as amended October 21, 2019.
  l.1      Opinion and Consent of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP.*
  l.2      Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.*
  m.      Not Applicable.
  n.      Consent of                                 .*
  o.      None.
  p.      Subscription Agreement of Nuveen Fund Advisors dated                 , 2021.*
  q.      None.
  r.1      Code of Ethics and Reporting Requirements of Nuveen (including affiliated entities) and the Nuveen Funds, as amended August 26, 2019 is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on December 19, 2019, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  r.2      Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees of the Nuveen Funds is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on December 19, 2019, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  s.      Powers of Attorney.

 

*

To be filed by amendment.

Item 26: Marketing Arrangements

Reference is made to the Form of Distribution Agreement filed as Exhibit h to this Registration Statement.


Item 27: Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

Securities and Exchange Commission fees    $                 *  
Printing and engraving expenses    $ *  
Promotion    $ *  
Legal Fees    $ *  
Audit    $ *  
Miscellaneous expenses    $ *  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *  
  

 

 

 

 

*

To be provided by amendment.

Item 28: Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

Not applicable.

Item 29: Number of Holders of Securities

At March 10, 2021:

 

Title of Class

   Number of Record Holders  
Common Shares, $0.01 par value      0  

Item 30: Indemnification

Section 4 of Article XII of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides as follows:

Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;

(b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not engage in such conduct:

(i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or

(ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.

The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit


of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4, provided that either:

(a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or

(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

As used in this Section 4, a “Disinterested Trustee” is one (x) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.

As used in this Section 4, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

The trustees and officers of the Registrant are covered by joint errors and omissions insurance policies against liability and expenses of claims of wrongful acts arising out of their position with the Registrant and other Nuveen funds, subject to such policies’ coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles.

Section 16 of the Form of Distribution Agreement filed as Exhibit h to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant and the Distributor, to indemnify the other party, its trustees, directors, certain of its officers, trustees, directors and persons who control it against certain liabilities in connection with the offering described herein, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31: Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser and Subadviser

(a) Nuveen Fund Advisors manages the Registrant and serves as investment adviser or manager to other open-end and closed-end management investment companies and to separately managed accounts. The principal business address for all of these investment companies and the persons named below is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.


A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the directors and officers of Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) who serve as officers or Trustees of the Registrant have engaged during the last two years for his or her account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee appears under “Management” in the Statement of Additional Information. Such information for the remaining senior officers of Nuveen Fund Advisors appears below:

 

Name and Position with Nuveen Fund Advisors

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

Oluseun Salami, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  

Director (since 2020) NIS/R&T, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nuveen Alternative Advisors LLC (since 2020), Nuveen, LLC (since 2020), Teachers Advisors, LLC (since 2020), TIAA-CREF Asset Management LLC (since 2020) and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC (since 2020); Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Business Finance and Planning (since 2020) Chief Accounting Officer (2019), Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller (2018-2020), Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller, College Retirement Equities Fund, TIAA Board of Overseers, TIAA Separate Account VA-1, TIAA-CREF Funds, TIAA-CREF Life Funds (2018-2020).

Erik Mogavero, Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer

  

Formerly employed by Deutsche Bank (2013- August 2017) as Managing Director, Head of Asset Management and Wealth Management Compliance for the Americas region and Chief Compliance Officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas.

Michael A. Perry, Executive Vice President

  

Co-Chief Executive Officer (since April 2019), formerly, Executive Vice President (2017-2019), formerly, Managing Director (2015-2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; and Executive Vice President (since 2017) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC.

Megan Sendlak, Managing Director and Controller    Managing Director and Controller (since 2020) of Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, Nuveen Investments, Inc., Teachers Advisors, LLC, and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC; Managing Director and Controller (since 2020), formerly, Vice President and Corporate Accounting Director (2018-2020) of Nuveen, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Controller (since 2019) of NIS/R&T, INC., NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC and Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.


Nuveen Asset Management serves as investment sub-adviser to the Registrant and also serves as investment sub-adviser to other open-end and closed-end funds and investment adviser to separately managed accounts. The following is a list of the remaining senior officers of Nuveen Asset Management. The principal business address of each person is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

 

Name and Position with Nuveen Asset Management

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

William T. Huffman, President

   None

Stuart J. Cohen, Managing Director and Head of Legal

  

Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (since 2002) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director (since 2007) and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC.

Travis M. Pauley, Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer

  

Regional Head of Compliance and Regulatory Legal (2013-2020) of AXA Investment Managers.

Megan Sendlak, Managing Director and Controller

   Managing Director and Controller (since 2020) of Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, Nuveen Investments, Inc., Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC; Managing Director and Controller (since 2020), formerly, Vice President and Corporate Accounting Director (2018-2020) of Nuveen, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Controller (since 2019) of NIS/R&T, INC., NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC and Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.

Item 32: Location of Accounts and Records

Nuveen Fund Advisors, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, maintains the Declaration of Trust, By-laws, minutes of Trustees’ and shareholders’ meetings and contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the investment adviser.

State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, maintains all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all portfolio purchases and sales, and all other required records not maintained by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Item 33: Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34: Undertakings

 

1.

Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its shares until it amends its prospectus if: (1) subsequent to the effective date of its Registration Statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 

2.

Not applicable.

 

3.

The Registrant undertakes:

a. to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:

(1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;


(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

b. that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

c. to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

d. that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(1) Not applicable;

(2) if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C [17 CFR 230.430C]: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and

e. that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;

(2) free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.482] relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

4.

The Registrant undertakes that:

a. For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and


b. For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

5.

Not applicable.

 

6.

Not applicable.

 

7.

The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 15th day of March, 2021.

 

NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

/S/ MARK L. WINGET

Mark L. Winget,

Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

  

Date

/s/ E. Scott Wickerham

E. Scott Wickerham

  Vice President and Controller (principal financial and accounting officer)    March 15, 2021

/s/ David J. Lamb

David J. Lamb

  Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)    March 15, 2021
Terence J. Toth*  

Chairman of the Board and Trustee

  
Jack B. Evans*  

Trustee

  
William C. Hunter*  

Trustee

  
Albin F. Moschner*  

Trustee

  
John K. Nelson*  

Trustee

  
Judith M. Stockdale*  

Trustee

  
Carole E. Stone*  

Trustee

  
Matthew Thornton III*  

Trustee

  
Margaret L. Wolff*  

Trustee

  
Robert L. Young*  

Trustee

  

By:

         /s/ Mark L. Winget

         Mark L. Winget,

         Attorney-in-Fact

March 15, 2021

 

*

The powers of attorney authorizing Mark L. Winget and Eric F. Fess, among others, to execute this Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the Trustees of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, have been executed and are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement.

 


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

  a.2      Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated February 27, 2020.
  a.3      Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated February 23, 2021.
  d.      Share class designation for the Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares, dated February 23, 2021.
  g.1      Investment Management Agreement dated January 13, 2020.
  g.2      Sub-Advisory Agreement dated January 13, 2020.
  j.1      Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated July 15, 2015 (the “Custodian Agreement”).
  j.2      Appendix A to Custodian Agreement dated January 6, 2020.
  k.      Amended and Restated Agency Agreement between Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., as amended October 21, 2019.
  s.      Powers of Attorney

Exhibit a.2

CERTIFICATE OF NAME CHANGE AMENDMENT

DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND

The undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund (the “Trust”), acting pursuant to the authority granted to the Trustees under Article XIII, Section 4(ii) of the Declaration of Trust made on the 22nd day of May 2019 by the Trustees thereunder (as amended from time to time, the “Declaration”), do hereby amend the Declaration, effective the 27th day of February, 2020, as follows:

1.    Section 1 of Article I of the Declaration is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

Section 1.    Name. This Trust shall be known as the “Nuveen Strategic Municipal Credit Fund,” and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.

All references to the name of the Trust in the Declaration are hereby amended accordingly.

2.    Except as amended hereby, the Declaration remains in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this instrument as of this 27th day of February, 2020.

 

/s/ Jack B. Evans

   

/s/ William C. Hunter

Jack B. Evans     William C. Hunter,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Albin F. Moschner

   

/s/ John K. Nelson

Albin F. Moschner,     John K. Nelson,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Judith M. Stockdale

   

/s/ Carole E. Stone

Judith M. Stockdale,     Carole E. Stone,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Terence J. Toth

   

/s/ Margaret L. Wolff

Terence J. Toth,     Margaret L. Wolff,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Robert L. Young

   
Robert L. Young,    
    as Trustee    
333 West Wacker Drive    
Chicago, Illinois 60606    

 

2

Exhibit a.3

CERTIFICATE OF NAME CHANGE AMENDMENT

OF

NUVEEN STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL CREDIT FUND

The undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of Nuveen Strategic Municipal Credit Fund (the “Trust”), acting pursuant to the authority granted to the Trustees under Article XIII, Section 4(ii) of the Declaration of Trust made on the 22nd day of May 2019 by the Trustees thereunder (as amended from time to time, the “Declaration”), do hereby amend the Declaration, effective the 23rd day of February, 2021, as follows:

1.    Section 1 of Article I of the Declaration is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

Section 1.    Name. This Trust shall be known as the “Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund,” and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.

All references to the name of the Trust in the Declaration are hereby amended accordingly.

2.    Except as amended hereby, the Declaration remains in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this instrument as of this 23rd day of February, 2021.

 

/s/ Jack B. Evans

   

/s/ William C. Hunter

Jack B. Evans     William C. Hunter,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Albin F. Moschner

   

/s/ John K. Nelson

Albin F. Moschner,     John K. Nelson,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Judith M. Stockdale

   

/s/ Carole E. Stone

Judith M. Stockdale,     Carole E. Stone,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Matthew Thornton III

   

/s/ Terence J. Toth

Matthew Thornton III,     Terence J. Toth,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

/s/ Margaret L. Wolff

   

/s/ Robert L. Young

Margaret L. Wolff,     Robert L. Young,
    as Trustee         as Trustee
333 West Wacker Drive     333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606     Chicago, Illinois 60606

Exhibit d

NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF CLASSES

The undersigned, does hereby certify as follows:

Whereas, a majority of the Trustees of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), acting pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of Article IV of the Declaration of Trust dated May 22, 2019, as amended (the “Declaration”), have heretofore designated a unlimited number of Institutional Class Common Shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, as set forth in the Establishment and Designation of Class attached as Appendix A to the Declaration;

Whereas, at a meeting held on February 23-25, 2021 the Trustees of the Trust changed the name of the Fund’s Institutional Class Common Shares to “Class I Common Shares” and authorized the establishment and designation of a new class of Common Shares of the Trust, Class A Shares, in each case effective as of February 23, 2021, each a “Class” and collectively, the “Classes”);

Following the actions referenced above, the following Classes of the Trust have been established:

Class I Shares and Class A Shares with such relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions and other relative terms as are set forth below;

1.        Each share of each Class shall be entitled to all the rights and preferences accorded to shares of beneficial interest (each, a “Share” and collectively the “Shares”) under the Declaration. The number of Shares of each Class designated shall be unlimited.

2.        The number of Shares of each Class designated shall be unlimited.

3.        With respect to Shares of each Class, the purchase price, the method of determination of the net asset value, the price, terms and manner of share repurchase, the fees and expenses, the qualifications for ownership, if any, the minimum purchase amounts, if any, the minimum account size, if any, any conversion or exchange feature or privilege, the relative dividend rights of the holders, and any other relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions and other relative terms of the Shares shall be established by the Trustees of the Trust in accordance with the Declaration and shall be set forth in the current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Trust (or any series thereof) contained in the Trust’s registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Prospectus”).


4.        Subject to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may from time to time modify any of the relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, restrictions and other relative terms of the Shares of a Class, divide or combine the issued or unissued Shares of a Class into a greater or lesser number; classify or reclassify any issued or unissued Shares of a Class into one or more other Classes; combine two or more Classes into a single Class of Common Shares; in each case without any action or consent of the Shareholder

5.        Each Share of a Class shall bear the expenses of payments under any distribution and service agreements entered into by or on behalf of the Trust with respect to that Class, and any other expenses that are properly allocated to such Class in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, or any rule or order issued thereunder and applicable to the Trust (the “1940 Act”).

6.        As to any matter on which shareholders are entitled to vote, Shares of the Trust shall vote together as a single class ; provided however, that notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 of Article IX of the Declaration to the contrary, (a) as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any Class is required by the 1940 Act or is required by a separate agreement applicable to such Class, such requirements as to a separate vote by the Class shall apply, (b) except as required by (a) above, to the extent that a matter affects more than one Class and the interests of two or more Classes in the matter are not materially different, then the Shares of such Classes whose interests in the matter are not materially different shall vote together as a single Class, but to the extent that a matter affects more than one Class and the interests of a Class in the matter are materially different from that of each other Class, then the Shares of such Class shall vote as a separate class; and (c) except as required by (a) above or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, as to any matter which does not affect the interests of a particular Class, only the holders of Shares of the one or more affected Classes shall be entitled to vote.

7.        The designation of Classes hereby shall not impair the power of the Trustees from time to time to designate additional classes of Shares of the Trust.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being an Assistant Secretary of the Trust, has executed this instrument as of this 23rd day of February, 2021.

 

/s/ Celeste Clayton

Celeste Clayton

Assistant Secretary

Exhibit g.1      

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made this 13th day of January, 2020, by and between NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Fund”), and NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

W I T N E S S E T H

In consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

1.          The Fund hereby employs the Adviser to act as the investment adviser for, and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies and limitations, and to administer the Fund’s affairs to the extent requested by and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund for the period and upon the terms herein set forth. The investment of the Fund’s assets shall be subject to the Fund’s policies, restrictions and limitations with respect to securities investments as set forth in the Fund’s then current registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and all applicable laws and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the management of registered closed-end, diversified management investment companies.

The Adviser accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render such services, to furnish office facilities and equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services (other than such services, if any, provided by the Fund’s transfer agent) for the Fund, to permit any of its officers or employees to serve without compensation as trustees or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions, and to assume the obligations herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, shall have no authority to act for nor represent the Fund in any way, nor otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.

2.          For the services and facilities described in Section l, the Fund will pay to the Adviser, at the end of each calendar month, an investment management fee equal to the sum of a Fund-Level Fee and a Complex-Level Fee.


 

2

 

A.        The Fund Level Fee shall be computed by applying the following annual rate to the average total daily managed assets of the Fund:

 

Average Total Daily Managed Assets(1)

  

Rate

   

 

For the first $125 million

   1.0500%

For the next $125 million

   1.0375%

For the next $250 million

   1.0250%

For the next $500 million

   1.0125%

For the next $1 billion

   1.0000%

For the next $3 billion

   0.9750%

For managed assets over $5 billion

   0.9625%

1 Managed assets” for this purpose means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage, and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

B.        The Complex-Level Fee for the Fund shall be computed by applying the Complex-Level Fee Rate, expressed as a daily equivalent, to the average daily managed assets of the Fund. The Complex-Level Fee Rate shall be determined based upon the total daily net assets of all Eligible Funds, as defined below (with such daily net assets to include — in the case of Eligible Funds whose advisory fees are calculated by reference to net assets that include net assets attributable to preferred stock issued by or borrowings by the Eligible Fund — such leveraging net assets), pursuant to the annual fee schedule shown below in this section, with the following adjustments (as adjusted, “Complex-Level Assets”):

(i) in the case of Eligible Funds that invest in other Eligible Funds (individually a “Fund of Funds” and collectively “Funds of Funds”), excluding that portion of the net assets of such Funds of Funds attributable to investments in such other Eligible Funds;

(ii) excluding that portion of the net assets of each Eligible Fund comprising the daily “Fund Asset Limit Amount” (as defined below); and

(iii) in instances where Eligible Funds have been reorganized into non-Eligible Funds advised by an affiliate of the Adviser during the 2019 calendar year (each such reorganization a “2019 Reorganization” and each such Eligible Fund a “Former Eligible Fund”):

(x) for each Former Eligible Fund that was not a Fund of Funds, including the amount by which, as of a date 30 days prior to the closing date of the applicable 2019 Reorganization, the net assets of


 

3

 

the Former Eligible Fund exceeded the Former Eligible Fund’s “Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount” (as defined below); and

(y) for each Former Eligible Fund that was a Fund of Funds, with respect to each Eligible Fund in which the Former Eligible Fund was invested immediately prior to the transition of the Former Eligible Fund’s portfolio in connection with its 2019 Reorganization (the “Transition Time”), including the net assets of the Former Eligible Fund invested in such Eligible Fund as of the Transition Time, but only to the extent that the Eligible Fund’s net assets exceeded the Eligible Fund’s “Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount” (as defined below) as of the Transition Time.    

The Complex-Level Fee Rate shall be calculated in such a manner that it results in the effective rate at the specified Complex-Level Asset amounts shown in the following annual fee schedule:

 

  Complex-Level Asset

  Breakpoint Level

  ($ million)                        

  

Effective Rate  

at Breakpoint  

Level  

                       (%)  

     
  55,000                     0.2000  
  56,000                     0.1996  
  57,000                     0.1989  
  60,000                     0.1961  
  63,000                     0.1931  
  66,000                     0.1900  
  71,000                     0.1851  
  76,000                     0.1806  
  80,000                     0.1773  
  91,000                     0.1691  
125,000                     0.1599  
200,000                     0.1505  
250,000                     0.1469  
300,000                     0.1445  

C.        “Eligible Funds,” for purposes of the Agreement, shall mean all Nuveen-branded closed-end and open-end registered investment companies organized in the United States. Any open-end or closed-end funds that subsequently become a Nuveen-branded fund because either (a) Nuveen Investments, Inc. or its affiliates acquire the investment adviser to such funds (or the adviser’s parent), or (b) Nuveen Investments, Inc. or its affiliates acquire the fund’s adviser’s rights under the management agreement for such fund (in either case, such acquisition an “Acquisition” and such fund an “Acquired Fund”), will be evaluated by both Nuveen management and the Nuveen Funds’ Board, on a case-by-


 

4

 

case basis, as to whether or not the assets of such Acquired Funds would be included in Complex-Level Assets and, if so, whether there would be a basis for any adjustments to the complex-level breakpoint schedule and/or its application.

D.        The “Fund Asset Limit Amount” as of any calculation date shall for each Fund be equal to the lesser of (i) the Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount (defined below), and (ii) the Eligible Fund’s current net assets. The “Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount” for an Eligible Fund shall be determined as follows:

(i) In the case of Nuveen-branded Funds that qualified as Eligible Funds on or prior to June 30, 2010, as well as Eligible Funds launched thereafter that are not Acquired Funds, the Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount shall be equal to zero, except to extent that such Fund may later participate in a subsequent Fund consolidation as described in (iii) below;

(ii) In the case of Acquired Funds, the Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount is equal to the product of (i) 1 minus the Aggregate Eligible Asset Percentage (defined below), and (ii) an Acquired Fund’s net assets as of the effective date of such Fund’s Acquisition;

(iii) In the event of a consolidation or merger of one or more Eligible Funds, the Initial Fund Asset Limit Amount of the combined fund will be equal to the sum of the Initial Fund Asset Limit Amounts of each individual Eligible Fund.

E.         Following are additional definitions of terms used above:

(i) “Acquisition Assets”: With respect to an Acquisition, the aggregate net assets as of the effective date of such Acquisition of all Acquired Funds.

(ii) “Aggregate Eligible Asset Amount”: With respect to an Acquisition, that portion of the aggregate net assets of Acquired Funds as of the effective date of such Acquisition that is included in Complex-Level Assets. With respect to the series of First American Investment Funds, Inc. that became Acquired Funds as of December 31, 2010, the Aggregate Eligible Asset Amount is $2 billion.

(iii) “Aggregate Eligible Asset Percentage”: The ratio of the Aggregate Eligible Asset Amount to Acquisition Assets.

F.        For the month and year in which this Agreement becomes effective, or terminates, there shall be an appropriate proration on the basis of the number of days that the Agreement shall have been in effect during the month and year, respectively. The services of the Adviser to the Fund under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services or other services to others so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby.


 

5

 

3.          The Adviser shall arrange for officers or employees of the Adviser to serve, without compensation from the Fund, as trustees, officers or agents of the Fund, if duly elected or appointed to such positions, and subject to their individual consent and to any limitations imposed by law.

4.          Subject to applicable statutes and regulations, it is understood that officers, trustees, or agents of the Fund are, or may be, interested in the Adviser as officers, directors, agents, shareholders or otherwise, and that the officers, directors, shareholders and agents of the Adviser may be interested in the Fund otherwise than as trustees, officers or agents.

5.          The Adviser shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention shall have been based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or corporation, if such recommendation shall have been selected with due care and in good faith, except loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

6.          The Adviser currently manages other investment accounts and funds, including those with investment objectives similar to the Fund, and reserves the right to manage other such accounts and funds in the future. Securities considered as investments for the Fund may also be appropriate for other investment accounts and funds that may be managed by the Adviser. Subject to applicable laws and regulations, the Adviser will attempt to allocate equitably portfolio transactions among the portfolios of its other investment accounts and funds purchasing securities whenever decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by the Fund and one or more of such other accounts or funds simultaneously. In making such allocations, the main factors to be considered by the Adviser will be the respective investment objectives of the Fund and such other accounts and funds, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment by the Fund and such other accounts and funds, the size of investment commitments generally held by the Fund and such accounts and funds, and the opinions of the persons responsible for recommending investments to the Fund and such other accounts and funds.

7.          This Agreement shall continue in effect until August 1, 2021, unless and until terminated by either party as hereinafter provided, and shall continue in force from year to year thereafter, but only as long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, and may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Fund or by the Adviser upon no less than sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other party. The Fund may effect termination by action of the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, accompanied by appropriate notice.


 

6

 

This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, in the event that it shall have been established by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Adviser, or any officer or director of the Adviser, has taken any action which results in a breach of the covenants of the Adviser set forth herein.

Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the right of the Adviser to receive payments on any unpaid balance of the compensation, described in Section 2, earned prior to such termination.

8.          If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder shall not be thereby affected.

9.          Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for receipt of such notice.

10.        The Fund’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Fund by the Fund’s officers as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Fund’s Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.

11.        This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with applicable federal law and (except as to Section 10 hereof which shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts) the laws of the State of Illinois.


 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and the Adviser have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year above written.

 

 

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND

 

                

 

by:

 

 

      /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman

           

           Vice President

Attest:   /s/ Virginia O’Neal

 

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

 

                

 

by:

 

 

      /s/ Christopher M. Rohrbacher

           

           Managing Director

Attest:   /s/ Virginia O’Neal

Exhibit g.2

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT effective as of this 13th day of January 2020 by and between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a registered investment adviser (“Manager”), and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a federally registered investment adviser (“Sub-Adviser”).

WHEREAS, Manager serves as the investment manager for the Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund (the “Fund”), a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement between Manager and the Fund (as such agreement may be modified from time to time, the “Management Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, Manager desires to retain Sub-Adviser as its agent to furnish investment advisory services for a certain designated portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio, upon the terms and conditions hereafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.          Appointment. Manager hereby appoints Sub-Adviser to provide certain sub-investment advisory services to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

2.          Services to be Performed. Subject always to the supervision of Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Manager, Sub-Adviser will furnish an investment program in respect of, make investment decisions for, and place all orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Manager, all on behalf of the Fund. In the performance of its duties, Sub-Adviser will satisfy its fiduciary duties to the Fund, will monitor the Fund’s investments, and will comply with the provisions of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws, as amended from time to time, and the stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund. Manager will provide Sub-Adviser with current copies of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, By-laws, prospectus and any amendments thereto, and any objectives, policies or limitations not appearing therein as they may be relevant to Sub-Adviser’s performance under this Agreement. Sub-Adviser and Manager will each make its officers and employees available to the other from time to time at reasonable times to review investment policies of the Fund and to consult with each other regarding the investment affairs of the Fund. Sub-Adviser will report to the Board of Trustees and to Manager with respect to the implementation of such program.

The Sub-Adviser will vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities which assets of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser are invested, consistent with its proxy voting guidelines and based upon the best interests of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will maintain appropriate records detailing its voting of proxies on behalf of the Fund and upon reasonable request will provide a report setting forth the


proposals voted on and how the Fund’s shares were voted, including the name of the corresponding issuers.

Sub-Adviser is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund, and is directed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain best execution, which includes most favorable net results and execution of the Fund’s orders, taking into account all appropriate factors, including price, dealer spread or commission, size and difficulty of the transaction and research or other services provided. Sub-Adviser may select itself as a broker, in an agency capacity, to execute transactions in portfolio securities for the Fund in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees from time to time. It is understood that the Sub-Adviser will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully, or to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Fund, or be in breach of any obligation owing to the Fund under this Agreement, or otherwise, solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a member of a securities exchange, a broker or a dealer (including the Sub-Adviser’s internal broker-dealer) a commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund in excess of the amount of commission another member of an exchange, broker or dealer would have charged if the Sub-Adviser determined in good faith that the commission paid was reasonable in relation to the brokerage or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to its accounts, including the Fund, as to which it exercises investment discretion. In addition, if in the judgment of the Sub-Adviser, the Fund would be benefited by supplemental services, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to pay spreads or commissions to brokers or dealers furnishing such services in excess of spreads or commissions that another broker or dealer may charge for the same transaction, provided that the Sub-Adviser determined in good faith that the commission or spread paid was reasonable in relation to the services provided. The Sub-Adviser will properly communicate to the officers and trustees of the Fund such information relating to transactions for the Fund as they may reasonably request. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Manager, Sub-Adviser or any affiliated person of either the Fund, Manager, or Sub-Adviser, except as may be permitted under the 1940 Act;

Sub-Adviser further agrees that it:

 

  (a)

will use the same degree of skill and care in providing such services as it uses in providing services to fiduciary accounts for which it has investment responsibilities;

 

  (b)

will conform to all applicable Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission in all material respects and in addition will conduct its activities under this Agreement in accordance with any applicable regulations of any governmental authority pertaining to its investment advisory activities;

 

  (c)

will report regularly to Manager and to the Board of Trustees of the Fund and will make appropriate persons available for the purpose of reviewing with representatives of Manager and the Board of Trustees on a regular basis at reasonable times the management of the Fund, including, without limitation, review of the general investment strategies of the Fund with respect to preferred securities, the performance of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated to preferred securities in relation to standard industry indices and general conditions

 

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  affecting the marketplace and will provide various other reports from time to time as reasonably requested by Manager; and

 

  (d)

will monitor the pricing of portfolio securities, and events relating to the issuers of those securities and the markets in which the securities trade in the ordinary course of managing the portfolio securities of the Fund, and will notify Manager promptly of any issuer-specific or market events or other situations that occur (particularly those that may occur after the close of a foreign market in which the securities may primarily trade but before the time at which the Fund’s securities are priced on a given day) that may materially impact the pricing of one or more securities in Sub-Adviser’s portion of the portfolio. In addition, Sub-Adviser will assist Manager in evaluating the impact that such an event may have on the net asset value of the Fund and in determining a recommended fair value of the affected security or securities; and

 

  (e)

will prepare such books and records with respect to the Fund’s securities transactions for the portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio allocated to preferred securities as requested by the Manager and will furnish Manager and Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board or Manager may reasonably request.

3.          Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any) purchased for the Fund.

4.          Compensation. In consideration of the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser on the fifth business day of each month a fee equal to 50.00% of the fees (net of applicable breakpoints, waivers and reimbursements) paid by the Fund to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund. The fee for the period from the date of this Agreement to the end of the calendar month shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of a month, the fee for such part of that month shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.

Manager shall not agree to amend the financial terms of the Management Agreement to the detriment of the Sub-Adviser by operation of this Section 4 without the express written consent of the Sub-Adviser.

5.          Services to Others. Manager understands, and has advised Fund’s Board of Trustees, that Sub-Adviser now acts, or may in the future act, as an investment adviser to fiduciary and other managed accounts, and as investment adviser or sub-investment adviser to one or more other investment companies that are not a series of the Fund, provided that whenever the Fund and one or more other investment advisory clients of Sub-Adviser have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in a manner believed by Sub-Adviser to be equitable to each. Manager recognizes, and has advised Fund’s Board of Trustees, that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position that the

 

3


Fund may obtain in a particular security. It is further agreed that, on occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of the Fund as well as other accounts, it may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, but will not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other accounts in order to obtain favorable execution and lower brokerage commissions. In addition, Manager understands, and has advised Fund’s Board of Trustees, that the persons employed by Sub-Adviser to assist in Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement will not devote their full such efforts and service to the Fund. It is also agreed that the Sub-Adviser may use any supplemental research obtained for the benefit of the Fund in providing investment advice to its other investment advisory accounts or for managing its own accounts.

6.        Limitation of Liability. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for, and Manager will not take any action against the Sub-Adviser to hold Sub-Adviser liable for, any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund (including, without limitation, by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any security) in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

7.        Term; Termination; Amendment. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund as of the date hereof and shall remain in full force until August 1, 2021 unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement shall continue in force from year to year thereafter with respect to the Fund, but only as long as such continuance is specifically approved for the Fund at least annually in the manner required by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, however, that if the continuation of this Agreement is not approved for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser may continue to serve in such capacity for the Fund in the manner and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment and may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Manager on no less than sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser without payment of any penalty on no less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the Manager. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Fund with respect to the Fund by action of the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund on no less than sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser by the Fund.

This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Manager, the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund in the event that it shall have been established by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Sub-Adviser or any officer or director of the Sub-Adviser has taken any action that results in a breach of the covenants of the Sub-Adviser set forth herein.

The terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

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Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the right of the Sub-Adviser to receive payments on any unpaid balance of the compensation described in Section 4 earned prior to such termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event the Management Agreement between the Manager and the Fund is terminated, assigned or not renewed.

8.        Notice. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party

 

If to the Manager:    If to the Sub-Adviser:
Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC    Nuveen Asset Management, LLC
333 West Wacker Drive    333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606    Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Margo L. Cook    Attention: William T. Huffman
With a copy to:    With a copy to:
Nuveen Investments, Inc.    Nuveen Asset Management, LLC
333 West Wacker Drive    333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606    Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: General Counsel    Attention: General Counsel

or such address as such party may designate for the receipt of such notice.

9.        Limitations on Liability. All parties hereto are expressly put on notice of the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the limitation of shareholder and trustee liability contained therein. The obligations of the Fund entered in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, representatives or agents are made not individually but only in such capacities and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, or shareholders of the Fund individually but are binding upon only the assets and property of the Fund, and persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the assets of the Fund and those assets belonging to the subject Fund, for the enforcement of any claims.

10.      Miscellaneous. 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. If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby. This Agreement will be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

11.      Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with applicable federal law and (except as to Section 9 hereof which shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts) the laws of the State of Illinois.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Manager and the Sub-Adviser have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company
   NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:  /s/ Christopher M. Rohrbacher    By:    /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman
Title: Managing Director    Title: Managing Director

 

6

Exhibit j.1

Execution Version

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made as of July 15, 2015 (this “Agreement”), between each management investment company identified on Appendix A and each management investment company which becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof (in each case, a “Fund”), including, if applicable, each series of the Fund identified on Appendix A and each series which becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Custodian”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Funds and the Custodian have entered into an Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2005 (as amended and in effect, the “Master Custodian Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Funds and the Custodian desire to replace the Master Custodian Agreement with this Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement;

WHEREAS, each Fund desires for the Custodian to provide certain custodial services relating to securities and other assets of the Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Custodian is willing to provide the services upon the terms contained in this Agreement;

SECTION 1.     DEFINITIONS.    In addition to terms defined in Section 4.1 (Rule 17f-5 and Rule 17f-7 related definitions) or elsewhere in this Agreement, (a) terms defined in the UCC have the same meanings herein as therein and (b) the following other terms have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:

1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

Board” means, in relation to a Fund, the board of directors, trustees or other governing body of the Fund.

Client Publications” means the general client publications of State Street Bank and Trust Company available from time to time to clients and their investment managers.

Deposit Account Agreement” means the Deposit Account Agreement and Disclosure, as may be amended from time to time, issued by the Custodian and available on the Custodian’s internet customer portal, “my.statestreet.com”.

Domestic securities” means securities held within the United States.

Foreign securities” means securities held primarily outside of the United States.


Held outside of the United States” means not held within the United States.

Held within the United States” means (a) in relation to a security or other financial asset, the security or other financial asset (i) is a certificated security registered in the name of the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee or is endorsed to the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee or in blank and the security certificate is located within the United States, (ii) is an uncertificated security or other financial asset registered in the name of the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee at an office located in the United States, or (iii) has given rise to a security entitlement of which the Custodian or its sub-custodian, agent or nominee is the entitlement holder against a U.S. Securities System or another securities intermediary for which the securities intermediary’s jurisdiction is within the United States, and (b) in relation to cash, the cash is maintained in a deposit account denominated in U.S. dollars with the banking department of the Custodian or with another bank or trust company’s office located in the United States.

Investment Advisor” means, in relation to a Portfolio, the investment manager or investment advisor of the Portfolio.

On book currency” means (a) U.S. dollars or (b) a foreign currency that, when credited to a deposit account of a customer maintained in the banking department of the Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Custodian maintains on its books as an amount owing as a liability by the Custodian to the customer.

Portfolio” means (a) in relation to a Fund that is a series organization, a series of the Fund and (b) in relation to a Fund that is not a series organization, the Fund itself.

Portfolio Interests” means beneficial interests in a Portfolio.

Proper Instructions ” means instructions in accordance with Section 9 received by the Custodian from a Fund, the Fund’s Investment Advisor, or an individual or organization duly authorized by the Fund or the Investment Advisor. The term includes standing instructions.

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

Series organization” means an organization that, pursuant to the statute under which the organization is organized, has the following characteristics: (a) the organic record of the organization provides for creation by the organization of one or more series (however denominated) with respect to specified property of the organization, and provides for records to be maintained for each series that identify the property of or associated with the series, (b) debt incurred or existing with respect to the activities of, or property of or associated with a particular series is enforceable against the property of or associated with the series only, and not against the property of or associated with the organization or of other series of the organization, and (c) debt incurred or existing with respect to the activities or property of the organization is enforceable against the property of the organization only, and not against the property of or associated with any series of the organization.

 

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“Tax” or “Taxes” means any withholding or capital gains tax, stamp duty, levy, impost, charge, assessment, deduction or related liability, including any addition to tax, penalty or interest imposed on or in respect of (i) cash or securities, (ii) the transactions effected under this Agreement, or (iii) the Fund.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as in effect from time to time.

Underlying Portfolios” means a group of investment companies as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.

Underlying Shares” means shares or other securities, issued by a U.S. issuer, of Underlying Portfolios and other registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the 1940 Act), whether or not in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act).

Underlying Transfer Agent” means State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other organization which may from time to time be appointed by the Fund to act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions.

U.S. Securities System” means a securities depository or book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or a “clearing corporation” as defined in Section 8-102 of the UCC.

SECTION 2.     EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN.

SECTION 2.1    GENERAL.    Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of (a) securities and cash of each of the Portfolios and (b) other assets of each of the Portfolios that the Custodian agrees to treat as financial assets. Each Fund, on behalf of each of its Portfolios, agrees to deliver to the Custodian (i) all securities and cash of the Portfolios, (ii) all other assets of each Portfolio that the Fund desires the Custodian, and the Custodian is willing, to treat as a financial asset and (iii) all cash and other proceeds of the securities and financial assets held in custody under this Agreement. The holding of confirmation statements that identify Underlying Shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Portfolios will be custody for purposes of this Section 2.1. This Agreement does not require the Custodian to accept an asset for custody hereunder or to treat any asset that is not a security as a financial asset.

SECTION 2.2    SUB-CUSTODIANS.    Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall on behalf of a Fund appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities located in the United States and designated in the Proper Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such transactions as may be designated by the Fund in the Proper Instructions. The Custodian may place and maintain each Fund’s foreign securities with foreign banking institution sub-custodians employed by the Custodian or foreign securities depositories, all in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 4 and 5. An entity acting in the

 

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capacity of Underlying Transfer Agent is not an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.3    RELATIONSHIP.    With respect to securities and other financial assets, the Custodian is a securities intermediary and the Portfolio is the entitlement holder. With respect to cash maintained in a deposit account and denominated in an “on book” currency, the Custodian is a bank and the Portfolio is the bank’s customer. If cash is maintained in a deposit account with a bank other than the Custodian and the cash is denominated in an “on book” currency, the Custodian is that bank’s customer. The Custodian agrees to treat the claim to the cash as a financial asset for the benefit of the Portfolio. The Custodian does not otherwise agree to treat cash as financial asset. The duties of the Custodian as securities intermediary and bank set forth in the UCC are varied by the terms of this Agreement to the extent that the duties may be varied by agreement under the UCC.

SECTION 3.     ACTIVITIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY HELD IN THE UNITED STATES.

SECTION 3.1    HOLDING SECURITIES.    The Custodian may deposit and maintain securities or other financial assets of a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Portfolio and into which account or accounts may be transferred cash or securities and other financial assets, including securities and financial assets maintained in a U.S. Securities System. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all securities and other financial assets held by the Custodian in the United States, including all domestic securities of the Portfolio, other than (a) securities or other financial assets maintained in a U.S. Securities System and (b) Underlying Shares maintained pursuant to Section 3.6 in an account of an Underlying Transfer Agent. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint any other bank or trust company, qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as the Custodian’s agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section as the Custodian may from time to time direct. The appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its duties hereunder. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion remove the bank or trust company as the Custodian’s agent.

SECTION 3.2    REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES.    Domestic securities or other financial assets held by the Custodian and that are not bearer securities shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian, or in the name or nominee name of any agent or any sub-custodian permitted hereby. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. However, if a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities or other financial assets in “street name,” the Custodian shall utilize best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on the securities and other financial assets and to notify the Fund of relevant issuer actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

 

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SECTION 3.3    BANK ACCOUNTS.    The Custodian shall open and maintain upon the terms of the Deposit Account Agreement a separate deposit account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall credit to the deposit account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by the Custodian from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a deposit account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by the Custodian to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that (a) every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and (b) each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio of a Fund be approved by vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board. The funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

SECTION 3.4    COLLECTION OF INCOME.    Subject to the domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States being registered as provided in Section 3.2, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to the securities and other financial assets and to which a Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business. The Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, the securities are held by the Custodian or its agent. The Custodian shall present for payment all income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities and other financial assets held hereunder. The Custodian shall credit income to the Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course, and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited.

SECTION 3.5    DELIVERY OUT.    The Custodian shall release and deliver out domestic securities and other financial assets of a Portfolio held in a U.S. Securities System, or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, specifying the domestic securities or financial assets held in the United States to be delivered out and the person or persons to whom delivery is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out cash of a Portfolio upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, specifying the amount of the payment and the person or persons to whom the payment is to be made.

SECTION 3.6    DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT.    Underlying Shares of a Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be deposited and held in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent. The Custodian’s only responsibilities with respect to the Underlying Shares shall be limited to the following:

 

  1)

Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that the Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares

 

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in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that the Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of the Portfolio.

 

  2)

Upon receipt of Proper Instructions to purchase Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall pay out cash of the Portfolio as so directed to purchase the Underlying Shares and record the payment from the account of the Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

 

  3)

Upon receipt of Proper Instructions for the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall transfer the Underlying Shares as so directed to sell or redeem the Underlying Shares, record the transfer from the account of the Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records and, upon the Custodian’s receipt of the proceeds of the sale or redemption, record the receipt of the proceeds for the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

SECTION 3.7    PROXIES.    The Custodian shall cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States of a Portfolio, if the securities or other financial assets are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which the proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to the securities or other financial assets.

SECTION 3.8    COMMUNICATIONS.    Subject to the domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States being registered as provided in Section 3.2, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets being held for the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party or its agent making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to Portfolio securities or other financial assets issued in the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class-action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. The Custodian does not support class-action participation by a Fund beyond such forwarding of written information received by the Custodian.

 

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SECTION 4.     PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7.

SECTION 4.1.    DEFINITIONS.    As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

Country Risk” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country. The factors include but are not limited to risks arising from the country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country); prevailing or developing custody, tax and settlement practices; nationalization, expropriation or other government actions; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

Covered Foreign Country” means a country listed on Schedule A, which list of countries may be amended from time to time at the request of any Fund and with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager.

Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in Section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5.

Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

Foreign Assets” means, in relation to a Portfolio, any of the Portfolio’s securities or other investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and any cash and cash equivalents that are reasonably necessary to effect transactions of the Portfolio in those investments.

Foreign Custody Manager” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

Foreign Securities System” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B.

Rule 17f-5” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Rule 17f-7” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

SECTION 4.2.    THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.

4.2.1    DELEGATION.    Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 4.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States. The Custodian hereby accepts such delegation. By giving at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Fund, the Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of the delegated responsibilities generally or with respect to a Covered Foreign Country designated in the notice. Following the withdrawal, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund generally or, as the case may be, with respect to the Covered Foreign Country so designated.

 

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4.2.2    EXERCISE OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.    The Foreign Custody Manager shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of the Foreign Assets would exercise in performing the delegated responsibilities.

4.2.3    FOREIGN CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS.    The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities only with respect to Covered Foreign Countries. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A for a Covered Foreign Country each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Foreign Assets of the Portfolios with respect to the Covered Foreign Country. The list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time upon notice in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. This Agreement constitutes a Proper Instruction by a Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, to open an account, and to place and maintain Foreign Assets, for the Portfolio in each applicable Covered Foreign Country. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, shall satisfy the account opening requirements for the Covered Foreign Country, and the delegation with respect to the Portfolio for the Covered Foreign Country will not be considered to have been accepted by the Custodian until that satisfaction. If the Foreign Custody Manager receives from the Fund Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account, the delegation shall be considered withdrawn, and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolio for the Covered Foreign Country.

4.2.4    SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:    Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain Foreign Assets in the care of an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each applicable Covered Foreign Country. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that (a) the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1) and (b) the contract between the Foreign Custody Manager and the Eligible Foreign Custodian governing the foreign custody arrangements will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2). The Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with the Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the performance of the contract governing the custody arrangements. If the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall so notify the Fund.

4.2.5    REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.    The Foreign Custody Manager shall (a) report the withdrawal of Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Fund’s Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which the action has occurred, and (b) after the occurrence of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 4.2, make a written report to the Board containing a notification of the change.

 

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4.2.6    REPRESENTATIONS.    The Foreign Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has (a) determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios and (b) considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets of each Portfolio in each Covered Foreign Country.

4.2.7    TERMINATION BY A PORTFOLIO OF THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.    By giving at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Custodian, a Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, may terminate the delegation to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager for the Portfolio. Following the termination, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Portfolio.

SECTION 4.3    MONITORING OF ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.    The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund or its Investment Advisor with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B in accordance with Section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7 and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Fund or its Investment Advisor of any material change in such risks, in accordance with Section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.

 

SECTION 5.      ACTIVITIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO  PROPERTY HELD OUTSIDE THE

                         UNITED STATES.

SECTION 5.1.    HOLDING SECURITIES.    Foreign securities and other financial assets held outside of the United States shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a Covered Foreign Country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian, as applicable, in the Covered Foreign Country. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities and other financial assets held by each Eligible Foreign Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities and other financial assets for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Eligible Foreign Custodian in an account that is identified as the Custodian’s account for the benefit of its customers; provided however, that (a) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities or other financial assets of a Portfolio maintained in the account shall identify those securities and other financial assets as belonging to the Portfolio and (b) to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities and other financial assets so held by the Eligible Foreign Custodian be held separately from any assets of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or of other customers of the Eligible Foreign Custodian.

SECTION 5.2.    REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES.    Foreign securities and other financial assets held outside of the United States maintained in the custody of an Eligible Foreign Custodian and that are not bearer securities shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Eligible Foreign Custodian or in the name of any nominee of any of the foregoing. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolio agrees to

 

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hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of the foreign securities or other financial assets. The Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian reserves the right not to accept securities or other financial assets on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of the securities or other financial assets and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with local market practice.

SECTION 5.3.    INDEMNIFICATION BY ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS.    Each contract pursuant to which the Custodian employs an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Eligible Foreign Custodian to indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian from and against any loss, cost or expense arising out of or in connection with the Eligible Foreign Custodian’s performance of its obligations. At a Fund’s election, a Portfolio shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against an Eligible Foreign Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, cost or expense if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been made whole for the loss, cost or expense. In no event shall the Custodian be obligated to bring suit in its own name or to allow suit to be brought in its name.

SECTION 5.4    BANK ACCOUNTS.

5.4.1    GENERAL.    The Custodian shall identify on its books as for the account of the applicable Portfolio the amount of cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. The Custodian shall maintain cash deposits in on book currencies on its balance sheet. The Custodian shall be liable for such balances. If the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance for the Portfolio of a cash balance in a currency as an on book currency, a deposit account shall be opened and maintained by the Custodian outside the United States on behalf of the Portfolio with an Eligible Foreign Custodian. The Custodian shall not maintain the cash deposit on its balance sheet. The Eligible Foreign Custodian will be liable for such balance directly to the Portfolio. All deposit accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian or, if applicable, the Eligible Foreign Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Cash maintained in a deposit account and denominated in an “on book” currency will be maintained under and subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Custodian will not have any deposit liability for deposits in any currency that is not an “on book” currency.

5.4.2    NON-U.S. BRANCH AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS.    In accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Custodian shall not be required to repay any deposit made at a non-U.S. branch of the Custodian or any deposit made with the Custodian and denominated in a non-U.S. dollar currency, if repayment of the deposit or the use of assets denominated in the non-U.S. dollar currency is prevented, prohibited or otherwise blocked due to (a) an act of war, insurrection or civil strife; (b) any action by a non-U.S. government or instrumentality or authority asserting governmental, military or police power of any kind, whether such authority be recognized as a de facto or a de jure government, or by any entity, political or revolutionary movement or otherwise that usurps, supervenes or otherwise materially impairs the normal operation of civil authority; or (c) the closure of a non-U.S. branch in order to prevent, in the reasonable judgment of the Custodian, harm to the employees or property of the Custodian.

 

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SECTION 5.5.    COLLECTION OF INCOME.    The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which a Portfolio shall be entitled. If extraordinary measures are required to collect the income or payment, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures. The Custodian shall credit income to the applicable Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course, and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited. Income on securities or other financial assets loaned other than from the Custodian’s securities lending program shall be credited as received.

SECTION 5.6.    TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.

5.6.1    DELIVERY OUT.    The Custodian or an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities or other financial assets held outside of the United States owned by a Portfolio and held by the Custodian or such Eligible Foreign Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, specifying the foreign securities to be delivered and the person or persons to whom delivery is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Eligible Foreign Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, cash of a Portfolio only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of the payment and the person or persons to payment is to be made.

5.6.2    MARKET CONDITIONS.    Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for the Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.

5.6.3    SETTLEMENT PRACTICES.    The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs an Eligible Foreign Custodian described on Schedule C at the time or times set forth on the Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, but no revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided on Schedule C.

SECTION 5.7    SHAREHOLDER OR BONDHOLDER RIGHTS.    The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder and bondholder rights with respect to foreign securities and other financial assets held outside the United States, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where the securities or other financial assets are issued. The Custodian may utilize Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. or another proxy service firm of recognized standing as its

 

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delegate to provide proxy services for the exercise of shareholder and bondholder rights. Local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of a Fund to exercise shareholder and bondholder rights.

SECTION 5.8.    COMMUNICATIONS.    The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian through Eligible Foreign Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities and other financial asset assets being held outside the United States for the account of a Portfolio. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party or its agent making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian through Eligible Foreign Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside of the United States and being held for the account of the Portfolio regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to the Portfolio’s foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class-action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian via an Eligible Foreign Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. The Custodian does not support class-action participation by a Fund beyond such forwarding of written information received by the Custodian.

SECTION 6.     FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

SECTION 6.1.    GENERALLY.    Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which for purposes of this section may also include security trade advices, the Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions. Such foreign exchange transactions do not constitute part of the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.

SECTION 6.2.    FUND ELECTIONS.    Each Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) may elect to enter into and execute foreign exchange transactions with third parties that are not affiliated with the Custodian, with State Street Global Markets, which is the foreign exchange division of State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliated companies (“SSGM”), or with a sub-custodian. Where the Fund or its Investment Advisor gives Proper Instructions for the execution of a foreign exchange transaction using an indirect foreign exchange service described in the Client Publications, the Fund (or its Investment Advisor) instructs the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund, to direct the execution of such foreign exchange transaction to SSGM or, when the relevant currency is not traded by SSGM, to the applicable sub-custodian. The Custodian shall not have any agency (except as contemplated in preceding sentence), trust or fiduciary obligation to the Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other person in connection with the execution of any foreign exchange transaction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement for the selection of the counterparty to, or the method of execution of, any foreign exchange transaction entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) or the reasonableness of the execution rate on any such transaction.

 

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SECTION 6.3.    FUND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT    Each Fund acknowledges that in connection with all foreign exchange transactions entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) with SSGM or any sub-custodian, SSGM and each such sub-custodian:

 

 (i)

shall be acting in a principal capacity and not as broker, agent or fiduciary to the Fund or its Investment Advisor;

 

 (ii)

shall seek to profit from such foreign exchange transactions, and are entitled to retain and not disclose any such profit to the Fund or its Investment Advisor; and

 

(iii)

shall enter into such foreign exchange transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions, including pricing or pricing methodology, (a) agreed with the Fund or its Investment Advisor from time to time or (b) in the case of an indirect foreign exchange service, (i) as established by SSGM and set forth in the Client Publications with respect to the particular foreign exchange execution services selected by the Fund or the Investment Advisor or (ii) as established by the sub-custodian from time to time.

SECTION 6.4.    TRANSACTIONS BY STATE STREET.    The Custodian or its affiliates, including SSGM, may trade based upon information that is not available to the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf), and may enter into transactions for its own account or the account of clients in the same or opposite direction to the transactions entered into with the Fund (or its Investment Manager), and shall have no obligation, under this Agreement, to share such information with or consider the interests of their respective counterparties, including, where applicable, the Fund or the Investment Advisor.

SECTION 6A.    CONTRACTUAL SETTLEMENT SERVICES (PURCHASE/SALES).

SECTION 6A.1 GENERAL.    The Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this Section 6A, debit or credit the appropriate deposit account of each Portfolio on a contractual settlement basis in connection with the purchase of securities or other financial assets for the Portfolio or the receipt of the proceeds of the sale or redemption of securities or other financial assets.

SECTION 6A.2 PROVISION OF SERVICES.    The services described in Section 6A.1 (the “Contractual Settlement Services”) shall be provided for the securities and other financial assets and in such markets as the Custodian may advise from time to time. The Custodian may terminate or suspend any part of the provision of the Contractual Settlement Services at its sole discretion immediately upon notice to the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio, including, without limitation, in the event of force majeure events affecting settlement, any disorder in markets, or other changed external business circumstances affecting the markets or the Fund.

SECTION 6A.3 PURCHASE CONSIDERATION.    The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate deposit account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that funds would ordinarily be required to settle the transaction in the applicable market. The Custodian shall promptly recredit the amount at the time that the Portfolio or the Fund notifies the Custodian by Proper Instruction that the transaction has been

 

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canceled.

SECTION 6A.4 SALES AND REDEMPTIONS.    A provisional credit of an amount equal to the net sale price for a sale or redemption of securities or other financial assets shall be made to the account of the Portfolio as if the amount had been received as of the close of business on the date on which good funds would ordinarily be immediately available in the applicable market. The provisional credit will be made conditional upon the Custodian having received Proper Instructions with respect to, or reasonable notice of, the transaction, as applicable; and the Custodian or its agent having possession of the securities of other financial assets (excluding financial assets subject to any third party lending arrangement entered into by a Portfolio) associated with the transaction in good deliverable form and not being aware of any facts which would lead the Custodian or its agent to believe that the transaction will not settle in the time period ordinarily applicable to such transactions in the applicable market.

SECTION 6A.5. REVERSALS OF PROVISIONAL CREDITS OR DEBITS.    The Custodian shall have the right to reverse any provisional credit or debit given in connection with the Contractual Settlement Services at any time when the Custodian believes, in its reasonable judgment, that such transaction will not settle in accordance with its terms or amounts due pursuant thereto, will not be collectable or where the Custodian has not been provided Proper Instructions with respect thereto, as applicable. The Portfolio shall be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Upon such reversal, a sum equal to the credited or debited amount shall become immediately payable by the Portfolio to the Custodian and may be debited from any deposit or other account held for benefit of the Portfolio.

SECTION 7.     TAX SERVICES.

(a)        Each Fund will provide documentary evidence of its tax domicile, organisational specifics and other documentation and information as may be required by the Custodian from time to time for tax purposes, including, without limitation, information relating to any special ruling or treatment to which the Fund may be entitled that is not applicable to the general nationality and category of person to which the Fund belongs under general laws and treaty obligations and documentation and information required in relation to countries where the Fund engages or proposes to engage in investment activity or where Portfolio assets are or will be held. The provision of such documentation and information shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction, which the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and act upon. In giving such documentation and information, each Fund represents and warrants that it is true and correct in all material respects and that it will promptly provide the Custodian with all necessary corrections or updates upon becoming aware of any changes or inaccuracies in the documentation or information supplied.

(b)        Each Fund shall be liable for all taxes (including Taxes) relating to its investment activity, including with respect to any cash or securities held by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund or any transactions related thereto. Subject to compliance by the Client with its obligations under Section 7(a), the Custodian shall withhold (or cause to be withheld) the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law in connection with the collection on behalf of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement of any dividend, interest income or other distribution

 

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with respect to any security and the proceeds or income from the sale or other transfer of any security held by the Custodian. If any Taxes become payable with respect to any prior payment made to the Fund by the Custodian or otherwise, the Custodian may apply any credit balance in the Fund’s deposit account to the extent necessary to satisfy such Tax obligation. The Fund shall remain liable for any tax deficiency. The Custodian is not liable for any tax obligations relating to the Portfolio or the Fund, other than those Tax services as set out specifically in this Section. The Fund agrees that the Custodian is not, and shall not be deemed to be, providing tax advice or tax counsel.

(c)        The Custodian will provide tax relief services in relation to designated markets as may be specified from time to time in the Client Publications. Subject to the preceding sentence and compliance by the Fund with its obligations under Section 7(a), the Custodian will apply for a reduction of withholding tax and refund of any tax paid or tax credits which apply in each applicable market in respect of income payments on securities for the benefit of the Fund. Unless otherwise informed by the Fund, the Custodian shall be entitled to apply categorical treatment of the Fund according to its nationality, particulars of its organisation and other relevant details supplied by the Fund.

SECTION 8.     PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REDEMPTIONS OF PORTFOLIO INTERESTS.

SECTION 8.1    PAYMENT FOR PORTFOLIO INTERESTS ISSUED.  The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of Portfolio Interests of a Fund or from the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and deposit into the account of the Portfolio such payments as are received for Portfolio Interests issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt of the payments by the Custodian.

SECTION 8.2    PAYMENT FOR PORTFOLIO INTERESTS REDEEMED.    Upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian shall set aside funds of a Portfolio to the extent available for payment to holders of Portfolio Interests who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption of their Portfolio Interests. The Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming interest holders. If the Custodian furnishes a check to a holder in payment for the redemption of the holder’s Portfolio Interests and the check is drawn on the Custodian, the Custodian shall honor the check so long as the check is presented to the Custodian in accordance with the Deposit Account Agreement and such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.

SECTION 9.     PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.

SECTION 9.1    FORM AND SECURITY PROCEDURES.    Proper Instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized individual or individuals or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the individual or organization giving the instruction, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to

 

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time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund by reference to the form of Funds Transfer Addendum hereto, the terms of which are part of this Agreement. The Custodian may agree to accept oral instructions, and in such case oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing, but the Fund’s failure to do so shall not affect the Custodian’s authority to rely on the oral instructions.

Section 9.2    RELIANCE ON OFFICERS CERTIFICATE.    Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian an officer’s certificate setting forth the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all individuals authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund. The certificate may be accepted and conclusively relied upon by the Custodian and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary and the Custodian has had a reasonable time to act thereon.

Section 9.3    UNTIMELY PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.    If the Custodian is not provided with reasonable time to execute a Proper Instruction (including any Proper Instruction not to execute, or any other modification to, a prior Proper Instruction), the Custodian will use good faith efforts to execute the Proper Instruction but will not be responsible or liable if the Custodian’s efforts are not successful (including any inability to change any actions that the Custodian had taken pursuant to the prior Proper Instruction). The inclusion of a statement of purpose or intent (or any similar notation) in a Proper Instruction shall not impose any additional obligations on the Custodian or condition or qualify its authority to effect the Proper Instruction. The Custodian will not assume a duty to ensure that the stated purpose or intent is fulfilled and will have no responsibility or liability when it follows the Proper Instruction without regard to such purpose or intent.

SECTION 10.    ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY.

The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio:

 

  1)

Make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other financial assets relating to its duties under this Agreement; provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;

 

  2)

Surrender securities or other financial assets in temporary form for securities or other financial assets in definitive form;

 

  3)

Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

 

  4)

In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities

 

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and other financial assets of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.

 

SECTION 11.

DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME.

The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to any organization appointed by the Board of a Portfolio of a Fund to keep the books of account of the Portfolio and compute the net asset value per Portfolio Interest of the outstanding Portfolio Interests or, if directed in writing to do so by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of account and compute such net asset value per Portfolio Interest. If and as so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as described in the Fund’s currently effective prospectus (“Prospectus”) and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among its various components. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of Portfolio Interests held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 11 and in Section 12; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. If and as so directed, the calculations of the net asset value per Portfolio Interest and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the Prospectus.

 

SECTION 12.

RECORDS.

The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. In the event that the Custodian is requested or authorized by a Fund, or required by subpoena, administrative order, court order or other legal process, applicable law or regulation, or required in connection with any investigation, examination or inspection of the Fund by state or federal regulatory agencies, to produce the records of the Fund or the Custodian’s personnel as witnesses, the Fund agrees to pay the Custodian for the Custodian’s time and expenses, as well as the fees and expenses of the Custodian’s counsel, incurred in responding to such request, order or requirement.

 

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SECTION 13.

FUNDS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS; REPORTS.

SECTION 13.1  OPINIONS.  The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-1A or Form N-2, as applicable, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.

SECTION 13.2  REPORTS.  Upon reasonable request of a Fund, the Custodian shall provide the Fund with a copy of the Custodian’s Service Organizational Control (SOC) 1 reports prepared in accordance with the requirements of AT section 801, Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization (formerly Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 16). The Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Fund with such reports as the Fund may reasonably request or otherwise reasonably require to fulfill its duties under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act or similar legal and regulatory requirements.

 

SECTION 14.

CUSTODIANS STANDARD OF CARE; EXCULPATION.

14.1    STANDARD OF CARE.    In carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian shall act in good faith and without negligence and willful misconduct and shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care.

14.2    RELIANCE ON PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.    The Custodian shall be entitled conclusively to rely and act upon Proper Instructions until the Custodian has received notice of any change from the Fund and has had a reasonable time to act thereon. The Custodian may act on a Proper Instruction if it reasonably believes that it contains sufficient information and may refrain from acting on any Proper Instructions until such time that it has determined, in its sole discretion, that is has received any required clarification or authentication of Proper Instructions. The Custodian may rely upon and shall be protected in acting upon any Proper Instruction or any other instruction, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund.

14.3    OTHER RELIANCE.    The Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon the information that the Custodian receives from the Fund or any third party on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian shall have no responsibility to review, confirm or otherwise assume any duty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any information supplied to it by or on behalf of any Fund. The Custodian shall have no liability in respect of any loss, cost or expense incurred or sustained by the Fund arising from the performance of the Custodian’s duties hereunder in reliance upon records that were maintained for the Fund by any individual or organization, other than the Custodian, prior to the Custodian’s appointment as custodian hereunder. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the advice.

 

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14.4    LIABILITY FOR FOREIGN CUSTODIANS.    The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of an Eligible Foreign Custodian to the same extent as if the action or omission were performed by the Custodian itself, taking into account the facts and circumstances and the established local market practices and laws prevailing in the particular jurisdiction in which the Fund elects to invest.

14.5    INSOLVENCY AND COUNTRY RISK.    The Custodian shall in no event be liable for (a)    the insolvency of any Eligible Foreign Custodian, (b) the insolvency of any depositary bank maintaining in a deposit account cash denominated in any currency other than an “on book” currency, or (c) any loss, cost or expense incurred or sustained by a Fund or Portfolio resulting from or caused by Country Risk.

14.6    FORCE MAJEURE AND THIRD PARTY ACTIONS.    The Custodian shall be without

responsibility or liability to any Fund or Portfolio for: (a) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any currency or securities market or system, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism or other similar force majeure events or acts; (b) errors by any Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other duly authorized person in their instructions to the Custodian; (c) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a U.S. Securities System, Foreign Securities System, Underlying Transfer Agent or domestic sub-custodian designated pursuant to Section 2.2; (d) the failure of any Fund, its Investment Advisor, Portfolio or any duly authorized individual or organization to adhere to the Custodian’s operational policies and procedures; (e) any delay or failure of any broker, agent, securities intermediary or other intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities or other financial assets purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities or other financial assets sold; (f) any delay or failure of any organization in charge of registering or transferring securities or other financial assets in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, any Portfolio, the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (g) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security, other financial asset, U.S. Securities System or Foreign Securities System; and (h) the effect of any provision of any law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.

14.7    INDIRECT/SPECIAL/CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.    Notwithstanding any other provision set forth herein, in no event shall either party be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, lost profits) with respect to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, regardless of whether either party has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The limitations of liability set forth in this Section 14.7 shall apply regardless of the form or type of action in which a claim is brought or under which it is made, whether in contract, tort (including negligence of any kind), warranty, strict liability, indemnity or any other legal or equitable grounds, and shall survive failure of an exclusive remedy.

 

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14.8    DELIVERY OF PROPERTY.    The Custodian shall not be responsible for any securities or other assets of a Portfolio which are not received by the Custodian or which are delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any securities or other assets or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement.

14.9    NO INVESTMENT ADVICE.    The Custodian has no responsibility to monitor or oversee the investment activity undertaken by a Fund or its Investment Advisor or by an Portfolio. The Custodian has no duty to ensure or to inquire whether an Investment Advisor complies with any investment objectives or restrictions agreed upon between a Fund and the Investment Advisor or whether the Investment Advisor complies with its legal obligations under applicable securities laws or other laws, including laws intended to protect the interests of investors. The Custodian shall neither assess nor take any responsibility or liability for the suitability or appropriateness of the investments made by a Fund or a Portfolio or on its behalf.

14.10    COMMUNICATIONS.    The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with securities or other financial assets of a Portfolio at any time held by the Custodian unless (a) the Custodian or the Eligible Foreign Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or other financial assets, (b) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of the right or power, and (c) both of the conditions referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) have been satisfied at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise the right or power.

14.11    LOANED SECURITIES.    Income due to each Portfolio on securities or other financial assets loaned shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection with loaned securities or other financial assets, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is entitled.

14.12    TRADE COUNTERPARTIES.    A Fund’s receipt of securities or other financial assets from a counterparty in connection with any of its purchase transactions and its receipt of cash from a counterparty in connection with any sale or redemption of securities or other financial assets will be at the Fund’s sole risk, and the Custodian shall not be obligated to make demands on the Fund’s behalf if the Fund’s counterparty defaults. If a Fund’s counterparty fails to deliver securities, other financial assets or cash, the Custodian will, as its sole responsibility, notify the Fund’s Investment Advisor of the failure within a reasonable time after the Custodian became aware of the failure.

 

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SECTION 15.

COMPENSATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF CUSTODIAN; SECURITY INTEREST.

SECTION. 15.1     COMPENSATION. The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

SECTION 15.2     INDEMNIFICATION.    Each Portfolio agrees to indemnify the Custodian and to hold the Custodian harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense sustained or incurred by the Custodian in acting or omitting to act under or in respect of this Agreement in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct, including, without limitation, (a) the Custodian’s compliance with Proper Instructions and (b) in connection with the provision of services to a Fund pursuant to Section 7, any obligations, including taxes, withholding and reporting requirements, claims for exemption and refund, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses, that may be assessed against the Fund, the Portfolio or the Custodian as custodian of the assets of the Fund or the Portfolio. If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio instructs the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities or other financial assets, and the action involves the payment of money or may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable therefor, the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to the Custodian taking the action, shall provide to the Custodian at the Custodian’s request such further indemnification in an amount and form satisfactory to the Custodian.

SECTION 15.3     SECURITY INTEREST.    Each Fund hereby grants to the Custodian, to secure the payment and performance of the Fund’s obligations under this Agreement, whether contingent or otherwise, a security interest in and right of recoupment and setoff against all cash and all securities and other financial assets at any time held for the account of a Portfolio by or through the Custodian. The obligations include, without limitation, the Fund’s obligations to reimburse the Custodian if the Custodian or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents advances cash or securities or other financial assets to the Fund for any purpose (including but not limited to settlements of securities or other financial assets, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligence, as well as the Fund’s obligation to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Section 15.1 or indemnify the Custodian pursuant to Section 15.2. Should the Fund fail to reimburse or otherwise pay the Custodian any obligation under this Agreement promptly, the Custodian shall have the rights and remedies of a secured party under this Agreement, the UCC and other applicable law, including the right to utilize available cash and to sell or otherwise dispose of the Portfolio’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain payment or reimbursement. The Custodian may at any time decline to follow Proper Instructions to deliver out cash, securities or other financial assets if the Custodian determines in its reasonable discretion that, after giving effect to the Proper Instructions, the cash, securities or other financial assets remaining will not have sufficient value fully to secure the Fund’s payment or reimbursement obligations, whether contingent or otherwise.

 

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SECTION 16.

EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION.

SECTION 16.1     TERM. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for an initial term ending five (5) years from the date hereof. After the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless a written notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal term, as the case may be. A written notice of non-renewal may be given as to a Fund or a Portfolio.

SECTION 16.2     TERMINATION. Either party may terminate this Agreement as to a Fund or a Portfolio: (a) in the event of the other party’s material breach of a material provision of this Agreement that the other party has either failed to cure, or failed to establish a remedial plan to cure that is reasonably acceptable to the non-breaching party, within 120 days’ written notice being given by the non-breaching party of the breach, or (b) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the other party, the commencement by or against the other party of a bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding, or upon the happening of a like event to the other party at the direction of an appropriate agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 16.3     PAYMENTS OWING TO THE CUSTODIAN. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 16.1 or 16.2 with respect to any Fund or Portfolio, the applicable Fund shall pay to the Custodian any compensation then due and shall reimburse the Custodian for its other fees, expenses and charges. Upon receipt of such payment and reimbursement, the Custodian will deliver the Fund’s or Portfolio’s cash and its securities and other financial assets as set forth in Section 17.

SECTION 16.4     EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio. Following termination with respect to a Fund or Portfolio, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility to forward information under Section 3.8 or 5.8. The provisions of Sections 7, 14, 15 and 17 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 17.

SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.

SECTION 17.1     SUCCESSOR APPOINTED. If a successor custodian shall be appointed for a Portfolio by its Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination of this Agreement and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to the successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all cash and all securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio then held by the Custodian hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio held in a U.S. Securities System or Foreign Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.

SECTION 17.2     NO SUCCESSOR APPOINTED. If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the

 

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office of the Custodian and transfer the cash and the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio in accordance with the Proper Instructions.

SECTION 17.3     NO SUCCESSOR APPOINTED AND NO PROPERTY INSTRUCTIONS. If no successor custodian has been appointed and no Proper Instructions have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the termination of this Agreement, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own selection, all cash and all securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio then held by the Custodian hereunder, and to transfer to an account of the bank or trust company all of the securities and other financial assets of the Portfolio held in any U.S. Securities System or Foreign Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. The transfer will be on such terms as are contained in this Agreement or as the Custodian may otherwise reasonably negotiate with the bank or trust company. Any compensation payable to the bank or trust company, and any cost or expense incurred by the Custodian, in connection with the transfer shall be for the account of the Portfolio.

SECTION 17.4     REMAINING PROPERTY. If any cash or any securities or other financial assets of the Portfolio held by the Custodian hereunder remain held by the Custodian after the termination of this Agreement owing to the failure of the applicable Fund to provide Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian holds the cash or the securities or other financial assets (the existing agreed-to compensation at the time of termation shall be one indicator of what is considered fair compensation). The provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties, exculpation and indemnification of the Custodian shall apply in favor of the Custodian during such period.

SECTION 17.5     RESERVES. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, the Custodian may retain cash or securities or other financial assets of the Fund or Portfolio as a reserve reasonably established by the Custodian to secure the payment or performance of any obligations of the Fund or Portfolio secured by a security interest or right of recoupment or setoff in favor of the Custodian.

SECTION 18.     REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM.    The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.

SECTION 19.     LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM.    If a Fund directs the Custodian in writing to perform loan services, the Custodian and the Fund will be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto. The Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and the Custodian.

SECTION 20.     GENERAL.

SECTION 20.1 GOVERNING LAW. Any and all matters in dispute between the parties hereto, whether arising from or relating to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to any

 

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conflict of laws rules. Likewise, the law applicable to all issues in Article 2(1) of the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in respect of Securities Held with an Intermediary is the law in force in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SECTION 20.2     [RESERVED]

SECTION 20.3     PRIOR AGREEMENTS; AMENDMENTS.    This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Fund’s Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund’s assets. This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

SECTION 20.4     ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund. However, without the consent any Fund or any Portfolio, the Custodian may assign this Agreement to a successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Custodian. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian may employ, engage, associate or contract with such person or persons, including, without limitation, affiliates and subsidiaries of the Custodian, as the Custodian may deem desirable to assist it in performing certain of its non-custodial obligations under this Agreement without the consent of any Fund; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by the Custodian and that the Custodian shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions under this Agreement.

SECTION 20.5     INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. In connection with the

operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by all parties, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable laws or regulations or any provision of a Fund’s organic record and Prospectus. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be an amendment of this Agreement.

SECTION 20.6     ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND PORTFOLIOS.

20.6.1     ADDITIONAL FUND. If any management investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A desires he Custodian to render services as custodian under the terms of this Agreement, the management investment company shall so notify the Custodian in writing. If the Custodian agrees in writing to provide the services, the management investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 20.7 below.

20.6.2     ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO.    If any Fund establishes a series in addition to the Portfolios set forth on Appendix A with respect to which the Fund desires the Custodian to render services as custodian under the terms of this Agreement, the Fund shall so notify the

 

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Custodian in writing. If the Custodian agrees in writing to provide the services, the series shall become a Portfolio hereunder.

SECTION 20.7  THE PARTIES; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.    All references in this Agreement to the “Fund” are to each of the management investment companies listed on Appendix A, and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 20.6 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between the individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series organization, all references in this Agreement to the “Portfolio” are to the individual series of the series organization on behalf of the individual series. Any reference in this Agreement to “the parties” shall mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains.

20.7.1  FUND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.    Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly organized and validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its organic record to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Fund’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and (e) its entering into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it.

20.7.2  CUSTODIAN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.    The Custodian hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is a trust company, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (b) it has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Custodian’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and (e) its entering into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Custodian or any law or regulation applicable to it.

SECTION 20.8  NOTICES.    Any notice, instruction or other communication required to be given hereunder will, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, be in writing and may be sent by hand, or by facsimile transmission, or overnight delivery by any recognized delivery service, to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

 

To any Fund:            

    

c/o NUVEEN INVESTMENTS

    

333 West Wacker Drive

    

Chicago, Illinois 60606

    

 

Attention: Stephen Foy

    

Telephone: 312-917-7956

 

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To the Custodian:                             

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

 

One Lincoln Street

 

Boston, MA 02111

 

 

Attention: Louis Abruzzi

 

Telephone: 617-662-0300

with a copy to:

 

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

 

Legal Division – Global Services Americas

 

One Lincoln Street

 

Boston, MA 02111

 

Attention: Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel

SECTION 20.9 COUNTERPARTS.    This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be executed in either original or electronically transmitted form (e.g., faxes or emailed portable document format (PDF) form), and the parties hereby adopt as original any signatures received in electronically transmitted form.

SECTION 20.10 SEVERABILITY; NO WAIVER.    If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The failure of a party hereto to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion or the failure of a party hereto to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any the term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

SECTION 20.11 CONFIDENTIALITY.    All information provided under this Agreement by a party (the “Disclosing Party”) to the other party (the “Receiving Party”) regarding the Disclosing Party’s business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 20.12 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party’s other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its affiliates, including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or

 

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regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Custodian or its affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

SECTION 20.12 USE OF DATA.

(a)        In connection with the provision of the services and the discharge of its other obligations under this Agreement, the Custodian (which term for purposes of this Section 20.12 includes each of its parent company, branches and affiliates (“Affiliates”)) may collect and store information regarding a Fund and share such information with its Affiliates, agents and service providers in order and to the extent reasonably necessary (i) to carry out the provision of services contemplated under this Agreement and other agreements between the Fund and the Custodian or any of its Affiliates and (ii) to carry out management of its businesses, including, but not limited to, financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management.

(b)        Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Custodian and/or its Affiliates (except those Affiliates or business divisions principally engaged in the business of asset management) may use any data or other information (“Data”) obtained by such entities in the performance of their services under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Fund and the Custodian or one of its Affiliates, including Data regarding transactions and portfolio holdings relating to the Fund, and publish, sell, distribute or otherwise commercialize the Data; provided that, unless the Fund otherwise consents, Data is combined or aggregated with information relating to (i) other customers of the Custodian and/or its Affiliates or (ii) information derived from other sources, in each case such that any published information will be displayed in a manner designed to prevent attribution to or identification of such Data with the Fund. The Fund agrees that Custodian and/or its Affiliates may seek to profit and realize economic benefit from the commercialization and use of the Data, that such benefit will constitute part of the Custodian’s compensation for services under this Agreement or such other agreement, and the Custodian and/or its Affiliates shall be entitled to retain and not be required to disclose the amount of such economic benefit and profit to the Fund.

(c)        Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Section 20.12    shall limit the confidentiality and data-protection obligations of the Custodian and its Affiliates under this Agreement and applicable law. The Custodian shall cause any Affiliate, agent or service provider to which it has disclosed Data pursuant to this Section 20.12 to comply at all times with confidentiality and data-protection obligations as if it were a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 20.13 DATA PRIVACY.    The Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Funds’ shareholders, employees, directors and officers that the Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of

 

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services hereunder. The term, “personal information”, as used in this Section, means (a) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (i) Social Security number, (ii) driver’s license number, (iii) state identification card number, (iv) debit or credit card number, (v) financial account number or (vi) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account, or (b) any combination of any of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account. The term does not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.

SECTION 20.14 REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.    This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. Any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

SECTION 20.15 REGULATION GG.    Each Fund represents and warrants that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR 233) and covenants that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling business. In accordance with Regulation GG, each Fund is hereby notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.

SECTION 20.16 SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION.    SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks that hold securities, as that term is used in federal securities laws, for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, as may be applicable, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian “no,” the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule, as applicable, to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund’s protection, the Rule, as applicable, prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

 

YES [ ]

    

The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

 

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NO [X]

    

The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

SECTION 20.17 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.    To the extent that a Fund’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this Agreement is executed on behalf of such Fund by the Fund’s officers as officers and not individually. The obligations imposed upon the applicable Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of such Fund’s Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.

 

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SIGNATURE PAGE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed in this name and behalf by its duly authorized representative under seal as of the date first above-written.

EACH OF THE MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND SERIES SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO

 

By:

 

             LOGO

 

 

  Name: Stephen Foy

    Title: Vice President and Fund Controller

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By:

 

                 LOGO

 

Name:  

Gunjan Kedia

Title:  

Executive Vice President

Master Custodian Agreement

A/75648261.3


APPENDIX A

TO

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

NUVEEN CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Diversified Real Asset Income Fund

Dow 30 SM Enhanced Premium & Income Fund Inc.

Dow 30SM Premium & Dividend Income Fund Inc.

NASDAQ Premium Income & Growth Fund Inc.

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

Nuveen California AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

Nuveen Diversified Currency Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3

Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Dow 30 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Equity Premium Advantage Fund

Nuveen Equity Premium and Growth Fund

Nuveen Equity Premium Income Fund

Nuveen Equity Premium Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

Nuveen Global Income Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Global Value Opportunities Fund

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

 

D-1


Nuveen Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2

Nuveen Municipal Advantage Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen New Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen New York Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Premier Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc.

Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 4, Inc.

Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Quality Preferred Income Fund

Nuveen Quality Preferred Income Fund 2

Nuveen Quality Preferred Income Fund 3

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

Nuveen Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3


Nuveen Senior Income Fund

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Nuveen Technology Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Texas Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund

NUVEEN OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Inflation Protected Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST I, on behalf of:

Nuveen Arizona Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST IV, on behalf of:

Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund


NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund (f/k/a Nuveen Multi-Manager Large-Cap Value Fund)

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund (f/k/a Nuveen NWQ Equity Income Fund)

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Value Opportunities Fund

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Income Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen Global Growth Fund

Nuveen Growth Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Global Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara International Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony International Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony Large-Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Symphony Low Volatility Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony Mid-Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Symphony Small Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Emerging Markets Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Global All-Cap Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds International Value Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Japan Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Symphony Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Credit Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Bond Fund


NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST V, on behalf of:

Nuveen Gresham Diversified Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Long/Short Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund

Nuveen Preferred Securities Fund

NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST, on behalf of

Enhanced Multi-Strategy Income Managed Accounts Portfolio

Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio

NUVEEN INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC., on behalf of

Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen International Select Fund


LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM

TO MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

ADDENDUM to that certain Master Custodian Agreement (the “Custodian Agreement”) by and among each fund (a “Fund”) identified on Appendix A thereto or made subject thereto pursuant to Section 20.6 thereof and State Street Bank and Trust Company, including its subsidiaries and other affiliates (the “Custodian”). As used in this Addendum, the term “Fund”, in relation to a Loan (as defined below), includes a Portfolio on whose behalf the Fund acts with respect to the Loan.

The following provisions will apply with respect to interests in commercial loans, including loan participations, whether the loans are bilateral or syndicated and whether any obligor is located in or outside of the United States (collectively, “Loans”), made or acquired by a Fund on behalf of one or more of its Portfolios.

SECTION 1. PAYMENT CUSTODY. If a Fund wishes the Custodian to receive payments directly with respect to a Loan for credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement,

(a)    the Fund will cause the Custodian to be named as the Fund’s nominee for payment purposes under the relevant financing documents, e.g., in the case of a syndicated loan, the administrative contact for the agent bank, and otherwise provide for the payment to the Custodian of the payments with respect to the Loan; and

(b)    the Custodian will credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement any payment on or in respect of the Loan actually received by the Custodian and identified as relating to the Loan, but with any amount credited being conditional upon clearance and actual receipt by the Custodian of final payment.

SECTION 2. MONITORING. If a Fund wishes the Custodian to monitor payments on and forward notices relating to a Loan,

(a)    the Fund will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian a schedule identifying the amount and due dates of the scheduled principal payments, the scheduled interest payment dates and related payment amount information, and such other information with respect to the Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to perform its services hereunder (collectively, “Loan Information”) and in such form and format as the Custodian may reasonably request; and

(b)    the Custodian will (i) if the amount of a principal, interest, fee or other payment with respect to the Loan is not received by the Custodian on the date on which the amount is scheduled to be paid as reflected in the Loan Information, provide a report to the Fund that the payment has not been received and (ii) if the Custodian receives any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice from any syndication agent, lead or obligor on the Loan, undertake reasonable efforts to forward the notice to the Fund.

 

i


SECTION 3. EXCULPATION OF THE CUSTODIAN.

(a)    Payment Custody and Monitoring. The Custodian will have no liability for any delay or failure by the Fund or any third party in providing Loan Information to the Custodian or for any inaccuracy or incompleteness of any Loan Information. The Custodian will have no obligation to verify, investigate, recalculate, update or otherwise confirm the accuracy or completeness of any Loan Information or other information or notices received by the Custodian in respect of the Loan. The Custodian will be entitled to (i) rely upon the Loan Information provided to it by or on behalf of the Fund or any other information or notices that the Custodian may receive from time to time from any syndication agent, lead or obligor or any similar party with respect to the Loan and (ii) update its records on the basis of such information or notices as may from time to time be received by the Custodian.

(b)    Any Service. The Custodian will have no obligation to (i) determine whether any necessary steps have been taken or requirements have been met for the Fund to have acquired good or record title to a Loan, (ii) ensure that the Fund’s acquisition of the Loan has been authorized by the Fund, (iii) collect past due payments on the Loan, preserve any rights against prior parties, exercise any right or perform any obligation in connection with the Loan (including taking any action in connection with any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice received from any syndication agent, lead or obligor on the Loan) or otherwise take any other action to enforce the payment obligations of any obligor on the Loan, (iv) become itself the record title holder of the Loan or (v) make any advance of its own funds with respect to the Loan.

(c)    Miscellaneous. The Custodian will not be considered to have been or be charged with knowledge of the sale of a Loan by the Fund, unless and except to the extent that the Custodian shall have received written notice of the sale from the Fund and the proceeds of the sale have been received by the Custodian for credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement. If any question arises as to the Custodian’s duties under this Addendum, the Custodian may request instructions from the Fund and will be entitled at all times to refrain from taking any action unless it has received Proper Instructions from the Fund. The Custodian will in all events have no liability, risk or cost for any action taken or omitted with respect to the Loan pursuant to Proper Instructions. The Custodian will have no responsibilities or duties whatsoever with respect to the Loan except as are expressly set forth in this Addendum.

 

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FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM

 

OPERATING GUIDELINES

 

  LOGO
1.        OBLIGATION OF THE SENDER: State Street is authorized to promptly debit Client’s account(s) upon the receipt of a payment order in compliance with the selected Security Procedure chosen for funds transfer and in the amount of money that State Street has been instructed to transfer. State Street shall execute payment orders in compliance with the Security Procedure and with the Client’s instructions on the execution
date provided that such payment order is received by the customary deadline for processing such a request, unless the payment order specifies a later time. All payment orders and communications received after this time will be deemed to have been received on the next business day.

2.        SECURITY PROCEDURE: The Client acknowledges that the Security Procedure it has designated on the Selection Form was selected by the Client from Security Procedures offered by State Street. The Client agrees that the Security Procedures are reasonable and adequate for its wire transfer transactions and agrees to be bound by any payment orders, amendments and cancellations, whether or not authorized, issued in its name and accepted by State Street after being confirmed by any of the selected Security Procedures. The Client also agrees to be bound by any other valid and authorized payment order accepted by State Street. The Client shall restrict access to confidential information relating to the Security Procedure to authorized persons as communicated in writing to State Street. The Client must notify State Street immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such information or of any change in the Client’s authorized personnel. State Street shall verify the authenticity of all instructions according to the Security Procedure.

3.        ACCOUNT NUMBERS: State Street shall process all payment orders on the basis of the account number contained in the payment order. In the event of a discrepancy between any name indicated on the payment order and the account number, the account number shall take precedence and govern. Financial institutions that receive payment orders initiated by State Street at the instruction of the Client may also process payment orders on the basis of account numbers, regardless of any name included in the payment order. State Street will also rely on any financial institution identification numbers included in any payment order, regardless of any financial institution name included in the payment order.

4.        REJECTION: State Street reserves the right to decline to process or delay the processing of a payment order which (a) is in excess of the collected balance in the account to be charged at the time of State Street’s receipt of such payment order; (b) if initiating such payment order would cause State Street, in State Street’s sole judgment, to exceed any volume, aggregate dollar, network, time, credit or similar limits upon wire transfers which are applicable to State Street; or (c) if State Street, in good faith, is unable to satisfy itself that the transaction has been properly authorized.

5.        CANCELLATION OR AMENDMENT: State Street shall use reasonable efforts to act on all authorized requests to cancel or amend payment orders received in compliance with the Security Procedure provided that such requests are received in a timely manner affording State Street reasonable opportunity to act. However, State Street assumes no liability if the request for amendment or cancellation cannot be satisfied.

6.        ERRORS: State Street shall assume no responsibility for failure to detect any erroneous payment order provided that State Street complies with the payment order instructions as received and State Street complies with the Security Procedure. The Security Procedure is established for the purpose of authenticating payment orders only and not for the detection of errors in payment orders.

7.        INTEREST AND LIABILITY LIMITS: State Street shall assume no responsibility for lost interest with respect to the refundable amount of any unauthorized payment order, unless State Street is notified of the unauthorized payment order within thirty (30) days of notification by State Street of the acceptance of such payment order. In no event shall State Street be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages and even for failure to execute a payment order.

8.        AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (“ACH”) CREDIT ENTRIES/PROVISIONAL PAYMENTS: When a Client initiates or receives ACH credit and debit entries pursuant to these Guidelines and the rules of the National Automated Clearing House Association and the New England Clearing House Association, State Street will act as an Originating Depository Financial Institution and/or Receiving Depository Institution, as the case may be, with respect to such entries. Credits given by State Street with respect to an ACH credit entry are provisional until State Street receives final settlement for such entry from the Federal Reserve Bank. If State Street does not receive such final settlement, the Client agrees that State Street shall receive a refund of the amount credited to the Client in connection with such entry, and the party making payment to the Client via such entry shall not be deemed to have paid the amount of the entry.

9.        CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS: Confirmation of State Street’s execution of payment orders shall ordinarily be provided within 24 hours. Notice may be delivered through State Street’s proprietary information systems, such as, but not limited to Horizon and GlobalQuest®, account statements, advices, or by facsimile or callback. The Client must report any objections to the execution of a payment order within 30 days.


 

FUNDS TRANSFER ADDENDUM

 

  LOGO

10.        LIABILITY ON FOREIGN ACCOUNTS: State Street shall not be required to repay any deposit made at a non-U.S. branch of State Street, or any deposit made with State Street and denominated in a non-U.S. dollar currency, if repayment of such deposit or the use of assets denominated in the non-U.S. dollar currency is prevented, prohibited or otherwise blocked due to: (a) an act of war, insurrection or civil strife; (b) any action

by a non-U.S. government or instrumentality or authority asserting governmental, military or police power of any kind, whether such authority be recognized as a defacto or a dejure government, or by any entity, political or revolutionary movement or otherwise that usurps, supervenes or otherwise materially impairs the normal operation of civil authority; or(c) the closure of a non-U.S. branch of State Street in order to prevent, in the reasonable judgment of State Street, harm to the employees or property of State Street. The obligation to repay any such deposit shall not be transferred to and may not be enforced against any other branch of State Street.

The foregoing provisions constitute the disclosure required by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 167D, Section 36.

While State Street is not obligated to repay any deposit made at a non-U.S. branch or any deposit denominated in a non- U.S. currency during the period in which its repayment has been prevented, prohibited or otherwise blocked, State Street will repay such deposit when and if all circumstances preventing, prohibiting or otherwise blocking repayment cease to exist.

11.        MISCELLANEOUS: State Street and the Client agree to cooperate to attempt to recover any funds erroneously paid to the wrong party or parties, regardless of any fault of State Street or the Client, but the party responsible for the erroneous payment shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in trying to effect such recovery. These Guidelines may not be amended except by a written agreement signed by the parties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Selection Form that is attached hereto may be updated from time to time by the parties without impacting the effectiveness of these Operating Guidelines.


LOGO

FUNDS TRANSFER AND TRANSACTION ORIGINATION SECURITY SELECTION FORM

Client or Agent Name:                                                           (hereafter referred to as the “Company”)

This Form applies to all funds for which the Company is authorized to give proper instructions as such term is defined in the relevant contract with State Street.

Appendix A: Securities Procedure Selection Form

Additional commercially reasonable security controls may be required by State Street to supplement inherent features of funds transfer delivery methods in order to protect the integrity of each instruction.

1) Please select one or more of the delivery method options indicated below by checking the applicable boxes:

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

None. Messages are deemed to be self-authenticating, and any message received will be relied upon as an authenticated instruction.

 

 SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a cooperative society owned and operated by member financial institutions that provides telecommunication services for its membership. Participation is limited to securities brokers and dealers, clearing and depository institutions, recognized exchanges for securities, and investment institutions. SWIFT provides a number of security features through encryption and authentication to protect against unauthorized access, loss or wrong delivery of messages, transmission errors, loss of confidentiality and fraudulent changes to messages. SWIFT is considered to be one of the most secure and efficient networks for the delivery of funds transfer instructions.

 

 

 iPayBenefits is a portal that offers Retirement Plan Sponsors, record keepers, third party administrators, banks and insurance companies a total Benefit Payments processing platform to access to retiree information. There are three components: the PLUS Web retiree benefits management application to add participants, change addresses, and stop and release payments; a Custom Queries tool for creating customized reports; and an open Customer Workspace area for posting of shared documents. Access by authorized users is through a web portal which uses RSA Adaptive Authentication (User ID and Password + “security map”).

 

 

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

Enabled Encryption. Messages are deemed to be self-authenticating, and any message received will be relied upon as an authenticated instruction.

 

 Data Communication - Message Queuing or a similarly architected product is a communication method that allows the Company to electronically deliver authorized financial transaction instructions to State Street using a straight through processing message delivery service.

 

Encryption must be enabled. All information communicated via this method is authorized by the Company.

 

 

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

A predetermined authorized signature list or Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them.

 

 Connect:Direct is a data transfer product. Secure+ is a product add-on that implements cryptographic features such as mutual authentication, data encryption and cryptographic message integrity checking to send file based transfer and transaction instructions which may include Fed wire and Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). Secure+ is required.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers.

 

 

STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

1

   Limited Access


 

 Secure Email “Send Secure” Feature Available in Outlook with Verification is a communication method that allows clients to electronically deliver financial transaction instructions to State Street using an enforced (encrypted) connection by responding to a secure email received from State Street. The communication method features use of cryptography to effect point-to-point encryption at the desktop.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers

 Secure Transport (Individual) is a file transfer application based upon the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) standard that is designed to enable State Street clients/ investment managers to send file based transfer and transaction instructions over the internet which may include Fed wire and Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). Secure Transport features multi-factor authenticators such as SecurID and digital certificates, and incorporates industry-standard encryption protocols.

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers.

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

A predetermined authorized signature list or Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them.

 

 Secure Transport (Client) is a file transfer application based upon the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) standard that is designed to enable State Street clients/ investment managers to send file based transfer and transaction instructions over the internet which may include Fed wire and Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). Secure Transport features multi-factor authenticators such as SecurID and digital certificates, and incorporates industry-standard encryption protocols. Other SFTP solutions that require multi-factor authenticators such as SecurID and digital certificates, and incorporate industry-standard encryption protocols may also be considered.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers.

 

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

A predetermined authorized signature list or Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them. Multi-factor authentication must be established using one of the following methods: user id, password + token, out of band one-time password, or digital certificate.

 iDeliver/iReports - Document Upload The iDeliver platform (RDS) manages the retrieval, processing, reformatting, and distribution of reports and data. iReports, is a launched application from my.statestreet.com which allows users to view archived reports via the Intranet. The Document Upload is a feature of iReports (a web module of iDeliver) to facilitate users to upload documents (mostly ad-hoc) for distribution using one or more of the supported delivery channels.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers. Multi-factor authentication must be established.

 Trust Interface Facility A Company disbursement system which provides workflow/approval with complete audit trail using ASG/ Citrix multi-factor authentication. This is the web- based front end used by SEI clients only to instruct two-party wires, check requests, interbank transfers, ACH, and direct movements within SEI.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers. Multi- factor authentication must be established.

 Global Office (vendor application: front end to Global Plus) Access through dedicated circuit, a multi-currency accounting system that delivers automation and straight thru processing.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers. Multi -factor authentication must be established.

 State Street Cash Manager and State Street Springboard Cash Manager Global Funds Transfer (GFT) represent State Street’s proprietary web-based system that enables clients to originate and electronically transmit authenticated repetitive and non-repetitive Fed wires, CHIPS, internal book transfers, drawdowns, and international payments to State Street. Any activity initiated by the Client’s use of either Cash Manager access point shall constitute an Instruction to State Street in accordance with the terms of the Client’s Custody Agreement, and such Instructions shall constitute funds transfer instructions originated by the Client and can either be in U.S. dollar or other currencies supported by the system. State Street Cash Manager and State Street Springboard Cash Manager GFT are PC and mobile access points to a web-based system utilizing the Internet employing the use of ID and password security, two factor token authentication and encryption to protect the integrity of transmissions to State Street.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers.

 

STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

2

   Limited Access


  Instruct is a State Street web-based application designed to provide internet-enabled remote access that allows for the capturing, verification and processing of various instruction types, including securities, cash and foreign exchange transactions. Instruct is designed using industry standard formats to facilitate straight-through processing. Instruct provides a number of security features through user entitlements, industry standard encryption protocols, digital security certificates and multiple tiers of user authentication requirements.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers. Multi-factor authentication must be established.

 

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

A predetermined authorized signature list or Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them. A Standing Instruction is required; it is recommended that a Repetitive Wire be established for this purpose.

  Facsimile The faxing of information between the Company and State Street.

 

Security Controls required: Sophisticated Test Key or Telephone Confirmation (Callback); Predetermined authorizers; Standing Instructions.

 

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

A predetermined authorized signature list or Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them. A Standing Instruction is required; it is recommended that a Repetitive Wire be established for this purpose. A Telephone Confirmation (Callback) to an Authorized Verifier is required for Private Edge clients not using Access Security Gateway (ASG).

 

  Expense Manager is available as a launched application through my.statestreet.com, and is an expense processing tool that includes accrual calculation and posting to Multi-Currency Horizon (MCH), payment allocation via intra-fund demand deposit account (DDA) transfers, general ledger entries and budget projections.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers. Multi- factor authentication must be established.

  Cash Flow Module (eCFM) is a State Street application designed to provide remote access that allows the Company to electronically provide State Street with authorization for the transfer of funds and foreign exchange transactions. eCFM provides a number of security features through user entitlements, an option for dual approval, industry standard encryption protocols and user authentication requirements.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers; Standing Instructions; Private Edge Services additionally require Telephone Confirmation (Callback) for clients not using ASG.

 

Security Controls required for the following delivery methods:

A predetermined authorized signature list or Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them. A Telephone Confirmation (Callback) to an Authorized Verifier is required.

  Email with Enforced Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a communication method that allows the Company to electronically deliver signed financial transaction instructions [Proper Instruction] to State Street using an enforced (encrypted) connection. The communication method features use of enforced network connections which include industry-standard transport layer cryptography to effect point-to-point encryption. State Street Enforced TLS requires third party trust and prohibits the use of self-signed digital certificates.

 

Security Controls required: Predetermined authorizers; Telephone Confirmation (Callback).

 

 

STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

3

   Limited Access


Appendix A: Securities Procedure Selection Form

 

2)

The following Security Controls are required in conjunction with the delivery methods selected above. Please select one or more of the Security Controls indicated below by checking the applicable boxes:

 

 Telephone Confirmation (Callback)

Telephone confirmation will be used to verify instructions where indicated in the delivery method option. This procedure requires the Company to designate individuals as authorized initiators and authorized verifiers. State Street will verify that the instruction contains the signature of an authorized person and prior to execution, will contact someone other than the originator at the Company’s location to authenticate the instruction. A second authorized person different from the originator or original approver will be contacted for instructions equal to or greater than US $10,000,000 or local currency equivalent. Telephone confirmation callback is required for delivery method selections that do not use multi-factor authentication. For business continuity purposes, alternate telephone numbers for authorized verifiers are provided for telephonic confirmation in a force majeure event.

 Callback with SecurID®

SecurID® is a state-of-the-art product used to identify and authenticate the identity of an individual. Used in conjunction with telephone callback, it is the preferred authentication method for transactions equal to or greater than USD 10,000,000 or local currency equivalent. A second authorized person different from the originator or original approver will be contacted for instructions equal to or greater than US $10,000,000 or local currency equivalent. SecurID® provides a more stringent security procedure for authenticating funds transfer requests, which substantially reduces the possibility of a fraudulent transaction.

 Test Key

A test key is a unique character string that has been exchanged between the parties for the purpose of protecting the integrity of the communication and to identify and authenticate the Company in the ordinary course of business.

 

 Sophisticated Test Key

Test keys submitted by clients are considered sophisticated when they are a combination of a test key number provided to them by State Street as well as some predefined detail(s) from the actual transaction instruction (currency, amount of shares or cash, settlement date, etc.). If the tested facsimile process involves the use of sophisticated test keys, no other security procedure is required.

 

 Standing Instructions

Standing or Procedural Instructions may be used. For example: where funds are transferred to a broker on the Company’s established list of brokers with which it engages in transactions. Only the date, the currency and the currency amount are variable. In order to establish this procedure, State Street will send to the Company a list of the brokers that State Street has determined are used by the Company. The Company will confirm the list in writing, and State Street will verify the written confirmation by telephone. Standing Instructions will be subject to a mutually agreed upon limit. If the payment order exceeds USD 10,000,000 or local currency equivalent, the execution of the Standing Instruction will be confirmed by telephone (person different than original initiator) prior to execution.

 Repetitive Wires

For situations where funds are transferred periodically from an existing authorized account to the same payee (destination bank and account number) and only the date and currency amount are variable, a repetitive wire may be implemented. Repetitive wires will be subject to a mutually agreed upon limit. If the payment order exceeds US $10,000,000 or local currency equivalent, the instruction will be confirmed by telephone prior to execution. Telephone confirmation is used to establish this process. Repetitive wire instructions must be reconfirmed periodically.

 Individual Instruction

Telephone confirmation is used to establish this process. An individual instruction is a non-recurring request. If the payment order exceeds US $10,000,000 or local currency equivalent, the instruction will be confirmed by telephone (person different than the original initiator) prior to execution.

 Secure Email Confirmation

Confirmation via secure email that instructions were received and executed.

 Predetermined Authorizers

A predetermined authorized signature list or a Funds Transfer Initiators and Authorized Verifiers List which outlines who can send instructions and who can approve them.

 Blue Sky Standing Instructions via Limited Power of Attorney

State Street employees holding the titles of Officer, Blue Sky Manager or Senior Blue Sky Administrator (“State Street’s Blue Sky Personnel”) shall have the authority to act on behalf of a client’s mutual funds to transmit filing fees electronically so long as the client has executed and delivered (and has not revoked) a limited power of attorney to State Street granting said power.

 

STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

4

   Limited Access


Selection of Security Control(s) and Authorization of Company

State Street is hereby instructed to accept funds transfer instructions only via the delivery methods using the Security Controls indicated. The selected delivery methods and security controls(s) will be effective on                  (insert date) for payment orders initiated on behalf of the Undersigned. State Street will rely upon each communication received as if the instruction has been authenticated by the Company.

Contingency Security Authorization

In the case of a force majeure event during which the delivery method(s) selected are not available, an alternate business continuity phone number for authorized verifiers is strongly recommended. State Street will use commercially reasonable best efforts to reach the authorized verifiers during such an event. If alternate telephone numbers are not provided for Telephone Confirmation, the verifier’s signature will be required in addition to an approved and documented method of client contact.

In the event that the delivery method(s) you have selected are unavailable for any reason outside of our control, or should State Street be unable to reach the alternate phone numbers provided for Contingency Security Authorization, State Street will use commercially reasonable best efforts to implement a further contingency procedure to receive in and process your payment orders. However, despite such efforts, your payment orders may not be processed on value date and State Street will not be liable for any loss in such event.

 

 

Signed on behalf of Client or Agent:

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Name

  

Title

  

Authorized Signature

   Date

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Name

  

Title

  

Authorized Signature

   Date

 

Client or Agent Name:   

 

   (hereafter referred to as the “Company”)

This agreement applies to all funds for which the Company is authorized to give proper instructions as such term is defined in the relevant contract with State Street.

Appendix B: Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List

    Hereby enclosed an Authorized Signature List - a listing of our staff members authorized to Initiate or Verify payment orders to State Street and to set up repetitive wires.

(In case of segregation on the type or limitations on the size of the transactions, please provide us with a decision matrix table or an equivalent document).

    We do not publish an Authorized Signature List. The authorized Initiator(s) and Verifier(s) are as follows:

Authorized Initiator(s): (Please Type or Print)

Please provide a listing of Initiators. An Initiator is a person whose signature the original instruction bears.

 

1) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

                                                                           

  

                                                                   

  

                                                                   

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

                                                                           

  

                                                                   

  

                                                                   

 

********************************************************************************************************************************************

 

 

2) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

                                                                           

  

                                                                   

  

                                                                   

 

0STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

5

   Limited Access


Email

  

 Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

3) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

 

  

 

  

 

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

4) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

 

  

 

  

 

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

Appendix B: Funds Transfer Initiators and Verifiers List (continued)

Authorized Verifier(s): (Please Type or Print)

Please provide a listing of Verifier(s). A Verifier is a person whom State Street may call back for telephone confirmation of the original instruction.

 

1) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

 

  

 

  

 

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

2) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

 

  

 

  

 

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

3) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

 

  

 

  

 

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

6

   Limited Access


4) Name, Title

  

Specimen Signature

  

Amount Limit (If Any)

 

  

 

  

 

Email

  

Primary Phone Number

  

Alternate Phone Number

 

  

 

  

 

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Company Name:

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Name

  

Title

  

Authorized Signature

   Date

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Name

  

Title

  

Authorized Signature

   Date

 

STATE STREET CORPORATION – REV. 01/13  

7

   Limited Access


LOGO

ADDENDUM to that certain Custodian Agreement between the Fund (the “Customer”) and State Street Bank and Trust Company, including its subsidiaries and affiliates (“State Street”).

State Street has developed and/or utilizes proprietary or third-party accounting and other systems in conjunction with the services that State Street provides to the Customer. In this regard, State Street maintains certain information in databases under its ownership and/or control that it makes available to its customers (the “Remote Access Services”).

The Services

State Street agrees to provide the Customer, and its designated investment advisors, consultants or other third parties who agree to abide by the terms of this Addendum (“Authorized Designees”) with access to State Street proprietary and third-party systems as may be offered by State Street from time to time (each, a “System”) on a remote basis.

Security Procedures

The Customer agrees to comply, and to cause its Authorized Designees to comply, with remote access operating standards and procedures and with user identification or other password control requirements and other security devices and procedures as may be issued or required from time to time by State Street or its third-party vendors for use of the System and access to the Remote Access Services. The Customer is responsible for any use and/or misuse of the System and Remote Access Services by its Authorized Designees. The Customer agrees to advise State Street immediately in the event that it learns or has reason to believe that any person to whom it has given access to the System or the Remote Access Services has violated or intends to violate the terms of this Addendum and the Customer will cooperate with State Street in seeking injunctive or other equitable relief. The Customer agrees to discontinue use of the System and Remote Access Services, if requested, for any security reasons cited by State Street and State Street may restrict access of the System and Remote Access Services by the Customer or any Authorized Designee for security reasons or noncompliance with the terms of this Addendum at any time.

Fees

Fees and charges for the use of the System and the Remote Access Services and related payment terms shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in effect from time to time between the parties. The Customer shall be responsible for any tariffs, duties or taxes imposed or levied by any government or governmental agency by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Addendum, including, without limitation, federal, state and local taxes, use, value added and personal property taxes (other than income, franchise or similar taxes which may be imposed or assessed against State Street). Any claimed exemption from such tariffs, duties or taxes shall be supported by proper documentary evidence delivered to State Street.

Proprietary Information/Injunctive Relief

The System and Remote Access Services described herein and the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, formulae, processes, systems, software, knowhow, algorithms, programs, training aids, printed materials, methods, books, records, files, documentation and other information made available to the Customer by State Street as part of the Remote Access Services and


LOGO

 

through the use of the System and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets and other proprietary and intellectual property rights of State Street and third- party vendors related thereto are the exclusive, valuable and confidential proprietary property of State Street and its relevant licensors and third- party vendors (the “Proprietary Information”). The Customer agrees on behalf of itself and its Authorized Designees to keep the Proprietary Information confidential and to limit access to its employees and Authorized Designees (under a similar duty of confidentiality) who require access to the System for the purposes intended. The foregoing shall not apply to Proprietary Information in the public domain or required by law to be made public.

The Customer agrees to use the Remote Access Services only in connection with the proper purposes of this Addendum. The Customer will not, and will cause its employees and Authorized Designees not to, (i) permit any third party to use the System or the Remote Access Services, (ii) sell, rent, license or otherwise use the System or the Remote Access Services in the operation of a service bureau or for any purpose other than as expressly authorized under this Addendum, (iii) use the System or the Remote Access Services for any fund, trust or other investment vehicle without the prior written consent of State Street, or (iv) allow or cause any information transmitted from State Street’s databases, including data from third-party sources, available through use of the System or the Remote Access Services, to be published, redistributed or retransmitted for other than use for or on behalf of the Customer, as State Street’s customer.

The Customer agrees that neither it nor its Authorized Designees will modify the System in any way; enhance, copy or otherwise create derivative works based upon the System; nor will the Customer or Customer’s Authorized Designees reverse engineer, decompile or otherwise attempt to secure the source code for all or any part of the System.

The Customer acknowledges that the disclosure of any Proprietary Information, or of any information which at law or equity ought to remain confidential, will immediately give rise to continuing irreparable injury to State Street or its third-party licensors and vendors inadequately compensable in damages at law and that State Street shall be entitled to obtain immediate injunctive relief against the breach or threatened breach of any of the foregoing undertakings, in addition to any other legal remedies which may be available.

Limited Warranties

State Street represents and warrants that it is the owner of and/or has the right to grant access to the System and to provide the Remote Access Services contemplated herein. Because of the nature of computer information technology, including but not limited to the use of the Internet, and the necessity of relying upon third-party sources, and data and pricing information obtained from third parties, the System and Remote Access Services are provided “AS IS” without warranty express or implied including as to availability of the System, and the Customer and its Authorized Designees shall be solely responsible for the use of the System and Remote Access Services and investment decisions, results obtained, regulatory reports and statements produced using the Remote Access Services. State Street and its relevant licensors and third-party vendors will not be liable to the Customer or its Authorized Designees for any direct or indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected with the System or the Remote Access Services, nor shall any party be responsible for delays or nonperformance under this Addendum arising out of any cause or event beyond such party’s control.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ADDENDUM, STATE STREET, FOR ITSELF AND ITS RELEVANT LICENSORS AND THIRD-PARTY VENDORS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE SYSTEM AND THE SERVICES TO BE RENDERED HEREUNDER, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

 

-2-


LOGO

 

Infringement

State Street will defend or, at its option, settle any claim or action brought against the Customer to the extent that it is based upon an assertion that access to or use of State Street proprietary systems by the Customer under this Addendum constitutes direct infringement of any United States patent or copyright or misappropriation of a trade secret, provided that the Customer notifies State Street promptly in writing of any such claim or proceeding, cooperates with State Street in the defense of such claim or proceeding and allows State Street sole control over such claim or proceeding. Should the State Street proprietary system or any part thereof become, or in State Street’s opinion be likely to become, the subject of a claim of infringement or the like under any applicable patent, copyright or trade secret laws, State Street shall have the right, at State Street’s sole option, to (i) procure for the Customer the right to continue using the State Street proprietary system (ii) replace or modify the State Street proprietary system so that the State Street proprietary system becomes noninfringing, or (iii) terminate this Addendum without further obligation. This section constitutes the sole remedy available to the Customer for the matters described in this section.

Termination

Either party to the Custodian Agreement may terminate this Addendum (i) for any reason by giving the other party at least one- hundred and eighty (180) days’ prior written notice in the case of notice of termination by State Street to the Customer or thirty (30) days’ notice in the case of notice from the Customer to State Street of termination, or (ii) immediately for failure of the other party to comply with any material term and condition of the Addendum by giving the other party written notice of termination. This Addendum shall in any event terminate within ninety (90) days after the termination of any service agreement applicable to the Customer. The Customer’s use of any third-party System is contingent upon its compliance with any terms and conditions of use of such System imposed by such third party and State Street’s continued access to, and use of, such third-party System. In the event of termination, the Customer will return to State Street all copies of documentation and other confidential information in its possession or in the possession of its Authorized Designees and immediately cease access to the System and Remote Access Services. The foregoing provisions with respect to confidentiality and infringement will survive termination for a period of three (3) years.

Miscellaneous

This Addendum constitutes the entire understanding of the parties to the Custodian Agreement with respect to access to the System and the Remote Access Services. This Addendum cannot be modified or altered except in a writing duly executed by each of State Street and the Customer and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By its execution of the Custodian Agreement, the Customer: (a) confirms to State Street that it informs all Authorized Designees of the terms of this Addendum; (b) accepts responsibility for its and its Authorized Designees’ compliance with the terms of this Addendum; and (c) indemnifies and holds State Street harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and liabilities arising from any failure of the Customer or any of its Authorized Designees to abide by the terms of this Addendum.

 

 

-3-


LOGO

Global Custody Network

Schedule A

MARCH 31, 2015          

 

     

MARKET

   SUBCUSTODIAN    ADDRESS
     

Albania

   Raiffeisen Bank sh.a.   

Blv. “Bajram Curri” ETC – Kati 14

Tirana, Albania

     

Australia

   Citigroup Pty. Limited   

120 Collins St.

Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

  

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

  

 

HSBC Custody and Clearing

Level 13, 580 George St.

Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

     

Austria

   Deutsche Bank AG   

Fleischmarkt 1

A-1010 Vienna, Austria

  

 

UniCredit Bank Austria AG

  

 

Custody Department / Dept. 8398-TZ

Julius Tandler Platz 3

A-1090 Vienna, Austria

     

Bahrain

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

1st Floor, Bldg. #2505

Road # 2832, Al Seef 428

Kingdom of Bahrain

     

Bangladesh

   Standard Chartered Bank   

Silver Tower, Level 7

52 South Gulshan Commercial Area

Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh

     

Belgium

  

Deutsche Bank AG, Netherlands (operating

through its Amsterdam branch with support

from its Brussels branch)

  

De Entrees 99-197

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

     

Benin

  

via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Bermuda

   HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited   

6 Front Street

Hamilton, HM06, Bermuda

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    1


     

Federation of Bosnia

and Herzegovina

   UniCredit Bank d.d.   

Zelenih beretki 24

71 000 Sarajevo

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

     

Botswana

   Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited   

4th Floor, Standard Chartered House

Queens Road

The Mall

Gaborone, Botswana

     

Brazil

   Citibank, N.A.   

AV Paulista 1111

São Paulo, SP 01311-920 Brazil

     

Bulgaria

   Citibank Europe plc, Bulgaria Branch   

Serdika Offices, 10th floor

48 Sitnyakovo Blvd.

1505 Sofia, Bulgaria

  

 

UniCredit Bulbank AD

  

 

7 Sveta Nedelya Square

1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

     

Burkina Faso

  

via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Canada

   State Street Trust Company Canada   

30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 800

Toronto, ON Canada M5C 3G6

     

Chile

   Banco Itaú Chile S.A.   

Enrique Foster Sur 20, Piso 5

Las Condes, Santiago de Chile

     

People’s Republic of

China

  

HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

33rd Floor, HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC

8 Century Avenue

Pudong, Shanghai, China (200120)

  

 

China Construction Bank Corporation

(for A-share market only)

  

 

No.1 Naoshikou Street

Chang An Xing Rong Plaza

Beijing 100032-33, China

  

 

Citibank N.A.

(for Shanghai – Hong Kong Stock Connect market only)

  

 

39th Floor Citibank Tower

Citibank Plaza,

3 Garden Road

Central, Hong Kong

  

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

(for Shanghai – Hong Kong Stock Connect market only)

  

 

Level 30,

HSBC Main Building

1 Queen’s Road

Central, Hong Kong

  

 

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

(for Shanghai – Hong Kong Stock Connect market)

  

 

15th Floor Standard Chartered Tower

388 Kwun Tong Road

Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

     

Colombia

   Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria   

Carrera 9A, No. 99-02

Bogotá DC, Colombia

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    2


     

Costa Rica

   Banco BCT S.A.   

160 Calle Central

Edificio BCT

San José, Costa Rica

     

Croatia

   Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d.   

Custody Department

Radnička cesta 50

10000 Zagreb, Croatia

   Zagrebacka Banka d.d.   

Savska 60

10000 Zagreb, Croatia

     

Cyprus

  

BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A.,

Greece (operating through its Athens branch)

  

94 V. Sofias Avenue & 1 Kerasountos

Str.

115 28 Athens, Greece

     

Czech Republic

   Československá obchodní banka, a.s.   

Radlická 333/150

150 57 Prague 5, Czech Republic

  

UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia,

a.s.

  

BB Centrum – FILADELFIE

Želetavská 1525/1

140 92 Praha 4 - Michle, Czech Republic

     

Denmark

  

Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden (operating

through its subsidiary, Nordea Bank Danmark

A/S)

  

Strandgade 3

0900 Copenhagen C, Denmark

  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ),

Sweden (operating through its Copenhagen

branch)

  

Bernstorffsgade 50

1577 Copenhagen, Denmark

     

Ecuador

   Banco de la Producción S.A. PRODUBANCO   

Av. Amazonas N35-211 y Japon

Quito, Ecuador

     

Egypt

  

HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E.

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

6th Floor

306 Corniche El Nil

Maadi

Cairo, Egypt

     

Estonia

   AS SEB Pank   

Tornimäe 2

15010 Tallinn, Estonia

     

Finland

  

Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden (operating

through its subsidiary, Nordea Bank Finland

Plc.)

  

Satamaradankatu 5

00500 Helsinki, Finland

  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ),

Sweden (operating through its Helsinki branch)

  

Securities Services

Box 630

SF-00101 Helsinki, Finland

     

France

  

Deutsche Bank AG, Netherlands (operating

through its Amsterdam branch with support

from its Paris branch)

  

De Entrees 99-197

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

     

Republic of Georgia

   JSC Bank of Georgia   

29a Gagarini Str.

Tbilisi 0160, Georgia

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    3


     

Germany

   Deutsche Bank AG   

Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee 16-24

D-65760 Eschborn, Germany

     

Ghana

   Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited   

P. O. Box 768

1st Floor

High Street Building

Accra, Ghana

     

Greece

   BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A.   

94 V. Sofias Avenue & 1 Kerasountos

Str.

115 28 Athens, Greece

     

Guinea-Bissau

  

via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Hong Kong

   Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited   

15th Floor Standard Chartered Tower

388 Kwun Tong Road

Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

     

Hungary

   Citibank Europe plc Magyarországi Fióktelepe   

7 Szabadság tér, Bank Center

Budapest, H-1051 Hungary

  

 

UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt.

  

 

6th Floor

Szabadság tér 5-6

H-1054 Budapest, Hungary

     

Iceland

   Landsbankinn hf.   

Austurstræti 11

155 Reykjavik, Iceland

     

India

   Deutsche Bank AG   

Block B1, 4th Floor, Nirlon Knowledge

Park

Off Western Express Highway

Goregaon (E)

Mumbai 400 063, India

  

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

  

 

11F, Building 3, NESCO - IT Park,

NESCO Complex,

Western Express Highway

Goregaon (East),

Mumbai 400 063, India

     

Indonesia

   Deutsche Bank AG   

Deutsche Bank Building, 4th floor

Jl. Imam Bonjol, No. 80

Jakarta 10310, Indonesia

     

Ireland

  

State Street Bank and Trust Company, United

Kingdom branch

  

525 Ferry Road

Edinburgh EH5 2AW, Scotland

     

Israel

   Bank Hapoalim B.M.   

50 Rothschild Boulevard

Tel Aviv, Israel 61000

     

Italy

   Deutsche Bank S.p.A.   

Investor Services

Via Turati 27 – 3rd Floor

20121 Milan, Italy

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    4


     

Ivory Coast

   Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire S.A.   

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Japan

   Mizuho Bank, Limited   

4-16-13, Tsukishima, Chou-ku

Tokyo 104-0052, Japan

  

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

  

 

HSBC Building

11-1 Nihonbashi 3-chome, Chuo-ku

Tokyo 1030027, Japan

     

Jordan

   Standard Chartered Bank   

Shmeissani Branch

Al-Thaqafa Street, Building # 2

P.O. Box 926190

Amman 11110, Jordan

     

Kazakhstan

   JSC Citibank Kazakhstan   

Park Palace, Building A,

41 Kazibek Bi street,

Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan

     

Kenya

   Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited   

Custody Services

Standard Chartered @ Chiromo, Level 5

48 Westlands Road

P.O. Box 40984 – 00100 GPO

Nairobi, Kenya

     

Republic of Korea

   Deutsche Bank AG   

18th Fl., Young-Poong Building

33 Seorin-dong

Chongro-ku, Seoul 110-752, Korea

  

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

  

 

HSBC Building #25

1-Ka Bongrae-Dong

Chung-ku, Seoul 100-161, Korea

     

Kuwait

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

  

Kuwait City, Qibla Area

Hamad Al-Saqr Street

Kharafi Tower, G/1/2 Floors

P. O. Box 1683, Safat 13017, Kuwait

     

Latvia

   AS SEB banka   

Unicentrs, Valdlauči

LV-1076 Kekavas pag., Rigas raj., Latvia

     

Lebanon

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

  

St. Georges Street, Minet El-Hosn

Beirut 1107 2080, Lebanon

     

Lithuania

   AB SEB bankas   

Gedimino av. 12

LT 2600 Vilnius, Lithuania

     

Malawi

   Standard Bank Limited   

Kaomba Centre

Cnr. Victoria Avenue & Sir Glyn Jones

Road

Blantyre, Malawi

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    5


     

Malaysia

   Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad   

Domestic Custody Services

Level 20, Menara IMC

8 Jalan Sultan Ismail

50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  

 

Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad

  

 

Menara Standard Chartered

30 Jalan Sultan Ismail

50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

     

Mali

  

via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Mauritius

  

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

  

5th Floor, HSBC Centre

18 Cybercity

Ebene, Mauritius

     

Mexico

   Banco Nacional de México, S.A.   

3er piso, Torre Norte

Act. Roberto Medellín No. 800

Col. Santa Fe

Mexico, DF 01219

     

Morocco

   Citibank Maghreb   

Zénith Millénium Immeuble1

Sidi Maârouf – B.P. 40

Casablanca 20190, Morocco

     

Namibia

   Standard Bank Namibia Limited   

Standard Bank Center

Cnr. Werner List St. and Post St. Mall

2nd Floor

Windhoek, Namibia

     

Netherlands

   Deutsche Bank AG   

De Entrees 99-197

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

     

New Zealand

  

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

  

HSBC House

Level 7, 1 Queen St.

Auckland 1010, New Zealand

     

Niger

  

via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Nigeria

   Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc.   

Plot 1712

Idejo St

Victoria Island,

Lagos 101007, Nigeria

     

Norway

  

Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden (operating

through its subsidiary, Nordea Bank Norge

ASA)

  

Essendropsgate 7

0368 Oslo, Norway

  

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ),

Sweden (operating through its Oslo branch)

  

 

P.O. Box 1843 Vika

Filipstad Brygge 1

N-0123 Oslo, Norway

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    6


     

Oman

  

HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

2nd Floor Al Khuwair

PO Box 1727 PC 111

Seeb, Oman

     

Pakistan

   Deutsche Bank AG   

Unicentre – Unitowers

I.I. Chundrigar Road

P.O. Box 4925

Karachi - 74000, Pakistan

     

Palestine

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

Jaffa Street, Ramallah

West Bank 2119, Palestine

     

Panama

   Citibank, N.A.   

Boulevard Punta Pacifica

Torre de las Americas

Apartado

Panama City, Panama 0834-00555

     

Peru

   Citibank del Perú, S.A.   

Canaval y Moreyra 480

3rd Floor, San Isidro

Lima 27, Perú

     

Philippines

   Deutsche Bank AG   

Global Transaction Banking

Tower One, Ayala Triangle

1226 Makati City, Philippines

     

Poland

   Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A.   

ul. Senatorska 16

00-293 Warsaw, Poland

   Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A   

31 Zwirki I Wigury Street

02-091, Warsaw, Poland

     

Portugal

  

BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A., Paris

(operating through its Paris branch with

support from its Lisbon branch)

  

3 Rue D’Antin

Paris, France Lt 1.19.01

  

 

Deutsche Bank AG, Netherlands (operating

through its Amsterdam branch with support

from its Lisbon branch)

  

 

De Entrees 99-197

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

     

Puerto Rico

   Citibank N.A.   

1 Citibank Drive, Lomas Verdes Avenue

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926

     

Qatar

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

2 Fl Ali Bin Ali Tower

Building no.: 150

Airport Road

Doha, Qatar

     

Romania

   Citibank Europe plc, Dublin – Romania Branch   

8, Iancu de Hunedoara Boulevard

712042, Bucharest Sector 1, Romania

     

Russia

   Limited Liability Company Deutsche Bank   

82, Sadovnicheskaya Street

Building 2

115035 Moscow, Russia

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    7


     

Saudi Arabia

  

HSBC Saudi Arabia Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

HSBC Head Office

7267 Olaya - Al Murooj

Riyadh 12283-2255 Kingdom of Saudi

Arabia

     

Senegal

  

via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Serbia

   UniCredit Bank Serbia JSC   

Omladinskih Brigada 88, Airport City

11000 Belgrade, Serbia

     

Singapore

   Citibank N.A.   

3 Changi Business Park Crescent

#07-00, Singapore 486026

  

 

United Overseas Bank Limited

  

 

156 Cecil Street

FEB Building #08-03

Singapore 069544

     

Slovak Republic

  

UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia,

a.s.

  

Ŝancová 1/A

813 33 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

     

Slovenia

   UniCredit Banka Slovenija d.d.   

Šmartinska 140

SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

     

South Africa

   FirstRand Bank Limited   

Mezzanine Floor

3 First Place Bank City

Corner Simmonds & Jeppe Sts.

Johannesburg 2001

Republic of South Africa

  

 

Standard Bank of South Africa Limited

  

 

3rd Floor, 25 Sauer St.

Johannesburg 2000

Republic of South Africa

     

Spain

   Deutsche Bank S.A.E.   

Calle de Rosario Pino 14-16,

Planta 1

28020 Madrid, Spain

     

Sri Lanka

  

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

  

24, Sir Baron Jayatilake Mawatha

Colombo 01, Sri Lanka

     

Republic of Srpska

   UniCredit Bank d.d.   

Zelenih beretki 24

71 000 Sarajevo

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

     

Swaziland

   Standard Bank Swaziland Limited   

Standard House, Swazi Plaza

Mbabane, Swaziland H101

     

Sweden

   Nordea Bank AB (publ)   

Smålandsgatan 17

105 71 Stockholm, Sweden

  

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)

  

 

Sergels Torg 2

SE-106 40 Stockholm, Sweden

     

Switzerland

   Credit Suisse AG   

Uetlibergstrasse 231

8070 Zurich, Switzerland

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    8


     
     UBS AG   

Badenerstrasse 574

8098 Zurich, Switzerland

     

Taiwan - R.O.C.

   Deutsche Bank AG   

296 Ren-Ai Road

Taipei 106 Taiwan, Republic of China

  

 

Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited

  

 

168 Tun Hwa North Road

Taipei 105, Taiwan, Republic of China

     

Tanzania

   Standard Chartered Bank (Tanzania) Limited   

1 Floor, International House

Corner Shaaban Robert St and Garden

Ave

PO Box 9011

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

     

Thailand

   Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited   

Sathorn Nakorn Tower

14th Floor, Zone B

90 North Sathorn Road

Silom, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

     

Togo

   via Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast   

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 Côte d’Ivoire

     

Trinidad & Tobago

   Republic Bank Limited   

9-17 Park Street

Port of Spain

Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, West

Indies

     

Tunisia

   Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie   

Direction des Marches de Capitaux

1080 Tunis Cedex, Tunisia

     

Turkey

   Citibank, A.Ş.   

Tekfen Tower

Eski Buyukdere Caddesi 209

Kat 3

Levent 34394 Istanbul, Turkey

  

 

Deutsche Bank A.Ş.

  

 

Eski Buyukdere Caddesi

Tekfen Tower No. 209

Kat: 17 4

Levent 34394 Istanbul, Turkey

     

Uganda

   Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited   

5 Speke Road

P.O. Box 7111

Kampala, Uganda

     

Ukraine

   PJSC Citibank   

16-g Dymytrova St.

Kyiv 03150, Ukraine

     

United Arab Emirates

Dubai Financial

Market

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

  

HSBC Securities Services

Emaar Square

Level 3, Building No. 5

P O Box 502601

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    9


     

United Arab Emirates

Dubai International

Financial Center

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

HSBC Securities Services

Emaar Square

Level 3, Building No. 5

P O Box 502601

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

     

United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

  

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

HSBC Securities Services

Emaar Square

Level 3, Building No. 5

P O Box 502601

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

     

United Kingdom

  

State Street Bank and Trust Company, United

Kingdom branch

  

525 Ferry Road

Edinburgh EH5 2AW, Scotland

     

Uruguay

   Banco Itaú Uruguay S.A.   

Zabala 1463

11000 Montevideo, Uruguay

     

Venezuela

   Citibank, N.A.   

Centro Comercial El Recreo

Torre Norte, Piso 19

Avenida Casanova

Caracas, Venezuela 1050

     

Vietnam

  

HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Limited

(as delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Banking Corporation Limited)

  

Centre Point

106 Nguyen Van Troi Street

Phu Nhuan District

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

     

Zambia

   Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc.   

Standard Chartered House

Cairo Road

P.O. Box 32238

10101, Lusaka, Zambia

     

Zimbabwe

  

Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited

(as delegate of Standard Bank of South Africa

Limited)

  

3rd Floor

Stanbic Centre

59 Samora Machel Avenue

Harare, Zimbabwe

            

    

    

     

Argentina

   Citibank, N.A.*   

Bartolome Mitre 530

1036 Buenos Aires, Argentina

* Effective April 2, 2015, State Street suspended acceptance of Foreign Custody Manager responsibilities as delegated under U.S. SEC Rule 17f-5 for this market.

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    10


LOGO

Depositories Operating in Network Markets

Schedule B

MARCH 31, 2015

 

     

MARKET

  

DEPOSITORY

  

TYPES OF SECURITIES

     

Albania

   Bank of Albania    Government debt
     

Australia

   Austraclear Limited    Government securities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments
     

Austria

   Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (Wertpapiersammelbank Division)    All securities listed on Wiener Börse AG, the Vienna Stock Exchange (as well as virtually all other Austrian securities)
     

Bahrain

   Clearing, Settlement, Depository and Registry System of the Bahrain Bourse    Equities
     

Bangladesh

   Bangladesh Bank    Government securities
   Central Depository Bangladesh Limited    Equities and corporate bonds
     

Belgium

   Euroclear Belgium    Equities and most corporate bonds
   National Bank of Belgium    Government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
     

Benin

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Bermuda

   Bermuda Securities Depository    Equities, corporate bonds
     

Federation of Bosnia

and Herzegovina

   Registar vrijednosnih papira u Federaciji Bosne i Hercegovine, d.d.    Equities, corporate bonds, government securities, money market instruments
     

Botswana

   Bank of Botswana    Government debt
   Central Securities Depository Company of Botswana Ltd.    Equities and corporate bonds

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    1


     

Brazil

   Central de Custódia e de Liquidação Financeira de Títulos Privados (CETIP)    Corporate debt and money market instruments
  

 

Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia (CBLC)

  

 

All equities listed on BM&F BOVESPA S.A. and SOMA, and non-financial corporate bonds traded at BM&F BOVESPA S.A.

   Sistema Especial de Liquidação e de Custódia (SELIC)    Government debt issued by the central bank and the National Treasury
     

Bulgaria

   Bulgarian National Bank    Government securities
  

 

Central Depository AD

  

 

Eligible equities and corporate bonds

     

Burkina Faso

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Canada

   The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited    All book-entry eligible securities, including government securities, equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, strip bonds, and asset- backed securities
     

Chile

   Depósito Central de Valores S.A.    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and money market instruments
     
People’s Republic of China    China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited, Shanghai and Shenzhen Branches    A shares, B shares, Treasury bonds, local government bonds, enterprise bonds, corporate bonds, open and closed-end funds, convertible bonds, and warrants
  

 

China Central Depository and Clearing Co., Ltd.

  

 

Bonds traded through the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM), including Treasury bonds, local government bonds, policy bank bonds, central bank bills, medium-term notes, commercial paper, enterprise bonds, and commercial bank bonds

     

Colombia

   Depósito Central de Valores    Securities issued by the central bank and the Republic of Colombia
  

 

Depósito Centralizado de Valores de Colombia S.A. (DECEVAL)

  

 

Equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments

     

Costa Rica

   Central de Valores S.A.    Securities traded on Bolsa Nacional de Valores
     

Croatia

   Središnje klirinško depozitarno društvo d.d.    Eligible equities, corporate bonds, government securities, and corporate money market instruments
     

Cyprus

   Central Depository and Central Registry    Equities, corporate bonds, dematerialized government securities, corporate money market instruments

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    2


     

Czech Republic

   Centrální depozitář cenných papírů, a.s.    All dematerialized equities, corporate debt, and government debt, excluding Treasury bills
   Czech National Bank    Treasury bills
     

Denmark

   VP Securities A/S    Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, warrants
     

Egypt

   Central Bank of Egypt    Treasury bills
   Misr for Central Clearing, Depository and Registry S.A.E.    Eligible equities, corporate bonds, and Treasury bonds
     

Estonia

   AS Eesti Väärtpaberikeskus    All registered equity and debt securities
     

Finland

   Euroclear Finland    Equities, corporate bonds, government securities, money market instruments
     

France

   Euroclear France    Government securities, equities, bonds, and money market instruments
     

Republic of Georgia

   Georgian Central Securities Depository    Equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
   National Bank of Georgia    Government securities
     

Germany

   Clearstream Banking AG, Frankfurt    Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, warrants, investment funds, and index certificates
     

Ghana

   Central Securities Depository (Ghana) Limited    Government securities and Bank of Ghana securities; equities and corporate bonds
     

Greece

   Bank of Greece, System for Monitoring Transactions in Securities in Book-Entry Form    Government debt
   Hellenic Central Securities Depository    Eligible listed equities, government debt, and corporate bonds
     

Guinea-Bissau

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Hong Kong

   Central Moneymarkets Unit    Government debt (i.e., exchange fund bills and notes issued by the HKMA), other private debt, and money market instruments
   Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited    Securities listed or traded on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
     

Hungary

   KELER Központi Értéktár    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and investment fund notes

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    3


     

Iceland

   Icelandic Securities Depository Limited    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
     

India

   Central Depository Services (India) Limited    Eligible equities, debt securities, and money market instruments
  

 

National Securities Depository Limited

  

 

Eligible equities, debt securities, and money market instruments

   Reserve Bank of India    Government securities
     

Indonesia

   Bank Indonesia    Sertifikat Bank Indonesia (central bank certificates), Surat Utang Negara (government debt instruments), and Surat Perbendaharaan Negara (Treasury bills)
  

 

PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia

  

 

Equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

     

Ireland

   Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited*    GBP- and EUR-denominated money market instruments
  

 

Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

  

 

Government securities

     

Israel

   Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing House Ltd. (TASE Clearing House)    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds and trust fund units
     

Italy

   Monte Titoli S.p.A.    Equities, corporate debt, government debt, money market instruments, and warrants
     

Ivory Coast

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Japan

   Bank of Japan – Financial Network System    Government securities
  

 

Japan Securities Depository Center (JASDEC) Incorporated

  

 

Equities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments

     

Jordan

   Central Bank of Jordan    Treasury bills, government bonds, development bonds, and public entity bonds
  

 

Securities Depository Center

  

 

Equities and corporate bonds

     

Kazakhstan

   Central Securities Depository    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
     

Kenya

   Central Bank of Kenya    Treasury bills and Treasury bonds
  

 

Central Depository and Settlement Corporation Limited

  

 

Equities and corporate debt

     

Republic of Korea

   Korea Securities Depository    Equities, government securities, corporate bonds and money market instruments

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    4


     

Kuwait

   Kuwait Clearing Company    Money market instruments, equities, and corporate bonds
     

Latvia

   Latvian Central Depository    Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
     

Lebanon

   Banque du Liban    Government securities and certificates of deposit issued by the central bank
  

 

Custodian and Clearing Center of Financial Instruments for Lebanon and the Middle East (Midclear) S.A.L.

  

 

Equities, corporate bonds and money market instruments

     

Lithuania

   Central Securities Depository of Lithuania    All securities available for public trading
     

Malaysia

   Bank Negara Malaysia    Treasury bills, Bank Negara Malaysia bills, Malaysian government securities, private debt securities, and money market instruments
  

 

Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn. Bhd.

  

 

Securities listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad

     

Malawi

   Reserve Bank of Malawi    Reserve Bank of Malawi bills and Treasury bills
     

Mali

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Mauritius

   Bank of Mauritius    Government debt (traded through primary dealers)
  

 

Central Depository and Settlement Co. Limited

  

 

Listed and unlisted equity and debt securities (corporate debt and T-bills traded on the exchange)

     

Mexico

   S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V.    All securities
     

Morocco

   Maroclear    Eligible listed equities, corporate and government debt, certificates of deposit, commercial paper
     

Namibia

   Bank of Namibia    Treasury bills
     

Netherlands

   Euroclear Nederland    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, and stripped government bonds
     

New Zealand

   New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
     

Niger

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Nigeria

   Central Bank of Nigeria    Treasury bills and government bonds

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    5


     
     Central Securities Clearing System Limited    Equities and corporate bonds traded on the Nigeria Stock Exchange
     

Norway

   Verdipapirsentralen    All listed securities
     

Oman

   Muscat Clearing & Depository Company S.A.O.C.    Equities, corporate bonds, government debt
     

Pakistan

   Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited    Equities and corporate bonds
  

 

State Bank of Pakistan

  

 

Government securities

     

Palestine

   Clearing, Depository and Settlement system, a department of the Palestine Exchange    Equities listed on the Palestine Exchange
     

Panama

   Central Latinoamericana de Valores, S.A. (LatinClear)    Equities, government and corporate debt, commercial paper, short-term securities
     

Peru

   CAVALI S.A. Institución de Compensación y Liquidación de Valores    All securities in book-entry form traded on the stock exchange
     

Philippines

   Philippine Depository & Trust Corporation    Eligible equities and debt
  

 

Registry of Scripless Securities (ROSS) of the Bureau of the Treasury

  

 

Government securities

     

Poland

   Rejestr Papierów Wartościowych    Treasury bills
   Krajowy Depozyt Papierów Wartościowych, S.A.    Equities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, Treasury bonds, warrants, and futures contracts
     

Portugal

   INTERBOLSA - Sociedad Gestora de Sistemas de Liquidação e de Sistemas Centralizados de Valores Mobiliários, S.A.    All local Portuguese instruments
     

Qatar

   Qatar Central Securities Depository    Equities, government bonds and Treasury bills listed on the Qatar Exchange
     

Romania

   National Bank of Romania    Treasury bills and bonds
  

 

S.C. Depozitarul Central S.A.

  

 

Bursa de Valori Bucuresti- (Bucharest Stock Exchange-) listed equities, corporate bonds, government bonds, and municipal bonds

     

Russia

   National Settlement Depository    Eligible equities, Obligatsii Federal’nogo Zaima (OFZs), and corporate debt denominated in RUB
     

Saudi Arabia

   Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency    Government securities and Saudi government development bonds (SGDBs)
  

 

Tadawul Central Securities Depository

  

 

Equities

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    6


     

Senegal

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Serbia

   Central Securities Depository and Clearinghouse    All instruments
     

Singapore

   Monetary Authority of Singapore    Government securities
  

 

The Central Depository (Pte.) Limited

  

 

Eligible listed equities and eligible private debt traded in Singapore

     

Slovak Republic

   Centrálny depozitár cenných papierov SR, a.s.    All dematerialized securities
     

Slovenia

   KDD – Centralna klirinško depotna družba d.d.    All publicly traded securities
     

South Africa

   Strate (Pty) Ltd.    Eligible equities, government securities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, and warrants
     

Spain

   IBERCLEAR    Government securities, equities, warrants, money market instruments, and corporate bonds
     

Sri Lanka

   Central Bank of Sri Lanka    Government securities
  

 

Central Depository System (Pvt) Limited

  

 

Equities and corporate bonds

     

Republic of Srpska

   Central Registry of Securities in the Republic of Srpska JSC    Government securities, equities, and corporate and municipal bonds
     

Sweden

   Euroclear Sweden    Government securities, equities, bonds, money market instruments, derivatives, exchange traded funds, and warrants
     

Switzerland

   SIX SIS AG    Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, derivatives, mutual funds, and warrants
     

Taiwan - R.O.C.

   Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan)    Government securities
   Taiwan Depository and Clearing Corporation    Listed equities, short-term bills, and corporate bonds
     

Tanzania

   Central Depository System (CDS), a department of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange    Equities and corporate bonds
     

Thailand

   Thailand Securities Depository Company Limited    Government securities, equities and corporate bonds

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    7


     

Togo

   Dépositaire Central – Banque de Règlement    All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
     

Trinidad and Tobago

   Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago    Government debt
  

 

Trinidad and Tobago Central Depository Limited

  

 

Equities and corporate debt

     

Tunisia

   Tunisie Clearing    All eligible listed securities
     

Turkey

   Central Bank of Turkey    Government securities
  

 

Central Registry Agency

  

 

Equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, mutual fund certificates, exchange traded funds

     

Uganda

   Bank of Uganda    Treasury bills and Treasury bonds
  

 

Securities Central Depository

  

 

Equities, corporate bonds

     

Ukraine

   National Depository of Ukraine    Equities, bonds, and money market instruments
     
United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi    Clearing, Settlement, Depository and Registry department of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange    Equities, government securities, and corporate debt
     
United Arab Emirates – Dubai Financial Market    Clearing, Settlement and Depository Division, a department of the Dubai Financial Market    Equities, government securities, and corporate debt listed on the DFM
     
United Arab Emirates - Dubai International Financial Center    Central Securities Depository, owned and operated by NASDAQ Dubai Limited    Equities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments
     

United Kingdom

   Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited    GBP- and EUR-denominated money market instruments
     

Uruguay

   Banco Central del Uruguay    Government securities
     

Venezuela

   Banco Central de Venezuela    Government securities
  

 

Caja Venezolana de Valores

  

 

Equities and corporate bonds

     

Vietnam

   Vietnam Securities Depository    Equities, government bonds, T-bills, corporate bonds, and public fund certificates
     

Zambia

   Bank of Zambia    Treasury bills and Treasury bonds
  

 

LuSE Central Shares Depository Limited

  

 

Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and equities

     

Zimbabwe

   Chengetedzai Depository Company Limited    Equities and corporate bonds
  

 

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

  

 

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    8


 

TRANSNATIONAL DEPOSITORIES

   

Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

 

Domestic securities from more than 40 markets

   

Clearstream Banking, S.A.

 

Domestic securities from more than 50 markets

 

LIMITED ACCESS                    STATE STREET CORPORATION  

    9


LOGO

SCHEDULE C

 

Publication / Type of Information

 

(scheduled update frequency)

  

Brief Description

The Guide to Custody in World Markets

(regular my.statestreet.com updates)

   An overview of settlement and safekeeping procedures, custody practices, and foreign investor considerations for the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.

Global Custody Network Review

(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)

   Information relating to Foreign Subcustodians in State Street’s Global Custody Network. The Review stands as an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to assist them in complying with SEC Rule 17f-5. The Review also gives insight into State Street’s market expansion and Foreign Subcustodian selection processes, as well as the procedures and controls used to monitor the financial condition and performance of our Foreign Subcustodian banks.

Securities Depository Review

(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)

   Custody risk analyses of the Foreign Securities Depositories presently operating in Network markets. This publication is an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to meet informational obligations created by SEC Rule 17f-7.

Global Legal Survey

(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)

  

With respect to each market in which State Street offers custodial services, opinions relating to whether local law restricts:

(i)    access of a fund’s independent public accountants to books and records of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System,

(ii)   a fund’s ability to recover in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System,

(iii)    a fund’s ability to recover in the event of a loss by a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System, and

(iv)    the ability of a foreign investor to convert cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars.

Subcustodian Agreements

(available on CD-ROM annually)

   Copies of the contracts that State Street has entered into with each Foreign Subcustodian that maintains U.S. mutual fund assets in the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.

 

1    LIMITED ACCESS


LOGO

 

Publication / Type of Information

 

(scheduled update frequency)

  

Brief Description

Global Market Bulletin

(daily or as necessary via email and my.statestreet.com)

   Information on changing settlement and custody conditions in markets where State Street offers custodial services. Includes changes in market and tax regulations, depository developments, dematerialization information, as well as other market changes that may impact State Street’s clients.

Foreign Custody Risk Advisories

(provided as necessary and on my.statestreet.com)

   For those markets where State Street offers custodial services that exhibit special risks or infrastructures impacting custody, State Street maintains market advisories to highlight those unique market factors which might impact our ability to offer recognized custody service levels.

Foreign Custody Manager Material Change Notices

(quarterly or as necessary and on my.statestreet.com)

   Informational letters and accompanying materials, pursuant to our role as Foreign Custody Manager, confirming State Street’s foreign custody arrangements, including a summary of material changes with Foreign Subcustodians that have occurred during the previous quarter. The notices also identify any material changes in the custodial risks associated with maintaining assets with Foreign Securities Depositories.

Please contact GlobalMarketInformation@statestreet.com with questions about this document.

The information contained in this document has been carefully researched and is believed to be reliable as of the publication date. Due to the complexities of the markets and changing conditions, however, State Street cannot guarantee that it is complete or accurate in every respect. This document should not be construed or used as a substitute for appropriate legal or investment counsel. Specific advice should be sought on matters relevant to the investment activities of the reader. This application contains proprietary information and is fully protected by relevant copyright laws worldwide.

Copyright 2015 State Street Corporation

www.statestreet.com

 

2    LIMITED ACCESS

Exhibit j.2

APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

NUVEEN CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Diversified Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Enhanced AMT-Free Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California AMT-Free

Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Connecticut Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2024 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

Nuveen Dow 30SM Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2025 Term Fund

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Flexible Investment Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2018 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2019 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

 

1


APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

 

 

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New York AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen North Carolina Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Securities Income Fund

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

 

2


Exhibit j.2

APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

Nuveen Technology Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Texas Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Texas Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund

NUVEEN OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Inflation Protected Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST I, on behalf of:

Nuveen Arizona Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund

 

3


APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

 

 

    

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST IV, on behalf of:

Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global All-Cap Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Value Opportunities Fund

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen Global Growth Fund

Nuveen Growth Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Japan Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Global Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara International Dividend Growth Fund

 

4


Exhibit j.2

APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony International Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony Large-Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Symphony Low Volatility Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony Mid-Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Symphony Small Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Emerging Markets Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Global All-Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Large Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Small Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Winslow Managed Volatility Equity Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Symphony Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Credit Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST V, on behalf of:

Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Gresham Diversified Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Long/Short Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Managed Futures Strategy Fund

Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Tax-Aware Fund

Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund

Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Securities Fund

NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST, on behalf of

Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio

NUVEEN INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC., on behalf of

Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund

Nuveen International Select Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

 

5


APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

 

 

    

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

6


APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of January 6, 2020)

 

 

    

Acknowledged and Accepted:

For the Above Fund Parties

 

By:  

    /s/ E. Scott Wickerham

  Name:  E. Scott Wickerham
  Title:    Vice President

Acknowledged:

STATE STREET BANK AND

TRUST COMPANY, as Custodian

 

By:  

     

  Name:  Andrew Erickson
  Title:    Executive Vice President

 

7

Exhibit k

AMENDED AND RESTATED AGENCY AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT made the 21st day of October, 2019, by and between, NUVEEN SERVICES, LLC (“Nuveen”), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, with offices at 730 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10017, and the Nuveen investment products that execute an Adoption Agreement, provided herein as Attachment I, and as listed herein on Attachment II, (individually each such investment product hereinafter is referred to as “Fund” and collectively, as the “Funds”); and DST SYSTEMS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 (“DST”):

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, certain Funds associated with Nuveen entered into the Agency Agreement dated as of the 30th day of November, 2017 (the “Original Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Nuveen and each Fund desires to replace the Original Agreement with this amended and restated agreement to address additional Funds associated with Nuveen and to appoint DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the additional Funds listed on Attachment II herein and as amended from time to time, and DST desires to accept such appointment upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.

Documents to be Provided with Appointment.

In connection with the appointment of DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent for each Fund, each Fund will provide DST with the following documents:

  A.

A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors/Trustees, as appropriate, of each Fund appointing DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, approving the form of this Agreement, and designating certain persons to sign or give written or oral instructions and requests on behalf of each Fund;

  B.

A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation/Declaration/Articles of Organization of Fund, as appropriate, of each Fund and all amendments thereto;


  C.

A certified copy of the Bylaws/Articles, as appropriate, of each Fund and all amendments thereto;

  D.

Copies of Registration Statements and amendments thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  E.

A certificate of each Fund as to the Shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as well as a description of all reserves of unissued Shares relating to the exercise of options, if any;

  F.

Specimens of the signatures of the officers of each Fund authorized to sign on behalf of each Fund generally and individuals authorized to sign written instructions and requests;

  G.

A certificate by the Secretary or similarly situated officer of each Fund (who may be each Fund’s General Counsel) with respect to:

  (1)

Each Fund’s organization and existence and status in good standing under the laws of its state of organization,

  (2)

Each Fund is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of its organization,

  (3)

The status of all shares of stock of each Fund covered by the appointment under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and any other applicable federal or state statute,

  (4)

That all issued shares are, and all unissued shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and

  H.

Statements as to (i) the existence or termination of any restrictions on the transfer of shares and in the application to or removal of any legend restricting the transfer of such shares, (ii) any authorized but unissued shares reserved for specific purposes, (iii) if any reserved shares are subject to option and, if so, the details of such reservation, and (iv) special instructions regarding dividends and information of any foreign security holders.

  I.

For this Section 1, a certificate from each Fund’s Secretary or Chief Financial Officer is acceptable.

 

2.

Certain Representations and Warranties of DST.

DST represents and warrants to each Fund that:

  A.

It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.

  B.

It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of Missouri.

  C.

It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into and perform the services contemplated in this Agreement.

  D.

It is registered as a transfer agent to the extent required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).


  E.

All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

  F.

It has and will continue to have and maintain the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.

Certain Representations and Warranties of each Fund.

Nuveen and each Fund represents and warrants to DST that now and throughout the term of the Agreement:

  A.

It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter/declaration, and Bylaws/Articles, to enter into and perform this Agreement, and pursuant to a duly called meeting of each Fund’s Board of Directors, each Fund has appointed DST as Agent hereunder.

  B.

It is a corporation or partnership, as applicable, duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State/Commonwealth appearing after its name at the beginning of this Agreement and is duly qualified, as required, to carry on its business in the jurisdictions in which it is required to so qualify or in which DST provides the Services.

  C.

All shares of each Fund when issued will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

  D.

A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 has been filed and will be effective with respect to all shares of each Fund being offered for sale.

  E.

All requisite steps have been and will at all times material hereto continue to be taken to register each Fund’s shares for sale in all applicable states and such registration will be effective at all times shares are offered for sale in such state All Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement were issued pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act or were exempt or were issued in a transaction or transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Any Shares issued after the date hereof will be issued pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, unless in each case such Shares or transaction is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.

  F.

To the extent required to offer shares of each Fund as contemplated herein, each Fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any securities self-regulatory organization, and/or any state or non-US securities regulatory body that asserts the authority to regulate such matter, by regulation, order or otherwise (collectively, the “Applicable Regulatory Authorities”), has made all required notice or other filings with and paid all required fees to all Applicable Regulatory Authorities and is currently, and will remain throughout the term of this Agreement, in substantial compliance with


 

applicable law. To the extent any applicable law requires registration, licensing or other qualifications of each Fund or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates, or payment of fees or filing of documents, they are in compliance with same. The foregoing representations will remain accurate during the term of this Agreement.

  G.

Each offer to sell or sale of shares of each Fund by each Fund or its agents, representatives and dealers in each state in which a share is offered for sale or sold will be made in material compliance with all applicable Federal, State or local laws, rules and regulations.

  H.

Each Fund is empowered under applicable laws and by each Fund’s organizational documents as applicable, to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

4.

Scope of Appointment.

  A.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Fund hereby appoints DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent.

  B.

DST hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that it will act as each Fund’s Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent. DST agrees that it will also act as agent in connection with each Fund’s periodic withdrawal payment accounts and other open accounts or similar plans for securityholders, if any.

  C.

Each Fund agrees to use its reasonable efforts to deliver to DST in Kansas City, Missouri, as soon as they are available, all of its securityholder account records.

  D.

DST, utilizing TA2000, DST’s computerized data processing system for securityholder accounting (the “TA2000 System”) and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, will perform the following services as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for each Fund, and as agent of each Fund for securityholder accounts thereof, in a timely manner: (i) issuing (including countersigning), transferring and redeeming book entry shares; (ii) maintaining securityholder accounts on the records of each Fund on the TA2000 System; (iii) when and if a Fund participates in the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), accepting and effectuating the registration and maintenance of accounts through Networking and the purchase, redemption, and transfer of shares in such accounts through systems or applications offered to its participants by NSCC (the “Programs”) in accordance with instructions transmitted to and received by DST by transmission from NSCC on behalf of broker-dealers and banks which have been established by, or in accordance with the instructions of, an Authorized Person, as


 

hereinafter defined, on the Dealer File maintained by DST, or, solely for Interval Funds1, when and if a Fund participates in the Depository Trust Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”), and to the extent DST supports the functionality of the applicable DTCC program (i.e., Networking, AIP, Fund Serv, each, the “Program”), accept and effectuate the registration and maintenance of accounts through the Program and the purchase, redemption, exchange and transfer of shares in such accounts through systems or applications offered via the Program in accordance with instructions transmitted to and received by DST by transmission from DTCC on behalf of broker-dealers and banks which have been established by, or in accordance with the instructions of, an Authorized Person, on the dealer file maintained by DST; (iv) when and if a Fund participates in the NSCC issuing instructions to each Funds’ banks for the settlement of transactions between each Funds and NSCC (acting on behalf of its broker-dealer and bank participants), or, solely for Interval Funds, when and if a Fund participates in the Depository Trust Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”), and to the extent DST supports the functionality of the applicable DTCC program (i.e., Networking, AIP, Fund Serv, each, the “Program”), Issue instructions to the Fund’s banks for the settlement of transactions between the Fund and DTCC (acting on behalf of its broker-dealer and bank participants); (v) when and if a Fund participates in the NSCC providing account and transaction information from each affected Fund’s records on TA2000 in accordance with the applicable Program’s rules for and those broker-dealers; (vi) when and if a Fund participates in the NSCC, maintaining securityholder accounts on TA2000 through the Programs; (vii) providing transaction journals; (viii) once annually preparing securityholder meeting lists for use in connection with the annual meeting and certifying a copy of such list; (ix) mailing securityholder reports and prospectuses; (x) withholding, as required by federal law, taxes on securityholder accounts, preparing, filing and providing, in electronic format, the U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099, 1042, 1042S, and K-l to Fund’s print vendor of choice and performing and paying backup withholding as required for all securityholders; (xi) disbursing income dividends and capital gains distributions to securityholders and recording reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of each Fund; (xii) preparing and providing, in electronic format, confirmation forms for securityholders to Fund’s print vendor of choice as instructed, for all purchases and liquidations of shares of

 

 

1 For purposes of this Agreement, an “Interval Fund” is a type of closed-end fund with shares that do not trade on the secondary market. Instead the fund periodically offers to buy back a percentage of outstanding shares at net asset value (NAV).


 

each Fund and other confirmable transactions in securityholders’ accounts; (xiii) providing or making available on-line daily and monthly reports as provided by the TA2000 System and as requested by each Fund or its management company; (xiv) maintaining those records necessary to carry out DST’s duties hereunder, including all information reasonably required by each Fund to account for all transactions on TA2000 in each Fund shares; (xv) calculating the appropriate sales charge with respect to each purchase of each Fund shares as instructed by an Authorized Person, as hereinafter defined, determining the portion of each sales charge payable to the dealer participating in a sale in accordance with schedules and instructions delivered to DST by each Fund’s managing dealer or distributor (hereinafter “managing dealer”) or any other Authorized Person from time to time, disbursing dealer commissions collected to such dealers, determining the portion of each sales charge payable to such managing dealer and disbursing such commissions to the managing dealer; (xvi) receiving correspondence pertaining to any former, existing or new securityholder account, processing such correspondence for proper recordkeeping, and responding promptly to securityholder correspondence; mailing to dealers confirmations of wire order trades; providing copies of securityholder statements, in electronic format, to Fund’s print vendor of choice in accordance with the instructions of an Authorized Person; (xvii) processing, generally on the date of receipt, purchases or instructions to settle any mail or wire order purchases received in proper order as set forth in the prospectus and rejecting promptly any requests not received in proper order (as defined by an Authorized Person or the Procedures as hereinafter defined); (xviii) providing to the person designated by an Authorized Person the daily Blue Sky reports generated by the Blue Sky module of TA2000 with respect to purchases of shares of each Funds on TA2000; (xix) once approval of each Fund therefore has been received by DST, processing timely redemptions (as provided in each Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan) received in proper order as approved by each Fund in accordance with the instructions of each Fund, rejecting promptly any requests not received in proper order (as defined by an Authorized Person or the Procedures as hereinafter defined); and (xx) providing to each Fund escheatment reports as requested by an Authorized Person with respect to the status of accounts and outstanding checks on TA2000. For clarification, with respect to obligations, each Fund is responsible any registration or filing with a federal or state government body or obtaining approval from such body required for the sale of shares of each Fund in each jurisdiction in which it is sold. DST’s sole obligation is to provide each Fund access to the Blue Sky module of TA2000 with respect to purchases of shares of each Fund on


 

TA2000. It is each Fund’s responsibility to validate that the blue sky module settings are accurate and complete and to validate the output produced thereby and other applicable reports provided by DST, to ensure accuracy. DST is not responsible in any way for claims that the sale of shares of each Fund violated any such requirement (unless such violation results from a failure of the DST Blue Sky module to notify each Fund that such sales do not comply with the parameters set by each Fund for sales to residents of a given state).

  E.

At the request of an Authorized Person, DST shall use reasonable efforts to provide the services set forth in Section 4.D in connection with transactions (i) the processing of which transactions require DST to use methods and procedures other than those usually employed by DST to perform securityholder servicing agent services, (ii) involving the provision of information to DST after the commencement of the nightly processing cycle of the TA2000 System or (iii) which require more manual intervention by DST, either in the entry of data or in the modification or amendment of reports generated by the TA2000 System than is usually required by normal transactions, (the “Exception Services”).

  F.

DST shall use reasonable efforts to provide, reasonably promptly under the circumstances, the same services with respect to any new, additional functions or features or any changes or improvements to existing functions or features as provided for in each Fund’s instructions, prospectus or application as amended from time to time, for each Fund provided (i) DST is advised in advance by each Fund of any changes therein and (ii) the TA2000 System and the mode of operations utilized by DST as then constituted supports such additional functions and features. If any addition to, improvement of or change in the features and functions currently provided by the TA2000 System or the operations as requested by each Fund requires an enhancement or modification to the TA2000 System or to operations as presently conducted by DST, DST shall not be liable therefore until such modification or enhancement is installed on the TA2000 System or new mode of operation is instituted. lf any new, additional function or feature or change or improvement to existing functions or features or new service or mode of operation as requested by each Fund measurably increases DST’s cost of performing the services required hereunder at the current level of service, DST shall advise each Fund of the amount of such increase and if each Fund elects to utilize such function, feature or service, DST shall be entitled to increase its fees by the amount of the increase in costs. In no event shall DST be responsible for or liable to provide any additional function, feature, improvement or change in method of operation until it has consented thereto in writing.


  G.

Each Fund shall add all new investment programs to the TA2000 System upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to DST provided that the requirements of the new programs are generally consistent with services then being provided by DST under this Agreement. Rates or charges for additional programs shall be as set forth in Exhibit A, as hereinafter defined, for the remainder of the contract term except as such programs use functions, features or characteristics for which DST has imposed an additional charge as part of its standard pricing schedule. In the latter event, rates and charges shall be in accordance with DST’s then-standard pricing schedule.

  H.

The provisions of this Section 4.H that follow this sentence shall take precedence over and shall govern in the event of any inconsistency between such provisions and any other provisions of this Agreement or any provisions of any exhibit or other attachment to this Agreement (or any provisions of any attachment to any such exhibit or attachment). The parties agree that – to the extent that DST provides any services under this Agency Agreement that relate to compliance by each Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law, including without limitation the services described in Section 4.D(x) – it is the parties’ mutual intent that DST will provide only printing, reproducing, and other mechanical assistance to each Fund and that DST will not make any judgments or exercise any discretion of any kind, and particularly that DST will not make any judgments or exercise any discretion in: (l) determining generally the actions that are required in connection with such compliance or determining generally when such compliance has been achieved; (2) determining the amounts of taxes that should be withheld on securityholder accounts (except to the extent of making mathematical calculations of such amounts based on express instructions provided by each Fund); (3) determining the amounts that should be reported in or on any specific box or line of any tax form (except to the extent of making mathematical calculations of such amounts based on express instructions provided by each Fund which among other things identify the specific boxes and lines into which amounts calculated by DST are to be placed); (4) classifying the status of securityholders and securityholder accounts under applicable tax law (except to the extent of following express instructions regarding such classification provided by each Fund); and (5) paying withholding and other taxes, except pursuant to the express instructions of each Fund. Each Fund agrees that it will provide express and comprehensive instructions to DST in connection with all of the services that are to be provided by DST under this Agency Agreement that relate to compliance by each Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law (including without


 

limitation the services described in Section 4.D(x)), including promptly providing responses to requests for direction that may be made from time to time by DST of each Fund in this regard.

  I.

(i)        Each Fund instructs and authorizes DST to provide the services as set forth in this Agreement in connection with transactions on behalf of certain Individual Retirement (“IRA”) accounts (“IRA Accounts”) featuring each Fund made available by each Fund, and offered through DST’s IRA custodial offering where DST acts as service provider. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that as part of such services, DST will act as service provider to the custodian for such IRA Accounts. Each Fund agrees that DST will perform the following functions, among others, with respect to the IRA Accounts:

   

securityholder recordkeeping;

   

account servicing (including returning securityholders’ initial principal investment if requested pursuant to the 7-day right of revocation as allowed per statutory regulations);

   

receipt of securityholder monies within each Fund universal bank account;

   

movement of securityholder money to either each Fund or custodian cash positions;

   

payment, dividend disbursement and bank account reconciliation;

   

preparing, providing in electronic format a file to Fund’s print vendor of choice, and filing all tax reports, information returns and other documents required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to IRA Accounts and withholding and submitting all taxes relating to such accounts;

   

providing all securityholder notices and other information which the Custodian provides with regard to the IRA Accounts under applicable federal and state laws;

   

providing reasonable assistance to each Fund to complete a block transfer of the securityholders’ custodial accounts to a successor custodian, in the event the custodian resigns as custodian for the securityholders (subject to recompense of DST for such assistance at its standard rates and fees for personnel then in effect at that time);

   

solicitation and processing of securityholder paid custodial fees; and

   

processing of annual custodian maintenance fees from cash or reinvested distributions.

Reimbursable Expenses, including but not limited to postage and mailing, shall apply to the services provided under this Section 4.I.


(ii)        In connection with providing services for the IRA Accounts, each Fund hereby authorizes DST, acting as agent for each Fund: (1) to establish in the name of, and to maintain on behalf of, each Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps based on fees paid over some period of time on the maximum liability of such Banks, as hereinafter defined, one or more deposit accounts at a nationally or regionally known banking institution (the “Bank”) into which DST shall deposit each Fund’s funds DST receives for payment of dividends, distributions, purchases of each Fund shares, redemptions of each Fund shares, commissions, corporate re-organizations (including recapitalizations or liquidations) or any other disbursements made by DST on behalf of each Fund and the IRA securityholders provided for in this Agreement; (2) move money to either each Fund or custodian cash positions per securityholder instructions, to draw checks upon such accounts, to issue orders or instructions to the Bank for the payment out of such accounts as necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes for which such instructions were provided to DST, and any other banking relationships, arrangements and agreements with such Bank as are necessary or appropriate to fulfill DST’s obligations under this Agreement with respect to the IRA Accounts. DST, acting as agent for each Fund, is also hereby authorized to execute on behalf and in the name of each Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps based on fees paid over some period of time on the maximum liability of such Banks, agreements with banks for ACH, wire transfer, draft processing services, as well as any other services which are necessary or appropriate for DST to utilize to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.1. In each of the foregoing situations, DST shall not be liable for any Adverse Consequences (as hereinafter defined) arising out of or resulting from errors or omissions of the Bank provided, however, that DST shall have acted in good faith, with due diligence and without negligence.

(iii)        Representations, Warranties and Covenants. DST hereby represents, warrants and covenants that:

  A.

Any cash account maintained at any Bank for the IRA Accounts shall be insured in an amount equal to the maximum deposit insurance amount maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits per securityholder;

  B.

Any agreement between DST and any entity retained to serve as custodian for the IRA Accounts shall provide that such custodian may not terminate such agreement (or otherwise resign as custodian of the IRA Accounts) without providing at least


 

ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to DST except if the termination is for cause, in which event ten (10) days’ prior written notice is required; and

  C.

In the event that the custodian (or any successor custodian for the IRA Accounts) terminates the custodial agreement with DST (or otherwise resigns as custodian of the IRA Accounts), DST shall: (i) provide prompt notice to each Fund regarding such termination or resignation, and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to find a successor custodian.

(iv)       Investment Authority; No Fiduciary. In no event shall each Fund (i) have or exercise any discretionary authority or discretionary control whatsoever respecting the management or any assets in any IRA Account or any authority or control respecting the disposition of any assets of the IRA Account; (ii) render or have authority or responsibility to render investment advice with respect to any monies or other property of any IRA Account; or (iii) have or exercise any discretionary authority or discretionary responsibility in the administration of any IRA Account. In no event shall each Fund be deemed to be a “fiduciary” as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and/or Section 4975 of the Code with respect to any assets or property of any IRA.

  J.

The parties acknowledge and agree that additional investment products associated with or sponsored by each Fund may elect to become parties to this Agreement and receive Services from DST as provided therein by execution of the Adoption Agreement attached hereto as Attachment 11 (the “Adoption Agreement”). Thereafter, any such additional investment product shall, be thereafter parties to this Agreement and be collectively referred to as a “Fund” as of the date of the execution of such Adoption Agreement.

  K.

Additionally, at the option of each Fund, DST will provide e-Presentment services, in accordance with the terms and fees to be determined by the parties at that time. Such e-Presentment services may be set forth in an Exhibit that, if agreed by the parties hereto, will become part of this Agreement.

  L.

Additionally, upon receipt of a Fund’s written request, DST shall provide transmissions of shareholder activity to the print vendor selected by each Fund.

 

5.

Limit of Authority.

The appointment of DST as Transfer Agent for each Fund will be construed to cover the full amount of authorized stock of each class or classes for which DST is appointed as the same will, from time to time, be constituted, and as reduced or increased from time to time.

In case of such reduction or increase each Fund will file with DST:


  A.

If the appointment of DST was theretofore expressly limited, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Fund increasing the authority of DST;

  B.

A certified copy of the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of each Fund authorizing the increase of stock;

  C.

A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law to consent to the issuance of the increased stock;

  D.

A certificate of the Secretary or similarly situated officer of each Fund (who may be each Fund’s General Counsel) with respect to for each Fund stating:

(l)        The statue of the additional shares of stock of each Fund under the 1933 Act, and any other applicable federal or state statute; and

(2)       That the additional shares are, or when issued will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

6.

Compensation and Expenses.

  A.

In consideration for DST’s services hereunder as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, each Fund will pay to DST compensation for all services rendered as Agent as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (“Compensation”) The monthly fee for an open account shall be charged in the month during which an account is opened through the month in which such account is closed. The monthly fee for a closed account shall be charged in the month following the month during which such account is closed and shall cease to be charged in the month following the Purge Date, as hereinafter defined in Section 17.

  B.

Each Fund also agrees promptly to reimburse DST for all reasonable out of pocket or other expenses or disbursements incurred by DST in connection with the performance of services under this Agreement as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (“Expenses”). In addition, any other reasonable expenses incurred by DST at the request or with the consent of each Fund will be promptly reimbursed by each Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any reimbursable expenses incurred which is not set forth on Exhibit A, or any non-recurring expense over $10,000 incurred in one month must be pre-approved by each Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

  C.

Amounts due hereunder shall be due and paid on or before the thirtieth (30th ) business day after receipt of the statement therefor by each Fund (the “Due Date”). Each Fund is aware that its failure to pay all amounts in a timely fashion so that they will be received by DST on or before the Due Date will give rise to costs to DST not contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges.


 

Accordingly, subject to Section 6.D. hereof, in the event that any amounts due hereunder are not received by DST by the Due Date, each Fund shall pay a late charge equal to the lesser of the maximum amount permitted by applicable law or the product of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month times the amount overdue times the number of months from the Due Date up to and including the day on which payment is received by DST The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs incurred by reason of late payment or payment of amounts not properly due. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver of each Fund’s or DST’s default or prevent the non-defaulting party from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.

  D.

In the event that any charges are disputed, each Fund shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify DST in writing of any disputed charges for billable expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the close of the fifth (5th) business day after the day on which DST provides to each Fund documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports the disputed charges (the “Revised Due Date”). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first business day after the Revised Due Date.

  E.

The fees and charges set forth on Exhibit A shall increase or may be increased as follows:

  (1)

As set forth within Exhibit A;

  (2)

DST may increase the fees and charges set forth on Exhibit A upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice if substantially all DST clients are charged separately for:

  (i)

Substantial system modifications or a material increase in cost of performance hereunder necessitated by changes in existing laws, rules or regulations or

  (ii)

Substantial system modifications required at DST’s discretion in order to maintain the TA2000 System.

  (3)

DST may charge for additional functions or features of TA2000 or other DST System used by each Fund which features are not consistent with each Fund’s current processing requirements provided that use of such functions or features is optional to each Fund;

  (4)

In the event DST, at each Fund’s request or direction, performs Exception Services, DST shall be entitled to increase the fees and charges for such Exception Services


 

from those set forth on Exhibit A to the extent such Exception Services increase DST’s cost of performance; and

  (5)

Charges attendant to the development of reasonable changes to the TA2000 System requested by each Fund (“Client Requested Software”) shall be at DST’s standard rates and fees in effect at the time. If the cost to DST of operating the TA2000 System is increased by the addition of Client Requested Software, DST shall be entitled to increase its fees by an amount to be mutually agreed upon. If DST notifies each Fund of an increase in fees or charges pursuant to subparagraph (2) of this Section 6.E., each Fund agrees to reimburse DST for each Fund’s pro-rata portion of the cost associated with such substantial system modifications.

If DST notifies each Fund of an increase in fees or charges under subparagraphs (3), or (4) of this Section 6.E., the parties shall confer, diligently and in good faith, and agree upon a new fee to cover such new fund feature.

 

7.

Operation of DST System.

In connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, DST is responsible for such items as:

  A.

That entries in DST’s records, and in each Fund’s records created by DST on the TA2000 System, reflect the orders, instructions, and other information received by DST from each Fund, each Fund’s distributor, manager or managing dealer, each Fund’s investment adviser, each Fund’s sponsor, each Fund’s custodian, or each Fund’s administrator and any other person whom each Fund names on Exhibit B (each an “Authorized Person”), broker-dealers or securityholders;

  B.

That securityholder lists, securityholder account verifications, confirmations and other securityholder account information to be produced from its records or data be available and accurately reflect the data in each Fund’s records on the TA2000 System;

  C.

The accurate and timely issuance of dividend and distribution payments in accordance with instructions received from each Fund and the data in each Fund’s records on the TA2000 System;

  D.

That, once approval of each Fund therefor has been received by DST, redemptions and payments be effected timely in accordance with the instructions of each Fund and accurately in accordance with redemption instructions received by DST from Authorized Persons, broker-dealers or securityholders and the data in each Fund’s records on the TA2000 System;


  E.

The deposit daily in each Fund’s appropriate bank account of all checks and payments received by DST from NSCC (if applicable), broker-dealers or securityholders for investment in shares;

  F.

The requiring of proper forms of instructions, signatures and signature guarantees and any necessary documents supporting the opening of securityholder accounts, transfers, redemptions and other securityholder account transactions, all in conformance with DST’s present procedures as set forth in its Legal Manual, Third Party Check Procedures, Checkwriting Draft Procedures, Compliance + and Identity Theft Programs and Signature Guarantee Procedures (collectively the “Procedures”) with such changes or deviations therefrom as may be from time to time required or approved by each Fund, its investment adviser or managing dealer, or its or DST’s counsel and the rejection of orders or instructions not in good order in accordance with the applicable prospectus or the Procedures;

  G.

The maintenance of customary records in connection with its agency in accordance with the transfer agent recordkeeping requirements under the 1934 Act;

  H.

The maintenance of a current, duplicate set of each Fund’s essential records at a secure separate location, in a form available and usable forthwith in the event of any breakdown or disaster disrupting its main operation; and

  I.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to “as of” adjustments, except where a loss is the result of DST committing an act or omission to act that is undertaken purposefully under circumstances in which DST knows that such act or omission is a breach of DST’s obligations under this Agreement and for the purpose of causing harm or damage to each Fund (“Intentionally Malicious Acts or Omissions”), DST will not assume one hundred percent (100%) responsibility for losses resulting from “as ofs” due to clerical errors or misinterpretations of securityholder instructions, but DST will discuss with each Fund DST’s accepting liability for an “as of” on a case-by-case basis and will accept financial responsibility for a particular situation resulting in a financial loss to each Fund where such loss is “material”, as hereinafter defined, and, under the particular facts at issue, DST’s conduct was culpable and DST’s conduct is the sole cause of the loss. A loss is “material” for purposes of this Section 7.F. when it results in a pricing error on a given day which is (i) greater than a negligible amount per securityholder, (ii) equals or exceeds one ($.01) full cent per share times the number of shares outstanding or (iii) equals or exceeds the product of one-half of one percent (1%) times Fund’s Net Asset Value per share times the number of shares outstanding (or, in case of (ii) or (iii), such other amounts as may be


 

adopted by applicable accounting or regulatory authorities from time to time). When DST is culpable for a loss under this paragraph, DST’s responsibility to contribute to the settlement of that loss will commence with that portion of the loss over $0.01 per share calculated on the basis of the total value of all shares owned by the affected portfolio (i.e., on the basis of the value of the shares of the total portfolio, including all classes of that portfolio, not just those of the affected class).

 

8.

Indemnification.

  A.

DST shall provide the services set forth in, and fulfill its obligations under, this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Section 17A of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, any other federal or state laws applicable to DST’s acting as a transfer agent or any local laws which are the subject of a Memorandum issued by the Investment Company Institute or brought to DST’s attention by an Authorized Person. For those activities or actions delineated in the Procedures, DST shall be presumed to have acted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement if DST has acted in accordance with the Procedures in effect when DST acted or omitted to act.

  B.

Except to the extent a loss results from DST’s Intentionally Malicious-Acts or Omissions, or DST’s gross negligence, DST shall not be responsible for, and each Fund shall indemnify and hold DST harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability which may be asserted against DST or for which DST may be held to be liable (including without limitation any reasonable attorney’s fees or court costs incurred by DST in enforcing this right to each Fund’s indemnification) (the “Adverse Consequences”), arising out of or attributable to:

  (1)

All actions or omissions of DST required to be taken or omitted by DST pursuant to this Agreement, provided that DST has fulfilled all obligations under this Agreement with respect to the matter for which DST is seeking indemnification;

  (2)

Each Fund’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or the material breach of any representation or warranty of each Fund hereunder;

  (3)

The good faith reliance on, or the carrying out of, any written or oral instructions or requests of persons designated by each Fund in writing (see Exhibit B) from time to time as authorized to give instructions on its behalf or representatives of an Authorized Person or DST’s good faith reliance on, or use of, information, data, records, transmissions and documents received from, or which have been prepared and/or maintained by each Fund, its investment advisor, its sponsor, its managing


 

dealer or any other person or entity from whom each Fund -instructs DST to accept and utilize information, data, records, transmissions and documents;

  (4)

Defaults by dealers or shareowners with respect to payment for share orders previously entered;

  (5)

The negotiation and processing of all checks, including checks that are tendered to DST for the purchase of shares of each Fund;

  (6)

The offer or sale of each Fund’s shares in violation of any requirement under federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or state with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state or in excess of the authorized number of outstanding shares (unless such violation results from (a) DST’s failure to comply with written instructions of each Fund or of any officer of each Fund that no offers or sales be permitted to remain in each Fund’s securityholder records in or to residents of such state, or (b) DST’s violation as it relates to its transfer agency obligations, of the federal securities law or regulations or the securities laws and regulations of any state that it is found to have committed by a federal or state regulatory agency with jurisdiction over DST);

  (7)

Each Fund’s errors and mistakes in the use of the TA2000 System, the data center, computer and related equipment used to access the TA2000 System (the “DST Facilities”), and control procedures relating thereto in the verification of output and in the remote input of data;

  (8)

Errors, inaccuracies, and omissions in, or errors, inaccuracies or omissions of DST arising out of or resulting from such errors, inaccuracies and omissions in, each Fund’s records, securityholder and other records, delivered to DST hereunder by each Fund or its prior agent(s);

  (9)

Actions or omissions to act by each Fund or agents designated by each Fund with respect to duties assumed thereby as provided for in Section 21 hereof; and

  (10)

DST’s performance of Exception Services except where DST acted or omitted to act in bad faith, with reckless disregard of its obligations or with gross negligence.

  C.

Except where DST is entitled to indemnification under Section 8.B. hereof and except to the extent a loss results from Fund’s Intentionally Malicious Acts or Omissions, or Fund’s gross negligence, DST shall indemnify and hold each Fund harmless from and against any and all Adverse Consequences arising out of DST’s failure to comply with the terms of, or to fulfill its obligations under, this Agreement or arising out of or attributable to DST’s


 

material breach of any representation or warranty hereunder; provided, however, that DST’s cumulative and aggregate liability during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from or arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the amounts paid hereunder by each Fund to DST as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to DST’s liability.

  D.

IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL EITHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION THE OTHER PARTY, FOR PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR OTHER SPECIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT HEREUNDER, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

  E.

Promptly after receipt by an indemnified person of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified person will, if a claim in respect thereto is to be made against an indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve an indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified person for contribution or otherwise under the indemnity agreement contained herein except to the extent it is prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure to timely notify. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified person and such indemnified person seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it may wish, assume the defense thereof (in its own name or in the name and on behalf of any indemnified party or both with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified person); provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified person and an indemnifying party and the indemnified person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict between the positions of the indemnified person and an indemnifying party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified persons which are inconsistent with those available to an indemnifying party, the indemnified person or indemnified persons shall have the right to select one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) to assume such legal defense and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified person or


 

indemnified persons at such indemnified party’s sole expense, Upon receipt of notice from an indemnifying party to such indemnified person of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified person of counsel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld (and any disapproval shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons therefor), the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified person hereunder for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified person in connection with the defense thereof. An indemnifying party will not settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified persons are actual or potential parties to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding. An indemnified party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder. If it does so, it waives its right to indemnification therefor.

 

9.

Certain Covenants of DST and each Fund.

  A.

All requisite steps will be taken by each Fund from time to time when and as necessary to register, or qualify, as applicable, each Fund’s shares for sale in all states in which each Fund’s shares shall at the time be offered for sale and require registration or qualification. If at any time each Fund receives notice or becomes aware of any stop order or other proceeding in any such state affecting such registration or the sale of each Fund’s shares, or of any stop order or other proceeding under the federal securities laws affecting the sale of each Fund’s shares, each Fund will give prompt notice thereof to DST.

  B.

DST hereby agrees to perform such transfer agency functions as are set forth in Section 4.D. above and establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to each Fund for safekeeping of check forms, and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such forms and devices, and to carry such insurance as it considers adequate and reasonably available.

  C.

DST agrees that all records maintained by DST relating to services to be performed by DST under this Agreement are the property of each Fund and will be preserved and will be surrendered promptly to each Fund on request.


  D.

DST agrees to furnish each Fund annual reports of DST’s financial condition, consisting of a balance sheet, earnings statement and any other public financial information reasonably requested by each Fund. The annual financial statements will be certified by DST’s certified public accountants.

  E.

DST represents and agrees that it will use its reasonable efforts to keep current on the trends of the transfer agent industry relating to securityholder services and will use its reasonable efforts to continue to modernize and improve its systems.

  F.

DST will permit each Fund and its authorized representatives (subject to execution of DST’s standard confidentiality and non-use agreement) to make periodic inspections of its operations as such involves or is utilized by DST to provide services to each Fund at reasonable times during business hours. DST will permit duly authorized federal examiners to make periodic inspections of its operations as such would involve each Fund to obtain, inter alia, information and records relating to DST’s performance of its Compliance + Program or Identity Theft Program obligations and to inspect DST’s operations for purposes of the Program.” Any costs imposed by such examiners in connection with such examination (other than fines or other penalties) shall be paid by each Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, DST is authorized to and will permit the Internal Revenue Service and any other tax authority to inspect its operations in connection with examinations by any such authority of DST’s or other taxpayer’s compliance with the tax laws, and the costs of each such inspection and examination shall be paid by each Fund to the extent that the examination relates to DST’s performance of services under this Agreement. Each Fund will not, however, be responsible for any costs to DST relating to any inspection or examination (including any resulting fines or other penalties) of DST’s business generally by any federal or state regulatory agency with jurisdiction over DST that does not specifically relate to each Fund or the services received by each Fund hereunder.

  G.

Each Fund shall not enter into one or more omnibus, third-party sub-agency or sub accounting agreements with (i) unaffiliated third-party broker/dealers or other financial intermediaries who have a distribution agreement with the affected Funds or (ii) third party administrators of group retirement or annuity plans, unless each Fund either (A) provides DST with a minimum of twelve (12) months’ notice before the accounts are deconverted from DST, or (B), if twelve (12) months’ notice is not possible, Fund shall compensate DST by paying a one-time termination fee equal to $.10 per deconverted


 

account per month for every month short of the twelve (12) months’ notice in connection with each such deconversion.

  H.

DST shall comply with Exhibit C (Information Protection Program), which are made a part of this Agreement and apply to the Services. The policies and procedures specified in Exhibit C (Information Protection Program) are subject to change at any time in accordance with DST’s internal change control procedures, provided that the protections afforded thereby will not be diminished in comparison with those currently provided by DST to each Fund under this Agreement. Throughout the Term of this Agreement, as part of the Services, DST shall maintain reasonable backup and security procedures in accordance with its then current internal policies and procedures. DST will be reasonably available to meet with and provide assurances to each Fund concerning its backup procedures as well as its security procedures.

 

10.

Recapitalization or Readjustment.

In case of any recapitalization, readjustment or other change in the capital structure of each Fund requiring a change in the shares contained in book entry form on the stock record of each Fund as maintained by DST, DST will effectuate or transfer ownership of, the outstanding shares in book entry, upon receiving:

  A.

Written instructions from an officer of each Fund;

  B.

Certified copy of the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or other document effecting the change;

  C.

Certified copy of any order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority, required by law to the issuance of new book entry shares.

  D.

Specimens of the new certificates in the form approved by the Board of Directors of each Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary of each Fund as to such approval;

  E.

A certificate by the Secretary or similarly situated officer of each Fund (who may be each Fund’s General Counsel) stating:

  (1)

The status of the shares of stock of each fund in the new form under the 1933 Act, and any other applicable federal or state statute; and

  (2)

That the issued shares in the new form are, and all unissued shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

11.

Death, Resignation or Removal of Signing Officer.


Each Fund will promptly provide DST written notice of any change in the officers authorized to sign stock certificates, written instructions or requests, together with two signature cards bearing the specimen signature of each newly authorized officer.

 

12.

Future Amendments of Charter/Declaration and Bylaws/Articles, as appropriate.

Each Fund will promptly file with DST copies of all material amendments to its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws made after the date of this Agreement.

 

13.

Instructions, Opinion of Counsel and Signatures.

At any time DST may apply to any person authorized by each Fund to give instructions to DST, and may with the approval of a Fund officer consult with legal counsel for each Fund, or DST’s own legal counsel at the expense of each Fund, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the agency and it will not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. In connection with services provided by DST under this Agreement that relate to compliance by each Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law, including without limitation the services described in Section 4.D(x), DST shall have no obligation to continue to provide such services after it has asked each Fund to give it instructions which it believes are needed by it to so continue to provide such services and before it receives the needed instructions from each Fund, and DST shall have no liability for any damages (including without limitation penalties imposed by any tax authority) caused by or that result from its failure to provide services as contemplated by this sentence. DST will be protected in acting upon any paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons and will not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from each Fund.

 

14.

Force Majeure and Disaster Recovery Plans.

  A.

DST shall not be responsible or liable for its failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation: any interruption, loss or malfunction of any utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or communication service; inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation, or a delay in mails; governmental or exchange action, statute, ordinance, rulings, regulations or direction; war, strike, riot, emergency, civil disturbance, terrorism, vandalism, explosions, labor disputes, freezes, floods, fires, tornados, acts of God or public enemy, revolutions, or insurrection; or any other cause, contingency,


 

circumstance or delay not subject to DST’s reasonable control which prevents or hinders DST’s performance hereunder.

  B.

Provided each Fund is paying its pro rata portion of the charge therefor, DST shall provide back-up facilities to the data center or centers used by DST to provide the transfer agency services hereunder (collectively, the “Back-Up Facilities”) capable of supplying the transfer agency services specified herein to each Funds in case of damage to the primary facility providing those services. The back-up to the data center operations facility will have no other function that could not be suspended immediately for an indefinite period of time to the extent necessary to allow, or continue to be supported while allowing, the facility to function as a back-up facility and support all functionality scheduled to be supported in DST’s Business Contingency Plan. Transfer to the Back-Up Facility shall commence promptly after the DST’s declaration of a disaster and shall be conducted in accordance with DST’s Business Contingency Plan, which Plan calls for the transfer of TA2000 to the Back-Up Facilities to be completed within 4 hours after DST’s declaration of a disaster. Each Fund shall not bear any costs (in addition to the Fees and charges set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto) related to such transfer. At least once annually, DST shall complete a successful test of the Business Contingency Plan.

  C.

DST also currently maintains, separate from the area in which the operations which provides the services to each Fund hereunder are located, a Crisis Management Center consisting of phones, computers and the other equipment necessary to operate a full service transfer agency business in the event one of its operations areas is rendered inoperable. The transfer of operations to other operating areas or to the Crisis Management Center is also covered in DST’s Business Contingency Plan.

  D.

DST is not responsible for a failure, unavailability, disruption, or any circumstance arising out of, related to, or resulting from DST’s efforts (including DST intentionally making the System(s) unavailable) to block or otherwise prevent a security breach, provided that DST has fulfilled its information security obligations as set forth within Exhibit D attached hereto otherwise and Client is notified promptly as reasonably practicable.

 

15.

Certification of Documents.

The required copy of the Articles of Incorporation of each Fund and copies of all amendments thereto will be certified by the Secretary of State (or other appropriate official) of the State of Incorporation, and if such Articles of Incorporation and amendments are required by law to be also filed with a county, city or other officer of official body, a certificate of such filing will appear on


the certified copy submitted to DST. A copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law to the issuance of the stock will be certified by the Secretary or Clerk of such governmental or regulatory authority, under proper seal of such authority. The copy of the Bylaws and copies of all amendments thereto, and copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Fund, will be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Fund under each Fund’s seal.

 

16.

Records.

DST will maintain customary transfer agent records in connection with its agency, and particularly will maintain those records required to be maintained pursuant to subparagraph (2)(iv) of paragraph (b) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, if any. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the records to be maintained and preserved by DST on the TA2000 System under this Agreement shall be maintained and preserved in accordance with the following:

  A.

Annual Purges by August 31: DST and each Fund shall mutually agree upon a date for the annual purge of the appropriate history transactions from the Transaction History (A88) file for accounts (both regular and tax advantaged accounts) that were open as of January l of the current year, such purge to be complete no later than August 31. Purges completed after this date will subject each Fund to the Aged History Retention fees set forth in the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A.

  B.

Purge Criteria: In order to avoid the Aged History Retention fees, history data for regular or ordinary accounts (that is, non-tax advantaged accounts) must be purged if the confirmation date of the history transaction is prior to January 1 of the current year and history data for tax advantaged accounts (retirement and educational savings accounts) must be purged if the confirmation date of the history transaction is prior to January 1 of the prior year. All purged history information shall be retained on magnetic tape for seven (7) years.


  C.

Purged History Retention Options (entail an additional fee): For the additional fees set forth on the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A, then Fund may choose (i) to place purged history information on the Purged Transaction History (A19) table or (ii) to retain history information on the Transaction History (A88) file beyond the timeframes defined above. Retaining information on the A19 table allows for viewing of this data through online facilities and E-Commerce applications. This database does not support those histories being printed on statements and reports and is not available for on request job executions.

 

17.

Disposition of Books, Records and Canceled Certificates.

DST may send periodically to each Fund, or to where designated by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Fund, all books, documents, and all records no longer deemed needed for current purposes, upon the understanding that such books, documents, and records will be maintained by each Fund under and in accordance with the requirements of Section 17Ad-7 adopted under the 1934 Act, including by way of example and not limitation Section 17Ad-7(g) thereof. Such materials will not be destroyed by each Fund without the consent of DST (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), but will be safely stored for possible future reference.

 

18.

Provisions Relating to DST as Transfer Agent.

  A.

Before making any original issue of shares, each Fund will furnish DST with sufficient funds to pay all required taxes on the original issue of the stock, if any. Each Fund will furnish DST such evidence as may be required by DST to show the actual value of the shares.

  B.

Shares of stock will be transferred by book entry in accordance with the instructions of the securityholders thereof and, upon receipt of each Fund’s instructions that shares of stock be redeemed and funds remitted therefor, such redemptions will be accomplished and payments dispatched provided the securityholder instructions are deemed by DST to be properly endorsed by an appropriate person to originate such instructions under applicable law accompanied by such documents as DST may deem necessary to evidence the authority of the person making the transfer or redemption. DST reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem shares until it is satisfied that the endorsement or signature on the certificate or any other document is valid and genuine, and for that purpose it may require a guaranty of signature in accordance with the Signature Guarantee Procedures. DST also reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer or redemption is legally authorized, and it will incur no liability for the refusal in


 

good faith to make transfers or redemptions which, in its judgment, are improper or unauthorized. DST may, in effecting transfers or redemptions, rely upon the Procedures, Simplification Acts, Uniform Commercial Code or other statutes that protect DST and each Fund or both in not requiring complete fiduciary documentation. In cases in which DST is not directed or otherwise required to maintain the consolidated records of securityholder’s accounts, DST will not be liable for any loss which may arise by reason of not having such records.

  C.

DST will supply a securityholders list to each Fund for its annual meeting upon receiving a request from an officer of each Fund. It will also, at the expense of each Fund, supply lists at such other times as may be requested by an officer of each Fund.

  D.

In case of any request or demand for the inspection of the stock books of each Fund or any other books in the possession of DST, DST will endeavor to notify each Fund and to secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection. DST reserves the right, however, to exhibit the stock books or other books to any person in case it is advised by its counsel that it may be held responsible for the failure to exhibit the stock books or other books to such person.

  E.

DST agrees to furnish each Fund with {1) annual reports of its financial condition, consisting of a balance sheet, earnings statement and any other financial information as is made public by DST in connection with the foregoing and (2) semi-annually with a copy of a SSAE 16 or successor Report issued by DST’s certified public accountants pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 under the 1934 Act as filed with SEC. The annual financial statements will be certified by DST’s certified public accountants and the posting of a current copy thereof on DST’s website shall be deemed to be delivery to each Fund.

            F. (1)

DST shall assist each Fund to fulfill certain of its responsibilities under certain provisions of USA PATRIOT Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Title V of Gramm Leach Bliley Act, the Red Flags Regulations promulgated jointly by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC); Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Office of Thrift Supervision, Treasury (OTS); National Credit Union Administration (NCUA); and Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) implementing section 114 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act) and final rules implementing section 315 of the FACT Act, and the applicable federal securities laws (collectively the “Reform Regulations”), by complying with Compliance +TM, a compliance program that focuses on certain business


 

processes that represent key activities of the transfer agent/service provider function (the “Compliance + Program’’), a copy of which has hitherto been made available to Fund. These business processes are anti-money laundering, identity theft, red flag reporting, certificate processing, correspondence processing, fingerprinting, lost securityholder processing, reconciliation and control, transaction processing, transfer agent administration and safeguarding fund assets and securities. DST reserves the right to make changes thereto as experience suggests alternative and better ways to perform the affected function. DST shall provide you with written notice of any such changes.

  (2)

DST shall perform the procedures set forth in the Compliance + Program, as amended by DST from time to time, which pertain to DST’s performance of those transfer agency services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (ii) implement and maintain internal controls and procedures reasonably necessary to insure that DST’s employees act in accordance with the Compliance + Program, and (iii) provide each Fund with written notice of any material changes made to the Program as attached hereto.

  (3)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, DST’s obligations shall be solely as are set forth in this Section and in the Compliance + Program, as amended, and any of obligations under the enumerated Acts and Regulations that DST has not agreed to perform on each Fund’s behalf under the Compliance + Program or under this Agreement shall remain each Fund’s sole obligation.

  G.

With respect to DST’s activities under the Compliance + Program, DST will permit duly authorized governmental and self-regulatory examiners to make periodic inspections of its operations as such would involve each Fund and each Fund to obtain, inter alia, information and records relating to DST’s performance of its obligations under the Compliance + Program and to inspect DST’s operations for purposes of determining DST’s compliance with the Identity Theft Program. Any costs imposed by such examiners in connection with such examination (other than fines or other penalties arising solely out of DST’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the Compliance + Program or any costs, fines or penalties relating to an examination of DST’s business generally and not involving or specifically relating to each Fund) shall be paid by each Fund.


H.        DST shall establish on behalf of each Fund banking relationships for the conduct of the business of each Fund in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 20.D. of this Agreement.

  I.

Each Fund acknowledges that DST is currently using, and will continue to use, DST Worldwide Services India Private Limited (“DST India”) and DST Worldwide Services (Thailand) Limited (“DST Thailand”), indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of DST, to assist with software development and support projects for DST and/or for each Fund. As part of such support, each Fund acknowledges that DST India and DST Thailand associates access each Fund Confidential Information including, but not limited to, personally identifiable shareholder information (shareholder name, address, social security number, account number, etc.). DST shall be responsible for all actions or inaction by its affiliates, including but not limited to the handling of Fund Confidential Information, and those affiliates’ actions and inaction, as applicable, are attributable to DST as if DST itself performed those activities or failed to perform those activities, as the case may be, under this Agreement.

  J.

DST shall provide an information security program in accordance with the requirements set forth in Exhibit D, attached hereto.

 

19.

Provisions Relating to Dividend Disbursing and Paying Agency (as well as the receipt, deposit and payment of funds by the Transfer Agent in connection with the purchase and redemption of Funds shares).

  A.

DST, acting as agent for each Fund, is hereby authorized (l) to establish in the name of, and to maintain on behalf of, each Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps (based on fees paid over some period of time or a flat amount, as required by the affected Bank) on the maximum liability of such Banks, as hereinafter defined, one or more deposit accounts at a nationally or regionally known banking institution (the “Bank”), (provided, if Customer does not approve of the current Bank DST employs, and DST agrees to use another bank suggested by Customer, then Customer may be required to pay additional fees for purposes of building out interfaces for such new bank) into which DST shall deposit the funds DST receives for payment of dividends, distributions, purchases of Fund shares, redemptions of Fund shares, commissions, corporate re-organizations (including recapitalizations or liquidations) or any other disbursements made by DST on behalf of each Fund provided for in this Agreement, (2) to draw checks upon such accounts, to issue orders or instructions to the Bank for the


 

payment out of such accounts as necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes for which such funds were provided to DST, and (3) to establish, to implement and to transact Fund business through Automated Clearinghouse (“ACH”), Draft Processing, Wire Transfer and any other banking relationships, arrangements and agreements with such Bank as are necessary or appropriate to fulfill DST’s obligations under this Agreement. DST, acting as agent for each Fund, is also hereby authorized to execute on behalf and in the name of each Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps (based on fees paid over some period of time or a flat amount, as required by the affected Bank) on the maximum liability of such Banks, agreements with banks for ACH, wire transfer, draft processing services, as well as any other services which are necessary or appropriate for DST to utilize to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement. In each of the foregoing situations each Fund shall be liable on such agreements with the Bank as if it itself had executed the agreement and DST shall not be personally liable on such agreements, but DST’s liability shall be judged under the standards set forth in this Agreement. DST shall not be liable for any Adverse Consequences arising out of or resulting from errors or omissions of the Bank provided, however, that DST shall have acted in good faith and with due diligence.

  B.

DST is authorized and directed to stop payment of checks theretofore issued hereunder, but not presented for payment, when the payees thereof allege either that they have not received the checks or that such checks have been mislaid, lost, stolen, destroyed or through no fault of theirs, are otherwise beyond their control, and cannot be produced by them for presentation and collection, and, to issue and deliver duplicate checks in replacement thereof.

 

20.

Assumption of Duties By each Fund or Agents Designated By each Fund.

  A.

Each Fund or its designated agents other than DST may assume certain duties and responsibilities of DST or those services of Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent as those terms are referred to in Section 4.D. of this Agreement including but not limited to answering and responding to telephone inquiries from securityholders and brokers, accepting securityholder and broker instructions (either or both oral and written) and transmitting orders based on such instructions to DST, preparing and providing in electronic format, to Fund’s print vendor of choice, confirmations, obtaining certified TIN numbers, classifying the status of securityholders and securityholder accounts under applicable tax law, establishing securityholder accounts on the TA2000 System and assigning social codes and Taxpayer Identification Number codes thereof, and disbursing


 

monies of each Fund, said assumption to be embodied in writing to be signed by both parties.

  B.

To the extent each Fund or its designated agent or affiliate assumes such duties and responsibilities, DST shall be relieved from all responsibility and liability therefor and is hereby indemnified and held harmless against any liability therefrom and in the same manner and degree as provided for in Section 8 hereof.

  C.

Initially each Fund or its designees shall be responsible for the following: (i) answer and respond to phone calls from securityholders and broker-dealers; (ii) scan items into DST’s AWDTM System as such calls or items[, as defined in Rule 17Ad-1 under the 1934 Act,] are received by each Fund; (iii) provide timely to DST prior approval and valuation with respect to each redemption requested by securityholders; (iv) review and provide timely to DST prior approval of each Exception Service; and (v) generate certain, but not all, correspondence to securityholders as decided by the parties in written procedures.

 

21.

Termination of Agreement.

  A.

This Agreement shall be in effect upon execution by both each Fund and DST and shall continue in full force and effect for an initial period of five (5) years (the “Initial Term”) commencing upon the first use of DST’s Services in production after the conversion of each Fund’s securityholder records onto TA2000, unless (i) terminated by each Fund upon one hundred eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to DST, or by DST upon one hundred eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to each Fund, provided, however, that the effective;, date of any termination shall not occur during the period from December 15 through March 30 of any year to avoid adversely impacting year end. If such notice is not given by either party to the other at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the end of the then current term, this Agreement shall automatically extend for a new term equivalent to one (1) year unless a different period is agreed to in writing by the parties, each such successive term or period, as applicable, being a new “term” of this Agreement, upon the expiration of any term hereof unless terminated as hereinafter provided in Section 21 .B.

  B.

Each party, in addition to any other rights and remedies, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement forthwith upon the occurrence at any time of any of the following events with respect to the other party:

  (1)

The bankruptcy of the other party or its assigns or the appointment of a receiver for the other party or its assigns; or

  (2)

A material breach of this Agreement by the other party, which breach continues for thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from the first party;


  (3)

A material finding by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulator with jurisdiction over DST that DST has willfully violated the 1934 Act or other applicable law with respect to its transfer agent activities, and DST (1) determines such finding requires remediation; and 2) DST is unable to perform such remediation and is unable to provide the services under this Agreement; or

  (4)

Failure by each Fund to pay Compensation and Expenses as they become due, which failure continues for thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from DST.

  C.

In the event of termination, each Fund will promptly pay DST all amounts due to DST hereunder and DST will use its reasonable efforts to transfer the records of each Fund to the designated successor transfer agent, to provide reasonable assistance to each Fund and its designated successor transfer agent, and to provide other information relating to its services provided hereunder (subject to the recompense of DST for such assistance at its standard rates and fees for personnel then in effect at that time); provided, however, as used herein “reasonable assistance” and “other information” shall not include assisting any new service or system provider to modify, alter, enhance, or improve its system or to improve, enhance, or alter its current system, or to provide any new, functionality or to require DST to disclose any DST Confidential Information, as hereinafter defined, or any information which is otherwise confidential to DST.

 

22.

Confidentiality.

  A.

DST Confidential Information. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any information obtained by each Fund concerning or through receipt of the services (including by way of example and without limitation the TA2000 System and all related output, all security procedures, financial or operational records, processes, algorithms, designs, techniques, code, screen and data formats, interface formats and protocols, and structures contained or included therein) and other information obtained by them concerning the other software, software applications, equipment configurations, and business of DST (the “DST Confidential Information”) is confidential and proprietary to DST. Each Fund further agrees to use the DST Confidential Information only as permitted by this Agreement, to maintain the confidentiality of the DST Confidential Information and not to disclose the DST Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any other person, firm or corporation, except as otherwise required under applicable laws and regulations, pursuant to the requirements set forth in Section 22.C. Each Fund acknowledges that disclosure of the DST Confidential Information may give rise to an


 

irreparable injury to DST inadequately compensable in damages. Accordingly, DST may seek (without the posting of any bond or other security) injunctive relief against the breach of the foregoing undertaking of confidentiality and nondisclosure, in addition to any other legal remedies that may be available. Each Fund consents to the obtaining of such injunctive relief and in any proceeding upon a motion for such injunctive relief, each Fund’s ability to answer in damages shall not be interposed as a defense to the granting of such injunctive relief.

  B.

Fund Confidential Information. DST acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and any information or records in its possession relating to each Fund, its securityholders, or the securityholders accounts (the “Fund Confidential Information”) is confidential and proprietary to each Fund. DST agrees that, except as provided in the last sentence of Section 18.D. hereof, or as otherwise required by law, DST hereby agrees to use each Fund Confidential Information only as permitted by this Agreement, to maintain the confidentiality of each Fund Confidential Information and not to disclose each Fund Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any other person, firm or corporation except as necessary to fulfill DST’s obligations under this Agreement or at the request or with the consent of each Fund. DST acknowledges that disclosure of each Fund Confidential Information may give rise to an irreparable injury to Fund inadequately compensable in damages. Accordingly, Fund may seek (without the posting of any bond or other security) injunctive relief against the breach of the foregoing undertaking of confidentiality and nondisclosure, in addition to any other legal remedies that may be available. DST consents to the obtaining of such injunctive relief and in any proceeding upon a motion for such injunctive relief, DST’s ability to answer in damages shall not be interposed as a defense to the granting of such injunctive relief.

DST further acknowledges that in negotiating and performing the terms of this Agreement, it may have access to non-public personal information as defined in Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations thereunder, all as may be amended or supplemented from time to time belonging to Fund’s workforce, customers, business partners, agents and representatives, suppliers, service providers, contractors (the “Personal Data”). DST further agrees that it will comply with the terms of the applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and, unless it otherwise advises Fund in writing, local laws which are the subject of an ICI Memorandum or as to which Fund has notified DST in writing, in all cases in the United States regarding the


privacy of information pertaining to individuals and shall keep any such data confidential, secure from loss or destruction or damage.

  C.

Governmental Disclosures. If a party is required to file this Agreement or any portion thereof with, or to provide any information pertaining to this Agreement to, any state or federal agency or regulatory body, it shall, if not prohibited by law, notify the other party sufficiently in advance for the parties to work together to redact such provisions and to keep confidential such information as the other party deems sensitive. Fund acknowledges that at a minimum DST considers all monetary provisions, service levels and damage limitation and formulas in this Agreement as confidential. Each party shall use its best commercially reasonable efforts to advance the position of the other party with the governmental agency or regulatory body that such provisions or information should not be provided or should not be made publicly available, and each party shall keep the other party apprised of any decision by the agency or regulatory body in this regard. Each party shall provide the other party with copies of all written communications with the agency or regulatory body pertaining to the services to be provided hereunder or to this Agreement.

  D.

Limitations; Survival. The provisions of this Section 22 shall not apply to any information if and to the extent such information was (i) independently developed by the receiving party as evidenced by documentation in such party’s possession, (ii) lawfully received by it free of restrictions from another source having the right to furnish the same, (iii) generally known or available to the public without breach of this Agreement by the receiving party or (iv) known to the receiving party free of restriction at the time of such disclosure; provided, however, that the person or party asserting the existence of any of the foregoing exceptions shall bear the burden of proof with respect thereto. The parties agree that immediately upon termination of this Agreement, without regard to the reason for such termination, the parties shall forthwith return to one another all written materials and computer software which are the property of the other party, subject to DST’s internal document retention policies and procedures. All of the undertakings and obligations relating to confidentiality and nondisclosure in this Agreement shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of ten (10) years provided that, to the extent Confidential Information includes information that is also a Trade Secret as defined by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, the obligation to protect such Trade Secrets shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall remain for so long as such


 

Confidential Information constitutes a Trade Secret, as defined by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.

 

  (1)

Each Fund acknowledges that DST has proprietary rights in and to the TA2000 System used to perform services hereunder including, but not limited to the maintenance of securityholder accounts and records, processing of related information and generation of output, including, without limitation any changes or modifications of the TA2000 System and any other DST programs, data bases, supporting documentation, or procedures.”)

  (2)

Each Fund acknowledges that DST intends to develop and offer analytics-based products and services for its customers. In providing such products and services, DST will be using consolidated data across all clients, including data of each Fund, and make such consolidated data available to clients of the analytics products and services. Each Fund hereby consents to the use by DST of Fund Confidential Information (including shareholder information) for the offering of such products and services, and to DST’s disclosure of the results of such analytics services to its customers and other third parties, provided each Fund Confidential Information will be aggregated, anonymized and sometimes enriched with external data sources. DST will not disclose client investor names or other personal identifying information, or information specific to or identifying each Fund.

  (3)

Each Fund acknowledges that any unauthorized use, misuse, disclosure or taking of DST Confidential Information which is confidential as provided by law, or which is a trade secret, residing or existing internal or external to a computer, computer system, or computer network, or the knowing and unauthorized accessing or causing to be accessed of any computer, computer system, or computer network, may be subject to civil liabilities and criminal penalties under applicable state law. Each Fund will advise all of its employees and agents who have access to any DST Confidential Information or to any computer equipment capable of accessing DST or DST hardware or software of the foregoing.

  (4)

In the event each Fund obtains information from DST or the TA2000 System which is not intended for each Fund, each Fund agrees to (i) immediately, and in no case more than twenty-four (24) hours later, notify DST that unauthorized information has been made available to each Fund; (ii) after identifying that such information is not intended for each Fund, not review, disclose, release, or in any way, use such


 

unauthorized information; (iii) provide DST reasonable assistance in retrieving such unauthorized information and/or destroy such unauthorized information; and (iv) deliver to DST a certificate executed by an authorized officer of each Fund certifying that all such unauthorized information in each Fund’s possession or control has been delivered to DST or destroyed as required by this provision.

 

23.

Changes and Modifications.

  A.

DST shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to alter and modify any systems, programs, procedures or facilities used or employed in performing its duties and obligations hereunder; provided that each Fund will be notified as promptly as possible prior to implementation of such alterations and modifications and that no such alteration or modification or deletion shall materially adversely change or affect the operations and procedures of each Fund in using or employing the TA2000 System or DST Facilities hereunder or the reports to be generated by such system and facilities hereunder, unless each Fund is given thirty (30) days prior notice to allow each Fund to change its procedures and DST provides each Fund with revised operating procedures and controls.

  B.

All enhancements, improvements, changes, modifications or new features added to the TA2000 System however developed or paid for, including, without limitation, Client Requested Software (collectively, “Deliverables”), shall be, and shall remain, the confidential and exclusive property of, and proprietary to, DST. The parties recognize that during the Term of this Agreement each Fund will disclose to DST, Confidential Information of each Fund and, from time to time, DST may partly rely on such Confidential Information of each Fund to design, structure or develop a Deliverable. Provided that, as developed, such Deliverable contains no Confidential Information of each Fund that identifies each Fund, (i) each Fund hereby consents to DST’s use of such Confidential Information to design, to structure or to determine the scope of such Deliverable or to incorporate into such Deliverable and that any such Deliverable, regardless of who paid for it, shall be, and shall remain, the sole and exclusive property of DST and (ii) each Fund hereby grants DST a perpetual, nonexclusive license to incorporate and retain in such Deliverables Confidential Information of each Fund. All Confidential Information of each Fund shall be and shall remain the property of each Fund and shall remain protected under Section 22.

  C.

During the term of this Agreement DST will use on behalf of each Fund without additional cost all modifications, enhancements, or changes which DST may make to the TA2000 System in the normal course of its business and which are applicable to


 

functions and features offered by each Fund, unless substantially all DST clients are charged separately for such modifications, enhancements or changes that constitute substantial system revisions or modifications necessitated by changes in existing laws, rules or regulations. Each Fund agrees to pay DST promptly for modifications and improvements that are charged for separately at the rate provided for in DST’s standard pricing schedule which shall be identical for substantially all clients, if a standard pricing schedule shall exist. If there is no standard pricing schedule, the parties shall mutually agree upon the rates to be charged.

 

24.

Third Party Vendors.

Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon DST in connection with or make DST liable for the actions or omissions to act of the following types of unaffiliated third parties: (a) courier and mail services including but not limited to Airborne Services, Federal Express, UPS and the U.S. Mails, (b) telecommunications companies including but not limited to AT&T, Sprint, MCI and other delivery, telecommunications and other such companies not under the party’s reasonable control, and (c) third parties not under the party’s reasonable control or subcontract relationship providing services to the financial industry generally, such as, by way of example and not limitation, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (processing and settlement services), Fund custodian banks (custody and fund accounting services) and administrators (blue sky and Fund administration services), and national database providers such as Choice Point, Acxiom, TransUnion or Lexis/Nexis and any replacements thereof or similar entities, provided, if DST selected such company, DST shall have exercised due care in selecting the same. Such third party vendors shall not be deemed, and are not, subcontractors for purposes of this Agreement.

 

25.

Limitations on Liability.

  A.

If each Fund is comprised of more than one portfolio or program, each portfolio or program shall be regarded for all purposes hereunder as a separate party apart from each other portfolio or program. Unless the context otherwise requires, with respect to every transaction covered by this Agreement, every reference herein to each Fund shall be deemed to relate solely to the particular portfolio or program to which such transaction relates. Under no circumstances shall the rights, obligations or remedies with respect to a particular portfolio or program constitute a right, obligation or remedy applicable to any other portfolio or program. The use of this single document to memorialize the separate agreement of each portfolio or program is understood to be for clerical convenience only and shall not constitute any basis for joining the portfolios or programs for any reason.


  B.

Notice is hereby given that, if each Fund is a trust under applicable state law, a copy of each Fund’s Fund Agreement and all amendments thereto is on file with the Secretary of State of the state of its organization; that this Agreement has been executed on behalf of each Fund by the undersigned duly authorized representative of each Fund in his/her capacity as such and not individually; and that the obligations of this Agreement shall only be binding upon the assets and property of each Fund and shall not be binding upon any trustee, officer or securityholder of each Fund individually.

 

26.

Miscellaneous.

  A.

This Agreement shall be construed according to, and the rights and liabilities of the parties hereto shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Missouri, excluding that body of law applicable to choice of law.

  B.

All terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

  C.

The representations and warranties, and the indemnification extended hereunder, if any, are intended to and shall continue after and survive the expiration, termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

  D.

No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by each party hereto.

  E.

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.

  F.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

  G.

If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is by the courts held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.

  H.

Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may not be assigned by each Fund or DST without the prior written consent of the other. DST may assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, or subcontract certain of its obligations hereunder, to any domestic or foreign affiliate of DST upon written notice to Fund, provided that such affiliates are subject to substantially similar terms and conditions as those of this Agreement and


 

provided that such assignment does not operate to relieve DST of its obligations under this Agreement.

  I.

Neither the execution nor performance of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture by and between each Fund and DST. It is understood and agreed that all services performed hereunder by DST shall be as an independent contractor and not as an employee of each Fund. This Agreement is between DST and each Fund and neither this Agreement nor the performance of services under it shall create any rights in any third parties. There are no third party beneficiaries hereto.

  J.

Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder.

  K.

The failure of either party to insist upon the performance of any terms or conditions of this Agreement or to enforce any rights resulting from any breach of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, including the payment of damages, shall not be construed as a continuing or permanent waiver of any such terms, conditions, rights or privileges, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

  L.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, draft or agreement or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written, and this Agreement may not be modified except by written instrument executed by both parties. For clarification, the Original Agreement is hereby terminated in its entirety and this Agreement replaces all rights, duties and obligations of all parties under the Original Agreement.

  M.

All notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed properly given if delivered in person or if sent by U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, or if sent by facsimile and thereafter confirmed by mail as follows:

If to DST:

DST Systems, Inc.

1055 Broadway, 7th Floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Attn: Group Vice President-Full Service

Facsimile No.: 816-435-3455

With a copy of non-operational notices to:

DST Systems, Inc.

333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor


Chicago, Il 60606

Attn: Tina Lazar

Facsimile No.:

or to such other address as shall have been specified in writing by the party to whom such notice is to be given.

  N.

DST and each Fund (including all agents of each Fund) agree that, during any term of this Agreement and for twelve (12) months after its termination, neither party will solicit for employment or offer employment to any employees of the other.

  O.

The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution of this Agreement and the performance of services hereunder and the provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Agreement and the performance of services hereunder until any statute of limitations applicable to the matter at issues shall have expired.

  P.

DST will not be precluded from offering services similar to those offered to each Fund(s) to other parties, including competitors of each Fund(s).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers, to be effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

NUVEEN SERVICES, LLC

By:

 

LOGO

 

Print Name: Tina Lazar

Title: Managing Director

DST SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

 

                    LOGO                         

 

Print Name:        Rahul Kanwar                        

Title:          Authorized Representative             


ATTACHMENT I

ADOPTION AGREEMENT

This Adoption Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2019 (this “Adoption Agreement”), by and among DST SYSTEMS, INC. (“DST”), a Delaware corporation, and Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Additional Product”).

The Additional Product hereby agrees to (a) become a party to that Agency Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017 (the “Agreement”), originally by and among DST and each Fund set forth on Attachment II of the Agency Agreement and those Ancillary Agreements; and (b) be bound by all terms and conditions of the Agency Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as a “Fund” (as such term is defined in the Agreement), or “Customer” (as such term is defined in the Ancillary Agreements), having such rights, entitlements and obligations as set forth in the Agreement. By its signature below, the Additional Product confirms to DST, as of the date hereof, its representations and warranties set forth in the Agreement. The Additional Product acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

Each of DST and Nuveen Services, LLC hereby agrees to accept the Additional Product as a party to the Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and that the Additional Product shall be a “Fund” or “Customer” (as such terms are defined in the Agreement) under the Agreement, having such rights, entitlements and obligations as set forth in the Agreement.

Except as specifically set forth herein, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect, the same being confirmed and republished hereby. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Agreement and the terms of this Adoption Agreement with regard to the subject matter hereof, the terms of this Adoption Agreement shall control.

This Adoption Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, delivery of which may occur by facsimile or as an attachment to an electronic communication, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written by their respective duly authorized officers.

 

DST SYSTEMS, INC.   

    (the additional Fund)

 

 

By:

 

LOGO

 

  

               By:

  

LOGO                     

 

Title:

 

Authorized Representative

 

  

               Title:

  

Managing Director

 

 
NUVEEN SERVICES, LLC        

By:

 

LOGO

 

       

Print Name: Tina M Lazar

       

Title: Managing Director

       


ATTACHMENT II

LIST OF FUNDS

NUVEEN GLOBAL CITIES REIT, INC.

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND

 

NUVEEN SERVICES, LLC

By:

 

LOGO

 

Print Name: Tina Lazar

Title: Managing Director

DST SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

 

LOGO

 

Print Name:         Rahul Kanwar                     

Title:          Authorized Representative           


EXHIBIT B

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL

Pursuant to the terms of the Agency Agreement between     Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund (the “Fund”) and DST (the “Agreement”), each Fund authorizes the following Fund personal to provide instructions to DST, and receive inquiries from DST in connection with the Agreement:

 

                        Name                            Title               
Tina Lazar   

 

        Managing Director

 
Sheri Snowden            Vice President  
Khyati Master            Associate Vice President  

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

  

                                                                      

 

This Exhibit may be revised by each Fund by providing DST with a substitute Exhibit B. Any such substitute Exhibit B shall become effective twenty-four (24) hours after DST’s receipt of the document and shall be incorporated into the Agreement.


EXHIBIT C

INFORMATION SECURITY PROGRAM

This Exhibit is made subject to the terms of the Agency Agreement (the “Agreement”), and to the extent the terms hereunder conflict with the terms of the Agreement, the terms of this Exhibit shall prevail. The requirements of this Exhibit are applicable if and to the extent that DST creates, has access to, or receives from or on behalf of Fund any Fund Confidential Information (as defined in the Agreement) in electronic format.

1.        Definitions. Capitalized terms have the same meaning as set forth in the Agreement unless specifically defined below:

 

 

1.1

“DST Security Assessment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

 

 

1.2

“Mitigate” means DST’s deployment of security controls as necessary, in its discretion, which are reasonably designed to reduce the adverse effects of threats and reduce risk exposure.

 

 

1.3

“Remediation” or “Remediate”, means that DST has resolved a Security Exposure or Security Incident, such that the vulnerability no longer poses a risk to Fund Confidential Information.

 

 

1.4

“Security Exposure” means an identified vulnerability that may be utilized to compromise Fund Confidential Information.

 

 

1.5

“Security Incident” means the confirmed unauthorized disclosure of Fund Confidential Information.

2.        General Requirements.

2.1   Security Program. DST shall maintain a comprehensive information security program under which DST documents, implements and maintains the physical, administrative, and technical safeguards reasonably designed and implemented to: (a) comply with U.S. laws applicable to DST’s business and (b) protect the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and security of Fund Confidential Information.


2.2   Policies and Procedures. DST shall maintain written information security management policies and procedures reasonably designed and implemented to identify, prevent, detect, contain, and correct violations of measures taken to protect the confidentiality, integrity, availability, or security of Fund Confidential Information. Such policies and procedures will, at a minimum:

(i) assign specific data security responsibilities and accountabilities to specific individual(s);

(ii) describe acceptable use of DST’s assets, including computing systems, networks, and messaging;

(iii) provide authentication rules for the format, content and usage of passwords for end users, administrators, and systems;

(iv) describe logging and monitoring of DST’s production environment, including logging and monitoring of physical and logical access to DST’s networks and systems that process or store Fund Confidential Information;

(v) include an incident response process;

(vi) enforce commercially reasonable practices for user authentication;

(vii) include a formal risk management program which includes periodic risk assessments; and

(viii) provide an adequate framework of controls reasonably designed to safeguard Fund Confidential Information.

2.3   Subcontractors. To the extent that any subcontractor engaged by DST to provide services under the Agreement has access to, or receives from or on behalf of Fund any Fund Confidential Information in electronic format, DST shall enter into a written agreement with such subcontractor, which agreement shall contain provisions regarding maintaining the confidentiality of each Fund Confidential Information which are substantially compliant with, and at least as protective as, those terms set forth in the Agreement (including this Exhibit), to the extent the terms of the Agreement and this Exhibit would be relevant to the subcontractor’s services provided.


2.4   IT Change and Configuration Management. DST shall employ its own reasonable processes, for change management, code inspection, repeatable builds, separation of development and production environments, and testing plans. Code inspections will include a comprehensive process reasonably designed and implemented to identify vulnerabilities and malicious code. In addition, DST shall ensure that processes are documented and implemented for purposes of vulnerability management, patching, and verification of system security controls prior to their connection to production networks.

2.5   Physical and Environmental Security. DST shall: (i) restrict entry to DST’s area(s) where Fund Confidential Information is stored, accessed, or processed solely to DST’s personnel or DST authorized third party service providers for such access; and (ii) implement commercially reasonable practices for infrastructure systems, including fire extinguishing, cooling, and power, emergency systems and employee safety.

2.6   DST Employee Training and Access. DST shall: (i) train its employees on the acceptable use and handling of Fund’s Confidential Information; (ii) provide annual security education for its employees and maintain a record of employees that have completed such education; and (iii) implement a formal user registration and de-registration procedure for granting and revoking access to DST’s information systems and services; and upon termination of any of DST’s employees, DST shall revoke such employee’s access to DST’s domain following termination of such individual and revoke such individual’s access to Fund Confidential Information as soon as possible and in accordance with DST’s internal policies and procedures.

2.7   Change Notifications, DST may, in its sole discretion, revise DST information security policies and procedures based on internal company security and compliance related risk assessment decisions, provided such revisions do not materially degrade the controls associated with DST’s information security services provided to Fund as of the date of execution of this Exhibit.

2.8   Data Retention. DST shall not retain any Fund Confidential Information following completion of the applicable services provided under the Agreement, except to the extent: (a) required by U.S. Jaw; (b) expressly required or permitted by Fund in writing: (c) required by


DST’s document retention policies; (d) to the extent necessary to comply with Fund’s or DST’s legal or regulatory obligations; or (e) as otherwise permitted in accordance with the Agreement.

3.        Due Diligence Supporting Materials; Security Assessment.

3.1   Due Diligence Supporting Materials. In response to Fund’s due diligence efforts, DST will provide copies of its: (i) SIG; (ii) if applicable, once annually, the SOC 1, Type II report, prepared in accordance with Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 18, Attestation Standards: Clarification and Recodification; (iii) information security policy and control standards summary; and (iv) network penetration vendor attestation letter. DST will be reasonably available (including via on-site meetings with Fund or its agent (provided the agent must first execute a non-disclosure agreement with DST), if requested) to answer any additional questions of Fund, and provide supporting documentation, as applicable, up to forty (40) hours per year, that are not already addressed by providing the documentation set forth within this Section 3.1 and would not require DST, in its sole good faith discretion, to disclose information that it deems highly sensitive.

3.2   DST Security Assessment. As part of DST’s Security Assessment, DST will: (i) conduct regular vulnerability scans on externally-facing applications that may receive, access, process or store Fund Confidential Information at DST’s expense; (ii) evaluate the results of the vulnerability scans and Remediate Security Exposures deemed material by DST’s personnel as reasonably appropriate, taking into account facts and circumstances surrounding such issues; and (iii) Mitigate Security Exposures discovered and deemed material by DST’s personnel within a reasonably appropriate time period. In addition, DST will at least once per year, perform penetration testing on its externally-facing systems that may receive, access, process or store Fund Confidential Information, and will provide Fund with a letter confirming the testing has been performed. Fund is not permitted to conduct penetration testing or other code scanning on DST’s environment and software.

4.        Security Incident Response.


4.1   Mitigation and Remediation of Security Incidents. DST will Mitigate or Remediate any Security Incident in accordance with its internal security policies and procedures.

4.2   Security Incident Response. DST shall maintain formal processes reasonably designed and implemented to detect, identify, report, respond to, Mitigate, and Remediate Security Incidents in a timely manner.

4.3   Security Incident Notification. DST shall promptly notify Fund but in no event later than 72 hours following discovery of any Security Incident(s). Such notification shall include the extent and nature of such intrusion, disclosure, or unauthorized access, the identity of the compromised Fund Confidential Information (to the extent it can be ascertained), how DST was affected by the Security Incident, and its response to such Security Incident. DST shall use continuous and diligent efforts to remedy the cause and the effects of such Security Incident in an expeditious manner and deliver to Fund a root cause analysis and future incident Mitigation plan with regard to any such incident. DST shall reasonably cooperate with Fund’s investigation and response to each Security Incident. If Fund determines in its sole discretion that it may need or be required to notify any individual(s) as a result of a Security Incident, Fund shall have the right to control all such notifications and DST shall bear all direct costs associated with the notification, to the extent the notification and corresponding actions are required by U.S. law and to the extent such Security Incident is the result of DST’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, and subject to the limitation of liability set forth in the Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, unless otherwise required by U.S. law, no such notifications shall be made by DST without Fund’s prior written consent and Fund shall, together with DST, determine the content and delivery of all such notifications. For the avoidance of doubt, DST shall be solely responsible for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, subject to the limitations of liability under the Agreement that Fund and/or DST may incur to the extent that they are attributable to or arise from DST’s breach of its confidentiality obligations under the Agreement.

5.        Miscellaneous. This Exhibit cannot be modified except by written instrument executed by both parties.

NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Jack B. Evans

Jack B. Evans


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ William C. Hunter

William C. Hunter


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Albin F. Moschner

Albin F. Moschner


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ John K. Nelson

John K. Nelson


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Judith M. Stockdale

Judith M. Stockdale


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Carole E. Stone

Carole E. Stone


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Matthew Thornton III

Matthew Thornton III


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Terence J. Toth

Terence J. Toth


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Margaret L. Wolff

Margaret L. Wolff


NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Robert L. Young

Robert L. Young