As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2021
File No. 333-248305
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-14
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ☐ | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 | ☒ |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices: Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)
(800) 257-8787
(Area Code and Telephone Number)
Mark L. Winget
Vice President and Secretary
Nuveen Investments
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Deborah Bielicke Eades Vedder Price P.C. 222 North LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60601 |
Eric F. Fess Chapman and Cutler LLP 111 West Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Title of Securities
Being Registered |
Amount
Being Registered(1) |
Proposed
Maximum Offering Price Per Unit(1) |
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount
of
Registration Fee(1) |
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Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 Par Value Per Share | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||
|
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(1) |
Registration fees were originally paid by Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the Predecessor Registrant), the predecessor of the registrant, Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Registrant), in connection with the filing of the Predecessor Registrants N-14 registration statement on October 13, 2020. The Registrant is not registering additional shares. No additional filing fees, therefore, are required at this time. |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment is being filed by Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Registrant), pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), to adopt as its own the registration statement of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the Predecessor Registrant), filed on Form N-14 on October 13, 2020, under and pursuant to the provisions of the 1933 Act, in connection with the reorganization of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2 (the Target Fund) into the Registrant (the Reorganization). Pursuant to the Reorganization, the Target Fund will transfer substantially all of its assets to the Registrant in exchange for newly issued common shares of the Registrant, and the Registrant will assume substantially all of the liabilities of the Target Fund.
Prior to the consummation of the Reorganization, the Registrant will have acquired all of the assets of the Predecessor Registrant in exchange for newly issued common shares of the Registrant and the assumption by the Registrant of all of the liabilities of the Predecessor Registrant in a separate reorganization by which the Predecessor Registrant will change its domicile from a Minnesota corporation to a Massachusetts business trust (the Domicile Change Reorganization).
The following documents have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated into this Post-Effective Amendment by reference:
PARTS A AND B
This Post Effective Amendment incorporates by reference the information contained in Parts A and B of the Predecessor Registrants N-14, filed on October 13, 2020 (File No. 333-248305), as modified by the information included in the Definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act on October 20, 2020.
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 15. Indemnification
Section 4 of Article XII of the Registrants 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
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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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, 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 of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 16. Exhibits.
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(13)(a) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated June 15, 2017 between Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(2) | |||
(13)(b) | Amendment and Schedule A to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated September 7, 2017.(2) | |||
(13)(c) | Second Amendment and updated Schedule A, dated February 26, 2018, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 15, 2017 between the Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(3) | |||
(13)(d) | Third Amendment and updated Schedule A, dated May 11, 2020 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 15, 2017 between the Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(3) | |||
(14) | Consent of Independent Auditor is filed herewith. | |||
(15) | Not applicable. | |||
(16) | Powers of Attorney are filed herewith. | |||
(17) | Form of Proxy appears following the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus constituting Part A of the Registration Statement. |
* |
To be filed by amendment |
(1) |
Filed on March 11, 2016 as an exhibit to Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Funds Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-210113) and incorporated by reference herein. |
(2) |
Filed on November 16, 2017 as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Funds Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-184971) and incorporated by reference herein. |
(3) |
Filed on September 1, 2020 as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Funds Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-223524) and incorporated by reference herein. |
Item 17. Undertakings.
(1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act, the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.
(2) The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.
(3) The undersigned Registrant agrees that executed opinions of counsel supporting the tax matters discussed in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission following the closing of the Reorganization.
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SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, on the 31st day of March, 2021.
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND |
BY: /S/ MARK L. WINGET |
Mark L. Winget |
VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY |
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registrants registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
* |
An original power of attorney authorizing, among others, Mark L. Winget, Kevin J. McCarthy and Mark J. Czarniecki to execute this registration statement and any amendments hereto has ben executed and is filed herewith as Exhibit (16). |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Name of Exhibit |
|
(1) | Declaration of Trust of Registrant, dated November 12, 2020. | |
(2) | By-Laws of Registrant. | |
(4) | Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between Predecessor Registrant and the Target Fund, dated October 16, 2020. | |
(6)(a) | Form of Investment Management Agreement. | |
(6)(b) | Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement. | |
(11) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel. | |
(14) | Consent of Independent Auditor. | |
(16) | Powers of Attorney. |
Exhibit (1)
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND
DECLARATION OF TRUST made this 12TH day of November 2020 by the Trustees hereunder.
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a trust fund for the purposes of carrying on the business of a management investment company; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such purposes, the Trustees and any successor Trustees elected in accordance with Article V hereof are acquiring and may hereafter acquire assets and properties which they will hold and manage as trustees of a Massachusetts business trust with transferable shares in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees and any successor Trustees elected in accordance with Article V hereof hereby declare that they will hold all cash, securities and other assets and properties, which they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder, IN TRUST, that they will manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for the pro rata benefit of the holders from time to time of shares of beneficial interest in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1. Name. This Trust shall be known as the Nuveen New York Municipal Value 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 determined.
Section 2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The Trust refers to the Massachusetts voluntary association established by this Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 182;
(b) Trustee or Trustees refers to each signatory to this Declaration of Trust so long as such signatory shall continue in office in
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accordance with the terms hereof, and all other individuals who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with Article V hereof and are then in office;
(c) Shares mean the shares of beneficial interest described in Article IV hereof and include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(d) Shareholder means a record owner of Shares;
(e) The 1940 Act refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and any successor statute) and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;
(f) The terms Affiliated Person, Assignment, Commission, Interested Person, Principal Underwriter and vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act;
(g) Declaration of Trust or Declaration shall mean this Declaration of Trust as amended or restated from time to time; and
(h) By-Laws shall mean the By-laws of the Trust as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF TRUST
The Trust is a voluntary association (commonly known as a business trust) of the type referred to in Chapter 182 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust is not intended to be, shall not be deemed to be, and shall not be treated as, a general or a limited partnership, joint venture, corporation or joint stock company, nor shall the Trustees or Shareholders or any of them for any purpose be deemed to be, or be treated in any way whatsoever as though they were, liable or responsible hereunder as partners or joint venturers. The purpose of the Trust is to engage in, operate and carry on the business of a closed-end management investment company and to do any and all acts or things as are necessary, convenient, appropriate incidental or customary in connection therewith, including, without limitation, the following:
to hold, invest, and reinvest its funds, and in connection therewith to hold part of all of its funds in cash, and to purchase or otherwise sell, assign, negotiate, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of or turn to account or realize upon securities and other negotiable or
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non-negotiable instruments, obligations and evidences of indebtedness created or issued by any person, firms, associations, corporations, syndicates, combinations, and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligation and evidences of indebtedness; and to exercise, as owner or holder of any securities or other instruments, all rights, powers, and privileges in respect thereof; and to do any and all acts and things for the preservation, protection and improvement of any and all such securities or other instruments, and, in general, to conduct the business of a closed-end investment company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act; and
To engage in any lawful act or activity for which business trusts may be organized under Massachusetts law.
The Trust set forth in this instrument shall be deemed made in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust. No provision of this Declaration shall be effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1940 Act, or of any valid rule, regulation or order of the Commission thereunder.
The enumeration herewith of the objects and purposes of the Trust shall be construed as powers as well as objects and purposes and shall not be deemed to exclude by inference any powers, objects or purposes which the Trust may lawfully pursue or exercise.
ARTICLE III
REGISTERED AGENT; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
The name of the registered agent of the Trust is CT Corporation System, at its office at 155 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. The principal place of business of the Trust is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Trustees may, without the approval of Shareholders, change the registered agent of the Trust and the principal place of business of the Trust.
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ARTICLE IV
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 1. Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of beneficial interest, of such classes or series, and of such designations and par values (if any), and with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as shall be determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion, without Shareholder approval, from time to time. The number of Shares is unlimited and each Share shall be fully paid and nonassessable. There shall be no cumulative voting. Subject to any provision in a Statement (as defined in Section 2 below) to the contrary, the Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or of the Shareholders of any series or class of Shares, to create and establish (and to change in any manner) Shares or any series or classes thereof with such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges as the Trustees may from time to time determine; to divide or combine the Shares or the Shares of any series or classes thereof into a greater or lesser number including, without limitation, such a division or combination accomplished by means of a stock split or a reverse stock split, without thereby changing their proportionate beneficial interest in the Trust; to classify or reclassify any issued Shares into one or more series or classes of Shares; to abolish any one or more series or classes of Shares; and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. The Shares shall initially be divided into one class, a class of an unlimited number of common Shares, $0.01 par value (the Common Shares) having the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions described below. The Trust may also, from time to time, issue a class of an unlimited number of preferred Shares, $0.01 par value (the Preferred Shares), having the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions described below.
(a) Common Shares.
(i) Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares, if any, in the event of the termination of the Trust the holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive pro rata the net distributable assets of the Trust.
(ii) The holders of the Common Shares shall not, as such holders, have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Common Shares or securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue or sell, other than such right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine.
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(iii) Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares, if any, dividends or other distributions, when, as and if declared by the Trustees, shall be shared equally by the holders of Common Shares on a share for share basis. The Trustees may direct that any dividends or other distributions or any portion thereof as declared and distributed shall be paid in cash to the holder, or, alternatively, may direct that any such dividends be reinvested in full and fractional Shares of the Trust if such holder elects to have them reinvested.
(iv) The Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or some other series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may determine, or cancel any Common Shares of any series reacquired by the Trust at their discretion from time to time. Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust.
(v) Common Shares may be issued from time to time, without the vote of the Shareholders (or, if the Trustees in their sole discretion deem advisable, with a vote of Shareholders), either for cash or for such other consideration (which may be in any one or more instances a certain specified consideration or certain specified considerations) and on such terms as the Trustees, from time to time, may deem advisable, and the Trust may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with the assumption of liabilities).
(vi) The Trust may issue Common Shares in fractional denominations to the same extent as its whole Shares, and Shares in fractional denominations shall be Common Shares having proportionately to the respective fractions represented thereby all the rights of whole Shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote, the right to receive dividends and distributions and the right to participate upon termination of the Trust, but excluding the right to receive a certificate representing fractional Shares.
(b) Preferred Shares. If the Trust issues Preferred Shares, such Shares shall be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series with such distinctive serial designations and (i) may have such voting powers, full or limited; (ii) may be subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices; (iii) may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes of Shares; (iv) may have such rights upon the termination of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Trust; (v) may
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be made convertible into, or exchangeable for, Shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of Shares of the Trust, at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments; and (vi) shall have such other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, all as shall hereafter be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such Preferred Shares from time to time adopted by the Trustees (or a Committee thereof) in accordance with Section 2 of this Article IV. Any of such matters may be made dependent upon facts ascertainable outside this Declaration of Trust, or outside the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such Preferred Shares.
Section 2. Establishment of Class or Series of Shares. The establishment and designation of any class or series of Shares, including any Preferred Shares issued hereunder, shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the then Trustees (or a Committee thereof) setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such class or series as set forth in a written statement either executed by the President or a Vice President of the Trust, or executed by a majority of the Trustees then in office (the Statement). At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular class or series previously established and designated, the Trustees (or a Committee thereof) may by a majority vote abolish that class or series and the establishment and designation thereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, no such Statement establishing and designating any class or series of Shares shall constitute an amendment to or a part of this Declaration of Trust.
Section 3. Ownership Of Shares. The ownership and transfer of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. No certificates certifying the ownership of Preferred Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust, as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent of the Trust, shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and as to the number of Shares held from time to time by each Shareholder.
Section 4. No Preemptive Rights, Etc. The holders of Shares of any class or series shall not, as such holders, have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Shares or securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue or sell, other than such right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine. The holders of Shares of any class or series shall have no appraisal rights with respect to their Shares and, except as otherwise determined by
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resolution of the Trustees in their sole discretion, shall have no exchange or conversion rights with respect to their Shares.
Section 5. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this instrument. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration of Trust and to have become a party thereto. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the same nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of property shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting. Neither the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.
ARTICLE V
THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Management of the Trust. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out that responsibility.
Section 2. Qualification and Number. Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By a majority vote or consent of the Trustees, the Trustees may fix the number of Trustees at a number not less than two (2) nor more than fifteen (15) and may fill the vacancies created by any such increase in the number of Trustees. Except as determined from time to time by resolution of the Trustees, no decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term, but the number of Trustees may be decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to Section 4 of Article V.
Section 3. Term and Election. Each Trustee shall hold office until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee or of a successor to such Trustee, and until his successor is elected and qualified, and any Trustee who is appointed by the
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Trustees in the interim to fill a vacancy as provided hereunder shall have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor, if any, or such term as the Trustees may determine. Any vacancy resulting from a newly created Trusteeship or the death, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of a Trustee may be filled by the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the Trustees then in office.
Section 4. Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign his trust or retire as a Trustee (without need for prior or subsequent accounting except in the event of removal) by an instrument in writing signed by him and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, if any, the President or the Secretary and such resignation or retirement shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the instrument. Any Trustee may be removed from office only for Cause (as hereinafter defined) and only (i) by action of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Shares of the class or classes of Shares that elected such Trustee, or (ii) by written instrument, signed by at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the remaining Trustees, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective. Cause shall require willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud or a felony conviction.
Section 5. Vacancies. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity, of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided herein, or the number of Trustees as fixed is reduced, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees, and during the period during which any such vacancy shall occur, only the Trustees then in office shall be counted for the purposes of the existence of a quorum or any action to be taken by such Trustees.
Section 6. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. All of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as automatically vested in the Trustees as shall be from time to time in office. Upon the resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity or death of a Trustee, such Trustee shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective without the execution or delivery of any conveyancing or other instruments. No Shareholder shall be deemed to
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have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or any right of partition or possession thereof.
Section 7. Voting Requirements. In addition to the voting requirements imposed by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, the provisions set forth in this Article V may not be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent with this Article V be adopted, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, provided however that if there are then Preferred Shares outstanding, then such vote shall be by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In the event the holders of Common Shares or the holders of Preferred Shares, as the case may be, are required by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust to approve such an action by a class vote of such holders, such action must be approved by the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of such holders or such lower percentage as may be required by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE VI
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall have full, absolute and exclusive power, control and authority over the Trust assets and the business and affairs of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole and absolute owners thereof in their own right. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid powers. In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, there shall be a presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Trustees. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Declaration or any Statement relating to the issuance of Preferred Shares, the Trustees shall have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest in, to buy or otherwise acquire, to hold, for investment or otherwise, to sell or otherwise dispose of, to lend or to pledge, to trade in or deal in securities or interests of all kinds, however evidenced, or obligations of all kinds, however evidenced, or rights, warrants, or contracts to acquire such securities, interests, or obligations, of any private or public company, corporation, association, general or limited partnership, trust or other enterprise or organization, foreign or domestic, or issued or guaranteed
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by any national or state government, foreign or domestic, or their agencies, instrumentalities or subdivisions (including but not limited to, bonds, debentures, bills, time notes and all other evidences of indebtedness); negotiable or non-negotiable instruments; any and all options and futures contracts; derivatives or structured securities; government securities and money market instruments (including but not limited to, bank certificates of deposit, finance paper, commercial paper, bankers acceptances, and all kinds of repurchase agreements) and, without limitation, all kinds and types of financial instruments;
(b) To adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders;
(c) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate;
(d) To employ one or more banks or trust companies as custodian of any assets of the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws;
(e) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents;
(f) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either through a principal underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the Trust itself or both;
(g) To set record dates for any purposes;
(h) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, investment subadviser, transfer agent, custodian or underwriter or other independent contractor of agent;
(i) Subject to Article IX, Section 1 hereof, to merge, or consolidate the Trust with any other corporation, association, trust or other organization; or to sell, convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust;
(j) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
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(k) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(l) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in their or the Trusts name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees;
(m) To authorize the issuance from time to time of one or more classes or series of Shares, and to issue, sell, repurchase, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer and otherwise deal in Shares and in any options, warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or any other interests in the Trust other than Shares;
(n) To set apart, from time to time, out of any funds of the Trust a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose, and to abolish any such reserve;
(o) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security or property of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(p) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;
(q) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to shareholders;
(r) To borrow money; to issue notes, paper or other evidences of indebtedness; to pay interest or other fees in connection with any borrowing or indebtedness; and to pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate the assets of the Trust;
(s) To lend money or other assets of the Trust;
(t) To establish, from time to time, a minimum total investment for shareholders, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any shareholders whose investment is less than such minimum upon such terms as shall be established by the Trustees;
(u) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any
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security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(v) To purchase and pay for out of Trust property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Trust, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers or managers, principal underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser or manager, principal underwriter, or independent contractor, whether or not any such action may be determined to constitute negligence, and whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability; and
(w) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust.
Any determination made by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees in good faith and consistent with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every holder at any time of Shares, including, but not limited to the following matters: the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the Trust; the amount of the net income of the Trust from dividends, capital gains, interest or other sources for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends or distributions; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid or discharged); the market value, or any quoted price to be applied in determining the market value, of any security or any other asset owned or held by the Trust; the fair value of any security for which quoted prices are not readily available, or of any other asset owned or held by the Trust; the number of Shares of the Trust issued or issuable; the net asset value per Share; any
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matter relating to the acquisition, holding and depositing of securities and other assets by the Trust; any question as to whether any transaction constitutes a purchase of securities on margin, a short sale of securities, a borrowing, or an underwriting of the sale of, or participation in any underwriting or selling group in connection with the public distribution of, any securities, and any matter relating to the issue, sale, redemption, repurchase, and/or other acquisition or disposition of Shares of the Trust. No provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its security holders to which he 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 office.
Section 2. Manner of Acting, By-Laws. The By-Laws shall make provision from time to time for the manner in which the Trustees may take action, including, without limitation, at meetings within or without Massachusetts, including meetings held by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment, or by written consents, the quorum and notice, if any, that shall be required for any meeting or other action, and the delegation of some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees to any one or more committees which they may appoint from their own number, and terminate, from time to time.
ARTICLE VII
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
The Trustees shall have the power to reimburse themselves from the Trust property for their expenses and disbursements, to pay reasonable compensation to themselves from the Trust property, and to incur and pay out of the Trust property any other expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this Declaration of Trust, or to exercise any of the powers of the Trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE VIII
INVESTMENT ADVISER, PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS AND
TRANSFER AGENT
Section 1. Investment Adviser. The Trust may enter into a written contract with one or more persons (which term shall include any firm corporation, trust or association), hereinafter referred to as the Investment Adviser, to act as investment adviser to the Trust and as such to perform such
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functions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, including, without limitation, investment advisory, management, research, valuation of assets, clerical and administrative functions. Any such contract shall be subject to the approval of those persons required by the 1940 Act to approve such contract, and shall be terminable at any time upon not more than 60 days notice by resolution of the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Article VIII, any such contract may be made with any firm or corporation in which any Trustee of the Trust may be interested. The compensation of the Investment Adviser may be based upon a percentage of the net proceeds of the initial public offering of the Shares after payment of underwriting discounts and organization and offering costs, a percentage of the income or gross realized or unrealized gain of the Trust, or a combination thereof, or otherwise, as may be provided in such contract.
Upon the termination of any contract with Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC or any corporation affiliated with Nuveen, LLC acting as investment adviser or manager, the Trustees are hereby authorized to promptly change the name of the Trust to a name which does not include Nuveen or any approximation or abbreviation thereof.
The Trustees may, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, including those relating to shareholder approval, authorize the investment adviser to employ one or more sub-advisers from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser.
Section 2. Principal Underwriter. The Trust may enter into a written contract or contracts with an underwriter or underwriters or distributor or distributors whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party or parties to the contract or appoint such other party or parties its sales agent or agents for such Shares. Any such contract may provide that the Trust shall pay such other party or parties such amounts as the Trustees may in their discretion deem reasonable and proper, and may also provide that such other party or parties may enter into selected dealer agreements with registered securities dealers to further the purpose of the distribution of the Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Article VIII, any such contract may be made with any firm or corporation, including, without limitation, the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Advisor, or any firm or corporation in which any Trustee of the Trust or the Investment Adviser may be interested.
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Section 3. Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and shareholder service contract(s,) whereby the other party shall undertake, to furnish the Trustees with transfer agency and shareholder services. The contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Declaration or Trust or of the By-Laws. Such services may be provided by one or more entities.
Section 4. Parties To Contract. Any contract of the character described in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII or in Article X hereof may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, including, without limitation, the investment adviser, any investment sub-adviser or an affiliate of the investment adviser or investment sub-adviser, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, or otherwise interested in such contract and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VIII, Article X, or the By-Laws. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 1, 2 and 3 above or Article X, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.
ARTICLE IX
SHAREHOLDERS VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 1. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only: (a) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article V, (b) with respect to any investment advisory or management contract as provided in Article VIII, Sections 1 and 5, (c) with respect to any termination of the Trust or any series or class thereof to the extent and as provided in Article XIII, Section 1, (d) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the extent and as provided in Article XIII, Section 4, (e) with respect to a merger or consolidation of the Trust or any series or class thereof with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Trust or class or series thereof, or a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any series thereof (other than in the regular course of the Trusts investment activities) to the extent and as provided in this
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Article IX, Section 1, (f) to the same extent as the shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the shareholders, provided, however that a shareholder of a particular class or series shall not be entitled to bring any derivative or class action on behalf of any other class or series of the Trust, and (g) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, the 1940 Act, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws of the Trust, any Statement relating to the issuance of classes or series of shares, or any registration of the Trust with the Commission or any State, or otherwise as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares shall be required to approve, adopt or authorize (i) a conversion of the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Trust or a series or class of the Trust with any corporation, association, Trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Trust or a series of class of the Trust, (iii) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust (other than in the regular course of the Trusts investment activities), or (iv) a termination of the Trust or a class or a series of the Trust (other than a termination by the Trustees as provided for in Section 1 of Article XIII hereof), unless in each and every case such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares shall be required, provided however, that if there are then Preferred Shares outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, shall be required unless in each and every case such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, shall be required; provided further, that where only a particular class or series is affected, only the required vote by the applicable class or series shall be required, and provided further that except as may otherwise be required by law, if there are then Preferred Shares outstanding, in the case of the conversion of the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) which adversely affects the Preferred Shares within the meaning of Section
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18(a)(2)(D) of the 1940 Act, approval, adoption or authorization of the action in question will also require the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Preferred Shares 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 this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring approval of Shareholders for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Trust issues Shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity).
In addition to the voting requirements imposed by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, the provisions set forth in this Article IX may not be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent with this Article IX be adopted, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, or if there are then outstanding Preferred Shares, by the affirmative vote of the holders or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a single class. In the event the holders of Common Shares or the holders of Preferred Shares, as the case may be, are required by law to approve such an action by a class vote of such holders, such action must be approved by the, holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of (such holders or such lower percentage as may be required by law. Any series of a class which is adversely affected in a manner different from other series of the same class shall together with any other series of the same class adversely affected in the same manner, be treated as a separate class under this Section 1.
Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called and held from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place within the United States as shall be fixed by the Trustees, and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to at least ten days written notice of any meeting, except where the meeting is an adjourned meeting and the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at the time of the adjournment.
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Section 3. Quorum and Action. (a) The Trustees shall set in the By-Laws the quorum required for the transaction of business by the Shareholders at a meeting, which quorum shall in no event be less than thirty percent (30%) of the Shares entitled to vote at such meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to elect any of the Trustees by class vote of such holders, the holders of 33 1/3% of such Shares entitled to vote at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such an election.
(b) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which shall only require a plurality, of the Shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by, any provision of this Declaration of Trust, any resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares, or the By-Laws.
Section 4. Voting. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, except that Shares held in the treasury of the Trust shall not be voted. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees or on any other matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
Section 5. Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken without a meeting by written action signed by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote on that action. The written action is effective when it has been signed by all of those Shareholders, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action.
ARTICLE X
CUSTODIAN
All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held by one or more custodians and subcustodians, each meeting the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act, or shall otherwise be held in accordance with the 1940 Act. The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or
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more sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodians, and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such sub-custodian shall meet the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and in any applicable state Securities or blue sky laws.
ARTICLE XI
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Trustees may in their sole discretion from time to time declare and pay such dividends and distributions to shareholders as they may deem necessary or desirable, after providing for actual and accrued expenses and liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish) determined in accordance with this Declaration of Trust and good accounting practices.
ARTICLE XII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Limitation of Liability. No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Trustee of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser, sub-adviser, principal underwriter or custodian of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee. Nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee 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 office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to their or his capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer shall give notice that this Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall recite that the same was executed or made by or on behalf of the Trust by them as Trustees or Trustee or as officers or officer and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding
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upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust, and may contain such further recitals as they or he may deem appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or Shareholders or Shareholder individually.
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trusts officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Section 2. Trustees Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable only for his own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and their duties as Trustees hereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. In discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officer appointed by them, any independent public accountant and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of any other party to any contract entered into hereunder. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 3. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.
Section 4. Indemnification. 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,
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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
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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.
Section 5. Shareholders. No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions, or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the Trust to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability; provided, however, there shall be no liability or obligation of the Trust arising hereunder to reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by reason of such Shareholders ownership of any Share or for losses suffered by reason of any changes in value of any Trust assets. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
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ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Termination of Trust. (a) Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue, without limitation of time. Except as may be set forth in any Statement relating to the issuance of Preferred Shares, the Trust, or any class or series thereof may be terminated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders without a vote of the shareholders of the Trust, or the class or series as the case may be, or by the affirmative vote of the shareholders entitled to vote at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, in the case of the termination of the Trust, or by the affected class or series as the case may be in the event of the termination of a class or series, unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares or the applicable class or series as the case may be, shall be required, provided however that if there are then outstanding Preferred Shares, such vote with respect to the termination of the Trust shall be by the affirmative vote of the shareholders entitled to vote at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting as a single class shall be required.
Upon termination of the Trust or any series or class thereof, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets of the Trust or the applicable series or class to distributable form in cash or other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the holders of Preferred Shares, if any, in the manner set forth by resolution of the Trustees, and to the holders of Common Shares held by such holders on the date of termination in the event of a termination of the Trust, or to Shareholders of the applicable series or class, as the case may be.
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Section 2. Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy of this instrument, each amendment hereto and any Statement authorized by Article III, Section 2 hereof shall be kept in the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this Declaration and of each amendment and Statement shall be filed by the Trustees with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as any other governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required, provided, however, that the failure to so file will not invalidate this Declaration or an properly authorized amendment or Statement. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments have been made or Statements authorized and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such amendments or Statements. In this instrument or in any such amendment, references to this instrument, and all expressions like herein, hereof and hereunder, shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as a whole and as amended or affected by any such amendment. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only, and in case of any conflict, the text of this instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 3. Trustees May Resolve Ambiguities. The Trustees may construe any of the provisions of this Declaration insofar as the same may appear to be ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions hereof, and any such construction hereof by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive as to the meaning to be given to such provisions.
Section 4. Amendments. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Declaration of Trust, this Declaration of Trust may be amended at any time by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Trustees with the consent of shareholders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of Shares entitled to vote. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary contained in this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may amend this Declaration of Trust without the vote or consent of shareholders (i) at any time if the Trustees deem it necessary in order for the Trust or any series or class thereby to meet the requirements of applicable Federal or State laws or regulations, or the requirements of the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) change the name of the Trust or to supply any omission, cure any ambiguity or cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision contained herein, or (iii) for any reason at any time before a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the initial public offering of Shares has become effective.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument as of this 12th day of November 2020.
/s/ Jack B. Evans Jack B. Evans, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
/s/ William C. Hunter William C. Hunter, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
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/s/ Albin F. Moschner Albin F. Moschner, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
/s/ John K. Nelson John K. Nelson, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
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/s/ Judith M. Stockdale Judith M. Stockdale, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
/s/ Carole E. Stone Carole E. Stone, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
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/s/ Terence J. Toth Terence J. Toth, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
/s/ Margaret L. Wolff Margaret L. Wolff, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
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/s/ Robert L. Young Robert L. Young, as Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
Exhibit (2)
BY-LAWS
OF
NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS
ORGANIZED AS
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUSTS
(Amended and Restated as of October 5, 2020)
ARTICLE I
DECLARATION OF TRUST AND OFFICES
Section 1.1 The Trust; Declaration of Trust. These are the By-Laws of each Nuveen Closed-End Fund listed on Exhibit A, each a Massachusetts business trust established by its own Declaration of Trust (each such fund being referred to individually as the Trust). The Trust shall be subject to the Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the Declaration of Trust). Each Shareholder of the Trust, by virtue of having become a Shareholder, shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to be bound by the terms of the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws.
Section 1.2 Registered Agent. The registered agent of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be CT Corporation System, 150 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or such other agent as may be fixed by the Trustees.
Section 1.3 Other Offices. The Trust may have such other offices and places of business within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Trustees shall determine.
ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 2.1 Place of Meetings. (a) Meetings of the Shareholders may be held at such place or places within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as shall be fixed by the Trustees or by the officers of the Trust and stated in the notice of the meeting, or in accordance with the following paragraph (b).
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these By-Laws, the Trustees or the officers of the Trust may determine at any time, including, without limitation, after the calling of any meeting of Shareholders, that any meeting of Shareholders be held solely by means of remote communication or both at a physical location and by means of remote communication. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these By-Laws, if it is determined after notice of the meeting has been delivered to Shareholders that participation by Shareholders in the meeting shall or may be conducted by means of remote communication, announcement of such change may be made at any time by press release or any other means as may be permitted or required by applicable law. Shareholders and proxy holders entitled to be present and to vote at the meeting that are not physically present at such a meeting but participate by means of remote communication shall be considered present in person for all purposes under these By-
Laws and may vote at such a meeting. Subject to any guidelines and procedures that the Trustees or the officers of the Trust may adopt, any meeting at which Shareholders or proxy holders are permitted to participate by means of remote communication shall be conducted in accordance with the following, except to the extent otherwise permitted by the federal securities laws and the rules thereunder applicable to the Trust, including any exemptive, interpretive or other relief (including no-action relief) or guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(i) The Trust shall implement, at the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer or his or her designee, reasonable measures to verify that each person considered present and authorized to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a Shareholder or proxy holder;
(ii) The Trust shall implement, at the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer or his or her designee, reasonable measures to provide the Shareholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the Shareholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with the proceedings; and
(iii) In the event any Shareholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of the vote or other action shall be maintained by the Trust.
Section 2.2 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Shareholders for the election of Trustees and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held, so long as Shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or any other exchange or market (an Exchange) and such Exchange requires the Trust to hold such meetings. Such regular meetings shall be called by the Trustees and held in accordance with the rules, regulations and interpretations of the applicable Exchange, on such day and at such place as shall be designated by the Trustees or by the officers of the Trust, provided that a meeting initially called to be held in any given calendar or fiscal year shall be deemed to be an annual meeting (as defined below) for that calendar or fiscal year, if so designated by the Trustees, even if the actual date of the Meeting is in a subsequent calendar or fiscal year, due to postponements, adjournments, delays or other similar events or circumstances. In the event that such a meeting is not held for any year if so required by the applicable Exchange, for whatever reason, a subsequent special meeting may be called by the Trustees and held in lieu of such meeting with the same effect as if held within that year. Such regular meeting or special meeting held in lieu of a regular meeting in accordance with this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to be an annual meeting for the purposes of these By-laws, and the term special meeting refers to all meetings of Shareholders other than an annual meeting or a special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting.
Section 2.3 Special Meetings.
(a) Special meetings of the Shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees.
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(b) Special meetings of the Shareholders must be called upon the written request of Shareholders entitled to cast at least ten (10) percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. In order to be deemed properly submitted to the Trust, a written request of Shareholders to call a special meeting (a Special Meeting Request) must comply with this Section 2.3(b).
(i) Any Shareholder(s) seeking to request a special meeting shall send the Special Meeting Request to the Secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, requesting the Secretary to call a special meeting. Proof of the requesting Shareholders ownership of Shares at the time of giving the Special Meeting Request must accompany the requesting Shareholders Special Meeting Request. The Special Meeting Request shall: (1) set forth the purpose of the meeting, which must be to act on a proposal upon which the requesting Shareholder(s) are entitled to vote, (2) be signed by each requesting Shareholder (or its duly authorized agent), (3) bear the date of signature of each requesting Shareholder (or its duly authorized agent), (4) set forth all information that each requesting Shareholder, and with respect to the beneficial owners of Shares on whose behalf such request is being made, each such beneficial owner of Shares, would be required to disclose in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies with respect to the proposed business to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), whether or not such Person intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies, and (5) include or be accompanied by all additional information required by Section 2.6 of these By-Laws.
(ii) Upon receiving the Special Meeting Request, the Trustees may in their discretion fix a date for the special meeting. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Trustees may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Trustees to call an annual meeting or a special meeting.
(iii) Any requesting Shareholder (or its duly authorized agent) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary.
(iv) If written revocation of the Special Meeting Request has been delivered to the Secretary by one or more requesting Shareholders and the result of such revocation(s) is that Shareholders of record entitled to cast less than ten (10) percent of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the Secretary: (1) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the Secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting Shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of such revocations and written notice that the Trust intends to not deliver notice of the meeting, or (2) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the Secretary first sends to all requesting Shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of such revocations and written notice of the Trusts intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chair of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the Secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time at least ten (10) days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chair of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without
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acting on the matter. Any Special Meeting Request received after a revocation by the Secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.
(v) The Trustees, the Chair or an officer of the Trust may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Trust for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the Secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the Secretary until the earlier of (1) five (5) business days after actual receipt by the Secretary of such purported request and (2) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Trust that the valid requests received by the Secretary represent Shareholders of record entitled to cast not less than ten (10) percent of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Nothing contained in this paragraph (v) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Trust or any Shareholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five (5) business day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
(c) No business shall be conducted at a special meeting of the Shareholders except such business as shall be set forth in the Trusts notice of meeting, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.3 and in compliance with Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 of these By-Laws and Article IX of the Declaration of Trust. If the chair of a special meeting determines that proposed business was not properly brought before such meeting in accordance with this Section 2.3(c), the chair of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the proposed business was not properly brought before the meeting and such proposed business shall not be transacted; provided, however, that such proposed business shall not be presumed to be valid in the absence of such a declaration. Determinations of the chair of a meeting pursuant to this Section 2.3(c) shall be final and binding unless determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been made in bad faith.
Section 2.4 Chair and Secretary of Meetings.
(a) The Secretary of the Trust, or another officer designated by the Secretary of the Trust, shall serve as chair of the meeting. If neither the Secretary of the Trust nor any other officer designated by the Secretary of the Trust to serve as chair is present (in person or by means of remote communication) at the meeting, Shareholders may designate a chair of the meeting by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or by proxy. The chair of the meeting may by means of remote communication call the meeting to order, preside at the meeting and adjourn the meeting in accordance with Section 2.12 of these By-Laws, regardless of whether such meeting is held in person or by means of remote communication.
(b) An individual appointed by the Trustees or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chair of the meeting shall act as secretary of the meeting. The secretary of the meeting may participate in the meeting by means of remote communication, regardless of whether such meeting is held in person or by means of remote communication.
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Section 2.5 Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings stating the time, place and purpose or purposes of the meeting shall be delivered to each Shareholder not less than ten (10) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the meeting. For any matter to be properly before any regular or special meeting, the matter must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees or (ii) brought before the meeting by a Shareholder in the manner specified in Section 2.6 of these By-Laws.
Section 2.6 Requirements for Matters to be Considered.
(a) With the exception of Shareholder proposals duly submitted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto) upon which a requesting Shareholder is entitled to vote and required to be included therein by applicable law, only matters proposed by the Chief Administrative Officer or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees may be included in the Trusts proxy materials.
(b) In addition to complying with any other requirements under all applicable federal and state laws, including the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws, any proposal to elect any person nominated by Shareholders for election as Trustee and any other proposal upon which a requesting Shareholder is entitled to vote may only be brought before a meeting of Shareholders if timely written notice (the Shareholder Notice) is provided to the Secretary as specified below.
(i) With respect to annual meetings of Shareholders, unless a greater or lesser period is required under applicable law, to be timely, the Shareholder Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than seventy-five (75) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary date of the date on which the Trust first mailed its proxy materials for the prior years annual meeting; provided, however, if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences thirty (30) days before the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year and ends thirty (30) days after such anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred to herein as an Other Annual Meeting Date), such Shareholder Notice must be given in the manner provided herein not more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the date ninety (90) days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date or (2) the tenth (10th) business day following the date such Other Annual Meeting Date is first publicly announced or disclosed.
(ii) In the event the Trust calls a special meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals as Trustees, a Shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee as specified in the Trusts notice of meeting, provided that the Shareholder Notice be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Trust not more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the date ninety (90) days prior to such special meeting or (2) the tenth (10th) business day following the date such special meeting and the number of Trustees to be elected at such meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed.
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(c) Any Shareholder desiring to nominate any person or persons (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee or Trustees of the Trust (each a Proposed Nominee) shall deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice:
(i) a statement in writing setting forth with respect to each Proposed Nominee:
(1) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of such Proposed Nominee;
(2) the class or series and number of all Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, as reported to such Shareholder by such Proposed Nominee;
(3) the name of each nominee holder of Shares owned beneficially but not of record by such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, and the number of such Shares held by each such nominee holder;
(4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares), that has been entered into as of the date of the Shareholder Notice or on behalf of such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, with respect to Shares of the Trust;
(5) any other information regarding such Proposed Nominee required by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto);
(6) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee related to such nomination and any material interest of such Proposed Nominee Associate in such nomination, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Proposed Nominee Associate;
(7) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between such Proposed
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Nominee or each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee and the nominating Shareholder or any Shareholder Associate of such nominating Shareholder related to such nomination, including with respect to the voting of any matters to come before the Trustees or any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee;
(8) a description of all commercial and professional relationships and transactions between or among such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, and any other Person or Persons known to such Proposed Nominee or any Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee to have a material interest in such nomination;
(9) a representation as to whether such Proposed Nominee is or will be an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and information regarding such Proposed Nominee that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Trustees, to make such determination;
(10) a representation as to whether such Proposed Nominee satisfies the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees as set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws, together with information regarding such Proposed Nominee that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Trustees, to examine such representation;
(11) a representation as to whether such Proposed Nominee meets all applicable legal requirements relevant to service as a Trustee, including, but not limited to, the rules adopted by the principal listing exchange (if any) upon which Shares are listed, Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), Article 2-01 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act with respect to the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm (or any successor provision thereto) and any other criteria established by the 1940 Act related to service as a trustee of a management investment company or the permitted composition of the board of trustees of a management investment company, together with information regarding such Proposed Nominee that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Trustees, to examine such representation; and
(12) any other information regarding such Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of Trustees pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
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whether or not the nominating Shareholder intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies and whether or not a Contested Election is involved;
(ii) the written and signed consent of each Proposed Nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; and
(iii) the written and signed certification of each Proposed Nominee that (a) all information regarding such Proposed Nominee included in and/or accompanying the Shareholder Notice is true, complete and accurate, (b) such Proposed Nominee is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any Person other than the Trust in connection with service or action as a Trustee of the Trust that has not been disclosed to the Trust, (c) the Proposed Nominee satisfies the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees as set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws at the time of their nomination, and (d) such Proposed Nominee will continue to satisfy the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees as set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws at the time of their election, if elected.
(d) In addition:
(i) Each Proposed Nominee and/or any nominating Shareholder shall furnish any other information as the Trustees may reasonably request regarding any such Proposed Nominee and/or such nominating Shareholder, and such other information shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Trust not later than seven (7) calendar days after the first request by or on behalf of the Trustees for such other information was sent to such Shareholder, group of Shareholders or Proposed Nominee. Any request for any such other information that is not answered in a reasonably complete, accurate, diligent and good faith manner, or that is not timely received by the Trust in accordance with this Section 2.6(d)(i), will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws. If the same request for such other information is sent to multiple Persons, then the earliest such date and time on which such request for information was sent shall apply for the purpose of determining compliance with this Section 2.6(d)(i).
(ii) Without limiting the foregoing, each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, complete and duly execute a questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Trust and designed to obtain information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any Shares of the Trust are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Trust are traded, would be necessary to establish that the Proposed Nominee satisfies the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws or would be necessary to comply with legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Trust) (the Questionnaire); any Questionnaire that is not
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completed in a reasonably complete, diligent, accurate and good faith manner, or that is not duly executed and received by the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive offices of the Trust not later than seven (7) calendar days after the Trustees or its designee first sends the Questionnaire to such Proposed Nominee, will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(iii) Each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, sit for an interview with one or more Trustees or their representatives, which interview may, in the discretion of the Trustees be conducted by means of remote communication. Refusal by a Proposed Nominee to participate in such interview will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(iv) Each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, consent to and cooperate with a background screening conducted by a background screening company with experience in conducting background screenings of public company directors selected by the Trustees. Refusal by a Proposed Nominee to cooperate with such a background screening will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(v) Each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, agree to Board Conduct Policies adopted by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.8 of these By-Laws. Refusal by a Proposed Nominee to agree to such Board Conduct Policies will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(e) Without limiting the foregoing, any Shareholder who gives a Shareholder Notice of any matter proposed to be brought before a Shareholder meeting (whether or not involving nominees for Trustees) shall deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice:
(i) the description of and text of the proposal to be presented (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration); a brief written statement of the reasons why such Shareholder favors the proposal of the business; and any material interest of such Shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business.
(ii) As to the Shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made:
(1) the name and address of such Shareholder, as they appear on the Trusts books, and of such beneficial owner;
(2) the class or series and number of Shares which are owned beneficially and of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owner and their respective Shareholder Associates;
(3) the name of each nominee holder of Shares owned beneficially but not of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owner and their respective Shareholder Associates, and the number of such Shares held by each such nominee holder;
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(4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such Shareholder and such beneficial owner, any of their respective Shareholder Associates, and any others Person or Persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business and any material interest of such Person in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Person;
(5) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares), that has been entered into as of the date of the Shareholders notice by, or on behalf of, such Shareholder and such beneficial owners or their respective Shareholder Associates, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Shareholder or such beneficial owner or their respective Shareholder Associates, with respect to Shares of the Trust; and
(6) a description of all commercial and professional relationships and transactions between or among such Shareholder and such beneficial owners or their respective Shareholder Associates, and any other Person or Persons known to such Shareholder and such beneficial owners or their respective Shareholder Associates to have a material interest in the matter that is the subject of such notice;
(iii) any other information relating to such Shareholder and such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies by such Person with respect to the proposed business to be brought by such Person before the annual meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, whether or not the Shareholder submitting the notice intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies;
(iv) a representation that the Shareholder is a holder of record of Shares of the Trust entitled to vote on such proposal or nomination at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination; and
(v) a representation whether the Shareholder or the beneficial owner is part of, or intends to form, a group which intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Trusts outstanding Shares required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (2) otherwise to solicit proxies from Shareholders in support of such proposal or nomination.
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(f) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 by a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall be incomplete or inaccurate, the Shareholder Notice shall be ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(g) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 by a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall become incomplete or inaccurate in any way, such Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall notify the Trust in writing of any inaccuracy or change and update and supplement such information to cause it to be complete and accurate within seven (7) calendar days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy. If a Shareholder or Proposed Nominee fails to provide such written notification and update within such period, the information that was or becomes inaccurate shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 2.6 and, accordingly, will render the Shareholder Notice ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(h) Upon written request by the Secretary of the Trust or the Trustees, a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall provide, within seven (7) calendar days of the sending of such request, a written certification of the accuracy of all information submitted by the Shareholder or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.6 (as updated or supplemented pursuant to paragraph (g)) as of the date of such written request. Failure to provide such written certificate in a timely manner will render the Shareholder Notice ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(i) Within seven (7) calendar days after the record date for determining the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting of Shareholders, a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall provide a written certification of the accuracy of all information submitted by the Shareholder or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.6 (as updated or supplemented pursuant to paragraph (g)) as of the record date. Failure to provide such written certificate in a timely manner will render the Shareholder Notice ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(j) The notice requirements of this Section 2.6 shall be deemed satisfied by a Shareholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the Shareholder has notified the Trust in compliance with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision of law) of his, her or its intention to present a proposal upon which such Shareholder is entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders and such Shareholders proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Trust to solicit proxies for such annual or special meeting. Nothing in this Section 2.6(j) shall limit the Trusts ability to exclude such a proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision thereto).
(k) In no event shall an adjournment or postponement (or a public announcement thereof) of a meeting of Shareholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of notice as provided in this Section 2.6.
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(l) Except as otherwise provided by law, the chair of any meeting of Shareholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power and duty:
(i) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.6 (including whether the Shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such Shareholders nominee or proposal in compliance with such Shareholders representation as required by Section 2.6), and
(ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with Section 2.6, to declare that such proposed nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted; provided, however, that such proposed nomination or such proposed business shall not be presumed to be valid in the absence of such a declaration.
(m) Determinations by the Trustees or the chair of a meeting of Shareholders with respect to the compliance of any proposed nomination or business and/or any information submitted to the Trust by a Shareholder or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be final and binding unless determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been made in bad faith.
(n) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.6 or otherwise in these By-Laws, unless required by applicable law, no matter shall be considered at or brought before any meeting of Shareholders unless such matter has been deemed a proper matter for Shareholder action by the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees.
Section 2.7 Quorum and Action.
(a) The holders of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote at a meeting are a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to elect any of the Trusts Trustees by class vote of such holders, the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the Shares entitled to vote at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such an election. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present, all Shares entitled under the provisions of the Declaration or these By-Laws to vote at the meeting and present in person or by properly submitted proxy, including abstentions and broker non-votes, shall be counted.
(b) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust, any
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resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares or the written statement setting forth the relative rights and preferences of the Preferred Shares; provided that (i) with respect to a Contested Election the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote with respect to such matter at such meeting shall be the act of Shareholders with respect to such matter and (ii) with respect to the election of Trustees, other than a Contested Election, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Shareholders with respect to such matter..
(c) Any purported vote of any Shareholders at any meeting of Shareholders that does not meet the requirements of applicable state or federal law may be disregarded as invalid if so determined by the Trustees or the chair of such meeting. In such event, such Shares may nevertheless be counted for purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present at such meeting.
Section 2.8 Voting. At each meeting of the Shareholders, every holder of Shares then entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy and, except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or any resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares, shall have one vote for each Share, and a proportional fractional vote for each fractional Share, registered in his or her name.
Section 2.9 Proxy Representation. At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder of Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have been placed on file with the Secretary, or with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Trustees or officers may direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. In connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Trustees, a Shareholder may give instructions, through telephonic or electronic methods of communication or via the Internet, for another person to execute his or her proxy if, in each case, such method has been authorized by the Trust by its officers, and pursuant in each case to procedures established or approved by the officers of the Trust or agents employed by the Trust for such purpose as reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such Shareholder; and the placing of a Shareholders name on a proxy pursuant to such instructions shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such Shareholder. Pursuant to a vote of the Trustees, proxies may be solicited by the Trustees in the name of one or more Trustees and/or one or more of the officers of the Trust, in each case with right of substitution. If a proxy is solicited by any Person other than the Trustees, such a proxy may be authorized by a Shareholder only by written instrument or through telephonic or electronic methods of communication or via the Internet pursuant to procedures reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such Shareholder. When any Share is held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting, in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Share, but shall be counted as present at the meeting for all other purposes. If the holder of any such Share is a minor or a person of unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any other person as regards the charge or management of such Share, such Share may be voted by such guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such vote may be given in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any postponement or adjournment of a meeting, and no proxy shall be valid after eleven months from its
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date unless a longer period is expressly provided in the appointment. No appointment is irrevocable unless the appointment is coupled with an interest in the Shares or in the Trust. A Shareholder who has submitted a proxy may revoke or withdraw the proxy with respect to any matter to be considered at a meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof if such revocation or withdrawal is properly received prior to the vote on that matter, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the meeting or the adjournment or postponement thereof and voting in person on the matter or matters.
Section 2.10 Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of Shareholders, the Trustees, or at any such meeting, the Trustees or the chair of the meeting, may appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or any adjournment thereof (Inspectors of Election). Unless otherwise instructed by the Trustees, or by the chair of the meeting, the Inspectors of Election shall (a) determine (i) the number of Shares outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote and the number of such Shares represented at the meeting, (ii) the existence of a quorum, and (iii) the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies; (b) receive votes, ballots or consents; (c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; (iv) count and tabulate all votes and consents and determine the results; and (v) take such other actions as may be proper to conduct the election or vote.
Section 2.11 Conduct of Meetings. The Trustees may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of the Shareholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Trustees, the chair of any meeting of Shareholders shall have the authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to take all such actions as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Trustees or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (iii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iv) limitations on attendance at and participation in the meeting to Shareholders, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other Persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine; (v) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (vi) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by Shareholders; and (vii) the extent to which, if any, other participants are permitted to speak.
Section 2.12 Adjourned and Postponed Meetings. Any meeting of Shareholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may, by announcement by the chair of the meeting, be adjourned with respect to one or more or all matters to be considered at the meeting from time to time to a designated time and place (or to be held in accordance with Section 2.1(b) hereof), even if the new date of the meeting is more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date initially set for the meeting. No notice of the adjournment need be given where the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at the time of the adjournment. Any meeting of Shareholders may be postponed prior to the meeting by the Trustees or by the officers of the Trust, and announcement of such postponement may be made by press release or other means of public communication as permitted or required by applicable law. Any adjourned or postponed meeting may reconvene or convene as designated or announced, and when a quorum is present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
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Section 2.13 Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders. See Section 6.3 of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 3.1 Qualifications, Number, Vacancies and Classes.
(a) Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a Shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The number of Trustees of the Trust and the filling of vacancies shall be as provided in the Declaration of Trust.
(b) The Trustees shall be classified by resolution into the following three classes to be elected by the holders of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, if any, voting together as a single class, each to serve for three year terms (with the exception of the initial appointment or election of Trustees as provided below): Class I, Class II and Class III. Upon their initial election or appointment, such resolution electing or appointing the Trustees shall designate the Class of Trustees designated to serve for a term expiring at the first succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified, the Class of Trustees designated to serve for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified, and the Class of Trustees designated to serve for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified. At each subsequent annual meeting, the Trustees chosen to succeed those whose terms are expiring shall be identified as being of the same class as the Trustees whom they succeed and shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the third succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are elected and qualified.
(c) Upon or prior to the issuance of any Preferred Shares, the Trustees shall designate by resolution two Trustees to be appointed to serve as Trustees elected solely by the holders of the outstanding Preferred Shares (the Preferred Trustees). The Preferred Trustees shall initially be elected or appointed as Trustees for a term expiring at the first succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or appointment. At each subsequent annual meeting at which holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, the Preferred Trustees shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the next succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election held for the election of Trustees of Class I, Class II or Class III or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified.
(d) The Trustees shall only be elected at annual meetings or at a special meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected as determined by the Trustees and set forth in the Trusts notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.5. Shareholders may not call a special meeting for the purpose of electing Trustees, but, if Trustees are to be elected at a special meeting of Shareholders as determined by the Trustees, Shareholders may nominate individuals for election at such meeting in accordance with Section 2.6.
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Section 3.2 Powers. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the Trustees. All powers of the Trust may be exercised by or under the authority of the Trustees, except those conferred on or reserved to the Shareholders by statute, the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws.
Section 3.3 Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without notice at such times as the Trustees shall fix, except to the extent notice of such meeting is required by the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws or applicable law, in which case at least twenty-four (24) hours notice shall be given. Special meetings of the Trustees may be called by the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer, and shall be called at the written request of two or more Trustees. Unless waived by each Trustee, twenty-four (24) hours notice of special meetings shall be given to each Trustee in person, by mail, by telephone, by means of electronic communication, or by any other means that reasonably may be expected to provide similar notice. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, notice of special meetings need not state the purpose or purposes thereof. Meetings of the Trustees may be held at any place within or outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Meetings of the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees may be held by any means of remote communication through which the Trustees may simultaneously hear each other or both at a physical location and by means of such remote communication, provided that the notice requirements have been met (or waived) and if the number of Trustees participating would be sufficient to constitute a quorum at such meeting. Participation in such meeting by means of remote communication constitutes presence at the meeting.
Section 3.4 Quorum and Action. A majority of the Trustees currently holding office, or in the case of a meeting of a committee of the Trustees, a majority of the members of such committee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Trustees present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Trustees originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. At any duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the Trustees present shall be the act of the Trustees or the committee, as the case may be, on any question, except where the act of a greater number is required by these By-Laws or by the Declaration of Trust.
Section 3.5 Emergencies. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, this Section 3.5 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Trustees under Section 3.4 of these By-Laws cannot readily be obtained (an Emergency). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Trustees, (i) a meeting of the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees may be called by any Trustee or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Trustees during such an Emergency may be given upon less than the time period otherwise required by these By-Laws to as many Trustees and by such means as may be feasible at the time; and (iii) the number of Trustees necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the Trustees.
Section 3.6 Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meetings of Trustees. See Section 6.3 of these By-Laws.
Section 3.7 Committees. The Trustees, by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees, may designate from their members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and any other committee or committees, each such committee to consist of two or
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more Trustees and to have such powers and authority (to the extent permitted by law) as may be provided in such resolution. Any such committee may be terminated at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees.
Section 3.8 Board Conduct Policies. The Trustees may from time to time require all Trustees (and any nominee or Proposed Nominee) to agree in writing as to matters of corporate governance, business ethics and confidentiality (Board Conduct Policies) while such person serves as a Trustee, such agreement to be on the terms and in a form determined satisfactory by the Trustees, as amended and supplemented from time to time in the discretion of the Trustees. Such Board Conduct Policies may provide that the Trustees may determine that willful violations by a Trustee of such Board Conduct Policies shall constitute willful misconduct by such Trustee.
Section 3.9 Ratification. The Trustees may ratify any act, omission, failure to act or determination made not to act (an Act) by the Trust or its officers to the extent that the Trustees could have originally authorized the Act and, if so ratified, such Act shall have the same force and effect as if originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Trust and its Shareholders. Any Act questioned in any proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or Shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Trustees, and such ratification shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned Act.
Section 3.10 Qualifications of Persons Nominated or Seated as Trustees. After any Shares have been publicly offered, only individuals satisfying the following qualification requirements applicable to all Trustees may be nominated, elected, appointed, qualified or seated (nominated or seated) to serve as a Trustee unless a majority of the Trustees then in office shall have determined by resolution that failure to satisfy a particular qualification requirement will not present undue conflicts or impede the ability of the individual to discharge the duties of a Trustee or the free flow of information among Trustees or between the Trusts investment adviser and the Trustees:
(a) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have been charged with a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or breach of trust.
(b) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have been convicted or have plead guilty or nolo contendere with respect to a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof.
(c) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not be, and shall not at any time have been, subject to any censure, order, consent decree (including consent decrees in which the individual has neither admitted nor denied the findings) or adverse final action of any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority (including self-regulatory organizations), barring or suspending such individual from participation in or association with any investment-related business or restricting such individuals activities with respect to any investment-related business.
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(d) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have engaged in any conduct which has resulted in the Commission censuring, placing limitations on the activities, functions, or operations of, suspending, or revoking the registration of any investment adviser under Section 203(e) or (f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
(e) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not be, and shall not at any time have been, ineligible to serve or act in the capacity of employee, officer, director, member of an advisory board, investment adviser, or depositor of any registered investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act in the absence of an exemptive order under Section 9(c) of the 1940 Act.
(f) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have been charged, convicted, have pled guilty or nolo contender, been subject to any censure, order, consent decree (including consent decrees in which the individual has neither admitted nor denied the findings) or final action or finding of any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority (including self-regulatory organizations) with respect to any conduct that pursuant to Section 9(b) of the 1940 Act could constitute a basis for the Commission to by order prohibit, conditionally or unconditionally, such individual from serving or acting as an employee, officer, director, member of an advisory board, investment adviser or depositor of, or principal underwriter for a registered investment company, regardless of whether or not any such prohibition has been ordered.
(g) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not fail to comply with any other criteria established by or pursuant to the 1940 Act related to service as a trustee of a management investment company.
(h) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not cause (in the case of a nomination, if seated) the Fund to fail to comply with any criteria established by or pursuant to the 1940 Act governing the permitted composition of the board of trustees of a registered investment company.
(i) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not serve as a trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of more than three (3) companies having securities registered under the Exchange Act or treated as public reporting companies under any comparable regulatory regime (the Trust and all other investment companies having the same investment adviser or investment advisers in a control relationship with each other shall all be counted as a single company for this purpose).
(j) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, be, have been, or have been nominated or seated as, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, member of an advisory board, trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of any investment company registered under the 1940 Act or other collective investment vehicle that would be an investment company, as defined in the 1940 Act, but for Section 3(c)(1), 3(c)(7) or 3(c)(11) of the 1940 Act (other than the Trust and other investment vehicles having the same investment adviser as the Trust or an investment adviser in a control relationship with the investment adviser of the Trust).
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(k) Only individuals satisfying the following additional qualification requirements applicable to Non-Management Trustees may be nominated or seated to serve as Non-Management Trustees:
(i) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not be an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust.
(ii) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not be an affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or an affiliated person of such a person.
(iii) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not directly or indirectly own beneficially, or be a member of a group of Shareholders party to an agreement, arrangement or practice for sharing information or decisions concerning Shareholder actions or the acquisition, disposition or voting of Shares, who together directly or indirectly own beneficially five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Shares of any class of Shares of the Trust (each such Person and each member of such a group, a 5% Holder), may not control or act in concert with a 5% Holder, and may not be an immediate family member of a 5% Holder or of a Person who controls or acts in concert with a 5% Holder.
(iv) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such nominee shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, be or have been an employee, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of a 5% Holder or any Person in a control relationship with or who acts in concert with a 5% Holder.
(v) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such nominee shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, accept or have accepted directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from a 5% Holder or from any Person in a control relationship with or who acts in concert with a 5% Holder.
(vi) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such individual shall not, control or act in concert with any 12(d) Holder or any Person in a control relationship with a 12(d) Holder.
(vii) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such individual shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, be or have been an employee, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of a 12(d) Holder or any Person in a control relationship with a 12(d) Holder or who acts in concert with a 12(d) Holder.
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(viii) An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such individual shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, accept or have accepted any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from a 12(d) Holder or a Person in a control relationship with a 12(d) Holder or who acts in concert with a 12(d) Holder.
Section 3.11 The Chair of the Board of Trustees. The Chair of the Board of Trustees (the Chair) shall be elected from among the Trustees. He or she shall when present, preside at all meetings of the Trustees. He or she shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chair of the Board and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Trustees or by these By-Laws.
Section 3.12 No Increased Liability For Certain Trustees. The appointment, designation, or identification (including in any proxy or registration statement or other document) of a Trustee as Chair, a member or chair of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert) or as having experience, attributes or skills in any area, or any other appointment, designation, or identification of a Trustee, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation, or identification, and no Trustee who has special attributes, skills, experience, or expertise, or is appointed, designated, or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof. In addition, no appointment, designation, or identification of a Trustee as aforesaid shall affect in any way that Trustees rights or entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Number and Qualifications. The officers of the Trust shall include a Chief Administrative Officer, a Controller, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and the Chief Compliance Officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Unless otherwise determined by the Trustees, each officer shall be appointed by the Trustees for a term which shall continue until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her death, or until he or she shall have resigned or have been removed, as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws. The Trustees may from time to time elect, or delegate to the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer, or both, the power to appoint, such officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Trust. Such other officers shall hold office for such terms as may be prescribed by the Trustees or by the appointing authority. The Chair is not deemed to be an officer of the Trust by virtue of serving as Chair.
Section 4.2 Resignations. Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Trustees, the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt, and,
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unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 4.3 Removal. The Chief Administrative Officer, the Controller, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the Chief Compliance Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present at a duly convened meeting of the Trustees. Any other officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Chair, the Chief Administrative Office or the Trustees.
Section 4.4 Vacancies. A vacancy in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Controller, any Vice President or Executive Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the Chief Compliance Officer because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause, may be filled by appointment made by the Trustees, and the vacancy of any other office may be filled by appointment made by the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.5 The Chief Administrative Officer. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be the chief executive and operating officer of the Trust and, subject to the Board, he or she shall have general authority over and general management and control of the business and affairs of the Trust. In general, he or she shall discharge all duties incident to the offices of Chief Administrative Officer, chief executive, chief operating officer and president of the Trust and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees from time to time. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be authorized to do or cause to be done all things necessary or appropriate, including preparation, execution and filing of any documents, to effectuate the registration from time to time of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). Without limiting the foregoing, the Chief Administrative Officer shall have any and all of the powers and duties assigned to the president of the Trust under the Declaration of Trust.
In the absence of the Chief Administrative Officer or in the event of his or her disability, or inability to act or to continue to act, the Trustees may appoint a temporary Chief Administrative Officer who, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Administrative Officer. In the absence of any such appointment, the Secretary shall perform the duties of the Chief Administrative Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.6 Vice Presidents. Each Vice-President shall perform all such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.7 Controller. The Controller shall:
(a) keep accurate financial records for the Trust;
(b) render to the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Trustees, whenever requested, an account of all transactions by and of the financial condition of the Trust; and
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(c) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Controller and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.8 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
(a) have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds and securities of the Trust, except those which the Trust has placed in the custody of a bank or trust company pursuant to a written agreement designating such bank or trust company as custodian of the property of the Trust, as required by Section 6.6 of these By-Laws;
(b) deposit all money, drafts, and checks in the name of and to the credit of the Trust in the banks and depositories designated by the Trustees;
(c) endorse for deposit all notes, checks, and drafts received by the Trust making proper vouchers therefor:
(d) disburse corporate funds and issue checks and drafts in the name of the Trust, as ordered by the Trustees; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.9 Secretary. The Secretary shall:
(a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Trustees, the committees of the Trustees and the Shareholders;
(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and as required by statute;
(c) be custodian of the records of the Trust, other than those kept by other officers or agents;
(d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by statute to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.10 Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be the principal compliance officer of the Trust. The Chief Compliance Officer shall have the authority, duties and responsibilities of a chief compliance officer as set forth in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be appointed by, and may only be removed by, and his or her compensation shall be subject to approval of, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
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Section 4.11 Compensation. The compensation, if any, of all officers shall be fixed by the Trustees.
ARTICLE V
SHARES
Section 5.1 Share Certificates. No certificates representing Common Shares or Preferred Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise authorize.
Section 5.2 Share Records. The Trust shall keep at its principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United States determined by the Trustees, a share register not more than one year old, containing the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the number of Shares held by each Shareholder. The Trust shall also keep, at its principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United States determined by the Trustees, a record of the dates on which certificates representing Shares, if any, were issued.
Section 5.3 Share Transfers. Upon compliance with any provisions restricting the transferability of Shares that may be set forth in the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws, or any resolution or written agreement in respect thereof, transfers of Shares of the Trust shall be made only on the books of the Trust by the registered holder thereof, or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with an officer of the Trust, or with a transfer agent or a registrar, and on surrender of any certificate or certificates for such Shares properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law or these By-Laws, the person in whose name Shares stand on the books of the Trust shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Trust; provided that whenever any transfer of Shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, such fact, if known to an officer of the Trust, shall be so expressed in the entry of transfer.
Section 5.4 Regulations. The Trustees may make such additional rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, certification, transfer and registration of Shares of the Trust. They may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one or more registrars and may require all certificates for Shares to bear the signature or signatures of any of them.
Section 5.5 Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any certificate representing Shares of the Trust shall immediately notify the Trust of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the Trust may issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost or destroyed or which shall have been mutilated, and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require such owner or his or her legal representatives to give to the Trust a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties as the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Trust against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or the issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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Section 5.6 Record Date; Certification of Beneficial Owner.
(a) The Trustees may fix a date not more than one hundred twenty (120) days before the date of a meeting of Shareholders as the date for the determination of the holders of Shares entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
(b) The Trustees may fix a date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares.
(c) In the absence of a record date fixed in accordance with the provisions above, (i) the date for determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be the later of the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the thirtieth day before the meeting, and (ii) the date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution or an allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Trustees is adopted.
(d) A resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present may establish a procedure whereby a Shareholder may certify in writing to the Trust that all or a portion of the Shares registered in the name of the Shareholder are held for the account of one or more beneficial owners. Upon receipt by the Trust of the writing in accordance with such procedure, if established, the persons specified as beneficial owners, rather than the actual Shareholders, are deemed the Shareholders for the purposes specified in the writing.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be as fixed by the Trustees of the Trust.
Section 6.2 Notice and Waiver of Notice.
(a) Any notice of a meeting required to be given under these By-Laws to Shareholders or Trustees, or both, may be waived by any such person (i) orally or in writing signed by such person before, at or after the meeting or (ii) by attendance at the meeting, including in the case of a Shareholder, by proxy.
(b) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices required by these By-Laws shall be printed or written, and shall be delivered either personally, by telecopy, telegraph or cable, by electronic transmission, or by mail or courier or delivery service, and, if mailed, shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder or Trustee at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Trust.
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Section 6.3 Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting.
(a) An action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken without a meeting by written action signed by all Shareholders entitled to vote on that action. The written action is effective when it has been signed by all such Shareholders, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action.
(b) An action which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of Trustees and which also requires subsequent Shareholder approval may be taken by written action signed by all Trustees. An action which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees but which does not require Shareholder approval may be taken by written action signed by the number of Trustees that would be required to take the same action at a meeting of the Trustees or committee, as the case may be, at which all Trustees were present. The written action is effective when signed by the required number of Trustees, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action. When written action is taken by less than all Trustees, all Trustees shall be notified immediately of its text and effective date.
Section 6.4 Reports to Shareholders. The books of account of the Trust shall be examined by an independent firm of public accountants at the close of each annual period of the Trust and at such other times, if any, as may be directed by the Trustees. A report to the Shareholders based upon such examination shall be mailed to each Shareholder of the Trust of record at his or her address as the same appears on the books of the Trust or otherwise disseminated to Shareholders in accordance with applicable law. Each such report shall set forth such other information required by the 1940 Act and such other matters as the Trustees or such independent firm of public accountants shall determine.
Section 6.5 Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. At any regular meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust there may be submitted, for ratification or rejection, the name of the independent registered public accounting firm which has been selected for the fiscal year in which such meeting is held by a majority of those members of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
Section 6.6 Custodian. All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held by a custodian meeting the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and in any applicable state securities or blue sky laws. The Trust shall enter into a written contract with the custodian regarding the powers, duties and compensation of the custodian with respect to the cash and securities of the Trust held by the custodian. Said contract and all amendments thereto shall be approved by the Trustees of the Trust. The Trust shall upon the resignation or inability to serve of the custodian obtain a successor custodian and require that the cash and securities owned by the Trust be delivered to the successor custodian.
Section 6.7 Prohibited Transactions. No officer or Trustee of the Trust or of its investment adviser shall deal for or on behalf of the Trust with himself, as principal or agent, or with any corporation or partnership in which he or she has a financial interest. This prohibition shall not prevent: (a) officers or Trustees of the Trust from having a financial interest in the Trust, its principal underwriter or its investment adviser; (b) the purchase of securities for the portfolio of the Trust or the sale of securities owned by the Trust through a securities dealer, one or more of whose partners,
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officers or Trustees is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of broker only and provided commission charged do not exceed customary brokerage charges for such service; (c) the purchase or sale of securities for the portfolio of the Trust pursuant to a rule under the 1940 Act or pursuant to an exemptive order of the Securities and Exchange Commission; or (d) the employment of legal counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, or custodian having a partner, officer or director who is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, provided only customary fees are charged for services rendered to or for the benefit of the Trust.
Section 6.8 Bonds. The Trustees may require any officer, agent or employee of the Trust to give a bond to the Trust, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his or her duties, with one or more sureties and in such amount as may be satisfactory to the Trustee. The Trustees shall, in any event, require the Trust to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company, authorized to do business in the place where the bond is issued, against larceny and embezzlement, covering each officer and employee of the Trust, who may singly, or jointly with others, have access to securities or funds of the Trust, either directly or through authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such securities, such bond or bonds to be in such reasonable form and amount as a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act shall approve not less than once every twelve months, with due consideration to all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the value of the aggregate assets of the Trust to which any such officer or employee may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of such assets, and the nature of the securities in the Trusts portfolio, and as meet all requirements which the Securities and Exchange Commission may prescribe by order, rule or regulation.
Section 6.9 Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations. The provisions of these By-Laws are severable. If any provision of these By-Laws shall be held invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision, or such part or parts thereof, in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of these By-Laws in any jurisdiction. No provision of these By-Laws shall be effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of, or restrict any Shareholder rights expressly granted by, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the 1940 Act, or of any valid rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder.
Section 6.10 Derivative and Direct Actions.
(a) No Shareholder may bring a derivative or similar action or proceeding in the right of or name of or on behalf of the Trust to recover a judgment in its favor (a derivative action) unless each of the following conditions is met:
(i) The Shareholder (the Complaining Shareholder) was a Shareholder of the Trust at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a Person who was a Shareholder at that time;
(ii) The Complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust at the time the demand required by subparagraph (iii) below was made;
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(iii) Prior to the commencement of such derivative action, the Complaining Shareholder has made a written demand on the Trustees requesting that the Trustees cause the Trust to file the action (a demand), which demand shall include at least the following:
(1) a copy of the proposed derivative complaint, setting forth a detailed description of the action or failure to act complained of, the facts upon which each such allegation is made, and the reasonably estimated damages or other relief sought;
(2) a statement to the effect that the Complaining Shareholder believes in good faith that the Complaining Shareholder will fairly and adequately represent the interests of similarly situated Shareholders in enforcing the rights of the Trust and an explanation of why the Complaining Shareholder believes that to be the case;
(3) a certification that the requirements of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (a) have been met, as well as information and documentation reasonably designed to allow the Trustees to verify that certification;
(4) a list of all other derivative or class actions in which the Complaining Shareholder is or was a named plaintiff, the court in which such action was filed, the date of filing, the name of all counsel to any plaintiffs, and the outcome or current status of such actions;
(5) a certification by the Complaining Shareholder of the number of Shares of the Trust owned beneficially or of record by the Complaining Shareholder at the time set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (a) and an undertaking that the Complaining Shareholder will be a Shareholder of the Trust as of the commencement of and throughout the derivative action and will notify the Trust in writing of any sale, transfer, or other disposition by the Complaining Shareholder of any such Shares within three business days thereof; and
(6) an acknowledgement of paragraphs (e) and (f) below; and
(iv) the derivative action has not been barred in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(b) Within 90 calendar days of the receipt of a Shareholder demand submitted in accordance with the requirements above, those Trustees who are independent for purposes of considering the demand (as used in this Section 6.10, the independent Trustees) will consider, with the assistance of counsel who may be retained by such Trustees on behalf and at the expense of the Trust, the merits of the claim and determine whether maintaining a suit would be in the best
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interests of the Trust or if the matter should be submitted to a vote of Shareholders to the extent permitted under Section 1 of Article IX of the Declaration. If, during this 90-day period, the independent Trustees conclude that a determination as to the maintenance of a suit cannot reasonably be made within the 90-day period, or if a decision is made to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, the independent Trustees may extend the 90-day period by a period of time that the independent Trustees consider will be sufficient to permit them to make such a determination, not to exceed 60 calendar days from the end of the initial 90-day period, or, if the decision is made to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, not to exceed such period as the Trustees shall determine is reasonable and practical for the submission of the matter to Shareholders (such 90-day period, as may be extended as provided hereunder, the review period). Written notice of any such decision to extend the review period shall be sent to the Complaining Shareholder, or the Shareholders counsel if represented by counsel, within five business days of any decision to extend the period. Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) are deemed independent for all purposes, including for the purpose of approving or dismissing a derivative action. A Trustee otherwise independent for purposes of considering the demand shall not be considered not to be independent solely by virtue of (i) the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies with the same or an affiliated investment adviser or underwriter, (ii) the amount of such remuneration, (iii) the fact that such Trustee was identified in the demand as a potential defendant or witness, or (iv) the fact that the Trustee approved the act being challenged in the demand if the act resulted in no material personal benefit to the Trustee or, if the Trustee is also a Shareholder, no material personal benefit that is not shared pro rata with other Shareholders.
(c) If the demand has been properly made under paragraph (a) of this Section 6.10, and a majority of the independent Trustees have considered the merits of the claim and have determined that maintaining a suit would not be in the best interests of the Trust, the demand shall be rejected and the Complaining Shareholder shall not be permitted to maintain a derivative action unless the Shareholder first sustains the burden of proof to the court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Trust. If upon such consideration a majority of the independent Trustees determine that such a suit should be maintained, then the appropriate officers of the Trust shall either cause the Trust to commence that suit and such suit shall proceed directly rather than derivatively, or permit the Complaining Shareholder to proceed derivatively, provided however that any counsel representing the interests of the Trust shall be approved by the Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in their sole discretion, the Trustees may, as and to the extent provided in Section 1 of Article IX of the Declaration, submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders of the Trust and if so submitted, any decision by the independent Trustees to bring or maintain a court action, proceeding, or suit on behalf of the Trust shall be subject to any right of the Shareholders under Section 1 of Article IX of the Declaration to vote, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act), on whether or not such court action, proceeding, or suit should or should not be brought or maintained. Any decision by the independent Trustees to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, shall be made by the Trustees in their business judgment and shall be binding upon the Shareholders. The Trustees, or the appropriate officers of the Trust, shall inform the Complaining Shareholder of any decision reached under this paragraph (c) by sending written notice to the Complaining Shareholder, or the Shareholders counsel, if represented by counsel, within five business days of such decision having been reached.
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(d) If notice of a decision has not been sent to the Complaining Shareholder or the Shareholders counsel within the time permitted by paragraph (c) above, and subparagraphs (i) through (iv) of paragraph (a) above have been complied with, the Complaining Shareholder shall not be barred by these By-Laws from commencing a derivative action.
(e) No Shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a Shareholder of the Trust where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust, unless the Shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the Shareholders of the Trust generally. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, claims to vindicate a Shareholders contractual voting rights constitute direct claims only when the alleged injury to the Shareholder relating to the claim about his, her, or its voting rights is distinct from injury alleged to be suffered by the Shareholders of the Trust generally. A Shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a Shareholder of the Trust at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a Person who was a Shareholder at that time.
(f) Any claim subject to this Section 6.10 shall be subject to Article VIII of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 7.1 Inspection of Books and Records.
(a) Upon at least five (5) business days advance written notice to the Trust, a Shareholder is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the office where they are maintained, copies of any of the following records of the Trust:
(i) the Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto currently in effect;
(ii) these Bylaws and all amendments thereto currently in effect;
(iii) resolutions adopted by the Trustees creating one or more classes or series of Shares, and fixing their relative rights, preferences, and limitations, if any Shares issued pursuant to those resolutions are outstanding;
(iv) the minutes of all Shareholders meetings, and records of all action taken by Shareholders without a meeting, for the past three (3) years;
(v) all written communications to Shareholders generally within the past three (3) years;
(vi) a list of the names and business addresses of the current Trustees and officers; and
(vii) the most recent annual report delivered to the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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(b) Upon at least five (5) business days advance written notice to the Trust, a Shareholder is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the office where they are maintained, copies of any of the following records of the Trust, only to the extent that the written notice describes with reasonable particularity the purpose of the demand and the records the Shareholder desires to inspect, the demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose, the records requested are directly connected with such purpose, and the Trustees shall not have determined in good faith that disclosure of the records sought would adversely affect the Trust in the conduct of its business or constitute material non-public information at the time when the Shareholders notice of demand to inspect and copy is received by the Trust:
(i) excerpts from minutes reflecting action taken at any meeting of the Trustees, records of any action of a committee of the Trustees while acting in place of the Trustees on behalf of the Trust, minutes of any meeting of the Shareholders, and records of action taken by the Shareholders or Trustees without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under Section 7.1(a);
(ii) the financial statements of the Trust and the supporting schedules reasonably necessary to verify any line item on those financial statements; and
(iii) a list of the names and addresses of all Shareholders of record, in alphabetical order by class, showing the number and class of Shares held by each Shareholder of record.
Section 7.2 Scope of Inspection.
(a) The Trust may satisfy the right of a Shareholder to copy records under Section 7.1 by furnishing to the Shareholder copies by photocopy or other means chosen by the Trust, including copies furnished through an electronic transmission or by directing the Shareholder to a publicly accessible website, if available, where copies of any such records are available electronically.
(b) The Trust may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor, material, transmission and delivery, for copies of any documents provided to the Shareholder, which charge shall not exceed the estimated cost of production, reproduction, transmission or delivery of the records.
(c) The Trust may impose reasonable restrictions on the use or distribution of records by the demanding Shareholder, including by requiring the Shareholder to enter into a confidentiality agreement on terms acceptable to the Trustees in its sole discretion.
(d) Any determinations made by the Trustees related to a Shareholders request to inspect the Trusts books and records pursuant to this Article VII, including, but not limited to, (i) whether such demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose, (ii) whether the records requested are directly connected with such purpose, (iii) whether disclosure of the records sought would adversely affect the Trust in the conduct of its business or (iv) whether the records sought constitute material non-public information, shall be conclusive and any Shareholder challenging
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such determination shall have the burden of proving that the Trustees acted in bad faith in making any such determination.
(e) No Shareholder shall have any right to inspect any records, accounts, books or documents of the Trust except as provided for by this Article VII or otherwise authorized by the Trustees.
ARTICLE VIII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
Section 8.1 Exclusive Forum for Certain Litigation. Unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Boston Division) or, to the extent such court does not have jurisdiction, the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any Trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust to the Trust or to the Shareholders of the Trust, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Trust or any Trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust arising pursuant to Massachusetts business trust law or the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, or (d) any other action asserting a claim against the Trust or any Trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine (Covered Action). If a Shareholder or group of Shareholders bring a Covered Action in a jurisdiction other than as specified above, and venue for such Covered Action is subsequently changed through legal process to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts or the Superior Court of Suffolk County for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, such Shareholder(s) shall reimburse all expenses incurred by the Trust or any other person in effecting such change of venue. This Article VIII does not apply to any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.
Section 8.2 Waiver of Jury Trial. In any Covered Action, there shall be no right to a jury trial. THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY THE PARTIES TO SUCH COVERED ACTION TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
ARTICLE IX
CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITIONS
Section 9.1 Definitions. As used in this Article IX, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
(a) Associate shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, control, as used in this subsection meaning the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; (ii) any Person who is acting or intends to act jointly or in concert with such Person in connection with a Control Share Acquisition; (iii) any
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corporation or organization of which such Person is an officer, director or partner or in which such Person performs a similar function; (iv) any direct or indirect beneficial owner of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of equity securities of such Person; (v) any trust or estate in which such Person has a beneficial interest not represented by transferable shares or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (vi) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, any one of whom has the same residence as such Person.
(b) Beneficial ownership shall mean the sole or shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares or the sole or shared power to vote or to direct the voting of shares, whether such power is direct or indirect or through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise. A Person shall not be deemed to be a beneficial owner of shares as to which such person may exercise voting power solely by virtue of a revocable proxy conferring the right to vote. A member of a national securities exchange shall not be deemed to be a beneficial owner of shares held directly or indirectly by it on behalf of another person solely because such member is the record holder of such securities and, pursuant to the rules of such exchange, may direct the vote of such shares, without instruction, on other than contested matters or matters that may affect substantially the rights or privileges of the holders of the shares to be voted but is otherwise precluded by the rules of such exchange from voting without instructions.
(c) (i) Control Share Acquisition shall mean the acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership of Common Shares which, but for the provisions of this Article IX, would have voting rights and which, when added to all other Shares beneficially owned by such Person (including Shares otherwise included in the categories enumerated in Section 9.1(c)(iii) below), would entitle such Person, upon acquisition of such Common Shares, to vote or direct the voting of Shares having voting power in the election of Trustees (except for any elections of Trustees by holders of Preferred Shares voting as a separate class) within any of the following ranges of such voting power:
(1) one-tenth or more but less than one-fifth of all voting power;
(2) one fifth or more but less than one-third of all voting power;
(3) one-third or more but less than a majority of all voting power; or
(4) a majority or more of all voting power.
(ii) All Common Shares the beneficial ownership of which is acquired by such Person within ninety days before or after the date on which such Person makes an acquisition of beneficial ownership of Shares which results in such Control Share Acquisition, regardless of whether this Article IX was in effect during such ninety day period, and all Common Shares acquired by such Person pursuant to a plan to make a Control Share Acquisition, shall be deemed to have been acquired in the same Control Share Acquisition for purposes of this Article IX.
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(iii) Subject to the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(ii), a Control Share Acquisition shall not include the acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Shares acquired:
(1) before October 5, 2020 or pursuant to a written contract existing before October 5, 2020 that creates a binding obligation to acquire Common Shares at a predetermined price, provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Common Shares of the Trust acquired before October 5, 2020 or pursuant to such a contract existing before October 5, 2020 shall, pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(1) above, be added to Common Shares the beneficial ownership of which is acquired after October 5, 2020 (and not pursuant to such a contract to acquire Shares existing before October 5, 2020) for purposes of determining whether a Control Share Acquisition has taken place or will take place following October 5, 2020;
(2) by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution;
(3) pursuant to the satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest created in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this Article IX;
(4) pursuant to a tender offer, merger or consolidation, but only if such tender offer, merger or consolidation is pursuant to an agreement of merger or consolidation to which the Trust is a party; and
(5) directly from the Trust or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof.
(iv) The acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Shares does not constitute a Control Share Acquisition if the acquisition is made by or from:
(1) a Person whose voting rights with respect to Common Shares were previously authorized by the Shareholders of the Trust in compliance with this Article IX, unless such acquisition, when added to all other Shares beneficially owned by the Person making such acquisition, would entitle such acquiring Person to vote or direct the voting of Shares having voting power in the election of Trustees in excess of the range of voting power within which all Shares beneficially owned by such Person whose voting rights were previously so authorized had voting power immediately following such authorization; or
(2) a Person whose previous acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Shares would have constituted a Control
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Share Acquisition but for the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(iii), unless such later acquisition, when added to all other Shares beneficially owned by the Person making such acquisition, would entitle such acquiring Person to vote or direct the voting of Shares having voting power in the election of Trustees in excess of the range of voting power within which the Person who made such previous acquisition could exercise voting power immediately following such previous acquisition.
(d) Control Share Acquisition Statement shall mean a statement satisfying the requirements of Section 9.2 below.
(e) Interested Shares shall mean Shares that are beneficially owned by:
(i) any Person who has acquired Beneficial Ownership of Shares in a Control Share Acquisition;
(ii) any officer of the Trust; or
(iii) any employee of the Trust who is also a Trustee of the Trust.
For the avoidance of doubt, any Person whose voting rights in connection with a Control Share Acquisition are subject to a Shareholder vote at a meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Section 9.3 shall be deemed to hold Interested Shares with respect to any Shareholder vote at such meeting on voting rights in connection with a Control Share Acquisition by any other Person.
(f) Person shall mean and include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof and any Associate of such Person.
Section 9.2 Delivery of Control Share Acquisition Statement. Any Person who has made a Control Share Acquisition or has made a bona fide written offer to make a Control Share Acquisition may deliver to the Trust, personally or by registered or certified mail at its principal executive office, a Control Share Acquisition Statement which shall contain the following:
(a) the identity of such Person and any Associate of such Person who intends to acquire or has acquired beneficial ownership of Common Shares;
(b) a statement that such Control Share Acquisition Statement is being made and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX;
(c) the number and class or series of Shares of the Trust beneficially owned by such Person and each Associate of such Person prior to the Control Share Acquisition;
(d) the number of Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired by such Person pursuant to the Control Share Acquisition and the range of voting power to which the
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Control Share Acquisition is or, if consummated, would be subject pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(i); and
(e) a description of the terms and conditions of the proposed or completed Control Share Acquisition, including but not limited to the prices paid by such Person in the Control Share Acquisition and the dates upon which the Common Shares were acquired.
Section 9.3 Meeting of Shareholders.
(a) (i) If the Person delivering the Control Share Acquisition Statement so demands in writing contemporaneously with the delivery of such Control Share Acquisition Statement, the Trustees, within ten (10) days after the receipt of the demand, shall call a special meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of considering whether voting rights of such Person shall be authorized for the Common Shares acquired or to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition. The demand shall not be effective unless accompanied by an undertaking by such Person to pay the Trusts reasonable expenses in connection with the special meeting but not including the expenses of the Trust incurred in opposing a vote to authorize voting rights of such Person for the Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition. The Trustees may require the Person making the demand to give bond, with sufficient surety, or may require such Person to deposit cash in escrow to reasonably assure the Trust that this undertaking will be satisfied. As promptly as reasonably practicable after the Trustees have called the special meeting of Shareholders, the Trust shall give written notice of the special meeting to Shareholders. Such notice shall be given not less than twenty (20) days before the date of the special meeting. Unless the Person delivering the Control Share Acquisition statement and the Trust shall agree in writing to a later date, the special meeting of Shareholders shall be held not more than fifty (50) days after the receipt by the Trust of the demand. If the person delivering the Control Share Acquisition Statement so requests in the demand, the special meeting of Shareholders shall be held no sooner than thirty (30) days after receipt by the Trust of the demand.
(ii) A demand delivered pursuant to Section 9.3(a)(i) shall not be considereda notice of Shareholder proposal for purposes of Section 2.6 of these By-Laws and shall not be subject to the informational requirements or deadlines associated therewith and shall not be considered a Special Meeting request for purposes of Section 2.3 of these By-Laws and shall not be subject to the informational requirements or deadlines associated therewith.
(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, a demand delivered pursuant to this Section 9.3 shall be limited to the consideration of the voting rights of the Person making or proposing to make the Control Share Acquisition to be authorized for only those Common Shares acquired within the range of voting power to which the Control Share Acquisition is subject pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(i) above, and any Common Shares acquired in excess of such range shall constitute a separate Control Share Acquisition with respect to the next range of voting power and, therefore, shall be treated separately for purposes of applying the provisions of this Article IX.
(b) If no demand respecting a special meeting of Shareholders is made in accordance with Section 9.3(a), consideration of the authorization of the voting rights of the Person making or proposing to make the Control Share Acquisition for the Common Shares acquired or
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proposed to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition shall be presented at the Trusts next annual or special meeting of Shareholders notice of which has not been given prior to the receipt by the Trust of the Control Share Acquisition Statement.
(c) The notice to Shareholders of any annual or special meeting at which the authorization of voting rights of the Person making or proposing to make the Control Share Acquisition for the Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition is to be considered shall be directed to all Shareholders as of the record date set for such meeting. Such notice shall include or be accompanied by a copy of the Control Share Acquisition Statement received by the Trust pursuant to this Section 9.3 and such other information as the Trust deems appropriate.
(d) A Person whose voting rights with respect to Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in a Control Share Acquisition are considered at a meeting of Shareholders with respect to one of the three ranges of voting power specified in Section 9.1(c)(1) above and not approved may not demand Shareholder consideration of its voting rights in connection with Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in a Control Share Acquisition with respect to the same range of voting power at any subsequent Shareholder meeting held within two calendar years of the initial meeting at which such Persons voting rights were considered with respect to such range. For the avoidance of doubt, such Person shall not have voting rights with respect to such Common Shares acquired in such Control Share Acquisition except to the extent approved at a future meeting held after the expiration of such two-year period and, after the expiration of such two-year period, such Person may deliver a Control Share Acquisition Statement (in accordance with Section 9.2 above) with respect to such Common Shares (and/or any other Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in a Control Share Acquisition with respect to the same range of voting power) and may demand Shareholder consideration of the voting rights to be authorized for such Person with respect to such Common Shares (in accordance with Section 9.3(a) above).
Section 9.4 Authorization of Voting Rights.
(a) The beneficial owner of Common Shares of the Trust acquired in any Control Share Acquisition shall have only such voting rights with respect to such Shares as are authorized pursuant to this Section 9.4.
(b) The beneficial owner of Common Shares acquired in a Control Share Acquisition shall have the same voting rights with respect to those Common Shares as the beneficial owners of all other Common Shares of the Trust only to the extent authorized by vote of Shareholders at a meeting of Shareholders. Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all of the Shares entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees, excluding Interested Shares. Interested Shares shall be disregarded for determining a quorum and shall not be entitled to vote with respect to such authorization.
(c) If voting rights of the beneficial owners of Common Shares acquired in a Control Share Acquisition are not authorized pursuant to Section 9.4(b):
(i) such beneficial owner shall not be entitled to vote such Common Shares and such Common Shares held by such beneficial owner shall not be entitled to
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vote on any matters within the meaning of Article IX, Section 4 and Article IX, Section 5 of the Declaration of Trust and Section 2.7 of these By-Laws;
(ii) such beneficial owner shall be entitled to vote such Common Shares in connection with any matter with respect to which the Declaration of Trust requires action by or approval or affirmative vote of a percentage of outstanding Shares; provided that action or approval with respect to any such matter shall also require the action by or approval or affirmative vote of the same percentage of the outstanding Shares, excluding such Common Shares held by such beneficial owner, which Common Shares for the purpose of such vote such beneficial owner shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be considered outstanding;
(iii) the beneficial owner of such Common Shares shall not otherwise have voting rights with respect to such Common Shares with respect to any matter pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws; and
(iv) if such Common Shares held by such beneficial owner shall not be entitled to vote on a matter pursuant to this Section 9.4(c), such Common Shares shall not be considered present or entitled to vote for purposes of determining quorum pursuant to Article IX, Section 3 of the Declaration of Trust and Section 2.7 of these By-Laws.
(d) Such Common Shares may be voted upon transfer of beneficial ownership of such Common Shares to another Person unless such transfer constitutes a Control Share Acquisition by the acquirer, in which event the ability of the acquirer to vote such Common Shares shall be subject to the provisions of this Article IX.
Section 9.5 No Appraisal Rights. No holder of Shares of any class or series shall have appraisal rights with respect to their Shares as a result of any Control Share Acquisition or the authorization of voting rights with respect to any Control Share Acquisition.
Section 9.6 Persons Required to Provide Information. Each Person who owns Shares of the Trust either beneficially or of record shall provide to the Trust such information as the Trust may request as is necessary for the Trust to apply the provisions in this Article IX.
Section 9.7 Interpretation. The Trustees may adopt policies, procedures or resolutions to supply any omission, cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provisions contained in this Article IX. Any interpretation of any term or provision contained in this Article IX made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive and binding upon all Shareholders.
Section 9.8 Amendment. Except pursuant to Section 9.7, any waiver, amendment, repeal or modification of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, this Article IX (or any provision hereof) shall not waive, amend, repeal or modify the application of this Article IX to any Control Share Acquisition that occurred prior to the time of such waiver, amendment, repeal, modification or adoption.
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Section 9.9 Filings. The provisions of this Article IX may be filed with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Clerk of the City of Boston in such form as the officers may determine.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, or new By-Laws may be adopted, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any meeting thereof or by action of the Trustees by written consent in lieu of a meeting. These By-Laws may not be amended or repealed and new By-Laws may not be adopted by the Shareholders of the Trust.
ARTICLE XI
DEFINITIONS
Section 11.1 Capitalized Terms. All words and terms capitalized in these By-Laws and not defined herein shall have the meaning or meanings set forth for such words or terms in the Declaration of Trust.
Section 11.2 Certain Definitions. As used in these By-Laws, the following term shall have the meanings ascribed to them:
(a) 12(d) Holder shall mean any investment fund (as defined herein), but excluding any investment fund managed by the Trusts investment adviser or an investment adviser in a control relationship with the Trusts investment adviser, and any company or companies controlled by such investment fund in the aggregate owning beneficially or of record (A) more than three percent (3%) of the outstanding voting Shares of the Trust, (B) securities issued by the Trust having an aggregate value in excess of five percent (5%) of the total assets of such investment fund and any company or companies controlled by such investment fund, (C) securities issued by the Trust and by all other investment funds having an aggregate value in excess of ten percent (10%) of the total assets of the investment fund making such investment and any company or companies controlled by the investment fund making such investment, or (D) together with other investment funds having the same investment adviser, investment manager, general partner or managing member (or investment advisers, investment managers, general partners or managing members in a control relationship) and companies controlled by such investment funds, more than ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding Shares of the Trust.
(b) 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(c) beneficial owner of a security shall mean any Person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise (A) has or shares: (1) voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or, (2) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition, of such security or (B) owns, controls or holds with power to vote such security. A Person shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares if that Person has the right to acquire beneficial
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ownership of such shares at any time, whether or not within sixty days of the date of such determination. Beneficially own, own beneficially and related terms shall have correlative meaning.
(d) Contested Election shall mean any election of Trustees in which the number of persons nominated for election as Trustees in accordance with these By-Laws exceeds the number of Trustees to be elected, with the determination that any election of Trustees is a Contested Election to be made by the Secretary or other officer of the Trust prior to the time the Trust mails its initial proxy statement in connection with such election of Trustees. If, prior to the time the Trust mails its initial proxy statement in connection with such election of Trustees, one or more persons nominated for election as a Trustee is withdrawn such that the number of persons nominated for election as Trustees no longer exceeds the number of Trustees to be elected, such election shall not be considered a Contested Election.
(e) control shall mean the power to exercise a controlling influence over a Person, which in the case of a company means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of such company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.
(f) control relationship with respect to any Person shall mean control over such Person, being controlled by such Person or being under common control with such Person.
(g) immediate family member shall mean shall mean any parent, child, spouse, spouse of a parent, spouse of a child, brother or sister (including step and adoptive relationships).
(h) investment fund shall mean any collective investment vehicle, including the Trust, primarily engaged in the business of investing in investment securities (as defined in the 1940 Act).
(i) Non-Management Trustee shall mean a Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trusts investment adviser.
(j) Person shall mean and include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.
(k) Proposed Nominee Associate of any Proposed Nominee shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such Proposed Nominee, (ii) any beneficial owner of Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such Proposed Nominee (other than a Shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Proposed Nominee or such Proposed Nominee Associate.
(l) publicly announced or disclosed shall mean disclosed in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in a Web site accessible to the public maintained by the Trust or by its investment adviser.
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(m) Shareholder Associate of any Shareholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such Shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such Shareholder (other than a Shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Shareholder or such Shareholder Associate.
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EXHIBIT A
NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS
(Organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts)
Updated as of October 5, 2020
Trust | Date Established | |
Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund | July 12, 1999 | |
Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund | November 19, 2008 | |
Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund | July 28, 2002 | |
Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund | August 24, 2012 | |
Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund | July 29, 2002 | |
Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 | January 26, 2009 | |
Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund | December 1, 1998 | |
Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio | March 30, 1992 | |
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund | January 9, 2007 | |
Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund | September 20, 2018 | |
Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund | July 13, 2015 | |
Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund | September 28, 2016 | |
Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund | March 16, 2003 | |
Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund | July 18, 2003 | |
Nuveen DOWSM Dynamic Overwrite Fund | May 20, 2014 | |
Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund | November 4, 2019 | |
Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund | June 1, 2017 | |
Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund | July 27, 2009 | |
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund | January 15, 2004 | |
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund | April 27, 2004 | |
Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund | October 26, 2001 | |
Nuveen Global High Income Fund | August 5, 2014 | |
Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund | April 13, 2015 | |
Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund | October 11, 2012 | |
Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund | December 11, 2012 | |
Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund | January 12, 1993 | |
Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund | January 12, 1993 | |
Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund | August 24, 2012 | |
Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund | April 28, 2014 | |
Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund | March 29, 1993 | |
Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund | September 10, 2009 |
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Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund | April 30, 2014 | |
Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund | October 13, 2015 | |
Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund | March 21, 2001 | |
Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund | April 18, 2019 | |
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund | October 8, 2003 | |
Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund | May 20, 2004 | |
Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund | January 26, 2009 | |
Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund | June 1, 1999 | |
Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund | July 29, 2002 | |
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2 | January 26, 2009 | |
Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund | December 1, 1998 | |
Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio | March 30, 1992 | |
Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund | August 24, 2012 | |
Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund | January 26, 2009 | |
Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund | December 19, 1990 | |
Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund | January 27, 2003 | |
Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund | June 24, 2002 | |
Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund | July 6, 2016 | |
Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund | April 18, 2012 | |
Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund | January 15, 1999 | |
Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund | January 10, 2012 | |
Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund | August 27, 2001 | |
Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund | July 23, 2004 | |
Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund | November 11, 2004 | |
Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund | July 23, 1992 | |
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio | January 29, 1992 | |
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2 | March 30, 1992 | |
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3 | May 28, 1992 | |
Nuveen Senior Income Fund | August 13, 1999 | |
Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund | January 3, 2011 | |
Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund | December 4, 2009 | |
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund | February 22, 2007 | |
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund | October 1, 2003 | |
Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund | January 12, 1993 |
ADDITIONS
Trust | Date Established | |
Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund |
November 12, 2020 | |
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund |
November 12, 2020 | |
Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund |
December 3, 2020 |
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EXHIBIT (4)
EXECUTION COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the Agreement) is made as of this 16th day of October, 2020, between Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (the Acquiring Fund), a Minnesota corporation, and Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2 (the Target Fund), a Massachusetts business trust. The Acquiring Fund and Target Fund may be referred to herein each as a Fund and, collectively, as the Funds.
This Agreement is intended to be, and is adopted as, a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The reorganization of the Target Fund into the Acquiring Fund will consist of: (i) the transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for newly issued shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Acquiring Fund (the Acquiring Fund Common Shares), and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of the liabilities of the Target Fund; and (ii) the pro rata distribution of all of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by the Target Fund to the holders of common shares of the Target Fund as part of the complete liquidation, dissolution and termination of the Target Fund as provided herein, all upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (the Reorganization).
WHEREAS, each Fund is a closed-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and the Target Fund owns securities that generally are assets of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, the Acquiring Fund is authorized to issue the Acquiring Fund Common Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Acquiring Fund (the Acquiring Fund Board) has determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization, and the Board of Trustees of the Target Fund (the Target Fund Board) has determined that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Target Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Target Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE TARGET FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR ACQUIRING FUND COMMON SHARES AND THE ASSUMPTION OF THE LIABILITIES OF THE TARGET FUND AND TERMINATION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE TARGET FUND
1.1 THE EXCHANGE. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Target Fund agrees to transfer substantially all of its assets, as set forth in Section 1.2, to the Acquiring Fund. In consideration therefor, the Acquiring Fund agrees to (i) issue and deliver to the Target Fund the number of Acquiring Fund Common Shares computed in the manner set forth in Section 2.3, and (ii) assume substantially all of the liabilities of the Target Fund, if any, as set forth in Section 1.3. Such transactions shall take place at the closing provided for in Section 3.1 (the Closing).
1.2 ASSETS TO BE TRANSFERRED. The Target Fund shall transfer all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund, including, without limitation, cash, securities, commodities, interests in futures, dividends or interest receivables owned by the Target Fund and any deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Target Fund as of the Closing, except that the dividend(s) set forth in Section 8.5 shall be paid as set forth in such section.
The Target Fund will, within a reasonable period of time before the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3.1), furnish the Acquiring Fund with a list of the Target Funds portfolio securities and other investments. The Acquiring Fund will, within a reasonable period of time before the Closing Date, identify the securities, if any, on the Target Funds list referred to in the foregoing sentence that do not conform to the Acquiring Funds investment objectives, policies or restrictions, as set forth in the Acquiring Funds Registration Statement (as defined in Section 5.7), and will notify the Target Fund accordingly. The Target Fund, if requested by the Acquiring Fund, will dispose of such non-conforming securities identified by the Acquiring Fund before the Closing Date. In addition, if it is determined that the portfolios of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, when aggregated, would contain investments exceeding certain percentage limitations applicable to the Acquiring Fund with respect to such investments, the Target Fund, if requested by the Acquiring Fund, will dispose of a sufficient amount of such investments as may be necessary to avoid violating such limitations as of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will require the Target Fund to dispose of any investments or securities if, in the reasonable judgment of the Target Fund Board or Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Funds, such disposition would adversely affect the status of the Reorganization as a reorganization, as such term is used in Section 368(a) of the Code, or would otherwise not be in the best interests of the Target Fund.
1.3 LIABILITIES TO BE ASSUMED. The Target Fund will endeavor to discharge all of its known liabilities and obligations to the extent possible before the Closing Date, except that the dividend(s) set forth in Section 8.5 shall be paid as set forth in that section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liabilities not so discharged will be assumed by the Acquiring Fund, which assumed liabilities will include all of the Target Funds liabilities, debts, obligations, and duties of whatever kind or nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, whether or not determinable at the Closing, and whether or not specifically referred to in this Agreement, provided that the
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Acquiring Fund shall not assume any liabilities with respect to the dividend(s) set forth in Section 8.5.
1.4 LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION.
(a) As soon as practicable after the Closing, the Target Fund will distribute in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, pro rata to its common shareholders of record (the Target Fund Common Shareholders), as of the time of such distribution, all of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by the Target Fund pursuant to Section 1.1 (together with any dividends declared with respect to the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to holders of record as of a time after the Valuation Time and payable prior to such distribution (Interim Dividends)). Such distributions will be accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares then credited to the account of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of Target Fund Common Shareholders and representing, in the case of a Target Fund Common Shareholder, such shareholders pro rata share of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by the Target Fund, and by paying to Target Fund Common Shareholders any Interim Dividends. All of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Target Fund simultaneously will be canceled on the books of the Target Fund. The Acquiring Fund will not issue certificates representing Acquiring Fund Common Shares in connection with such transfers, except for any global certificate or certificates required by a securities depository in connection with the establishment of book-entry ownership of the shares.
(b) On or promptly after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 12 months after the Closing Date, the Target Fund will thereupon proceed to dissolve and terminate as set forth in Section 1.7 below.
1.5 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Common Shares will be shown on the books of the Acquiring Funds transfer agent.
1.6 TRANSFER TAXES. Any transfer taxes payable upon the issuance of Acquiring Fund Common Shares in a name other than the registered holder of the Target Funds common shares on the books of the Target Fund as of that time shall, as a condition of such issuance and transfer, be paid by the person to whom such Acquiring Fund Common Shares are to be issued and transferred.
1.7 TERMINATION. The Target Fund will completely liquidate and be dissolved, terminated and have its affairs wound up in accordance with the Target Funds governing documents, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the federal securities laws promptly following the Closing and the distribution pursuant to Section 1.4.
1.8 REPORTING. Any reporting responsibility of the Target Fund, including, without limitation, the responsibility for filing of regulatory reports, tax returns or other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) or other regulatory authority, the exchange on which the Target Funds common shares are listed or any
3
state securities commission and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of the Target Fund.
1.9 BOOKS AND RECORDS. All books and records of the Target Fund, including all books and records required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, will be available to the Acquiring Fund from and after the Closing and will be turned over to the Acquiring Fund as soon as practicable following the Closing.
ARTICLE II
VALUATION
2.1 VALUATION OF TARGET FUND ASSETS. The value of the net assets of the Target Fund will be the value of its assets, less its liabilities, computed as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day immediately prior to the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the Valuation Time), using the valuation procedures of the Nuveen closed-end funds adopted by the Target Fund Board or such other valuation procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
2.2 VALUATION OF ACQUIRING FUND COMMON SHARES. The net asset value per Acquiring Fund Common Share will be computed as of the Valuation Time, using the valuation procedures of the Nuveen closed-end funds adopted by the Acquiring Fund Board or such other valuation procedures as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
2.3 COMMON SHARES TO BE ISSUED. The number of Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued in exchange for the Target Funds assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund will be determined by dividing the value of such assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund (net of the liabilities of the Target Fund that are assumed by the Acquiring Fund), determined in accordance with Section 2.1, by the net asset value of an Acquiring Fund Common Share, determined in accordance with Section 2.2. The aggregate net asset value of Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by the Target Fund in the Reorganization will equal, as of the Valuation Time, the aggregate net asset value of the Target Funds common shares held by Target Fund Common Shareholders as of such time. In the event there are fractional Acquiring Fund Common Shares due Target Fund Common Shareholders after the Target Funds assets have been exchanged for Acquiring Fund Common Shares, the Acquiring Funds transfer agent will aggregate all such fractional common shares and sell the resulting whole shares on the exchange on which such shares are listed for the account of all such Target Fund Common Shareholders, and each such Target Fund Common Shareholder will be entitled to a pro rata share of the proceeds from such sale. With respect to the aggregation and sale of fractional common shares, the Acquiring Funds transfer agent will act directly on behalf of the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive fractional shares and will accumulate such fractional shares, sell the shares and distribute the cash proceeds net of brokerage commissions, if any, directly to the Target Fund Common Shareholders entitled to receive the fractional shares (without interest and subject to withholding taxes).
2.4 EFFECT OF SUSPENSION IN TRADING. In the event that at the Valuation Time an accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or the Target
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Fund is impracticable due to either: (a) the closure of, or the imposition of a trading restriction on, the exchange on which shares of a Fund are listed or another exchange on which the portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund are purchased or sold; or (b) a disruption in trading or the reporting of trading on the exchange on which shares of a Fund are listed or elsewhere, the Closing Date shall be postponed until at least the first business day after the day on which trading is fully resumed and/or reporting is restored or such later time as the parties may agree pursuant to Section 3.1.
2.5 COMPUTATIONS OF NET ASSETS. Subject to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 above, all computations of net asset value in this Article II shall be made by or under the direction of State Street Bank and Trust Company in accordance with its regular practice as custodian of the Funds.
ARTICLE III
CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE
3.1 CLOSING DATE. The conditions precedent set forth in Articles VI-VIII herein must be satisfied or waived with respect to both Funds in order for the closing of the Reorganization to take place. The Closing shall occur on January 11, 2021 or such other date as the parties may agree (the Closing Date). Unless otherwise provided, all acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed to take place as of 7:59 a.m., Central time, on the Closing Date. The Closing will be held as of 7:59 a.m., Central time, at the offices of Vedder Price P.C. in Chicago, Illinois, or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree.
3.2 CUSTODIANS CERTIFICATE. The Target Fund shall cause the custodian for the Target Fund to deliver to the Acquiring Fund at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that the Target Funds portfolio securities, cash and any other assets have been delivered in proper form to the Acquiring Fund as of the Closing.
3.3 CERTIFICATES OF TRANSFER AGENT.
(a) With respect to its common shares, the Target Fund shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer agent to issue and deliver, to the Acquiring Fund at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the names and addresses of all holders of common shares of the Target Fund and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding common shares held by each such Target Fund Common Shareholder immediately prior to the Closing.
(b) The Acquiring Fund shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer agent to issue and deliver, to the Target Fund a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be credited at the Closing to the Target Fund or provide evidence satisfactory to the Target Fund that such Acquiring Fund Common Shares have been credited to the Target Funds account on the books of the Acquiring Fund.
3.4 DELIVERY OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other party such bills of sale, checks, assignments, assumptions of liability, share
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certificates, opinions, receipts and other documents or instruments, if any, as such other party or its counsel may reasonably request to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TARGET FUND. The Target Fund represents and warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:
(a) The Target Fund is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) The Target Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and such registration is in full force and effect.
(c) The Target Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (subject to shareholder approval and compliance with the other provisions hereof) will not result, in violation of any provision of the Target Funds Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Target Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(d) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund, the Target Fund has no material contracts or other commitments that will be terminated with liability to it on or before the Closing.
(e) No litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body presently is pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Target Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition, the conduct of its business or the ability of the Target Fund to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Target Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
(f) The financial statements of the Target Fund as of February 29, 2020 and for the fiscal year then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and have been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Target Fund as of February 29, 2020, and there are no known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund as of such date that are not disclosed in such statements.
(g) Since the date of the financial statements referred to in subsection (f) above, there have been no material adverse changes in the Target Funds financial condition, assets, liabilities or business (other than changes occurring in the ordinary
6
course of business), and there are no liabilities of a material nature, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Fund that have arisen after such date. Before the Closing Date, the Target Fund will advise the Acquiring Fund of all material liabilities contingent or otherwise, incurred by it subsequent to February 29, 2020, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this subsection (g), a decline in the net asset value of the Target Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(h) All federal, state, local and other tax returns and reports of the Target Fund required by law to be filed by it (taking into account permitted extensions for filing) have been timely filed and are complete and correct in all material respects. All federal, state, local and other taxes of the Target Fund required to be paid (whether or not shown on any such return or report) have been paid, or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and any such unpaid taxes, as of the date of the financial statements referred to above, are properly reflected thereon. To the best of the Target Funds knowledge, no tax authority is currently auditing or preparing to audit the Target Fund, and no assessment for taxes, interest, additions to tax or penalties has been asserted against the Target Fund.
(i) The authorized capital of the Target Fund consists of an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund are duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Target Fund (recognizing that under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Target Fund Common Shareholders, under certain circumstances, could be held personally liable for the obligations of the Target Fund). All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund will, at the time of the Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Target Funds transfer agent, as provided in Section 3.3. The Target Fund has no outstanding preferred shares; no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of the Target Fund; and no outstanding securities convertible into shares of the Target Fund.
(j) At the Closing, the Target Fund will have good and marketable title to the Target Funds assets to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to Section 1.2, and full right, power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver such assets, and the Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, including such restrictions as might arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), except those restrictions as to which the Acquiring Fund has received notice and necessary documentation at or prior to the Closing.
(k) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Target Fund, including the determinations of the Target Fund Board required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Target Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
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(l) The information to be furnished by the Target Fund for use in any no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the federal securities laws and other laws and regulations.
(m) From the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 5.7) through the time of the meeting of Target Fund shareholders described in Section 5.2 and as of the Closing, any written information furnished by the Target Fund with respect to the Target Fund for use in the Proxy Materials (as defined in Section 5.7), or any other materials provided in connection with the Reorganization, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.
(n) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court, governmental authority, or any stock exchange on which shares of the Target Fund are listed is required for the consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been or will be obtained.
(o) For each taxable year of its operations (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), the Target Fund (i) has elected to qualify, and has qualified or will qualify (in the case of the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code (a RIC); (ii) has been eligible to compute and has computed its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and on or prior to the Closing Date will have declared a distribution with respect to all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), the excess of its interest income excludible from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code over its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code and its net capital gain (after reduction for any available capital loss carryforward and excluding any net capital gain on which the Target Fund paid tax under Section 852(b)(3)(A) of the Code) (as such terms are defined in the Code) that has accrued or will accrue on or prior to the Closing Date, and (iii) has been, and will be (in the case of the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. The Target Fund has not taken any action, caused any action to be taken or caused any action to fail to be taken which action or failure could cause the Target Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. Prior to the Closing, the Target Fund will have had no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year to which the provisions of Part I of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply to it.
4.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND. The Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to the Target Fund as follows:
(a) The Acquiring Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota.
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(b) The Acquiring Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and such registration is in full force and effect.
(c) The Acquiring Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (subject to shareholder approval and compliance with the other provisions hereof) will not result, in violation of the Acquiring Funds Articles of Incorporation, or By-Laws, or any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(d) No litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body presently is pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition, the conduct of its business or the ability of the Acquiring Fund to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and it is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
(e) The financial statements of the Acquiring Fund as of February 29, 2020 and for the fiscal year then ended, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and have been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Target Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of February 29, 2020 and there are no known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Acquiring Fund as of such date that are not disclosed in such statements.
(f) Since the date of the financial statements referred to in subsection (e) above, there have been no material adverse changes in the Acquiring Funds financial condition, assets, liabilities or business (other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business), and there are no known liabilities of a material nature, contingent or otherwise, of the Acquiring Fund arising after such date. For the purposes of this subsection (f), a decline in the net asset value of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.
(g) All federal, state, local and other tax returns and reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law to be filed by it (taking into account permitted extensions for filing) have been timely filed and are complete and correct in all material respects. All federal, state, local and other taxes of the Acquiring Fund required to be paid (whether or not shown on any such return or report) have been paid, or provision will have been made for the payment thereof, and any such unpaid taxes, as of the date of the financial statements referred to above, are properly reflected thereon. To the best of the Acquiring Funds knowledge, no tax authority is currently auditing or preparing to audit the Acquiring Fund, and no assessment for taxes, interest, additions to tax or penalties has been asserted against the Acquiring Fund.
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(h) The authorized capital of the Acquiring Fund consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund are duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund has no outstanding preferred stock; no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of the Acquiring Fund; and no outstanding securities convertible into shares of the Acquiring Fund.
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Fund, including the determinations of the Acquiring Fund Board required pursuant to Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
(j) The Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued and delivered to the Target Fund for the account of Target Fund Common Shareholders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will, at the Closing, have been duly authorized. When so issued and delivered, such Acquiring Fund Common Shares will be duly and validly issued shares of the Acquiring Fund and will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund.
(k) The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in any no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the federal securities laws and other laws and regulations.
(l) From the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 5.7) through the time of the meeting of Acquiring Fund shareholders described in Section 5.2 and as of the Closing, any written information furnished by the Acquiring Fund with respect to the Acquiring Fund for use in the Proxy Materials (as defined in Section 5.7), or any other materials provided in connection with the Reorganization, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.
(m) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been or will be obtained.
(n) For each taxable year of its operations, including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund: (i) has elected to qualify, has qualified or will qualify (in the case of the taxable year that includes the Closing Date) and intends to continue to qualify as a RIC under the Code; (ii) has been eligible to and has computed its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will do so for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date; and (iii) has been, and will be (in the case of the taxable year
10
that includes the Closing Date), treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. The Acquiring Fund has not taken any action, caused any action to be taken or caused any action to fail to be taken which action or failure could cause the Acquiring Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. Prior to the Closing, the Acquiring Fund will have had no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year to which the provisions of Part I of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply to it.
(o) The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and any state securities laws as it may deem appropriate in order to consummate the transactions hereunder.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE FUNDS
5.1 OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE. Subject to Sections 1.2 and 8.5, and except for the proposed Domicile Change (as defined in Section 13.4) for the Acquiring Fund, each Fund will operate its respective business in the ordinary course from the date of this Agreement through the Closing, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include customary dividends and distributions, and any other distributions necessary or desirable to avoid federal income or excise taxes.
5.2 APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS. The Funds will call meetings of their respective shareholders to consider and act upon the proposals required to effect the provisions of this Agreement, as applicable, and to take all other appropriate actions necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein.
5.3 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Target Fund covenants that the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution other than in connection with the Reorganization and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Target Fund will assist the Acquiring Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Target Funds shares.
5.5 FURTHER ACTION. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, each Fund will take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any actions required to be taken after the Closing.
5.6 STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND PROFITS. As promptly as practicable, but in any case within 60 days after the Closing Date, the Target Fund will furnish the Acquiring Fund, in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and which will be certified by the Controller or Treasurer of the Target Fund, a statement of the earnings and profits of the Target Fund for federal income tax purposes, as well as any net operating loss
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carryovers and capital loss carryovers that will be carried over to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to Section 381 of the Code.
5.7 PREPARATION OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY MATERIALS. The Funds will prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form N-14 relating to the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued to Target Fund Common Shareholders and related matters (the Registration Statement). The Registration Statement shall include a proxy statement of the Target Fund and a prospectus of the Acquiring Fund relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as applicable (the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus). The Registration Statement shall be in compliance with the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act, as applicable. Each party will provide the other party with the materials and information necessary to prepare the Registration Statement, including the proxy statements and related materials (the Proxy Materials), for inclusion therein, in connection with the meetings of the Funds shareholders to consider the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.
5.8 TAX STATUS OF REORGANIZATION. The intention of the parties is that the Reorganization will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Neither Fund shall take any action, or cause any action to be taken (including, without limitation, the filing of any tax return), that is inconsistent with such treatment or that results in the failure of the transactions to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. At or prior to the Closing, the parties to this Agreement will take such action, or cause such action to be taken, as is reasonably necessary to enable counsel to render the tax opinion contemplated in Section 8.8.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE TARGET FUND
The obligations of the Target Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein will be subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:
6.1 All representations, covenants and warranties of the Acquiring Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing, except to the extent such representations, covenants and warranties may be modified by the Domicile Change. The Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Target Fund a certificate executed in the Acquiring Funds name by (i) the Chief Administrative Officer or any Vice President of the Acquiring Fund and (ii) the Controller or Treasurer of the Acquiring Fund, in form and substance satisfactory to the Target Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Target Fund shall reasonably request.
6.2 The Acquiring Fund shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all terms, conditions, covenants, obligations, agreements and restrictions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND
The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:
7.1 All representations, covenants and warranties of the Target Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing. The Target Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date a certificate executed in the Target Funds name by (i) the Chief Administrative Officer or any Vice President of the Target Fund and (ii) the Controller or Treasurer of the Target Fund, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.
7.2 The Target Fund shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all terms, conditions, covenants, obligations, agreements and restrictions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.
7.3 The Target Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a statement of the Target Funds assets and liabilities, together with a list of the Target Funds portfolio securities showing the tax basis of such securities by lot and the holding periods of such securities, as of the Closing, certified by the Controller or Treasurer of the Target Fund.
7.4 Prior to the Valuation Time, the Target Fund will have declared the dividends and/or distributions contemplated by Section 8.5.
7.5 The Target Fund shall have delivered such records, agreements, certificates, instruments and such other documents as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.
ARTICLE VIII
FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The obligations of the Funds to consummate the transactions under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the following conditions:
8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding common shares of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of the Target Funds Declaration of Trust or By-Laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the parties may not waive the condition set forth in this Section 8.1.
8.2 As of the Closing, the Commission shall not have issued an unfavorable report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, or instituted any proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act. Furthermore, no action, suit or other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before
13
any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein.
8.3 All consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities (including those of the Commission and of state securities authorities, including any necessary no-action positions and exemptive orders from such federal and state authorities) to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will have been obtained or made. All notices to, or consents or waivers from, other persons, or other actions necessary to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will have been obtained or made.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued. To the best knowledge of the parties to this Agreement, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under the 1933 Act.
8.5 The Target Fund shall have declared, prior to the Valuation Time, a dividend or dividends with respect to its common shares that, together with all other dividends paid by the Target Fund with respect to all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date, shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders at least all of the Target Funds investment company taxable income for all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), if any, plus the excess of its interest income excludible from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code, if any, over its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code for all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date and all of its net capital gains realized in all taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date (after reduction for any available capital loss carryforward and excluding any net capital gain on which the Target Fund paid tax under Section 852(b)(3)(A) of the Code). Prior to Closing, the Target Fund shall establish an escrow account and set aside assets in the amount of such dividend or dividends in such escrow account to be held solely for the benefit of Target Fund Common Shareholders as of the record date for such dividend or dividends. The Target Fund shall not have any rights with respect to, or interest in, the assets held in the escrow account.
8.6 The Target Fund shall have received (i) an opinion from Vedder Price P.C., special counsel to the Acquiring Fund, and (ii) an opinion from Dorsey & Whitney LLP, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, each dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that:
(a) The Acquiring Fund has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota and, to such counsels knowledge, has the corporate power to own its properties and assets and carry on its business as presently conducted, in each case as described in the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
(b) The Acquiring Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and, to such counsels knowledge, such registration under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
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(c) Assuming that the Acquiring Fund Common Shares will be issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued and delivered to the Target Fund on behalf of the Target Fund Common Shareholders as provided by this Agreement are duly authorized and, upon such delivery, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund.
(d) The Registration Statement is effective and, to such counsels knowledge, no stop order under the 1933 Act pertaining thereto has been issued.
(e) To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United States or the State of Minnesota is required for consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except as have been obtained.
(f) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund did not, and the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein will not, violate the Acquiring Funds Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws.
provided however, that if the Domicile Change has been consummated, insofar as the opinions above then relate to or are dependent on matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in lieu of an opinion Dorsey & Whitney LLP, the Target Fund shall have received an opinion from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP with respect to matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided further, that such opinions shall be modified, as shall be deemed appropriate by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, to account for the Acquiring Funds status as a Massachusetts business trust.
Insofar as the opinions expressed above relate to or are dependent upon matters that are governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, Vedder Price P.C. may rely on the opinions of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. To the extent the opinions expressed above may be modified by the Domicile Change, and insofar as they relate to or are dependent on matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Vedder Price P.C. may rely on the opinions of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
8.7 The Acquiring Fund shall have received (i) an opinion from Vedder Price P.C., special counsel to the Target Fund, and (ii) an opinion from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, with respect to matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, each dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that:
(a) The Target Fund has been formed as a voluntary association with transferable shares of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust, and is existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and, to such counsels knowledge, has the power as a business trust under its Declaration of Trust and Massachusetts law applicable to business trusts to conduct its business as described in the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
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(b) The Target Fund is registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and, to such counsels knowledge, such registration under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.
(c) To the knowledge of such counsel, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United States or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required for consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except as have been obtained, and except as may be required under any Massachusetts securities law, statute, rule or regulation, about which such counsel expresses no opinion.
(d) To the knowledge of such counsel, the Target Fund has the power under its Declaration of Trust to transfer its assets as contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Target Fund did not, and the consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein will not, violate the Target Funds Declaration of Trust or By-Laws (assuming the requisite approval of the Target Funds shareholders has been obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Target Funds Declaration of Trust and By-Laws).
Insofar as the opinions expressed above relate to or are dependent upon matters that are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Vedder Price P.C. may rely on the opinions of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
8.8 The Funds shall have received an opinion of Vedder Price P.C., dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes:
(a) The transfer by the Target Fund of substantially all its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Common Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all the liabilities of the Target Fund, immediately followed by the pro rata distribution of all the Acquiring Fund Common Shares so received by the Target Fund to the Target Fund Common Shareholders of record in complete liquidation of the Target Fund and the dissolution of the Target Fund under applicable state law promptly thereafter, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a party to a reorganization, within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code, with respect to the Reorganization.
(b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt of substantially all the Target Funds assets solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Common Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all the liabilities of the Target Fund.
(c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of substantially all its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Common Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all the liabilities of the Target Fund or upon the distribution (whether actual or constructive) of
16
such Acquiring Fund Common Shares to the Target Fund Common Shareholders solely in exchange for such shareholders shares of the Target Fund in complete liquidation of the Target Fund.
(d) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund Common Shareholders upon the exchange, pursuant to the Reorganization, of all their shares of the Target Fund solely for Acquiring Fund Common Shares, except to the extent the Target Fund Common Shareholders receive cash in lieu of a fractional Acquiring Fund Common Share.
(e) The aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by each Target Fund Common Shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization (including any fractional Acquiring Fund Common Share to which a Target Fund Common Shareholder would be entitled) will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Target Fund shares exchanged therefor by such shareholder.
(f) The holding period of the Acquiring Fund Common Shares received by each Target Fund Common Shareholder in the Reorganization (including any fractional Acquiring Fund Common Share to which a Target Fund Common Shareholder would be entitled) will include the period during which the shares of the Target Fund exchanged therefor were held by such shareholder, provided the Target Fund shares are held as capital assets at the effective time of the Reorganization.
(g) The basis of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately before the effective time of the Reorganization.
(h) The holding period of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will include the period during which those assets were held by the Target Fund.
No opinion will be expressed as to (1) the effect of the Reorganization on the Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund or any Target Fund Common Shareholder with respect to any asset (including, without limitation, any stock held in a passive foreign investment company as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code) as to which any gain or loss is required to be recognized under federal income tax principles (a) at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination thereof) or (b) upon the transfer of such asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a non-taxable transaction under the Code, or (2) any other federal tax issues (except those set forth above) and all state, local or foreign tax issues of any kind.
Such opinion will be based on customary assumptions and such representations as Vedder Price P.C. may reasonably request of the Funds, and each Fund will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this Section 8.8.
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ARTICLE IX
EXPENSES
9.1 The expenses incurred in connection with the Reorganization (whether or not the Reorganization is consummated) will be allocated between the Funds based on the projected relative benefits to each Fund during the first year following the Reorganization, and each Fund shall have accrued such expenses as liabilities at or before the Valuation Time. Reorganization expenses include, without limitation, (a) expenses associated with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and other Proxy Materials; (b) postage; (c) printing; (d) accounting fees; (e) legal fees; (f) proxy solicitation costs; and (g) other related administrative or operational costs.
9.2 Each party represents and warrants to the other party that there is no person or entity entitled to receive any brokers fees or similar fees or commission payments in connection with structuring the transactions provided for herein.
9.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by the other party of such expenses would result in the disqualification of a Fund as a RIC under the Code.
ARTICLE X
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES
10.1 The parties agree that neither party has made to the other party any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.
10.2 The representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement will not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION
11.1 This Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of the parties, and such termination may be effected by the Chief Administrative Officer, President or any Vice President of each Fund without further action by the Target Fund Board or the Acquiring Fund Board. In addition, this Agreement may be terminated at or before the Closing due to:
(a) a breach by the non-terminating party of any representation or warranty, or agreement to be performed at or before the Closing, if not cured within 30 days of the breach and prior to the Closing;
(b) a condition precedent to the obligations of the terminating party that has not been met or waived and it reasonably appears that it will not or cannot be met; or
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(c) a determination by the Target Fund Board or the Acquiring Fund Board that the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein is not in the best interests of its respective Fund involved in the Reorganization.
11.2 In the event of any such termination, in the absence of willful default, there shall be no liability for damages on the part of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
12.1 This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the officers of each Fund subject to the prior review of each Funds counsel and the authorization of each Funds Board of Directors or Board of Trustees, as applicable; provided, however, that following the meeting of the shareholders of the Target Fund called by such Fund pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment, modification or supplement may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund Common Shares to be issued to the Target Fund Common Shareholders under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.
ARTICLE XIII
HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT;
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
13.1 The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
13.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
13.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by either party without the written consent of the other party, except with respect to the proposed change of the domicile of the Acquiring Fund from a Minnesota corporation to a Massachusetts business trust (the Domicile Change) to which, if the Acquiring Fund determines it is desirable to so proceed, each party hereby consents. If the Domicile Change takes effect prior to the Closing, all references in this Agreement to the Acquiring Fund as a Minnesota corporation shall instead be references to the Acquiring Fund as a Massachusetts business trust, and such Massachusetts business trust is a permitted assignee under this Agreement; accordingly, all references herein to the Acquiring Funds Articles of Incorporation, to the Board of Directors, to the State of Minnesota, to Minnesota law and to shares of the Acquiring Funds common stock, par value $.01 per share, shall be deemed to refer to the Massachusetts business trusts declaration of trust, to its Board of Trustees, to the
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to Massachusetts law and to the Massachusetts business trusts common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, respectively, with such other modifications as may be necessary or appropriate to account for the Domicile Change. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
13.5 With respect to each Fund organized as a Massachusetts business trust, it is expressly agreed that the obligations of such Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of such Fund personally, but shall bind only the property of the Fund, as provided in such Funds Declaration of Trust, which is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by such Funds Board of Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed by authorized officers of the Fund acting as such. Neither the authorization by such trustees nor the execution and delivery by such officers will be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the property of such Fund, as provided in the Funds Declaration of Trust.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as of the date first written above.
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL | ||
VALUE FUND, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman | |
Name: | Gifford R. Zimmerman | |
Title: | Vice President and Secretary | |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL | ||
VALUE FUND 2 | ||
By: | /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman | |
Name: | Gifford R. Zimmerman | |
Title: | Vice President and Secretary |
[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (NNY-NYV Reorganization)]
Exhibit (6)(a)
FORM OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this day of 20[ ], by and between Nuveen New York Municipal Value 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 ET 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 Funds investment objective and policies and limitations, and to administer the Funds 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 Funds assets shall be subject to the Funds policies, restrictions and limitations with respect to securities investments as set forth in the Funds 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 Funds 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 1, 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.
A. The Fund-Level Fee shall be:
An amount equal to the sum of .1500% of the average weekly net assets of the Fund and 4.125% of the gross interest income (i.e. income other than gains from the sale of securities or gains realized from futures contracts), computed in each case on an annualized basis.
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 includein 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 Fundsuch 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 the Former Eligible Fund exceeded the Former Eligible Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds net assets exceeded the Eligible Funds 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:
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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 part of the Nuveen complex because either (a) Nuveen Investments, Inc. or its affiliates acquire the investment adviser to such funds (or the advisers parent), or (b) Nuveen Investments, Inc. or its affiliates acquire the funds advisers 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-case basis, as to whether or not the assets of such Acquired Funds would be included in the 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 Funds 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 the 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 Funds net assets as of the effective date of such Funds Acquisition;
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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 January 1, 2011, 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.
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
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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.
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 Funds 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 Funds officers as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Funds 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 NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND | ||||
by: |
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Attest: |
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NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC |
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by: |
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Attest: |
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Exhibit (6)(b)
FORM OF SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
(Nuveen Closed-End Municipal Bond Funds)
AGREEMENT effective as of the ____ day of ___________ 20[ ], between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser), and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( the Sub-Adviser).
WHEREAS, the Adviser acts as the investment adviser for each of the closed-end management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) listed on Appendix A (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds), pursuant to investment advisory agreements between the Adviser and each Fund (the Advisory Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory services for each Fund, upon the terms and conditions hereafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment of Sub-Adviser. The Adviser desires to engage and hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to provide certain sub-investment advisory services to each Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts the appointment and agrees to furnish the services described herein for the compensation set forth below.
2. Duties of Sub-Adviser.
The Sub-Adviser is hereby employed and authorized to conduct a continual program of investment, evaluation and, if appropriate, sale and reinvestment of the assets in each Fund. In connection therewith, the Sub-Adviser will (a) make investment decisions for the Fund; (b) place purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions in the Fund; (c) employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts to provide research services relating to the Fund; (d) employ qualified personnel to assist in the supervision of the Funds investment program and to monitor the level of risk incurred by the Fund in connection with its investment program; (e) provide input requested by the Adviser with respect to the possible forms and levels of leverage employed by the Fund, and help monitor the Funds compliance with leverage limits imposed under the 1940 Act; (f) provide assistance in connection with determining dividend and distribution levels for the Fund and preparing and reviewing dividend and distribution notices to shareholders; and (g) discuss with the Adviser, and take into account, tax issues arising in connection with management of the Funds portfolio. Subject to the supervision of each Funds Board of Directors (the Board) and the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will manage the assets in each Fund in accordance with (a) the Funds investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, to the extent the Sub-Adviser has been notified of such objectives, policies and restrictions, (b) the Charter Documents (as such term is defined below) of the Fund, to the extent that they have been provided to the Sub-Adviser, and (c) applicable laws and regulations.
The Adviser has furnished to the Sub-Adviser each Funds compliance procedures pursuant to Rules 10f-3, 17a-7, and 17e-1 under the 1940 Act (collectively, the Compliance Procedures), the Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust and Bylaws of each Fund, each as amended to date (the Charter Documents), and each Funds investment objective(s), policies and restrictions. The Adviser agrees, on an ongoing basis, to provide to the Sub-Adviser, as promptly as practicable, copies of all amendments and supplements to the Compliance Procedures, all amendments to the Charter Documents and all revisions to a Funds investment objective(s), policies and restrictions.
3. Brokerage. In selecting brokers or dealers to execute transactions on behalf of a Fund, the Sub-Adviser will seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser will consider factors it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In selecting brokers or dealers to execute a particular transaction, and in evaluating the best overall terms available, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to consider brokerage and research services (within the meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Sub-Adviser will not execute any portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer which is an affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Sub-Adviser or the Adviser, except pursuant to the any 17e-1 Policies and Procedures for affiliated brokerage transactions that have been approved by Board for such Fund. The Adviser will provide the Sub-Adviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are affiliated persons of the Adviser.
4. Proxy Voting. The Sub-Adviser shall vote all proxies with respect to securities held in a Fund in accordance with the Sub-Advisers proxy voting guidelines and procedures in effect from time to time. In the event material changes are made to such proxy voting guidelines, the Sub-Adviser agrees to provide the Adviser with a copy of the revised proxy voting guidelines. The Adviser agrees to instruct each Funds custodian to forward all proxy materials and related shareholder communications to the Sub-Adviser promptly upon receipt. The Sub-Adviser agrees to promptly inform the Adviser and any Fund of any conflict of interest of which the Sub-Adviser is aware that the Sub-Adviser has in voting proxies with respect to securities held in such Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable with regard to voting of proxies or other corporate actions if the proxy materials and related communications are not received in a timely manner.
5. Information Provided to the Adviser.
(a) The Sub-Adviser will keep the Adviser informed of developments materially affecting any Fund and will, on its own initiative, furnish the Adviser from time to time with whatever information the Sub-Adviser believes is appropriate for this purpose.
(b) The Sub-Adviser will confer with the Adviser as the Adviser may reasonably request regarding the investment and management of each Fund. The Sub-Adviser will not be required to advise the Adviser or act for the Adviser or any Fund in any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies or class actions, involving securities in any Fund or the issuers of the securities.
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(c) The Sub-Adviser agrees to comply with all reporting requirements that the Board or the Adviser reasonably adopt and communicate to the Sub-Adviser in writing, including reporting requirements related to performance of any Fund, brokerage practices, and proxy voting.
(d) The Sub-Adviser 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 each Fund, and will notify the Adviser promptly of any issuer-specific or market events or other situations that occur that may materially impact the pricing of one or more securities in such Fund. In addition, upon the request of Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will assist the Adviser in evaluating the impact that such an event may have on the net asset value of a Fund and in determining a recommended fair value of the affected security or securities. Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any valuation determined or adopted by any Fund, unless such determination is made based upon information provided by the Sub-Adviser that is materially incorrect or incomplete as a result of the Sub-Advisers gross negligence.
(e) The Sub-Adviser has provided the Adviser with a true and complete copy of its compliance policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act) (the Sub-Adviser Compliance Policies). The Sub-Advisers chief compliance officer (the Sub-Adviser CCO) shall provide to the Funds chief compliance officer (the Fund CCO) or his or her delegate, promptly (and in no event more than 10 business days) after the occurrence of the triggering event, the following:
(i) a report of any material changes to the Sub-Adviser Compliance Policies;
(ii) a report of any material compliance matters, as defined by Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, that have occurred in connection with the Sub-Adviser Compliance Policies;
(iii) a copy of a summary of the Sub-Adviser CCOs report with respect to the annual review of the Sub-Adviser Compliance Policies pursuant to Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; and
(iv) an annual (or more frequently as the Fund CCO may request) certification regarding the Sub-Advisers compliance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act and Section 38a-1 under the 1940 Act as well as the foregoing sub-paragraphs (i) - (iii).
(f) The Sub-Adviser will timely notify the Adviser of any material violations by the Sub-Adviser of a Funds investment policies or restrictions or any applicable law or regulation.
6. Standard of Care. The Sub-Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services described in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 above. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by any Fund or the Adviser in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Sub-Advisers part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Sub-Adviser of its obligations and duties under this Agreement (each such act or omission shall be referred to as Disqualifying Conduct). Neither the Sub-Adviser nor its members, partners, officers, employees and agents shall be liable to the
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Adviser, any Fund, any Funds shareholders or any other person (a) for the acts, omissions, errors of judgment or mistakes of law of any other fiduciary or other person with respect to a Fund or (b) for any failure or delay in performance of the Sub-Advisers obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
The Sub-Adviser does not guarantee the future performance of any Fund or any specific level of performance, the success of any investment decision or strategy that the Sub-Adviser may use, or the success of the Sub-Advisers overall management of a Fund. The Adviser understands that investment decisions made for a Fund by the Sub-Adviser are subject to various market, currency, economic, political and business risks, and that those investment decisions will not always be profitable.
7. 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 the percentage allocation of the fees (net of applicable breakpoints, waivers and reimbursements) paid by each Fund to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement for such Fund as set forth in Appendix A. 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.
8. Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will bear all of its expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement. All other expenses to be incurred in the operation of a Fund will be borne by such Fund, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The expenses to be borne by a Fund include, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, (a) brokerage and commission expenses; (b) Federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including issue and transfer taxes incurred by or levied on the Fund; (c) interest charges on borrowings; (d) the Funds organizational and offering expenses; (e) fees and expenses of registering the Funds shares under the appropriate Federal securities laws and qualifying the Funds shares under applicable state securities laws; (f) fees and expenses of listing and maintaining the listing of the Funds shares on the principal securities exchanges where listed, or, if the Funds shares are not so listed, fees and expenses of listing and maintaining the quotation of the Funds shares on the principal securities market where traded; (g) expenses of printing and distributing reports to shareholders; (h) expenses of shareholders meetings and proxy solicitation; (i) charges and expenses of the Funds administrator, custodian and registrar, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent; (j) compensation of the Funds officers, directors and employees that are not affiliated persons or interested persons (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and releases relating thereto) of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser; (k) legal and auditing expenses; (l) cost of certificates representing shares of the Fund; (m) costs of stationery and supplies; (n) insurance expenses; and (o) association membership dues.
9. Services to Other Companies or Accounts. The Adviser understands that the Sub-Adviser now acts, will continue to act and may act in the future as investment adviser to fiduciary
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and other managed accounts and as investment adviser to other investment companies, and the Adviser has no objection to the Sub-Adviser so acting, provided that whenever a Fund and one or more other accounts or investment companies advised by the Sub-Adviser have available funds for investment, investments suitable and appropriate for each will be allocated in accordance with a methodology believed to be equitable to each entity. The Sub-Adviser agrees to similarly allocate opportunities to sell securities. The Adviser recognizes that, in some cases, this procedure may limit the size of the position that may be acquired or sold for a Fund. In addition, the Adviser understands that the persons employed by the Sub-Adviser to assist in the performance of the Sub-Advisers duties hereunder will not devote their full time to such service and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Sub-Adviser or any affiliate of the Sub-Adviser to engage in and devote time and attention to other business or to render services of whatever kind or nature.
10. Books and Records. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it specifically maintains for a Fund are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund copies of any of such records upon the Funds or the Advisers request. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records relating to its activities hereunder required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act and to preserve the records relating to its activities hereunder required by Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act for the period specified in said Rule.
11. Term of Agreement. Unless sooner terminated, as to each Fund, this Agreement shall become effective on such date and shall continue in effect for each Fund until such date specified in Appendix A. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of each Fund in the manner required by the 1940 Act. This Agreement is terminable, without penalty, on 60 days written notice (the date of termination may be less than 60 days after the written notice of termination so long as the duration of the notice period is agreed upon by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser) by the Adviser, by a Funds Board, by vote of a majority of a Funds outstanding voting securities, or by the Sub-Adviser, and will immediately terminate upon termination of the Advisory Agreement with respect to a Fund. This Agreement also will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Any termination of this Agreement with respect to a Fund or Funds will not result in the termination of this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Funds.
12. Trade Settlement at Termination. Termination will be without prejudice to the completion of any transaction already initiated. On, or after, the effective date of termination, the Sub-Adviser shall be entitled, without prior notice to the Adviser or a Fund, to direct the Funds custodian to retain and/or realize any assets of the Fund as may be required to settle transactions already initiated. Following the date of effective termination, any new transactions will only be executed by mutual agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser.
13. Indemnification. (a) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser and its members, partners, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (each a Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorneys fees and other related expenses) to which any Sub-
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Adviser Indemnified Person may become subject as a result of the Advisers material breach of this Agreement or as a result of the Advisers willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder or violation of applicable law; provided, however, that no Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person shall be indemnified for any claim, loss, liability or damage that may be sustained as a result of the Sub-Advisers Disqualifying Conduct.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser and any Fund and their respective shareholders, members, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (each an Adviser Indemnified Person) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorneys fees and other related expenses) to which any Adviser Indemnified Person may become subject as a result of the Sub-Advisers material breach of this Agreement or as a result of the Sub-Advisers willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder or violation of applicable law; provided, however, that no Adviser Indemnified Person shall be indemnified for any claim, loss, liability or damage that may be sustained as a result of the Advisers Disqualifying Conduct.
14. Delegation to Third Parties. Except where prohibited by applicable law or regulation, the Sub-Adviser may delegate or may employ a third party to perform any accounting, administrative, reporting and ancillary services required to enable the Sub-Adviser to perform its functions under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may provide information about the Adviser and any Fund to any such third party for the purposes of this paragraph, provided that the third party is subject to a confidentiality agreement that specifically prevents the misuse of any such information, including portfolio holdings. The Sub-Adviser will act in good faith and with due diligence in the selection, use and monitoring of third parties and shall be solely responsible for any loss, mistake, gross negligence or misconduct caused by such third party.
15. Disclosure. (a) Neither the Adviser, on its own behalf or on behalf of any Fund, or the Sub-Adviser shall disclose information of a confidential nature acquired in consequence of this Agreement, except for information that they may be entitled or bound to disclose by law, regulation or that is disclosed to their advisors where reasonably necessary for the performance of their professional services or, in the case of the Sub-Adviser, as permitted in accordance with Section 14 of this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 15(a), to the extent that any market counterparty with whom the Sub-Adviser deals requires information relating to any Fund (including, but not limited to, the identity of the Adviser or the Fund and market value of the Fund), the Sub-Adviser shall be permitted to disclose such information to the extent necessary to effect transactions on behalf of a Fund in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 15(a) and 15(b), the Sub-Adviser acknowledges that the Adviser and each Fund intend to rely on Rule 17a-7, Rule 17a-10, Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, and the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to a fund under common control with a Fund with respect to transactions for a Fund in securities or other assets.
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16. Instructions to Custodian. The Sub-Adviser shall have authority to issue to each Funds custodian such instructions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the settlement of any transaction relating to a Fund that it has initiated. The Adviser shall ensure that each Funds custodian is obliged to comply with any instructions of the Sub-Adviser given in accordance with this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for supervising a Funds custodian.
17. Representations and Warranties. (a) The Adviser represents and warrants to the Sub-Adviser that the Adviser:
(i) has full power and authority to appoint the Sub-Adviser to manage a Fund in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and
(ii) this Agreement is valid and has been duly authorized by appropriate action of the Adviser, the Board of each Fund and each Funds shareholders, does not violate any obligation by which the Adviser is bound, and when so executed and delivered, will be binding upon the Adviser in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and general principles of equity.
(b) The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser that the Sub-Adviser:
(i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect;
(ii) is not currently the subject of, and has not been the subject of during the last three (3) years, any enforcement action by a regulator, except as previously disclosed to the Adviser; and
(iii) maintains insurance coverage in an appropriate amount and shall upon request provide to the Adviser any information it may reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
18. Miscellaneous.
(a) Notices. All notices provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when received, against appropriate receipt, by the General Counsel of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, or such other person as a party shall designate by notice to the other parties.
(b) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time, but only by written agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, which amendment must be approved by the Board of each affected Fund in the manner required by the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to approval by the Board of a new Fund in the manner required by the 1940 Act, this Agreement may be amended at any time to add additional Funds to Appendix A and the compensation to the Sub-Adviser for such additional Funds to Appendix B, such mutual agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser to be evidenced by a revised Appendix A and Appendix B and performance of each parties obligations hereunder with respect to such new Funds.
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(c) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement will be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby.
(e) Headings. The paragraph headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and do not constitute a part hereof.
(f) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.
(g) Use of Sub-Advisers Name. The Adviser shall furnish to the Sub-Adviser all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature or other material prepared for distribution which refers to the Sub-Adviser by name prior to the use thereof. The Adviser shall not use or cause any Fund to use any such materials if the Sub-Adviser reasonably objects to such use. This paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.
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Nuveen Asset Management, LLC | ||||
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APPENDIX A
Nuveen Closed-End Municipal Bond Funds |
% Allocation of Management Fee (net of applicable breakpoints, waivers and reimbursements |
Effective Date |
Period End |
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Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund(*) |
71.4286% |
[ ] | [ ] |
(*)Funds pay both an asset-based as well as an income-based management fee. NAM LLC receives the specified percentage of the asset-based fee.
Exhibit (11)
March 31, 2021
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
RE: Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Massachusetts counsel to Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Acquiring Fund), in connection with the post-effective amendment to the Acquiring Funds Registration Statement on Form N-14 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on or about March 31, 2021 (the Registration Statement), with respect to the Acquiring Funds common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share (the Acquiring Fund Shares), to be issued in exchange for the assets of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2, a Massachusetts business trust (the Acquired Fund), as described in the Registration Statement (the Reorganization). You have requested that we deliver this opinion to you in connection with the Acquiring Funds filing of the Registration Statement as the successor to Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the Predecessor Fund).
In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined the following documents:
(a) a certificate dated as of a recent date of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as to the existence of the Acquiring Fund;
(b) a copy of the Acquiring Funds Declaration of Trust, dated November 12, 2020, as filed with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 13, 2021 (the Declaration);
(c) a certificate executed by the Secretary of the Acquiring Fund, certifying as to the Declaration, the Funds By-Laws, certain resolutions adopted by the Funds Board of Trustees at a meeting held on November 16, 2020 (the Resolutions) and to certain other matters;
(d) a printers proof of the Registration Statement received on March 31, 2021;
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | ||||||
One Federal Street | ||||||
Boston, MA 02110-1726 |
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United States |
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Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund
March 31, 2021
Page 2
(e) a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of October 16, 2020, by and between the Predecessor Fund and the Acquired Fund providing for (a) the acquisition by the Predecessor Fund of substantially all of the assets and substantially all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund in exchange for the Predecessor Funds Shares, (b) the pro rata distribution of such shares to the holders of the shares of the Acquired Fund and (c) the subsequent termination of the Acquired Fund, as executed by the parties thereto (the Reorganization Agreement and Plan);
(f) a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of March 29, 2021, by and between the Predecessor Fund and the Acquiring Fund providing for (a) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets and all of the liabilities of the Predecessor Fund in exchange for shares of beneficial interests in the Acquiring Fund, (b) the pro rata distribution of such shares to the holders of the shares of the Predecessor Fund and (c) the subsequent termination of the Predecessor Fund, as executed by the parties thereto (the Change in Domicile Agreement and Plan, and together with the Reorganization Agreement and Plan, the Agreements and Plans); and
(g) a copy of the form of assignment and assumption agreement by and between the Predecessor Fund and the Acquiring Fund relating to the assignment of the Reorganization Agreement and Plan from the Predecessor Fund to the Acquiring Fund (the Assumption Agreement);
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to the originals of all of the documents reviewed by us as copies, including conformed copies, the authenticity and completeness of all original documents reviewed by us in original or copy form and the legal competence of each individual executing any document. We have also assumed for the purposes of this opinion that (i) the Registration Statement, as filed with the Commission, will be in substantially the form of the draft referred to in subparagraph (d) above; (ii) the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued will not exceed the amount of such Shares needed to consummate the Reorganization; (iii) each of the Acquired Fund and the Predecessor Fund has taken all actions necessary under its charter and applicable state law to authorize the execution and delivery of the applicable Agreements and Plans and the issuance of its shares in connection with the Reorganization, including the vote of its shareholders as set forth in the Registration Statement; (iv) the Reorganization Agreement and Plan has been assigned to and assumed by the Acquiring Fund pursuant to the Assumption Agreement; (v) any other consents or approvals required for the Reorganization will have been received; (vi) the Declaration, the Resolutions, and the Agreements and Plans will not have been amended, modified or withdrawn and will be in full force and effect on the date of issuance of such Acquiring Fund Shares; and (vii) there will not have been any changes in applicable law or any other facts or circumstances relating to the Reorganization as of the date of the issuance of such Acquiring Fund Shares.
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund
March 31, 2021
Page 3
This opinion is limited solely to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as applied by courts located in such Commonwealth, except that we express no opinion as to any Massachusetts securities law. No opinion is given herein as to the choice of law or internal substantive rules of law which any tribunal may apply. In addition, to the extent that the Acquiring Funds Declaration or By-Laws refer to, incorporate or require compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any other law or regulation applicable to the Acquiring Fund, except for the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as aforesaid, we have assumed compliance by the Acquiring Fund with such Act and such other laws and regulations.
We understand that all of the foregoing assumptions and limitations are acceptable to you.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, please be advised that it is our opinion that the Acquiring Fund Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Acquiring Funds Declaration and the Resolutions and for the consideration described in the Reorganization Agreement and Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, except that, as set forth in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the Acquiring Fund may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for its obligations.
This opinion is given as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update this opinion to reflect any changes in law or any other facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention. We hereby consent to the reference to our name in the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof under the heading Legal Matters and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not concede that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP |
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP |
Exhibit (14)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors/Trustees
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc.
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2:
We consent to the use of our reports dated April 27, 2020, with respect to the financial statements of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc. and Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2, and to the references to our firm under the headings Experts and Financial Highlights in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Experts in the Statement of Additional Information, which are incorporated herein by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment on Form N-14.
/s/ KPMG LLP |
Chicago, Illinois
March 31, 2021
Exhibit (16)
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Jack B. Evans |
Jack B. Evans |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ William C. Hunter |
William C. Hunter |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Albin F. Moschner |
Albin F. Moschner |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ John K. Nelson |
John K. Nelson |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Judith M. Stockdale |
Judith M. Stockdale |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Carole E. Stone |
Carole E. Stone |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Matthew Thornton III |
Matthew Thornton III |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Terence J. Toth |
Terence J. Toth |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Margaret L. Wolff |
Margaret L. Wolff |
NUVEEN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL VALUE 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-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 reorganization, 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 11th day of March 2021.
/s/ Robert L. Young |
Robert L. Young |