As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2021

Securities Act File No. 333-251817

Investment Company Act File No. 811-23627

 

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form N-2

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. 5
  Post-Effective Amendment No.     

and

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 5

 

 

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust

 

 

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606

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

(800) 257-8787

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code

Mark L. Winget

Vice President and Secretary

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

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

 

 

Copies of Communications to:

 

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

191 North Wacker Drive

Suite 1601

Chicago, Illinois 60606

   Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

2005 Market Street

Suite 2600

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Eric F. Fess    Kevin T. Hardy
Chapman and Cutler LLP

111 West Monroe

Chicago, Illinois 60603

   Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

155 North Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

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

 

 

If any of the securities being registered on this form are offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. ☐

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

☐ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)

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

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

Title of Securities
Being Registered
   Amount Being
Registered
     Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit
     Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)
     Amount of
Registration
Fee(2)
 
Common Shares, $0.01 par value      31,250,000      $ 20.00      $ 625,000,000      $ 68,188  

 

(1)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)

$61,096 of which was previously paid.

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


The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION    APRIL 26, 2021

 

LOGO

                Shares

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Common Shares

$20.00 per Share

 

 

 

The Fund.    Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return through high current income and capital appreciation, while giving special consideration to certain impact and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful.

Fund Strategies.    The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in fixed-income investments of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, preferred securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds, senior loans and loan participations and assignments, sovereign debt instruments, debt securities issued by supranational agencies, and U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities). The Fund’s investment in fixed-income investments of any type is subject to Nuveen’s proprietary public market impact framework criteria (the “Impact Criteria”) or Nuveen’s ESG criteria. The Impact Criteria are designed to identify investments that will generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a competitive financial return. These investments provide direct access to issuers and/or individual projects across four social and environmental themes: Affordable Housing, Community and Economic Development, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, and Natural Resources. The portion of the Fund invested in accordance with the Impact Criteria is not required to meet ESG criteria provided by a third party.

(continued on following page)

No Prior History.    Because the Fund is newly organized, its common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”) have no history of public trading. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value (“NAV”). This risk of loss due to the discount may be greater for investors who expect to sell their shares in a relatively short period after completion of the public offering. The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The trading or “ticker” symbol is “NPCT.”

This prospectus sets forth concisely information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing, and should be retained for future reference. Investing in the Fund’s Common Shares involves certain risks, including the risks associated with the Fund’s use of leverage. The Fund’s anticipated exposure to below investment grade securities (high yield or junk bonds) involves special risks, including an increased risk with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest, dividends and repay principal. You could lose some or all of your investment. See “Risks” beginning on page 67 of this prospectus. Certain of these risks are summarized in “Prospectus Summary—Special Risk Considerations” beginning on page 16 of this prospectus.

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

 

      Price to
Public
     Sales
load(2)
     Offering
expenses(3)
     Proceeds
to the Fund
 

Per share

   $ 20.00        None        None      $ 20.00  

Total

   $          None        None      $    

Total assuming full exercise of the over-allotment option(1)

   $          None        None      $    

(notes on following page)

The underwriters expect to deliver the Common Shares to purchasers on or about                     , 2021.

 

UBS Investment Bank

  BofA Securities   Wells Fargo Securities

RBC Capital Markets

    Stifel

Aegis Capital Corp.

  Alexander Capital L.P.   AmeriVet Securities

B. Riley Securities

  Bancroft Capital   Brookline Capital Markets

D.A. Davidson & Co.

  Hilltop Securities Inc.   Incapital

Ingalls & Snyder, LLC

  GMS Group, LLC   Janney Montgomery Scott

JonesTrading

  Ladenburg Thalmann   Maxim Group LLC

National Securities Corporation

  Newbridge Securities Corporation   Northland Securities

Pershing LLC

  Wedbush Securities   Wintrust Investments

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2021.


(notes from previous page)

 

(1)

The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to                      additional Common Shares at the public offering price within 45 days from the date of this prospectus solely to cover over-allotments, if any. See “Underwriting.”

(2)

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser (and not the Fund), has agreed to pay, from its own assets, (a) additional compensation of $                     per share to the underwriters in connection with this offering, which aggregate amount will not exceed     % of the total offering price of Common Shares sold in this offering, and separately (b) upfront structuring fees to UBS Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. (or an affiliate), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, and may pay certain other qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee or other additional compensation in connection with the offering. These fees and compensation are not reflected under “Sales load” in the table above. See “Underwriting—Additional Compensation to be Paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.”

(3)

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC has agreed to (i) reimburse all organizational expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Fund’s offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organizational expenses or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC.

(continued from previous page)

Nuveen’s ESG criteria are generally implemented based on data provided by independent research vendor(s). The ESG evaluation process employed by the Fund favors issuers with leadership in ESG performance relative to their peers alongside a competitive financial return. Typically, environmental assessment categories include climate change, natural resource use, waste management and environmental opportunities. Social evaluation categories include human capital, product safety and social opportunities. Governance assessment categories include corporate governance, business ethics and government and public policy. How well companies adhere to international norms and principles and involvement in major ESG controversies (examples of which may relate to the environment, customers, human rights and community, labor rights and supply chain, and governance) are other considerations. The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed and will seek to deliver a direct and measurable positive social and environmental impact as well as ESG leadership.

Investment Policies.    Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined on page 8) in below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” and are rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment or are unrated but judged by the Fund’s subadviser to be of comparable quality) with no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in investments rated CCC/Caa or lower, including defaulted investments, at the time of investment. Below investment grade investments are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. The Fund may invest without limitation in investments of foreign issuers, with no more than 30% of its Managed Assets in investments of foreign issuers that are located in emerging market countries.

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to certain Regulation S securities by investing in Core Plus Impact Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund, which will invest primarily in Regulation S securities. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The Subsidiary is advised by the Fund’s sub-adviser, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, and has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Subsidiary may also hold cash and invest in other instruments, including fixed-income investments, that are not Regulation S securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s Regulation S positions.

Leverage.    The Fund anticipates using leverage in order to pursue its investment objective. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund may source leverage initially and throughout the life of the Fund through a number of methods including through borrowings, issuing preferred shares of beneficial interest, the issuance of debt securities, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and investing in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Fund’s investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate certificates. The sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions. The Fund anticipates using such leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, if current market conditions persist. The Fund may employ leverage through the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest within 12 months after the completion of this offering, but may do so only if the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board of Trustees”) determines it to be in the best interests of Common Shareholders. In pursuit of its investment objective, the Fund has the ability to reduce or increase the amount and type of leverage based upon changes in market conditions, composition of the Fund’s holdings and remaining time until the Fund’s termination date. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used and variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for common shareholders. See “Leverage,” “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk,” “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Municipal Bonds—Inverse Floating Rate Securities” and “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

Limited Term.    The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund terminates on the first business day of the month that follows the twelfth anniversary of the effective date of the Fund’s initial registration statement, which is currently anticipated to be May 2, 2033 (the “Stated Termination Date”); however, the Board of Trustees may vote to extend the term of the Fund for up to two one year periods (in the event of any such extension, the termination date shall be referred to as the “Extended Termination Date” and the later of the Stated Termination Date and the Extended Termination Date is referred to as the “Termination Date”); furthermore, the Board of Trustees may determine to cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer to all holders of outstanding Common Shares as of a date within the 18 months preceding the Termination Date (an “Eligible Tender Offer”). At the time of the

 

 

 

ii


Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Trustees will determine the minimum net assets the Fund must retain following the Eligible Tender Offer to ensure the Fund’s continued viability (the “Termination Threshold”). If the repurchase of all Common Shares properly tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, the Fund will purchase all Common Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer. If an Eligible Tender Offer is completed, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time, subject to the terms and conditions described herein. If the repurchase of all Common Shares properly tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, an Eligible Tender Offer will not be completed, the Fund will, no later than the Termination Date, cease investment operations, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, liquidate its investment portfolio (to the extent possible) and, on or after the Termination Date, the Fund will distribute all of its liquidated net assets to common shareholders of record in one or more distributions. The Fund’s investment objective is not designed to return to common shareholders their original NAV or purchase price. See “Prospectus Summary—Limited Term; Eligible Tender Offer” and “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Limited Term and Tender Offer Risks.”

Fund Distributions.    The Fund will implement a managed distribution policy by declaring monthly distributions stated in terms of a fixed cents per Common Share. The Fund’s distributions will be composed of net investment income and a supplemental amount generally representing the potential for capital appreciation, which will take the form of realized capital gains and/or a return of capital. The return of capital component of a Fund distribution may (but will not necessarily) represent unrealized capital gains. A return of capital is a non-taxable distribution of a portion of the Fund’s capital. When the Fund returns (including unrealized capital appreciation) exceed distributions, return of capital may represent portfolio gains earned, but not realized as a taxable capital gain. In periods when the Fund returns fall short of distributions, a return of capital will represent a portion of a shareholder’s original principal. Such shortfall may be offset during other time periods over the life of their investment (previous or subsequent) when the Fund’s total return exceeds distributions. A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis (but not below zero) in Fund shares, which could result in more taxable gain or taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. Monthly distributions that include such supplemental amounts representing the potential for capital appreciation are sometimes referred to as “managed distributions.” The Fund’s managed distribution policy is being implemented pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, which permits the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once per year. The Fund will seek to establish a distribution rate that roughly corresponds to Nuveen Fund Advisors’ projections of the total return that could reasonably be expected to be generated by the Fund over an extended period of time, although the distribution rate will not be directly dependent on the amount of income earned or capital gains realized by the Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors, in making such projections, may consider long-term historical returns of the types of securities in the portfolio, current and expected portfolio composition, current market sentiment, and a variety of other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the portion of the Fund’s distributions composed of net investment income, realized capital gain and return of capital will vary. The Fund may also change the rate of distributions on the Common Shares and the Fund’s distribution policy in response to changes in portfolio and market conditions. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Trust is net income or profit.

To the extent that the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy exceeds the distribution rate for an extended period, the Fund may be in a position either to increase the distribution rate or to distribute supplemental amounts to shareholders, or both. Conversely, if the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy is less than the distribution rate for an extended period of time, the Fund will effectively be drawing upon its assets to meet payments prescribed by its distribution policy. The Fund may make additional distributions, or include within the Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year, amounts representing any remaining net investment income and net realized capital gains not distributed during the year. See “Distributions” for additional information.

You should read this prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated                , 2021, as amended or supplemented through the effective date of this prospectus, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available, and other information about the Fund, and make shareholder inquiries by calling (800) 257-8787 or by writing to the Fund, or from the Fund’s website (www.nuveen.com). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this prospectus. You also may obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

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

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

Until                     , 2021 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Common Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Prospectus summary

     1  

Summary of Fund expenses

     34  

The fund

     36  

Use of proceeds

     36  

The Fund’s investments

     36  

Portfolio composition and other information

     45  

Leverage

     64  

Risks

     67  

Management of the Fund

     97  

Net asset value

     100  

Distributions

     101  

Dividend reinvestment plan

     103  

Description of shares and debt

     104  

Certain provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws

     109  

Repurchase of Common Shares; conversion to open-end fund

     112  

Tax matters

     113  

Underwriting

     117  

Custodian and transfer agent

     120  

Legal opinions and experts

     120  

 

 


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

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

THE FUND

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company.

THE OFFERING

The Fund is offering                                  common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”) at $20.00 per share through a group of underwriters (the “Underwriters”) led by UBS Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

 

In this prospectus, we refer to holders of Common Shares as “Common Shareholders.” Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“Nuveen Fund Advisors”), the Fund’s investment adviser, has agreed to pay, from its own assets, (a) compensation of $         per share to the Underwriters in connection with this offering, which aggregate amount will not exceed     % of the total offering price of Common Shares sold in this offering, and separately (b) upfront structuring fees to UBS Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. (or an affiliate), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, and may pay certain other qualifying Underwriters a structuring fee, a sales incentive fee or other additional compensation in connection with the offering. See “Underwriting—Additional Compensation to be Paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.” In addition, Nuveen Fund Advisors will (i) reimburse all organizational expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Fund’s offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organizational expenses or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

The minimum required purchase by each investor is 100 shares ($2,000). The Fund has given the Underwriters an option to purchase up to                  additional Common Shares within 45 days of the date of this prospectus solely to cover over-allotments, if any. See “Underwriting.”

You should consult with your own professional advisors as to the legal, tax, financial or other matters relevant to your decision to invest in Common Shares.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return through high current income and capital appreciation, while giving special consideration to certain impact and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful. See “The Fund’s Investments” and “Risks.”

FUND STRATEGIES

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed and will seek to deliver a direct and measurable positive social and environmental impact as well as ESG leadership. In selecting fixed-income investments, the Fund’s subadviser, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”), performs its own credit analysis, paying particular attention to economic trends and other market events. Subject to Nuveen’s proprietary public market impact framework criteria (the “Impact Criteria”) and Nuveen’s ESG criteria described below, individual securities will be selected to construct a portfolio consistent with the Fund’s investment objective of total return through high current income and capital appreciation.

 

1


In addition, the Fund’s investment in fixed-income investments of any type is subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

Impact Criteria

 

The fixed-income investments invested according to the Impact Criteria provide direct exposure to issuers and/or individual projects with social or environmental benefits. The portion of the Fund invested in accordance with the Impact Criteria is not required to meet ESG criteria provided by a third party.

The Impact Criteria are designed to identify investments that will generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a competitive financial return. These investments are intended to provide access to the following four social and environmental themes:

 

  (1)   Affordable Housing: Investments that support the financing of low and moderate income housing loans, transit oriented development (i.e., a mix of commercial, residential, office and entertainment centered around or located near a transit station), walkable communities, or mixed-use development projects.

 

  (2)   Community & Economic Development: Investments that support financial services, hospital/medical services, educational services, community centers, reconstruction activities, urban revitalization, humanitarian, disaster, and international aid services, all of which are inclusive of underserved and/or economically disadvantaged communities.

 

  (3)   Renewable Energy & Climate Change: Investments that finance new or expand existing renewable energy projects (including hydroelectric, solar and wind), smart grid and other projects designed to make power generation and transmission systems more efficient, and other energy efficiency projects which seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

  (4)   Natural Resources: Investments that support land conservation, sustainable forestry and agriculture, remediation and redevelopment of polluted or contaminated sites, sustainable waste management projects, water infrastructure including improvement of clean drinking water supplies and/or sewer systems, and sustainable building projects.

 

ESG criteria and evaluation process

Nuveen’s ESG criteria are generally implemented based on data provided by independent research vendor(s), including MSCI Inc. The Fund relies upon ESG ratings, controversy scores and controversial business indicators from such vendor(s), and applies internal, proprietary thresholds to those data points to create the pool of eligible portfolio investments. The Fund has the right to change such vendor(s) and to change the number of vendors providing ESG data at any time. In addition, the Fund considers Nuveen’s internal, proprietary ESG ratings as an additional factor in security selection. In those limited cases where independent ESG criteria are not available for certain types of investments or for certain issuers, these investments may nonetheless be eligible for investment by the Fund should they meet certain internal ESG criteria. Substantially all issuers, other than those in which the Fund invests in accordance with the Impact Criteria described above, must meet or exceed minimum ESG performance standards to be eligible for investment by the Fund.

 

The corporate issuer evaluation process favors companies with leadership in ESG performance relative to their peers. Typically, environmental assessment categories include climate change, natural resource use, waste management and environmental opportunities. Social evaluation categories include human capital, product safety and social opportunities. Governance assessment categories include corporate governance, business ethics and government and public policy. How well companies adhere to international norms and principles and involvement in major ESG controversies (examples of which may relate to the environment, customers, human rights and community, labor rights and supply chain, and governance) are other considerations.

 

2


The ESG evaluation process with respect to corporate issuers is conducted on an industry-specific basis and involves the identification of key performance indicators, which are given more or less relative weight compared to the broader range of potential assessment categories. When ESG concerns exist, the evaluation process gives careful consideration to how companies address the risks and opportunities they face in the context of their sector or industry and relative to their peers. The Fund will not generally invest in companies significantly involved in certain business activities including, but not limited to, the production of alcohol, tobacco, military weapons, firearms, nuclear power, thermal coal, and gambling products and services.

The ESG evaluation process with respect to government issuers favors issuers with leadership in ESG performance relative to all peers alongside a competitive financial return. Typically, environmental assessment categories include the issuer’s ability to protect, harness, and supplement its natural resources, and to manage environmental vulnerabilities and externalities. Social assessment categories include the issuer’s ability to develop a healthy, productive, and stable workforce and knowledge capital, and to create a supportive economic environment. Governance assessment categories include the issuer’s institutional capacity to support long-term stability and well-functioning financial, judicial, and political systems, and capacity to address environmental and social risks. The government ESG evaluation process is conducted on a global basis and reflects how an issuer’s exposure to and management of ESG risk factors may affect the long-term sustainability of its economy.

Other considerations and investments

While the Fund will invest in issuers that meet the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria, it is not required to invest in every issuer that meets these criteria. In addition, if an issuer meets certain ESG criteria but does not satisfy all ESG assessment categories it may not automatically be eliminated as an eligible investment. The Impact Criteria, the ESG criteria and the resulting universe of eligible investments may be changed without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Nuveen Asset Management seeks to ensure that the Fund’s investments are consistent with its Impact Criteria and/or ESG criteria, but it cannot guarantee that this will always be the case for every Fund investment. Consistent with its responsibilities, Nuveen Asset Management has the right to change the ESG vendor(s) at any time and to add to the number of vendors providing the universe of eligible companies. Investing on the basis of Impact Criteria or ESG criteria is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there can be no assurance that the Impact Criteria utilized by Nuveen, the ESG criteria utilized by the Fund’s ESG vendor(s), or any judgment exercised by Nuveen Asset Management will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor.

The Fund’s investments will include investment grade and below investment grade investments. Below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”) generally provide high income in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the failure to make required interest or principal payments.

The Fund may also invest in certain asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and other securities that represent interests in assets such as pools of mortgage loans, automobile loans or credit card receivables. These securities are typically issued by legal entities established specifically to hold assets and to issue debt obligations backed by those assets. Asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities are normally created or “sponsored” by banks or other institutions or by certain government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The Fund does not take into consideration whether the sponsor of an asset-backed security in which it invests meets the Impact Criteria or the ESG criteria. That is because asset-backed securities represent interests in pools of loans, and not of the ongoing business enterprise of the sponsor. It is

 

3


therefore possible that the Fund could invest in an asset-backed or mortgage-backed security sponsored by a bank or other financial institution in which the Fund could not invest directly. However, the investments underlying an asset-backed or mortgage-backed security will generally meet or exceed the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

The Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria will apply to the Fund’s investment exposure through derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the Fund’s fixed-income investments. However, neither the Impact Criteria nor Nuveen’s ESG criteria will apply to the Fund’s investments in derivatives used for hedging purposes.

 

The Fund is not restricted from investing in any investments issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund considers investments in these investments to be consistent with its investment and social objectives.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s strategies will be successful.

PORTFOLIO CONTENTS

The Fund generally invests in a portfolio of fixed-income investments of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, preferred securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds, senior loans and loan participations and assignments, sovereign debt instruments, debt securities issued by supranational agencies, and U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities).

Fixed-income investments

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

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

Sovereign and Supranational Securities. Sovereign securities are issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments or their agencies, authorities, political subdivisions or instrumentalities, and supranational agencies. A supranational agency is a multinational union or association in which member countries cede authority and sovereignty on a limited number of matters to the group, whose decisions are binding upon its members. Quasi-sovereign securities typically are issued by companies or agencies that may receive financial support or backing from a local government or in which the government owns a majority of the issuer’s voting shares.

 

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The ability of a foreign sovereign issuer, especially in an emerging market country, to make timely and ultimate payments on its debt obligations will be strongly influenced by the sovereign issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations of interest rate and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its export in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. If a sovereign issuer cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multinational organizations. There may be no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the U.S. by which defaulted interest may be collected.

 

Municipal Bonds. The Fund may invest in taxable and tax-exempt municipal securities, including municipal bonds, and notes and other securities issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal bonds may also be issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities or projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal bonds may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenue. Municipal bonds may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt.

Asset-Backed Securities (“ABS”). ABS are securities that are primarily serviced by the cash flows of a discrete pool of receivables or other financial assets, either fixed or revolving, that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period. Asset-backed securitization is a financing technique in which financial assets, in many cases themselves less liquid, are pooled and converted into instruments that may be offered and sold in the capital markets. In a basic securitization structure, an entity, often a financial institution, originates or otherwise acquires a pool of financial assets, either directly or through an affiliate. It then sells the financial assets, again either directly or through an affiliate, to a specially created investment vehicle that issues securities “backed” or supported by those financial assets, which securities are ABS. Payment on the ABS depends primarily on the cash flows generated by the assets in the underlying pool and other rights designed to assure timely payment, such as liquidity facilities, guarantees or other features generally known as credit enhancements.

U.S. Government Obligations. Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities include obligations that are supported by: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (e.g., direct pass-through certificates of the Government National Mortgage Association); (b) the limited authority of the issuer or guarantor to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks); or (c) only the credit of the issuer or guarantor (e.g., obligations of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation). In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation is principally responsible for ultimate repayment.

Mortgage-Backed Securities, including Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. A mortgage-backed security (“MBS”) is a type of pass-through security, which is a security representing pooled debt obligations repackaged as interests that pass income through an intermediary to investors. In the case of mortgage-backed securities, the ownership interest is in a pool of mortgage loans. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) are backed by a pool of mortgages on commercial property.

 

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Preferred Securities. Traditional preferred securities are generally equity securities of the issuer that have priority over the issuer’s common shares as to the payment of dividends (i.e., the issuer cannot pay dividends on its common shares until the dividends on the preferred shares are current) and as to the payout of proceeds of a bankruptcy or other liquidation, but are subordinate to an issuer’s senior debt and junior debt as to both types of payments. Additionally, in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, traditional preferred securities are generally subordinate to an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations. Traditional preferred securities may be perpetual or have a term, and typically have a fixed liquidation (or “par”) value.

The term “preferred securities” also includes certain hybrid securities and other types of preferred securities that do not have the traditional features described above. Preferred securities that are hybrid securities often behave similarly to investments in traditional preferred securities and are regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Such hybrid securities possess varying combinations of features of both debt and traditional preferred securities and as such they may constitute senior debt, junior debt or preferred shares in an issuer’s capital structure. Thus, they may not be subordinate to a company’s debt securities (as are traditional preferred securities).

Loans. The Fund may invest in loans, including senior secured loans, unsecured and/or subordinated loans, loan participations, unfunded contracts and assignments. These loans are typically made by or issued to corporations primarily to finance acquisitions, refinance existing debt, support organic growth, or pay out dividends, and are typically originated by large banks and are then syndicated out to institutional investors as well as to other banks. Loans typically bear interest at a floating rate, although some loans pay a fixed rate. Floating rate loans have interest rates that reset periodically, typically monthly or quarterly. The interest rates on floating rate loans are generally based on a percentage above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), a U.S. bank’s prime or base rate, the overnight federal funds rate or another rate. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, unsecured and/or subordinated loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior bank loans of the same borrower. Loan participations are loans that are shared by a group of lenders. Unfunded commitments are contractual obligations by lenders (such as the Fund) to loan an amount in the future or that is due to be contractually funded in the future. Assignments may be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

Loans may have restrictive covenants limiting the ability of a borrower to further encumber its assets. The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the borrower, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and other factors. Such restrictive covenants normally allow for early intervention and proactive mitigation of credit risk by providing lenders with the ability to (1) intervene and either prevent or restrict actions that may potentially compromise the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and/or (2) obtain concessions from the borrower in exchange for waiving or amending a particular covenant. Loans with fewer or weaker restrictive covenants may limit the Fund’s ability to intervene or obtain additional concessions from borrowers.

Other investments

 

The Fund’s portfolio may contain restricted and illiquid investments (i.e., investments that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted investments (investments the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), investments that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements. Restricted investments may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act.

 

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The Fund may also invest directly in Regulation S securities that are freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The Fund may invest in securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), that invest primarily in the types of investments in which the Fund may invest directly.

The Fund may invest without limitation in credit default swaps, and may enter into credit default swaps as either a buyer or a seller. The credit default swaps in which the Fund may invest include credit default swap indices (“CDX”) and those in which the underlying reference instrument is the debt obligation of a single reference issuer (“single-name CDS”). A CDX is a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. Certain CDX instruments are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swaps or CDX transactions. Unlike other types of credit default swaps, single-name CDS do not have the benefit of diversification across many issuers.

In addition to credit default swaps, the Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objective. Such instruments include financial futures contracts and options thereon, forward contracts, swaps (with varying terms, including interest rate swaps), options on swaps and other fixed-income derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments, to limit exposure to losses due to changes to foreign currency exchange rates or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.”

The Fund may also invest in other types of investments and debt instruments described in this prospectus and the SAI. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information” for additional information on the types of investments in which the Fund may invest.

INVESTMENT POLICIES

Under normal circumstances:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria;

 

   

The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in below investment grade investments (investments rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality);

 

   

The Fund may invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in investments rated CCC/Caa or lower at the time of investment (or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality), including defaulted investments;

 

   

The Fund may invest without limitation in investments of foreign issuers, with no more than 30% of its Managed Assets in investments of foreign issuers that are located in emerging market countries; and

 

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The Fund may invest without limitation in restricted and illiquid investments (including investments that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A securities”)).

The foregoing policies apply only at the time of any new investment. The Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria, may not be changed without 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

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

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”) may vary over time. Below investment grade investments are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends, and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. These investments generally provide higher income than investment grade investments in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the issuer’s failure to make required interest, dividend or principal payments on the investments. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, an investment’s rating is determined using the middle rating of Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business (“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P”) and Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”), if all three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) rate the investment. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If an investment is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management is used. Investment rating limitations are considered to apply only at the time of investment and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of investments.

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

For purposes of the limitations on emerging market debt investments, the Fund will classify an issuer based on the issuer’s country of origin, generally as determined by an unaffiliated, recognized financial data provider. An issuer’s country of origin is based on a number of criteria, such as the issuer’s country of domicile or country in which the issuer conducts its primary operations, the primary exchange on which its investments trade, the location from which the majority of the issuer’s revenue comes, and the issuer’s reporting currency. The term “emerging market” describes any country or market that is generally considered to be emerging or developing by major organizations in the international financial community, such as the International Finance Corporation, or by financial industry analysts like MSCI, Inc., which compiles the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which compiles several fixed-income emerging markets benchmarks; or other countries or markets with similar emerging characteristics. Emerging markets can include every nation in the world except the United States,

 

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Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most nations located in Western Europe. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fixed-income portfolio management team generally views Israel as an emerging market.

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. by investing in Core Plus Impact Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund, which will invest primarily in Regulation S securities. The Subsidiary is advised by Nuveen Asset Management, which complies with the provisions of Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”) relating to investment advisory contracts as an investment adviser to the Fund under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Subsidiary may also hold cash and invest in other instruments, including fixed-income investments, that are not Regulation S securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s Regulation S positions. The Fund and the Subsidiary each complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act regarding capital structure. In addition, the Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Section 17 of the 1940 Act relating to affiliated transactions and custody of portfolio investments. The Fund’s custodian also serves as the custodian to the Subsidiary.

See “The Fund’s Investments—Investment Objective” and “—Investment Policies.”

During temporary defensive periods, the period in which the net proceeds of this offering of Common Shares are first being invested (the “invest-up period”), the “wind-up” period (the approximately six month period during which the Fund is transitioning its portfolio as the Fund’s termination approaches) or the period in which the Fund’s assets are being liquidated in anticipation of the Fund’s termination, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objective. During such periods, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities, or may invest in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. During the invest-up period, the Fund may also purchase securities issued by ETFs that invest primarily in investments of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. Any such investments in ETFs will be in compliance with the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, the rules promulgated thereunder, or pursuant to any exemptive relief obtained thereunder. There can be no assurance that such techniques will be successful. Accordingly, during such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. For a more complete discussion of the Fund’s portfolio composition, see “The Fund’s Investments.”

LIMITED TERM; ELIGIBLE TENDER OFFER

 

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust, as amended (the “Declaration of Trust”) provides that the Fund will have a limited period of existence and will terminate as of the close of business on the first business day of the month that follows the twelfth anniversary of the effective date of the initial registration statement of the Fund, which is currently anticipated to be May 2, 2033 (the “Stated Termination Date”); provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board of Trustees”) may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, by vote of a majority of the then Board of Trustees with notice to the shareholders, extend the Fund’s term for up to two one year periods (in the event that the term of the Fund has been so extended, the termination date shall be referred to as the “Extended Termination Date” and the later of the Stated Termination Date and the Extended Termination Date is referred to as the “Termination Date”); furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees may determine to cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer (as defined below). If the Eligible Tender Offer is completed, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, by vote of a majority of the then Board of Trustees, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time, subject to the terms and conditions described below. If an Eligible Tender Offer is not conducted, the Fund will, no later than the Termination Date, cease

 

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investment operations, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, liquidate its investment portfolio (to the extent possible) and, on or after the Termination Date, the Fund will distribute all of its liquidated net assets to Common Shareholders of record in one or more distributions.

Eligible tender offer

The Declaration of Trust provides that an eligible tender offer (an “Eligible Tender Offer”) is a tender offer by the Fund to all holders of outstanding Common Shares as of a date within the 18 months preceding the Termination Date. If the tender offer is completed, Common Shareholders who properly tender Common Shares in the Eligible Tender Offer will receive a purchase price equal to the NAV per share on the expiration date of the Eligible Tender Offer. In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all outstanding Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder. At the time of the Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Trustees will determine the minimum net assets the Fund must retain following the Eligible Tender Offer to ensure the Fund’s continued viability (the “Termination Threshold”). The Termination Threshold will be based on prevailing market conditions at the time of the Eligible Tender Offer.

If the repurchase of all Common Shares properly tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, the Fund will purchase all Common Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer and following the completion of such Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Limited Term and Tender Offer Risks.” In making this decision, the Board of Trustees will take such actions with respect to the Fund’s continued operations as it deems to be in the best interests of the Fund, based on market conditions at such time, the extent of Common Shareholder participation in the Eligible Tender Offer and all other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Trustees in consultation with Nuveen Fund Advisors, taking into account that Nuveen Fund Advisors may have a potential conflict of interest in seeking to convert the Fund to a fund with a continued existence without limitation of time.

If the number of properly tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold if the Eligible Tender Offer were consummated, the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer and the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its investment portfolio and proceed to terminate on the Termination Date.

Any Eligible Tender Offer would be made, and Common Shareholders would be notified thereof, in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the applicable tender offer rules thereunder (including Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E under the 1934 Act).

Termination, liquidation

Unless the Fund’s existence is continued without limitation of time, as described under “—Eligible Tender Offer” above, no later than the Termination Date, the Fund will cease investment operations, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, liquidate its investment portfolio (to the extent possible) and, on or after the Termination Date, the Fund will distribute all of its liquidated net assets to Common Shareholders of record in one or more distributions. In determining whether to extend the Fund’s term, the Board of Trustees may consider a number of factors, including, without limitation, whether the Fund would be unable to sell its assets at favorable prices in a time frame consistent with the Termination Date

 

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due to lack of market liquidity or other adverse market conditions, or whether market conditions are such that it is reasonable to believe that, with an extension, the Fund’s remaining assets would appreciate and generate income in an amount that, in the aggregate, is meaningful relative to the cost and expense of continuing the Fund’s operations.

Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage the Fund’s investment portfolio consistent with the Fund’s obligation to cease operations on the Termination Date. To that end, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management intend to seek investments that they reasonably expect can be sold or otherwise exited at favorable prices on or before the Termination Date. However, there is no assurance that a market or other exit strategy will be available for the Fund’s less liquid investments. As the Termination Date approaches, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management expect to seek to liquidate the Fund’s less liquid investments. As a result, based on prevailing market conditions, available investment opportunities and other factors, the Fund may invest the proceeds from the sale of such investments in money market mutual funds, cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies, high quality short-term money market instruments, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid debt securities. As a result, as the Termination Date approaches, the Fund’s monthly cash distributions may decline, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or that its investment strategies will be successful.

Depending on a variety of factors, including the performance of the Fund’s investment portfolio over the period of its operations, the amount distributed to Common Shareholders in connection with its termination or paid to participating Common Shareholders upon completion of an Eligible Tender Offer may be less, and potentially significantly less, than such Common Shareholders’ original investment. The Fund’s final distribution to Common Shareholders on the Termination Date and the amount paid to participating Common Shareholders upon completion of an Eligible Tender Offer will be based upon the Fund’s NAV at such time, and initial investors and any investors that purchase Common Shares after the completion of this offering may receive less, and potentially significantly less, than their original investment.

Because the Fund’s assets will be liquidated in connection with its termination or to pay for Common Shares tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio investments when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund will make a distribution on the Termination Date of all cash raised from the liquidation of its assets prior to that time. However, given the nature of certain of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be unable to liquidate certain of its investments until the Termination Date. In this case, the Fund may make one or more additional distributions after the Termination Date of any cash received from the ultimate liquidation of those investments. This would delay distribution payments, perhaps for an extended period of time, and there can be no assurance that the total value of the cash distribution made on the Termination Date and such subsequent distributions, if any, will equal the Fund’s NAV on the Termination Date, depending on the ultimate results of such post-Termination Date asset liquidations. If, as a result of lack of market liquidity or other adverse market conditions, the Board of Trustees determines it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Fund may transfer any portfolio investments that remain unsold on the Termination Date to a liquidating trust and distribute interests in such liquidating trust to Common Shareholders as part of the Fund’s final distribution. Interests in the liquidating trust are expected to be nontransferable, except by operation of law. The liquidating trust will seek to liquidate such remaining investments for the benefit of the Common Shareholders as soon as practicable following the Termination Date. However, there can be no assurance as to the timing of or the value obtained from such liquidation. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Limited Term and Tender Offer Risks.”

 

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LEVERAGE

The Fund anticipates using leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may source leverage initially and throughout the life of the Fund through a number of methods including through borrowings, issuing preferred shares of beneficial interest (“Preferred Shares”), the issuance of debt securities, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and investing in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Fund’s investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate certificates. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives that may have the economic effect of leverage. The sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions. See “Leverage,” “ Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk,” and “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.” The Fund anticipates using such leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, if current market conditions persist. The Fund may employ leverage through the issuance of Preferred Shares within 12 months after the completion of this offering, but may do so only if the Board of Trustees determines it to be in the best interests of Common Shareholders.

In pursuit of its investment objective, the Fund has the ability to reduce or increase the amount and type of leverage based upon changes in market conditions, composition of the Fund’s holdings and remaining time until the Fund’s Termination Date. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used and variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings. So long as the net rate of income received on the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense on any leverage, the investment of leverage proceeds will generate more net income than if the Fund had not used leverage. If so, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the rate of net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with leverage is less than the then current expense on outstanding leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make expense payments on outstanding leverage, which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

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

 

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

The use of leverage creates additional risks for Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Fund’s NAV, net income and distributions in relation to market changes. See “Leverage” and “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Leverage Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The Fund will pay monthly distributions stated in terms of a fixed number of cents per Common Share. The Fund’s distributions will be composed of net investment income and supplemental amounts generally representing realized capital gains and/or a return of capital. The return of capital component of a Fund distribution may (but will not necessarily) represent unrealized capital gains. A return of capital is a non-taxable distribution of a portion of the Fund’s capital. When the Fund returns (including unrealized capital appreciation) exceed distributions, return of capital may represent portfolio gains earned, but not realized as a taxable capital gain. In periods when the Fund returns fall short of distributions, a return of capital will represent a portion of a shareholder’s original principal. Such shortfall may be offset during other time periods over the life of their investment (previous or subsequent) when the Fund’s total return exceeds distributions. A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis (but not below zero) in Fund shares, which would result in more taxable gain or less taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. Monthly distributions, including such supplemental amounts, represent the potential for capital appreciation and are sometimes referred to as “managed distributions.” The Fund’s managed distribution policy is pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, which permits the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once per year. The Fund will seek to establish a Common Share distribution rate that roughly corresponds to Nuveen Fund Advisors’ projections of the total return that could reasonably be expected to be generated by the Fund’s Common Shares over an extended period of time, although the distribution rate will not be solely dependent on the amount of income earned or capital gains realized. Nuveen Fund Advisors, in making such projections, may consider long-term historical returns of the types of investments in the portfolio, current and expected portfolio composition, current market sentiment, and a variety of other factors. Distributions can only be made after paying any interest and required principal payments on borrowings, if any, and any accrued dividends to preferred shareholders, if any. The Fund expects to declare its initial Common Share distribution within approximately 30 days following the completion of this offering.

If, for any monthly distribution, net investment income and net realized capital gains were less than the amount of the distribution, the difference would be distributed from the Fund’s assets. In order to raise cash for such distributions, the Fund expects to sell portfolio investments. Such portfolio sales may occur at a time when independent investment judgment might not otherwise have dictated such action. The Fund may make additional distributions, or include within the Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year, amounts representing any remaining net investment income and net realized capital gains not distributed during the year. See “Distributions” for additional information.

The Fund’s actual financial performance will likely vary significantly from month-to-month and from year-to-year, and there may be extended periods when the distribution rate will exceed the Fund’s actual total returns. The Fund’s projected or actual distribution rate is not a prediction of what the Fund’s actual total returns will be over any specific future period.

As portfolio and market conditions change, the portion of the Fund’s distributions composed of net investment income, realized capital gain and return of capital will vary. The Fund may also change the rate of distributions on the Common Shares and the Fund’s distribution policy in response to changes in

 

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portfolio and market conditions. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Trust is net income or profit. To the extent that the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy exceeds the distribution rate for an extended period, the Fund may be in a position either to increase the distribution rate or to distribute supplemental amounts to shareholders, or both. Conversely, if the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy is less than the distribution rate for an extended period of time, the Fund will effectively be drawing upon its assets to meet payments prescribed by its distribution policy. Similarly, for tax purposes such distributions by the Fund may consist in part of a return of capital to Common Shareholders. The exact tax characteristics of the Fund’s Common Share distributions will not be known until after the Fund’s fiscal year-end. Common Shareholders should not confuse a return of capital distribution with “dividend yield” or “total return.” At the same time that it pays a monthly distribution, the Fund will post on its website (www.nuveen.com/cef), and make available in written form to holders of its Common Shares, a notice of the estimated sources and tax characteristics of the Fund’s distributions (i.e., what percentage of the distributions is estimated to constitute ordinary income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains, and/or a non-taxable return of capital) on a year-to-date basis, in compliance with a federal securities law requirement that any fund paying a distribution from sources other than net investment income disclose to shareholders the respective portion attributable to such other sources. These estimates may be based on certain assumptions about the Fund’s expected investment returns and the realization of net gains, if any, over the remaining course of the year. These estimates may, and likely will, vary over time based on the activities of the Fund and changes in the value of portfolio investments. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions will be made after December 31 in each year, and reported to Common Shareholders on Form 1099-DIV early the following year.

As explained more fully below in “Tax Matters,” the Fund intends to distribute to Common Shareholders any net capital gain (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for each taxable year through its managed distributions or, alternatively, to retain all or a portion of the year’s net capital gain and pay U.S. federal income tax on the retained gain. Each Common Shareholder of record as of the end of the Fund’s taxable year will include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of any retained gain (provided that the Fund designates such retained gain for inclusion by such Common Shareholder), will be deemed to have paid their proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund on such retained gain, and will be entitled to an income tax credit or refund for that share of the tax. The Fund may treat any retained capital gain amount as a substitute for equivalent cash distributions. In addition, the Fund may make total Common Share distributions during a given calendar year in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s net investment income and net realized long-term capital gains for that calendar year, in which case the excess will generally be treated by Common Shareholders as return of capital for tax purposes. A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax basis (but not below zero), which would result in more taxable gain or less taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. This may cause the shareholder to pay taxes even if he or she sells shares for less than the original price.

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

AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT

Distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan unless a Common Shareholder elects to receive cash. See “Distributions,” “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “Tax Matters.”

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUBADVISER

Investment adviser

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

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

Subadviser

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

Management fees

The Fund will pay Nuveen Fund Advisors an annual management fee, payable monthly in arrears, in a maximum amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. This maximum fee is equal to the sum of two components—a “fund-level fee,” based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a “complex-level fee,” based upon the aggregate amount of all eligible assets of all Nuveen Funds (as described in “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements—Complex-Level Fee”). The fund-level fee is a maximum of 0.8000% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, with lower fees for assets that exceed $500 million. The complex-level fee begins at a maximum of 0.2000% of average daily Managed Assets, based upon complex-wide eligible assets of $55 billion, with lower fees for eligible assets above that level. For more information, see “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements.” Based on eligible assets as of December 31, 2020, the complex-level fee would be 0.1557% of Managed Assets, and the total fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors would be 0.9557% of Managed Assets (assuming Managed Assets of $500 million or less).

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

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

 

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LISTING

The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). See “Description of Shares and Debt—Common Shares.” The trading or “ticker” symbol of the Common Shares is “NPCT.”

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

State Street Bank and Trust Company will serve as the Fund’s custodian, and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (collectively, “Computershare”) will serve as the Fund’s transfer agent. See “Custodian and Transfer Agent.”

SPECIAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS

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

Portfolio level risks

 

Impact Criteria and ESG Criteria Investing Risk. Because the Impact Criteria and/or Nuveen’s ESG investment criteria may exclude investments of certain issuers for non-financial reasons, the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use these criteria. This may cause the Fund to underperform the market as a whole or other funds that do not use an Impact Criteria or ESG investment strategy or that use a different methodology or different factors to determine an investment’s impact and/or ESG investment criteria. In addition, there is a risk that the companies identified by the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG investment criteria do not operate as expected when addressing social and environmental impact and ESG issues. A company’s social and environmental impact and ESG performance or Nuveen Asset Management’s assessment of a company’s social and environmental impact and ESG performance could vary over time, which could cause the Fund to be temporarily invested in companies that do not comply with the Fund’s approach towards considering Impact Criteria or ESG investment criteria. There are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to have positive Impact Criteria or ESG investment criteria. While Nuveen Asset Management believes its evaluation of Impact Criteria and/or ESG investment criteria is reasonable, the portfolio decisions it makes may differ with other investors’ or advisers’ views. In making investment decisions, Nuveen Asset Management relies on information and data that could be incomplete or erroneous, which could cause Nuveen Asset Management to incorrectly assess a company’s Impact Criteria and/or ESG investment criteria. The third-party data providers may differ in the data they provide for a given investment or between industries, or may only take into account one of many ESG-related components of a company. Accordingly, the information used by Nuveen Asset Management to evaluate the ESG criteria of the Fund’s investments may not be complete or accurate, and may vary across providers and issuers, as ESG is not a uniformly defined characteristic. Furthermore, data availability and reporting with respect to Impact Criteria or the ESG investment criteria may not always be available or may become unreliable.

Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and depends heavily on Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund could experience losses if these judgments prove to be incorrect. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may adversely affect management of the Fund and, therefore, the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

 

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

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

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

Unrated Investments Risk. The Fund may purchase investments that are not rated by any rating organization. Unrated investments determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality to rated investments which the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated investments and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information is typically available about unrated investments or issuers than rated investments or issuers.

Nuveen Asset Management may, after assessing such investments’ credit quality, internally assign ratings to certain of those investments in categories similar to those of rating organizations. Some unrated investments may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated investments, the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective will be more dependent on Nuveen Asset Management’s credit analysis than would be the case when the Fund invests in rated securities.

 

Restricted and Illiquid Investments Risk. Illiquid investments are investments that are not readily marketable. These investments may include restricted investments, including Rule 144A securities, which can not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s NAV and ability to make dividend distributions. The financial markets in general have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some investments could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time.

 

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CMBS and MBS Risk. CMBS and MBS, including collateralized debt obligations and collateralized mortgage obligations, differ from conventional debt securities because principal is paid back over the life of the security rather than at maturity. CMBS and MBS are subject to prepayment or call risk, which is the risk that a borrower’s payments may be received earlier than expected due to changes in prepayment rates on underlying loans. Faster prepayments often happen when interest rates are falling. As a result, the Fund may reinvest these early payments at lower interest rates, thereby reducing the Fund’s income. CMBS and MBS also are subject to extension risk. An unexpected rise in interest rates could reduce the rate of prepayments and extend the life of the CMBS and MBS, causing the price of the CMBS and MBS and the Fund’s share price to fall and would make the CMBS and MBS more sensitive to interest rate changes. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool will adversely affect the value of CMBS and MBS and will result in losses to the Fund. Privately issued mortgage-related securities are not subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-related securities that have government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics.

ABS Risk. ABS involve certain risks in addition to those presented by MBS. There is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities. Relative to MBS, ABS may provide the Fund with a less effective security interest in the underlying collateral and are more dependent on the borrower’s ability to pay. If many borrowers on the underlying loans default, losses could exceed the credit enhancement level and result in losses to investors in an ABS transaction. Finally, ABS have structure risk due to a unique characteristic known as early amortization, or early payout, risk. Built into the structure of most ABS are triggers for early payout, designed to protect investors from losses. These triggers are unique to each transaction and can include a significant rise in defaults on the underlying loans, a sharp drop in the credit enhancement level or the bankruptcy of the originator. Once early amortization begins, all incoming loan payments (after expenses are paid) are used to pay investors as quickly as possible based upon a predetermined priority of payment. As a result, proceeds that would otherwise be distributed to holders of a junior tranche may be diverted to pay down more senior tranches.

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

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

 

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Foreign/Emerging Markets Issuer Risk. Investments in foreign issuers involve special risks not presented by investments in U.S. issuers, including the following: (i) less publicly available information about foreign issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) many foreign markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile; (iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund’s investments; (iv) the economies of foreign countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; (vi) possible seizure of a company’s assets; (vii) restrictions imposed by foreign countries limiting the ability of foreign issuers to make payments of principal and/or interest due to blockages of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise and (viii) withholding and other foreign taxes may decrease the Fund’s return. These risks are more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests in issuers in emerging market countries.

Sovereign Government and Supranational Debt Risk. Investments in sovereign debt, including supranational debt, involves special risks. Foreign governmental issuers of debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or pay interest when due. In the event of default, there may be limited or no legal recourse in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity’s willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, are of considerable significance. The ability of a foreign sovereign issuer, especially an emerging market country, to make timely payments on its debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the sovereign issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credit facilities and investments, fluctuations of interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. If a sovereign issuer cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks, and multinational organizations. The cost of servicing external debt will also generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates, as many external debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international interest rates. Foreign investment in certain sovereign debt is restricted or controlled to varying degrees, including requiring governmental approval for the repatriation of income, capital or proceeds of sales by foreign investors. There are no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the U.S. by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected.

Foreign Currency Risk. Because the Fund may invest in investments denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of investments held by the Fund and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Currencies of certain countries may be volatile and therefore may affect the value of investments denominated in such currencies, which means that the Fund’s NAV could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. In addition, certain countries, particularly emerging market countries, may impose foreign currency exchange controls or other restrictions on the transferability, repatriation or convertibility of currency.

 

U.S. Government Securities Risk. U.S. government securities are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and the payment of principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if it is not obligated by law to do so.

 

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Loan Risk. The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in the event of the need to sell a loan and may make it difficult to value such loans. Portfolio transactions in loans may settle in as short as seven days but typically can take up to two or three weeks, and in some cases much longer. As a result of these extended settlement periods, the Fund may incur losses if it is required to sell other investments or temporarily borrow to meet its cash needs, including satisfying redemption requests. The risks associated with unsecured loans, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral, are higher than those for comparable loans that are secured by specific collateral. For secured loans, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions such as corporate acquisitions may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Loans may have restrictive covenants limiting the ability of a borrower to further encumber its assets. However, in periods of high demand by lenders like the Fund for loan investments, borrowers may limit these covenants and weaken a lender’s ability to access collateral securing the loan; reprice the credit risk associated with the borrower; and mitigate potential loss. The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expenses in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants. Additionally, loans may not be considered “securities” and, as a result, the Fund may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the securities laws. Because junior loans have a lower place in an issuer’s capital structure and may be unsecured, junior loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior loans of the issuer. The Fund’s investments in floating rate loans that pay interest based on LIBOR may experience increased volatility and/or illiquidity during the transition away from LIBOR, which is scheduled to be phased out by the end of 2021.

Senior Loan Risk. Senior loans hold the highest priority in the capital structure of a business entity, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the issuer that is senior to that held by subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the issuer. Senior loans that the Fund intends to invest in are usually rated below investment grade, and share the same risks of other below investment grade debt instruments.

Although the Fund may invest in senior loans that are secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance the liquidation of such collateral would satisfy an issuer’s obligation to the Fund in the event of issuer default or that such collateral could be readily liquidated under such circumstances. If the terms of a senior loan do not require the issuer to pledge additional collateral in the event of a decline in the value of the already pledged collateral, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of the collateral will not at all times equal or exceed the amount of the issuer’s obligations under the senior loan.

In the event of the bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could also experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a senior loan. Some senior loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the senior loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the issuer or take other action detrimental to lenders, including the Fund. Such court action could under certain circumstances include invalidation of senior loans.

Issuer Credit Risk. Issuers of investments in which the Fund may invest may default, or may be in default at the time of purchase, on their obligations to pay, principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt security experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. With respect to the Fund’s investments that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuer’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled dividend, interest or principal or that

 

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such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing an investment. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to an investment in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such investment may be adversely affected.

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

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

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

Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Share’s market price, NAV and/or overall returns. As the average effective maturity of the Fund’s portfolio shortens, the Fund will reinvest in shorter maturity securities at market interest rates that may be lower than at the Fund’s inception. As a result, the Fund’s income and distributions may decline over the term of the Fund. The likelihood of this risk may increase as the Fund approaches its Termination Date.

 

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

 

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

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

The Fund’s investment in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage, which will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund. Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be “called away” on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Share may be greater for a fund (like the Fund) that relies primarily on inverse floating rate securities to achieve a desired leverage ratio. The Fund may be required to sell its inverse floating rate securities at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

Regulation S Securities Risk. The risk that Regulation S securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Regulation S securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable to publicly traded securities. As a result, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in losses. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Subsidiary Risk.”

 

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Bond Market Liquidity Risk. Inventories of bonds held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell bonds, and increase bond price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. In addition, recent changes to federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of bonds, which may further decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell bonds. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds’ prices and hurt performance.

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

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

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

The risks associated with derivatives transactions include (i) the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, (ii) the possible default of the counterparty to the transaction, (iii) illiquidity of the derivative instruments, and (iv) high volatility losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. In addition, as the protection seller in

 

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

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

The Fund may enter into various types of derivatives transactions, including financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate, total return and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts and other derivative instruments consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio investments transactions. In addition, the use of derivatives requires an understanding by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management of not only the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the derivative itself. The derivatives market is subject to a changing regulatory environment. It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the derivatives market, including the SEC’s recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to successfully use derivative instruments. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Derivatives Risk,” “—Counterparty Risk,” “—Hedging Risk,” and the SAI.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Tax Risk. The value of the Fund’s investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and rules. For example, although the Fund does not anticipate satisfying the requirements to enable it to pay tax-exempt dividends to shareholders, because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to U.S. regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in U.S. federal income tax rates or changes in the tax exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Additionally, the Fund is not a

 

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suitable investment for investors seeking primarily tax free income since, as just described, the Fund does not anticipate satisfying the requirements to enable it to pay tax-exempt dividends to shareholders. Also, the Fund’s portfolio turnover is expected to be higher than that of a traditional municipal bond fund and the Fund therefore expects that a greater percentage of each distribution will be capital gains with investors being subject to tax on such distributed gain (depending on the investor’s situation). As a result, the level of taxable distributions currently anticipated by the Fund could be significant for Common Shareholders. Distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and generally not expected to be eligible for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Interest income on municipal securities also may be subject to state and local income taxes. See “Tax Matters.”

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

Other Investment Companies Risk. The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including ETFs. Such securities may be leveraged. As a result, the Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities and therefore magnify the Fund’s leverage risk. Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks. An investment in securities of other investment companies that are leveraged may expose the Fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Fund’s long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of the Common Shares) will be diminished. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment companies’ expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations. As a result, the cost of investing in investment company shares may exceed the costs of investing directly in its underlying investments. Investing in an investment company exposes the Fund to all of the risks of that investment company’s investments. An ETF that is based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the index. The value of an ETF based on a specific index is subject to change as the values of its respective component assets fluctuate according to market volatility. ETFs typically rely on a limited pool of authorized participants to create and redeem shares, and an active trading market for ETF shares may not develop or be maintained. The market value of shares of ETFs and closed-end funds may differ from their NAV.

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

Fund level risks

Market Discount from Net Asset Value. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund frequently trade at prices lower than their net asset value (“NAV”), which creates a risk of loss for investors when they sell shares purchased in the initial public offering. This characteristic is a risk

 

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separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV could decrease as a result of investment activities. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for short-term trading purposes.

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

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

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

 

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

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

Limited Term and Tender Offer Risks. The Fund is scheduled to terminate as of the Stated Termination Date. The Fund’s investment objective is not designed to return to Common Shareholders their original NAV or purchase price. Because the assets of the Fund will be liquidated in connection with its termination or to pay for Common Shares tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio investments when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, or at a time when a particular investment is in default or bankruptcy, or otherwise in severe distress, which may cause the Fund to lose money.

 

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If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, and the tender offer is completed, it is anticipated that funds to pay the aggregate purchase price of Common Shares accepted for purchase pursuant to the tender offer will be first derived from any cash on hand and then from the proceeds from the sale of portfolio investments. In addition, the Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio investments in connection with any reduction in its outstanding leverage necessary in order to maintain its desired leverage ratios following an Eligible Tender Offer. The risks related to the disposition of portfolio investments in connection with termination also would be present in connection with the disposition of portfolio investments in connection with an Eligible Tender Offer. It is likely that during the pendency of an Eligible Tender Offer, and possibly for a time thereafter, the Fund will hold a greater than normal percentage of its total assets in money market mutual funds, cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies, high quality, short-term money market instruments, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid debt securities, which may adversely affect the Fund’s investment performance. If the tax basis for the portfolio investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Fund will recognize capital gains, which it may be required to distribute to Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund’s purchase of tendered Common Shares pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have tax consequences for tendering Common Shareholders and may have tax consequences for non-tendering Common Shareholders. The purchase of Common Shares pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Fund of non-tendering Common Shareholders. All Common Shareholders remaining after an Eligible Tender Offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total assets resulting from payment for the tendered Common Shares. Such reduction in the Fund’s total assets also may result in less investment flexibility, reduced diversification and greater volatility for the Fund, and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment performance.

The Fund is not required to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the number of tendered Common Shares would not result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, in which case the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer and the Fund will terminate on the Termination Date. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer in which the number of tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, the Board of Trustees may provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees and without a vote of shareholders. Nuveen Fund Advisors may have a conflict of interest in recommending to the Board of Trustees that the Fund have a continued existence without limitation of time. The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a continued existence without limitation of time. Therefore, remaining Common Shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV, and as a result remaining Common Shareholders may only be able to sell their Common Shares at a discount to NAV. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Market Discount from Net Asset Value.”

The Fund’s final distribution to Common Shareholders upon termination of the Fund will be based upon the Fund’s NAV at the Termination Date. Any investors who purchase Common Shares in this offering, and any investors who purchase Common Shares after the completion of this offering (particularly if their purchase price differs meaningfully from the original offering price) may receive less than their original investment. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of its investments, the Fund may also distribute the proceeds in one or more distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause the Fund’s fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. Depending upon a variety of factors, including the performance of the Fund’s portfolio over the life of the Fund, the amount distributed to Common Shareholders may be significantly less than their original investment.

 

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Because the Fund will invest in below investment grade investments, it may be exposed to the greater potential for an issuer of its investments to default, as compared to a fund that invests solely in investment grade investments. As a result, should a Fund portfolio holding default, this may significantly reduce net investment income and, therefore, Common Share dividends; and may prevent or inhibit the Fund from fully being able to liquidate its portfolio at or prior to the Termination Date. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Below Investment Grade Risk.”

Distribution Risk. The Fund’s distributions will be composed of net investment income and a supplemental amount generally representing the potential for capital appreciation, which will take the form of realized capital gains and/or a return of capital. The return of capital component of a Fund distribution may (but will not necessarily) represent unrealized capital gains. A return of capital is a non-taxable distribution of a portion of the Fund’s capital. If over the life of a shareholder’s investment, the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy is less than the distribution rate, a return of capital will represent a portion of a shareholder’s original principal (in effect a partial return of the amount a shareholder invested in the Fund). A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis (but not below zero) in Fund shares, which could result in more taxable gain or less taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. This may cause the shareholder to pay taxes even if he or she sells shares for less than the original price. The Fund’s distribution policy, rate of distributions on the Common Shares and the portion of distributions composed of net investment income, realized capital gain and return of capital may vary over time. Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of a distribution consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net income or profits when they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a return of capital distribution from the Fund is net income or profit.

Subsidiary Risk. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments in Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Although Regulation S securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized from these sales could be less than the price originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure of other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Accordingly, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by Nuveen Asset Management making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders. The Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Regulation S Securities Risk.”

 

Frequent Trading Risk. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio investments, which may result in the Fund having high portfolio turnover. Effects of frequent trading may include high transaction costs, which may lower the Fund’s return, and realization of greater short-term capital gains, distributions of which are taxable as ordinary income to taxable shareholders.

 

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No Operating History. The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company with no history of operations. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history upon which to base their investment decision.

Other risks

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

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

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

To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Fund may experience negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Fund is subject, including: (1) issuers of fixed

 

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income investments could be materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which may, in turn, negatively affect the value of such investments or such issuers’ ability to make interest payments or distributions to the Fund and result in a decrease in the NAV of the Fund; (2) operational impacts on and availability of key personnel of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, and/or any of the Fund’s other service providers, vendors and counterparties as they face changed circumstances and/or illness related to the pandemic; and (3) limitations on the Fund’s ability to make distributions or dividends, as applicable, to Common Shareholders.

The Fund does not know and cannot predict how long the securities markets may be affected by these events and the effects of these and similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. The Fund may be adversely affected by abrogation of international agreements and national laws which have created the market instruments in which the Fund may invest, failure of the designated national and international authorities to enforce compliance with the same laws and agreements, failure of local, national and international organizations to carry out their duties prescribed to them under the relevant agreements, revisions of these laws and agreements which dilute their effectiveness or conflicting interpretation of provisions of the same laws and agreements.

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

 

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

 

31


changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of investments. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the United States and abroad but there is consensus that interest rates will increase during the life of the Fund, which could negatively impact the price of debt securities. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the United States and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse.

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

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

 

32


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

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

The SEC’s recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, which could affect the nature and extent of derivatives used by the Fund. It is possible that the recently adopted Rule 18f-4 could limit the implementation of the Fund’s use of derivatives, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund.

LIBOR Replacement Risk. The use of the LIBOR will be phased out by the end of 2021. This may adversely affect the Fund’s investments whose value is tied to LIBOR. There remains uncertainty regarding the future use of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement reference rate. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies and markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. The transition process away from LIBOR may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR. The potential effect of a discontinuation of LIBOR on the Fund’s investments will vary depending on, among other things: (1) existing fallback provisions that provide a replacement reference rate if LIBOR is no longer available; (2) termination provisions in individual contracts; and (3) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR until new reference rates and fallbacks are commercially accepted.

Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Declaration of Trust and the Fund’s By-laws (the “By-laws”) include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. Further, the By-laws provide that a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of common shares in a “Control Share Acquisition” shall have the same voting rights as other Common Shares only to the extent authorized by shareholders. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws.”

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

 

33


  

 

 

Summary of Fund expenses

The purpose of the table and example below is to help you understand all fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s first full year of operations and assume that the Fund issues 10,000,000 Common Shares in this offering. The Annual Expenses table below assumes the use of leverage in an aggregate amount equal to 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets (after their use), and shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The Fund’s actual expenses may vary from the estimated expenses shown in the table and, all other things being equal, will increase as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares if the Fund issues less than 10,000,000 Common Shares. See “Management of the Fund.”

 

Common Shareholder Transaction Expenses

  

Sales Load Paid by You (as percentage of offering price)(1)

     None  

Offering Expenses Borne by You (as percentage of offering price)(2)

     None  

Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees (per sale service charge)(3)

   $ 2.50  
     As a Percentage of Net Assets
Attributable to Common Shares
 

Annual Expenses

  

Management Fees(4)

     1.54

Expenses of Leverage(5)

     0.46

Other Expenses(6)

     0.15

Expenses of the Subsidiary(6)

     0.01
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Expenses

     2.16 %
  

 

 

 

 

(1)   Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to pay, from its own assets, (a) compensation of $             per share to the Underwriters in connection with this offering and separately (b) upfront structuring fees to UBS Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. (or an affiliate), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, and may pay certain other qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee or other additional compensation in connection with the offering. See “Underwriting—Additional Compensation to be Paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.”
(2)   Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to (i) reimburse all organizational expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Fund’s offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organizational expenses or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
(3)   You will be charged a $2.50 service charge and pay brokerage charges if you direct Computershare, as agent for the Common Shareholders (the “Plan Agent”), to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account.
(4)   The table above is based on Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares, calculated using the Fund-level management fee schedule (0.8000% of Managed Assets or 1.2308% of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares) and the highest complex-level breakpoint (0.2000% of Managed Assets or 0.3077% of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares). As of December 31, 2020 the complex-level fee was 0.1557% of Managed Assets or 0.2395% of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares. See “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements.”
(5)   Assumes the use of leverage in an amount equal to approximately 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets (after the leverage is incurred), and assumes the cost of leverage is 0.85%.

 

 

 

34


Summary of fund expenses

 

 

(6)   “Other Expenses” and the “Expenses of the Subsidiary” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. Expenses attributable to the Fund’s investments, if any, in other investment companies are currently estimated not to exceed 0.01%. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Other Investment Companies” in the SAI.

EXAMPLE

The following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) total annual expenses of 2.16% of net assets attributable to Common Shares and (2) a 5% annual return. The example assumes that the estimated Total Annual Expenses set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at Common Share NAV. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

1 Year   3 Years     5 Years     10 years  

 

 
$22   $ 68   $ 116   $ 249  

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower.

 

 

 

35


  

 

 

The Fund

The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on December 4, 2020, pursuant to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust (as amended as described below, the “Declaration of Trust”). On December 21, 2020, the Fund filed an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Fund. As a newly organized entity, the Fund has no operating history. The Fund’s principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (800) 257-8787.

Use of proceeds

The net proceeds of this offering of Common Shares will be approximately $                     ($                     if the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full). Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to (i) reimburse all organizational expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Fund’s offering costs. The Fund will invest the net proceeds of this offering in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies (as stated below) as soon as practicable after the completion of this offering. The Fund currently anticipates that it will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in investments that meet the Fund’s investment objective and policies within three months after completion of this offering; however, under certain circumstances, including but not limited to, adverse market conditions, lack of supply and lack of ability to secure the most attractive investment opportunities for investors, the Fund may take up to six months after completion of this offering to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in investments that meet the Fund’s investment objective and policies. During the period in which the net proceeds of this offering are first being invested (the “invest-up period”), the Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities, or may invest in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. During the invest-up period, the Fund may also purchase securities issued by exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest primarily in investments of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. Any such investments in ETFs will be in compliance with the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, the rules promulgated thereunder, or pursuant to any exemptive relief obtained thereunder.

The Fund’s investments

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return through high current income and capital appreciation, while giving special consideration to certain impact and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board of Trustees”) without shareholder approval.

FUND STRATEGIES

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed and will seek to deliver a direct and measurable positive social and environmental impact as well as ESG leadership. In selecting fixed-income investments, Nuveen Asset Management performs its own credit analysis, paying particular attention to economic trends and other market events. Subject to Nuveen’s proprietary public market impact framework criteria (the “Impact Criteria”) and Nuveen’s ESG criteria described below, individual securities will be selected to construct a portfolio consistent with the Fund’s investment objective of total return through high current income and capital appreciation.

 

 

 

36


The Fund’s investments

 

 

In addition, the Fund’s investment in fixed-income investments of any type is subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

Impact Criteria

The fixed-income investments invested according to the Impact Criteria provide direct exposure to issuers and/or individual projects with social or environmental benefits. The portion of the Fund invested in accordance with the Impact Criteria is not required to meet ESG criteria provided by a third party.

The Impact Criteria are designed to identify investments that will generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a competitive financial return. These investments are intended to provide access to the following four social and environmental themes:

 

  (1)   Affordable Housing: Investments that support the financing of low and moderate income housing loans, transit oriented development (i.e., a mix of commercial, residential, office and entertainment centered around or located near a transit station), walkable communities, or mixed-use development projects.

 

  (2)   Community & Economic Development: Investments that support financial services, hospital/ medical services, educational services, community centers, reconstruction activities, urban revitalization, humanitarian, disaster, and international aid services, all of which are inclusive of underserved and/or economically disadvantaged communities.

 

  (3)   Renewable Energy & Climate Change: Investments that finance new or expand existing renewable energy projects (including hydroelectric, solar and wind), smart grid and other projects designed to make power generation and transmission systems more efficient, and other energy efficiency projects which seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

  (4)   Natural Resources: Investments that support land conservation, sustainable forestry and agriculture, remediation and redevelopment of polluted or contaminated sites, sustainable waste management projects, water infrastructure including improvement of clean drinking water supplies and/or sewer systems, and sustainable building projects.

ESG criteria and evaluation process

Nuveen’s ESG criteria are generally implemented based on data provided by independent research vendor(s), including MSCI Inc. The Fund relies upon ESG ratings, controversy scores and controversial business indicators from such vendor(s), and applies internal, proprietary thresholds to those data points to create the pool of eligible portfolio investments. The Fund has the right to change such vendor(s) and to change the number of vendors providing ESG data at any time. In addition, the Fund considers Nuveen’s internal, proprietary ESG ratings as an additional factor in security selection. In those limited cases where independent ESG criteria are not available for certain types of investments or for certain issuers, these investments may nonetheless be eligible for investment by the Fund should they meet certain internal ESG criteria. Substantially all issuers, other than those in which the Fund invests in accordance with the Impact Criteria described above, must meet or exceed minimum ESG performance standards to be eligible for investment by the Fund.

The corporate issuer evaluation process favors companies with leadership in ESG performance relative to their peers. Typically, environmental assessment categories include climate change, natural resource use, waste management and environmental opportunities. Social evaluation categories include human capital, product safety and social opportunities. Governance assessment categories include corporate governance, business ethics and government and public policy. How well companies adhere to international norms and principles and involvement in major ESG controversies (examples of which may relate to the environment, customers, human rights and community, labor rights and supply chain, and governance) are other considerations.

 

 

 

37


The Fund’s investments

 

 

The ESG evaluation process with respect to corporate issuers is conducted on an industry-specific basis and involves the identification of key performance indicators, which are given more or less relative weight compared to the broader range of potential assessment categories. When ESG concerns exist, the evaluation process gives careful consideration to how companies address the risks and opportunities they face in the context of their sector or industry and relative to their peers. The Fund will not generally invest in companies significantly involved in certain business activities including, but not limited to, the production of alcohol, tobacco, military weapons, firearms, nuclear power, thermal coal, and gambling products and services.

The ESG evaluation process with respect to government issuers favors issuers with leadership in ESG performance relative to all peers alongside a competitive financial return. Typically, environmental assessment categories include the issuer’s ability to protect, harness, and supplement its natural resources, and to manage environmental vulnerabilities and externalities. Social assessment categories include the issuer’s ability to develop a healthy, productive, and stable workforce and knowledge capital, and to create a supportive economic environment. Governance assessment categories include the issuer’s institutional capacity to support long-term stability and well-functioning financial, judicial, and political systems, and capacity to address environmental and social risks. The government ESG evaluation process is conducted on a global basis and reflects how an issuer’s exposure to and management of ESG risk factors may affect the long-term sustainability of its economy.

Other considerations and investments

While the Fund will invest in issuers that meet the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria, it is not required to invest in every issuer that meets these criteria. In addition, if an issuer meets certain ESG criteria but does not satisfy all ESG assessment categories it may not automatically be eliminated as an eligible investment. The Impact Criteria, the ESG criteria and the resulting universe of eligible investments may be changed without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

Nuveen Asset Management seeks to ensure that the Fund’s investments are consistent with its Impact Criteria and/or ESG criteria, but it cannot guarantee that this will always be the case for every Fund investment. Consistent with its responsibilities, Nuveen Asset Management has the right to change the ESG vendor(s) at any time and to add to the number of vendors providing the universe of eligible companies. Investing on the basis of Impact Criteria or ESG criteria is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there can be no assurance that the Impact Criteria utilized by Nuveen, the ESG criteria utilized by the Fund’s ESG vendor(s), or any judgment exercised by Nuveen Asset Management will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor.

The Fund’s investments will include investment grade and below investment grade investments. Below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”) generally provide high income in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the failure to make required interest or principal payments.

The Fund may also invest in certain asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and other securities that represent interests in assets such as pools of mortgage loans, automobile loans or credit card receivables. These securities are typically issued by legal entities established specifically to hold assets and to issue debt obligations backed by those assets. Asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities are normally created or “sponsored” by banks or other institutions or by certain government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae” or “FNMA”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”). The Fund does not take into

 

 

 

38


The Fund’s investments

 

 

consideration whether the sponsor of an asset-backed security in which it invests meets the Impact Criteria or the ESG criteria. That is because asset-backed securities represent interests in pools of loans, and not of the ongoing business enterprise of the sponsor. It is therefore possible that the Fund could invest in an asset-backed or mortgage-backed security sponsored by a bank or other financial institution in which the Fund could not invest directly. However, the investments underlying an asset-backed or mortgage-backed security will generally meet or exceed the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

The Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria will apply to the Fund’s investment exposure through derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the Fund’s fixed-income investments. However, neither the Impact Criteria nor Nuveen’s ESG criteria will apply to the Fund’s investments in derivatives used for hedging purposes.

The Fund is not restricted from investing in any investments issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund considers investments in these investments to be consistent with its investment and social objectives.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s strategies will be successful.

PORTFOLIO CONTENTS

The Fund generally invests in a portfolio of fixed-income investments of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, preferred securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds, senior loans and loan participations and assignments, sovereign debt instruments, debt securities issued by supranational agencies, and U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities).

The Fund’s portfolio may contain restricted and illiquid investments (i.e., investments that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted investments (investments the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), investments that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements. Restricted investments may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act.

The Fund may also invest directly in Regulation S securities that are freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The Fund may invest in securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs, that invest primarily in the types of investments in which the Fund may invest directly.

The Fund may invest without limitation in credit default swaps, and may enter into credit default swaps as either a buyer or a seller. The credit default swaps in which the Fund may invest include credit default swap indices (“CDX”) and those in which the underlying reference instrument is the debt obligation of a single reference issuer (“single-name CDS”). A CDX is a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. Certain CDX instruments are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swaps or CDX transactions. Unlike other types of credit default swaps, single-name CDS do not have the benefit of diversification across many issuers.

 

 

 

39


The Fund’s investments

 

 

In addition to credit default swaps, the Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objective. Such instruments include financial futures contracts and options thereon, forward contracts, swaps (with varying terms, including interest rate swaps), options on swaps and other fixed-income derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments, to limit exposure to losses due to changes to foreign currency exchange rates or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.”

The Fund may also invest in other types of investments and debt instruments described in this prospectus and the SAI. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information” for additional information on the types of investments in which the Fund may invest.

INVESTMENT POLICIES

Under normal circumstances:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria;

 

   

The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in below investment grade investments (investments rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality);

 

   

The Fund may invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in investments rated CCC/Caa or lower at the time of investment (or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality), including defaulted investments;

 

   

The Fund may invest without limitation in investments of foreign issuers, with no more than 30% of its Managed Assets in investments of foreign issuers that are located in emerging market countries; and

 

   

The Fund may invest without limitation in restricted and illiquid investments (including Rule 144A investments that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A securities”)).

The foregoing policies apply only at the time of any new investment. The Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria, may not be changed without 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

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

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”) may vary over time. Below investment grade investments are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends, and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. These investments

 

 

 

40


The Fund’s investments

 

 

generally provide higher income than investment grade securities in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the issuer’s failure to make required interest, dividend or principal payments on the investments. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, an investment’s rating is determined using the middle rating of Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business (“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P”) and Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”), if all three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) rate the investment. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If an investment is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management is used. Investment rating limitations are considered to apply only at the time of investment and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of investments.

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

For purposes of the limitations on emerging market debt investments, the Fund will classify an issuer based on the issuer’s country of origin, generally as determined by an unaffiliated, recognized financial data provider. An issuer’s country of origin is based on a number of criteria, such as the issuer’s country of domicile or country in which the issuer conducts its primary operations, the primary exchange on which its investments trade, the location from which the majority of the issuer’s revenue comes, and the issuer’s reporting currency. The term “emerging market” describes any country or market that is generally considered to be emerging or developing by major organizations in the international financial community, such as the International Finance Corporation, or by financial industry analysts like MSCI, Inc., which compiles the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which compiles several fixed-income emerging markets benchmarks; or other countries or markets with similar emerging characteristics. Emerging markets can include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most nations located in Western Europe. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fixed-income portfolio management team generally views Israel as an emerging market.

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. by investing in Core Plus Impact Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund, which will invest primarily in Regulation S securities. The Subsidiary is advised by Nuveen Asset Management, which complies with the provisions of Section 15 of the 1940 Act relating to investment advisory contracts as an investment adviser to the Fund under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Subsidiary may also hold cash and invest in other instruments, including fixed income securities, that are not Regulation S securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s Regulation S positions. The Fund and the Subsidiary each complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act regarding capital structure. In addition, the Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Section 17 of the 1940 Act relating to affiliated transactions and custody of portfolio investments. The Fund’s custodian also serves as the custodian to the Subsidiary.

The Subsidiary will be managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. As a result, Nuveen Asset

 

 

 

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Management, in managing the Subsidiary’s portfolio, will be subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Fund, and, in particular, to the requirements relating to portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage, and the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. These policies and restrictions are described in detail throughout this Prospectus. The Fund and Subsidiary will test for compliance with certain investment restrictions on a consolidated basis, except that with respect to its investments in certain securities that may involve leverage, the Subsidiary will comply with asset segregation requirements to the same extent as the Fund.

Nuveen Asset Management will provide investment management and other services to the Subsidiary. Nuveen Asset Management will not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with investment management or administrative services. However, the Fund will pay Nuveen Asset Management based on the Fund’s assets, including the assets invested in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will also enter into separate contracts for the provision of custody and audit services with the same or with affiliates of the same service providers that provide those services to the Fund.

The financial statements of the Subsidiary will be consolidated with the Fund’s financial statements in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, when produced, will be distributed to Common Shareholders, and copies of the reports will be available on the Fund’s website (http://www.nuveen.com) free of charge. Please refer to the SAI for additional information about the organization and management of the Subsidiary.

OTHER POLICIES

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

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

Limited term; Eligible Tender Offer

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund will have a limited period of existence and will terminate as of the first business day of the month that follows the twelfth anniversary of the effective date of the Fund’s initial registration statement, which is currently anticipated to be May 2, 2033 (the “Stated Termination Date”); provided that the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without

 

 

 

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any action by the shareholders of the Fund, by vote of a majority of the then Board of Trustees with notice to the shareholders, extend the Fund’s term for up to two one year periods (in the event of any such extension, the termination date shall be referred to as the “Extended Termination Date” and the later of the Stated Termination Date and the Extended Termination Date is referred to as the “Termination Date”); furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Trustees determines to cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer (as defined below), and the Eligible Tender Offer is completed, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, by vote of a majority of the then Board of Trustees, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time, subject to the terms and conditions described below. If an Eligible Tender Offer is not conducted, the Fund will, no later than the Termination Date, cease investment operations, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, liquidate its investment portfolio (to the extent possible) and, on or after the Termination Date, the Fund will distribute all of its liquidated net assets to Common Shareholders of record in one or more distributions.

Eligible Tender Offer. The Declaration of Trust provides that an eligible tender offer (an “Eligible Tender Offer”) is a tender offer by the Fund to all holders of outstanding Common Shares as of a date within the 18 months preceding the Termination Date. If the tender offer is completed, Shareholders who properly tender Common Shares in the Eligible Tender Offer will receive a purchase price equal to the NAV per share on the expiration date of the Eligible Tender Offer. In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all outstanding Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder. At the time of the Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Trustees will determine the Termination Threshold. The Termination Threshold will be based on prevailing market conditions at the time of the Eligible Tender Offer.

If the repurchase of all Common Shares properly tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, the Fund will purchase all Common Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer and following the completion of such Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Limited Term and Tender Offer Risks.” In making this decision, the Board of Trustees will take such actions with respect to the Fund’s continued operations as it deems to be in the best interests of the Fund, based on market conditions at such time, the extent of Common Shareholder participation in the Eligible Tender Offer and all other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Trustees in consultation with Nuveen Fund Advisors, taking into account that Nuveen Fund Advisors may have a potential conflict of interest in seeking to convert the Fund to a fund with a continued existence without limitation of time.

If the number of properly tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold if the Eligible Tender Offer were consummated, the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer and the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its investment portfolio and proceed to terminate on the Termination Date.

An Eligible Tender Offer would be made, and Common Shareholders would be notified thereof, in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act, and the applicable tender offer rules thereunder (including Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E under the 1934 Act).

Termination, Liquidation. Unless the Fund’s existence is continued without limitation of time, as described under “—Eligible Tender Offer” above, no later than the Termination Date, the Fund will

 

 

 

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The Fund’s investments

 

 

cease investment operations, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, liquidate its investment portfolio (to the extent possible) and, on or after the Termination Date, the Fund will distribute all of its liquidated net assets to Common Shareholders of record in one or more distributions. In determining whether to extend the Fund’s term, the Board of Trustees may consider a number of factors, including, without limitation, whether the Fund would be unable to sell its assets at favorable prices in a time frame consistent with the Termination Date due to lack of market liquidity or other adverse market conditions, or whether market conditions are such that it is reasonable to believe that, with an extension, the Fund’s remaining assets would appreciate and generate income in an amount that, in the aggregate, is meaningful relative to the cost and expense of continuing the Fund’s operations.

Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage the Fund’s investment portfolio consistent with the Fund’s obligation to cease operations on the Termination Date. To that end, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management intend to seek investments that they reasonably expect can be sold or otherwise exited at favorable prices on or before the Termination Date. However, there is no assurance that a market or other exit strategy will be available for the Fund’s less liquid investments. As the Termination Date approaches, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management expect to seek to liquidate the Fund’s less liquid investments. As a result, based on prevailing market conditions, available investment opportunities and other factors, the Fund may invest the proceeds from the sale of such investments in money market mutual funds, cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies, high quality short-term money market instruments, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid debt securities. As a result, as the Termination Date approaches, the Fund’s monthly cash distributions may decline, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or that its investment strategies will be successful.

Depending on a variety of factors, including the performance of the Fund’s investment portfolio over the period of its operations, the amount distributed to Common Shareholders in connection with its termination or paid to participating Common Shareholders upon completion of an Eligible Tender Offer may be less, and potentially significantly less, than your original investment. The Fund’s final distribution to Common Shareholders on the Termination Date and the amount paid to participating Common Shareholders upon completion of an Eligible Tender Offer will be based upon the Fund’s NAV at such time, and initial investors and any investors that purchase Common Shares after the completion of this offering may receive less, and potentially significantly less, than their original investment.

Because the Fund’s assets will be liquidated in connection with its termination or to pay for Common Shares tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio investments when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund will make a distribution on the Termination Date of all cash raised from the liquidation of its assets prior to that time. However, given the nature of certain of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be unable to liquidate certain of its investments until after the Termination Date. In this case, the Fund may make one or more additional distributions after the Termination Date of any cash received from the ultimate liquidation of those investments. This would delay distribution payments, perhaps for an extended period of time, and there can be no assurance that the total value of the cash distribution made on the Termination Date and such subsequent distributions, if any, will equal the Fund’s NAV on the Termination Date, depending on the ultimate results of such post-Termination Date asset liquidations. If, as a result of lack of market liquidity or other adverse market conditions, the Board of Trustees determines it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Fund may transfer any portfolio investments that remain unsold on the Termination Date to a liquidating trust and distribute interests in

 

 

 

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The Fund’s investments

 

 

such liquidating trust to Common Shareholders as part of the Fund’s final distribution. Interests in the liquidating trust are expected to be nontransferable, except by operation of law. The liquidating trust will seek to liquidate such remaining investments for the benefit of the Common Shareholders as soon as practicable following the Termination Date. However, there can be no assurance as to the timing of or the value obtained from such liquidation. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Limited Term and Tender Offer Risks.”

Portfolio composition and other information

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

CORPORATE BONDS

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

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

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

EMERGING MARKET ISSUERS

The Fund will invest in investments of emerging market issuers. The Fund’s emerging market investments include a broad range of investments of emerging market issuers such as government bonds, corporate bonds, and other sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt instruments. The Fund will classify an issuer of an investment based on the issuer’s country of origin, generally as determined by an unaffiliated, recognized financial data provider. An issuer’s country or origin is based on a number of criteria, such as the issuer’s country of domicile or country in which the issuer conducts its primary operations, the primary exchange on which its securities trade, the location from which the majority of the issuer’s revenue comes, and the

 

 

 

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issuer’s reporting currency. The term “emerging market” describes any country or market that is generally considered to be emerging or developing by major organizations in the international financial community, such as the International Finance Corporation, or by financial industry analysts like MSCI, Inc., which compiles the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which compiles several fixed-income emerging markets benchmarks; or other countries or markets with similar emerging characteristics. Emerging markets can include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most nations located in Western Europe. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fixed-income portfolio management team generally views Israel as an emerging market.

The Fund’s emerging market debt investments may also include secured loans, unsecured loans, senior loans, second lien loans, subordinated debt and sukuk debt instruments.

Sukuk are certificates structured to comply with Sharia law and its investment principles. These certificates usually represent the beneficial ownership interest in a portfolio of eligible existing or future tangible or intangible assets (“underlying assets”). In a typical sukuk, a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) issues certificates to investors in exchange for their capital. The SPV transfers the capital to or for the benefit of the entity that is raising the capital (the “obligor”) in exchange for the underlying assets of the obligor that are held in trust by the SPV. The obligor is obligated, usually through a series of contracts, to make periodic payments to investors through the SPV over a specified period of time and a final payment to investors through the SPV on a date certain. Obligors of sukuk include financial institutions and corporations, foreign governments and agencies of foreign governments, including issuers in emerging markets.

SOVEREIGN AND SUPRANATIONAL SECURITIES

Sovereign securities are issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments or their agencies, authorities, political subdivisions or instrumentalities, and supranational agencies. A supranational agency is a multinational union or association in which member countries cede authority and sovereignty on a limited number of matters to the group, whose decisions are binding upon its members. Quasi-sovereign securities typically are issued by companies or agencies that may receive financial support or backing from a local government or in which the government owns a majority of the issuer’s voting shares.

The ability of a foreign sovereign issuer, especially in an emerging market country, to make timely and ultimate payments on its debt obligations will be strongly influenced by the sovereign issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations of interest rate and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its export in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. If a sovereign issuer cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multinational organizations. There may be no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the U.S. by which defaulted interest may be collected.

The Fund also may invest in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by supranational agencies organized or supported by several national governments, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank,

 

 

 

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and the European Investment Bank. In addition, the Portfolio may purchase debt obligations of foreign corporations or financial institutions, such as Yankee bonds (dollar-denominated bonds sold in the United States by foreign companies), Samurai bonds (yen-denominated bonds sold in Japan by non-Japanese issuers), and Euro bonds (bonds not issued in the country (and possibly not the currency of the country) of the issuer).

MUNICIPAL BONDS

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

Inverse floating rate securities

Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. The special purpose trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds) and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters or residual interest securities). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates. The short-term floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the special purpose trust. Typically, a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, grants the floating rate security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the institution granting the tender option will not be obligated to accept tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer. For its inverse floating rate investment, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the special purpose trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security, the Fund as the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal security deposited into the special purpose trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters in relation to the value of

 

 

 

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the residual inverse floaters that are issued by the special purpose trust. In addition, all voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the special purpose trust are passed through to the Fund, as the holder of the residual interest securities.

Because increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters reduce the residual interest paid on inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, inverse floaters’ value is generally more volatile than that of fixed rate bonds. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is generally more volatile than the underlying securities due to the leveraging effect of this ownership structure. These securities generally will underperform the market of fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity based upon, among other things, the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust.

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the liquidity provider to a special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. Such agreements may expose the Fund to a risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities. Absent a shortfall and forbearance agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses not to enter into such an agreement, the special purpose trust could be liquidated and the Fund could incur a loss.

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

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

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES

ABS are securities that are primarily serviced by the cash flows of a discrete pool of receivables or other financial assets, either fixed or revolving, that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period. Asset-backed securitization is a financing technique in which financial assets, in many cases themselves less liquid, are pooled and converted into instruments that may be offered and sold in the capital markets. In a basic securitization structure, an entity, often a financial institution, originates or otherwise

 

 

 

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acquires a pool of financial assets, either directly or through an affiliate. It then sells the financial assets, again either directly or through an affiliate, to a specially created investment vehicle that issues securities “backed” or supported by those financial assets, which securities are ABS. Payment on the ABS depends primarily on the cash flows generated by the assets in the underlying pool and other rights designed to assure timely payment, such as liquidity facilities, guarantees or other features generally known as credit enhancements. While residential mortgages were the first financial assets to be securitized in the form of MBS, non-mortgage related securitizations have grown to include many other types of financial assets, such as credit card receivables, auto loans and student loans.

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities include obligations that are supported by: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (e.g., direct pass-through certificates issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae” or “GNMA”); (b) the limited authority of the issuer or guarantor to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks); or (c) only the credit of the issuer or guarantor (e.g., obligations of Freddie Mac). In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation is principally responsible for ultimate repayment.

Agencies and instrumentalities that issue or guarantee debt securities and that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government include, in addition to those identified above, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Export-Import Bank, the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Federal Land Banks, Fannie Mae and the Student Loan Marketing Association.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. A mortgage-backed security is a type of pass-through security, which is a security representing pooled debt obligations repackaged as interests that pass income through an intermediary to investors. In the case of mortgage-backed securities, the ownership interest is in a pool of mortgage loans. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) are backed by a pool of mortgages on commercial property.

Mortgage-backed securities are most commonly issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, but may also be issued or guaranteed by other private issuers.

GNMA is a government-owned corporation that is an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-backed securities.

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for

 

 

 

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residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation that issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which are pass-through securities, each representing an undivided interest in a pool of residential mortgages. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of FNMA and FHLMC and of any stockholder, officer or director of FNMA and FHLMC with respect to FNMA and FHLMC and the assets of FNMA and FHLMC. FHFA selected a new chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for each of FNMA and FHLMC. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to provide FNMA and FHLMC with up to $100 billion of capital each to ensure that they are able to continue to provide ongoing liquidity to the U.S. home mortgage market. FNMA and FHLMC are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remain liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers, whether or not such obligations are subject to guarantees by the private issuer, may entail greater risk than obligations directly or indirectly guaranteed by the U.S. government. Any investments a Fund makes in mortgage-related securities that are issued by private issuers have some exposure to subprime loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Private issuers include commercial banks, savings associations, mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies and special purpose finance entities (called special purpose vehicles or structured investment vehicles) and other entities that acquire and package mortgage loans for resale as mortgage-related securities. Unlike mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its sponsored entities, mortgage-related securities issued by private issuers do not have a government or government sponsored entity guarantee, but may have credit enhancement provided by external entities such as banks or financial institutions or achieved through the structuring of the transaction itself. Examples of such credit support arising out of the structure of the transaction include: (1) the issuance of senior and subordinated securities (e.g., the issuance of securities by a special purpose vehicle in multiple classes or “tranches,” with one or more classes being senior to other subordinated classes as to the payment of principal and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying mortgage loans are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class); (2) the creation of “reserve funds” (in which case cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying mortgage loans, are held in reserve against future losses); and (3) “overcollateralization” (in which case the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying mortgage loans exceeds that required to make payment of the securities and pay any servicing or other fees). However, there can be no guarantee that credit enhancements, if any, will be sufficient to prevent losses in the event of defaults on the underlying mortgage loans.

In addition, mortgage-related securities that are issued by private issuers are not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage related securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying private mortgage-related securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Privately issued pools more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value mortgages and manufactured housing loans. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a private-label mortgage-related securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit

 

 

 

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histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.

The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by mortgage pools that contain subprime loans, but a level of risk exists for all loans. Market factors adversely affecting mortgage loan repayments may include a general economic turndown, high unemployment, a general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop in the market prices of real estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in higher mortgage payments by holders of adjustable rate mortgages.

Privately issued mortgage-related securities are generally less liquid than obligations directly or indirectly guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government-sponsored entity, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-related securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans. The average life of a mortgage-backed security is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the securities. Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage foreclosures will usually result in the return of the greater part of principal invested far in advance of the maturity of the mortgages in the pool or can result in credit losses.

LOANS

The Fund may invest in loans, including senior secured loans, unsecured and/or subordinated loans, loan participations and unfunded contracts. These loans are typically made by or issued to corporations primarily to finance acquisitions, refinance existing debt, support organic growth, or pay out dividends, and are typically originated by large banks and are then syndicated out to institutional investors as well as to other banks. Loans typically bear interest at a floating rate, although some loans pay a fixed rate. Floating rate loans have interest rates that reset periodically, typically monthly or quarterly. The interest rates on floating rate loans are generally based on a percentage above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate, a U.S. bank’s prime or base rate, the overnight federal funds rate or another rate. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, unsecured and/or subordinated loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior bank loans of the same borrower. Loan participations are loans that are shared by a group of lenders. Unfunded commitments are contractual obligations by lenders (such as the Fund) to loan an amount in the future or that is due to be contractually funded in the future. Assignments may be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

Loans may have restrictive covenants limiting the ability of a borrower to further encumber its assets. The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the borrower, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and other factors. Such restrictive covenants normally allow for early intervention and proactive mitigation of credit risk by providing lenders with the ability to (1) intervene and either prevent or restrict actions that may potentially compromise the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and/or (2) obtain concessions from the borrower in exchange for waiving or amending a particular covenant. Loans with fewer or weaker restrictive covenants may limit the Fund’s ability to intervene or obtain additional concessions from borrowers.

 

 

 

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SENIOR LOANS

The Fund may invest in (i) senior loans made by banks or other financial institutions to foreign corporations, partnerships and other business entities (each a “Borrower” and, collectively, “Borrowers”), (ii) assignments of such interests in senior loans, or (iii) participation interests in senior loans. Senior loans hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a Borrower, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the Borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the Borrower. The capital structure of a Borrower may include senior loans, senior and junior subordinated debt, preferred stock and common stock issued by the Borrower, typically in descending order of seniority with respect to claims on the Borrower’s assets. The proceeds of senior loans primarily are used by Borrowers to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, refinancings, internal growth and for other corporate purposes. A senior loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (“Agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions which typically includes the Agent (“Lenders”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the senior loans on behalf of the other Lenders in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Lenders. The Fund normally will rely primarily on the Agent to collect principal of and interest on a Senior Loan. Also, the Fund usually will rely on the Agent to monitor compliance by the Borrower with the restrictive covenants in a loan agreement.

Senior loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates that are redetermined periodically at short-term intervals by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium. Senior loans typically have rates of interest that are redetermined either daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium or credit spread. These base lending rates are primarily London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (of any tenor, but typically between one month and six months, and currency), and secondarily the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks (the “Prime Rate”) and the certificate of deposit (“CD”) rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. As adjustable rate loans, the frequency of how often a senior loan resets its interest rate will impact how closely such senior loans track current market interest rates. Senior loans typically have a stated term of between one and eight years. In the experience of Nuveen Asset Management, the average life of senior loans in recent years has been approximately two years because of prepayments.

In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. Alternatives to LIBOR are established or in development in most major currencies, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. It is unknown if SOFR will become the primary base lending rate for senior loans.

The Fund primarily purchases senior loans by assignment from a participant in the original syndicate of lenders or from subsequent assignees of such interests. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning Lender. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.

The Fund may purchase participation interests in the original syndicate making senior loans. Loan participation interests typically represent direct participations in a loan to a corporate Borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a senior loan, becoming a part Lender. When

 

 

 

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purchasing a participation interest, the Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate Borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The participation interests in which the Fund may invest may not be rated by any NRSRO. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Senior Loan Participation Risk.”

Although senior loans have the most senior position in a Borrower’s capital structure and are often secured by specific collateral, they are typically below investment grade quality and may have below investment grade ratings; these ratings are associated with securities having speculative characteristics. Senior loans rated below investment grade may therefore be regarded as “junk,” despite their senior capital structure position or specific collateral pledged to secure such loans.” The Fund may purchase and retain in its portfolio senior loans where the Borrowers have experienced, or may be perceived to be likely to experience, credit problems, including involvement in or recent emergence from bankruptcy reorganization proceedings or other forms of debt restructuring. Such investments may provide opportunities for enhanced income as well as capital appreciation. At times, in connection with the restructuring of a senior loan either outside of bankruptcy court or in the context of bankruptcy court proceedings, the Fund may determine or be required to accept equity securities or junior debt securities in exchange for all or a portion of a senior loan.

LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

The Fund may purchase participations and/or assignments in commercial loans. Such investments may be secured or unsecured and may pay interest at fixed or floating rates. Loan participations and assignments involve special types of risk, including interest rate risk, liquidity risk and the risks of being a lender.

Loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, a Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The loan participations in which the Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service.

Investments in loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution’s interests with respect to the loan may involve additional risks to the Fund. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. If a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Fund relies on Nuveen Asset Management’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

A loan is often administered by an agent bank acting as agent for all holders. The agent bank administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the agent bank is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the corporate borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the loan agreement.

 

 

 

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Unless, under the terms of the loan, the Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower. A financial institution’s employment as agent bank might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement should remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or governmental agency) similar risks may arise.

SECOND LIEN LOANS

The Fund may invest in second lien loans and unsecured loans. Such loans are made by public and private corporations and other non-governmental Borrowers for a variety of purposes. As in the case of senior loans, the Fund may purchase interests in second lien loans and unsecured loans through assignments or participations. Second lien loans have similar characteristics as senior loans except that such interests are junior in priority to debt secured with a first lien. Second lien loans are second in priority of payment to one or more senior loans of the related Borrower and are typically secured by a second priority security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the Borrower’s obligation under the indebtedness. They typically have similar protections and rights as senior loans. Second lien loans are not (and by their terms cannot become) subordinate in priority of payment to any obligation of the related Borrower other than senior loans of such Borrower. Second lien loans may feature fixed or floating rate interest payments. Because second lien loans are junior to senior loans, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. In addition, second lien loans of below investment grade quality share many of the risk characteristics of other below investment grade debt instruments.

Unsecured loans generally have lower priority in right of payment compared to holders of secured interests of the Borrower. Unsecured loans are not secured by a security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the Borrower’s obligation under the indebtedness. Unsecured loans by their terms may be or may become subordinate in right of payment to other obligations of the Borrower, including senior loans, second lien loans and other interests. Unsecured loans may have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because unsecured loans are subordinate to senior loans and other secured debt of the Borrower, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Such investments generally are of below investment grade quality. Unsecured loans of below investment grade quality share many of the same risks of other below investment grade debt instruments.

SUBORDINATED LOANS

The subordinated loans in which the Fund may invest are typically privately-negotiated investments that rank junior in priority of payment to senior debt, such as senior loans, and are often unsecured. Because subordinated interests may rank lower as to priority of payment than senior loans and second lien loans of the Borrower, they may present a greater degree of investment risk than senior loans and second lien loans but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Other than their more subordinated status, such investments have many characteristics and risks similar to senior loans and second lien loans discussed above. Subordinated interests of below investment grade quality share risks

 

 

 

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of other below investment grade debt instruments. Subordinated loans rank senior to common and preferred equity in a Borrower’s capital structure. Subordinated loans may have elements of both debt and equity instruments, offering fixed or adjustable rates of return in the form of interest payments associated with senior debt, while providing lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of a Borrower, if any, through an equity interest. This equity interest may take the form of warrants or direct equity investments which will be in conjunction with the subordinated loans. Due to their higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants as compared to senior loans, subordinated loans generally earn a higher return than secured senior loans. The warrants associated with subordinated loans are typically detachable, which allows lenders the opportunity to receive repayment of their principal on an agreed amortization schedule while retaining their equity interest in the Borrower. Subordinated loans also may include a “put” feature, which permits the holder to sell its equity interest back to the Borrower at a price

determined through an agreed formula.

The Fund may invest in subordinated loans that are primarily unsecured and that provide for relatively high, adjustable rates of interest, providing the Fund with significant current interest income. The subordinated loans in which the Fund may invest may have interest-only payments in the early years, with amortization of principal deferred to the later years of the subordinated loans. In some cases, the Fund may acquire subordinated loans that, by their terms, convert into equity or additional debt instruments or defer payments of interest for the first few years after issuance. Also, in some cases the subordinated loans in which the Fund may invest will be collateralized by a subordinated lien on some or all of the assets of the Borrower.

PREFERRED SECURITIES

The Fund may invest in all types of preferred securities, including both traditional preferred securities and non-traditional preferred securities. Traditional preferred securities are generally equity securities of the issuer that have priority over the issuer’s common shares as to the payment of dividends (i.e., the issuer cannot pay dividends on its common shares until the dividends on the preferred shares are current) and as to the payout of proceeds of a bankruptcy or other liquidation, but are subordinate to an issuer’s senior debt and junior debt as to both types of payments. Additionally, in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, traditional preferred securities are generally subordinate to an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations. Traditional preferred securities may be perpetual or have a term, and typically have a fixed liquidation (or “par”) value.

The term “preferred securities” also includes certain hybrid securities and other types of preferred securities that do not have the traditional features described above. Preferred securities that are hybrid securities often behave similarly to investments in traditional preferred securities and are regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Such hybrid securities possess varying combinations of features of both debt and traditional preferred securities and as such they may constitute senior debt, junior debt or preferred shares in an issuer’s capital structure. Thus, they may not be subordinate to a company’s debt securities (as are traditional preferred securities).

Hybrid securities include trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation or other special purpose entity, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The trust preferred securities market consists of both fixed and floating coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. Trust preferred securities may defer payment of income without

 

 

 

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triggering an event of default. These securities may have many characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure.

Preferred securities may also include certain forms of debt that have many characteristics of preferred shares, and that are regarded by the investment marketplace to be part of the broader preferred securities market. Among these preferred securities are certain exchange-listed debt issues that historically have several attributes, including trading and investment performance characteristics, in common with exchange-listed traditional preferred securities and hybrid securities. Generally, these types of preferred securities are senior debt or junior debt in the capital structure of an issuer.

As a general matter, dividend or interest payments on preferred securities may be cumulative or non-cumulative and may be deferred (in the case of cumulative payments) or skipped (in the case of non-cumulative payments) at the option of the issuer. Generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company, except in some cases voting rights may arise if the issuer fails to pay the preferred share dividends or if a declaration of default occurs and is continuing.

Preferred securities may either trade over-the-counter (“OTC”) or trade on an exchange. Preferred securities can be structured differently for retail and institutional investors, and the Fund may invest in preferred securities of either structure. The retail segment is typified by $25 par value exchange-traded securities and the institutional segment is typified by $1,000 par value OTC securities. Both $25 and $1,000 par value securities are often callable at par value, typically at least five years after their original issuance date.

Preferred securities may be issued with either a final maturity date, or as a perpetual structure. In certain instances, a final maturity date may be extended and/or the final payment of principal may be deferred at the issuer’s option for a specified time without any adverse consequence to the issuer.

HIGH YIELD INSTRUMENTS

High yield instruments or “junk bonds” that are rated below investment grade involve a greater degree of risk (in particular, a greater risk of default) than, and special risks in addition to, the risks associated with investment grade instruments. Under rating agency guidelines, medium- and lower-rated instruments and comparable unrated instruments will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Medium- and lower-rated instruments may have poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, may have a current identifiable vulnerability to default or be in default, may be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay liquidation preference or principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, and/or may be likely to be in default or not current in the payment of interest, dividends, liquidation preference or principal. Such instruments are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay liquidation preference or principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. Accordingly, it is possible that these types of factors could reduce the value of securities held by the Fund with a commensurate effect on the value of the Common Shares. High yield instruments involve substantial risk of loss and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to real or perceived adverse economic and business developments or competitive industry conditions, as compared to higher-rated instruments. These instruments generally provide higher income than investment grade instruments in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the issuer’s failure to make required interest, dividends, liquidation preference or principal payments on the securities. High yield instruments issuers include small or relatively new companies lacking the history or capital to merit investment-grade

 

 

 

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status, former blue chip companies downgraded because of financial problems, companies electing to borrow heavily to finance or avoid a takeover or buyout, and firms with heavy debt loads.

The secondary markets for these instruments are generally not as liquid as the secondary markets for higher rated instruments. The secondary markets for high yield instruments are concentrated in relatively few market makers and the participants in the market are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and mutual funds. In addition, the trading volume for high yield instruments is generally lower than that for higher-rated instruments, and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Fund to dispose of particular portfolio investments, may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV per share and may limit the ability of the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing securities and calculating NAV. If the Fund is not able to obtain precise or accurate market quotations for a particular instrument, it will become more difficult to value the Fund’s portfolio investments, and a greater degree of judgment may be necessary in making such valuations. Less liquid secondary markets may also affect the ability of the Fund to sell instruments at their fair value. If the secondary markets for high yield instruments contract due to adverse economic conditions or for other reasons, certain securities in the Fund’s portfolio may become illiquid and the proportion of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid instruments may significantly increase.

Prices for high yield instruments may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These laws could adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and investment practices, the secondary market for high yield instruments, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value of outstanding high yield instruments. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Below Investment Grade Risk.”

High yield instruments rated in the lower rating categories (Caa1 or lower by Moody’s, CCC+ or lower by S&P or Fitch, or comparably rated by another NRSRO) are subject to very high credit risk. The Fund may not invest in an issuer who is in default on its obligations to pay principal or interest thereon when due or that is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.

REGULATION S SECURITIES

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. by investing in the Subsidiary. The Fund may also invest directly in Regulation S securities that are freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Although Regulation S securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized from these sales could be less than the price originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure of other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Accordingly, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Subsidiary Risk” and “—Portfolio Level Risks—Regulation S Securities Risk.”

ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS

The Fund may invest in illiquid investments (i.e., investments that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted investments (investments the disposition of which is restricted under the

 

 

 

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federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements.

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

DERIVATIVES

The Fund may use certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objective. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, forward contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate, total return and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative instruments. The credit default swaps in which the Fund may invest include CDX and single-name CDS. A CDX is a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. Certain CDX instruments are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swaps or CDX transactions. Unlike other types of credit default swaps, single-name CDS do not have the benefit of diversification across many issuers. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with a counterparty of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Hedging Strategies and Other Uses of Derivatives” in the SAI and “Asset Segregation” below.

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

Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to seek to enhance return, to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments in fixed-income investments, to attempt to manage the effective maturity or duration of investments in the Fund’s portfolio or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income. The Fund will value derivative instruments at market/fair value for purposes of calculating compliance with the Fund’s 80% investment policy in fixed-income investments.

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

Swap transactions

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

 

 

 

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

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for a specified period of time. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset, reference rate or index. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, e.g., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. The notional amount of the swap agreement generally is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to the swap agreement have agreed to exchange.

Interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors

Interest rate swaps are bilateral contracts in which each party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on different referenced interest rates (e.g., a fixed rate and a floating rate) applied to a specified notional amount. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index rises above a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

The use of interest rate transactions, such as interest rate swaps and caps, is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio investment transactions. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps or caps could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Fund’s common shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the NAV of the common shares. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than the Fund’s fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will reduce common share net earnings. If, on the other hand, short-term interest rates are higher than the fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will enhance common share net earnings. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the common shares by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the common shares in the event that the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount such Fund would have been required to pay had it not entered into the cap agreement.

Total return swaps

In a total return swap, one party agrees to pay the other the “total return” of a defined underlying asset during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. A total return swap may be applied to any underlying asset but is most commonly used with equity indices, single stocks, bonds and defined baskets of loans and mortgages. The Fund might enter into a total return swap involving an underlying index or basket of securities to create exposure to a potentially widely diversified range of securities in a single trade. An

 

 

 

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index total return swap can be used by the portfolio managers to assume risk, without the complications of buying the component securities from what may not always be the most liquid of markets. In connection with the Fund’s position in a swap contract, the Fund will segregate liquid assets or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable SEC requirements. See “—Asset Segregation” below.

Credit default swaps

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

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

Swap options

A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel, or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the

 

 

 

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Portfolio composition and other information

 

 

Fund generally would incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Risks associated with swap transactions

The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio investment transactions. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Risk of Swaps and Swap Options.”

Futures and options on futures generally

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

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

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

 

 

 

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

Options on currencies

The Fund may purchase put and call options on foreign currencies. A foreign currency option provides the option buyer with the right to buy or sell a stated amount of foreign currency at the exercise price at a specified date or during the option period. A call option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy the currency, while a put option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell the currency. The option seller (writer) is obligated to fulfill the terms of the option sold if it is exercised. However, either seller or buyer may close its position during the option period in the secondary market for such options at any time prior to expiration.

A foreign currency call option rises in value if the underlying currency appreciates. Conversely, a foreign currency put option rises in value if the underlying currency depreciates. While purchasing a foreign currency option may protect the Fund against an adverse movement in the value of a foreign currency, it would limit the gain which might result from a favorable movement in the value of the currency. For example, if the Fund were holding securities denominated in an appreciating foreign currency and had purchased a foreign currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of the currency, it would not have to exercise its put. In such an event, however, the amount of the Fund’s gain would be offset in part by the premium paid for the option. Similarly, if the Fund entered into a contract to purchase a security denominated in a foreign currency and purchased a foreign currency call to hedge against a rise in the value of the currency between the date of purchase and the settlement date, the Fund would not need to exercise its call if the currency instead depreciated in value. In such a case, the Fund could acquire the amount of foreign currency needed for settlement in the spot market at a lower price than the exercise price of the option.

Forward currency contracts and other foreign currency transactions

The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Unlike futures contracts, which are standardized contracts, forward contracts can be specifically drawn to meet the needs of the parties that enter into them. The parties to a forward currency contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and complete the contemplated exchange. Because forward contracts are not traded on an exchange, the Fund is subject to the credit and performance risk of the counterparties to such contracts.

The following, among others, are types of currency management strategies involving forward contracts that may be used by the Fund. The Fund also may use currency futures contracts and options thereon, put and call options on foreign currencies and currency swaps for the same purposes.

Position hedges

The Fund could also use forward contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar value of portfolio positions. This is known as a “position hedge.” When the Fund believes that a foreign currency might suffer a substantial

 

 

 

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Portfolio composition and other information

 

 

decline against the U.S. dollar, it could enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio investments denominated in that foreign currency. When the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar might suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it could enter into a forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount. Alternatively, the Fund could enter into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount if the Fund’s portfolio managers believe that the U.S. dollar value of that foreign currency will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which portfolio investments of the Fund are denominated. This is referred to as a “cross hedge.”

Shifting currency exposure

The Fund may also enter into forward contracts to shift its investment exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting exposure from U.S. dollars to foreign currency or from one foreign currency to another foreign currency. This strategy tends to limit exposure to the currency sold, and increase exposure to the currency that is purchased, much as if the Fund had sold an investment denominated in one currency and purchased an equivalent investment denominated in another currency.

OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies such as, among others, ETFs, subject to limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, rules promulgated thereunder and exemptive orders issued by the SEC. The Fund generally expects that it may invest in other investment companies during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as during periods when there is a shortage of attractive securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly available in the market. As an investor in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. Nuveen Asset Management will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in the investment company relative to available securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may be leveraged and therefore will be subject to leverage risks.

ASSET SEGREGATION

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

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

 

 

 

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

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

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS

During temporary defensive periods, the period in which the net proceeds of this offering of Common Shares are first being invested (the “invest-up period”), the “wind-up” period (the approximately six month period during which the Fund is transitioning its portfolio as the Fund’s Termination Date approaches) or the period in which the Fund’s assets are being liquidated in anticipation of the Fund’s termination, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objective. During such periods, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities or may invest in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. During the invest-up period, the Fund may also purchase securities issued by ETFs that invest primarily in fixed-income investments of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. Any such investments in ETFs will be in compliance with the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, the rules promulgated thereunder, or pursuant to any exemptive relief obtained thereunder. There can be no assurance that such techniques will be successful. Accordingly, during such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

It is not the Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. However, the Fund may engage in active and frequent trading when Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management believes such trading is, in light of prevailing economic and market circumstances, in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. Although the Fund cannot predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it is generally not expected to exceed 75% under normal circumstances. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance, and may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be treated as ordinary income. See “Tax Matters” and “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Frequent Trading Risk.”

Leverage

The Fund anticipates using leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. The Fund may source leverage initially and throughout the life of the Fund through a number of methods including through borrowings, issuing Preferred Shares, the issuance of debt securities, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and investing in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Fund’s investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate certificates. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives that may have the economic effect of leverage. The sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions. See “Leverage,” “ Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk,” and “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.” The Fund anticipates using such leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately

 

 

 

64


Leverage

 

 

35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, if current market conditions persist. The Fund may employ leverage through the issuance of Preferred Shares within 12 months after the completion of this offering, but may do so only if the Board of Trustees determines it to be in the best interests of Common Shareholders.

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

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

In pursuit of its investment objective, the Fund has the ability to actively and dynamically reduce or increase the amount and type of leverage based upon changes in market conditions, composition of the Fund’s holdings and remaining time until the Fund’s Termination Date. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used and variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings. So long as the net income received from the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest or dividend payments on its leveraging instruments which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

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

 

 

 

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Leverage

 

 

it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s degree of overall use of leverage and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

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Leverage

 

 

EFFECTS OF LEVERAGE

Assuming the utilization of leverage in an aggregate amount of approximately 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, at an interest and/or dividend rate of 0.85% payable on such leverage, the income generated by the Fund’s portfolio (net of non-leverage expenses) must exceed 0.30% in order to cover such interest and/or dividend payments and other expenses. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates, used for illustration. Actual interest and/or dividend rates may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of –10%, –5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. Actual returns may be greater or less than those shown below. See “Risks.” The table further reflects the use of leverage representing 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, net of expenses, and the Fund’s currently projected annual interest rate and/or dividend on its leverage of 0.85%.

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses)

     (10 )%      (5 )%     0 %     5 %      10 %

Common Share Total Return

     (15.84 )%      (8.15 )%      (0.46 )%      7.23      14.93

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

Risks

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

The risks have been divided into (i) Portfolio Level Risks, (ii) Fund Level Risks, and (iii) Other Risks.

PORTFOLIO LEVEL RISKS

Impact Criteria and ESG criteria investing risk

Because the Impact Criteria and/or Nuveen’s ESG investment criteria may exclude investments of certain issuers for non-financial reasons, the Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to funds that do not use these criteria. This may cause the Fund to underperform the market as a whole or other funds that do not use an Impact Criteria or ESG investment strategy or that use a different methodology or

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

different factors to determine an investment’s impact and/or Nuveen’s ESG investment criteria. In addition, there is a risk that the companies identified by the Impact Criteria or ESG investment criteria do not operate as expected when addressing social and environmental impact and ESG issues. A company’s social and environmental impact and ESG performance or Nuveen Asset Management’s assessment of a company’s social and environmental impact and ESG performance could vary over time, which could cause the Fund to be temporarily invested in companies that do not comply with the Fund’s approach towards considering Impact Criteria or ESG investment criteria. There are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to have positive Impact Criteria or ESG investment criteria. While Nuveen Asset Management believes its evaluation of Impact Criteria and/or ESG investment criteria is reasonable, the portfolio decisions it makes may differ with other investors’ or advisers’ views. In making investment decisions, Nuveen Asset Management relies on information and data that could be incomplete or erroneous, which could cause Nuveen Asset Management to incorrectly assess a company’s Impact Criteria and/or ESG investment criteria. The third-party data providers may differ in the data they provide for a given investment or between industries, or may only take into account one of many ESG-related components of a company. Accordingly, the information used by Nuveen Asset Management to evaluate the ESG criteria of the Fund’s investments may not be complete or accurate, and may vary across providers and issuers, as ESG is not a uniformly defined characteristic. Furthermore, data availability and reporting with respect to Impact Criteria or the ESG investment criteria may not always be available or may become unreliable.

Active management risk

The Fund is actively managed and depends heavily on Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund could experience losses if these judgments prove to be incorrect. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may adversely affect management of the Fund and, therefore, the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

Debt securities risk

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

Additionally, the Fund may be exposed to certain debt securities risks through its sukuk investments. Most sukuk do not provide investors with bona fide legal ownership of the underlying assets, and the periodic and final payments to sukuk investors are not generally linked to the value of the underlying assets. As a result, most sukuk are considered unsecured obligations whose risks and returns are similar to those of conventional debt instruments. Investors typically have no direct recourse to the underlying assets and do not have a secured claim against the obligor. In addition, investors’ ability to pursue and enforce actions with respect to these payment obligations or to otherwise enforce the terms of the sukuk, restructure the sukuk, obtain a judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction, and/or attach assets of the

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

obligor may be limited. The structural complexity of sukuk and the immaturity of the sukuk market increase the potential risks of investing in sukuk, including operational, legal, and investment risks. Sukuk can be less liquid than other types of investments and it may be difficult at times to invest in or dispose of sukuk. In addition, evolving interpretations of Sharia law by courts or Islamic scholars on sukuk structures and sukuk transferability, or a determination subsequent to the issuance of the sukuk by some Islamic scholars that certain sukuk do not comply with Sharia law and its investment principles, could have a dramatic adverse effect on the price and liquidity of a particular sukuk or the sukuk market in general.

Below investment grade risk

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

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

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

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

Unrated investments risk

The Fund may purchase investments that are not rated by any rating organization. Unrated investments determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality to rated investments which the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated investments and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information is typically available about unrated investments or issuers than rated investments or issuers. Nuveen Asset Management may, after assessing such investments’ credit quality, internally assign ratings to certain of those securities in categories similar to those of rating organizations. Some unrated investments may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated investments, the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective will be more dependent on Nuveen Asset Management’s credit analysis than would be the case when the Fund invests in rated investments.

Restricted and illiquid investments risk

Illiquid investments are investments that are not readily marketable. These investments may include restricted investments, including Rule 144A securities, which can not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s NAV and ability to make dividend distributions. The financial markets in general have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some investments could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time.

CMBS and MBS risk

CMBS and MBS, including collateralized debt obligations and collateralized mortgage obligations, differ from conventional debt securities because principal is paid back over the life of the security rather than at maturity. CMBS and MBS are subject to prepayment or call risk, which is the risk that a borrower’s payments may be received earlier than expected due to changes in prepayment rates on underlying loans. Faster prepayments often happen when interest rates are falling. As a result, the Fund may reinvest these early payments at lower interest rates, thereby reducing the Fund’s income. CMBS and MBS also are subject to extension risk. An unexpected rise in interest rates could reduce the rate of prepayments and extend the life of the CMBS and MBS, causing the price of the CMBS and MBS and the Fund’s share price to fall and would make the CMBS and MBS more sensitive to interest rate changes. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool will adversely affect the value of CMBS and MBS and will result in losses to the Fund. Privately issued mortgage-related securities are not subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-related securities that have government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying privately issued mortgage-related securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics.

 

 

 

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Asset-backed securities risk

ABS involve certain risks in addition to those presented by MBS. There is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities. Relative to MBS, ABS may provide the Fund with a less effective security interest in the underlying collateral and are more dependent on the borrower’s ability to pay. If many borrowers on the underlying loans default, losses could exceed the credit enhancement level and result in losses to investors in an ABS transaction. Finally, ABS have structure risk due to a unique characteristic known as early amortization, or early payout, risk. Built into the structure of most ABS are triggers for early payout, designed to protect investors from losses. These triggers are unique to each transaction and can include a significant rise in defaults on the underlying loans, a sharp drop in the credit enhancement level or the bankruptcy of the originator. Once early amortization begins, all incoming loan payments (after expenses are paid) are used to pay investors as quickly as possible based upon a predetermined priority of payment. As a result, proceeds that would otherwise be distributed to holders of a junior tranche may be diverted to pay down more senior tranches.

The collateral underlying ABS may constitute assets related to a wide range of industries and sectors, such as credit card and automobile receivables. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. The Credit CARD Act of 2009 imposes new regulations on the ability of credit card issuers to adjust the interest rates and exercise various other rights with respect to indebtedness extended through credit cards. The Fund and Nuveen Asset Management cannot predict what effect, if any, such regulations might have on the market for ABS and such regulations may adversely affect the value of ABS owned by the Fund. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have an effective security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables. If the economy of the United States deteriorates, defaults on securities backed by credit card, automobile and other receivables may increase, which may adversely affect the value of any ABS owned by Fund. There is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities. In recent years, certain automobile manufacturers have been granted access to emergency loans from the U.S. government and have experienced bankruptcy. As a result of these events, the value of securities backed by receivables from the sale or lease of automobiles may be adversely affected.

Some ABS, particularly home equity loan transactions, are subject to interest rate risk and prepayment risk. A change in interest rates can affect the pace of payments on the underlying loans, which in turn, affects total return on the securities.

Municipal securities market risk

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

 

 

 

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experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, periods of significant volatility, which could negatively impact the value of the municipal securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the market price of the Common Shares.

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

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

Foreign/emerging markets issuer risk

Investments in foreign issuers involve special risks not presented by investments in U.S. issuers, including the following: (i) less publicly available information about foreign issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) many foreign markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile; (iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund’s investments; (iv) the economies of foreign countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; (vi) possible seizure of a company’s assets; (vii) restrictions imposed by foreign countries limiting the ability of foreign issuers to make payments of principal and/or interest due to blockages of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise and (viii) withholding and other foreign taxes may decrease the Fund’s return.

The Fund will invest in emerging market debt securities. Risks of investing in investments of emerging markets issuers include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on

 

 

 

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the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Certain emerging markets also may face other significant internal or external risks, including a heightened risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth, and which may in turn diminish the value of the companies in those markets.

In addition, the Fund may invest in “frontier market” debt securities, which the Fund considers to be a sub-set of emerging market debt securities. The Fund considers a “frontier market” to be a market that is generally smaller and less mature than larger emerging markets, but is nonetheless accessible to foreign investment through sovereign and/or corporate bonds issued in hard currency like the U.S. dollar. Frontier market economies and capital markets are typically at an earlier stage of development and institutions and macro-economic policy formulation is also less mature in comparison to larger emerging market countries. While frontier markets have much in common, there are also significant differences when it comes to their political and policy environments, natural resource base, and economic structures and cycles. Participants in the fixed-income markets, unlike participants in the equity markets, generally consider frontier economies to be a sub-category of emerging economies. Countries frequently deemed frontier markets are included in common emerging market debt benchmarks such as the EMBI, where such markets currently account for over half the countries in the index and nearly a third of its total market weighted capitalization. Furthermore, inclusion criteria remains the same for a frontier versus non-frontier market in the broad EMBI-GD and is based on the same liquidity and minimum issuance criteria as any other emerging market country. All things considered, risks are magnified in frontier markets which are the result of: potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity in frontier markets; government ownership or control of parts of private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by frontier market countries or their trading partners; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries.

Additionally, the Fund may be exposed to certain debt securities risks through its sukuk investments. Most sukuk do not provide investors with bona fide legal ownership of the underlying assets, and the periodic and final payments to sukuk investors are not generally linked to the value of the underlying assets. As a result, most sukuk are considered unsecured obligations whose risks and returns are similar to those of conventional debt instruments. Investors typically have no direct recourse to the underlying assets and do not have a secured claim against the obligor. In addition, investors’ ability to pursue and enforce actions with respect to these payment obligations or to otherwise enforce the terms of the sukuk, restructure the sukuk, obtain a judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction, and/or attach assets of the obligor may be limited.

The structural complexity of sukuk and the immaturity of the sukuk market increase the potential risks of investing in sukuk, including operational, legal, and investment risks. Sukuk can be less liquid than other types of investments and it may be difficult at times to invest in or dispose of sukuk. In addition, evolving interpretations of Sharia law by courts or Islamic scholars on sukuk structures and sukuk transferability, or a determination subsequent to the issuance of the sukuk by some Islamic scholars that certain sukuk do not comply with Sharia law and its investment principles, could have a dramatic adverse effect on the price and liquidity of a particular sukuk or the sukuk market in general.

Investments in foreign issuers involve special risks not presented by investments in U.S. issuers, including the following: less publicly available information about foreign issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; many foreign markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile; potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund’s investments; the economies of foreign countries may grow at slower rates than

 

 

 

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expected or may experience a downturn or recession; the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; possible seizure of a company’s assets; and withholding and other foreign taxes may decrease the Fund’s return. These risks are more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region and to the extent that the Fund invests in issuers in emerging markets. In addition, economic, political and social developments may significantly disrupt the financial markets or interfere with the Fund’s ability to enforce its rights against foreign sovereign issuers.

The Fund’s income from foreign issuers may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. In some countries, the Fund also may be subject to taxes on trading profits and, on certain securities transactions, transfer or stamp duties tax. To the extent foreign income taxes are paid by the Fund, U.S. shareholders may be entitled to a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Sovereign government and supranational debt risk

Investments in sovereign debt, including supranational debt, involve special risks. Foreign governmental issuers of debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or pay interest when due. In the event of default, there may be limited or no legal recourse in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity’s willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, are of considerable significance. The ability of a foreign sovereign issuer, especially an emerging market country, to make timely payments on its debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the sovereign issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credit facilities and investments, fluctuations of interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. If a sovereign issuer cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks, and multinational organizations. The cost of servicing external debt will also generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates, as many external debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international interest rates. Foreign investment in certain sovereign debt is restricted or controlled to varying degrees, including requiring governmental approval for the repatriation of income, capital or proceeds of sales by foreign investors. There are no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the U.S. by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected.

Foreign currency risk 

Because the Fund may invest in investments denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of investments held by the Fund and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Currencies of certain countries may be volatile and therefore may affect the value of investments denominated in such currencies, which means that the Fund’s NAV could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. In addition, certain countries, particularly emerging market countries, may impose foreign currency exchange controls or other restrictions on the transferability, repatriation or convertibility of currency.

U.S. government securities risk

U.S. government securities are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and the payment of principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate

 

 

 

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with changes in interest rates. Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if it is not obligated by law to do so.

Loan risk

The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in the event of the need to sell a loan and may make it difficult to value such loans. Portfolio transactions in loans may settle in as short as seven days but typically can take up to two or three weeks, and in some cases much longer. As a result of these extended settlement periods, the Fund may incur losses if it is required to sell other investments or temporarily borrow to meet its cash needs, including satisfying redemption requests. The risks associated with unsecured loans, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral, are higher than those for comparable loans that are secured by specific collateral. For secured loans, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions such as corporate acquisitions may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Loans may have restrictive covenants limiting the ability of a borrower to further encumber its assets. However, in periods of high demand by lenders like the Fund for loan investments, borrowers may limit these covenants and weaken a lender’s ability to access collateral securing the loan; reprice the credit risk associated with the borrower; and mitigate potential loss. The Fund may experience relatively greater realized or unrealized losses or delays and expenses in enforcing its rights with respect to loans with fewer restrictive covenants. Additionally, loans may not be considered “securities” and, as a result, the Fund may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the securities laws. Because junior loans have a lower place in an issuer’s capital structure and may be unsecured, junior loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior loans of the issuer. The Fund’s investments in floating rate loans that pay interest based on LIBOR may experience increased volatility and/or illiquidity during the transition away from LIBOR, which is scheduled to be phased out by the end of 2021.

Senior loan risk

Senior loans hold the highest priority in the capital structure of a business entity, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the Borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the Borrower. Senior loans that the Fund intends to invest in are usually rated below investment grade, and share the same risks of other below investment grade debt instruments.

Although the Fund may invest in senior loans that are secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance the liquidation of such collateral would satisfy a Borrower’s obligation to the Fund in the event of Borrower default or that such collateral could be readily liquidated under such circumstances. If the terms of a senior loan do not require the Borrower to pledge additional collateral in the event of a decline in the value of the already pledged collateral, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of the collateral will not at all times equal or exceed the amount of the Borrower’s obligations under the senior loan.

In the event of bankruptcy of a Borrower, the Fund could also experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a senior loan. Some senior loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could

 

 

 

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subordinate the senior loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the Borrower or take other action detrimental to lenders, including the Fund. Such court action could under certain circumstances include invalidation of senior loans.

Issuer credit risk

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

Credit spread risk

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

Interest rate risk

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

Call risk

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

 

 

 

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Reinvestment risk

Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares’ market price, NAV and/or a Common Shareholder’s overall returns. As the average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio shortens, the Fund will reinvest in shorter maturity securities at market interest rates that may be lower than at the Fund’s inception. As a result, the Fund’s income and distributions may decline over the term of the Fund. The likelihood of this risk may increase as the Fund approaches its Termination Date.

Second lien loans and unsecured loans risk

Second lien loans and unsecured loans generally are subject to the same risks associated with investments in senior loans, as discussed above. Because second lien loans and unsecured loans are lower in priority of payment to senior loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for unsecured loans, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien loans and unsecured loans are expected to have greater price volatility than senior loans and may be less liquid. Second lien loans and unsecured loans of below investment grade quality also share the same risks of other below investment grade debt instruments. See “—Below Investment Grade Risk.”

Subordinated loans and other subordinated debt instruments risk

Issuers of subordinated loans and other subordinated debt instruments in which the Fund may invest usually will have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the subordinated loans or other subordinated debt instruments. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which the Fund is entitled to receive payments in respect of subordinated loans or other subordinated debt instruments in which it invests. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of an issuer, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to the subordinated loan or other debt instrument in which the Fund invests would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before the Fund receives any distribution in respect of its investment. After repaying such senior creditors, such issuer may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to the Fund. In the case of debt ranking equally with subordinated loans or other subordinated debt instruments in which the Fund invests, the Fund would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant issuer. In addition, the Fund will likely not be in a position to control any issuer by investing in its debt instruments. As a result, the Fund will be subject to the risk that an issuer in which it invests may make business decisions with which the Fund disagrees and the management of such issuer, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve the Fund’s interests as a debt investor.

Inverse floating rate securities risk

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

 

 

 

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Investments in inverse floating rate securities may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal.

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

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

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

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

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

Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based, among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be “called away” on relatively short notice and

 

 

 

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

Bond market liquidity risk

Inventories of bonds held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell bonds, and increase bond price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. In addition, recent changes to federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of bonds, which may further decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell bonds. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds’ prices and hurt performance.

Regulation S securities risk

The risk that Regulation S securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Regulation S securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable to publicly traded securities. As a result, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in losses. See “—Fund Level Risks—Subsidiary Risk.”

Municipal securities market liquidity risk

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

 

 

 

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The Fund may invest its assets in unrated municipal securities. The market for these municipal securities may be less liquid than the market for rated municipal securities of comparable quality. Less public information is typically available about unrated municipal securities or issuers than rated municipal securities or issuers.

Defaulted and distressed investments risk

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

Derivatives risk

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

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

Hedging risk

The Fund’s use of derivatives or other transactions to reduce risks involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Management’s ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge

 

 

 

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instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Management’s judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.

Risk of swaps and swap options

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

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

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

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

Financial futures and options transactions risk

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

There are certain risks associated with the use of financial futures and options to hedge investment portfolios. There may be an imperfect correlation between price movements of the futures and options

 

 

 

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

Counterparty risk

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

 

 

 

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

Tax risk

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

The value of the Fund’s investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and rules. For example, although the Fund does not anticipate satisfying the requirements to enable it to pay tax-exempt dividends to shareholders, because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to U.S. regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in U.S. federal income tax rates or changes in the tax exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for investors seeking primarily tax free income since, as just described, the Fund does not anticipate satisfying the requirements to enable it to pay tax-exempt dividends to shareholders. Also, the Fund’s portfolio turnover is expected to be higher than that of a traditional municipal bond fund and the Fund therefore expects that a greater percentage of each distribution will be capital gains with investors being subject to tax on such distributed gain (depending on the investor’s situation). As a result, the level of taxable distributions currently anticipated by the Fund could be significant for Common Shareholders. Distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and generally not expected to be eligible for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Interest income on municipal securities also may be subject to state and local income taxes. See “Tax Matters.”

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

Inflation risk

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

Other investment companies risk

The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including ETFs. Such securities may be leveraged. As a result, the Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities and therefore magnify the Fund’s leverage risk. Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks. An investment in securities of other investment companies that are leveraged may expose the Fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Fund’s long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of the Common Shares) will be diminished. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment companies’ expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations. As a result, the cost of investing in investment company shares may exceed the costs of investing directly in its underlying investments. Investing in an investment company exposes the Fund to all of the risks of that investment company’s investments. An ETF that is based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the index. The value of an ETF based on a specific index is subject to change as the values of its respective component assets fluctuate according to market volatility. ETFs typically rely on a limited pool of authorized participants to create and redeem shares, and an active trading market for ETF shares may not develop or be maintained. The market value of shares of ETFs and closed-end funds may differ from their NAV.

Valuation risk

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

FUND LEVEL RISKS

Market discount from net asset value

Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund frequently trade at prices lower than their NAV, which creates a risk of loss for investors when they sell shares purchased in the initial public offering. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV could decrease as a result of investment activities. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund have during some periods traded at prices higher than NAV and have during other periods traded at

 

 

 

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prices lower than NAV. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the Common Shares will depend not upon the Fund’s NAV but entirely upon whether the market price of the Common Shares at the time of sale is above or below the investor’s purchase price for the Common Shares. Furthermore, management may have difficulty meeting the Fund’s investment objective and managing its portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold during periods of market turmoil and as investors’ perceptions regarding closed-end funds or their underlying investments change. Because the market price of the Common Shares will be determined by factors such as relative supply of and demand for the Common Shares in the market, general market and economic circumstances, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the Common Shares will trade at, below or above NAV or at, below or above the initial public offering price. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for short-term trading purposes.

Investment and market risk

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

Leverage risk

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

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

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

Reverse repurchase agreement risk

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

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

Limited term and tender offer risks

The Fund is scheduled to terminate as of the Stated Termination Date. The Fund’s investment objective is not designed to return to Common Shareholders their original NAV or purchase price. Because the assets of the Fund will be liquidated in connection with its termination or to pay for Common Shares tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio investments when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, or at a time when a particular investment is in default or bankruptcy, or otherwise in severe distress, which may cause the Fund to lose money.

If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, and the tender offer is completed, it is anticipated that funds to pay the aggregate purchase price of Common Shares accepted for purchase pursuant to the tender offer will be first derived from any cash on hand and then from the proceeds from the sale of portfolio investments. In addition, the Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio investments in connection with any reduction in its outstanding leverage necessary in order to maintain its desired leverage ratios following an Eligible Tender Offer. The risks related to the disposition of portfolio investments in connection with termination also would be present in connection with the disposition of portfolio investments in connection with an Eligible Tender Offer. It is likely that during the pendency of an Eligible Tender Offer, and possibly for a time thereafter, the Fund will hold a greater than normal percentage of its total assets in money market mutual funds, cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies, high quality, short-term money market instruments, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid debt securities, which may adversely affect the Fund’s investment performance. If the tax basis for the portfolio investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Fund will recognize capital gains, which it may be required to distribute to Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund’s purchase of tendered Common Shares pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have tax consequences for tendering Common Shareholders and may have tax consequences for non-tendering Common Shareholders. The purchase of Common Shares pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Fund of non-tendering Common Shareholders. All Common Shareholders remaining after an Eligible Tender Offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total assets resulting from payment for the tendered Common Shares. Such reduction in the Fund’s total assets also may result in less

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

investment flexibility, reduced diversification and greater volatility for the Fund, and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment performance.

The Fund is not required to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the number of tendered Common Shares would not result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, in which case the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer and the Fund will terminate on the Termination Date. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer in which the number of tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, the Board of Trustees may provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees and without a vote of shareholders. Thereafter, the Fund will have a continued existence without limitation of time. Nuveen Fund Advisors may have a conflict of interest in recommending to the Board of Trustees that the Fund may have a continued existence without limitation of time. The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a continued existence without limitation of time. Therefore, remaining Common Shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV, and as a result remaining Common Shareholders may only be able to sell their Common Shares at a discount to NAV. See “—Fund Level Risks—Market Discount from Net Asset Value.”

The Fund’s final distribution to Common Shareholders upon termination of the Fund will be based upon the Fund’s NAV at the Termination Date. Any investors who purchase Common Shares in this offering, and any investors who purchase Common Shares after the completion of this offering (particularly if their purchase price differs meaningfully from the original offering price) may receive less than their original investment. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of its investments, the Fund may also distribute the proceeds in one or more distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause the Fund’s fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. Depending upon a variety of factors, including the performance of the Fund’s portfolio over the life of the Fund, the amount distributed to Common Shareholders may be significantly less than their original investment.

Because the Fund will invest in below investment grade investments, it may be exposed to the greater potential for an issuer of its investments to default, as compared to a fund that invests solely in investment grade investments. As a result, should a Fund portfolio holding default, this may significantly reduce net investment income and, therefore, Common Share dividends; and may prevent or inhibit the Fund from fully being able to liquidate its portfolio at or prior to the Termination Date. See “—Portfolio Level Risks—Municipal Securities Market Risk”, and “—Portfolio Level Risks—Below Investment Grade Risk” above.

Distribution risk

The Fund’s distributions will be composed of net investment income and a supplemental amount generally representing the potential for capital appreciation, which will take the form of realized capital gains and/or a return of capital. The return of capital component of a Fund distribution may (but will not necessarily) represent unrealized capital gains. A return of capital is a non-taxable distribution of a portion of the Fund’s capital. If over the life of a shareholder’s investment, the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy is less than the distribution rate, a return of capital will represent a portion of a shareholder’s original principal (in effect a partial return of the amount a shareholder invested in the

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

Fund). A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis (but not below zero) in Fund shares, which could result in more taxable gain or less taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. This may cause the shareholder to pay taxes even if he or she sells shares for less than the original price. The Fund’s distribution policy, rate of distributions on the Common Shares and the portion of distributions composed of net investment income, realized capital gain and return of capital may vary over time. Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of a distribution consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net income or profits when they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a return of capital distribution from the Fund is net income or profit.

Subsidiary risk

By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments in Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Although Regulation S securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized from these sales could be less than the price originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure of other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Accordingly, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by Nuveen Asset Management making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders. The Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund. See “—Portfolio Level Risks—Regulation S Securities Risks.”

Frequent trading risk

The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio investments, which may result in the Fund having high portfolio turnover. Effects of frequent trading may include high transaction costs, which may lower the Fund’s return, and realization of greater short-term capital gains, distributions of which are taxable as ordinary income to taxable shareholders.

No operating history

The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company with no history of operations. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history upon which to base their investment decision.

 

 

 

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OTHER RISKS

Global economic risk

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

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

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

To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Fund may experience negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Fund is subject, including: (1) issuers of fixed-income investments could be materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which may, in turn, negatively affect the value of such investments or such issuers’ ability to make interest payments or

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

distributions to the Fund and result in a decrease in the NAV of the Fund; (2) operational impacts on and availability of key personnel of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, and/or any of the Fund’s other service providers, vendors and counterparties as they face changed circumstances and/or illness related to the pandemic; and (3) limitations on the Fund’s ability to make distributions or dividends, as applicable, to Common Shareholders.

The Fund does not know and cannot predict how long the securities markets may be affected by these events and the effects of these and similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. The Fund may be adversely affected by abrogation of international agreements and national laws which have created the market instruments in which the Fund may invest, failure of the designated national and international authorities to enforce compliance with the same laws and agreements, failure of local, national and international organizations to carry out their duties prescribed to them under the relevant agreements, revisions of these laws and agreements which dilute their effectiveness or conflicting interpretation of provisions of the same laws and agreements.

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

Recent market conditions

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

 

 

 

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

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

The current political climate has intensified concerns about a potential trade war between China and the United States, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of China’s export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. U.S. companies that source material and goods from China and those that make large amounts of sales in China would be particularly vulnerable to an escalation of trade tensions. Uncertainty regarding the outcome of the trade tensions and the potential for a trade war could cause the U.S. dollar to decline

 

 

 

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against safe haven currencies, such as the Japanese yen and the euro. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

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

Legislation and regulatory risk

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

For example, the Dodd-Frank Act is designed to impose stringent regulation on the over-the-counter derivatives market in an attempt to increase transparency and accountability and provides for, among other things, new clearing, execution, margin, reporting, recordkeeping, business conduct, disclosure, position limit, minimum net capital and registration requirements. Although the CFTC has released final rules under the Dodd-Frank Act, many of the provisions are subject to further final rulemaking, and thus the Dodd-Frank Act’s ultimate impact remains unclear.

The SEC recently enacted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, which could affect the nature and extent of derivatives used by the Fund. It is possible that new Rule 18f-4 could limit the implementation of the Fund’s use of derivatives, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund.

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

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

LIBOR replacement risk

The use of the LIBOR will be phased out by the end of 2021. This may adversely affect the Fund’s investments whose value is tied to LIBOR. There remains uncertainty regarding the future use of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement reference rate. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies and markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. The transition process away from LIBOR may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR. The potential effect of a discontinuation of LIBOR on the Fund’s investments will vary depending on, among other things: (1) existing fallback provisions that provide a replacement reference rate if LIBOR is no longer available; (2) termination provisions in individual contracts; and (3) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR until new reference rates and fallbacks are commercially accepted.

Anti-takeover provisions

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. Further, the By-laws provide that a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of common shares in a “Control Share Acquisition” shall have the same voting rights as other Common Shares only to the extent authorized by shareholders. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws.”

Potential conflicts of interest risk

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

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

THE FOLLOWING RISKS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND:

Income risk

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

 

 

 

93


Risks

 

 

Deflation risk

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

Risks related to the Fund’s clearing broker and central clearing counterparty

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

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

Borrowing risk

In addition to borrowing for leverage (see “Leverage”), the Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, to pay dividends, repurchase its shares, or clear portfolio transactions. Borrowing

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

may exaggerate changes in the NAV of the Fund’s shares and may affect the Fund’s net income. When the Fund borrows money, it must pay interest and other fees, which will reduce the Fund’s returns if such costs exceed the returns on the portfolio investments purchased or retained with such borrowings. Any such borrowings are intended to be temporary. However, under certain market circumstances, such borrowings might be outstanding for longer periods of time.

Duration risk

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

Senior loan agent risk

A financial institution’s employment as an Agent under a senior loan might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the loan agreement would likely remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the terminated Agent for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a senior loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or government agency) similar risks may arise.

Asset segregation risk

Certain portfolio management techniques, such as, among other things, using reverse repurchase agreements, purchasing investments on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or entering into swap agreements, futures contracts or other derivative transactions, create leverage or its effect, and may be considered “senior securities’” (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act). To avoid having these instruments considered “senior securities,” the Fund may maintain liquid assets with its custodian in an amount with a value at least equal (on a daily market value basis or notional value basis, as applicable) to the aggregate amount of its obligations under these types of leveraging transactions (often referred to as “asset segregation”), enter into offsetting transactions, or otherwise “cover” certain transactions, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the SEC’s compliance date in 2022. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Asset Segregation” above. In the event that the Fund is unable to maintain sufficient assets, or otherwise “cover,” any open positions, a portion or all of these instruments will be classified as a “senior security” for 1940 Act purposes and be subject to certain limitations on “senior securities” under the 1940 Act. See “Leverage” above. The Fund may be restricted in its use of assets that are maintained for “asset segregation,” or

 

 

 

95


Risks

 

 

committed as “cover,” for certain other purposes, which could result in the Fund earning a lower return on its portfolio than it might otherwise earn if it did not have to maintain those assets in respect of, or otherwise “cover,” such portfolio positions. To the extent the Fund’s assets are maintained or committed as “cover,” it could limit the Fund’s investment flexibility. Maintaining assets and covering positions will not limit or offset losses on the related leveraging positions. See “—Portfolio Level Risks—Derivatives Risks.”

Special risks related to certain municipal obligations

Municipal leases and certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event that the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover the Fund’s original investment. In the event of non-appropriation, the issuer would be in default and taking ownership of the assets may be a remedy available to the Fund, although the Fund does not anticipate that such a remedy would normally be pursued.

Certificates of participation involve the same risks as the underlying municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificates of participation to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.

Cybersecurity risk

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

 

 

 

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Risks

 

 

cyber incidents in the future. While the Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund.

Certain affiliations

Certain broker-dealers may be considered to be affiliated persons of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen and/or TIAA. Absent an exemption from the SEC or other regulatory relief, the Fund generally is precluded from effecting certain principal transactions with affiliated brokers, and its ability to purchase investments being underwritten by an affiliated broker or a syndicate including an affiliated broker, or to utilize affiliated brokers for agency transactions, is subject to restrictions. The Fund has not applied for and does not currently intend to apply for such relief. This could limit the Fund’s ability to engage in investments transactions and take advantage of market opportunities. In addition, unless and until the underwriting syndicate is broken (i.e., the underwriting syndicate responsible for the initial pricing, marketing and distribution of the securities is disbanded) in connection with the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund will be precluded from effecting principal transactions with brokers who are members of the syndicate.

Management of the Fund

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

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

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUBADVISER

The Investment Adviser

Nuveen Fund Advisors, a registered investment adviser, is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of Nuveen Asset Management, overseeing the Fund’s use of leverage, managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, the investment management arm of TIAA. TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Subadviser

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

 

 

 

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Portfolio Managers

Stephen Liberatore, Jessica Zarzycki and Kristal Seales will serve as the Fund’s portfolio managers.

Stephen M. Liberatore, CFA, is the lead portfolio manager for Nuveen Asset Management’s fixed income strategies that incorporate ESG criteria and Impact investments, including those that comprise our Core Impact Bond, Short Duration Impact Bond and Green Bond composites. He is also a member of the Investment Committee.

Mr. Liberatore serves on the ICMA Green Bond Principles Advisory Council and was a member of the initial executive committee. He joined TIAA in 2004. He is a member of the UN Capital Development Fund’s working group on Climate Insurance Linked Resilient Infrastructure Finance and serves on the UN’s Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund’s Blue Economy Investor Advisory Group. He also serves on S&P’s Global Ratings ESG Leadership Council. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and a subject matter expert across media outlets, such as Bloomberg, CNBC, The Economist and The Wall Street Journal. He and his team were awarded “Investor of the Year” at Environmental Finance’s 2020 Bond Awards. Before joining the firm in 2004, he held roles at Nationwide Mutual Insurance and Protective Life.

Mr. Liberatore graduated with a B.S. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an M.B.A. in Finance and Operations from Wake Forest University. He holds the CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Society of North Carolina and the CFA Institute.

Jessica Zarzycki, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager of the Fund and a senior director and research analyst for Nuveen Asset Management. Ms. Zarzycki is a member of the Global Sovereigns team and is responsible for sovereigns and local markets in both Western and Eastern Europe. Ms. Zarzycki also supports Nuveen Asset Management’s responsible investing fixed income initiatives. Previously, she covered developed market sovereigns, agencies and agency MBS at TIAA. Ms. Zarzycki joined TIAA in 2008. Ms. Zarzycki has 12 years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA, she worked at Citi Global Wealth Management (GWM) where she helped to manage the liquidity and risk of GWM balance sheet. Ms. Zarzycki holds a B.S. in business administration with a focus in finance from The Ohio State University. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a member of the CFA Society New York and the CFA® Institute.

Kristal Seales, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager of the Fund and is also a portfolio manager for Nuveen Asset Management’s leveraged finance team with a focus on the management of high yield ESG mandates. She joined Nuveen Asset Management in 2001 and has worked on investing in corporate private placements, project finance, lease finance and investment-grade public debt offerings across a variety of industries. Since 2009, she has been a member of Nuveen Asset Management’s leveraged finance team and was previously a senior research analyst responsible for covering the gaming, leisure and retail industries. She also oversees the risk and analytics function for Nuveen Asset Management’s global fixed income team. She is a member of Nuveen Asset Management’s Investment Committee, which establishes investment policy for all global fixed income products. She graduated with a B.S. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University. She holds the CFA designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and the New York Society of Security Analysts.

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

 

 

 

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Management of the Fund

 

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUBADVISORY AGREEMENTS

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

FUND-LEVEL FEE

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

 

Fund-Level Average Daily Managed Assets   

Fund-Level

Fee Rate

 

For the first $500 million

     0.8000

For the next $500 million

     0.7750

For the next $500 million

     0.7500

For the next $500 million

     0.7250

For Managed Assets over $2 billion

     0.7000

COMPLEX-LEVEL FEE

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

 

Complex-Level Asset Breakpoint Level*    Effective Rate At
Breakpoint Level
 

$55 billion

     0.2000

$56 billion

     0.1996

$57 billion

     0.1989

$60 billion

     0.1961

$63 billion

     0.1931

$66 billion

     0.1900

$71 billion

     0.1851

$76 billion

     0.1806

$80 billion

     0.1773

$91 billion

     0.1691

$125 billion

     0.1599

$200 billion

     0.1505

$250 billion

     0.1469

$300 billion

     0.1445

 

*  

The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with Nuveen Fund Advisors’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do include certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors during the 2019 calendar year. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes

 

 

 

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  the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by Nuveen Fund Advisors as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2020, the complex-level fee rate was 0.1557%.

Based on eligible assets as of December 31, 2020, the complex-level fee would be 0.1557% of Managed Assets, and the total annual management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors would be 0.9557% of Managed Assets.

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

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

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

Net asset value

The Fund’s NAV is determined as of the close of regular session trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. The Fund’s NAV is calculated by taking the market value of the Fund’s total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total number of Common Shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the NAV. All valuations are subject to review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or its delegate.

In determining the Fund’s NAV, portfolio instruments generally are valued using prices provided by independent pricing services or obtained from other sources, such as broker-dealer quotations. Exchange-traded instruments generally are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on an exchange, if available. Independent pricing services typically value non-exchange-traded instruments utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions. For example, when available, pricing services may utilize inputs such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, spreads, and transactions for comparable instruments. In pricing certain instruments, the pricing services may consider information about an instrument’s issuer or market activity provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management. Pricing service valuations of non-exchange-traded instruments represent the

 

 

 

100


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service’s good faith opinion as to what the holder of an instrument would receive in an orderly transaction for an institutional round lot position under current market conditions. It is possible that these valuations could be materially different from the value that the Fund realizes upon the sale of an instrument. Non-U.S. investments and currency are valued in U.S. dollars based on non-U.S. currency exchange rate quotations supplied by an independent quotation service.

For non-U.S. traded investments whose principal local markets close before the close of the NYSE, the Fund may adjust the local closing price based upon such factors as developments in non-U.S. markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent non-U.S. investments. The Fund may rely on an independent fair valuation service in making any such fair value determinations. If the Fund holds portfolio instruments that are primarily listed on non-U.S. exchanges, the value of such instruments may change on days when the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

If a price cannot be obtained from a pricing service or other pre-approved source, or if, in the judgment of Nuveen Fund Advisors, a price is unreliable, a portfolio instrument will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or its appointee. Nuveen Fund Advisors may determine that a price is unreliable in various circumstances. For example, a price may be deemed unreliable if it has not changed for an identified period of time, or has changed from the previous day’s price by more than a threshold amount, and recent transactions and/or broker dealer price quotations differ materially from the price in question.

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

Distributions

The Fund will pay monthly distributions stated in terms of a fixed number of cents per Common Share. The Fund’s distributions will be composed of net investment income and supplemental amounts generally representing realized capital gains and/or a return of capital. The return of capital component of a Fund distribution may (but will not necessarily) represent unrealized capital gains. A return of capital is a non-taxable distribution of a portion of the Fund’s capital. When the Fund returns (including unrealized capital appreciation) exceed distributions, return of capital may represent portfolio gains earned, but not realized as a taxable capital gain. In periods when the Fund returns fall short of distributions, a return of capital will represent a portion of a shareholder’s original principal. Such shortfall may be offset during other time periods over the life of their investment (previous or subsequent) when the Fund’s total return exceeds distributions. A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis (but not below zero) in Fund shares, which would result in more taxable gain or less taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. Monthly distributions, including such supplemental amounts, represent the potential for capital

 

 

 

101


Distributions

 

 

appreciation and are sometimes referred to as “managed distributions.” The Fund’s managed distribution policy is pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, which permits the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once per year. The Fund will seek to establish a Common Share distribution rate that roughly corresponds to Nuveen Fund Advisors’ projections of the total return that could reasonably be expected to be generated by the Fund’s Common Shares over an extended period of time, although the distribution rate will not be solely dependent on the amount of income earned or capital gains realized. Nuveen Fund Advisors, in making such projections, may consider long-term historical returns of the types of investments in the portfolio, current and expected portfolio composition, current market sentiment, and a variety of other factors. Distributions can only be made after paying any interest and required principal payments on borrowings, if any, and any accrued dividends to preferred shareholders, if any. The Fund expects to declare its initial Common Share distribution within approximately 30 days following the completion of this offering.

If, for any monthly distribution, net investment income and net realized capital gains were less than the amount of the distribution, the difference would be distributed from the Fund’s assets. In order to raise cash for such distributions, the Fund expects to sell portfolio investments. Such portfolio sales may occur at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. The Fund may make additional distributions, or include within the Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year, amounts representing any remaining net investment income and net realized capital gains not distributed during the year.

The Fund’s actual financial performance will likely vary significantly from month-to-month and from year-to-year, and there may be extended periods when the distribution rate will exceed the Fund’s actual total returns. The Fund’s projected or actual distribution rate is not a prediction of what the Fund’s actual total returns will be over any specific future period.

As portfolio and market conditions change, the portion of the Fund’s distributions composed of net investment income, realized capital gain and return of capital will vary. The Fund may also change the rate of distributions on the Common Shares and the Fund’s distribution policy in response to changes in portfolio and market conditions. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Trust is net income or profit. To the extent that the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy exceeds the distribution rate for an extended period, the Fund may be in a position either to increase the distribution rate or to distribute supplemental amounts to shareholders, or both. Conversely, if the total return of the Fund’s overall strategy is less than the distribution rate for an extended period of time, the Fund will effectively be drawing upon its assets to meet payments prescribed by its distribution policy. Similarly, for tax purposes such distributions by the Fund may consist in part of a return of capital to Common Shareholders. The exact tax characteristics of the Fund’s Common Share distributions will not be known until after the Fund’s fiscal year-end. Common Shareholders should not confuse a return of capital distribution with “dividend yield” or “total return.” At the same time that it pays a monthly distribution, the Fund will post on its website (www.nuveen.com/cef), and make available in written form to holders of its Common Shares, a notice of the estimated sources and tax characteristics of the Fund’s distributions (i.e., what percentage of the distributions is estimated to constitute ordinary income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains, and/or a non-taxable return of capital) on a year-to-date basis, in compliance with a federal securities law requirement that any fund paying a distribution from sources other than net investment income disclose to shareholders the respective portion attributable to such other sources. These estimates may be based on certain assumptions about the Fund’s expected investment returns and the realization of net gains, if any, over the remaining course of the year. These estimates may, and likely will, vary over time based on the activities of the Fund and changes in the value of portfolio investments. The final determination of the source and tax

 

 

 

102


Distributions

 

 

characteristics of all distributions will be made after December 31 in each year, and reported to Common Shareholders on Form 1099-DIV early the following year.

As explained more fully below in “Tax Matters,” the Fund intends to distribute to Common Shareholders any net capital gain (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for each taxable year through its managed distributions or, alternatively, to retain all or a portion of the year’s net capital gain and pay U.S. federal income tax on the retained gain. Each Common Shareholder of record as of the end of the Fund’s taxable year will include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of any retained gain, will be deemed to have paid their proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund on such retained gain (provided that the Fund designates such retained gain for inclusion by such Common Shareholder), and will be entitled to an income tax credit or refund for that share of the tax. The Fund may treat any retained capital gain amount as a substitute for equivalent cash distributions. In addition, the Fund may make total Common Share distributions during a given calendar year in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s net investment income and net realized long-term capital gains for that calendar year, in which case the excess will generally be treated by Common Shareholders as return of capital for tax purposes. A return of capital reduces a shareholder’s tax basis (but not below zero), which would result in more taxable gain or less taxable loss when the shareholder sells their shares. This may cause the shareholder to pay taxes even if he or she sells shares for less than the original price.

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

Dividend reinvestment plan

If your Common Shares are registered directly with the Fund or if you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that participates in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), your distributions, including any capital gain distributions, will automatically be reinvested in additional Common Shares under the Plan unless you request otherwise. If you elect not to participate in the Plan, or are not eligible to participate because your brokerage firm does not participate in the Plan, you will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to you or your brokerage firm by Computershare Inc. and Computershare, as dividend paying agent. The tax consequences of a distribution are the same regardless of whether such distribution is reinvested or received in cash. See “Tax Matters.”

Under the Plan, the number of Common Shares you will receive will be determined as follows:

 

  (1)   If the NAV per Common Share is equal to or less than the market price per Common Share plus estimated per share fees (which include any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Agent is required to (pay), the Fund will issue new shares including fractions at a price equal to the greater of (i) NAV per Common Share on that date or (ii) 95% of the market price on that date.

 

  (2)  

If the NAV per Common Share exceeds the market price per Common Share plus estimated per share fees, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase Common Shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. It is possible that the market price for the Common Shares may increase before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases. Therefore, the average purchase price per share paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the purchase of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Fund.

 

 

 

103


Dividend reinvestment plan

 

 

  The Plan Agent will use all dividends and distributions received in cash to purchase Common Shares in the open market within 30 days of the valuation date. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments. The Plan provides that if Common Shares start trading at or above NAV before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the Plan Agent may cease purchasing Common Shares in the open market, and may invest the uninvested portion in new shares at a price equal to the greater of (i) NAV per Common Share determined on the last business day immediately prior to the purchase date or (ii) 95% of the market price on that date.

You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Agent. If you withdraw or the Plan is terminated, you will receive whole shares in your account under the Plan and you will receive a cash payment for any fraction of a share in your account. If you wish, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send you the proceeds, minus brokerage commissions and a $2.50 service fee.

The Plan Agent maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and gives written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information you may need for tax records. Common Shares in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all Common Shares you have received under the Plan.

There is no brokerage charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Shares. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions.

As noted above, if you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial advisor for more information.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if in the judgment of the Board of Trustees the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from Computershare, P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky, 40233-5000, (800) 257-8787.

Description of shares and debt

COMMON SHARES

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $.01 per share and have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed under “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws,” non-assessable, and will have no preemptive or conversion rights, except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine, or rights to cumulative voting. The Declaration of Trust provides that each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Common Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on Preferred Shares

 

 

 

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Description of shares and debt

 

 

have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. The Fund pays monthly dividends, typically on the first business day of the following month.

The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE and will trade under the ticker symbol “NPCT.” The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. The Fund will not issue share certificates.

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a Common Shareholder determines to buy additional Common Shares or sell shares already held, the Common Shareholder may conveniently do so by trading on the exchange through a broker or otherwise. Shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than NAV. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund have, during some periods, traded at prices higher than NAV and, during other periods, have traded at prices lower than NAV. Because the market value of the Common Shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend stability, NAV, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic circumstances, and other factors beyond the Fund’s control, the Fund cannot guarantee you that Common Shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than NAV in the future. See “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” in this prospectus and in the SAI.

The following provides information about the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares as of March 15, 2021:

 

Title of Class   

Authorized

Amount

     Amount Held
by the Fund
or for its
Account
    

Amount

Outstanding

 

Common

     Unlimited        0        5,000 (1) 

 

(1)   Prior to this offering of Common Shares, Nuveen Fund Advisors purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act and therefore owns 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur as of the completion of this offering of Common Shares.

PREFERRED SHARES

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

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

 

 

 

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Description of shares and debt

 

 

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

Distribution preference

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

Liquidation preference

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

Voting rights

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

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

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Preferred Shares of any class or series, as the case may be, voting as a separate class, would be required to, among other things, (1) take certain actions that would affect the preferences, rights, or powers of such class or series or (2) authorize or issue any class or series ranking prior to the Preferred Shares. Except as may otherwise be required by law, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company and (2) the affirmative vote of the

 

 

 

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Description of shares and debt

 

 

holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares; provided however, that such separate class vote would be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any action not described in the preceding sentence requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s investment objective or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. The class or series vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above would in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.

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

Redemption, purchase and sale of preferred shares

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

SENIOR SECURITIES REPRESENTING INDEBTEDNESS

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund, without approval of the Common Shareholders, to borrow money. In this connection, the Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such debt by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Fund’s assets. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any such senior securities debt, must have an “asset coverage” of at least 300%. With respect to any such debt, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented by senior securities issued by the Fund. Certain types of debt may result in the Fund being subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

The rights of lenders to the Fund to receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such debt will be senior to those of the Common Shareholders, and the terms of any such debt may contain provisions which limit certain activities of the Fund, including the payment of dividends to Common Shareholders in certain circumstances. Further, the 1940 Act does (in certain circumstances) grant to the lenders to the Fund certain voting rights in the event of default in the payment of interest on or repayment of principal. Any debt will likely be ranked senior or equal to all other existing and future debt of the Fund.

Should the Fund have outstanding any “senior securities representing indebtedness,” the Fund may not purchase, redeem or acquire any of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares unless at the time of such purchase, redemption, or acquisition, the asset coverage of such senior securities representing

 

 

 

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Description of shares and debt

 

 

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

Inter-fund borrowing and lending

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

 

 

 

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Description of shares and debt

 

 

loan is not available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

Certain provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-laws

General

The By-laws of the Fund provide that by becoming a shareholder of the Fund, each shareholder shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the terms of the Declaration of Trust and By-laws. However, neither the Declaration of Trust nor the By-laws purport to require the waiver of a shareholder’s rights under the federal securities laws.

Shareholder and trustee liability

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

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

Anti-takeover provisions

The Declaration of Trust and By-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. The By-laws require the Board of Trustees be divided into three classes with staggered terms. See “Management of the Fund” in the SAI. This provision of the By-laws could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees. If Preferred Shares are issued, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s trustees. In addition, the Declaration of Trust requires a vote by holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets (other than in the regular course of the Fund’s investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund or (5) a removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the

 

 

 

109


Certain provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-laws

 

 

holders of at least a majority of the Fund’s Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, would be required; provided, however, that where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), only the required vote by the applicable class or series will be required. However, approval of shareholders would not be required for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Fund issues shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization that adversely affects the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, the action in question also would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, unless such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time would be required. None of the foregoing provisions may be amended except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of preferred shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that the provisions of the Declaration of Trust relating to such higher votes are in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

The By-laws of the Fund provide that a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of common shares in a “Control Share Acquisition” shall have the same voting rights as other holders of Common Shares only to the extent authorized by shareholders. Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote in the election of trustees excluding interested shares. Interested shares include shares held by Fund officers and any person who has acquired Common Shares in a Control Share Acquisition (the “Control Share Provisions”). The By-laws define a “Control Share Acquisition,” subject to various conditions and exceptions, generally to mean an acquisition of Common Shares that would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power, but for the Control Share Provisions, in the election of trustees in any one of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. For this purpose, all Common Shares acquired by a person within ninety days before or after the date on which such person acquires shares that result in a Control Share Acquisition, 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. Subject to various conditions and procedural requirements, including the delivery of a “Control Share Acquisition Statement” to the Fund setting forth certain required information, a shareholder who obtains or proposes to obtain beneficial ownership of common shares in a Control Share Acquisition generally may request a vote of shareholders to approve the authorization of voting rights of such shareholder with respect to such shares.

The provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-laws described above could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a third party. They provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate

 

 

 

110


Certain provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-laws

 

 

with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund’s investment objective and policies. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.

Term

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund will have a limited period of existence and will terminate as of the Stated Termination Date; provided that the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, extend the Fund’s term for up to two one year periods; furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Trustees determines to cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer, and the Eligible Tender Offer is completed, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time, subject to the terms and conditions described herein. Unless the Fund’s existence is continued without limitation of time as described herein on or before the Termination Date, the Fund will cease its investment operations, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, liquidate its investment portfolio (to the extent possible) and, on or after the Termination Date, the Fund will distribute all of its liquidated net assets to Common Shareholders of record in one or more distributions.

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund, or any class or series thereof, may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees by notice to the shareholders without a vote of the shareholders of the Fund.

The Declaration of Trust provides that an Eligible Tender Offer is a tender offer by the Fund to all holders of outstanding common shares as of a date within 18 months preceding the Termination Date. If the tender offer is completed, Common Shareholders who properly tender Common Shares in the Eligible Tender Offer will receive a purchase price equal to the NAV per share on the expiration date of the Eligible Tender Offer. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if the number of properly tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund exceeding the Termination Threshold, then the Board of Trustees may determine to provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time. The Declaration of Trust provides that if net assets of the Fund would be less than the Termination Threshold following the completion of the Eligible Tender Offer, the tender offer will not be completed, no Common Shares will be purchased and the Fund will terminate as of the Termination Date.

Procedural requirements on derivative actions, exclusive jurisdiction and jury trial waiver

The By-laws of the Fund, dated as of October 5, 2020 and effective with respect to the Fund as of December 3, 2020, contain certain provisions affecting potential shareholder claims against the Fund, including procedural requirements for derivative actions, an exclusive forum provision, and the waiver of shareholder rights to a jury trial. Massachusetts is considered a “universal demand” state, meaning that under Massachusetts corporate law a shareholder must make a demand on the company before bringing a derivative action (i.e., a lawsuit brought by a shareholder on behalf of the company). The By-laws of the Fund, dated as of October 5, 2020 and effective with respect to the Fund as of December 3, 2020, provide detailed procedures for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders (the “Demand By-law”) which are modeled on the substantive provisions of the Massachusetts corporate law derivative demand statute. The Demand By-law is intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Among other things, the Demand By-law:

 

   

provides that before bringing a derivative action, a shareholder must make a written demand to the Fund;

 

 

 

111


Certain provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-laws

 

 

   

establishes a 90 day review period, subject to extension in certain circumstances, for the Board of Trustees to evaluate the shareholder’s demand;

 

   

establishes a mechanism for the Board of Trustees to submit the question of whether to maintain a derivative action to a vote of shareholders;

 

   

provides that if the Fund does not notify the requesting shareholder of the rejection of the demand within the applicable review period, the shareholder may commence a derivative action;

 

   

establishes bases upon which a trustee will not be considered to be not independent for purposes of evaluating a derivative demand; and

 

   

provides that if the trustees who are independent for purposes of considering a shareholder demand determine in good faith within the applicable review period that the maintenance of a derivative action is not in the best interest of the Fund, the shareholder shall not be permitted to maintain a derivative action unless he or she 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 Fund.

The Demand By-law may be more restrictive than procedures for bringing derivative suits applicable to other investment companies.

The By-laws also require that actions by shareholders against the Fund, except for actions under the U.S. federal securities laws, be brought only in a certain federal court in Massachusetts, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County (the “Exclusive Jurisdictions”), and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. The designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder were permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholder’s ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. It is possible that a court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Fund’s By-laws.

Preemptive rights

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

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

Repurchase of Common Shares; conversion to open-end fund

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), NAV, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic circumstances and other factors. Because shares of closed-end investment companies frequently may trade at prices lower than NAV the Fund’s Board of Trustees has currently

 

 

 

112


Repurchase of Common Shares; conversion to open-end fund

 

 

determined that, at least annually, it will consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from NAV in respect of Common Shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at NAV, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Fund cannot assure you that its Board of Trustees will decide to take any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce market discount.

If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, the Common Shares would no longer be listed on the NYSE or elsewhere and it would likely have to significantly reduce any leverage it is then employing, which may require a repositioning of its investment portfolio, which may in turn generate substantial transaction costs, which would be borne by Common Shareholders, and may adversely affect Fund performance and Fund distributions. In contrast to a closed-end investment company, shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder) at their NAV, less any redemption charge that is in effect at the time of redemption. The Fund currently expects that any such redemptions would be made in cash. The Fund may charge sales or redemption fees upon conversion to an open-end fund. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end investment companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Trustees may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company depending upon its judgment as to the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing. See “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” in the SAI for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company.

Before deciding whether to take any action if the Common Shares trade below NAV, the Board of Trustees would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders, and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Trustees may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken. See “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” in the SAI for a further discussion of possible action to reduce or eliminate such discount to NAV.

Tax matters

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

The discussions below and certain disclosure in the SAI provide general U.S. federal income tax information related to an investment in the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. The following tax discussion assumes that you are a U.S. Common Shareholder (as defined under “Tax Matters” in the SAI) and that you hold the Common Shares as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment).

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other taxing jurisdiction.

 

 

 

113


Tax matters

 

 

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

If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Common Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold Common Shares should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax considerations to their partners of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must satisfy certain requirements regarding the sources of its income, the diversification of its assets and the distribution of its income. As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income and net recognized capital gains that it distributes to Common Shareholders.

Although the Fund primarily invests in securities whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax, the Fund also will invest in tax-exempt municipal securities as described above. Although the Fund anticipates investing a portion of its assets in municipal securities, the Fund will not satisfy the requirements of the Code to pay exempt-interest dividends to you. Exempt-interest dividends distributed by the Fund generally would be excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To be eligible to pay exempt interest dividends the Fund would need to satisfy a number of requirements including that at least 50 percent of the value of the Fund’s total assets, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, must consist of qualifying tax-exempt municipal securities. The Fund does not expect to satisfy this requirement. Thus, substantially all of the Fund’s dividends paid to you will be taxable dividends. Additionally, because of the Fund’s investment objective, it generally does not expect to distribute dividends eligible for qualified dividend income treatment or the dividends received deduction. In addition to ordinary dividends, the Fund also may distribute to its Common Shareholders amounts that are treated as long-term capital gain. Taxable distributions are taxable whether or not such distributions are received in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Capital gain distributions are generally taxable at rates applicable to long-term capital gains regardless of how long a Common Shareholder has held his or her Common Shares. Long-term capital gains for noncorporate shareholders are currently taxable at a maximum rate of 20%.

As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in any taxable year on income or gains that it timely distributes to shareholders. As described in “Distributions” above, the Fund may retain for investment a portion of its net investment income and some (or all) of its net capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it generally will be subject to tax at the regular corporate income tax rate on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains as part of its annual reporting to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal

 

 

 

114


Tax matters

 

 

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

Dividends and other taxable distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such month and paid during the following January will be treated as having been received by shareholders in the year the distributions were declared.

Each Common Shareholder will receive an annual statement summarizing the shareholder’s dividend and capital gains distributions (including net capital gains credited to the Common Shareholder but retained by the Fund) after the close of the Fund’s taxable year.

The sale or exchange of Common Shares, including in connection with the Fund’s final distribution to shareholders on or about the Termination Date, normally will result in capital gain or loss to Common Shareholders in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount realized from the sale or other disposition. Generally a shareholder’s gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the same rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 20%, while short-term capital gains and other ordinary income are currently taxed at ordinary income rates. If a Common Shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of Common Shares before holding them for more than six months, any loss on the sale or disposition will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net capital gains distributed to the Common Shareholder (including any net capital gains credited to them but retained by the Fund). Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of Common Shares will be disallowed to the extent those Common Shares are replaced by other substantially identical shares within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the original Common Shares. In that event, the basis of the replacement shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

The Fund invests in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. The Fund intends for the Subsidiary to be treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund intends for the Subsidiary to be disregarded as an entity separate from its sole shareholder, the Fund, and assuming that the Subsidiary is a disregarded entity, the income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Subsidiary will be reported by the Fund as such items are realized.

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes, which could reduce the amount of its distributions. If more than 50% of the Fund’s assets are invested in foreign securities at the end of a year, the Fund will be eligible to make an election permitting shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for their pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If it makes this election, the Fund may report more taxable income to Common Shareholders than it actually distributes. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be eligible to pass through foreign tax credits in any given year.

The Fund may be required to “backup” withhold U.S. federal income tax at the current rate of 24% of all taxable distributions payable to Common Shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if the Common Shareholders have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that they are subject to backup

 

 

 

115


Tax matters

 

 

withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

The Fund may invest in other securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which is uncertain or subject to re-characterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or their income differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to RICs under the Code. Common Shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

 

 

116


  

 

 

Underwriting

The underwriters named below (the “Underwriters”), acting through UBS Securities LLC, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019; BofA Securities, Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 550 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 as their representatives (the “Representatives”), have severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement with the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Nuveen Asset Management (the “Underwriting Agreement”), to purchase from the Fund the number of Common Shares set forth opposite their respective names. The Underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all such Common Shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are purchased.

 

Underwriter    Number of
Common Shares
 

UBS Securities LLC

                       

BofA Securities, Inc.

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

  

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

  

Aegis Capital Corp.

  

Alexander Capital L.P.

  

AmeriVet Securities, Inc.

  

B. Riley Securities, Inc.

  

Bancroft Capital LLC

  

Brookline Capital Markets, a Division of Arcadia Securities, LLC

  

D.A. Davidson & Co.

  

GMS Group, LLC

  

Hilltop Securities Inc.

  

Incapital LLC

  

Ingalls & Snyder LLC

  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

  

JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC

  

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

  

Maxim Group LLC

  

National Securities Corporation

  

Newbridge Securities Corporation

  

Northland Securities, Inc.

  

Pershing LLC

  

Wedbush Securities Inc.

  

Wintrust Investments, LLC

  
  

 

 

 

Total

  
  

 

 

 

If an Underwriter fails to purchase the Common Shares it has agreed to purchase, the Underwriting Agreement provides that one or more substitute underwriters may be found, the purchase commitments of the remaining Underwriters may be increased or the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.

The Fund has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional              Common Shares to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial offering price. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments incurred in the sale of the Common Shares offered hereby. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise this option, each of the Underwriters will have a firm commitment, subject to certain conditions, to purchase an additional number of Common Shares proportionate to such Underwriter’s initial commitment.

 

 

 

117


Underwriting

 

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Common Shares included in this offering are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and certain other conditions.

Investors purchasing Common Shares in this offering will not be charged a sales load. Nuveen Fund Advisors (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay, from its own assets, compensation of up to $         per Common Share to the Underwriters in connection with the offering, which aggregate amount will not exceed         % of the total public offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering. See “—Additional Compensation to be Paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors,” below. The Representatives have advised the Fund that the Underwriters may pay up to $         per Common Share from such compensation to selected dealers who sell the Common Shares and that such dealers may reallow a concession of up to $         per Share to certain other dealers who sell Common Shares.

Investors must pay for any Common Shares purchased on or before                 , 2021.

Nuveen Fund Advisors (and not the Fund) will pay all organizational expenses of the Fund and all offering costs associated with this offering. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organizational expenses or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to pay expenses related to the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) of the terms of the sale of the Common Shares, in an amount not to exceed $                , and the filing fees incident to the filing of this offering with FINRA.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public or private market for the Common Shares or any other securities of the Fund. Consequently, the offering price for the Common Shares was determined by negotiation among the Fund and the Representatives. There can be no assurance, however, that the price at which the Common Shares sell after this offering will not be lower than the price at which they are sold by the Underwriters or that an active trading market in the Common Shares will develop and continue after this offering. The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE and will trade under the trading or ticker symbol “NPCT.”

In connection with the requirements for listing the Common Shares on the NYSE, the Underwriters have undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more Common Shares to a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in the United States. The minimum investment requirement is 100 Common Shares.

The Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management have each agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters for or to contribute to the losses arising out of certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities, except in the cases of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of applicable obligations and duties.

The Fund has agreed not to offer, sell or register with the SEC any additional equity securities of the Fund, other than issuances (1) of Common Shares hereby, (2) of preferred shares or (3) pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, for a period of 180 days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

Certain employees of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management and their affiliates, who have indicated an interest in purchasing Common Shares in this offering have agreed that for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, such party will not, without the prior written consent of the

 

 

 

118


Underwriting

 

 

Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or agree to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or hedge any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, provided, however, that in such party may sell or otherwise dispose of Common Shares pursuant to certain limited exceptions. The Representatives in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.

In connection with this offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell Common Shares in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Shares and syndicate short positions involve the sale by the Underwriters of a greater number of Common Shares than they are required to purchase from the Fund in this offering. The Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers in respect of the Common Shares sold in this offering for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such Common Shares are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Shares, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time without notice. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE or otherwise.

In connection with the offering, certain of the Underwriters or selected dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.

The Fund anticipates that from time to time certain of the Underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be Underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are Underwriters. Certain Underwriters have performed investment banking and advisory services for Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates from time to time, for which they have received customary fees and expenses. Certain Underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform services for Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO BE PAID BY NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS

Nuveen Fund Advisors (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay from its own assets, underwriting compensation of up to $         per Common Share to the Underwriters in connection with the offering, which aggregate amount will not exceed         % of the total public offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering. Such per share underwriting compensation payable by Nuveen Fund Advisors may be reduced with respect to the purchase of Common Shares by certain types of investors, including employees of Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates or strategic partners; individuals purchasing Common Shares through certain types of fee-based advisory accounts; and individuals purchasing Common Shares through accounts with certain registered investment advisors.

Nuveen Fund Advisors (and not the Fund) has also agreed to pay, from its own assets, to each of UBS Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. (or an affiliate), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated a fee for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund as well as for services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares in the amount of $                , $                , $                , $                 and $                , respectively. If the over-allotment option is not exercised, the structuring fee paid to each of UBS Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. (or an affiliate), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will not exceed         %,         %,         %,         %, and         %, respectively, of the total public offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering.

 

 

 

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Underwriting

 

 

Additionally, Nuveen Fund Advisors (and not the Fund) may pay, from its own assets, certain other qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee or other additional compensation in connection with the offering.

The sum of all compensation to the Underwriters in connection with this public offering of Common Shares, including the underwriting compensation payable by Nuveen Fund Advisor, the structuring fees, all forms of additional payments to the Underwriters and certain other expenses will not exceed         % of the total public offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering.

Custodian and transfer agent

The custodian of the Fund’s assets and the Subsidiary’s assets is State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The Custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Fund’s transfer, shareholders services and dividend paying agent is Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Computershare is located at 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

Legal opinions and experts

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois, advised the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Common Shares. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP may rely as to certain matters of Massachusetts law on the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing services to the Fund.

Note: The Fund or securities referred to herein are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability with respect to such Fund or securities or any index on which such Fund or securities are based. The Prospectus contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI has with the Fund and any related funds.

 

 

 

 

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LOGO

 

 

LPR-NPCT-0421D

 

 


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

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 26, 2021

NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Investment Objective and Policies

     2  

Leverage

     8  

Investment Restrictions

     11  

Portfolio Composition and Other Information

     13  

Management of the Fund

     37  

Investment Adviser

     59  

Subadviser

     60  

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     64  

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

     64  

Description of Shares and Debt

     66  

Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund

     68  

Tax Matters

     70  

Experts

     78  

Custodian and Transfer Agent

     78  

Additional Information

     78  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     79  

Financial Statements

     80  

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

     A-1  

Appendix B—Nuveen Asset Management’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     B-1  

Appendix C—Nuveen Fund Advisors’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

     C-1  

This Statement of Additional Information is dated                                         , 2021


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return through high current income and capital appreciation, while giving special consideration to certain impact and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or that the Fund’s investment strategies will be successful. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.

Fund Strategies

The Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed and will seek to deliver a direct and measurable positive social and environmental impact as well as ESG leadership. In selecting fixed-income investments, Nuveen Asset Management performs its own credit analysis, paying particular attention to economic trends and other market events. Subject to Nuveen’s proprietary public market impact framework criteria (the “Impact Criteria”) and Nuveen’s ESG criteria described below, individual securities will be selected to construct a portfolio consistent with the Fund’s investment objective of total return through high current income and capital appreciation.

In addition, the Fund’s investment in fixed-income investments of any type is subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

Impact Criteria

The fixed-income investments invested according to the Impact Criteria provide direct exposure to issuers and/or individual projects with social or environmental benefits. The portion of the Fund invested in accordance with the Impact Criteria is not required to meet ESG criteria provided by a third party.

The Impact Criteria are designed to identify investments that will generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. These investments are intended to provide access to the following four social and environmental themes:

(1) Affordable Housing: Investments that support the financing of low and moderate income housing loans, transit oriented development (i.e., a mix of commercial, residential, office and entertainment centered around or located near a transit station), walkable communities, or mixed-use development projects.

(2) Community & Economic Development: Investments that support financial services, hospital/ medical services, educational services, community centers, reconstruction activities, urban revitalization, humanitarian, disaster, and international aid services, all of which are inclusive of underserved and/or economically disadvantaged communities.

(3) Renewable Energy & Climate Change: Investments that finance new or expand existing renewable energy projects (including hydroelectric, solar and wind), smart grid and other projects designed to make power generation and transmission systems more efficient, and other energy efficiency projects which seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(4) Natural Resources: Investments that support land conservation, sustainable forestry and agriculture, remediation and redevelopment of polluted or contaminated sites, sustainable waste management projects, water infrastructure including improvement of clean drinking water supplies and/or sewer systems, and sustainable building projects.

 

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ESG Criteria and Evaluation Process

Nuveen’s ESG criteria are generally implemented based on data provided by independent research vendor(s). The Fund relies upon ESG ratings, controversy scores and controversial business indicators from such vendor(s), and applies internal, proprietary thresholds to those data points to create the pool of eligible portfolio investments. The Fund has the right to change such vendor(s) and to change the number of vendors providing ESG data at any time. In addition, the Fund considers Nuveen’s internal, proprietary ESG ratings as an additional factor in security selection. In those limited cases where independent ESG criteria are not available for certain types of investments or for certain issuers, these investments may nonetheless be eligible for investment by the Fund should they meet certain internal ESG criteria. Substantially all issuers, other than those in which the Fund invests in accordance with the Impact Criteria described above, must meet or exceed minimum ESG performance standards to be eligible for investment by the Fund.

The corporate issuer evaluation process favors companies with leadership in ESG performance relative to their peers. Typically, environmental assessment categories include climate change, natural resource use, waste management and environmental opportunities. Social evaluation categories include human capital, product safety and social opportunities. Governance assessment categories include corporate governance, business ethics and government and public policy. How well companies adhere to international norms and principles and involvement in major ESG controversies (examples of which may relate to the environment, customers, human rights and community, labor rights and supply chain, and governance) are other considerations.

The ESG evaluation process with respect to corporate issuers is conducted on an industry-specific basis and involves the identification of key performance indicators, which are given more or less relative weight compared to the broader range of potential assessment categories. When ESG concerns exist, the evaluation process gives careful consideration to how companies address the risks and opportunities they face in the context of their sector or industry and relative to their peers. The Fund will not generally invest in companies significantly involved in certain business activities including, but not limited to, the production of alcohol, tobacco, military weapons, firearms, nuclear power, thermal coal, and gambling products and services.

The ESG evaluation process with respect to government issuers favors issuers with leadership in ESG performance relative to all peers. Typically, environmental assessment categories include the issuer’s ability to protect, harness, and supplement its natural resources, and to manage environmental vulnerabilities and externalities. Social assessment categories include the issuer’s ability to develop a healthy, productive, and stable workforce and knowledge capital, and to create a supportive economic environment. Governance assessment categories include the issuer’s institutional capacity to support long-term stability and well-functioning financial, judicial, and political systems, and capacity to address environmental and social risks. The government ESG evaluation process is conducted on a global basis and reflects how an issuer’s exposure to and management of ESG risk factors may affect the long-term sustainability of its economy.

Other Considerations and Investments

While the Fund will invest in issuers that meet the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria, it is not required to invest in every issuer that meets these criteria. In addition, if an issuer meets certain ESG criteria but does not satisfy all ESG assessment categories it may not automatically be eliminated as an eligible investment. The Impact Criteria, the ESG criteria and the resulting universe of eligible investments may be changed without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

Nuveen Asset Management seeks to ensure that the Fund’s investments are consistent with its Impact Criteria and/or ESG criteria, but it cannot guarantee that this will always be the case for every Fund investment. Consistent with its responsibilities, Nuveen Asset Management has the right to change the ESG vendor(s) at any time and to add to the number of vendors providing the universe of eligible companies. Investing on the basis of Impact Criteria or ESG criteria is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there can be no assurance that the Impact Criteria utilized by Nuveen, the ESG criteria utilized by the Fund’ ESG vendor(s), or any judgment exercised by Nuveen Asset Management will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor.

 

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The Fund’s investments will include investment grade and below investment grade investments. Below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”) generally provide high income in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the failure to make required interest or principal payments.

The Fund may also invest in certain asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and other securities that represent interests in assets such as pools of mortgage loans, automobile loans or credit card receivables. These securities are typically issued by legal entities established specifically to hold assets and to issue debt obligations backed by those assets. Asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities are normally created or “sponsored” by banks or other institutions or by certain government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae” or “FNMA”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”). The Fund does not take into consideration whether the sponsor of an asset-backed security in which it invests meets the Impact Criteria or the ESG criteria. That is because asset-backed securities represent interests in pools of loans, and not of the ongoing business enterprise of the sponsor. It is therefore possible that the Fund could invest in an asset-backed or mortgage-backed security sponsored by a bank or other financial institution in which the Fund could not invest directly. However, the investments underlying an asset-backed or mortgage-backed security will generally meet or exceed the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

The Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria will apply to the Fund’s investment exposure through derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the Fund’s fixed-income investments. However, neither the Impact Criteria nor Nuveen’s ESG criteria will apply to the Fund’s investments in derivatives used for hedging purposes.

The Fund is not restricted from investing in any investments issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund considers investments in these investments to be consistent with its investment and social objectives.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s strategies will be successful.

Portfolio Contents

The Fund generally invests in a portfolio of fixed-income investments of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, preferred securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds, senior loans and loan participations and assignments, sovereign debt instruments, debt securities issued by supranational agencies, and U.S. government securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities).

The Fund’s portfolio may contain restricted and illiquid investments (i.e., investments that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted investments (investments the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), investments that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements. Restricted investments may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act.

The Fund may also invest directly in Regulation S securities that are freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The Fund may invest in securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), that invest primarily in the types of investments in which the Fund may invest directly.

 

4


The Fund may invest without limitation in credit default swaps, and may enter into credit default swaps as either a buyer or a seller. The credit default swaps in which the Fund may invest include credit default swap indices (“CDX”) and those in which the underlying reference instrument is the debt obligation of a single reference issuer (“single-name CDS”). A CDX is a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. Certain CDX instruments are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swaps or CDX transactions. Unlike other types of credit default swaps, single-name CDS do not have the benefit of diversification across many issuers.

In addition to credit default swaps, the Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objective. Such instruments include financial futures contracts and options thereon, forward contracts, swaps (with varying terms, including interest rate swaps), options on swaps and other fixed-income derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments, to limit exposure to losses due to changes to foreign currency exchange rates or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives” in the Prospectus.

The Fund may also invest in other types of investments and debt instruments described in this SAI. See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information” below for additional information on the types of investments in which the Fund may invest.

Investment Policies

Under normal circumstances:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria;

 

   

The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in below investment grade investments (investments rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality);

 

   

The Fund may invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in investments rated CCC/Caa or lower at the time of investment (or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality), including defaulted investments;

 

   

The Fund may invest without limitation in investments of foreign issuers, with no more than 30% of its Managed Assets in investments of foreign issuers that are located in emerging market countries; and

 

   

The Fund may invest without limitation in restricted and illiquid investments (including Rule 144A investments that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A securities”)).

The foregoing policies apply only at the time of any new investment. The Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria, may not be changed without 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

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

 

5


Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a workout arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to investments that are not in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.

For purposes of the limitations on emerging market debt securities, the Fund will classify an issuer based on the issuer’s country of origin, generally as determined by an unaffiliated, recognized financial data provider. An issuer’s country of origin is based on a number of criteria, such as the issuer’s country of domicile or country in which the issuer conducts its primary operations, the primary exchange on which its investments trade, the location from which the majority of the issuer’s revenue comes, and the issuer’s reporting currency. The Fund will classify an issuer of an investment as being an emerging market issuer based on the determination of an unaffiliated, recognized financial data provider. The term “emerging market” describes any country or market that is generally considered to be emerging or developing by major organizations in the international financial community, such as the International Finance Corporation, or by financial industry analysts like MSCI, Inc., which compiles the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which compiles several fixed-income emerging markets benchmarks; or other countries or markets with similar emerging characteristics. Emerging markets can include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most nations located in Western Europe. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fixed-income portfolio management team generally views Israel as an emerging market.

The portion of the Fund’s assets invested in below investment grade investments (such investments are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”) may vary over time. Below investment grade investments are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends, and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. These investments generally provide higher income than investment grade securities in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the issuer’s failure to make required interest, dividend or principal payments on the investments. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, an investment’s rating is determined using the middle rating of Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business (“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P”) and Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”) if all three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) rate the investment. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If an investment is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management is used. Investment rating limitations are considered to apply only at the time of investment and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of investments.

During temporary defensive periods, the period in which the net proceeds of this offering of Common Shares are first being invested (the “invest-up period”), the “wind-up” period (the approximately six month period during which the Fund is transitioning its portfolio as the Fund’s Termination Date approaches) or the period in which the Fund’s assets are being liquidated in anticipation of the Fund’s termination, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objective. During such periods, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities or may invest in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. During the invest-up period, the Fund may also purchase securities issued by ETFs that invest primarily in fixed-income investments of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. Any such investments in ETFs will be in compliance with the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, the rules promulgated thereunder, or pursuant to any exemptive relief obtained thereunder. There can be no assurance that such techniques will be successful. Accordingly, during such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. by investing in Core Plus Impact Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund, which will

 

6


invest primarily in Regulation S securities. The Subsidiary is advised by the Nuveen Asset Management, which complies with the provisions of Section 15 of the 1940 Act relating to investment advisory contracts as an investment adviser to the Fund under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Subsidiary may also hold cash and invest in other instruments, including fixed income securities, that are not Regulation S securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s Regulation S positions. The Fund and the Subsidiary each complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act regarding capital structure. In addition, the Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Section 17 of the 1940 Act relating to affiliated transactions and custody of portfolio investments. The Fund’s custodian also serves as the custodian to the Subsidiary. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Subsidiary Risk” and “—Portfolio Level Risks—Regulation S Securities Risk” in the Prospectus.

The Subsidiary will be managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. As a result, Nuveen Asset Management, in managing the Subsidiary’s portfolio, will be subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Fund, and, in particular, to the requirements relating to portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage, and the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. These policies and restrictions are described in detail throughout this Prospectus. The Fund and Subsidiary will test for compliance with certain investment restrictions on a consolidated basis, except that with respect to its investments in certain securities that may involve leverage, the Subsidiary will comply with asset segregation requirements to the same extent as the Fund.

The Subsidiary is a Cayman Islands exempted company that is wholly owned and controlled by the Fund and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary and it is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors. It is expected that the Subsidiary will invest primarily in Regulation S securities. As a result, the Fund, through its investment in the Subsidiary, is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with Regulation S securities. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Subsidiary Risk” and “—Portfolio Level Risks— Regulation S Securities Risk” in the Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the International Bond Fund or the Subsidiary will be achieved.

The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, therefore, is not subject to the investor protection provisions of the 1940 Act (unless otherwise noted in the Prospectus or this SAI). As an investor in the Subsidiary, the Fund does not have all of the protections offered to investors by the 1940 Act. However, the Subsidiary is wholly owned and controlled by the Fund and managed by Nuveen Asset Management. Therefore, the Fund’s ownership and control of the Subsidiary make it unlikely that the Subsidiary would take actions contrary to the interests of the Fund or its shareholders. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the International Bond Fund to invest in the Subsidiary as described in the Prospectus and in this SAI and could adversely affect the Fund. For example, the Cayman Islands currently does not impose certain taxes on exempted companies like the Subsidiary, including income and capital gains tax, among others. If Cayman Islands laws were changed to require such entities to pay Cayman Islands taxes, the investment returns of the Fund would likely decrease.

Nuveen Asset Management will provide investment management and other services to the Subsidiary. Nuveen Asset Management will not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with investment management or administrative services. However, the Fund will pay Nuveen Asset Management based on the Fund’s assets, including the assets invested in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will also enter into separate contracts for the provision of custody and audit services with the same or with affiliates of the same service providers that provide those services to the Fund.

The financial statements of the Subsidiary will be consolidated with the Fund’s financial statements in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, when produced, will be distributed to Common Shareholders, and copies of the reports will be available on the Fund’s website (http://www.nuveen.com) free of.

 

7


Other Policies

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

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

The Fund will not invest, either directly or indirectly through derivatives, in contingent capital securities or contingent convertible securities (sometimes referred to as “CoCos”).

LEVERAGE

The Fund anticipates using leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. The Fund may source leverage initially and throughout the life of the Fund through a number of methods including through borrowings, issuing preferred shares of beneficial interest (“Preferred Shares”), the issuance of debt securities, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and investing in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Fund’s investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate certificates. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives that may have the economic effect of leverage. The sources of leverage will vary depending on market conditions. See “Leverage,” “ Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Inverse Floating Rate Securities Risk,” and “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives.” The Fund anticipates using such leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 35% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, if current market conditions persist. The Fund may employ leverage through the issuance of Preferred Shares within 12 months after the completion of this offering, but may do so only if the Board of Trustees determines it to be in the best interests of Common Shareholders.

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

The Fund may use derivatives, such as interest rate swaps with varying terms, in order to hedge duration risk or manage the interest rate expense associated with all or a portion of its leverage. Interest rate swaps are bi-lateral agreements whereby parties agree to exchange future payments, typically based upon the differential of a fixed rate and a variable rate, on a specified notional amount. Interest rate swaps can enable the Fund to effectively convert its variable leverage expense to fixed, or vice-versa. For example, if the Fund issues leverage having a short-term floating rate of interest, the Fund could use interest rate swaps to hedge against a rise in the short-term benchmark interest rates associated with its outstanding leverage. In doing so, the Fund would seek to achieve lower leverage costs, and thereby enhance Common Share distributions, over an extended period, which

 

8


would be the result if short-term market interest rates on average exceed the fixed interest rate over the term of the swap. To the extent the fixed swap rate is greater than short-term market interest rates on average over the period, overall costs associated with leverage will be greater (and thereby reduce distributions to Common Shareholders) than if the Fund had not entered into the interest rate swap(s). See “Portfolio Composition and Other Information—Derivatives” in the Prospectus.

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

In pursuit of its investment objective, the Fund has the ability to reduce or increase the amount and type of leverage based upon changes in market conditions, composition of the Fund’s holdings and remaining time until the Fund’s Termination Date. The Fund’s leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used and variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

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

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

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

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

(4) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in investments of issuers in any one industry or group of related industries; provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities backed principally by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users nor shall it apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities, and provided further that for purposes of this limitation, the term “issuer” shall not include a lender selling a participation to the Fund together with any other person interpositioned between such lender and the Fund with respect to a participation that shifts to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower3;

(5) Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such real estate and this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities of companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, including real estate investment trusts, and securities secured by real estate or interests therein and the Fund may hold and sell real estate or; mortgages on real estate acquired through default, liquidation, or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result of the Fund’s ownership of such securities;

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

4 Section 21 of the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for a registered investment company, like the Fund, to lend money or other property if (i) the investment company’s policies set forth in its registration statement do not permit such a loan or (ii) the borrower controls or is under common control with the investment company. The SEC has granted to Nuveen Fund Advisors, and to certain funds to which it advises, exemptive relief from Section 21 (the “NFA Section 21 Relief”). The NFA Section 21 Relief may be relied upon by the Fund, so long as the Fund complies with the terms and conditions of the NFA Section 21 Relief.

 

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(8) With respect to 75% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, purchase any securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States government or by its agencies or instrumentalities and securities of other investment companies), if as a result more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would then be invested in securities of a single issuer or if as a result the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer.

Under the 1940 Act, investments of more than 25% of a fund’s total assets in one or more issuers in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. The policy in subparagraph (4) above will be interpreted in accordance with public interpretations of the SEC and its staff pertaining to concentration from time to time. The policy in subparagraph (4) above will be interpreted to give broad authority to the Fund as to how to classify issuers within or among either industries or groups of related industries. The Fund currently utilizes any one or more industry classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by Nuveen Fund Advisors. For the purpose of applying the 25% industry limitation set forth in subparagraph (4) above, the Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with its concentration policy, to the extent the Fund has sufficient information about such investments.

For the purpose of applying the limitation set forth in subparagraph (8) above, an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of a security when its assets and revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in the case of a non-governmental issuer, such as an industrial corporation or a privately owned or operated hospital, if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental issuer, then such non-governmental issuer would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Where a security is also backed by the enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental or other entity (other than a bond insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility, such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee or letter of credit would be considered a separate security and would be treated as an issue of such government, other entity or bank. When a municipal security is insured by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security that is issued or guaranteed by the insurer; instead, the issuer of such municipal security will be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing restrictions do not limit the percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in municipal securities insured by any given insurer.

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

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

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

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

 

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

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION

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

Corporate Bonds

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

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

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

Emerging Market Issuers

The Fund will invest in investments of emerging market issuers. The Fund’s emerging market investments include a broad range of investments of emerging market issuers such as government bonds, corporate bonds, and other sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt instruments. The Fund will classify an issuer of an investment based on the issuer’s country of origin, generally as determined by an unaffiliated, recognized financial data provider. An issuer’s country or origin is based on a number of criteria, such as the issuer’s country of domicile or country in which the issuer conducts its primary operations, the primary exchange on which its securities trade, the location from which the majority of the issuer’s revenue comes, and the issuer’s reporting currency. The term “emerging market” describes any country or market that is generally considered to be emerging or developing by major organizations in the international financial community, such as the International Finance Corporation, or by financial industry analysts like MSCI, Inc., which compiles the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which compiles several fixed-income emerging markets benchmarks; or other countries or markets with similar emerging characteristics. Emerging markets can include every nation in the world except

 

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the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most nations located in Western Europe. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the fixed-income portfolio management team generally views Israel as an emerging market.

The Fund’s emerging market debt investments may also include secured loans, unsecured loans, senior loans, second lien loans, subordinated debt and sukuk debt instruments.

Sukuk are certificates structured to comply with Sharia law and its investment principles. These certificates usually represent the beneficial ownership interest in a portfolio of eligible existing or future tangible or intangible assets (“underlying assets”). In a typical sukuk, a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) issues certificates to investors in exchange for their capital. The SPV transfers the capital to or for the benefit of the entity that is raising the capital (the “obligor”) in exchange for the underlying assets of the obligor that are held in trust by the SPV. The obligor is obligated, usually through a series of contracts, to make periodic payments to investors through the SPV over a specified period of time and a final payment to investors through the SPV on a date certain. Obligors of sukuk include financial institutions and corporations, foreign governments and agencies of foreign governments, including issuers in emerging markets.

Sovereign and Supranational Securities

Sovereign securities are issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments or their agencies, authorities, political subdivisions or instrumentalities, and supranational agencies. A supranational agency is a multinational union or association in which member countries cede authority and sovereignty on a limited number of matters to the group, whose decisions are binding upon its members. Quasi-sovereign securities typically are issued by companies or agencies that may receive financial support or backing from a local government or in which the government owns a majority of the issuer’s voting shares.

The ability of a foreign sovereign issuer, especially in an emerging market country, to make timely and ultimate payments on its debt obligations will be strongly influenced by the sovereign issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations of interest rate and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its export in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. If a sovereign issuer cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multinational organizations. There may be no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the U.S. by which defaulted interest may be collected.

The Fund also may invest in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by supranational agencies organized or supported by several national governments, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank. In addition, the Portfolio may purchase debt obligations of foreign corporations or financial institutions, such as Yankee bonds (dollar-denominated bonds sold in the United States by foreign companies), Samurai bonds (yen-denominated bonds sold in Japan by non-Japanese issuers), and Euro bonds (bonds not issued in the country (and possibly not the currency of the country) of the issuer).

Foreign Securities Exchanges

Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in some markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Further, satisfactory custodial services for investment securities may not be available in some countries having smaller, emerging capital markets, which may result in the Fund

 

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incurring additional costs and delays in transporting such securities outside such countries. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund is uninvested. In addition, settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities or to incur losses due to an inability to sell or deliver securities in a timely fashion. In the event of a default by an issuer of foreign securities, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or to enforce a judgment against the issuer.

Municipal Bonds

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

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

Municipal bonds may also be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source; revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund may also purchase municipal securities that represent lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal securities, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bonds, which includes inverse floating rate securities, and other related securities and derivative instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities and that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from U.S. regular federal income tax.

The municipal bonds in which the Fund will invest are generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam), and pay interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer (or on the basis of other authority believed by Nuveen Asset Management to be reliable), is exempt from U.S. regular federal income tax, although the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The principal of and interest on pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer. Interest paid on a municipal bond issued after December 31, 2017 to advance refund another municipal bond is subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities. Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. The special purpose trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds) and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters or residual interest securities). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates. The short-term floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the special purpose trust. Typically, a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, grants the floating rate security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing shortterm, tax-exempt rate. However, the institution granting the tender option will not be obligated to accept tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer. For its inverse floating rate investment, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the special purpose trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security, the Fund as the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal security deposited into the special purpose trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters in relation to the value of the residual inverse floaters that are issued by the special purpose trust. In addition, all voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the special purpose trust are passed through to the Fund, as the holder of the residual interest securities.

Because increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters reduce the residual interest paid on inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, inverse floaters’ value is generally more volatile than that of fixed rate bonds. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is generally more volatile than the underlying securities due to the leveraging effect of this ownership structure.

 

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These securities generally will underperform the market of fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity based upon, among other things, the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust.

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and Nuveen Asset Management’s discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the liquidity provider to a special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. Such agreements may expose the Fund to a risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities. Absent a shortfall and forbearance agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses not to enter into such an agreement, the special purpose trust could be liquidated and the Fund could incur a loss.

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

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

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

Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may also invest in floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts. Floating rate securities may take the form of short-term floating rate securities or the option period may be substantially longer. Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to extended periods of one year or multiple years. Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying bond deposited in the trust, the Fund as the holder of the floating rate security relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the option as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal securities deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate security. The trusts that are organized to issue both shortterm floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate security.

Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure developments to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds, are generally payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that

 

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are established to secure such financings are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may buy and sell municipal securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15 to 45 days of the trade date. This type of transaction may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and, because bonds are subject to market fluctuations, the value of the bonds at time of delivery may be less (or more) than cost. A separate account of the Fund will be established with its custodian consisting of cash, cash equivalents, or liquid securities having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of the commitment.

Asset-Backed Securities

ABS are securities that are primarily serviced by the cash flows of a discrete pool of receivables or other financial assets, either fixed or revolving, that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period. Asset-backed securitization is a financing technique in which financial assets, in many cases themselves less liquid, are pooled and converted into instruments that may be offered and sold in the capital markets. In a basic securitization structure, an entity, often a financial institution, originates or otherwise acquires a pool of financial assets, either directly or through an affiliate. It then sells the financial assets, again either directly or through an affiliate, to a specially created investment vehicle that issues securities “backed” or supported by those financial assets, which securities are ABS. Payment on the ABS depends primarily on the cash flows generated by the assets in the underlying pool and other rights designed to assure timely payment, such as liquidity facilities, guarantees or other features generally known as credit enhancements. While residential mortgages were the first financial assets to be securitized in the form of MBS, non-mortgage related securitizations have grown to include many other types of financial assets, such as credit card receivables, auto loans and student loans.

U.S. Government Obligations

Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities include obligations that are supported by: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (e.g., direct pass-through certificates of Ginnie Maes); (b) the limited authority of the issuer or guarantor to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks); or (c) only the credit of the issuer or guarantor (e.g., obligations of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation). In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation is principally responsible for ultimate repayment.

Agencies and instrumentalities that issue or guarantee debt securities and that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government include, in addition to those identified above, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Export-Import Bank, the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Federal Land Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Student Loan Marketing Association.

Mortgage-Backed Securities, including Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

The Funds may invest in mortgage-backed securities. A mortgage-backed security is a type of pass-through security, which is a security representing pooled debt obligations repackaged as interests that pass income through an intermediary to investors. In the case of mortgage-backed securities, the ownership interest is in a pool of mortgage loans. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) are backed by a pool of mortgages on commercial property.

 

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Mortgage-backed securities are most commonly issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae” or “GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae” or “FNMA”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”), but may also be issued or guaranteed by other private issuers.

GNMA is a government-owned corporation that is an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-backed securities.

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation that issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which are pass-through securities, each representing an undivided interest in a pool of residential mortgages. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of FNMA and FHLMC and of any stockholder, officer or director of FNMA and FHLMC with respect to FNMA and FHLMC and the assets of FNMA and FHLMC. FHFA selected a new chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for each of FNMA and FHLMC. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to provide FNMA and FHLMC with up to $100 billion of capital each to ensure that they are able to continue to provide ongoing liquidity to the U.S. home mortgage market. FNMA and FHLMC are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remain liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers, whether or not such obligations are subject to guarantees by the private issuer, may entail greater risk than obligations directly or indirectly guaranteed by the U.S. government. Any investments a Fund makes in mortgage-related securities that are issued by private issuers have some exposure to subprime loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Private issuers include commercial banks, savings associations, mortgage companies, investment banking firms, finance companies and special purpose finance entities (called special purpose vehicles or structured investment vehicles) and other entities that acquire and package mortgage loans for resale as mortgage-related securities. Unlike mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its sponsored entities, mortgage-related securities issued by private issuers do not have a government or government sponsored entity guarantee, but may have credit enhancement provided by external entities such as banks or financial institutions or achieved through the structuring of the transaction itself. Examples of such credit support arising out of the structure of the transaction include: (1) the issuance of senior and subordinated securities (e.g., the issuance of securities by a special purpose vehicle in multiple classes or “tranches,” with one or more classes being senior to other subordinated classes as to the payment of principal and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying mortgage loans are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class); (2) the creation of “reserve funds” (in which case cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying mortgage loans, are held in reserve against future losses); and (3) “overcollateralization” (in which case the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying mortgage loans exceeds that required to make payment of the securities and pay any servicing or other fees). However, there can be no guarantee that credit enhancements, if any, will be sufficient to prevent losses in the event of defaults on the underlying mortgage loans.

 

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In addition, mortgage-related securities that are issued by private issuers are not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage related securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying private mortgage-related securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government sponsored mortgage-related securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Privately issued pools more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value mortgages and manufactured housing loans. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a private-label mortgage-related securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.

The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by mortgage pools that contain subprime loans, but a level of risk exists for all loans. Market factors adversely affecting mortgage loan repayments may include a general economic turndown, high unemployment, a general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop in the market prices of real estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in higher mortgage payments by holders of adjustable rate mortgages.

Privately issued mortgage-related securities are generally less liquid than obligations directly or indirectly guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government-sponsored entity, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-related securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans. The average life of a mortgage-backed security is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying the securities. Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage foreclosures will usually result in the return of the greater part of principal invested far in advance of the maturity of the mortgages in the pool or can result in credit losses.

Loans

The Fund may invest in loans, including senior secured loans, unsecured and/or subordinated loans, loan participations and unfunded contracts. These loans are typically made by or issued to corporations primarily to finance acquisitions, refinance existing debt, support organic growth, or pay out dividends, and are typically originated by large banks and are then syndicated out to institutional investors as well as to other banks. Loans typically bear interest at a floating rate, although some loans pay a fixed rate. Floating rate loans have interest rates that reset periodically, typically monthly or quarterly. The interest rates on floating rate loans are generally based on a percentage above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate, a U.S. bank’s prime or base rate, the overnight federal funds rate or another rate. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, unsecured and/or subordinated loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior bank loans of the same borrower. Loan participations are loans that are shared by a group of lenders. Unfunded commitments are contractual obligations by lenders (such as the Fund) to loan an amount in the future or that is due to be contractually funded in the future. Assignments may be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

Loans may have restrictive covenants limiting the ability of a borrower to further encumber its assets. The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the borrower, the nature of the collateral securing the loan and other factors. Such restrictive covenants normally allow for early intervention and proactive mitigation of credit risk by providing lenders with the ability to (1) intervene and either prevent or restrict actions that may potentially compromise the borrower’s

 

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ability to repay the loan and/or (2) obtain concessions from the borrower in exchange for waiving or amending a particular covenant. Loans with fewer or weaker restrictive covenants may limit the Fund’s ability to intervene or obtain additional concessions from borrowers.

Senior Loans

The Fund may invest in (i) senior loans made by banks or other financial institutions to foreign corporations, partnerships and other business entities (each a “Borrower” and, collectively, “Borrowers”), (ii) assignments of such interests in senior loans, or (iii) participation interests in senior loans. Senior loans hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a Borrower, are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the Borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the Borrower. The capital structure of a Borrower may include senior loans, senior and junior subordinated debt, preferred stock and common stock issued by the Borrower, typically in descending order of seniority with respect to claims on the Borrower’s assets. The proceeds of senior loans primarily are used by Borrowers to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, refinancings, internal growth and for other corporate purposes. A senior loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (“Agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions which typically includes the Agent (“Lenders”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the senior loans on behalf of the other Lenders in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Lenders. The Fund normally will rely primarily on the Agent to collect principal of and interest on a Senior Loan. Also, the Fund usually will rely on the Agent to monitor compliance by the Borrower with the restrictive covenants in a loan agreement.

Senior loans in which the Fund invests generally pay interest at rates that are redetermined periodically at short-term intervals by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium. Senior loans typically have rates of interest that are redetermined either daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium or credit spread. These base lending rates are primarily London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (of any tenor, but typically between one month and six months, and currency), and secondarily the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks (the “Prime Rate”) and the certificate of deposit (“CD”) rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. As adjustable rate loans, the frequency of how often a senior loan resets its interest rate will impact how closely such senior loans track current market interest rates. Senior loans typically have a stated term of between one and eight years. In the experience of Nuveen Asset Management, the average life of senior loans in recent years has been approximately two years because of prepayments.

In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced it intends to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. Alternatives to LIBOR are established or in development in most major currencies, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. It is unknown if SOFR will become the primary base lending rate for senior loans.

The Fund primarily purchases senior loans by assignment from a participant in the original syndicate of lenders or from subsequent assignees of such interests. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning Lender. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.

The Fund may purchase participation interests in the original syndicate making senior loans. Loan participation interests typically represent direct participations in a loan to a corporate Borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such

 

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syndications, or can buy part of a senior loan, becoming a part Lender. When purchasing a participation interest, the Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate Borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The participation interests in which the Fund may invest may not be rated by any NRSRO. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Senior Loan Participation Risk” in the Prospectus.

Although senior loans have the most senior position in a Borrower’s capital structure and are often secured by specific collateral, they are typically below investment grade quality and may have below investment grade ratings; these ratings are associated with securities having speculative characteristics. Senior loans rated below investment grade may therefore be regarded as “junk,” despite their senior capital structure position or specific collateral pledged to secure such loans.” The Fund may purchase and retain in its portfolio senior loans where the Borrowers have experienced, or may be perceived to be likely to experience, credit problems, including involvement in or recent emergence from bankruptcy reorganization proceedings or other forms of debt restructuring. Such investments may provide opportunities for enhanced income as well as capital appreciation. At times, in connection with the restructuring of a senior loan either outside of bankruptcy court or in the context of bankruptcy court proceedings, the Fund may determine or be required to accept equity securities or junior debt securities in exchange for all or a portion of a senior loan.

Loan Participations and Assignments

The Fund may purchase participations and/or assignments in commercial loans. Such investments may be secured or unsecured and may pay interest at fixed or floating rates. Loan participations and assignments involve special types of risk, including interest rate risk, liquidity risk and the risks of being a lender.

Loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, a Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The loan participations in which the Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service.

Investments in loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution’s interests with respect to the loan may involve additional risks to the Fund. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. If a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Fund relies on Nuveen Asset Management’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

A loan is often administered by an agent bank acting as agent for all holders. The agent bank administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the agent bank is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the corporate borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan, the Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower. A financial institution’s employment as agent bank might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed

 

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to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement should remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or governmental agency) similar risks may arise.

Second Lien Loans

The Fund may invest in second lien loans and unsecured loans. Such loans are made by public and private corporations and other non-governmental Borrowers for a variety of purposes. As in the case of senior loans, the Fund may purchase interests in second lien loans and unsecured loans through assignments or participations. Second lien loans have similar characteristics as senior loans except that such interests are junior in priority to debt secured with a first lien. Second lien loans are second in priority of payment to one or more senior loans of the related Borrower and are typically secured by a second priority security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the Borrower’s obligation under the indebtedness. They typically have similar protections and rights as senior loans. Second lien loans are not (and by their terms cannot become) subordinate in priority of payment to any obligation of the related Borrower other than senior loans of such Borrower. Second lien loans may feature fixed or floating rate interest payments. Because second lien loans are junior to senior loans, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. In addition, second lien loans of below investment grade quality share many of the risk characteristics of other below investment grade debt instruments.

Unsecured loans generally have lower priority in right of payment compared to holders of secured interests of the Borrower. Unsecured loans are not secured by a security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the Borrower’s obligation under the indebtedness. Unsecured loans by their terms may be or may become subordinate in right of payment to other obligations of the Borrower, including senior loans, second lien loans and other interests. Unsecured loans may have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because unsecured loans are subordinate to senior loans and other secured debt of the Borrower, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Such investments generally are of below investment grade quality. Unsecured loans of below investment grade quality share many of the same risks of other below investment grade debt instruments.

Subordinated Loans

The subordinated loans in which the Fund may invest are typically privately-negotiated investments that rank junior in priority of payment to senior debt, such as senior loans, and are often unsecured. Because subordinated interests may rank lower as to priority of payment than senior loans and second lien loans of the Borrower, they may present a greater degree of investment risk than senior loans and second lien loans but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Other than their more subordinated status, such investments have many characteristics and risks similar to senior loans and second lien loans discussed above. Subordinated interests of below investment grade quality share risks of other below investment grade debt instruments. Subordinated loans rank senior to common and preferred equity in a Borrower’s capital structure. Subordinated loans may have elements of both debt and equity instruments, offering fixed or adjustable rates of return in the form of interest payments associated with senior debt, while providing lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of a Borrower, if any, through an equity interest. This equity interest may take the form of warrants or direct equity investments which will be in conjunction with the subordinated loans. Due to their higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants as compared to senior loans, subordinated loans generally earn a higher return than secured senior loans. The warrants associated with subordinated loans are typically detachable, which allows lenders the opportunity to receive repayment of their principal on an agreed amortization schedule while retaining their equity interest in the Borrower. Subordinated loans also may include a “put” feature, which permits the holder to sell its equity interest back to the Borrower at a price determined through an agreed formula.

 

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The Fund may invest in subordinated loans that are primarily unsecured and that provide for relatively high, adjustable rates of interest, providing the Fund with significant current interest income. The subordinated loans in which the Fund may invest may have interest-only payments in the early years, with amortization of principal deferred to the later years of the subordinated loans. In some cases, the Fund may acquire subordinated loans that, by their terms, convert into equity or additional debt instruments or defer payments of interest for the first few years after issuance. Also, in some cases the subordinated loans in which the Fund may invest will be collateralized by a subordinated lien on some or all of the assets of the Borrower.

Preferred Securities

The Fund may invest in all types of preferred securities, including both traditional preferred securities and non-traditional preferred securities. Traditional preferred securities are generally equity securities of the issuer that have priority over the issuer’s common shares as to the payment of dividends (i.e., the issuer cannot pay dividends on its common shares until the dividends on the preferred shares are current) and as to the payout of proceeds of a bankruptcy or other liquidation, but are subordinate to an issuer’s senior debt and junior debt as to both types of payments. Additionally, in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, traditional preferred securities are generally subordinate to an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations. Traditional preferred securities may be perpetual or have a term, and typically have a fixed liquidation (or “par”) value.

The term “preferred securities” also includes certain hybrid securities and other types of preferred securities that do not have the traditional features described above. Preferred securities that are hybrid securities often behave similarly to investments in traditional preferred securities and are regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Such hybrid securities possess varying combinations of features of both debt and traditional preferred securities and as such they may constitute senior debt, junior debt or preferred shares in an issuer’s capital structure. Thus, they may not be subordinate to a company’s debt securities (as are traditional preferred securities).

Hybrid securities include trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation or other special purpose entity, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The trust preferred securities market consists of both fixed and floating coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. Trust preferred securities may defer payment of income without triggering an event of default. These securities may have many characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure.

Preferred securities may also include certain forms of debt that have many characteristics of preferred shares, and that are regarded by the investment marketplace to be part of the broader preferred securities market. Among these preferred securities are certain exchange-listed debt issues that historically have several attributes, including trading and investment performance characteristics, in common with exchange-listed traditional preferred securities and hybrid securities. Generally, these types of preferred securities are senior debt or junior debt in the capital structure of an issuer.

As a general matter, dividend or interest payments on preferred securities may be cumulative or non-cumulative and may be deferred (in the case of cumulative payments) or skipped (in the case of non-cumulative payments) at the option of the issuer. Generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company, except in some cases voting rights may arise if the issuer fails to pay the preferred share dividends or if a declaration of default occurs and is continuing.

Preferred securities may either trade over-the-counter (“OTC”) or trade on an exchange. Preferred securities can be structured differently for retail and institutional investors, and the Fund may invest in preferred

 

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securities of either structure. The retail segment is typified by $25 par value exchange-traded securities and the institutional segment is typified by $1,000 par value OTC securities. Both $25 and $1,000 par value securities are often callable at par value, typically at least five years after their original issuance date.

The Fund may invest in preferred securities with different distribution structures. The various coupon structures may be broadly characterized as follows:

 

   

Fixed Rate Preferred Securities are preferred securities that pay a fixed rate of interest throughout the life of the security and tend to exhibit more price volatility during times of rising or falling interest rates than securities with variable or floating rates of interest. The value of fixed-rate securities tends to fall when interest rates rise (and vice versa).

 

   

Fixed-to-Fixed Preferred Securities are preferred securities that have a distribution rate of payment that is fixed for a certain period (typically five or ten years when first issued) and such period is usually aligned with the first call date. After the defined period expires, the fixed distribution rate then resets to another fixed distribution rate, according to a specified formula, and typically resets with the same longer-term frequency for the remaining life of the security (typically five or ten years).

 

   

Fixed-to-Floating Preferred Securities are preferred securities that have a distribution rate of payment that is fixed for a certain period (typically five or ten years when first issued) and such period is usually aligned with the first call date. After this period, distribution rates vary for the remaining life of the security, periodically adjusting according to a specified formula, usually with reference to some interest rate index or market interest rate. The value of fixed-to-floating preferred securities may fluctuate less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of preferred securities with a fixed interest rate, because the interest rate paid by fixed-to floating preferred securities is variable.

 

   

Floating-Rate Preferred Securities are preferred securities that offer a distribution rate of payment that resets periodically (commonly every 90 days) to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index or benchmark rate. Some commonly used indices include the 3-month U.S. Treasury bill rate, the 180-day U.S. Treasury bill, or the one-month or three-month LIBOR. The value of floating-rate preferred securities may fluctuate less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of preferred securities with a fixed interest rate. For the floating-rate preferred securities that use LIBOR, which is being phased out by the end of 2021, as a benchmark rate, there remains some uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate.

Preferred securities may be issued with either a final maturity date, or as a perpetual structure. In certain instances, a final maturity date may be extended and/or the final payment of principal may be deferred at the issuer’s option for a specified time without any adverse consequence to the issuer.

High Yield Instruments

High yield instruments or “junk bonds” that are rated below investment grade involve a greater degree of risk (in particular, a greater risk of default) than, and special risks in addition to, the risks associated with investment grade instruments. Under rating agency guidelines, medium- and lower-rated instruments and comparable unrated instruments will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Medium- and lower-rated instruments may have poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, may have a current identifiable vulnerability to default or be in default, may be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay liquidation preference or principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, and/or may be likely to be in default or not current in the payment of interest, dividends, liquidation preference or principal. Such instruments are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay liquidation preference or principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. Accordingly, it is possible that these types of factors could reduce the value of investments held by the Fund with a commensurate effect on the value of the Common Shares. High yield instruments involve substantial risk of loss and are

 

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susceptible to default or decline in market value due to real or perceived adverse economic and business developments or competitive industry conditions, as compared to higher-rated instruments. These instruments generally provide higher income than investment grade instruments in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the issuer’s failure to make required interest, dividends, liquidation preference or principal payments on the securities. High yield instruments issuers include small or relatively new companies lacking the history or capital to merit investment-grade status, former blue chip companies downgraded because of financial problems, companies electing to borrow heavily to finance or avoid a takeover or buyout, and firms with heavy debt loads.

The secondary markets for these instruments are generally not as liquid as the secondary markets for higher rated instruments. The secondary markets for high yield instruments are concentrated in relatively few market makers and the participants in the market are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and mutual funds. In addition, the trading volume for high yield securities is generally lower than that for higher-rated instruments, and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Fund to dispose of particular portfolio investments, may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV per share and may limit the ability of the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing instruments and calculating NAV. If the Fund is not able to obtain precise or accurate market quotations for a particular instrument, it will become more difficult to value the Fund’s portfolio investments, and a greater degree of judgment may be necessary in making such valuations. Less liquid secondary markets may also affect the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value. If the secondary markets for high yield instruments contract due to adverse economic conditions or for other reasons, certain instruments in the Fund’s portfolio may become illiquid and the proportion of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities may significantly increase.

Prices for high yield instruments may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These laws could adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and investment practices, the secondary market for high yield instruments, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value of outstanding high yield securities. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Below Investment Grade Risk” in the Prospectus.

High yield instruments rated in the lower rating categories (Caa1 or lower by Moody’s, CCC+ or lower by S&P or Fitch, or comparably rated by another NRSRO) are subject to very high credit risk. The Fund may not invest in an issuer who is in default on its obligations to pay principal or interest thereon when due or that is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.

Regulation S Securities

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. by investing in the Subsidiary. The Fund may also invest directly in Regulation S securities that are freely tradable in the U.S. Regulation S securities are debt or equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers offered through private offerings exempt from registration with the SEC pursuant to Regulation S of the 1933 Act. Offerings of Regulation S securities may be conducted outside of the United States, and Regulation S securities may be relatively less liquid as a result of legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Although Regulation S securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized from these sales could be less than the price originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure of other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Accordingly, Regulation S securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. See “Risks—Fund Level Risks—Subsidiary Risk” and “—Portfolio Level Risks—Regulation S Securities Risk” in the Prospectus.

 

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Illiquid Investments

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

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

Hedging Strategies and Other Uses of Derivatives

The Fund may use certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objective. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, forward contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate, total return and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative instruments. The credit default swaps in which the Fund may invest include CDX and single-name CDS. A CDX is a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. Certain CDX indices are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading, which may reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to other credit default swaps or CDX transactions. Unlike other types of credit default swaps, single-name CDS do not have the benefit of diversification across many issuers. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with a counterparty of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. See “—Segregation of Assets” below.

The Fund may periodically engage in hedging transactions, and otherwise use various types of derivative instruments, described below, to reduce risk, to effectively gain particular market exposures, to seek to enhance returns, and to reduce transaction costs, among other reasons. The Fund will value derivative instruments at market/fair value for purposes of calculating compliance with the Fund’s 80% investment policy in investments in fixed-income investments of any type, which are subject to the Impact Criteria or Nuveen’s ESG criteria.

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

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

 

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These transactions present certain risks. In particular, the imperfect correlation between price movements in the futures contract and price movements in the securities being hedged creates the possibility that losses on the hedge by a Fund may be greater than gains in the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, the Fund may not be able to close out the transaction without incurring losses substantially greater than the initial deposit.

Finally, the potential deposit requirements in futures contracts create an ongoing greater potential financial risk than do options transactions, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses due to hedging transactions will reduce yield. Net gains, if any, from hedging and other portfolio transactions will be distributed as taxable distributions to shareholders. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies will generate taxable income.

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

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

The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any purpose consistent with its investment objective and strategies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, as a duration management technique, to attempt to reduce risk arising from the ownership of a particular instrument, or to gain exposure to certain sectors or markets in the most economical way possible. Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for a specified period of time. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset, reference rate or index. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, e.g., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. The notional amount of the swap agreement generally is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to the swap agreement have agreed to exchange. See “—Segregation of Assets” below.

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

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. Interest rate swaps are bilateral contracts in which each party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on different referenced interest rates (e.g., a fixed rate and a floating rate) applied to a specified notional amount. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index rises above a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps could enhance or harm the overall performance of Common Shares. To the extent interest rates decline, the value of the interest

 

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rate swap could decline, and could result in a decline in the NAV of Common Shares. In addition, if the counterparty to an interest rate swap defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap to offset the interest payments on borrowings or the dividend payments on any outstanding preferred shares. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive net payments from the counterparty on the swap, which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at that point in time, such a default could negatively impact the performance of Common Shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund would not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement would not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the performance of Common Shares. The Fund could be required to prepay the principal amount of any borrowings. Such redemption or prepayment would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap transaction. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund.

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

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

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

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

 

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Swap Options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel, or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally would incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Risks Associated with Swap Transactions. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. See “Risks—Portfolio Level Risks—Risk of Swaps and Swap Options” in the Prospectus.

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

Options on Currencies. The Fund may purchase put and call options on foreign currencies. A foreign currency option provides the option buyer with the right to buy or sell a stated amount of foreign currency at the exercise price at a specified date or during the option period. A call option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy the currency, while a put option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell the currency. The option seller (writer) is obligated to fulfill the terms of the option sold if it is exercised. However, either seller or buyer may close its position during the option period in the secondary market for such options at any time prior to expiration.

A foreign currency call option rises in value if the underlying currency appreciates. Conversely, a foreign currency put option rises in value if the underlying currency depreciates. While purchasing a foreign currency option may protect the Fund against an adverse movement in the value of a foreign currency, it would limit the gain which might result from a favorable movement in the value of the currency. For example, if the Fund were holding securities denominated in an appreciating foreign currency and had purchased a foreign currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of the currency, it would not have to exercise its put. In such an event, however, the amount of the Fund’s gain would be offset in part by the premium paid for the option. Similarly, if the Fund entered into a contract to purchase a security denominated in a foreign currency and purchased a foreign currency call to hedge against a rise in the value of the currency between the date of purchase and the settlement date, the Fund would not need to exercise its call if the currency instead depreciated in value. In such a case, the Fund could acquire the amount of foreign currency needed for settlement in the spot market at a lower price than the exercise price of the option.

Forward Currency Contracts and other Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded directly between currency traders

 

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(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Unlike futures contracts, which are standardized contracts, forward contracts can be specifically drawn to meet the needs of the parties that enter into them. The parties to a forward currency contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and complete the contemplated exchange. Because forward contracts are not traded on an exchange, the Fund is subject to the credit and performance risk of the counterparties to such contracts. The following, among others, are types of currency management strategies involving forward contracts that may be used by the Fund. The Fund also may use currency futures contracts and options thereon, put and call options on foreign currencies and currency swaps for the same purposes.

Position Hedges. The Fund could also use forward contracts to lock in the U.S. dollar value of portfolio positions. This is known as a “position hedge.” When the Fund believes that a foreign currency might suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it could enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of that foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio investments denominated in that foreign currency. When the Fund believes that the U.S. dollar might suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, it could enter into a forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount. Alternatively, the Fund could enter into a forward contract to sell a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount if the Fund’s portfolio managers believe that the U.S. dollar value of that foreign currency will fall whenever there is a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which portfolio investments of the Fund are denominated. This is referred to as a “cross hedge.”

Shifting Currency Exposure. The Fund may also enter into forward contracts to shift its investment exposure from one currency into another. This may include shifting exposure from U.S. dollars to foreign currency or from one foreign currency to another foreign currency. This strategy tends to limit exposure to the currency sold, and increase exposure to the currency that is purchased, much as if the Fund had sold an investment denominated in one currency and purchased an equivalent investment denominated in another currency.

Other Investment Companies

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

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

 

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Repurchase Agreements

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

Dollar Rolls

The Fund may enter into mortgage “dollar rolls” in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the period between the sale and repurchase (the “roll period”), the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. However, the Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) plus any fee income received. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the investment performance of the Fund will be less than what the performance would have been without the use of the mortgage dollar roll. The Fund will segregate until the settlement date cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the forward purchase price.

Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities

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

(1) U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) FNMA, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student

 

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Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its agencies, and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.

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

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

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

Segregation of Assets

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

 

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and financial agreements, in accordance with SEC guidance. However, the Fund also may “cover” certain obligations by other means such as through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions with respect to certain obligations consistent with existing guidance from the SEC and its staff so that its combined position, coupled with any liquid assets maintained by its custodian, equals its net outstanding obligation in related derivatives or financial agreements. In the case of long positions in financial futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, the Fund may set aside or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions equal to such contracts’ full notional value, less any margin on deposit for liquid assets, while the positions are open. In the case of short positions in financial futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, the Fund may set aside or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions equal to such contracts’ current market value, less any margin on deposit for liquid assets, while the positions are open. With respect to financial futures contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets or enter into an offsetting position in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts’ full notional value. If the Fund writes credit default swaps, it will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts. With respect to such investments, the Fund will segregate or earmark assets in an amount equal to at least 100% of the face amount of the floating rate securities issued by such trusts.

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

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

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

Portfolio Trading and Turnover

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

An investment also may be sold when Nuveen Asset Management anticipates a change in the price of such investment, Nuveen Asset Management believes the price of an investment has reached or is near a realistic maximum, or there are other investments that Nuveen Asset Management believes are more attractive given the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund also may engage to a limited extent in short-term trading consistent with its investment objective. Investments may be sold in anticipation of a market decline or purchased in anticipation of a market rise and later sold, but the Fund will not engage in trading solely to recognize a gain. Subject to the foregoing, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by prudent selection of investments with a view to holding them for investment. While there can be no assurance thereof, the Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate generally will not exceed 75% under normal circumstances. However, the rate of turnover

 

35


will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it desirable to sell or purchase investments. Therefore, depending on market conditions, the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed 75% in particular years. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.

 

36


MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors (the “Investment Management Agreement”), is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The number of trustees of the Fund is ten, none of whom are an “interested person” (as the term “interested person” is defined in the 1940 Act) (referred to herein as “independent trustees”). None of the independent trustees has ever been a director, trustee or employee of, or consultant to, Nuveen, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, or their affiliates. The Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, the Class I trustees serving until the 2022 annual meeting, the Class II trustees serving until the 2023 annual meeting and the Class III trustees serving until the 2024 annual meeting, in each case until their respective successors are elected and qualified, as described below. Currently, William C. Hunter, Judith M. Stockdale, Carole E. Stone and Margaret L. Wolff are slated in Class I, John K. Nelson, Terence J. Toth and Robert L. Young are slated in Class II and Jack B. Evans, Albin F. Moschner and Matthew Thornton III are slated in Class III. If the Fund issues preferred shares, two of the Fund’s trustees would be elected by the holders of such preferred shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund would be elected by holders of common shares and preferred shares, voting together as a class. In the event that the Fund fails to pay dividends on outstanding preferred shares for two years, holders of preferred shares would be entitled to elect a majority of trustees of the Fund. The officers of the Fund serve indefinite terms until their successor has been duly elected and qualified, their death or their resignation or removal. The names, business addresses and years of birth of the trustees and officers of the Fund, their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each trustee oversees and other directorships they hold are set forth below. Except as noted in the table below, as of March 8, 2021 the trustees of the Fund are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 68 Nuveen-sponsored open-end mutual funds (the “Nuveen Mutual Funds”); and 63 Nuveen-sponsored closed-end funds and 13 Nuveen-sponsored exchange-traded funds (collectively with the Nuveen Mutual Funds and the Nuveen-sponsored closed-end funds, the “Nuveen Funds”).

 

37


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Independent Trustees

Terence J. Toth

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1959)

  Chair of
the Board
and Trustee
  Term—Class II

Length of Service—
Since 2008

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

 

38


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by

Trustee

During Past
Five Years

Jack B. Evans

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1948)

  Trustee   Term—Class III

Length of Service—
Since 1999

  Chairman (since 2019), formerly, President (1996-2019), The Hall- Perrine Foundation, (private philanthropic corporation); Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation; formerly, Director, Public Member, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2015-2020); formerly, Director (1998-2003), Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; formerly, President and Chief Operating Officer (1972-1995), SCI Financial Group, Inc. (regional financial services firm); formerly, Member and President Pro Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System (2000-2004); formerly, Director (1996-2015), The Gazette Company (media and publishing).   144   Director and Chairman (since 2009), United Fire Group, a publicly held company; formerly, Director (2000-2004), Alliant Energy.

 

39


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by

Trustee

During Past
Five Years

William C. Hunter

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1948)

  Trustee   Term—Class I

Length of Service—
Since 2003

  Dean Emeritus, formerly, Dean (2006-2012), Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa; past Director (2005-2015) and past President (2010-2014) of Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society; formerly, Director (1997-2007), Credit Research Center at Georgetown University; formerly, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance (2003-2006), School of Business at the University of Connecticut; previously, Senior Vice President and Director of Research (1995-2003) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.   144   Director (since 2009) of Wellmark, Inc.; formerly, Director (2004-2018) of Xerox Corporation.

 

40


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Albin F. Moschner

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1952)

  Trustee   Term—Class III

Length of Service—
Since 2016

  Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Northcroft Partners, LLC (management consulting) (since 2012); previously, held positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc. (consumer wireless services), including Consultant (2011-2012), Chief Operating Officer (2008-2011) and Chief Marketing Officer (2004-2008); formerly, President, Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. (telecommunication services) (2000- 2003); formerly, President, One Point Services at One Point Communications (telecommunication services) (1999-2000); formerly, Vice Chairman of the Board, Diba, Incorporated (internet technology provider) (1996-1997); formerly, various executive positions (1991-1996), including Chief Executive Officer (1995-1996) of Zenith Electronics Corporation (consumer electronics).   144   Formerly, Chairman (2019) and Director (2012-2019), USA Technologies, Inc., a provider of solutions and services to facilitate electronic payment transactions; formerly, Director, Wintrust Financial Corporation (1996-2016).

 

41


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

John K. Nelson

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1962)

  Trustee   Term—Class II
Length of Service—
Since 2013
  Member of Board of Directors of Core12 LLC (private firm which develops branding, marketing and communications strategies for clients) (since 2008); served on The President’s Council of Fordham University (2010-2019) and previously a Director of the Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (2009-2018); formerly, senior external advisor to the Financial Services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP (2012- 2014); former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Marian University (2010-2014 as trustee, 2011-2014 as Chair); formerly Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., North America, and Global Head of the Financial Markets Division (2007-2008), with various executive leadership roles in ABN AMRO Bank N.V. between 1996 and 2007.   144   None

 

42


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Judith M. Stockdale

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1947)

  Trustee   Term—Class I
Length of Service—

Since 1997

 

Board Member of the Land Trust Alliance (national public charity addressing natural land and water conservation in the U.S.) (since 2013); formerly, Board Member of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (national endowment addressing forest health, sustainable forest production and markets, and economic health of forest-reliant communities in the U.S.) (2013-2019); formerly, Executive Director

(1994-2012), Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (private foundation endowed to support both natural land conservation and artistic vitality); prior thereto, Executive Director, Great Lakes Protection Fund (endowment created jointly by seven of the eight Great Lake states’ Governors to take a regional approach to improving the health of the Great Lakes) (1990-1994).

  144   None

Carole E. Stone

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1947)

  Trustee   Term—Class I
Length of Service—

Since 2007

  Former Director, Chicago Board Options Exchange (2006-2017) and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (2009-2017); formerly, Commissioner, New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform (2005-2010).   144   Formerly, Director, Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (2010-2020) (formerly named CBOE Holdings, Inc.).

 

43


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustee

During Past
Five Years

Matthew Thornton III

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1958)

  Trustee   Term—Class III
Length of Service—
Since 2020
  Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2018-2019), FedEx Freight Corporation, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”) (provider of transportation, e-commerce and business services through its portfolio of companies); formerly, Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations (2006-2018), Federal Express Corporation, a subsidiary of FedEx; formerly, Member of the Board of Directors (2012-2018), Safe Kids Worldwide® (non-profit organization dedicated to preventing childhood injuries).   144   Member of the Board of Directors (since 2014), The Sherwin-Williams Company (develops, manufactures, distributes and sells paints, coatings and related products); Member of the Board of Directors (since 2020), Crown Castle International (provider of communications infrastructure).

Margaret L. Wolff

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1955)

  Trustee   Term—Class I

Length of Service—
Since 2016

  Formerly, Of Counsel (2005- 2014), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Mergers & Acquisitions Group) (legal services); Member of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital (since 2005); Member (since 2004) and Chair (since 2015) of the Board of Trustees of The John A. Hartford Foundation (philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults); formerly, Member (2005-2015) and Vice Chair (2011- 2015) of the Board of Trustees of Mt. Holyoke College.   144  

Formerly, Member of the Board of Directors (2013- 2017) of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and

The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each, a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.).

 

44


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Robert L. Young

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1963)

  Trustee   Term—Class II

Length of Service—
Since 2017

  Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (financial services) (2010-2016); formerly, President and Principal Executive Officer (2013-2016), and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2005-2010), of J.P. Morgan Funds; formerly, Director and various officer positions for J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly, JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc. and formerly, One Group Administrative Services) and JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (financial services) (formerly, One Group Dealer Services, Inc.) (1999-2017).   144   None

 

45


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Officers of the Fund:      

David J. Lamb

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1963)

   

Chief
Administrative
Officer
 
 
 
   

Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2015
 
 
 
  Managing Director of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President of Nuveen, LLC (2006-2017), Vice President prior to 2006.

Mark J. Czarniecki

901 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55402

1979

   

Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
 
 
 
   

Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2013
 
 
 
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2016) and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2017); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2018); Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen, LLC (since 2013).

Diana R. Gonzalez

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

1978

   

Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
 
 
 
   

Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2017
 
 
 
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2017); Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen, LLC (since 2017); Associate General Counsel of Jackson National Asset Management (2012-2017).

Nathaniel T. Jones

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1979)

   
Vice President
and Treasurer
 
 
   

Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2016
 
 
 
  Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017), formerly, Vice President (2011-2016) of Nuveen, LLC; Managing Director (since 2015) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Chartered Financial Analyst.

Tina M. Lazar

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1961)

    Vice President      

Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2002
 
 
 
  Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2014-2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC.

Brian J. Lockhart

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1974)

    Vice President      

Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2019
 
 
 
  Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Vice President (2010-2017) of Nuveen, LLC; Head of Investment Oversight (since September 2017), formerly, Team Leader of Manager Oversight (2015-2017); Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Risk Manager.

Jacques M. Longerstaey

8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1963)

    Vice President      

Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2019
 
 
 
  Senior Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer, Nuveen, LLC (since May 2019); Senior Managing Director (since May 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; formerly, Chief Investment and Model Risk Officer, Wealth & Investment Management Division, Wells Fargo Bank (NA) (2013-2019).

 

46


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Kevin J. McCarthy

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1966)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2007
  Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary and General Counsel (since 2016) of Nuveen Investments, Inc., formerly, Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (2008-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Assistant Secretary (since 2008) of Nuveen Securities, LLC, formerly Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director (2008-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017), Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, formerly, Co-General Counsel (2011-2020), Executive Vice President (2016-2017), Managing Director, (2008-2016) and Assistant Secretary (2007-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017), Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, formerly, Associate General Counsel (2011-2020), Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (2011-2016); Vice President (since 2007) and Secretary (since 2016), (formerly, Assistant Secretary) of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC and Winslow Capital Management, LLC (since 2010); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC.

Jon Scott Meissner

8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1973)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2019
  Managing Director of Mutual Fund Tax and Financial Reporting groups at Nuveen (since 2017); Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Senior Director of Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC (since 2016); Senior Director (since 2015) Mutual Fund Taxation to the TIAA-CREF Funds, the TIAA-CREF Life Funds, the TIAA Separate Account VA-1 and the CREF Accounts; has held various positions with TIAA since 2004.

 

47


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Deann D. Morgan

730 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(1969)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since February
2020
  President of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2020); Executive Vice President, Global Head of Product at Nuveen, LLC (since November 2019); Co-Chief Executive Officer of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Managing Member of MDR Collaboratory LLC (since 2018); Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management Product Structuring & COO Multi Asset Investing, The Blackstone Group (2013-2017).

Christopher M. Rohrbacher

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1971)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2008
  Managing Director (since 2017), General Counsel (since 2020) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017), of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2020); Managing Director (since 2017), and Associate General Counsel (since 2016), formerly, Senior Vice President (2012- 2017) and Assistant General Counsel (2008-2016) of Nuveen, LLC.

William A. Siffermann

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1975)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite—
Length of Service—
Since 2017
  Managing Director (since 2017), formerly Senior Vice President (2016-2017) and Vice President (2011-2016) of Nuveen, LLC.

E. Scott Wickerham

8500 Andrew

Carnegie Boulevard

Charlotte, NC

28262 (1973)

  Vice President
and Controller
  Term—Indefinite—
Since 2019
  Senior Managing Director, Head of Fund Administration at Nuveen, LLC (since 2019), formerly, Managing Director; Senior Managing Director (since 2019), of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (since 2017) of the TIAA-CREF Funds, the TIAA-CREF Life Funds, the TIAA Separate Account VA-1 and Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer (since 2020) and Treasurer (since 2017) to the CREF Accounts; Senior Director, TIAA-CREF Fund Administration (2014-2015); has held various positions with TIAA since 2006.

Mark L. Winget

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1968)

  Vice President
and Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2008
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2008); Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2019); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2020); Vice President (since 2010) and Associate General Counsel (since 2019), formerly, Assistant General Counsel (2008- 2016) of Nuveen, LLC.

 

48


Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

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

Principal Occupations Including
Other Directorships During
Past Five Years

Gifford R. Zimmerman

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1956)

  Chief
Compliance
Officer and
Vice
President
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 1988
  Formerly, Managing Director (2002-2020) and Assistant Secretary (2002-2020) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; formerly, Managing Director (2002-2020), Assistant Secretary (1997-2020) and Co-General Counsel (2011-2020) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2004) and Assistant Secretary (since 1994) of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; formerly, Managing Director, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (2011-2020); formerly, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (2002-2020), Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC (2006-2020) and Winslow Capital Management, LLC (2010-2020); Chartered Financial Analyst.

Organization and Management of Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. by investing in the Subsidiary, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund. The Subsidiary is advised by Nuveen Asset Management, which complies with the provisions of Section 15 of the 1940 Act relating to investment advisory contracts as an investment adviser to the Fund under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary invests primarily in Regulation S securities. The Fund and the Subsidiary each complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act regarding capital structure. In addition, the Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Section 17 of the 1940 Act relating to affiliated transactions and custody of portfolio investments. The Fund’s custodian also serves as the custodian to the Subsidiary.

The Subsidiary is a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, whose registered office is located at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands. The Subsidiary’s affairs are overseen by a board of directors, which is comprised of [•] and [•].

Nuveen Asset Management provides investment management and administrative services to the Subsidiary. Nuveen Asset Management will provide investment management and other services to the Subsidiary. Nuveen Asset Management will not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with investment management or administrative services. However, the Fund will pay Nuveen Asset Management based on the Fund’s assets, including the assets invested in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will also enter into separate contracts for the provision of custody and audit services with the same or with affiliates of the same service providers that provide those services to the Fund.

The Subsidiary is managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. As a result, Nuveen Asset Management, in managing the Subsidiary’s portfolio, is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Fund, and, in particular, to the requirements relating to portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage, and the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. These policies and restrictions are described elsewhere in detail in the Prospectus and this SAI. The Fund and the Subsidiary test for compliance with certain investment restrictions on a consolidated basis, except that with respect to its investments in certain securities that may involve leverage, the Subsidiary complies with asset segregation requirements to the same extent as the Fund.

 

49


Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be, each is referred to hereafter as the “Board”) oversees the operations and management of the Nuveen Funds (the “Funds”), including the duties performed for each Fund by its investment adviser. The Board has adopted a unitary board structure. A unitary board consists of one group of trustees who serve on the board of every fund in the complex. In adopting a unitary board structure, the trustees seek to provide effective governance through establishing a board, the overall composition of which, will, as a body, possess the appropriate skills, diversity (including, among other things, gender, race and ethnicity), independence and experience to oversee the Funds’ business. With this overall framework in mind, when the Board, through its Nominating and Governance Committee discussed below, seeks nominees for the Board, the trustees consider, not only the candidate’s particular background, skills and experience, among other things, but also whether such background, skills and experience enhance the Board’s diversity and at the same time complement the Board given its current composition and the mix of skills and experiences of the incumbent trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes that the Board generally benefits from diversity of background (including, among other things, gender, race and ethnicity), skills, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy on diversity or any particular definition of diversity.

The Board believes the unitary board structure enhances good and effective governance, particularly given the nature of the structure of the investment company complex. Funds in the same complex generally are served by the same service providers and personnel and are governed by the same regulatory scheme which raises common issues that must be addressed by the trustees across the fund complex (such as compliance, valuation, liquidity, brokerage, trade allocation or risk management). The Board believes it is more efficient to have a single board review and oversee common policies and procedures which increases the Board’s knowledge and expertise withrespect to the many aspects of fund operations that are complex-wide in nature. The unitary structure also enhances the Board’s influence and oversight over the investment adviser and other service providers.

In an effort to enhance the independence of the Board, the Board also has a chair that is an independent trustee. The Board recognizes that a chair can perform an important role in setting the agenda for the Board, establishing the boardroom culture, establishing a point person on behalf of the Board for fund management, and reinforcing the Board’s focus on the long-term interests of shareholders. The Board recognizes that a chair may be able to better perform these functions without any conflicts of interests arising from a position with fund management. Accordingly, the trustees have elected Terence J. Toth as the independent chair of the Board. Pursuant to the Funds’ By-laws, the Chair 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 the By-laws.

Although the Board has direct responsibility over various matters (such as advisory contracts, underwriting contracts and Fund performance), the Board also exercises certain of its oversight responsibilities through several committees that it has established and which report back to the full Board. The Board believes that a committee structure is an effective means to permit trustees to focus on particular operations or issues affecting the Funds, including risk oversight. More specifically, with respect to risk oversight, the Board has delegated matters relating to valuation and compliance to certain committees (as summarized below) as well as certain aspects of investment risk. In addition, the Board believes that the periodic rotation of trustees among the different committees allows the trustees to gain additional and different perspectives of the Fund’s operations. The Board has established six standing committees: the Executive Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Closed-End Funds Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board also may from time to time create ad hoc committees to focus on particular issues as the need arises. The membership and functions of the standing committees are summarized below.

The Executive Committee, which meets between regular meetings of the Board, is authorized to exercise all of the powers of the Board. Mr. Toth, Chair, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff serve as the current members of the Executive Committee of the Board.

 

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The Board has an Audit Committee, in accordance with Section 3(a) (58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“1934 Act”), that is composed of Independent Trustees who are also “independent” as that term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE pertaining to closed-end funds. The Audit Committee assists the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the accounting and reporting policies, processes and practices of the Funds, and the audits of the financial statements of the Funds; the quality and integrity of the financial statements of the Funds; the Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Funds’ financial statements; the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence; and the pricing procedures of the Funds and the internal valuation group of Nuveen. It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to select, evaluate and replace any independent auditors (subject only to Board and, if applicable, shareholder ratification) and to determine their compensation. The Audit Committee is also responsible for, among other things, overseeing the valuation of securities comprising the Funds’ portfolios. Subject to the Board’s general supervision of such actions, the Audit Committee addresses any valuation issues, oversees the Funds’ pricing procedures and actions taken by Nuveen’s internal valuation group which provides regular reports to the committee, reviews any issues relating to the valuation of the Funds’ securities brought to its attention and considers the risks to the Funds in assessing the possible resolutions to these matters. The Audit Committee may also consider any financial risk exposures for the Funds in conjunction with performing its functions.

To fulfill its oversight duties, the Audit Committee receives annual and semi-annual reports and has regular meetings with the external auditors for the Funds and the internal audit group at Nuveen. The Audit Committee also may review in a general manner the processes the Board or other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management as well as compliance with legal and regulatory matters relating to the Funds’ financial statements. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. Members of the Audit Committee shall be independent (as set forth in the charter) and free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the trustees, would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as an Audit Committee member. The members of the Audit Committee are Ms. Stone, Chair, Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Stockdale, each of whom is an independent trustee of the Funds. A copy of the Charter is available at www.nuveen.com/fundgovernance.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for seeking, identifying and recommending to the Board qualified candidates for election or appointment to the Board. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee oversees matters of corporate governance, including the evaluation of Board performance and processes, the assignment and rotation of committee members, and the establishment of corporate governance guidelines and procedures, to the extent necessary or desirable, and matters related thereto. Although the unitary and committee structure has been developed over the years and the Nominating and Governance Committee believes the structure has provided efficient and effective governance, the committee recognizes that as demands on the Board evolve over time (such as through an increase in the number of funds overseen or an increase in the complexity of the issues raised), the committee must continue to evaluate the Board and committee structures and their processes and modify the foregoing as may be necessary or appropriate to continue to provide effective governance. Accordingly, the Nominating and Governance Committee has a separate meeting each year to, among other things, review the Board and committee structures, their performance and functions, and recommend any modifications thereto or alternative structures or processes that would enhance the Board’s governance over the Funds’ business.

In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee, among other things, makes recommendations concerning the continuing education of trustees; monitors performance of legal counsel and other service providers; establishes and monitors a process by which security holders are be able to communicate in writing with members of the Board; and periodically reviews and makes recommendations about any appropriate changes to trustee compensation. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee receives suggestions from various sources, including shareholders, as to suitable candidates. Suggestions should be sent in writing to William Siffermann, Managing Director of Fund Board Relations, Nuveen, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. The Nominating and Governance Committee sets appropriate standards and requirements for nominations for new trustees and reserves the right to interview any

 

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and all candidates and to make the final selection of any new trustees. In considering a candidate’s qualifications, each candidate must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability (including the time requirements for due diligence site visits to internal and external sub- advisors and service providers) and, if qualifying as an independent trustee candidate, independence from the Advisor, sub-advisors, underwriters or other service providers, including any affiliates of these entities. These skill and experience requirements may vary depending on the current composition of the Board, since the goal is to ensure an appropriate range of skills, diversity and experience, in the aggregate. Accordingly, the particular factors considered and weight given to these factors will depend on the composition of the Board and the skills and backgrounds of the incumbent trustees at the time of consideration of the nominees. All candidates, however, must meet high expectations of personal integrity, independence, governance experience and professional competence. All candidates must be willing to be critical within the Board and with management and yet maintain a collegial and collaborative manner toward other Board members. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. This committee is composed of the independent trustees of the Funds. Accordingly, the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Mr. Toth, Chair, Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner, Mr. Nelson, Ms. Stockdale, Ms. Stone, Mr. Thornton, Ms. Wolff and Mr. Young.

The Dividend Committee is authorized to declare distributions on the Funds’ shares including, but not limited to, regular and special dividends, capital gains and ordinary income distributions. The members of the Dividend Committee are Mr. Young, Chair, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff.

The Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee (the “Compliance Committee”) is responsible for the oversight of compliance issues, risk management and other regulatory matters affecting the Funds that are not otherwise the jurisdiction of the other committees. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Funds’ compliance and risk matters. As part of its duties, the Compliance Committee reviews the policies and procedures relating to compliance matters and recommends modifications thereto as necessary or appropriate to the full Board; develops new policies and procedures as new regulatory matters affecting the Funds arise from time to time; evaluates or considers any comments or reports from examinations from regulatory authorities and responses thereto; and performs any special reviews, investigations or other oversight responsibilities relating to risk management, compliance and/or regulatory matters as requested by the Board.

In addition, the Compliance Committee is responsible for risk oversight, including, but not limited to, the oversight of risks related to investments and operations. Such risks include, among other things, exposures to particular issuers, market sectors, or types of securities; risks related to product structure elements, such as leverage; and techniques that may be used to address those risks, such as hedging and swaps. In assessing issues brought to the committee’s attention or in reviewing a particular policy, procedure, investment technique or strategy, the Compliance Committee evaluates the risks to the Funds in adopting a particular approach or resolution compared to the anticipated benefits to the Funds and their shareholders.

In fulfilling its obligations, the Compliance Committee meets on a quarterly basis, and at least once a year in person. The Compliance Committee receives written and oral reports from the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and meets privately with the CCO at each of its quarterly meetings. The CCO also provides an annual report to the full Board regarding the operations of the Funds’ and other service providers’ compliance programs as well as any recommendations for modifications thereto. The Compliance Committee also receives reports from the investment services group of Nuveen regarding various investment risks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board also participates in discussions with management regarding certain matters relating to investment risk, such as the use of leverage and hedging. The investment services group therefore also reports to the full Board at its quarterly meetings regarding, among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance. Accordingly, the Board directly and/or in conjunction with the Compliance Committee oversees matters relating to investment risks. Matters not addressed at the committee level are addressed directly by the full Board. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The

 

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members of the Compliance Committee are Ms. Wolff, Chair, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Toth and Mr. Young.

The Closed-End Funds Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the Nuveen Funds that are registered as closed-end management investment companies (“Closed- End Funds”). The committee may review and evaluate matters related to the formation and the initial presentation to the Board of any new Closed-End Fund and may review and evaluate any matters relating to any existing Closed-End Fund.

The Closed-End Funds Committee receives updates on the secondary closed-end fund market and evaluates the premiums and discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, at each quarterly meeting. The Closed-End Funds Committee reviews, among other things, the premium and discount trends in the broader closed-end fund market, by asset category and by closed-end fund; the historical total return performance data for the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, based on net asset value and price over various periods; the volatility trends in the market; the use of leverage by the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund; the distribution data of the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, and as compared to peer averages; and a summary of common share issuances, if any, and share repurchases, if any, during the applicable quarter by the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund. The Closed-End Funds Committee regularly engages in more in-depth discussions of premiums and discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds. Additionally, the Closed-End Funds Committee members participate in workshops to explore, among other things, actions to address discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds, potential share repurchases and available leverage strategies and their use. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Closed-End Funds Committee are Mr. Evans, Chair, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Toth, Ms. Wolff and Mr. Young.

Board Diversification and Trustee Qualifications. In determining that a particular trustee was qualified to serve on the Board, the Board considered each trustee’s background, skills, experience and other attributes in light of the composition of the Board with no particular factor controlling. The Board believes that trustees need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Fund management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, and the Board believes each trustee satisfies this standard. An effective trustee may achieve this ability through his or her educational background; business, professional training or practice; public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member or executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. Accordingly, set forth below is a summary of the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this document, that each trustee should serve in that capacity. References to the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills of trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any trustee as having any special expertise or experience and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Jack B. Evans

Mr. Evans has served as Chairman (since 2019), formerly, President from 1996-2019 of the Hall-Perrine Foundation, a private philanthropic corporation. Mr. Evans was formerly President and Chief Operating Officer (1972-1995) of the SCI Financial Group, Inc., a regional financial services firm headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Formerly, he was a member of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago from 1998 to 2003 as well as a Director of Alliant Energy from 2000 to 2004 and President Pro Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Evans is Chairman of the Board (since 2009) of United Fire Group, a Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation and formerly served as a Director and Public Member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery form 2015 to 2020 and served on the Board of The Gazette Company form 1996 to 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Coe College and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa. Mr. Evans joined the Board in 1999.

 

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William C. Hunter

Dr. Hunter became Dean Emeritus of the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa in 2012, after having served as Dean of the College since July 2006. He had been Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance at the University of Connecticut School of Business from 2003 to 2006. From 1995 to 2003, he was the Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He has held faculty positions at Emory University, Atlanta University, the University of Georgia and Northwestern University. He has consulted with numerous foreign central banks and official agencies in Europe, Asia, Central America and South America. He has been a Director of Wellmark, Inc. since 2009. He is a past Director (2005- 2015) and a past President (2010-2014) of Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society, and a past Director (2004-2018) of the Xerox Corporation. Dr. Hunter received his PhD (1978) and MBA (1970) from Northwestern University and his BS from Hampton University (1970). Dr. Hunter joined the Board in 2004.

Albin F. Moschner

Mr. Moschner is a consultant in the wireless industry and, in July 2012, founded Northcroft Partners, LLC, a management consulting firm that provides operational, management and governance solutions. Prior to founding Northcroft Partners, LLC, Mr. Moschner held various positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc., a provider of wireless services, where he was as a consultant from February 2011 to July 2012, Chief Operating Officer from July 2008 to February 2011, and Chief Marketing Officer from August 2004 to June 2008. Before he joined Leap Wireless International, Inc., Mr. Moschner was President of the Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. from 2000 to 2003, and President of One Point Services at One Point Communications from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Moschner also served at Zenith Electronics Corporation as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 1996, and as Director, President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Moschner was formerly Chairman (2019) and a member of the Board of Directors (2012- 2019) of USA Technologies, Inc. and, from 1996 until 2016, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Wintrust Financial Corporation. In addition, he is emeritus (since 2018) of the Advisory Boards of the Kellogg School of Management (1995-2018) and the Archdiocese of Chicago Financial Council (2012-2018). Mr. Moschner received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from The City College of New York in 1974 and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1979. Mr. Moschner joined the Board in 2016.

John K. Nelson

Mr. Nelson is on the Board of Directors of Core12, LLC. (since 2008), a private firm which develops branding, marketing, and communications strategies for clients. Mr. Nelson has extensive experience in global banking and markets, having served in several senior executive positions with ABN AMRO Holdings N.V. and its affiliated entities and predecessors, including LaSalle Bank Corporation from 1996 to 2008, ultimately serving as Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO N.V. North America. During his tenure at the bank, he also served as Global Head of its Financial Markets Division, which encompassed the bank’s Currency, Commodity, Fixed Income, Emerging Markets, and Derivatives businesses. He was a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States and during his tenure with ABN AMRO served as the bank’s representative on various committees of The Bank of Canada, European Central Bank, and The Bank of England. Mr. Nelson previously served as a senior, external advisor to the financial services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP. (2012-2104). At Fordham University, he served as a director of The President’s Council (2010-2019) and previously served as a director of The Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (2009-2018). He served as a trustee and Chairman of The Board of Trustees of Marian University (2011-2013). Mr. Nelson is a graduate of Fordham University and holds a BA in Economics (1984) and an MBA in Finance (1991). Mr. Nelson joined the Board in 2013.

 

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Judith M. Stockdale

Ms. Stockdale retired in 2012 as Executive Director of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, a private foundation working in land conservation and artistic vitality in the Chicago region and the Low Country of South Carolina. She is currently a board member of the Land Trust Alliance (since 2013). Her previous positions include Executive Director of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, Executive Director of Openlands, and Senior Staff Associate at the Chicago Community Trust. She has served on the Advisory Council of the National Zoological Park, the Governor’s Science Advisory Council (Illinois) and the Nancy Ryerson Ranney Leadership Grants Program. She has been a member of the Boards of Brushwood Center, Forefront f/k/a Donors Forum and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. Ms. Stockdale, a native of the United Kingdom, has a Bachelor of Science degree in geography from the University of Durham (UK) and a Master of Forest Science degree from Yale University. Ms. Stockdale joined the Board in 1997.

Carole E. Stone

Ms. Stone recently retired from the Board of Directors of Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (2010-May 2020) (formerly, CBOE Holdings, Inc.) having served from 2010-2020. She previously served on the Boards of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated. Ms. Stone retired from the New York State Division of the Budget in 2004, having served as its Director for nearly five years and as Deputy Director from 1995 through 1999. She has also served as the Chair of the New York Racing Association Oversight Board, as a Commissioner on the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform and as a member of the Boards of Directors of several New York State public authorities. Ms. Stone has a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in Business Administration. Ms. Stone joined the Board in 2007.

Matthew Thornton III

Mr. Thornton has over 40 years of broad leadership and operating experience from his career with FedEx Corporation (FedEx), which, through its portfolio of companies, provides transportation, e-commerce and business services. In November 2019, Mr. Thornton retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Freight Corporation (FedEx Freight), a subsidiary of FedEx, where, from May 2018 until his retirement, he had been responsible for day-to-day operations, strategic guidance, modernization of freight operations and delivering innovative customer solutions. From September 2006 to May 2018, Mr. Thornton served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations at Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Express), a subsidiary of FedEx. Prior to September 2006, Mr. Thornton held a range of positions of increasing responsibility with FedEx, including various management positions. In addition, Mr. Thornton currently (since 2014) serves on the Board of Directors of The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Board of Directors of Crown Castle International (since 2020), where he is a member of the Strategy Committee and the Compensation Committee. Formerly (2012-2018), he was a member of the Board of Directors of Safe Kids Worldwide®, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood injuries. Mr. Thornton is a member (since 2014) of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the nation’s premier organization of global black senior executives. He is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Mr. Thornton has been recognized by Black Enterprise on its 2017 list of the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America and by Ebony on its 2016 Power 100 list of the world’s most influential and inspiring African Americans. Mr. Thornton received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Memphis in 1980 and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 2001. Mr. Thornton joined the Board in 2020.

Terence J. Toth

Mr. Toth, the Nuveen Funds’ Independent Chair, was a Co-Founding Partner of Promus Capital (2008-2017). From 2008 to 2013, he was a Director, Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. From 2004 to 2007, he was Chief Executive Officer and President of Northern Trust Global Investments, and

 

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Executive Vice President of Quantitative Management & Securities Lending from 2000 to 2004. He also formerly served on the Board of the Northern Trust Mutual Funds. He joined Northern Trust in 1994 after serving as Managing Director and Head of Global Securities Lending at Bankers Trust (1986 to 1994) and Head of Government Trading and Cash Collateral Investment at Northern Trust from 1982 to 1986. He currently serves on the Boards of Quality Control Corporation since 2012 and Catalyst Schools of Chicago since 2008. He is on the Mather Foundation Board since 2012 and is Chair of its Investment Committee and previously served as a Director of LogicMark LLC (2012-2016) and of Fulcrum IT Service LLC (2010-2019). Mr. Toth graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, and received his MBA from New York University. In 2005, he graduated from the CEO Perspectives Program at Northwestern University. Mr. Toth joined the Board in 2008.

Margaret L. Wolff

Ms. Wolff retired from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in 2014 after more than 30 years of providing client service in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group. During her legal career, Ms. Wolff devoted significant time to advising boards and senior management on U.S. and international corporate, securities, regulatory and strategic matters, including governance, shareholder, fiduciary, operational and management issues. Ms. Wolff has been a trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 2005 and, since 2004, she has served as a trustee of The John A. Hartford Foundation (a philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults) where she currently is the Chair. From 2013 to 2017, she was a Board member of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each of which is a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.). From 2005 to 2015, she was a trustee of Mt. Holyoke College and served as Vice Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Wolff received her Bachelor of Arts from Mt. Holyoke College and her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Ms. Wolff joined the Board in 2016.

Robert L. Young

Mr. Young has more than 30 years of experience in the investment management industry. From 1997 to 2017, he held various positions with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“J.P. Morgan Investment”) and its affiliates (collectively, “J.P. Morgan”). Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of J.P. Morgan Investment (from 2010 to 2016) and as President and Principal Executive Officer of the J.P. Morgan Funds (from 2013 to 2016). As Chief Operating Officer of J.P. Morgan Investment, Mr. Young led service, administration and business platform support activities for J.P. Morgan’s domestic retail mutual fund and institutional commingled and separate account businesses, and co-led these activities for J.P. Morgan’s global retail and institutional investment management businesses. As President of the J.P. Morgan Funds, Mr. Young interacted with various service providers to these funds, facilitated the relationship between such funds and their boards, and was directly involved in establishing board agendas, addressing regulatory matters, and establishing policies and procedures. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Mr. Young, a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA), was a Senior Manager (Audit) with Deloitte & Touche LLP (formerly, Touche Ross LLP), where he was employed from 1985 to 1996. During his tenure there, he actively participated in creating, and ultimately led, the firm’s midwestern mutual fund practice. Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton and, from 2008 to 2011, he served on the Investment Committee of its Board of Trustees. Mr. Young joined the Board in 2017.

Independent Chairman

The trustees have elected Terence J. Toth as the independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Specific responsibilities of the Chairman include (a) presiding at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the shareholders; (b) seeing that all orders and resolutions of the trustees are carried into effect; and (c) maintaining records of and, whenever necessary, certifying all proceedings of the trustees and the shareholders.

 

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Class I trustees will serve until the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders; Class II trustees will serve until the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders; and Class III trustees will serve until the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. As each trustee’s term expires, shareholders will be asked to elect trustees and such trustees 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 duly elected and qualified. These provisions could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” in the Prospectus.

Share Ownership

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of April 13, 2021:

 

     Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities in
the Fund
     Aggregate Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in
All  Registered
Investment Companies
Overseen by Trustees in
Nuveen Family Investment

Companies
 

Jack B. Evans

     None        Over $100,000  

William C. Hunter

     None        Over $100,000  

Albin F. Moschner

     None        Over $100,000  

John K. Nelson

     None        Over $100,000  

Judith M. Stockdale

     None        Over $100,000  

Carole E. Stone

     None        Over $100,000  

Matthew Thornton III*

     None        None  

Terence J. Toth

     None        Over $100,000  

Margaret L. Wolff

     None        Over $100,000  

Robert L. Young

     None        Over $100,000  

 

*  

Mr. Thornton was appointed to the Board, effective November 16, 2020.

As of April 13, 2021 no trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund or any of his or her immediate family members owns beneficially or of record, any security issued by Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management or Nuveen.

As of April 13, 2021 the officers and trustees of the Fund, in the aggregate, own none of the Fund’s equity securities.

Compensation

The following table shows, for each independent trustee, (1) the estimated aggregate compensation to be paid by the Fund projected during the Fund’s fiscal year after commencement of operation, (2) the amount of total compensation paid by the Fund that has been deferred and (3) the total compensation paid to each trustee by the Nuveen Funds during the calendar year ended December 31, 2020. The Fund does not have a retirement or pension plan. The officers and trustees affiliated with Nuveen serve without any compensation from the Fund.

 

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The Fund has a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) that permits any trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Fund to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as a trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the trustee. The value of the trustee’s deferral account at any time is equal to the value that the account would have had if contributions to the account had been invested and reinvested in shares of one or more of the eligible Nuveen Funds. At the time for commencing distributions from a trustee’s deferral account, the trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Fund will not be liable for any other fund’s obligations to make distributions under the Plan.

 

     Aggregate
Compensation from Fund(1)
     Amount of Total
Compensation
That Has
Been Deferred(2)
     Total Compensation from
Fund and Fund Complex(3)
 

Jack B. Evans

   $ 631             $ 392,652  

William C. Hunter

     644               396,750  

Albin F. Moschner

     631               380,050  

John K. Nelson

     685               417,500  

Judith M. Stockdale

     638               400,147  

Carole E. Stone

     631               404,611  

Matthew Thornton III(4)

     302               49,500  

Terence J. Toth

     756               467,300  

Margaret L. Wolff

     614               385,629  

Robert L. Young

     625               425,754  

 

(1)  

Proposed on the estimated aggregate compensation to be earned on the independent trustees for the period ending December 31, 2021, representing the Fund’s first fiscal year, for services to the Fund.

(2)

Pursuant to a deferred compensation agreement with certain of the Nuveen Funds, deferred amounts are treated as though an equivalent dollar amount has been invested in shares of one or more eligible Nuveen funds. Total deferred fees for the Fund (including the return from the assumed investment in the eligible Nuveen Funds) payable are stated above.

(3) 

Based on the compensation paid (including any amounts deferred) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020 for services to the Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Because the funds in the Nuveen fund complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis.

(4) 

Mr. Thornton joined the Board effective November 16, 2020.

Effective January 1, 2020, independent trustees receive a $195,000 annual retainer, increased to $200,000 as of January 1, 2021, plus they receive (a) a fee of $6,750 per day, increased to $7,000 per day as of January 1, 2021, for attendance in person or by telephone at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board; (b) a fee of $3,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at special, non-regularly scheduled Board meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (c) a fee of $2,500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Audit Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (d) a fee of $5,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (e) a fee of $1,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Dividend Committee meetings; (f) a fee of $500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at all other committee meetings ($1,000 for shareholder

 

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meetings) where in-person attendance is required and $250 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such committee meetings (excluding shareholder meetings) where in-person attendance is not required, and $100 per meeting when the Executive Committee acts as pricing committee for IPOs, plus, in each case, expenses incurred in attending such meetings; provided that no fees are received for meetings held on days on which regularly scheduled Board meetings are held; and (g) a fee of $2,500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Closed-End Funds Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; provided that no fees are received for meetings held on days on which regularly scheduled Board meetings are held. In addition to the payments described above, the Chair of the Board receives $90,000, increased to $100,000 as of January 1, 2021, and the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Closed-End Funds Committee receive $15,000 each as additional retainers. Independent trustees also receive a fee of $3,000 per day, increased to $3,500 per day as of January 1, 2021, for site visits to entities that provide services to the Nuveen funds on days on which no Board meeting is held. When ad hoc committees are organized, the Nominating and Governance Committee will at the time of formation determine compensation to be paid to the members of such committee; however, in general, such fees will be $1,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at ad hoc committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $500 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required. The annual retainer, fees and expenses are allocated among the Nuveen funds on the basis of relative net assets, although management may, in its discretion, establish a minimum amount to be allocated to each fund. In certain instances fees and expenses will be allocated only to those Nuveen funds that are discussed at a given meeting. In certain circumstances, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board may hold in-person meetings by telephonic or videographic means and be compensated at the in-person rate.

The Fund does not have retirement or pension plans. Certain Nuveen funds (the “Participating Funds”) participate in a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) that permits an independent trustee to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as an independent trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating independent trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Participating Fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to such independent trustee. The value of an independent trustee’s deferral account at any time is equal to the value that the account would have had if contributions to the account had been invested and reinvested in shares of one or more of the eligible Nuveen funds. At the time for commencing distributions from an independent trustee’s deferral account, the independent trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Participating Fund will not be liable for any other fund’s obligations to make distributions under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

The Fund has no employees. The officers of the Fund and the trustees of the Fund who are not independent trustees serve without any compensation from the Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Nuveen Fund Advisors will be responsible for determining the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation, including the Fund’s use of leverage and ongoing monitoring of Nuveen Asset Management. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. For additional information regarding the management services performed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and further information about the investment management agreement between the Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, see “Management of the Fund” in the Prospectus.

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

 

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Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee for the overall advisory and administrative services and general office facilities provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors. The Fund’s management fee is separated into two components—a complex-level component, based on the aggregate amount of all Nuveen Fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors, and a specific fund-level component, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund. This pricing structure enables Nuveen Fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within each individual fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Fund’s Investment Management Agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors will remain in effect until August 1, 2022. The Investment Management Agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by (1) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (2) a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Investment Management Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or Nuveen Fund Advisors upon 60 days’ written notice, and is automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.

Nuveen Fund Advisors purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act, and therefore owns 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur as of the completion of the offering of Common Shares.

SUBADVISER

Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s sub-adviser responsible for investing the Fund’s Managed Assets and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors. Stephen Liberatore, Jessica Zarzycki and Kristal Seales will serve as the Fund’s portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

Stephen M. Liberatore, CFA, is the lead portfolio manager for Nuveen Asset Management’s fixed income strategies that incorporate ESG criteria and Impact investments, including those that comprise our Core Impact Bond, Short Duration Impact Bond and Green Bond composites. He is also a member of the Investment Committee.

Mr. Liberatore serves on the ICMA Green Bond Principles Advisory Council and was a member of the initial executive committee. He joined TIAA in 2004. He is a member of the UN Capital Development Fund’s working group on Climate Insurance Linked Resilient Infrastructure Finance and serves on the UN’s Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund’s Blue Economy Investor Advisory Group. He also serves on S&P’s Global Ratings ESG Leadership Council. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and a subject matter expert across media outlets, such as Bloomberg, CNBC, The Economist and The Wall Street Journal. He and his team were awarded “Investor of the Year” at Environmental Finance’s 2020 Bond Awards. Before joining the firm in 2004, he held roles at Nationwide Mutual Insurance and Protective Life.

Mr. Liberatore graduated with a B.S. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an M.B.A. in Finance and Operations from Wake Forest University. He holds the CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Society of North Carolina and the CFA Institute.

Jessica Zarzycki, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager of the Fund and a senior director and research analyst for Nuveen Asset Management. Ms. Zarzycki is a member of the Global Sovereigns team and is responsible for sovereigns and local markets in both Western and Eastern Europe. Ms. Zarzycki also supports Nuveen Asset Management’s responsible investing fixed income initiatives. Previously, she covered developed market sovereigns, agencies and agency MBS at TIAA. Ms. Zarzycki joined TIAA in 2008. Ms. Zarzycki has 12 years

 

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of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA, she worked at Citi Global Wealth Management (GWM) where she helped to manage the liquidity and risk of GWM balance sheet. Ms. Zarzycki holds a B.S. in business administration with a focus in finance from The Ohio State University. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a member of the CFA Society New York and the CFA® Institute.

Kristal Seales, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager of the Fund and is also a portfolio manager for Nuveen Asset Management’s leveraged finance team with a focus on the management of high yield ESG mandates. She joined Nuveen Asset Management in 2001 and has worked on investing in corporate private placements, project finance, lease finance and investment-grade public debt offerings across a variety of industries.. Since 2009, she has been a member of Nuveen Asset Management’s leveraged finance team and was previously a senior research analyst responsible for covering the gaming, leisure and retail industries. She also oversees the risk and analytics function for Nuveen Asset Management’s global fixed income team. She is a member of Nuveen Asset Management’s Investment Committee, which establishes investment policy for all global fixed income products. She graduated with a B.S. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University. She holds the CFA designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and the New York Society of Security Analysts.

In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Mr. Liberatore is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of February 28, 2021 unless otherwise indicated:

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts (Total)      Assets (Total)

Registered Investment Company

     4      $6.33 billion

Other Pooled Vehicles

     3      $17.90 billion

Other Accounts

     9      $989 million

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts
with Performance-based  Fees
     Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based  Fees)

Registered Investment Company

     0      $0

Other Pooled Vehicles

     0      $0

Other Accounts

     0      $0

In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Ms. Zarzycki is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of February 28, 2021 unless otherwise indicated:

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts (Total)      Assets (Total)

Registered Investment Company

     4      $6.33 billion

Other Pooled Vehicles

     1      $124 million

Other Accounts

     0      $0

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts
with Performance-based  Fees
     Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based  Fees)

Registered Investment Company

     0      $0

Other Pooled Vehicles

     0      $0

Other Accounts

     0      $0

 

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In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Ms. Seales is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of February 28, 2021 unless otherwise indicated:

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts (Total)      Assets (Total)

Registered Investment Company

     0      $0

Other Pooled Vehicles

     0      $0

Other Accounts

     3      $4.81 million

 

Type of Account Managed

   Number of Accounts
with Performance-based  Fees
     Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based  Fees)

Registered Investment Company

     0      $0

Other Pooled Vehicles

     0      $0

Other Accounts

     0      $0

Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

Because the Fund has not commenced operations, the Portfolio Managers did not own any securities of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

Portfolio Managers

   Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned in the Fund

Stephen M. Liberatore

   None

Jessica Zarzycki

   None

Kristal Seales

   None

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

Nuveen Asset Management Portfolio Manager Compensation

Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary and variable components consisting of (i) a cash bonus; (ii) a long-term performance award; and (iii) participation in a profits interest plan.

Base salary. A portfolio manager’s base salary is determined based upon an analysis of the portfolio manager’s general performance, experience and market levels of base pay for such position.

Cash bonus. A portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus that is based on three variables: risk-adjusted investment performance relative to benchmark generally measured over the most recent one, three and five year periods (unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter), ranking versus Morningstar peer funds generally measured over the most recent one, three and five year periods (unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter), and management and peer reviews.

Long-term performance award. A portfolio manager is eligible to receive a long-term performance award that vests after three years. The amount of the award when granted is based on the same factors used in determining the cash bonus. The value of the award at the completion of the three-year vesting period is adjusted based on the risk-adjusted investment performance of Fund(s) managed by the portfolio manager during the vesting period and the performance of the TIAA organization as a whole.

Profits interest plan. Portfolio managers are eligible to receive profits interests in Nuveen Asset Management and its affiliate, Teachers Advisors, LLC, which vest over time and entitle their holders to a

 

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percentage of the firms’ annual profits. Profits interests are allocated to each portfolio manager based on such person’s overall contribution to the firms.

There are generally no differences between the methods used to determine compensation with respect to the Funds and the Other Accounts shown in the table below.

Nuveen Asset Management Conflict of Interest Policies

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple accounts are presented a number of potential conflicts, including, among others, those discussed below.

The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. Nuveen Asset Management seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most accounts managed by a portfolio manager in a particular investment strategy are managed using the same investment models.

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, an account may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, Nuveen Asset Management has adopted procedures for allocating limited opportunities across multiple accounts.

With respect to many of its clients’ accounts, Nuveen Asset Management determines which broker to use to execute transaction orders, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts, Nuveen Asset Management may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, Nuveen Asset Management may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Fund and other accounts which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the other accounts.

Some clients are subject to different regulations. As a consequence of this difference in regulatory requirements, some clients may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques or transactions or to engage in these transactions to the same extent as the other accounts managed by a portfolio manager. Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where Nuveen Asset Management has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of some accounts, with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

Conflicts of interest may also arise when the sub-adviser invests one or more of its client accounts in different or multiple parts of the same issuer’s capital structure, including investments in public versus private securities, debt versus equity, or senior versus junior/subordinated debt, or otherwise where there are different or inconsistent rights or benefits. Decisions or actions such as investing, trading, proxy voting, exercising, waiving or amending rights or covenants, workout activity, or serving on a board, committee or other involvement in governance may result in conflicts of interest between clients holding different securities or investments. Generally, individual portfolio managers will seek to act in a manner that they believe serves the best interest of the accounts they manage. In cases where a portfolio manager or team faces a conflict among its client accounts, it will seek to act in a manner that it believes best reflects its overall fiduciary duty, which may result in relative advantages or disadvantages for particular accounts.

Nuveen Asset Management has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts common among investment managers. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

 

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Code of Ethics

The Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen, Nuveen Asset Management and other related entities have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Fund’s portfolio manager, from engaging in personal investments that compete or interfere with, or attempt to take advantage of a client’s, including the Fund’s, anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and are designed to assure that the interests of clients, including Fund shareholders, are placed before the interests of personnel in connection with personal investment transactions. Personnel subject to a code of ethics may invest in securities

for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, but only so long as such investments are made in accordance with a code’s requirements. Text-only versions of the codes of ethics of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internet web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of those codes of ethics may be obtained, after paying the appropriate duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Nuveen Fund Advisors has delegated to Nuveen Asset Management the full responsibility for proxy voting on investments held in the Fund’s portfolio and related duties in accordance with Nuveen Asset Management’s policies and procedures. Nuveen Fund Advisors periodically monitors Nuveen Asset Management’s voting to ensure that it is carrying out its duties. Nuveen Asset Management’s proxy voting policies and procedures are attached to this filing as Appendix B. Nuveen Fund Advisors’ proxy voting policies and procedures are attached to this filing as Appendix C.

Voted Proxies. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies (for periods subsequent to the Fund commencing operations) relating to portfolio investments during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (or any lesser period of time ending June 30 if the Fund has not been operating for that long) of each year is available starting August 31 of that year without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 257-8787 or by accessing the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. This reference to the website does not incorporate the contents of the website in the Prospectus or the SAI.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, Nuveen Asset Management is primarily responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Commissions are negotiated with broker/dealers on all transactions.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, each of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management is authorized to place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. The general policy of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management in selecting brokers and dealers is to obtain the best results achievable in the context of a number of factors which are considered both in relation to individual trades and broader trading patterns, including the reliability of the broker/dealer, the competitiveness of the price and the commission, the research services received and whether the broker/dealer commits its own capital.

In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which Nuveen Fund Advisors or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of

 

64


commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. Investment research services include information and analysis on particular companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, analytical software and similar products and services. If a research service also assists Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in the investment decision making process may be paid in commission dollars. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities that Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management may also have arrangements with brokers pursuant to which such brokers provide research services to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in exchange for a certain volume of brokerage transactions to be executed by such brokers. While the payment of higher commissions increases the Fund’s costs, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management do not believe that the receipt of such brokerage and research services significantly reduces the expenses of Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable. Arrangements for the receipt of research services from brokers may create conflicts of interest.

Research services furnished to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management by brokers that effect securities transactions for the Fund may be used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in servicing other investment companies and accounts which it manages. Similarly, research services furnished to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management by brokers who effect securities transactions for other investment companies and accounts which Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management manages may be used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in servicing the Fund. Not all of these research services are used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in managing any particular account, including the Fund.

The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net results, brokerage transactions may be conducted through “affiliated broker/dealers,” as defined in the 1940 Act. The Board has adopted procedures in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and fair in the context of the market in which such affiliates operate.

In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable as an investment for the Fund as well as for one or more of Nuveen Fund Advisors’ or Nuveen Asset Management’s other clients. Investment decisions for the Fund and for Nuveen Fund Advisors’ or Nuveen Asset Management’s other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could adversely affect the price of or the size of the position obtainable in a security for the Fund. When purchases or sales of the same security for the Fund and for other portfolios managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large volume purchases or sales.

Although the Fund does not have any restrictions on portfolio turnover, it is not the Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. Although the Fund cannot predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it is generally not expected to exceed 75% under normal circumstances. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities

 

65


exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs than a lower rate, which costs are borne by the Fund and its shareholders.

The Subsidiary follows the same brokerage practices as the Fund.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES AND DEBT

Common Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed under “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” in the Prospectus, non-assessable, and will have no preemptive or conversion rights, except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine, or rights to cumulative voting. The Declaration of Trust provides that each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Common Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on Preferred Shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. See “—Preferred Shares” below.

The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE and will trade under the ticker symbol “NPCT.” The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. The Fund will not issue share certificates.

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC has agreed to (i) reimburse all organizational expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Fund’s offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organizational expenses or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC. See “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a Common Shareholder determines to buy additional Common Shares or sell shares already held, the Common Shareholder may conveniently do so by trading on the exchange through a broker or otherwise. Shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than NAV. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund have, during some periods, traded at prices higher than NAV and, during other periods, have traded at prices lower than NAV. Because the market value of the Common Shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend stability, NAV, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond the Fund’s control, the Fund cannot guarantee you that Common Shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than NAV in the future. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and investors in the Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund.”

Preferred Shares

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

 

66


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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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series vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above would in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.

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

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

In the event of any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund likely would apply for ratings from an NRSRO. In such event, as long as Preferred Shares are outstanding, the composition of the Fund’s portfolio would reflect guidelines established by such NRSRO. Based on previous guidelines established by such NRSROs for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. However, at this time, no assurance can be given as to the nature or extent of the guidelines that may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of any Preferred Shares.

For more information, see “Description of Shares and Debt—Preferred Shares” in the Prospectus.

Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness

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

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), NAV, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic circumstances and other factors. Because shares of closed-end investment companies frequently may trade at prices lower than NAV the Fund’s Board of Trustees has currently determined that, at least annually, it will consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from NAV in respect of Common Shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at NAV, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Fund cannot assure you that its Board of Trustees will decide to take any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce market discount.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time, should the Fund incur any borrowings, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or acquire any of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares unless at the time of such purchase, redemption, or acquisition, the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of such Common or Preferred Shares) is at least 300% of the principal amount of such borrowings. In addition, if the Fund has Preferred Shares outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Common Shares unless (1) all accrued Preferred Shares dividends have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the Common Shares) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon). The staff of the SEC currently requires that any tender offer made by a closed-end investment company for its shares must be at a price equal to the NAV of such shares at the close of business on the last day of the tender offer. Any service fees incurred in connection with any tender offer made by the Fund will be borne by the Fund and will not reduce the stated consideration to be paid to tendering shareholders.

Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board of Trustees would have to comply with the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Although the decision to take action in response to a discount from NAV will be made by the Board of Trustees at the time it considers such issue, it is the Board of Trustees’ present policy, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees, not to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender offer for such shares if (1) such transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the Common Shares from the NYSE or other exchange on which the Common Shares are traded, or (b) impair the Fund’s status as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the Fund’s income to be taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of shareholders who receive dividends from the Fund) or as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio investments in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3) there is, in the Board of Trustees’ judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities on the NYSE, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by United States or state banks in which the Fund invests, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio investments by federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement of war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its shareholders if shares were repurchased. The Board of Trustees may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.

The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below NAV would result in an increase in the NAV of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below NAV would result in the Fund’s shares trading at a price equal to their NAV. Nevertheless, the fact that the Fund’s shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers at NAV from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end company, may reduce any spread between market price and NAV that might otherwise exist.

In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares would decrease the Fund’s total assets which would likely have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. Any purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares at a time when Preferred Shares are outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding Common Shares then remaining.

 

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Conversion to an open-end company would require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, if issued in the future, outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Preferred Shares, if issued in the future, outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, provided, however, that such separate class vote shall be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or By-laws. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” in the Prospectus for a discussion of voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end company. If the Fund converted to an open-end company, the Common Shares would no longer be listed on the NYSE or such other exchange and it would likely have to significantly reduce any leverage it is then employing, which may require a repositioning of its investment portfolio, which may in turn generate substantial transaction costs, which would be borne by Common Shareholders, and may adversely affect Fund performance and Fund distributions. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption. The Fund currently expects that any such redemptions would be made in cash. The Fund may charge sales or redemption fees upon conversion to an open-end fund. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Trustees of the Fund may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to an open-end company depending upon its judgment as to the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.

Before deciding whether to take any action if the Common Shares trade below NAV, the Board of Trustees would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders, and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Trustees may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.

TAX MATTERS

Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax issues concerning the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to Common Shareholders in light of their particular circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes you are a U.S. Common Shareholder (as defined below) and that you hold your shares as a capital asset (generally, for investment). A U.S. Common Shareholder means a person (other than a partnership) that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the IRS regarding any matters discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those set forth below. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Common Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other taxing jurisdiction.

 

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

If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Common Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold Common Shares should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax considerations to their partners of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under the Code. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, including tax-exempt interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is a publicly traded partnership that meets certain requirements with respect to the nature of its income. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its assets. The Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Finally, to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund must distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, income from the interests in certain net tax-exempt interest income (the excess of gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions) qualified publicly traded partnerships, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) each taxable year. If the Fund failed to meet the asset diversification test described above with respect to any quarter, the Fund would nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the requirements for such quarter if the Fund cured such failure within 6 months and either (i) such failure was de minimis or (ii) (a) such failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reported the failure under Treasury regulations to be adopted and paid an excise tax.

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it generally will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains as part of its annual reporting to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any; and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of

 

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undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund intends to distribute to its Common Shareholders at least annually that portion of its investment company taxable income and any gains necessary to maintain its qualification as a RIC.

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years.

A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, and was unable to cure such failure, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividends. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as “qualified dividend income” (as defined below) in the case of individual and other noncorporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction (“DRD”) in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC. The Board of Trustees reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to Common Shareholders.

The remainder of this discussion assumes the Fund will qualify as a RIC.

Distributions

Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain (“capital gain distributions”), if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of their holding period in the Common Shares. All other distributions out of the Fund’s earnings and profits (including distributions of the Fund’s net realized short-term capital gains) will be taxable as ordinary income. The maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals is 20%. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the distributions paid on the Common Shares, if any, will consist of long-term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future years.

If, for any calendar year, the Fund’s total distributions exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each shareholder (up to the amount of the shareholder’s basis in his or her Common Shares) and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her Common Shares, thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the subsequent sale or other disposition of the Common Shares.

Because of the Fund’s investment objective, it generally does not expect to distribute dividends eligible for qualified dividend income treatment or the dividends received deduction. Although the Fund anticipates investing a portion of its assets in municipal securities, the Fund will not satisfy the requirements of the Code to pay exempt-interest dividends to you.

An additional tax at a rate of 3.8% applies to some or all of the net investment income of certain non-corporate taxpayers. For this purpose, “net investment income” includes interest, dividends (including dividends

 

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paid with respect to Common Shares), annuities, royalties, rent, net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Common Shares) and certain other income, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the taxation of net investment income.

Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those shares.

The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues Preferred Shares, it intends to allocate capital gain dividends, if any, between its Common Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to the total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the Common Shares and Preferred Shares. Since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in the event of the issuance of Preferred Shares will first be used to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to Common Shareholders.

Sale, Exchange or Liquidation of Fund Shares

Upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund, including in connection with the Fund’s final distribution to shareholders on or about the Termination Date, a shareholder normally will realize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount realized from the sale or other disposition. A U.S. Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares generally will be the purchase price paid in this offering, increased or decreased, as appropriate, as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Generally, a shareholder’s gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year, and short-term gain or loss otherwise.

Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent that shares disposed of are replaced (including through reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after disposition of shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net capital gain received by the shareholder (including net capital gain retained by the Fund but deemed distributed to shareholders) with respect to such shares.

Nature of Fund’s Investments

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions, and (vi) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the income requirement that applies to a RIC. The Fund may, but is not required to, make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions.

If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind investments, zero coupon investments, deferred interest investments or, in general, any other investments with original issue discount (or with market discount if the

 

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

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

If the Fund invests in options that qualify as “section 1256 contracts,” Section 1256 of the Code generally requires any gain or loss arising from the lapse, closing out or exercise of such positions to be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. In addition, the Fund generally would be required to “mark to market” (i.e., treat as sold for fair market value) each such outstanding option position at the close of each taxable year (and on October 31 of each year for excise tax purposes). If a section 1256 contract held by the Fund at the end of a taxable year is sold or closed out in a subsequent year, the amount of any gain or loss realized on such sale will be adjusted to reflect the gain or loss previously taken into account under the “mark to market” rules. In addition to most exchange traded index options, section 1256 contracts under the Code include certain other options contracts, certain regulated futures contracts, and certain other financial contracts. It cannot be predicted whether the Fund will invest to any significant extent in section 1256 contracts.

The Code contains special rules that apply to “straddles,” defined generally as the holding of “offsetting positions with respect to personal property.” For example, the straddle rules normally apply when a taxpayer holds stock and an offsetting option with respect to such stock or substantially identical stock or securities. In general, investment positions will be offsetting if there is a substantial diminution in the risk of loss from holding one position by reason of holding one or more other positions. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may enter into options transactions or certain other investments that may constitute positions in a straddle. If two or more positions constitute a straddle, recognition of a realized loss from one position must generally be deferred to the extent of unrecognized gain in an offsetting position. In addition, long-term capital gain may be recharacterized as short-term capital gain, or short-term capital loss as long-term capital loss. Interest and other carrying charges allocable to personal property that is part of a straddle are not currently deductible but must instead be capitalized. Similarly, “wash sale” rules apply to prevent the recognition of loss by the Fund from the disposition of stock or securities at a loss in a case in which identical or substantially identical stock or securities (or an option to acquire such property) is or has been acquired within a prescribed period.

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss.

Investment by the Fund in PFICs could subject the Fund to U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from such a company or on the proceeds from the sale of its investment in such a company. A “passive foreign investment company” is any foreign corporation: (i) 75% or more of the income of which for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets of which (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gain over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains.

 

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Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active businesses and certain income received from related persons. The tax on PFIC distributions and the sale of interests in PFICs cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders; however, it can be avoided by making an election to mark such investments to market annually (treating gains as ordinary income) or to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF election”). In the latter case, the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. The Fund may not be able to make a QEF election due to the difficulty of satisfying the requirements of QEF elections. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”

The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes with respect to income from foreign securities, which could reduce the amount of the Fund’s distributions. Shareholders may be able to claim a credit or deduction for foreign taxes if more than 50% of the Fund’s assets are invested in foreign securities at the end of a fiscal year and the Fund makes an election to pass through to the shareholders their pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, the Fund may report more taxable income to the shareholders than it actually distributes. The shareholders will then be entitled either to deduct their share of these taxes in computing their taxable income or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against their U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). The Fund will provide the shareholders with the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit on their personal income tax return if the Fund makes this election.

Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is generally treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.

The Fund may invest in preferred securities or other securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which is uncertain or subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or their income differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to a RIC under the Code. The Fund’s investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by the IRS interpretations of the Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations.

Investment in the Subsidiary

The Fund invests in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to Regulation S securities that are not freely tradable in the U.S. The Fund intends for the Subsidiary to be treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund intends for the Subsidiary to be disregarded as an entity separate from its sole shareholder the Fund, and the Subsidiary is treated as a division or branch of the Fund. Instead,

 

75


assuming that the Subsidiary is a disregarded entity, the Fund is treated as owning the Subsidiary’s assets directly for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund will report separately on its own income tax return the Subsidiary’s income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits as such items are realized. Cash distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund are a nonevent for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, result in no income or gain to the Fund.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all taxable distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. The withholding percentage is currently 24%. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Shareholders

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who is not a U.S. Common Shareholder (“foreign shareholder”) depends on whether the income from its investment in the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder. If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Fund shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership holding Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund shares and the relevant U.S. federal income tax considerations to its partners.

Income not Effectively Connected

If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. Distributions which are generally reported by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” are, however, currently exempt from the 30% withholding tax. Interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a foreign person and satisfy certain other requirements.

Distributions of capital gain dividends (including any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported as undistributed capital gains) and gains recognized on the sale or other disposition of common stock will not be subject to U.S. tax unless the foreign shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements, in which case the foreign shareholder will generally be subject to income tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate) on the capital gain, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the foreign shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. See “Tax Matters—Backup Withholding.”

 

76


Income Effectively Connected

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Foreign corporate shareholders also may be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

FATCA Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Under legislation known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the Fund will be required to withhold a 30% tax on ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as FFIs (defined below) or NFFEs (also defined below), that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or foreign individual that timely provides the certifications required by the Fund or its agent on a valid IRS Form W-9, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, respectively. Shareholders potentially subject to withholding include foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), such as foreign investment funds, and non-financial foreign entities (“NFFEs”). To avoid withholding under FATCA, an FFI generally must enter into an information sharing agreement with the IRS in which it agrees to report certain identifying information (including name, address, and taxpayer identification number) with respect to its U.S. account holders (which, in the case of an entity shareholder, may include its direct and indirect U.S. owners), and an NFFE generally must identify itself and may be required to provide other required information to the Fund or other withholding agent regarding its U.S. owners, if any. Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by regulations and other guidance. A non-U.S. entity that invests in the Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. A foreign shareholder resident or doing business in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA may be subject to different requirements provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement. Foreign shareholders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in Fund shares.

THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING. PURCHASERS OF COMMON SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING IN SUCH COMMON SHARES, INCLUDING UNDER STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS. FINALLY, THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS BASED ON APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE, REGULATIONS, JUDICIAL AUTHORITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE INTERPRETATIONS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE HEREOF. CHANGES IN APPLICABLE AUTHORITY COULD MATERIALLY AFFECT THE CONCLUSIONS DISCUSSED ABOVE, AND SUCH CHANGES OFTEN OCCUR.

 

77


EXPERTS

The Financial Statements of the Fund are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and will be included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. PwC provides assistance on accounting, tax and related matters to the Fund. The principal business address of PwC is One North Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606.

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

The custodian of the Fund’s assets and the Subsidiary’s assets is State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The Custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Fund’s transfer, shareholder services and dividend paying agent is Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Computershare is located at 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares of the Fund offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC in Washington, D.C. The Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

78


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholder of Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) as of March 15, 2021 and the related statement of operations for the period from December 4, 2020 (date of organization) through March 15, 2021, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 15, 2021, and the results of its operations for the period from December 4, 2020 (date of organization) through March 15, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

March 25, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more Fund’s within the Nuveen Investment complex since 2002.

 

79


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

March 15, 2021

 

Assets:

  

Cash

   $ 100,000  

Receivable from Adviser

     16,000  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     116,000  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable for organization expenses

     16,000  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     16,000  
  

 

 

 

Net assets applicable to Common shares

   $ 100,000  
  

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

     5,000  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per Common share outstanding ($100,000 divided by 5,000 Common shares outstanding)

   $ 20.00  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Common shares, $.01 par value; unlimited number of Common shares authorized, 5,000 Common shares outstanding

   $ 50  

Paid-in surplus

     99,950  
  

 

 

 

Net assets applicable to Common shares

   $ 100,000  
  

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

80


Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Statement of Operations

For the period from December 4, 2020 (date of organization) through March 15, 2021

 

Investment income

   $ —  

Expenses:

  

Organization expenses

     16,000

Expense reimbursement

     (16,000
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     —  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

   $ —  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

81


Notes to Financial Statements

(1) General Information

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on December 4, 2020. The Fund has been inactive since that date to March 15, 2021 except for matters relating to its organization and registration as a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the sale of 5,000 shares to Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“Nuveen Fund Advisors”), the Fund’s investment adviser, an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”), the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”).

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return through high current income and capital appreciation, while giving special consideration to certain impact and environmental, social and governance criteria.

On or about May 2, 2033, the Fund intends to cease its investment operations, liquidate its portfolio, retire or redeem its leverage facilities, and distribute its net assets to common shareholders of record. However, the Board of Trustees of the Fund may vote to extend the termination date in accordance with the terms set forth in the Declaration of Trust. Furthermore, the Board of Trustees may determine to cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer to purchase up to 100% of the then-outstanding Common Shares as of a date within the 18 months preceding the anticipated May 2, 2033 termination date. If the tender offer is completed, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and without any action by the shareholders of the Fund, provide that the Fund may continue without limitation of time.

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 “Financial Services—Investment Companies.” The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets applicable to Common shares from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

(3) Organization Expenses and Offering Costs

Organization expenses are expensed as incurred. Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to (i) reimburse all organization expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Fund’s offering costs. Nuveen Fund Advisors would pay all offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organization expense or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

(4) Investment Management Agreement

Nuveen Fund Advisors will be responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation, including the use of leverage. Nuveen Asset Management, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Fund’s sub-adviser, will be responsible for the investing activities of the Fund.

The Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors, payable on a monthly basis, based on the sum of a fund-level fee and a complex-level fee, as described below. Nuveen Asset Management will be compensated for its services to the Fund from the management fee paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors.

 

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Fund-Level Fee: The annual fund-level fee, payable monthly, shall be applied according to the following schedule:

 

Fund-Level Average Daily Managed Assets

   Fund-Level Fee Rate  

For the first $500 million

     0.8000

For the next $500 million

     0.7750  

For the next $500 million

     0.7500  

For the next $500 million

     0.7250  

For Managed Assets over $2 billion

     0.7000  

Complex-Level Fee: The annual complex-level fee for the Fund, payable monthly, is calculated by multiplying the current complex-wide fee rate, determined according to the following schedule, by the Fund’s daily Managed Assets:

 

Complex-Level Eligible Asset

Breakpoint Level * 

   Effective Complex-Level
Fee Rate at Breakpoint
Level
 

$55 billion

     0.2000

$56 billion

     0.1996  

$57 billion

     0.1989

$60 billion

     0.1961

$63 billion

     0.1931

$66 billion

     0.1900

$71 billion

     0.1851

$76 billion

     0.1806

$80 billion

     0.1773

$91 billion

     0.1691

$125 billion

     0.1599

$200 billion

     0.1505

$250 billion

     0.1469

$300 billion

     0.1445

 

*

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

(5) Income Taxes

The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income to shareholders. In any year when the Fund realizes net capital gains, the Fund may choose to distribute all or a portion of its net capital gains to shareholders or, alternatively, to retain all or a portion of its net capital gains and pay Federal corporate income taxes on such retained gains.

 

83


APPENDIX A

Ratings of Investments

Standard & Poor’s Corporation—A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P”), rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

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

2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

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

AAA

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

AA

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

A

An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

A-1


BBB

An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

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

BB

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

B

An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC

An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC

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

C

An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.

D

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer

N.R.

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

A-2


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

SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

A-1

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B

A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C

A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

D

A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Dual Ratings: Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM NOTE RATINGS DEFINITIONS

A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poor’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.

 

A-3


In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poor’s analysis will review the following considerations:

1. Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

2. Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

Note rating symbols are as follows:

SP-1

Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2

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

SP-3

Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.— A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

LONG-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

Moody’s long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa

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

Aa

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

A

Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa

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

Ba

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

B

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

 

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Caa

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

Ca

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

C

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

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1,2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*

 

*

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE PROGRAM RATINGS

Moody’s assigns provisional ratings to medium-term note (“MTN”) programs and definitive ratings to the individual debt securities issued from them (referred to as drawdowns or notes).

MTN program ratings are intended to reflect the ratings likely to be assigned to drawdowns issued from the program with the specified priority of claim (e.g., senior or subordinated). To capture the contingent nature of a program rating, Moody’s assigns provisional ratings to MTN programs. A provisional rating is denoted by a (P) in front of the rating.

The rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN or bank/deposit note program is definitive in nature, and may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuer’s default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different rating. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.

Moody’s encourages market participants to contact Moody’s Ratings Desks or visit moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.

SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

Moody’s short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments. Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

P-1

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

P-2

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

 

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P-3

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

NP

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

U.S. MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate U.S. municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years’ maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuer’s long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levels—MIG 1 through MIG 3—while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.

MIG1

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG2

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

MIG3

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG

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

Fitch Ratings, Inc.— A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.

LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS

AAA

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

 

A-6


AA

Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of a very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A

High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB

Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB

Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B

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

CCC

Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC

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

C

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:

a. the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

b. the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or

c. Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of ‘RD’ or ‘D’ to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

RD

Restricted default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business. This would include:

a. the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

 

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b. the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

c. the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or

d. execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D

Default. ‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, nonpayment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ‘B’.

Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:

 

   

The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer default.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as counterparty to trade credit.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency’s opinion on its relative vulnerability to default.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 

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F1

Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2

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

F3

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

B

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

C

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

RD

Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.

D

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

Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:

 

   

The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an obligation default.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of the rated issuer or obligation.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

RATING WATCHES AND RATING OUTLOOKS

Rating Watch

Rating Watches indicate that there is a heightened probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such a change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative”, for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving”, if ratings may be raised, lowered or affirmed. However, ratings that are not on Rating Watch can be raised or lowered without being placed on Rating Watch first, if circumstances warrant such an action.

 

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A Rating Watch is typically event-driven and, as such, it is generally resolved over a relatively short period. The event driving the Watch may be either anticipated or have already occurred, but in both cases, the exact rating implications remain undetermined. The Watch period is typically used to gather further information and/or subject the information to further analysis. Additionally, a Watch may be used where the rating implications are already clear, but where a triggering event (e.g. shareholder or regulatory approval) exists. The Watch will typically extend to cover the period until the triggering event is resolved or its outcome is predictable with a high enough degree of certainty to permit resolution of the Watch.

Rating Watches can be employed by all analytical groups and are applied to the ratings of individual entities and/or individual instruments. At the lowest categories of speculative grade (‘CCC’, ‘CC’ and ‘C’) the high volatility of credit profiles may imply that almost all ratings should carry a Watch. Watches are nonetheless only applied selectively in these categories, where a committee decides that particular events or threats are best communicated by the addition of the Watch designation.

Rating Outlook

Rating Outlooks indicate the direction a rating is likely to move over a one- to two-year period. They reflect financial or other trends that have not yet reached the level that would trigger a rating action, but which may do so if such trends continue. The majority of Outlooks are generally Stable, which is consistent with the historical migration experience of ratings over a one- to two-year period. Positive or Negative rating Outlooks do not imply that a rating change is inevitable and, similarly, ratings with Stable Outlooks can be raised or lowered without a prior revision to the Outlook, if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, where the fundamental trend has strong, conflicting elements of both positive and negative, the Rating Outlook may be described as Evolving.

Outlooks are currently applied on the long-term scale to issuer ratings in corporate finance (including sovereigns, industrials, utilities, financial institutions and insurance companies) and public finance outside the U.S.; to issue ratings in public finance in the U.S.; to certain issues in project finance; to Insurer Financial Strength Ratings; to issuer and/or issue ratings in a number of National Rating scales; and to the ratings of structured finance transactions. Outlooks are not applied to ratings assigned on the short-term scale and are applied selectively to ratings in the ‘CCC’, ‘CC’ and ‘C’ categories. Defaulted ratings typically do not carry an Outlook.

Deciding When to Assign Rating Watch or Outlook

Timing is informative but not critical to the choice of a Watch rather than an Outlook. A discrete event that is largely clear and the terms of which are defined, but which will not happen for more than six months—such as a lengthy regulatory approval process—would nonetheless likely see ratings placed on Watch rather than a revision to the Outlook. An Outlook revision may, however, be deemed more appropriate where a series of potential event risks has been identified, none of which individually warrants a Watch but which cumulatively indicate heightened probability of a rating change over the following one to two years.

A revision to the Outlook may also be appropriate where a specific event has been identified, but where the conditions and implications of that event are largely unclear and subject to high execution risk over an extended period—for example a proposed, but politically controversial, privatization.

STANDARD RATING ACTIONS

Affirmed*

The rating has been reviewed and no change has been deemed necessary.

Confirmed

Action taken in response to an external request or change in terms. Rating has been reviewed in either context, and no rating change has been deemed necessary.

 

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Downgrade*

The rating has been lowered in the scale.

Matured*/Paid-In-Full

a. ‘Matured’—This action is used when an issue has reached the end of its repayment term and rating coverage is discontinued. Denoted as ‘NR’.

b. ‘Paid-In-Full’—This action indicates that the issue has been paid in full. As the issue no longer exists, it is therefore no longer rated. Denoted as ‘PIF’.

New Rating*

Rating has been assigned to a previously unrated issue primarily used in cases of shelf issues such as MTNs or similar programs.

Prerefunded*

Assigned to long-term US Public Finance issues after Fitch assesses refunding escrow.

Publish*

Initial public announcement of rating on the agency’s website, although not necessarily the first rating assigned. This action denotes when a previously private rating is published.

Upgrade*

The rating has been raised in the scale.

Withdrawn*

The rating has been withdrawn and the issue or issuer is no longer rated by Fitch Ratings. Indicated in rating databases with the symbol ‘WD’.

Rating Modifier Actions

Modifiers include Rating Outlook, Rating Watch, and Recovery Rating.

Rating Watch Maintained*

The issue or issuer has been reviewed and remains on active Rating Watch status.

Rating Watch On*

The issue or issuer has been placed on active Rating Watch status.

Rating Watch Revision*

Rating Watch status has changed.

Support Floor Rating Revision

Applicable only to Support ratings related to Financial Institutions, which are amended only with this action.

Under Review*

Applicable to ratings that may undergo a change in scale not related to changes in fundamental credit quality. Final action will be “Revision Rating”

 

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Revision Outlook*

The Rating Outlook status has changed independent of a full review of the underlying rating.

 

*

A rating action must be recorded for each rating in a required cycle to be considered compliant with Fitch policy concerning aging of ratings. Not all Ratings or Data Actions, or changes in rating modifiers, will meet this requirement. Actions that meet this requirement are noted with an “ * “ in the above definitions.

 

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APPENDIX B

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

Effective Date: January 1, 2011, as last amended March 5, 2020

 

 

 

I.     General Principles

A.    Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“NAM”) is an investment sub-adviser for certain of the Nuveen Funds (the “Funds”) and investment adviser for institutional and other separately managed accounts (collectively, with the Funds, “Accounts”). As such, Accounts may confer upon NAM complete discretion to vote proxies.1

B.    When NAM has proxy voting authority, it is NAM’s duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients (which may involve affirmatively deciding that voting the proxies may not be in the best interests of certain clients on certain matters). In voting proxies, NAM also seeks to enhance total investment return for its clients.

C.    If NAM contracts with another investment adviser to act as a sub-adviser for an Account, NAM may delegate proxy voting responsibility to the sub-adviser. Where NAM has delegated proxy voting responsibility, the sub-adviser will be responsible for developing and adhering to its own proxy voting policies, subject to oversight by NAM.

D.    NAM’s Proxy Voting Committee (“PVC”) provides oversight of NAM’s proxy voting policies and procedures, including (1) providing an administrative framework to facilitate and monitor the exercise of such proxy voting and to fulfill the obligations of reporting and recordkeeping under the federal securities laws; and (2) approving the proxy voting policies and procedures.

II.    Policies

The PVC after reviewing and concluding that such policies are reasonably designed to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, has approved and adopted the proxy voting policies (“Policies”) of Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”), a leading national provider of proxy voting administrative and research services.i As a result, such Policies set forth NAM’s positions on recurring proxy issues and criteria for addressing non-recurring issues. These Policies are reviewed periodically by ISS, and therefore are subject to change. Even though it has adopted the Policies as drafted by ISS, NAM maintains the fiduciary responsibility for all proxy voting decisions.

III.    Procedures

A.    Supervision of Proxy Voting. Day-to-day administration of proxy voting may be provided internally or by a third-party service provider, depending on client type, subject to the ultimate oversight of the PVC. The PVC shall supervise the relationships with NAM’s proxy voting services, ISS. ISS apprises Nuveen Global Operations (“NGO”) of shareholder meeting dates, and casts the actual proxy votes. ISS also provides research

 

 

1 

NAM does not vote proxies where a client withholds proxy voting authority, and in certain non-discretionary and model programs NAM votes proxies in accordance with its Policies in effect from time to time. Clients may opt to vote proxies themselves, or to have proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the client’s cost. i ISS has separate polices for Taft Hartley plans and it is NAM’s policy to apply the Taft Hartley polices to accounts that are Taft Hartley plans and have requested the application of such policies.

 

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on proxy proposals and voting recommendations. ISS serves as NAM’s proxy voting record keepers and generate reports on how proxies were voted. NGO periodically reviews communications from ISS to determine whether ISS voted the correct amount of proxies, whether the votes were cast in a timely manner, and whether the vote was in accordance with the Policies or NAM’s specific instructions

B.     General Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest.

 

  1.

NAM believe that most conflicts of interest faced by NAM in voting proxies can be avoided by voting in accordance with the Policies. Examples of such conflicts of interest are as follows:2

 

  a.

The issuer or proxy proponent (e.g., a special interest group) is TIAA-CREF, the ultimate principal owner of NAM, or any of its affiliates.

 

  b.

The issuer is an entity in which an executive officer of NAM or a spouse or domestic partner of any such executive officer is or was (within the past three years of the proxy vote) an executive officer or director.

 

  c.

The issuer is a registered or unregistered fund or other client for which NAM or another affiliated adviser has a material relationship as investment adviser or sub-adviser (e.g., Nuveen Funds and TIAA Funds) or an institutional separate account.

 

  d.

Any other circumstances that NAM is aware of where NAM’s duty to serve its clients’ interests, typically referred to as its “duty of loyalty,” could be materially compromised.

 

  2.

To further minimize this risk, Compliance will review ISS’ conflict avoidance policy at least annually to ensure that it adequately addresses both the actual and perceived conflicts of interest ISS may face.

 

  3.

In the event that ISS faces a material conflict of interest with respect to a specific vote, the PVC shall direct ISS how to vote. The PVC shall receive voting direction from appropriate investment personnel. Before doing so, the PVC will consult with Legal to confirm that NAM faces no material conflicts of its own with respect to the specific proxy vote.

 

  4.

Where ISS is determined to have a conflict of interest, or NAM determines to override the Policies and is determined to have a conflict, the PVC will recommend to NAM’s Compliance Committee or designee a course of action designed to address the conflict. Such actions could include, but are not limited to:

 

  a.

Obtaining instructions from the affected client(s) on how to vote the proxy;

 

  b.

Disclosing the conflict to the affected client(s) and seeking their consent to permit NAM to vote the proxy;

 

  c.

Voting in proportion to the other shareholders;

 

  e.

Recusing the individual with the actual or potential conflict of interest from all discussion or consideration of the matter, if the material conflict is due to such person’s actual or potential conflict of interest; or

 

  f.

Following the recommendation of a different independent third party.

 

 

2 

A conflict of interest shall not be considered material for the purposes of these Policies and Procedures with respect to a specific vote or circumstance if the matter to be voted on relates to a restructuring of the terms of existing securities or the issuance of new securities or a similar matter arising out of the holding of securities, other than common equity, in the context of a bankruptcy or threatened bankruptcy of the issuer.

 

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  5.

In addition to all of the above-mentioned and other conflicts, the Head of Equity Research, NGO and any member of the PVC must notify NAM’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of any direct, indirect or perceived improper influence exerted by any employee, officer or director of TIAA or its subsidiaries with regard to how NAM should vote proxies. NAM Compliance will investigate any such allegations and will report the findings to the PVC and, if deemed appropriate, to NAM’s Compliance Committee. If it is determined that improper influence was attempted, appropriate action shall be taken. Such appropriate action may include disciplinary action, notification of the appropriate senior managers, or notification of the appropriate regulatory authorities. In all cases, NAM will not consider any improper influence in determining how to vote proxies, and will vote in the best interests of clients.

C.     Proxy Vote Override. From time to time, a portfolio manager of an account (a “Portfolio Manager”) may initiate action to override the Policies’ recommendation for a particular vote. Any such override by a NAM Portfolio Manager (but not a sub-adviser Portfolio Manager) shall be reviewed by NAM’s Legal Department for material conflicts. If the Legal Department determines that no material conflicts exist, the approval of one member of the PVC shall authorize the override. If a material conflict exists, the conflict and, ultimately, the override recommendation will be rejected and will revert to the original Policies recommendation or will be addressed pursuant to the procedures described above under “Conflicts of Interest.”

In addition, the PVC may determine from time to time that a particular recommendation in the Policies should be overridden based on a determination that the recommendation is inappropriate and not in the best interests of shareholders. Any such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of a meeting of the PVC at which such decision is made.

D.    Securities Lending.

 

  1.

In order to generate incremental revenue, some clients may participate in a securities lending program. If a client has elected to participate in the lending program then it will not have the right to vote the proxies of any securities that are on loan as of the shareholder meeting record date. A client, or a Portfolio Manager, may place restrictions on loaning securities and/or recall a security on loan at any time. Such actions must be affected prior to the record date for a meeting if the purpose for the restriction or recall is to secure the vote.

 

  2.

Portfolio Managers and/or analysts who become aware of upcoming proxy issues relating to any securities in portfolios they manage, or issuers they follow, will consider the desirability of recalling the affected securities that are on loan or restricting the affected securities prior to the record date for the matter. If the proxy issue is determined to be material, and the determination is made prior to the shareholder meeting record date the Portfolio Manager(s) will contact the Securities Lending Agent to recall securities on loan or restrict the loaning of any security held in any portfolio they manage, if they determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to do so.

E.    Proxy Voting Records. As required by Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, NAM shall make and retain five types of records relating to proxy voting; (1) NAM’s Policies; (2) proxy statements received for securities in client accounts; (3) records of proxy votes cast by NAM on behalf of clients accounts; (4) records of written requests from clients about how NAM voted their proxies, and written responses from NAM to either a written or oral request by clients; and (5) any documents prepared by the adviser that were material to making a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for the decision. NAM relies on ISS to make and retain on NAM’s behalf certain records pertaining to Rule 204-2.

 

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F.    Fund of Funds Provision. In instances where NAM provides investment advice to a fund of funds that acquires shares of affiliated funds or three percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of an unaffiliated fund, the acquiring fund shall vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the acquired fund. If compliance with this procedure results in a vote of any shares in a manner different than the Policies’ recommendation, such vote will not require compliance with the Proxy Vote Override procedures set forth above.

G.    Legacy Securities. To the extent that NAM receives proxies for securities that are transferred into an account’s portfolio that were not recommended or selected by it and are sold or expected to be sold promptly in an orderly manner (“legacy securities”), NAM will generally refrain from voting such proxies. In such circumstances, since legacy securities are expected to be sold promptly, voting proxies on such securities would not further NAM’s interest in maximizing the value of client investments. NAM may agree to an account’s special request to vote a legacy security proxy, and would vote such proxy in accordance with the Policies.

H.    Terminated Accounts. Proxies received after the termination date of an account generally will not be voted. An exception will be made if the record date is for a period in which an account was under NAM’s discretionary management or if a separately managed account (“SMA”) custodian failed to remove the account’s holdings from its aggregated voting list.

I.    Non-votes. NGO shall be responsible for obtaining reasonable assurance from ISS that it voted proxies on NAM’s behalf, and that any special instructions from NAM about a given proxy or proxies are submitted to ISS in a timely manner. It should not be considered a breach of this responsibility if NGO or NAM does not receive a proxy from ISS or a custodian with adequate time to analyze and direct to vote or vote a proxy by the required voting deadline.

NAM may determine not to vote proxies associated with the securities of any issuer if as a result of voting such proxies, subsequent purchases or sales of such securities would be blocked. However, NAM may decide, on an individual security basis that it is in the best interests of its clients to vote the proxy associated with such a security, taking into account the loss of liquidity. In addition, NAM may determine not to vote proxies where the voting would in NAM’s judgment result in some other financial, legal, regulatory disability or burden to the client (such as imputing control with respect to the issuer) or to NAM or its affiliates.

NAM may determine not to vote securities held by SMAs where voting would require the transfer of the security to another custodian designated by the issuer. Such transfer is generally outside the scope of NAM’s authority and may result in significant operational limitations on NAM’s ability to conduct transactions relating to the securities during the period of transfer. From time to time, situations may arise (operational or otherwise) that prevent NAM from voting proxies after reasonable attempts have been made.

J.    Review and Reports.

 

  1.

The PVC shall maintain a review schedule. The schedule shall include reviews of the Policies and the policies of any Sub-adviser engaged by NAM, the proxy voting record, account maintenance, and other reviews as deemed appropriate by the PVC. The PVC shall review the schedule at least annually.

 

  2.

The PVC will report to NAM’s Compliance Committee with respect to all identified conflicts and how they were addressed. These reports will include all accounts, including those that are sub-advised. NAM also shall provide the Funds that it sub-advises with information necessary for preparing Form N-PX.

 

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K.     Vote Disclosure to Clients. NAM’s institutional and SMA clients can contact their relationship manager for more information on NAM’s Policies and the proxy voting record for their account. The information available includes name of issuer, ticker/CUSIP, shareholder meeting date, description of item and NAM’s vote.

IV.    Responsible Parties

PVC

NGO

NAM Compliance

Legal Department

 

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Appendix C

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

 

 

I. Background

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“NFAL”), in its capacity as investment adviser to the Nuveen Funds (“Fund(s)”), is required to vote proxies for portfolio securities held by the Funds. Currently, NFAL has contractually delegated proxy voting responsibility with respect to the Funds to affiliated and unaffiliated sub-advisers (“Sub-Adviser(s)”).

It is the duty of each Sub-Adviser to vote proxies in the best interest of Fund shareholders and to establish processes to comply with its proxy voting responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying, managing, and disclosing conflicts of interests, soliciting third-party recommendations, reviewing issues associated with voting proxies, and verifying the submission of votes for each proxy where discretionary authority has been granted.

Quarterly, the Sub-Advisers will provide NFAL Service Provider Oversight Team with proxy voting results for the Fund or Fund sleeve managed by the Sub-Adviser. Annually, NFAL Compliance is responsible for aggregating and preparing the proxy voting records, obtaining the necessary Fund Officer sign-offs and completing the N-PX filing before August 31 of each year. Subsequent to filing, a Shared Services Functional Team will verify that Nuveen’s third-party vendor has posted each Fund’s Form N-PX on Nuveen’s website.

II. Proxy Voting Guidelines

With respect to the Funds, NFAL has engaged one or more Sub-Advisers to provide discretionary investment advisory services. As part of these services, NFAL has also delegated full responsibility for proxy voting and related duties to each Sub-Adviser to be performed in accordance with standards set forth in this Policy and each Sub-Adviser’s respective policy and procedures. NFAL’s Service Provider Oversight team (“SPO”) will periodically review the reported Sub-Advisers’ proxy voting activity to ensure that the Sub-Advisers are carrying out their responsibilities in compliance with the standards set forth below.

III. Minimum Sub-Adviser Proxy Voting Standards

Each Sub-Adviser must:

 

   

Adopt and maintain proxy voting policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to verify that securities are voted in the best interest of clients and Fund shareholders

 

   

Establish guidelines and practices to identify, manage, and disclose conflicts of interest that arise in connection with proxy voting

 

   

If applicable, conduct reviews of the services provided by third-party proxy agents and their policies and procedures

IV. Minimum Sub-Adviser Proxy Reporting Standards

Each Sub-Adviser must provide or report the following to NFAL:

 

   

Proxy voting policy and procedures, with notification of any Changes or amendments

 

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Quarterly reports reflecting all proxy voting activity with appropriate rationale, including where applicable:

 

   

Missed Votes, Not Voted or Abstentions from voting

 

   

Contrary votes with Sub-Adviser’s Policies, delegated Proxy Agent or Issuer Management recommendations

 

   

Votes where a conflict of interest was identified

NFAL through Fund Compliance will provide quarterly proxy reports to the Fund Board.

V. Sub-Adviser Recordkeeping Requirements1

Each Sub-Adviser shall retain the following records relating to proxy voting:

 

   

Proxy voting policies and procedures

 

   

Proxy statements received for the Funds’ securities

 

   

Records of votes cast on behalf of Funds

 

   

Records of written requests received for proxy voting information and responses

 

   

Any documents that support a proxy voting decision, or that memorialize instructions to vote contrary to Proxy Agent recommendations or contrary to Sub-Adviser Policies

 

   

Any documents prepared by the Sub-Adviser memorializing the basis for missed, not voted, and abstained votes

VI. Responsible Parties

NFAL Service Provider Oversight Team

Sub-Adviser Compliance

Fund Compliance

Effective Date: January 1, 2011

Last Amended: February 28, 2019

 

 

1 

The Sub-Adviser may rely on its proxy agent to make and retain records on the Sub-Adviser’s behalf. Sub-Advisers shall maintain these records for the longer of the period required under applicable regulation and in the Sub-Adviser’s policy.

 

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PART C—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25: Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

1.

Financial Statements:

Registrant has not conducted any business as of the date of this filing, other than in connection with its organization. Financial statements indicating that the Registrant has met the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act are filed with this Pre-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-2.

 

2.

Exhibits:

 

  a.1      Declaration of Trust dated December 3, 2020 is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on December 30, 2020, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  a.2      Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated December 18, 2020 is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on December 30, 2020, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  b.      By-laws of Registrant is incorporated by reference to the initial Registration Statement filed on December 30, 2020, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  c.      None.
  d.      None.
  e.      Terms and Conditions of the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
  f.      None.
  g.1      Investment Management Agreement dated March 15, 2021 is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed on March 25, 2021, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  g.2      Sub-Advisory Agreement dated March 15, 2021 is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed on March 25, 2021, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  g.3      Investment Management Agreement dated April 22, 2021 between Nuveen Asset Management LLC and Core Plus Impact Fund Ltd.
  h.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  h.2      Specimen Dealer Letter Agreement.
  h.3      Specimen Nuveen Master Selected Dealer Agreement.
  h.4      Specimen UBS Securities LLC Master Selected Dealers Agreement.
  h.5      Specimen UBS Securities LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters.
  h.6      Form of UBS Securities LLC Structuring Fee Agreement.
  h.7      Form of BofA Securities, Inc. Structuring Fee Agreement.
  h.8      Form of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Structuring Fee Agreement.
  h.9      Form of RBC Capital Markets, LLC Fee Agreement.
  h.10      Form of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Fee Agreement.
  h.11      Form of Qualifying Underwriter Structuring Fee Agreement
  i.      Nuveen Open-End and Closed-End Funds Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors and Trustees, as amended and restated May 8, 2020 is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed on March 25, 2021, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  j.1      Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated July 15, 2015 (the “Custodian Agreement”) is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed on March 25, 2021, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  j.2      Appendix A to Custodian Agreement dated April 26, 2021.
  k.1      Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. dated June 15, 2017 (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”) is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed on March 25, 2021, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  k.2      Schedule A to the Transfer Agency Agreement dated April 12, 2021.
  l.1      Opinion and Consent of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP.
  l.2      Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.


  m.      Not Applicable.
  n.      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  o.      None.
  p.      Subscription Agreement of Nuveen Fund Advisors dated March 15, 2021.
  q.      None.
  r.1      Code of Ethics and Reporting Requirements of Nuveen (including affiliated entities) and the Nuveen Funds, as amended August 13, 2020 is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement filed on March 25, 2021, on Form N-2 for Registrant.
  r.2      Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees of the Nuveen Funds.
  s.      Powers of Attorney.

Item 26: Marketing Arrangements

Reference is made to the Form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit h.1 to this Registration Statement.

See Paragraph e of the Specimen Dealer Letter Agreement filed as Exhibit h.2 to this Registration Statement.

See Sections 2 and 3 of the Specimen Nuveen Master Selected Dealer Agreement filed as Exhibit h.3 to this Registration Statement.

See the Introductory Paragraph and Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Specimen UBS Securities LLC Master Selected Dealers Agreement filed as Exhibit h.4 to this Registration Statement.

See the Introductory Paragraph and Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 of the Specimen UBS Securities LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters filed as Exhibit h.5 to this Registration Statement.

Item 27: Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

Securities and Exchange Commission fees    $ 21,820  
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees    $ 30,500  
Promotion    $ 150,000  
Printing and engraving expenses    $ 165,000  
Legal Fees    $ 375,000  
Exchange listing fees    $ 20,000  
Audit    $ 27,000  
Miscellaneous expenses    $ 10,680  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 800,000  
  

 

 

 

Item 28: Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

Not applicable.

Item 29: Number of Holders of Securities

At March 15, 2021:

 

Title of Class

   Number of Record Holders  
Common Shares, $0.01 par value      1  


Item 30: Indemnification

Section 4 of Article XII of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides as follows:

Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;

(b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not engage in such conduct:

(i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or

(ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.

The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4, provided that either:

(a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or

(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

As used in this Section 4, a “Disinterested Trustee” is one (x) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.


As used in this Section 4, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

The trustees and officers of the Registrant are covered by joint errors and omissions insurance policies against liability and expenses of claims of wrongful acts arising out of their position with the Registrant and other Nuveen funds, subject to such policies’ coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles.

Section 9 of the Form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit h.1 to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant and the underwriters, to indemnify the others, their trustees, directors, certain of their officers, trustees, directors and persons who control them against certain liabilities in connection with the offering described herein, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31: Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser and Subadviser

(a) Nuveen Fund Advisors manages the Registrant and serves as investment adviser or manager to other open-end and closed-end management investment companies and to separately managed accounts. The principal business address for all of these investment companies and the persons named below is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the directors and officers of Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) who serve as officers or Trustees of the Registrant have engaged during the last two years for his or her account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee appears under “Management” in the Statement of Additional Information. Such information for the remaining senior officers of Nuveen Fund Advisors appears below:

 

Name and Position with Nuveen Fund Advisors

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

Oluseun Salami, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  

Director (since 2020) NIS/R&T, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nuveen Alternative Advisors LLC (since 2020), Nuveen, LLC (since 2020), Teachers Advisors, LLC (since 2020), TIAA-CREF Asset Management LLC (since 2020) and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC (since 2020); Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Business Finance and Planning (since 2020) Chief Accounting Officer (2019), Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller (2018-2020), Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller, College Retirement Equities Fund, TIAA Board of Overseers, TIAA Separate Account VA-1, TIAA-CREF Funds, TIAA-CREF Life Funds (2018-2020).


Name and Position with Nuveen Fund Advisors

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

Erik Mogavero, Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer

  

Formerly employed by Deutsche Bank (2013- August 2017) as Managing Director, Head of Asset Management and Wealth Management Compliance for the Americas region and Chief Compliance Officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas.

Michael A. Perry, Executive Vice President

  

Co-Chief Executive Officer (since April 2019), formerly, Executive Vice President (2017-2019), formerly, Managing Director (2015-2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; and Executive Vice President (since 2017) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC.

Megan Sendlak, Managing Director and Controller    Managing Director and Controller (since 2020) of Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, Nuveen Investments, Inc., Teachers Advisors, LLC, and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC; Managing Director and Controller (since 2020), formerly, Vice President and Corporate Accounting Director (2018-2020) of Nuveen, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Controller (since 2019) of NIS/R&T, INC., NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC and Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.

Nuveen Asset Management serves as investment sub-adviser to the Registrant and also serves as investment sub-adviser to other open-end and closed-end funds and investment adviser to separately managed accounts. The following is a list of the remaining senior officers of Nuveen Asset Management. The principal business address of each person is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

 

Name and Position with Nuveen Asset Management

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

William T. Huffman, President

   None

Stuart J. Cohen, Managing Director and Head of Legal

  

Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (since 2002) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director (since 2007) and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC.

Travis M. Pauley, Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer

  

Regional Head of Compliance and Regulatory Legal (2013-2020) of AXA Investment Managers.

Megan Sendlak, Managing Director and Controller

   Managing Director and Controller (since 2020) of Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, Nuveen Investments, Inc., Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC; Managing Director and Controller (since 2020), formerly, Vice President and Corporate Accounting Director (2018-2020) of Nuveen, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Controller (since 2019) of NIS/R&T, INC., NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC and Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.


Item 32: Location of Accounts and Records

Nuveen Fund Advisors, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, maintains the Declaration of Trust, By-laws, minutes of Trustees’ and shareholders’ meetings and contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the investment adviser.

State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, maintains all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all portfolio purchases and sales, and all other required records not maintained by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Item 33: Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34: Undertakings

 

1.

Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its shares until it amends its prospectus if: (1) subsequent to the effective date of its Registration Statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 

2.

Not applicable.

 

3.

Not applicable.

 

4.

The Registrant undertakes that:

a. For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

b. For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

5.

Not applicable.

 

6.

The Registrant undertakes that insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

7.

The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 26th day of April, 2021.

 

NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

/S/ MARK L. WINGET

Mark L. Winget,

Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

  

Date

/s/ E. Scott Wickerham

E. Scott Wickerham

  Vice President and Controller (principal financial and accounting officer)    April 26, 2021

/s/ David J. Lamb

David J. Lamb

  Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer)    April 26, 2021

Terence J. Toth*

 

Chairman of the Board and Trustee

  
Jack B. Evans*   Trustee   
William C. Hunter*   Trustee   
Albin F. Moschner*   Trustee   
John K. Nelson*   Trustee   
Judith M. Stockdale*   Trustee   
Carole E. Stone*   Trustee   
Matthew Thornton III*   Trustee   
Margaret L. Wolff*   Trustee   
Robert L. Young*   Trustee   

By:

         /s/ Mark L. Winget

         Mark L. Winget,

         Attorney-in-Fact

April 26, 2021

 

*

The powers of attorney authorizing Mark L. Winget and Eric F. Fess, among others, to execute this Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the Trustees of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, have been executed and are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement.


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

  e.      Terms and Conditions of the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
  g.3      Investment Management Agreement dated April 22, 2021 between Nuveen Asset Management LLC and Core Plus Impact Fund Ltd.
  h.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement
  h.2      Specimen Dealer Letter Agreement
  h.3      Specimen Nuveen Master Selected Dealer Agreement
  h.4      Specimen UBS Securities LLC Master Selected Dealers Agreement
  h.5      Specimen UBS Securities LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters
  h.6      Form of UBS Securities LLC Structuring Fee Agreement
  h.7      Form of BofA Securities Inc. Structuring Fee Agreement
  h.8      Form of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Structuring Fee Agreement
  h.9      Form of RBC Capital Markets, LLC Fee Agreement
  h.10      Form of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Fee Agreement
  h.11      Form of Qualifying Underwriter Structuring Fee Agreement
  j.2      Appendix A to Custodian Agreement dated April 26, 2021
  k.2      Schedule A to the Transfer Agency Agreement dated April 12, 2021
  l.1      Opinion and Consent of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Yound, LLP
  l.2      Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
  n.      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  p.      Subscription Agreement of Nuveen Fund Advisors dated March 15, 2021
  r.2      Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees of the Nuveen Funds
  s.      Powers of Attorney

Exhibit e

NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

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Terms and Conditions of the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

This Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”) for Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) provides for reinvestment of Fund distributions to shareholders, consisting of income dividends, returns of capital and capital gain distributions paid by the Fund, on behalf of all common shareholders that have not opted out of participation in the Plan, by providing express written and duly executed notice to the Fund or by telephone notice satisfying such reasonable requirements as Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (collectively, “Computershare” or the “Plan Agent”) and the Fund may agree, that they elect not to participate in the Plan (“Participants”), by the Plan Agent, in accordance with the following terms:

1. Computershare will act as Plan Agent for Participants and will open an account for each Participant under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan in the same name as the Participant’s shares are registered, and will, for each Participant, automatically reinvest each Fund distribution to shareholders as of the first record date for a distribution to shareholders following the date on which the Participant becomes a shareholder of record. In the case of shareholders who hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, Computershare will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are Participants. In the case of shareholders that elect not to participate in the Plan but rather elect to receive all distributions of income dividends, returns of capital and/or capital gains in cash, such shareholders can send instructions to the Plan Agent, as dividend paying agent, in writing, by telephone or by internet as detailed in the Fund’s prospectus.

2. Whenever the Fund declares a distribution payable in shares or cash at the option of the shareholders, each Participant shall take such distribution entirely in shares and Computershare shall automatically receive such shares, including fractions, for the Participant’s account, except in circumstances described in Paragraph 3 below. Except in such circumstances, the number of additional shares to be credited to each Participant’s account shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution payable on the Participant’s shares by the greater of net asset value or 95% of current market price per share on the payable date for such distribution.

3. If on the payment date for a distribution, the net asset value per Common Share is equal to or less than the market price per Common Share plus estimated per share fees (which include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay), Computershare shall receive newly issued Common Shares including fractions, from the Fund for each Participant’s account. Should the net asset value per Fund share exceed the market price per share plus estimated per share fees, shortly before payment date for such distribution (the “Valuation Date”), for a distribution payable in shares or in cash at the option of the shareholder, or should the Fund declare a distribution payable only in cash,

 

1


each Participant shall take such distribution in cash and Computershare shall apply the amount of such distribution to the purchase on the open market of shares of the Fund for the Participant’s account. Such Plan purchases shall be made as early as the Valuation Date, under the supervision of the investment adviser. If the Common Shares start trading at or above net asset value before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the Plan Agent may cease purchasing Common Shares in the open market, and may invest the uninvested portion in new shares at a price equal to the greater of net asset value per Common Share on the last purchase date or 95% of the market price on that date. Computershare shall complete such Plan purchases or share issuance no more than 30 days after the Valuation Date, except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases and issuance is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities law.

4. For the purpose of this Plan, the market price of the Fund’s shares on a particular date shall be the last sale price on the securities exchange where it is traded on that date (the “Exchange”), or if there is no sale on such Exchange on that date, then the mean between the closing bid and asked quotations for such shares on such Exchange on such date.

5. Open-market purchases provided for above may be made on the Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as Computershare shall determine. Participants’ funds held uninvested by Computershare will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, Computershare shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase shares within 30 days after the Valuation Date as herein provided, or with the timing of any purchase affected. Computershare shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Fund’s shares acquired for Participants’ accounts. Computershare may commingle all Participants’ amounts to be used for open-market purchase of Fund shares and the price per share allocable to each Participant in connection with such purchases shall be the weighted average price of all Fund shares purchased by Computershare as Plan Agent.

6. Computershare may hold each Participant’s shares acquired pursuant to this Plan, together with the shares of other Participants, in non-certificated form in Computershare’s name or that of its nominee. Computershare will forward to each Participant any proxy solicitation material and will vote any shares so held only in accordance with proxies returned to the Fund.

7. Computershare will confirm to each Participant each acquisition made for the Participant’s account as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof. Although a Participant may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed up to six decimal places) in a share (“fractional shares”) of the Fund within the operation of the Plan, and distributions on fractional shares will be credited to the Participant’s account no fractional shares will be transfer. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, Computershare will either (a) continue to hold the Participant’s Common Shares in book-entry form, or (b) transfer a whole number of Common Shares to an intermediary of the investor’s choosing, in either case disbursing to the investor an amount of cash equal to the value of any such fractional shares valued at the then-current market value of the Fund’s Common Shares at the time of termination, less any applicable fees.

8. Any stock dividends or split shares distributed by the Fund on full and fractional shares held by

 

2


Computershare for a Participant will be credited to the Participant’s account. In the event that the Fund makes available to its shareholders rights to purchase additional shares or other securities, the shares held for each Participant under the Plan will be added to other shares held by the Participant in calculating the number of rights to be issued to that Participant.

9. Computershare’s service fee for handling reinvestment of distributions pursuant hereto will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged a per share fee (currently $0.02) on all open market purchases. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay.

10. Each Participant may terminate his account under the Plan by notifying Computershare of his intent so to do, such notice to be provided either in writing duly executed by the Participant or by telephone or through the internet in accordance with such reasonable requirements as Computershare and the Fund may agree. Such termination will be effective immediately if notice is received by Computershare prior to any distribution record date for the next succeeding distribution. If Computershare receives the Participant’s notice of withdrawal on or after a distribution record date, Computershare, in its sole discretion, may either distribute such distributions in cash or reinvest them in Common Shares on behalf of the withdrawing Participant. If such distributions are reinvested, the Plan Agent will process the withdrawal as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five business days after the reinvestment is completed. The Plan may be terminated by the Fund or Computershare upon at least 90 days prior notice. Upon any termination, Computershare will continue to hold the Participant’s Common Shares in book-entry form mail to the Participant a cash adjustment for any fractional shares valued at the then-current of the Fund’s Common Shares less any applicable fees. If any Participant elects in advance of such termination to have Computershare sell part or all of his shares, Computershare is authorized to deduct from the proceeds a $2.50 fee plus a per share fee (currently $0.02) incurred for the transaction. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay. Computershare will sell such Common Shares through a broker-dealer selected by Computershare within 5 business days of receipt of the request. The sale price will equal the weighted average price of all Common Shares sold through the Plan on the day of the sale, less applicable fees listed above.

11. These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by Computershare or the Fund at any time or times but, except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to each Participant appropriate written notice at least 90 days prior to the effective date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, Computershare receives notice of the termination of such Participant’s account under the Plan in accordance with the terms hereof. Any such amendment may include an appointment by Computershare in its place and stead of a successor Plan Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of any Plan Agent for the purpose of receiving distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Plan Agent, for each Participant’s account, all dividends and distributions payable on Common Shares of the Fund held in the Participant’s name under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Plan Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.

 

3


12. The automatic reinvestment of distributions to shareholders does not relieve Participants of any federal, state or local taxes which may be payable (or required to be withheld on distributions to shareholders). Participants will receive tax information annually for their personal records and to help them prepare their federal income tax return. For further information as to tax consequences of participation in the Plan, Participants should consult with their own tax advisors.

13. Computershare shall at all times act in good faith and agree to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to insure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or that of its employees.

14. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

4

Exhibit g.3

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND LTD.

AND

NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND LTD., an Exempted Company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (“Company”), hereby appoints NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 as an investment adviser, of Chicago, Illinois (the “Adviser”), to furnish investment advisory and management services to Company. Company and Adviser hereby agree that:

1.    Investment Management Services. Adviser shall manage the investment operations of Company, subject to the terms of this Agreement and to the supervision and control of Company’s Directors (the “Directors”). Adviser agrees to perform, or arrange for the performance of, the following services with respect to Company:

(a)    to obtain and evaluate such information relating to economies, industries, businesses, securities and commodities markets and individual securities, commodities and indices as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder;

(b)    to formulate and maintain a continuous investment program in a manner consistent with and subject to (i) Company’s memorandum and articles of association; (ii) Company’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as set forth in written documents furnished by Company to Adviser; (iii) all securities, commodities, and tax laws and regulations applicable to Company; and (iv) any other written limits or directions furnished by the Directors to Adviser;

(c)    unless otherwise directed by the Directors, to determine from time to time securities, commodities, interests or other investments to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by Company, and to implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected;


(d)    to make available to Company promptly upon request all records and ledgers and any reports or information reasonably requested by Company; and

(e)    to the extent required by law, to furnish to regulatory authorities any information or reports relating to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement.

Except as otherwise instructed from time to time by the Directors, with respect to execution of transactions for Company, Adviser shall place, or arrange for the placement of, all orders for purchases, sales, or loans of portfolio instrument with counterparts selected by Adviser. In connection with the selection of counterparts for the placement of all such orders, Adviser shall attempt to obtain most favorable execution and price, but may nevertheless in its sole discretion as a secondary factor, purchase and sell portfolio instruments from and to counterparts who provide Adviser with statistical, research and other information, analysis, advice, and similar services. In recognition of such services provided by a counterpart, Adviser is hereby authorized to pay such counterpart a commission or spread in excess of that which might be charged by another counterpart for the same transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that the commission or spread is reasonable in relation to the value of the services so provided.

Company hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with Adviser that is a member of a national securities exchange to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of Company to the extent permitted by and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act or 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder. Company hereby consents to the retention by such entity or person of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a-2-2(T)(a)(iv).

Adviser may, where it deems to be advisable, aggregate orders for its other customers together with any portfolio instruments of the same type to be sold or purchased for Company and one or more other customers of Adviser in order to obtain best execution or lower brokerage commissions. In such event, Adviser shall allocate the shares so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner it considers to be equitable and fair and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to Company and Adviser’s other customers.

Adviser shall for all purposes be deemed to be an independent contractor and not an agent of Company and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent Company in any way.

2.    Administrative Services. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and to the supervision and control of the Directors, Adviser shall provide to Company facilities, equipment, statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, internal auditing and legal services, and personnel to carry out all management services required for operation of the business and affairs of Company other than those services to be performed by

 

2


Company’s Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreement, any accounting services to be provided by a third-party service provider pursuant to an agreement approved by the Directors, and those services normally performed by the Company’s counsel and auditors.

3.    Use of Affiliated Companies and Subcontractors. In connection with the services to be provided by Adviser under this Agreement, Adviser may, to the extent it deems appropriate, and subject to compliance with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, make use of (i) its affiliated companies and their directors, officers, and employees and (ii) subcontractors selected by Adviser, provided that Adviser shall supervise and remain fully responsible for the services of all such third parties in accordance with and to the extent provided by this Agreement. All costs and expenses associated with services provided by any such third parties shall be borne by Adviser or such parties.

4.    Expenses Borne by Company. Except to the extent expressly assumed by Adviser herein or under a separate agreement between Company and Adviser and except to the extent required by law to be paid by Adviser, Adviser shall not be obligated to pay any costs or expenses incidental to the organization, operations or business of the Company. Without limitation, such costs and expenses shall include but not be limited to:

(a)    all charges of depositories, custodians and other agencies for the safekeeping and servicing of its cash, portfolio instruments, and other property;

(b)    all charges for equipment or services used for obtaining price quotations or for communication between Adviser or Company and the custodian or any other agent selected by Company;

(c)    all charges for and accounting services provided to Company by Adviser, or any other provider of such services;

(d)    all charges for services of Company’s independent auditors and for services to Company by legal counsel;

(e)    all compensation of Directors, other than those affiliated with Adviser, all expenses incurred in connection with their services to Company, and all expenses of meetings of the Directors or committees thereof;

(f)    all expenses of bond and insurance coverage required by law or deemed advisable by the Directors;

(g)    all commissions and other normal charges incident to the purchase, sale, or lending of portfolio instruments;

 

3


(h)    all truces and governmental fees payable to governmental agencies;

(i)    all expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of Company and any reporting required by Company under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction; and

(j)    all interest on indebtedness, if any, incurred by Company.

5.    Allocation of Expenses Borne by Company. Any expenses borne by Company that are attributable solely to the organization, operation or business of Company shall be paid solely out of Company assets. Any expenses borne by Company which are not solely attributable to Company shall be apportioned in such manner as Adviser determines is fair and appropriate, or as otherwise specified by the Directors.

6.    Expenses Borne by Adviser. Adviser at its own expense shall furnish all executive and other personnel, office space, and office facilities required to render the investment management and administrative services set forth in this Agreement.

In the event that Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of Company not required to be paid or assumed by Adviser under this Agreement, Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or similar expense in the future; provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve Adviser of any obligation to Company under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.

7.    Management Fee. For the services rendered, facilities provided, and charges assumed and paid by Adviser hereunder, Company shall pay to Adviser a management fee at the annual rate of 0.00% of Company’s average daily net assets. The management fee shall accrue on each calendar day, and shall be payable monthly on the first business day of the next succeeding calendar month. The daily fee accrual shall be computed by multiplying the fraction of one divided by the number of days in the calendar year by the applicable annual rate of fee, and multiplying this product by the net assets of Company determined as of the close of business on the last preceding business day on which Company’s net asset value was determined.

8.    Retention of Sub-Adviser. Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers at Adviser’s own cost and expense for the purpose of furnishing one or more of the services described in Section 1 hereof with respect to Company. Retention of a sub-adviser shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of Adviser under this Agreement, and Adviser shall be responsible to Company for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of Adviser’s duties hereunder.

9.    Non-Exclusivity. The services of Adviser to Company hereunder are not to be

 

4


deemed exclusive and Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others.

10.    Standard of Care. The Adviser shall not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the purchase, sale or retention of any portfolio instrument, 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 Adviser in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

11.    Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended as to Company without the affirmative votes of a “majority of the outstanding shares” of Company. The term “majority of the outstanding shares” shall be construed in accordance with its definition in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and with Rule l8f-2 thereunder.

12.    Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the Directors of Company, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company, upon at least sixty (60) days’ written notice to Adviser. This Agreement may be terminated by Adviser at any time upon at least sixty (60) days’ written notice to Company. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). Unless terminated as hereinbefore provided, this Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of a “majority of the outstanding shares” of Company.

13.    Ownership of Records; Interparty Reporting. All records maintained and preserved by Company and any other records the parties mutually agree shall be maintained by Adviser on behalf of Company are the property of Company and shall be surrendered by Adviser promptly on request by Company; provided that Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.

Company shall furnish or otherwise make available to Adviser such copies of the financial statements, proxy statements, reports, and other information as Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.

Adviser shall prepare and furnish to Company statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as Company may reasonably request.

14.    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.

 

5


15.    References and Headings. In this Agreement and in any amendment hereto, references to this Agreement and all expressions such as “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement as amended or affected by any such amendments. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction, or effect of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

 

Dated:   April 22, 2021       
       CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND LTD.
       By:   /s/ Mark L. Winget
       Title:   Vice President
Attest:   /s/ Celeste Clayton       
       NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
       By:   /s/ Christopher M. Rohrbacher
       Title:   Managing Director
Attest:   /s/ Celeste Clayton       

 

6

Exhibit h.1

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

[ ] Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

Par Value $0.01 Per Share

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[ ], 2021


UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[ ], 2021

UBS Securities LLC

[ ]

  as Managing Representatives

c/o UBS Securities LLC

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund, a voluntary association with transferable shares organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust) (the “Fund”), proposes to issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule A annexed hereto (the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of [ ] common shares of beneficial interest (the “Firm Shares”), par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”), of the Fund. In addition, solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, the Fund proposes to grant to the Underwriters the option to purchase from the Fund up to an additional [ ] Common Shares (the “Additional Shares”). The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively sometimes referred to as the “Shares.” The Shares are described in the Prospectus which is defined below. UBS Securities LLC, [ ] and [ ] (the “Managing Representatives”) will act as managing representatives for the Underwriters in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares.

The Fund has filed, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “Securities Act”), and with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “Investment Company Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-251817 and 811-23627), including a prospectus and a statement of additional information, relating to the Shares. In addition, the Fund has filed a Notification of Registration on Form N-8A (the “Notification”) pursuant to Section 8 of the Investment Company Act.

Except where the context otherwise requires, “Preliminary Prospectus,” as used herein, means each prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated therein by reference) included in such registration statement, or amendment thereof, before it became effective under the Securities Act and any prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated therein by reference) filed with the

 

2


Commission by the Fund with the consent of the Managing Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

Except where the context otherwise requires, “Registration Statement,” as used herein, means the registration statement, as amended at the time of such registration statement’s effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act, as such section applies to the respective Underwriters (the “Effective Time”), including (i) all documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, (ii) any information contained in a prospectus subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act and deemed to be part of the registration statement at the Effective Time pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, and (iii) any registration statement filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act.

Except where the context otherwise requires, “Prospectus,” as used herein, means the final prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated therein by reference) as filed by the Fund with the Commission (i) pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, or, if no such filing is required, the final prospectus (including the final statement of additional information) included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Time, in each case in the form furnished by the Fund to you for use by the Underwriters and by dealers in connection with the confirmation of sales in the offering of the Shares.

Pricing Prospectus” means the Preliminary Prospectus, dated [ ], 2021, including the statement of additional information incorporated therein by reference.

Pricing Information” means the information relating to (i) the number of Shares issued and (ii) the offering price of the Shares included on the cover page of the Prospectus.

Disclosure Package” means the Pricing Prospectus taken together with the Pricing Information.

Sales Materials” means those advertising materials, sales literature or other promotional materials or documents, if any, constituting an advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act authorized or prepared by the Fund or authorized or prepared on behalf of the Fund by the Investment Adviser (as defined below) or any representative thereof for use in connection with the public offering or sale of the Shares; provided, however, that Sales Materials do not include any slides, tapes or other materials or documents that constitute a “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) used in connection with a “road show” or a “bona fide electronic road show” (each as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) related to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (collectively, “Road Show Materials”).

Applicable Time” means the time as of which this Underwriting Agreement was entered into, which shall be [ ] p.m. (New York City time) on the date of this

 

3


Underwriting Agreement (or such other time as is agreed to by the Fund and the Managing Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters).

The Fund has prepared and filed, in accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), a registration statement (as amended, the “Exchange Act Registration Statement”) on Form 8-A (File No. 001-[ ]) under the Exchange Act to register, under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, the class of securities consisting of the Common Shares.

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Nuveen” or the “Investment Adviser”), will act as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement by and between the Fund and the Investment Adviser, dated as of [ ], 2021 (the “Investment Management Agreement”). Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sub-Adviser,” and together with the Investment Adviser the “Advisers”) will act as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser dated as of [ ], 2021 (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). State Street Bank and Trust Company will act as the custodian (the “Custodian”) of the Fund’s cash and portfolio assets pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2015, as amended, effective with respect to the Fund as of [ ], 2021 (the “Custodian Agreement”). Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will act as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursing agent (the “Transfer Agent”) pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2017, as amended, effective with respect to the Fund as of [ ], 2021 (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”).

The Investment Adviser and UBS Securities LLC have entered into a Structuring Fee Agreement dated [ ], 2021 (the “UBS Structuring Fee Agreement”). The Investment Adviser has also entered into a Structuring Fee Agreement with [ ] dated [ ], 2021 (the “[ ] Structuring Fee Agreement”) and a Structuring Fee Agreement with [ ] dated [ ], 2021 (the “[ ] Structuring Fee Agreement” and together with the UBS Structuring Fee Agreement and the [ ] Structuring Fee Agreement, the “Fee Agreements”).

The Fund and the Investment Adviser have entered into a Subscription Agreement dated as of [ ], 2021 (the “Subscription Agreement”). In addition, the Fund has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”) pursuant to which holders of Shares may have their dividends automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund unless they elect to receive such dividends in cash.

As used in this Underwriting Agreement, “business day” shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for trading. The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereinafter” and similar terms, as used in this Underwriting Agreement, shall in each case refer to this Underwriting Agreement as a whole and not to

 

4


any particular section, paragraph, sentence or other subdivision of this Underwriting Agreement. The term “or,” as used herein, is not exclusive.

The Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Underwriters agree as follows:

 

1.

Sale and Purchase. Upon the basis of the warranties and representations and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Fund agrees to sell to the respective Underwriters and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Fund the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule A attached hereto in each case at a purchase price of $[ ] per Share (the “Purchase Price”). The Fund is advised that the Underwriters intend (i) to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Firm Shares as soon after the Effective Time as is advisable and (ii) initially to offer the Firm Shares upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus. The Underwriters may from time to time increase or decrease the public offering price after the initial public offering to such extent as they may determine.

In addition, the Fund hereby grants to the several Underwriters the option to purchase, and upon the basis of the warranties and representations and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Fund, ratably in accordance with the number of Firm Shares to be purchased by each of them, all or a portion of the Additional Shares as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares, at the Purchase Price less an amount per Share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Fund and paid and payable on the Firm Shares, but not payable on the Additional Shares. This option may be exercised by the Managing Representatives on behalf of the several Underwriters at any time and from time to time on or before the forty-fifth (45th) day following the date hereof, by written notice to the Fund. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the option is being exercised, and the date and time when the Additional Shares are to be delivered (such date and time being herein referred to as the “Additional Shares Closing Time”); provided, however, that the Additional Shares Closing Time shall not be earlier than the Firm Shares Closing Time (as defined below) nor earlier than the [first] business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the tenth business day after the date of such notice. The number of Additional Shares to be sold to each Underwriter shall be the number that bears the same proportion to the aggregate number of Additional Shares being purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A hereto bears to the total number of Firm Shares (subject, in each case, to such adjustment to eliminate fractional shares as the Managing Representatives may determine).

 

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2.

Payment and Delivery. Payment of the aggregate Purchase Price for the Firm Shares shall be made by the Underwriters to the Fund by Federal Funds wire transfer, against delivery of the Firm Shares to the Managing Representatives through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the respective accounts of the Underwriters. Such payment and delivery shall be made at a time mutually agreed upon by the parties on the third business day following the date of this Underwriting Agreement (unless another date shall be agreed to by the Fund and the Managing Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters). The time at which such payment and delivery are actually made is hereinafter sometimes called the “Firm Shares Closing Time.” The Firm Shares will not be certificated.

Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Shares shall be made at the Additional Shares Closing Time in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Firm Shares. The Additional Shares will not be certificated. The Firm Shares Closing Time and the Additional Shares Closing Time are sometimes referred to herein as the “Closing Times.”

 

3.

Representations and Warranties of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. Each of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser jointly and severally represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date of this Underwriting Agreement, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Firm Shares Closing Time and as of each Additional Shares Closing Time, if any, as follows:

 

  (a)

(i)(A) The Registration Statement has heretofore become effective under the Securities Act or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, will be filed with the Commission and become effective under the Securities Act no later than 10:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of determination of the public offering price for the Shares; (B) no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Sales Materials or of the Prospectus or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued, no revocation of registration has been issued and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Fund’s or such Adviser’s knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission; and (C) the Exchange Act Registration Statement has become effective as provided in Section 12 of the Exchange Act;

(ii) (A) The Registration Statement complied at the Effective Time, complies as of the date hereof and will comply, as amended or supplemented, at the Firm Shares Closing Time, at each Additional Shares Closing Time, if any, and at each and any time of a sale of Shares by an Underwriter during the period in which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the

 

6


Investment Company Act; (B) each Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus complied or will comply, at the time it was or is filed with the Commission, and the Prospectus complies as of its date and will comply, as amended or supplemented, at the Firm Shares Closing Time, at each Additional Shares Closing Time, if any, and at each and any time of a sale of Shares by an Underwriter during the period in which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Section 10(a) of the Securities Act) and the Investment Company Act; and (C) each of the Sales Materials complied, at the time it was first used in connection with the public offering of the Shares, and complies as of the date hereof, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 482 thereunder), the Investment Company Act and the applicable rules and interpretations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”);

(iii)(A) (1) The Registration Statement as of the Effective Time did not, (2) the Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendment thereto declared or deemed to be effective by the Commission) as of the date hereof does not, and (3) the Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendment thereto declared or deemed to be effective by the Commission), as of the Firm Shares Closing Time and each Additional Shares Closing Time, if any, will not, in each case, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; (B) at no time during the period that begins as of the Applicable Time and ends at the Firm Shares Closing Time did or will the Disclosure Package, as then amended or supplemented, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (C) at no time during the period that begins at the time each of the Sales Materials was first used in connection with the public offering of the Shares and ends at the Applicable Time did any of the Sales Materials (as materials deemed to be a prospectus under Section 10(b) of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act), as then amended or supplemented, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (D) at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date the Prospectus is filed with the Commission and ends at the latest of the Firm Shares Closing Time, the latest Additional Shares Closing Time, if any, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection

 

7


with any sale of Shares did or will the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that each of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information concerning an Underwriter and furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Managing Representatives to the Fund expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus as described in Section 9(f) hereof; and provided, further that if any event occurs during any of the periods referred to in clauses (B), (C) or (D) of this Section 3(a)(iii) as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus, the Disclosure Package or the Sales Materials, as applicable, in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in any material respect, and the Disclosure Package, the Sales Materials or the Prospectus, as applicable, is amended or supplemented in connection therewith in accordance with Section 5(d) of this Underwriting Agreement, such amendment or supplement shall be deemed, for purposes of this Section 3(a)(iii), to have been made contemporaneously with the occurrence of such event;

 

  (b)

The Fund (i) has been formed and is validly existing as an unincorporated voluntary association with transferable shares of beneficial interest under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (ii) has full power and authority to conduct all the activities conducted by it, to own or lease all assets owned or leased by it and to conduct is business as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; (iii) is duly licensed and qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of property or its conducting of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Fund; (iv) owns, possesses or has obtained and currently maintains all governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations (collectively, the “Licenses and Permits”), whether foreign or domestic, necessary to carry on its business as contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, except those the absence of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the Fund. The Fund has no subsidiaries, except [                     ]. (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary has been duly organized and is validly existing as an entity in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and has full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets, and conduct its business

 

8


  and other activities conducted by it as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; and the Subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign entity to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a material adverse effect on the Fund.

 

  (c)

The capitalization of the Fund is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. The Common Shares conform in all material respects to the description of them in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. All the outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus). The Shares to be issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with this Underwriting Agreement against payment therefor as provided by this Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized and when issued and delivered to the Underwriters will have been validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable (except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus). No person is entitled to any preemptive or other similar rights with respect to the issuance of the Shares.

 

  (d)

The Fund is duly registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act as a diversified, closed-end management investment company, and, subject to the filing of any final amendment to the Registration Statement (a “Final Amendment”), if not already filed, all action under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, as the case may be, necessary to make the public offering and consummate the sale of the Shares as provided in this Underwriting Agreement has or will have been taken by the Fund; the provisions of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust (as amended or restated through the date hereof, the “Declaration of Trust”) and Bylaws (as amended or restated through the date hereof, the “Bylaws”) comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The Subsidiary is not, and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus, and the Prospectus, will not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

  (e)

The Fund has full power and authority to enter into each of this Underwriting Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, and the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (collectively, the “Fund Agreements”) and to perform all of the terms and provisions hereof and thereof to be carried out by it and (i) each Fund Agreement has been duly

 

9


  and validly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Fund, (ii) each Fund Agreement does not violate in any material respect any of the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “Advisers Act”), as the case may be, and (iii) assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each Fund Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, (A) subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, whether statutory or decisional, and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (B) except as rights to indemnity thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws.

 

  (f)

None of (i) the execution and delivery by the Fund of the Fund Agreements, (ii) the issue and sale by the Fund of the Shares as contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any of the Fund Agreements and (iii) the performance by the Fund of its obligations under any of the Fund Agreements or the consummation by the Fund of the other transactions contemplated by the Fund Agreements conflicts with or will conflict with, or results in or will result in a breach of, (x) the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws of the Fund or the Declaration of Trust, By-laws or similar organizational documents of the Subsidiary, (y) any material agreement or instrument to which the Fund or the Subsidiary is a party or by which the Fund or the Subsidiary is bound, or any law, rule or regulation, or (z) order of any court, governmental instrumentality, securities exchange or association or arbitrator, whether foreign or domestic, applicable to the Fund or to the Subsidiary (which conflict with or breach in any such case (y) or (z), either individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the Subsidiary, as the case may be), other than state securities or “blue sky” laws applicable in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement.

 

  (g)

Neither the Fund nor the Subsidiary is currently in material breach of, or in material default under, any material written agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or its property is bound or affected.

 

  (h)

There are no restrictions, limitations or regulations with respect to the ability of the Fund or the Subsidiary to invest its assets as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, other than as described therein.

 

10


  (i)

No person has any right to the registration of any securities of the Fund because of the filing of the registration statement. No person has any right to have any securities included in the offering contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of the Shares by the Fund pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement.

 

  (j)

No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body or securities exchange or association, whether foreign or domestic, is required by the Fund or the Subsidiary for the consummation by the Fund of the transactions to be performed by the Fund or the performance by the Fund of all the terms and provisions to be performed by or on behalf of it in each case as contemplated in the Fund Agreements, except such as (i) the absence of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the Fund, (ii) have been obtained under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, or the Advisers Act, and (iii) may be required by the NYSE, FINRA or under state securities or “blue sky” laws, in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement.

 

  (k)

No transaction has occurred between or among the Fund and any of its officers or trustees, shareholders or affiliates or any affiliate or affiliates of any such officer or trustee or shareholder or affiliate that is required to be described in and is not described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

  (l)

Neither the Fund, the Subsidiary nor any employee or agent of the Fund has made any payment of funds of the Fund or received or retained any funds, which payment, receipt or retention of funds is of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, except as so disclosed.

 

  (m)

The Shares are duly authorized for listing, subject to official notice of issuance, on the NYSE and the Notification has become effective.

 

  (n)

PricewaterhouseCoopers was engaged by the Fund to act as its independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the Investment Company Act. PricewaterhouseCoopers, whose report appears in the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Fund as required by the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act and the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

  (o)

The statement of assets and liabilities, together with any related notes or schedules thereto, included or incorporated by reference in the

 

11


  Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus presents fairly in all material respects, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, the financial position of the Fund as of the date indicated, and complies with all applicable accounting requirements under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act.

 

  (p)

Since the date as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, prospects, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Fund or the Subsidiary (other than changes resulting from changes in the equity securities markets generally), whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) there have been no transactions entered into by the Fund or the Subsidiary other than those in the ordinary course of its business or incident to its organization and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on any class of the Fund’s capital shares.

 

  (q)

There is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court, commission, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental agency or body, foreign or domestic, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Fund, the Subsidiary or such Adviser, threatened against or affecting the Fund or the Subsidiary, which (i) if determined adversely would result in any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, prospects or business affairs of the Fund or the Subsidiary or could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the properties or assets of the Fund or the Subsidiary or (ii) is of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and is not so described as required; and there are no contracts, franchises or other documents that are of a character required to be described in, or that are required to be filed as exhibits to, the Registration Statement that have not been described or filed as required.

 

  (r)

There are no contracts, franchises or other documents that are of a character required to be described in, or that are required to be filed as exhibits to, the Registration Statement that have not been described or filed as required.

 

  (s)

Except for stabilization transactions conducted by the Underwriters, and except for the issuance or purchase of Shares pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan effected following the date on which the distribution of the Shares is completed in accordance with the policies of the Fund as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, the Fund has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed or which

 

12


  might be reasonably expected to cause or result in, or which will constitute, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares in violation of applicable federal securities laws.

 

  (t)

The Fund will direct the investment of the proceeds of the offering of the Shares in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and is eligible to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

  (u)

The Fund has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the (i) date of the last Closing Time and (ii) completion of the distribution of the Shares, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the public offering or sale of the Shares other than the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Sales Materials and the Prospectus.

 

  (v)

There are no Sales Materials other than as set forth on Schedule G; and no Sales Materials or Road Show Materials authorized or prepared by the Fund or authorized or prepared on behalf of the Fund by the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any representative thereof for use in connection with the public offering or sale of the Shares contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

  (w)

No person is serving or acting as an officer, trustee or investment adviser of the Fund except in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of them), no trustee of the Fund is (i) an “interested person” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund or (ii) an “affiliated person” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any Underwriter listed in Schedule A hereto. For purposes of this Section 3(x), the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser shall be entitled to rely on the representations from such officers and trustees.

 

  (x)

There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Underwriting Agreement or the issuance by the Fund or sale by the Fund of the Shares.

 

  (y)

The Fund has (i) appointed a Chief Compliance Officer and (ii) adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to

 

13


  prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act) by the Fund, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance for each investment adviser, administrator and transfer agent of the Fund.

 

  (z)

Any statistical, demographic or market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Sales Materials or the Road Show Materials are based on or derived from sources that the Fund and the Advisers believe to be reliable and accurate in all material respects, and all such data included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Sales Materials or the Road Show Materials accurately reflects the materials upon which it is based or from which it was derived.

 

  (aa)

The Fund is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged and which the Fund deems adequate; all policies of insurance insuring the Fund or its business, assets, employees, officers and trustees, including the Fund’s trustees and officers errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the Investment Company Act, are in full force and effect; the Fund is in compliance with the terms of such policy and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Fund under any such policy or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Fund has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Fund has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage and fidelity bond as and when such coverage and fidelity bond expires or to obtain similar coverage and fidelity bond from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

 

  (bb)

The Fund and the Subsidiary own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems, or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business operated by the Fund and the Subsidiary, and neither the Fund nor the Subsidiary has received any notice or is not otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Fund.

 

14


  (cc)

The Fund maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets through an asset reconciliation procedure or otherwise at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

  (dd)

The Fund has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures; such disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the Investment Company Act) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Fund is made known to the Fund’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within the Fund, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; the Fund is not aware of any material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting.

 

  (ee)

The Fund and its officers and trustees, in their capacities as such, are in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”).

 

  (ff)

The Fund’s Board of Trustees has validly appointed an audit committee whose composition satisfies the requirements of Rules 303A.06 and 303A.07(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and the Board of Trustees and/or the audit committee has adopted a charter that satisfies the requirements of Rule 303A.07(c) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

 

  (gg)

Neither the Fund, the Subsidiary nor, to the Fund’s or such Adviser’s knowledge, any other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Fund including, without limitation, any trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Fund, has, directly or indirectly, while acting on behalf of the Fund (i) used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds; (iii) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “FCPA”); or (iv) made any other unlawful payment.

 

15


  (hh)

The operations of the Fund and the Subsidiary are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Fund with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending, or to the best knowledge of the Fund or such Adviser, threatened.

 

  (ii)

Neither the Fund, the Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Fund or such Adviser, any trustee, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Fund is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Fund will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

  (jj)

The Fund (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication with any person and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Managing Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Fund reconfirms that the Managing Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Fund has not distributed any Testing-the-Waters Communications that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Rule 163B under the Securities Act.

 

  (kk)

[The Fund has obtained for the benefit of the Underwriters the agreement (a “Lock Up Agreement”) in the form of Schedule E hereto, of those individuals listed on Schedule F hereto. As of the date of this Underwriting Agreement, Schedule F contains a true, complete and correct list of all trustees, officers and holders of Common Shares or other common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund, all holders of options, warrants, convertible debt securities, or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable as Shares or other common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.]

 

  (ll)

All of the information provided to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters by the Fund, its officers and trustees in connection with

 

16


  letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA’s conduct rules is true, complete and correct in all material respects.

In addition, any certificate signed by any officer of the Fund or the Advisers and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Fund or the Advisers as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

4.

Representations and Warranties of the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. Each of the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser represents, severally, as to itself only, to each Underwriter as of the date of this Underwriting Agreement, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Firm Shares Closing Time and as of each Additional Shares Closing Time, if any, as follows:

 

  (a)

Such Adviser (i) has been duly formed and is validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to conduct all of the activities conducted by it, to own or lease all of the assets owned or leased by it and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, and such Adviser is duly licensed and qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified, except to the extent that failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on such Adviser’s ability to provide services to the Fund as contemplated by the Investment Management Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement, as applicable; and such Adviser owns, possesses or has obtained and currently maintains all governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations, whether foreign or domestic, necessary to carry on its business as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus except those the absence of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on such Adviser.

 

  (b)

Such Adviser is (i) duly registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and (ii) not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act from acting as an investment adviser for the Fund as contemplated by the Investment Management Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement, as applicable, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

  (c)

Such Adviser has the full power and authority to enter into each of this Underwriting Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, and, in the case of the Investment Adviser, the

 

17


  Subscription Agreement, the Fee Agreements to which such Adviser is a party (collectively, the “Adviser Agreements”), and to carry out all the terms and provisions hereof and thereof to be carried out by it; and (i) each respective Adviser Agreement to which such Adviser is a party has been or will be duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by such Adviser; (ii) none of the respective Adviser Agreements to which such Adviser is a party violate in any material respect any of the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act or the Advisers Act; and (iii) assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, each respective Adviser Agreement to which such Adviser is a party constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Adviser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, (i) subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, whether statutory or decisional, and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (ii) except as rights to indemnity thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws.

 

  (d)

Neither (i) the execution and delivery by such Adviser of any respective Adviser Agreement to which such Adviser is a party nor (ii) the consummation by such Adviser of the transactions contemplated by, or the performance of its obligations under any such Adviser Agreement conflicts or will conflict with, or results or will result in a breach of, (x) the Certificate of Formation or the Limited Liability Company Agreement, in the case of the Investment Adviser, or the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, in the case of the Sub-Adviser, (y) any agreement or instrument to which such Adviser is a party or by which such Adviser is bound, or (z) any law, rule or regulation, or any order of any court, governmental instrumentality, securities exchange or association or arbitrator, whether foreign or domestic, applicable to such Adviser (which conflict with or breach in any such case (y) or (z), either individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on such Adviser).

 

  (e)

No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court, governmental agency or body or securities exchange or association, whether foreign or domestic, is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in, or the performance by such Adviser of its obligations under, any respective Adviser Agreement to which such Adviser is a party, as the case may be, except such as (i) have been obtained under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, or the Advisers Act, and (ii) may be required by the NYSE, FINRA or under state securities or “blue sky” laws, in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement.

 

18


  (f)

The description of such Adviser and its business and the statements attributed to such Adviser in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus in light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading.

 

  (g)

Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court, commission, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental agency or body, foreign or domestic, now pending or, to the knowledge of such Adviser, threatened against or affecting such Adviser of a nature required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or that could reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business affairs of such Adviser or the ability of such Adviser to fulfill its respective obligations under any respective Adviser Agreement to which such Adviser is a party.

 

  (h)

Except for stabilization activities conducted by the Underwriters and except for the issuance or purchase of Shares pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan effected following the date on which the distribution of the Shares is completed in accordance with the policies of the Fund as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, such Adviser has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which could reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which will constitute, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares in violation of applicable federal securities laws.

 

  (i)

In the event that the Fund or such Adviser has made available any Road Show Materials or promotional materials (other than the Sales Materials) by means of an Internet web site or similar electronic means such as to constitute a bona fide electronic road show, such Adviser has installed and maintained pre-qualification and password-protection or similar procedures which are designed and reasonably expected to effectively prohibit access to such Road Show Materials or promotional materials by persons other than qualified broker-dealers and registered representatives thereof.

 

  (j)

Such Adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act reasonably designed

 

19


  to prevent violation of the Advisers Act by such Adviser and its supervised persons.

 

  (k)

Such Adviser maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, as applicable, are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization; and (ii) access to the Fund’s assets is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization.

 

  (l)

Such Adviser or, to such Adviser’s knowledge, any other person associated with or acting on behalf of such Adviser including, without limitation, any director, manager, officer, agent or employee of such Adviser, has not, directly or indirectly, while acting on behalf of such Adviser (i) used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds; (iii) violated any provision of the FCPA; or (iv) made any other unlawful payment.

 

  (m)

The operations of such Adviser and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving such Adviser with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending, or to the best knowledge of such Adviser, threatened.

 

  (n)

Neither such Adviser nor, to the knowledge of such Adviser, any member, director, manager, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of such Adviser is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC; and such Adviser will not directly or indirectly direct the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

In addition, any certificate signed by any officer of the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

20


5.

Agreements of the Parties.

 

  (a)

If the registration statement relating to the Shares has not yet become effective, the Fund will promptly file a Final Amendment, if not previously filed, with the Commission, and will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and, as soon as the Fund is advised, will advise the Managing Representatives when the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has become effective. If it is necessary for a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, or a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, to be filed with the Commission and become effective before the Shares may be sold, the Fund will use its best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment or such Registration Statement to be filed and become effective as soon as possible, and the Fund will advise the Managing Representatives promptly and, if requested by the Managing Representatives, will confirm such advice in writing, when such post-effective amendment or such Registration Statement has become effective. If the Registration Statement has become effective and the Prospectus contained therein omits certain information at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, the Fund will file a 430A Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable, but no later than the second business day following the earlier of the date of the determination of the offering price of the Shares or the date the Prospectus is first used after the Effective Time. If the Registration Statement has become effective and the Prospectus contained therein does not so omit such information, the Fund will file a Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable, but no later than the fifth business day following the date of the later of the Effective Time or the commencement of the public offering of the Shares after the Effective Time. In either case, the Fund will provide the Managing Representatives satisfactory evidence of the filing. The Fund will not file with the Commission any Prospectus or any other amendment (except any post-effective amendment which is filed with the Commission after the later of (i) one year from the date of this Underwriting Agreement or (ii) the date on which distribution of the Shares is completed) or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus unless a copy has first been submitted to the Managing Representatives a reasonable time before its filing and the Managing Representatives has not objected to it in writing within a reasonable time after receiving the copy.

 

  (b)

For the period of three years from the date hereof, the Fund will advise the Managing Representatives promptly (i) of the issuance by the Commission of any order in respect of the Fund, or in respect of the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, which relates to the Fund and would materially affect

 

21


  the ability of the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, to perform its respective obligations to the Fund, (ii) of the initiation or threatening in writing of any proceedings for, or receipt by the Fund of any written notice with respect to, any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the issuance of any order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (iii) of receipt by the Fund, or any representative or attorney of the Fund, of any other communication from the Commission relating in any material way to the Fund, the Registration Statement, the Notification, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Sales Materials, the Prospectus, any Testing-the-Waters Communication or to the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement and (iv) the issuance by any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental agency or body, whether foreign or domestic, of any order, ruling or decree, or the threat in writing to initiate any proceedings with respect thereto, regarding the Fund, which relates in any material way to the Fund or any material arrangements or proposed material arrangements involving the Fund. The Fund will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if any such order is issued, to obtain its lifting as soon as practicable.

 

  (c)

If not delivered prior to the date of this Underwriting Agreement, the Fund will deliver to the Managing Representatives, without charge, a signed copy of the Registration Statement, the Exchange Act Registration Statement and the Notification and of any amendments (except any post-effective amendment which is filed with the Commission after the later of (i) one year from the date of this Underwriting Agreement or (ii) the date on which the distribution of the Shares is completed) to either the Registration Statement, the Exchange Act Registration Statement or the Notification (including all exhibits filed with any such document) and as many conformed copies of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (except any post-effective amendment which is filed with the Commission after the later of (i) one year from the date of this Underwriting Agreement or (ii) the date on which the distribution of the Shares is completed) (excluding exhibits) as the Managing Representatives may reasonably request.

 

  (d)

During such period as a prospectus is required by law to be delivered by an underwriter or a dealer, the Fund will deliver, without charge, to the Managing Representatives, the Underwriters and any dealers, at such office or offices as the Managing Representatives may designate, as many copies of the Prospectus as the Managing Representatives may reasonably request, and, if any event occurs during such period as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus, in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were

 

22


  made, not misleading in any material respect, or if during such period it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Investment Company Act, the Fund promptly will prepare, submit to the Managing Representatives, file with the Commission and deliver, without charge, to the Underwriters and to dealers (whose names and addresses the Managing Representatives will furnish to the Fund) to whom Shares may have been sold by the Underwriters, and to other dealers on request, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in such Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, will not, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading in any material respect and will comply with the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act. Delivery by the Underwriters of any such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus will not constitute a waiver of any of the conditions in Section 6 hereof.

 

  (e)

The Fund will make generally available to holders of the Fund’s securities, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the last day of the 18th full calendar month following the calendar quarter in which the date of the Effective Time falls, an earnings statement, if applicable, satisfying the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and, at the option of the Fund, Rule 158 under the Securities Act.

 

  (f)

If the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement are consummated, the Investment Adviser shall pay all costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Fund under this Underwriting Agreement, including, but not limited to costs and expenses of or relating to (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and exhibits to it, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, (ii) the issuance of the Shares, (iii) the registration or qualification, if any, of the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any applicable jurisdictions, including the reasonable fees and disbursements, if any, of counsel for the Underwriters in that connection, and the preparation and printing of any preliminary and supplemental “blue sky” memoranda, (iv) the furnishing (including costs of design, production, shipping and mailing) to the Underwriters and dealers of copies of each Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Shares, the Sales Materials, the Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to the Prospectus, and of the other documents required by this Section to be so furnished, (v) the filing requirements of FINRA, in connection with its review of the underwriting arrangements and the Sales Materials, including filing fees paid by counsel for the Underwriters in that connection, (vi) all transfer taxes, if any, with respect to the sale and delivery of the Shares by the Fund to the Underwriters, (vii) the listing of the Shares on the NYSE and (viii) the transfer agent for the Shares; provided that (A) the Fund, the Investment

 

23


  Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and each Underwriter shall pay its own costs and expenses relating to the attendance at any road show or other informational meeting relating to the Fund, (B) each Underwriter shall pay the costs and expenses of any internal promotional or informational materials relating to the Fund, other than the Sales Materials, prepared by such Underwriter in connection with the offering of the Shares, (C) the Underwriters shall pay the costs and expenses of any “tombstone” announcements relating to the offering of the Shares and (D) except as expressly provided in this Section 5(f), the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel. In addition, the Investment Adviser agrees to pay an amount equal to $[ ] per Common Share to UBS Securities LLC, on behalf of the Underwriters, at the Firm Shares Closing Time and Additional Shares Closing Time. The Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may otherwise agree among themselves as to the payment or reimbursement of the foregoing expenses, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement are consummated; provided, however, that in no event shall the Underwriters be obligated to pay any expenses intended to be borne by the Investment Adviser as provided above.

 

  (g)

If the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement are not consummated, except as otherwise provided herein, no party will be under any liability to any other party, except that (i) if this Underwriting Agreement is terminated by (A) the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser pursuant to any of the provisions hereof (otherwise than pursuant to Section 7 hereof) or (B) by the Managing Representatives or the Underwriters because of any inability, failure or refusal on the part of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser to comply with any material terms of this Underwriting Agreement or because any of the conditions in Section 6 are not satisfied, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or such Adviser’s affiliates and the Fund, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of their counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Shares (provided, however, that the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any loss of anticipated profits or speculative or consequential or similar damages for such termination) and (ii) no Underwriter who has failed or refused to purchase the Shares agreed to be purchased by it under this Underwriting Agreement, in breach of its obligations pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement, will be relieved of liability to the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the other Underwriters for damages occasioned by its default.

 

24


  (h)

Without the prior written consent of the Managing Representatives, the Fund will not offer, sell or register with the Commission, or announce an offering of, any equity securities of the Fund, within 180 days after the date of the Effective Time, except for the Shares as described in the Prospectus and any issuances of Common Shares pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

  (i)

The Fund will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the Shares to be listed on the NYSE prior to the date the Shares are issued, subject only to official notice of the issuance thereof, and comply with the rules and regulations of such exchange.

 

  (j)

The Fund will direct the investment of the net proceeds of the offering of the Shares in such a manner as to comply with the investment objective and policies of the Fund as described in the Prospectus.

 

  (k)

[If UBS Securities LLC, in its absolute discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in any Lock Up Agreement to permit the transfer of Shares or other securities by an officer of the Fund or an employee of the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, and provides the Fund with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Fund agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release, in a form agreed upon by the Underwriters, through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in the Lock Up Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.]

 

6.

Conditions of the Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Shares are subject to the accuracy on the date of this Underwriting Agreement, as of the Applicable Time and as of each of the Closing Times, of the representations of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser in this Underwriting Agreement, to the accuracy and completeness of all material statements made by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser or any of their respective officers in any certificate delivered to the Managing Representatives or their counsel pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement, to performance by the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of their respective obligations under this Underwriting Agreement and to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by the Managing Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters) of each of the following additional conditions:

 

25


  (a)

The Registration Statement must have become effective by 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Underwriting Agreement or such later date and time as the Managing Representatives consents to in writing. The Prospectus must have been filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

 

  (b)

No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement may be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose may be pending before or, to the knowledge of counsel to the Underwriters, threatened by the Commission, and any requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) must be complied with or waived to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managing Representatives.

 

  (c)

Since the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, as of the date of this Underwriting Agreement, (i) there must not have been any change in the Common Shares or any adverse change in the liabilities of the Fund except as set forth in or contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus; (ii) there must not have been any adverse change in the general affairs, prospects, management, business, financial condition or results of operations of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business as set forth in or contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus; (iii) the Fund must not have sustained any loss or interference with its business from any court or from any legislative or other governmental action, order or decree, whether foreign or domestic, or from any other occurrence not described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; and (iv) there must not have occurred any event that makes untrue or incorrect in any respect any statement or information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or that is not reflected in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus but should be reflected therein in order to make the statements or information therein (in the case of the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading in any material respect; if, in the judgment of the Managing Representatives, any such development referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph (c) is material and adverse so as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to consummate the sale and delivery of the Shares to the public on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus.

 

  (d)

The Managing Representatives must have received as of each Closing Time a certificate, dated such date, of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, President, Managing Director or a Vice-President

 

26


  and the Controller, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of each of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser certifying (in their capacity as such officers) that (i) the signers have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus and this Underwriting Agreement, (ii) the representations of the Fund (with respect to the certificates from such Fund officers), the representations of the Investment Adviser (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Investment Adviser) and the representations of the Sub-Adviser (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Sub-Adviser) in this Underwriting Agreement are accurate on and as of the date of the certificate, (iii) there has not been any material adverse change in the general affairs, prospects, management, business, financial condition or results of operations of the Fund (with respect to the certificates from such Fund officers), the Investment Adviser (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Investment Adviser) or the Sub-Adviser (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Sub-Adviser, which change would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, to fulfill its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Investment Adviser) or the Sub-Advisory Agreement (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Sub-Adviser), whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, (iv) with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Fund only, to the knowledge of such officers after reasonable investigation, no order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, prohibiting the sale of any of the Shares or otherwise having a material adverse effect on the Fund has been issued and no proceedings for any such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of such officers after reasonable investigation, threatened by the Commission or any other regulatory body, whether foreign or domestic, (v) with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Investment Adviser only, no order having a material adverse effect on the ability of the Investment Adviser to fulfill its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement, the Fee Agreements, the Sub-Advisory Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement, as the case may be, has been issued and no proceedings for any such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of such officers of the Investment Adviser after reasonable investigation, threatened by the Commission or any other regulatory body, whether foreign or domestic, (vi) with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Sub-Adviser only, no order having a material adverse effect on the ability of the Sub-Adviser to fulfill its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement, as the case may be, has been issued and no proceedings for any such purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of such officers

 

27


  of the Sub-Adviser after reasonable investigation, threatened by the Commission or any other regulatory body, whether foreign or domestic and (vii) each of the Fund (with respect to the certificates from such Fund officers), the Investment Adviser (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Investment Adviser) and the Sub-Adviser (with respect to the certificates from such officers of the Sub-Adviser) has performed all of its respective agreements that this Underwriting Agreement requires it to perform by such Closing Time (to the extent not waived in writing by the Managing Representatives).

 

  (e)

The Managing Representatives must have received as of each Closing Time the opinions dated as of the date thereof substantially in the form of Schedules B, C and D to this Underwriting Agreement from the counsel identified in each such Schedules. With respect to the opinions identified in such Schedule B, to the extent that the matters addressed in such opinions relate to matters of Massachusetts law, such opinions may be rendered by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP addressed to the Managing Representatives.

 

  (f)

The Managing Representatives must have received as of each Closing Time from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP an opinion dated as of the date thereof with respect to the Fund, the Shares, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and this Underwriting Agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory in all respects to the Managing Representatives. The Fund and the Investment Adviser must have furnished to such counsel such documents as counsel may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to render such opinion.

 

  (g)

The Managing Representatives must have received on the date this Underwriting Agreement is signed and delivered by you a signed report from [Auditor], dated such date, and in form and substance satisfactory to the Managing Representatives containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ reports with respect to the financial information of the Fund contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. The Managing Representatives also must have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers a report, as of each Closing Time, dated as of the date thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managing Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the earlier report, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Closing Time.

 

  (h)

[The Managing Representatives have received the Lock Up Agreements, each substantially in the form of Schedule E hereto, of those individuals

 

28


  listed on Schedule F hereto, and such agreement shall be in full force and effect at each Closing Time.]

All opinions, letters, reports, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Underwriting Agreement will comply only if they are in form and scope reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters; provided that any such documents, forms of which are annexed hereto, shall be deemed satisfactory to such counsel if substantially in such form.

 

7.

Termination. This Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Managing Representatives by notifying the Fund at any time:

 

  (a)

before the later of the Effective Time and the time when any of the Shares are first generally offered pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement by the Managing Representatives to dealers by electronic delivery, letter or telegram;

 

  (b)

as of or before any Closing Time if, in the sole judgment of the Managing Representatives, payment for and delivery of any Shares is rendered impracticable or inadvisable because (i) trading in the equity securities of the Fund is suspended by the Commission or by the principal exchange that lists the Shares, (ii) trading in securities generally on the NYSE, NYSE American or the NASDAQ Stock Market shall have been suspended or limited or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on such exchange or over-the-counter market, (iii) additional material governmental restrictions, not in force on the date of this Underwriting Agreement, have been imposed upon trading in securities or trading has been suspended on any U.S. securities exchange, (iv) a general banking moratorium has been established by U.S. federal or New York authorities or (v) if there has occurred (A) any material adverse change in the financial or securities markets in the United States or the international financial markets, (B) any material adverse change in the political, financial or economic conditions in the United States, (C) any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity, terrorist activity, crises or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions or (D) declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity shall have occured, the effect of any of which is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Managing Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus; or

 

  (c)

as of or before any Closing Time, if any of the conditions specified in Section 6 with respect to such Closing Time have not been fulfilled when and as required by this Underwriting Agreement, and the Managing

 

29


  Representatives shall have given the Fund and the Advisers notice thereof and a reasonable opportunity to fulfill such condition.

 

8.

Substitution of Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters fails (other than for a reason sufficient to justify the termination of this Underwriting Agreement) to purchase as of any Closing Time the Shares agreed to be purchased as of such Closing Time by such Underwriter or Underwriters, the Managing Representatives may find one or more substitute underwriters to purchase such Shares or make such other arrangements as the Managing Representatives deems advisable, or one or more of the remaining Underwriters may agree to purchase such Shares in such proportions as may be approved by the Managing Representatives, in each case upon the terms set forth in this Underwriting Agreement. If no such arrangements have been made within 36 hours after the date of such Closing Time, and

 

  (a)

the number of Shares to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriters as of such Closing Time does not exceed 10% of the Shares that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase as of such Closing Time, each of the nondefaulting Underwriters will be obligated to purchase such Shares on the terms set forth in this Underwriting Agreement in proportion to their respective obligations under this Underwriting Agreement, or

 

  (b)

the number of Shares to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriters as of such Closing Time exceeds 10% of the Shares to be purchased by all the Underwriters as of such Closing Time, the Fund will be entitled to an additional period of 24 hours within which to find one or more substitute underwriters reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Representatives to purchase such Shares on the terms set forth in this Underwriting Agreement.

Upon the occurrence of the circumstances described in the foregoing paragraph (b), either the Managing Representatives or the Fund will have the right to postpone the date of the applicable Closing Time for not more than five business days in order that necessary changes and arrangements (including any necessary amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus) may be effected by the Managing Representatives and the Fund. If the number of Shares to be purchased as of such Closing Time by such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters exceeds 10% of the Shares that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase as of such Closing Time, and none of the nondefaulting Underwriters or the Fund makes arrangements pursuant to this Section 8 within the period stated for the purchase of the Shares that the defaulting Underwriters agreed to purchase, this Underwriting Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any nondefaulting Underwriter, the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser except as provided in Sections 5(g) and 9 hereof. Any action taken under this Section will not affect the liability of

 

30


any defaulting Underwriter to the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser or to any nondefaulting Underwriters arising out of such default. A substitute underwriter will become an Underwriter for all purposes of this Underwriting Agreement.

 

9.

Indemnity and Contribution.

 

  (a)

Each of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, the directors, members, managers, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and any person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, any such Underwriter or any such person may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (i) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Fund) or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Road Show Material, the Disclosure Package, any Sales Material, any Testing-the-Waters Communication or the Prospectus (as any of the foregoing may be amended or supplemented) or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; except with respect to either of the foregoing clause (i) and (ii) insofar as any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Managing Representatives to the Fund expressly for use with reference to any Underwriter in such Registration Statement or in such Road Show Material, Disclosure Package, Sales Material or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as set forth in Section 9(f) hereof or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information required to be stated in such Registration Statement or in such Road Show Materials, Disclosure Package, Sales Material or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or

 

31


  necessary to make such information (with respect to such Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading.

If any action, suit or proceeding (together, a “Proceeding”) is brought against an Underwriter or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, such Underwriter or such person shall promptly notify the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, in writing of the institution of such Proceeding and the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser shall assume the defense of such Proceeding, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and payment of all fees and expenses; provided, however, that the omission to so notify the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser shall not relieve the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser from any liability which the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may have to any Underwriter or any such person or otherwise. Such Underwriter or such person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or of such person unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, in connection with the defense of such Proceeding or the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser shall not have, within a reasonable period of time in light of the circumstances, employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such Proceeding or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them, which are different from, additional to or in conflict with those available to the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser (in which case the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Proceeding on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such reasonable fees and expenses shall be borne by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) in any one Proceeding or series of related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such Proceeding). Neither the Fund, the Investment Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent but if settled with the written consent of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Underwriter and any such person from and against any loss or liability by

 

32


reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this paragraph, then the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying party at least 30 days’ prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and does not include an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of such indemnified party.

 

  (b)

Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, and each of their respective shareholders, partners, managers, members, trustees, directors and officers, and any person who controls the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation), which, jointly or severally, the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any such person may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter to the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Fund) or in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus as set forth in Section 9(f) hereof, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information required to be stated in such Registration Statement or the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or necessary to make such

 

33


  information (with respect to the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

If any Proceeding is brought against the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or such person shall promptly notify such Underwriter in writing of the institution of such Proceeding and such Underwriter shall assume the defense of such Proceeding, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and payment of all fees and expenses; provided, however, that the omission to so notify such Underwriter shall not relieve such Underwriter from any liability which such Underwriter may have to the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or any such person or otherwise. The Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or such person shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or such person, as the case may be, unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by such Underwriter in connection with the defense of such Proceeding or such Underwriter shall not have, within a reasonable period of time in light of the circumstances, employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such Proceeding or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them, which are different from or additional to or in conflict with those available to such Underwriter (in which case such Underwriter shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Proceeding on behalf of the indemnified party or parties, but such Underwriter may employ counsel in connection with the defense thereof but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter), in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by such Underwriter and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that such Underwriter shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) in any one Proceeding or series of related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such Proceeding). No Underwriter shall be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without the written consent of such Underwriter but if settled with the written consent of such Underwriter, such Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and any such person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this paragraph, then the

 

34


indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying party at least 30 days’ prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and does not include an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of such indemnified party.

 

  (c)

If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to an indemnified party under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 9 in respect of any losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions, which resulted in such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Fund and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Fund, the

 

35


  Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, damages, expenses, liabilities and claims referred to in this subsection shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any Proceeding.

 

  (d)

The Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in subsection (c) above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the fees and commissions received by such Underwriter. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

 

  (e)

The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 9 and the covenants, warranties and representations of the Fund contained in this Underwriting Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, its partners, the directors, members, managers, officers, employees, agents and affiliates or any person (including each partner, officer or director of such person) who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, or by or on behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, its shareholders, partners, advisers, members, trustees, directors or officers or any person who controls the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and shall survive any termination of this Underwriting Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Shares. The Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and each Underwriter agree promptly to notify each other of the commencement of any Proceeding against it and, in the case of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, against any of the Fund’s trustees, directors or officers, or any of the Investment Adviser’s or the Sub-Adviser’s shareholders, partners, managers, members, trustees, directors or officers

 

36


  in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

 

  (f)

The Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser each acknowledge that the statements in the Prospectus with respect to the names and addresses of the Underwriters and number of Common Shares allocated for purchase by such Underwriters, the selling concessions and reallowances of selling concessions, the statements regarding stabilization, penalty bids and syndicate short selling, and the statements regarding electronic delivery of prospectuses, all as described under the caption “Underwriting” in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Managing Representatives to the Fund expressly for use with reference to such Underwriter in the Registration Statement or in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented). The Underwriters severally confirm that these statements are correct in all material respects and were so furnished by or on behalf of each of the Underwriters severally for use in the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus.

 

  (g)

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Section 9, no party shall be entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Underwriting Agreement against any loss, claim, liability, expense or damage arising by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties in the performance of its duties hereunder. The parties hereto acknowledge that the foregoing provision shall be applicable solely as to matters arising under Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act, and shall not be construed to impose any duties or obligations upon any such parties under this Underwriting Agreement other than as specifically set forth herein (it being understood that the Underwriters have no duty hereunder to the Fund to perform any due diligence investigation).

 

10.

No Fiduciary Relationship. The Fund and the Advisers hereby acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the purchase and sale of the Shares contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement. The Fund and the Advisers further acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Underwriting Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis, and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Fund, its management, shareholders or creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of such purchase and sale of the Fund’s securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Fund or the Advisers, either in

 

37


  connection with the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Fund and the Advisers hereby confirm their understanding and agreement to that effect. The Fund, the Advisers and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Fund or the Advisers regarding such transactions, including, but not limited to, any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Fund’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Fund or the Advisers. The Fund, the Advisers and the Underwriters agree that each Underwriter is acting solely as principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Fund or the Advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement and no Underwriter has assumed, and no Underwriter will assume, any advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Fund or the Advisers with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Fund or the Advisers on other matters); provided that an Underwriter, in its capacity as an independent contractor, may provide advice to the Advisers as to the structure and organization of the Fund pursuant to a Fee Agreement. The Fund and the Advisers acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement and each of the Fund and the Advisers have consulted its own respective legal, accounting, regulatory, and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Fund and the Advisers hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Fund or the Advisers may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary, advisory or similar duty to the Fund or the Advisers in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Underwriting Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

 

11.

Notices. Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements, requests, notices and agreements shall be in writing and, if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to UBS Securities LLC, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Syndicate Department / [ ] (fax: [ ]); and if to the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, at the offices of the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Chief Legal Officer.

 

12.

Governing Law; Construction. This Underwriting Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Underwriting Agreement (“Claim”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The Section headings in this Underwriting Agreement have been

 

38


  inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Underwriting Agreement.

 

13.

Submission to Jurisdiction. Except as set forth below, no Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Fund and the Underwriters each consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. EACH OF THE UNDERWRITERS, THE FUND (ON ITS BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES), THE INVESTMENT ADVISER (ON ITS BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES) AND THE SUB-ADVISER (ON ITS BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES) WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. Each of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser agrees that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, and may be enforced in any other courts in the jurisdiction of which the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as the case may be, is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.

 

14.

Parties at Interest. The Agreement herein set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and to the extent provided in Section 9 hereof the controlling persons, shareholders, partners, members, trustees, managers, directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates referred to in such section, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and executors and administrators. No other person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser of Shares from any of the Underwriters, in such capacity as purchaser) shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Underwriting Agreement.

 

15.

Counterparts. This Underwriting Agreement may be signed by the parties in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same agreement among the parties.

 

16.

Successors and Assigns. This Underwriting Agreement shall be binding upon the Underwriters, the Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and any successor or assign of any

 

39


  substantial portion of the Fund’s, the Investment Adviser’s, the Sub-Adviser’s or any of the Underwriters’ respective businesses and/or assets, as the case may be.

 

17.

Disclaimer of Liability of Trustees and Beneficiaries. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice hereby is given that this Underwriting Agreement is executed on behalf of the Fund by an officer or Trustee of the Fund in his or her capacity as an officer or Trustee of the Fund and not individually and that the obligations under or arising out of this Underwriting Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and properties of the Fund.

 

18.

Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.

 

  (a)

In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Underwriting Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Underwriting Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Underwriting Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

  (b)

In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

  (i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

  (ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

40


Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

41


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Underwriters, please so indicate in the space provided below, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement among the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Underwriters, severally.

 

Very truly yours,
NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND
 

 

By:
Title:

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
 

 

By:
Title:

 

NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
 

 

By:
Title:


Accepted and agreed to as of the date

first above written, on behalf of

themselves and the other several

Underwriters named in Schedule A

 

UBS SECURITIES LLC
 

 

By:
Title:

 

 

 

By:
Title:

 

[        ]
 

 

By:
Title:


SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriters    Number of Shares  

UBS Securities LLC

     [    

[             ]

     [    
  

 

 

 

Total

     [    
  

 

 

 

 

Schedule A-1


SCHEDULE B

FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE FUND REGARDING THE FUND

 

Schedule B-1


SCHEDULE C

FORM OF OPINION OF INTERNAL COUNSEL

REGARDING NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

 

Schedule C-1


SCHEDULE D

FORM OF OPINION OF INTERNAL COUNSEL

REGARDING NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

Schedule D-1


SCHEDULE E

FORM OF LOCK UP AGREEMENT

 

Schedule E-1


SCHEDULE F

PERSONS SUBJECT TO LOCK-UP

 

Schedule F-1


SCHEDULE G

SALES MATERIALS

 

Schedule G-1

Exhibit h.2

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

                    , 2011

 

 

 

Dear Mr.                                     :

Reference is made to                     Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund currently is making an initial public offering of its common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) through several underwriters. Such offering is referred to herein as the “Offering.” You are acting as lead manager and representative (the “Representative”) of the underwriters of the Offering, and we are participating as a manager and underwriter of the Offering.

We are requesting that we be able to offer certain broker-dealers the opportunity to participate as selling dealers in the Offering. This letter is to confirm our agreement with you as to the terms and conditions on which we may transact business (collectively, the “Nuveen Selected Dealers” and, individually, a “Nuveen Selected Dealer”):

a. Each Nuveen Selected Dealer to whom we offer to sell, or sell, Shares shall have entered into a master selected dealer agreement (“Selected Dealer Agreement”) with Nuveen, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A;

b. Before offering to sell, or selling, Shares to a Nuveen Selected Dealer, Nuveen will carry out such independent investigations as it deems necessary to determine that such dealer satisfies the criteria set forth in Section 6 of the Selected Dealer Agreement;

c. We will act under and enforce each Selected Dealer Agreement only with your consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) or upon your instruction;

d. We shall not allow any Nuveen Selected Dealer purchasing Shares in an Offering a selling concession that is in an amount in excess of the maximum selling concession set by you for selected dealers for the Offering; and

e. We agree upon instruction from you, subject to the other terms of the Offering, to pay for and purchase all Shares that we reserve in the Offering, whether such Shares are reserved by us for our own account or for the account of one or more Nuveen Selected Dealers, and we agree to make all purchases of Shares in accordance with Master Agreement among Underwriters between the Representatives and Nuveen and the underwriting agreement for the Offering of such Shares.

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding regarding the matters described herein, please so indicate by signing a copy of this letter where indicated below and returning a signed copy of this letter to us. For your convenience, a duplicate copy of this letter has been included.

 

NUVEEN INVESTMENTS
By:  

 

  Name: Kevin J. McCarthy
  Title: Vice President


Acknowledged and agreed to as of this      day of                     2011 on behalf of themselves and, in respect of the Offering, the other underwriters of the Offering.

 

By:
By  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit h.3

NUVEEN EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS

 

 

MASTER SELECTED DEALER AGREEMENT

[DATED]

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with public offerings of securities (“Securities”) of registered investment companies sponsored by Nuveen Investments (“Nuveen”) which are underwritten by a group of underwriters (“Underwriters”) which are represented by Nuveen alone or in conjunction with other firms (the “Representatives”), you (a “Dealer”) may be offered from time to time the opportunity to purchase a portion of such securities, as a principal, at a discount from the public offering price representing a selling concession or reallowance granted as consideration for services rendered in the distribution of such securities, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

1. General. (a) This Agreement sets forth the general terms, conditions and representations applicable to any such purchase. These general terms, conditions and representations may be modified, amended or supplemented in connection with an offering of Securities by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or other written form (electronic or otherwise) of communication of Nuveen or other Representative of the Underwriters of such offering (any communication in any such form being herein referred to as a “written communication”) to you in connection with such offering. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to your participation in an offering of Securities upon your acceptance of any reservation of any such Securities, as a Dealer. Such acceptance shall constitute your acceptance of this Agreement as modified, amended or supplemented by any such written communication.

(b) As used herein, the term “Agreement” shall mean this Agreement and, after receipt by you of written notice thereof, any amendment or supplement hereto, plus any additional or supplementary terms, conditions and representations contained in the prospectus relating to the offering of Securities or any other written communication to you from Nuveen or any other Representative of the Underwriters of any offering of securities. This Agreement shall constitute a binding agreement between you and Nuveen, individually, and, in respect of a public offering of Securities, Nuveen and the other Representatives of the Underwriters of such offering on whose behalf Nuveen is acting.


(c) This Agreement supersedes any prior understanding you have with Nuveen with respect to the subject matter hereof.

2. Sales to Selected Dealers. For any specific offering, we will advise you by telegram of the method and terms of offering, the time of the release of the Securities for sale to the public, the initial offering price, the selling concession, the portion of the selling concession allowable to certain dealers (the “reallowance”), the time at which subscription books will be opened, the amount, if any, of Securities reserved for purchase by Dealers and the period of reservation. Subscription books may be closed by us at any time in our discretion without notice, and the right is reserved to reject any subscription in whole or in part. Notification of allotments against the rejections of subscriptions will be made as promptly as practicable. In purchasing Securities, you must rely only on the prospectus, and on no other statements whatsoever, written or oral.

3. Offering Provisions. Upon receipt of the telegram or letter referred to in Section 2 hereof, promptly on the date set forth in such telegram for release of the Securities for sale to the public, you will reoffer the Securities purchased by you hereunder, subject to receipt and acceptance of the Securities by the Underwriters, and upon the other terms, conditions and representations set forth herein and in the prospectus relating to such Securities. Securities purchased hereunder are to be offered to the public at the initial public offering price set forth in the prospectus, except that if a reallowance is in effect, a reallowance from the public offering price not in excess of such reallowance may be allowed by you but only to dealers who are actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business, who execute the written agreement prescribed by Rule 2740(c) of the Rules of Conduct of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) and who are members in good standing of the NASD or are foreign dealers, not eligible for membership in the NASD, who, in each case, represent to you that they will promptly reoffer such Securities to the public at the initial public offering price set forth in the prospectus and will abide by the conditions with respect to foreign brokers and dealers set forth in the first paragraph of Section 6 hereof.

If prior to the completion of a distribution of the Securities in an offering, directly or indirectly in connection with their activities under this agreement, Nuveen or an Underwriter of the offering purchases on the open market any Securities purchased by you under this Agreement as part of the offering, you agree to pay Nuveen or the lead Representative of the Underwriters of the offering on demand an amount equal to the concession with respect to the Securities, plus, as applicable, transfer taxes, broker’s commission, or dealer’s markups, if any, paid in connection with such transactions. Alternatively, Nuveen or the Representatives of the Underwriters of the offering may withhold payment for a period of time of, or determine not to pay, all or any part of the concession with respect to the Securities so received. You will advise Nuveen or any other Representative from time to time at our request, of the number of Securities purchased by you hereunder remaining unsold and you agree to sell to us, at our request, for the account of one or more of the Underwriters, such number of such unsold Securities as we may designate, at the initial offering price less an amount to be determined by us, not in excess of the full concession.


4. Delivery and Payment. Payment for and delivery of Securities purchased by you hereunder will be made through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company, if you are a member, or, if you are not a member, settlement may be made through a correspondent who is a member pursuant to instructions which you will send to us prior to such specified date. At the discretion of Nuveen or a Representative of the Underwriters of the offering, we may require you to pay the full public offering price for any offering of Securities. If you are called upon to pay the full public offering price for the Securities purchased by you the concession will be paid to you, less any amounts charged to your account pursuant to Section 3 above, after termination of this Agreement.

5. Termination. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated by either party by five days’ written notice to the other; provided, that if this Agreement has become effective with respect to any offering of Securities, this Agreement may not be terminated by you with respect to such offering. It shall remain in full force and effect as to such offering. Notwithstanding any distribution and settlement of accounts, you shall be liable for the proper proportion of any transfer tax or other liability which may be asserted against the Representatives or any of the Underwriters or Dealers based upon the claim that the Dealers, or any of them, constitute a partnership, an association, an unincorporated business or other separate entity.

6. Position of Selected Dealers and Underwriters. You represent that you are actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business and are a member in good standing of the NASD or that you are a foreign dealer, not eligible for membership in the NASD, which agrees not to offer or sell any Securities in, or to persons who are nationals or residents of, the United States of America. In making sales of Securities, if you are such a member, you agree to comply with all applicable rules of the NASD, including, without limitation, IM 2110-1 (the NASD’s Interpretation with Respect to Free-Riding and Withholding) and Rules 2740 and 2750 of the NASD’s Rules of Conduct, or, if you are a foreign dealer, you agree to comply with such Interpretation and Rules 2730, 2740 and 2750 of such Rules of Conduct as though you were such a member, and with Rule 2420 as that Rule applies to a non-member broker or dealer in a foreign country. You also confirm that you have complied and will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended including Rule 15c2-8(b) which requires all participating dealers to distribute a copy of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering of Securities to each person to whom they expect to confirm a sale of the Securities not less than 48 hours prior to the time they expect to mail such confirmation. You are not authorized to give any information or make any representations with respect to an offering of Securities other than those contained in the prospectus for the offering, or to act as agent for the issuer, any Underwriter, Representative or Nuveen.

Neither Nuveen, individually or as Representative of the Underwriters, nor any of the Representatives or Underwriters shall be under any liability to you, except for obligations expressly assumed in this Agreement and any liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. No obligations on the part of Nuveen will be implied or inferred herefrom. All communications to Nuveen relating to the subject matter of this Agreement should be addressed to Nuveen Investments, 333 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (Attention: Debbie Taylor), and any notices to you shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at such address as you shall indicate on the last page of this Agreement.


7. Blue Sky Matters. Neither Nuveen, individually or as a Representative of the Underwriters, nor any of the Representatives or Underwriters will have any responsibility with respect to the right of any Dealer to sell Securities in any jurisdiction, notwithstanding any information we may furnish in that connection.

8. Indemnification. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Nuveen and each Representative and Underwriter of an offering of Securities and each person, if any, who controls Nuveen or any such Representative or Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several (including reasonable costs of investigation) (any of the foregoing being hereinafter referred to individually as a “Loss” and collectively, as “Losses”) suffered or incurred by any such indemnified person arising out of or in connection with such offering for or on account of or arising from or in connection with (i) any violation by you of any law, rule or regulation (including any rule of any self-regulatory organization) or (ii) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement. The foregoing indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which you may otherwise have.

9. Procedures Relating to Indemnification. (a) An indemnified person under Section 8 of this Agreement (the “Indemnified Party”) shall give written notice to you of any Loss in respect of which you have a duty to indemnify such Indemnified Party under Section 8 of this Agreement (a “Claim”), specifying in reasonable detail the nature of the Loss for which indemnification is sought, except that any delay or failure so to notify you shall only relieve you of your obligations hereunder to the extent, if at all, that you are actually prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure.

(b) If a Claim results from any action, suit or proceeding brought or asserted against an Indemnified Party, you shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in such action, suit or proceeding and participate in such defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) you have agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) you have failed within a reasonable time to assume the defense and employ counsel or (iii) the named parties to any such action, suit or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and you and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by its counsel that representation of such Indemnified Party and you by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or not such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual or potential differing


interests between you and the Indemnified Party (in which case you shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding on behalf of such Indemnified Party). It is understood, however, that you shall, in connection with any one action, suit or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions, suits or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of only one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties not having actual or potential differing interests with you or among themselves, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives of the offering and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. You shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action, suit or proceeding effected without your written consent, but if settled with such written consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, suit or proceeding, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Party from and against any loss, liability, damage or expense by reason by such settlement or judgment.

(c) With respect to any Claim not within Paragraph (b) of Section 9 hereof, you shall have 20 days from receipt of notice from the Indemnified Party of such Claim within which to respond thereto. If you do not respond within such twenty-day period, you shall be deemed to have accepted responsibility to make payment and shall have no further right to contest the validity of such Claim. If you notify the Indemnified Party within such twenty-day period that you reject such Claim in whole or in part, the Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party under applicable law.

10. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the undersigned contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the indemnity agreements contained in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Representative or Underwriter or any person controlling any Representative or Underwriter, or their directors or officers, (ii) acceptance of any Shares and payment therefor and (iii) any termination of this Agreement.

11. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York or the laws of such other state as indicated in a written communication to you by Nuveen with respect to any particular securities offering.

Please confirm your agreement to the foregoing by signing in the space provided below and returning to us the enclosed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

    NUVEEN INVESTMENTS
    By:  

 

Confirmed as of                         .       Managing Director
                                  [Date]      

 

     


By:  

 

Title:  
Address:  

 

 

 

Exhibit h.4

UBS SECURITIES LLC

MASTER SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT

REGISTERED SEC OFFERINGS

AND

EXEMPT OFFERINGS

(OTHER THAN OFFERINGS OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES)

January 4, 2019

 

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This Master Selected Dealers Agreement (this “Master SDA”), dated as of January 4, 2019, is by and between UBS Securities LLC (including its successors and assigns) (“we,” “our,” “us” or the “Manager”) and the party named on the signature page hereof (a “Dealer,” “you” or “your”). From time to time, in connection with an offering and sale (an “Offering”) of securities (the “Securities”), managed solely by us or with one or more other managers or co-managers, we or one or more of our affiliates may offer you (and others) the opportunity to purchase as principal a portion of such securities on the terms set forth herein as a Selected Dealer (as defined below).

References herein to laws, statutory and regulatory sections, rules, regulations, forms and interpretive materials are deemed to include successor provisions. The following provisions of this Master SDA shall apply separately to each individual Offering of Securities. You and we further agree as follows:

1. Applicability of this Master SDA. The terms and conditions of this Master SDA will be applicable to any Offering in which you accept an offer to participate as a Selected Dealer (including through the receipt by you of Securities), whether pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or exempt from registration thereunder, in respect of which we (acting for our own account or for the account of any underwriting or similar group or syndicate) are responsible for managing or otherwise implementing the sale of Securities to Selected Dealers. A Dealer is a person who meets the requirements of Section 11 hereof. The parties who agree to participate (including by the receipt by such parties of Securities) or are designated a selling concession to Dealers (the “Selling Concession”), and reallowance, if any (the “Reallowance”), in such Offering as selected Dealers are hereinafter referred to as “Selected Dealers”. In the case of any Offering where we are acting for the account of the several underwriters, initial purchasers or others acting in a similar capacity (the “Underwriters”), the terms and conditions of this Master SDA will be for the benefit of such Underwriters, including, in the case of any Offering where we are acting with others as representatives of Underwriters, such other representatives.

2. Terms of the Offering. We may advise you orally or by one or more wires, telexes, telecopy or electronic data transmissions, or other written communications (each, a “Wire”) of the particular method and supplementary terms and conditions of any Offering (including the price or prices at which the Securities initially will be offered by the several Underwriters, or if the price is to be determined by a formula based on market price, the terms of the formula, (the “Offering Price”) and any Selling Concession or, if applicable, Reallowance) in which you are invited to participate. Any such Wire may also amend or modify such provisions of this Master SDA in respect of the Offering to which such Wire relates, and may contain such supplementary provisions as may be specified in any Wire relating to an Offering. To the extent such supplementary terms and conditions are inconsistent with any provision herein, such supplementary terms and conditions shall supersede any provision of this Master SDA. Unless otherwise indicated in any such Wire, acceptances and other communications by you with respect to an Offering should be sent pursuant to the terms of Section 20 hereof.

Notwithstanding that we may not have sent you a Wire or other form of invitation to participate in such Offering or that you may not otherwise have responded by wire or other written communication (any such communication being deemed “In Writing”) to any such Wire or other form of invitation, you will be deemed to have accepted the terms of our offer to participate as a Selected Dealer and of this Master SDA (as amended, modified or supplemented by any Wire) by your purchase of Securities or otherwise receiving and retaining an economic benefit for participating in the Offering as a Selected Dealer. We reserve the right to reject any acceptance in whole or in part.

 

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Any Offering will be subject to delivery of the Securities and their acceptance by us and any other Underwriters may be subject to the approval of all legal matters by counsel and may be subject to the satisfaction of other conditions. Any application for additional Securities will be subject to rejection in whole or in part.

3. Offering Documents. Upon your request, we will furnish, make available to you or make arrangements for you to obtain copies (which may, to the extent permitted by law, be in electronic form) of each prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum, offering circular or similar offering document, and any preliminary version thereof, as soon as reasonably practicable after sufficient quantities thereof have been made available by the issuer of the Securities (each, an “Issuer”) and any guarantor (each, a “Guarantor”) thereof, and, if different from the Issuer, the seller or sellers (each, a “Seller”) of the Securities. You agree that you will comply with the applicable United States federal and state laws, and the applicable rules and regulations of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder, and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of any non-United States jurisdiction, governing the use and distribution of offering materials by brokers and dealers. You represent and warrant that you are familiar with Rule l5c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), relating to the distribution of preliminary and final prospectuses and agree that your purchase of Securities shall constitute your confirmation that you have delivered and will deliver all preliminary prospectuses and final prospectuses required for compliance therewith. You agree to make a record of your distribution of each preliminary prospectus and, when furnished with copies of any revised preliminary prospectus or final prospectus, you will, upon our request, promptly forward copies thereof to each person to whom you have theretofore distributed a preliminary prospectus. You agree that, in purchasing Securities, you will rely upon no statement whatsoever, written or oral, other than the statements in the final prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular or similar offering document delivered to you by us. You are not authorized by the Issuer or other Seller of Securities offered pursuant to a final prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular or similar offering document or by any Underwriters to give any information or to make any representation not contained therein in connection with the sale of such Securities.

4. Offering of Securities.

(a) In respect of any Offering, we will inform you of any Selling Concession and Reallowance, if any. The Offering of Securities is made subject to the conditions referred to in the prospectus, offering memorandum, or offering circular or similar offering document related to the Offering and to the terms and conditions set forth in any Wire. After the initial Offering has commenced, we may change the Offering Price, the Selling Concession and the Reallowance (if any) to Selected Dealers. If a Reallowance is in effect, a reallowance from the Offering Price not in excess of such Reallowance may be allowed (i) in the case of Offerings of Securities that are not exempted securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act), as consideration for services rendered in distribution to Dealers who are either members in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) who agree to abide by the applicable rules of FINRA or non-U.S. banks, brokers, dealers or other non-U.S. institutions not eligible for membership in FINRA who represent to you that they will promptly reoffer such Securities at the Offering Price and will abide by the conditions with respect to non-U.S. banks, dealers and other non-U.S. institutions set forth in Section 11 hereof, or (ii) in the case of Offerings of Securities that are exempted securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act), as consideration for services rendered in distribution not only to Dealers identified in the immediately preceding clause but also to Dealers that are Banks (as defined in Section 11 hereof) and represent to you that they will promptly reoffer such Securities at the Offering Price and will abide by the conditions with respect to Banks set forth in Section 11 hereof.

 

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(b) No expenses will be charged to Selected Dealers. A single transfer tax upon the sale of the Securities by the respective Underwriters to you will be paid by such Underwriters when such Securities are delivered to you. However, you shall pay any transfer tax on sales of Securities by you and you shall pay your proportionate share of any transfer tax or other tax (other than the single transfer tax described above) in the event that any such tax shall from time to time be assessed against you and other Selected Dealers as a group or otherwise.

5. Payment and Delivery. You will deliver to us, on the date and at the place and time specified by us orally or In Writing, payment in the manner and type of currency specified by us orally or In Writing, payable to the order of UBS Securities LLC (or as we may subsequently inform you), for an amount equal to the Offering Price plus (if not included in the Offering Price) accrued interest, amortization of original issue discount or dividends, if any, specified in the prospectus or offering circular or other similar offering document furnished in connection with the Offering of the Securities. We may, in our sole discretion, retain the applicable Selling Concession in respect of the Securities to be purchased by you for release at a date specified by us. We will make payment to the Issuer or Seller against delivery to us for your account of the Securities to be purchased by you, and we will deliver to you the Securities paid for by you which will have been retained by or released to you for direct sale. If we determine that transactions in the Securities are to be settled through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or another clearinghouse facility and payment in the settlement currency is supported by such facility, payment for and delivery of Securities purchased by you will be made through such facility, if you are a participant, or, if you are not a participant, settlement will be made through your ordinary correspondent who is a participant.

6. Over-allotment; Stabilization; Unsold Allotments; Penalty Bids. We may, with respect to any Offering, be authorized to over-allot in arranging sales to Selected Dealers, to purchase and sell Securities for long or short account and to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities. You agree that upon our request at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the provisions of Section 4 hereof with respect to any Offering, you will report to us the amount of Securities purchased by you pursuant to such Offering which then remain unsold by you and will, upon our request at any such time, sell to us for our account or the account of one or more Underwriters such amount of such unsold Securities as we may designate at the Offering Price less an amount to be determined by us not in excess of the Selling Concession. Prior to the termination of the Manager’s authority to cover any short position in connection with the Offering or such other date as the Manager may specify by Wire, if the Manager determines pursuant to the “Initial Public Offering Tracking System” of DTC that the Manager has purchased, or any of your customers have sold, a number or amount of Securities retained by, or released to, you for direct sale or any Securities sold pursuant to Section 4 hereof for which you received a portion of the Selling Concession, or any Securities which may have been issued on transfer or in exchange for such Securities, which Securities were therefore not effectively placed for investment, then you authorize the Manager to charge your account with an amount equal to such portion of the Selling Concession received by you with respect to such Securities at a price equal to the total cost of such purchase, including transfer taxes, accrued interest, dividends, and commissions, if any.

 

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7. Termination.

(a) The terms and conditions set forth in (i) Section 4, (ii) the second sentence of Section 6, (iii) Section 16 and (iv) Section 17 of this Master SDA (collectively, the “offering provisions”) will terminate with respect to each Offering pursuant to this Master SDA at the close of business on the later of (a) the date on which the Underwriters pay the Issuer or Seller for the Securities, and (b) 45 calendar days after the applicable Offering date, unless in either such case the effectiveness of such offering provisions is extended or sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. We may terminate such offering provisions other than Section 6 at any time by notice to you to the effect that the offering provisions are terminated and we may terminate the provisions of Section 6 at any time at or subsequent to the termination of the other offering provisions by notice to you to the effect that the penalty bid provisions are terminated. All other provisions of the Master SDA shall remain operative and in full force and effect with respect to such Offering.

(b) This Master SDA may be terminated by either party hereto upon five business days’ written notice to the other party; provided, however, that with respect to any particular Offering, if we receive any such notice from you after we have advised you of the amount of Securities allotted to you, this Master SDA shall remain in full force and effect as to such Offering and shall terminate with respect to such Offering and all previous Offerings only in accordance with and to the extent provided in subsection (a) of this Section 7.

8. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Master SDA:

(a) In the event that any party that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such party of this Master SDA, and any interest and obligation in or under this Master SDA, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Master SDA, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) In the event that any party that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Master SDA that may be exercised against such party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Master SDA were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

For purposes of this Section 8, a “BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

9. Amendments. This Master SDA may be amended from time to time by consent of the parties hereto. Your consent will be deemed to have been given to an amendment to this Master SDA, and such amendment will be effective, five business days following written notice to you of such amendment if you do not notify us In Writing prior to the close of business on such fifth business day that you do not

 

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consent to such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree that any amendment, supplement or modification of the terms of this Master SDA by Wire or otherwise In Writing will be effective immediately and your consent will be deemed to have been given to any such amendment, supplement or modification by your purchase of Securities or otherwise receiving and retaining an economic benefit for participating in the Offering as a Selected Dealer; provided that such amendment, supplement or modification of the terms of this Master SDA shall only be effective with respect to the related Offering.

10. Relationship Among Underwriters and Selected Dealers. We shall have full authority to take such actions as we deem advisable in all matters pertaining to any Offering under this Master SDA. You are not authorized to act as an agent for us, any Underwriter or the Issuer or other Seller of any Securities in offering Securities to the public or otherwise. Neither we nor any Underwriter will be under any obligation to you except for obligations assumed hereby or in any Wire from us in connection with any Offering, and no obligations on our part as the Manager will be implied hereby or inferred herefrom. Nothing contained in this Master SDA or any Wire shall constitute the Selected Dealers an association or partners with us or any Underwriter or with one another, and the obligations of you and each of the other Selected Dealers or any of the Underwriters are several and not joint. If the Selected Dealers, among themselves, with us or with the Underwriters, should be deemed to constitute a partnership for federal income tax purposes, then you elect to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and agree not to take any position inconsistent with such election. You authorize the Manager, in its discretion, to execute on your behalf such evidence of such election as may be required by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. In connection with any Offering, you will be liable for your proportionate share of the amount of any tax, claim, demand or liability that may be asserted against you alone or against one or more Selected Dealers participating in such Offering, or against us or the Underwriters, based upon the claim that the Selected Dealers, or any of them, constitute an association, an unincorporated business or other entity, including, in each case, your proportionate share of the amount of any expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in defending against any such tax, claim, demand or liability.

11. FINRA Compliance. You represent and warrant that you are (a) a broker or dealer (as defined in Section 3(a)(4) or 3(a)(5) of the 1934 Act) that is a member in good standing of FINRA, (b) a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer or other non-U.S. institution that is not eligible for membership in FINRA and is not required to be registered as a broker or dealer under the 1934 Act (a “non-member non-U.S. dealer”), or (c) only in the case of Offerings of Securities that are exempted securities (as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act), and such other Securities as from time to time may be sold by a “bank” (as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the 1934 Act (a “Bank”)), that you are a Bank that is acting in connection with the Offering in accordance with an applicable exception or exemption from the definitions of broker and dealer under Sections 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) of the 1934 Act.

You further represent, warrant and agree that, in connection with any purchase or sale of the Securities wherein a selling concession, discount or other allowance is received or granted by or to you:

(i) if you are a member of FINRA, you will comply with all applicable rules of FINRA, including, without limitation, the requirements of FINRA Rules 5110, 5121, 5130, 5131 and 5141 (to the extent any or all such rules are applicable to the particular Offering);

(ii) if you are a non-member non-U.S. dealer, (x) you will not make any offers or sales of the Securities in, or to nationals or residents of, the United States, its territories, or its possessions, except to the extent permitted by Rule 15a-6 under the 1934 Act (or any successor rule thereto adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)), (y) in making any offers or sales of the Securities, you will comply with the requirements of the following FINRA rules (including any successor rules

 

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thereto adopted by FINRA): (A) to the extent that you are acting, in respect of offers or sales of the Securities, as a “conduit” for, or are receiving in connection with such offers and sales any selling commissions, discounts, allowances or other compensation from, or are otherwise being directed with respect to allocations or disposition of the Securities by, a FINRA member, FINRA Rule 5130 and FINRA Rule 5141 as though you are a member of FINRA, and (B) NASD Conduct Rule 2420(c), as that Rule applies to a non-member broker or dealer in a non-U.S. country, and (z) you are, and will remain at all relevant times, an appropriately registered or licensed broker or dealer (to the extent required) in your home jurisdiction and in any non-U.S. jurisdiction in which you engage in activities in connection with an Offering;

(iii) if you are a Bank, (x) to the extent you are acting, in respect of offers or sales of the Securities, as a “conduit” for, or are receiving in connection with such offers and sales any selling commissions, discounts, allowances or other compensation from, or are otherwise being directed with respect to allocations or disposition of the Securities by, a FINRA member, you will comply with FINRA Rules 5130 and 5141 as though you are a member of FINRA, and (y) you will not accept any fee or other compensation, or purchase any Securities at a discount from the offering price from any Underwriter or Dealer, which would not be permitted under applicable FINRA rules (including, without limitation, NASD Conduct Rule 2420 or any successor rule thereto adopted by FINRA) or would subject you to registration and regulation as a “broker” or “dealer” under Section 3(a)(4) or 3(a)(5) of the 1934 Act;

(iv) in respect of each Offering in which you participate (as indicated by your participation therein), you have provided to us all documents and other information required to be filed with respect to you, any related person or any person associated with you or any such related person pursuant to FINRA’s requirements and related interpretations with respect to review of corporate financing transactions as such requirements and interpretations relate to such Offering; and

(v) you are fully familiar with the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and FINRA provisions referenced in this Section 11 and elsewhere in this Master SDA.

12. Blue Sky Matters. Upon application to us, we shall inform you as to any advice we have received from counsel concerning the jurisdictions in which Securities have been qualified for sale or are exempt under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of such jurisdictions, but we do not assume any obligation or responsibility as to your right to sell Securities in any such jurisdiction, notwithstanding any information we may furnish to you in that connection.

13. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Master SDA (as it may be modified or supplemented by any Wire) will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State. You hereby irrevocably: (a) submit to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York located in the City of New York or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of the State of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of this Master SDA, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated hereby (each, a “Proceeding”), (b) agree that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, (c) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any immunity from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process therein, (d) agree not to commence any Proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claim that such Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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14. Successors and Assigns. This Master SDA will be binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and other persons specified in Section 1 hereof, and the respective successors and assigns of each of them; provided, however, that you may not assign your rights or delegate any of your duties under this Master SDA without our prior written consent.

15. Compliance with Law. You agree that in selling Securities pursuant to any Offering (which agreement shall also be for the benefit of the Issuer or other Seller of such Securities) you will comply with all applicable rules and regulations, including the applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, the applicable rules and regulations of FINRA, the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or other regulatory or self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction over the Offering and the applicable laws, rules and regulations specified in Section 17 hereof.

16. Discretionary Accounts. In the case of an Offering of Securities registered under the 1933 Act by an Issuer that was not, immediately prior to the filing of the related registration statement, subject to the requirements of Section 13(d) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, you will not make sales to any account over which you exercise discretionary authority in connection with such sale, except as otherwise permitted by us for such Offering In Writing.

17. Offering Restrictions. You will not make any offers or sales of Securities or any other securities in jurisdictions outside the United States except under circumstances that will result in compliance with (a) applicable laws, including private placement requirements, in each such jurisdiction and (b) the restrictions on offers or sales set forth in this Master SDA, any Wire or the prospectus, preliminary prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular, or preliminary offering memorandum or preliminary offering circular or other similar offering document, as the case may be. It is understood that, except as specified in this Master SDA, the prospectus, offering memorandum or offering circular or other similar offering document, or applicable Wire, no action has been taken by us, the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller or any other party to permit you to offer Securities in any jurisdiction other than the United States, in the case of a Registered Offering, where action would be required for such purpose.

18. Prohibition on Money Laundering. The operations of your business and your subsidiaries are and, to your knowledge, have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving you or any of your subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to your knowledge, threatened.

19. Liability of Manager. The Manager will not be liable to you for any act or omission, except for obligations expressly assumed by the Manager In Writing.

20. Notices. Any notice to you will be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, sent by Wire, or delivered in person to you at the address set forth on the signature page hereto (or to such other address, telephone, telecopy or telex as you will be notified by us), or if such address is no longer valid, then at the address set forth in reports filed by you with FINRA. Any such notice will take effect upon receipt thereof. Communications by Wire will be deemed to be “written” communications and made In Writing.

 

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21. Severability. In case any provision in this Master SDA or any Wire is deemed invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

22. Counterparts. This Master SDA may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same instrument. Transmission by telecopy of an executed counterpart of this Master SDA will constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart.

Please confirm by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy of this Master SDA that your subscription to, or your acceptance of any reservation of, any Securities pursuant to an Offering shall constitute (a) acceptance of and agreement to the terms and conditions of this Master SDA (as supplemented and amended pursuant to Section 9 hereof) together with and subject to any supplementary terms and conditions contained in any Wire from us in connection with such Offering, all of which shall constitute a binding agreement between you and us individually or as representative of any Underwriters, (b) confirmation that your representations and warranties set forth herein are true and correct at that time, (c) confirmation that your agreements herein have been and will be fully performed by you to the extent and at the times required thereby and (d) in the case of any Offering described in Section 3 hereof, acknowledgment that you have requested and received from us sufficient copies of the final prospectus, offering memorandum or offering circular, as the case may be, with respect to such Offering in order to comply with your undertakings in Section 17 hereof.

(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)

(Signature page follows)

 

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This Master SDA is dated as of January 4, 2019, and executed by and between UBS Securities LLC and _________________.

 

Very truly yours,
UBS SECURITIES LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Confirmed as of (date):
CONFIRMED: __________, 20__
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
Email:

 

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Master Selected Dealers Agreement

GUIDE TO DEFINED TERMS

 

Term

 

  

Section Reference

 

 

1933 Act

     1  

1934 Act

     3  

Bank

     11  

Dealer

     Foreword  

DTC

     5  

FINRA

     4(a)  

Guarantor

     3  

In Writing

     2  

Issuer

     3  

Manager

     Foreword  

Master SDA

     Foreword  

Money Laundering Laws

     18  

non-member non-U.S. dealer

     11  

Offering

     Foreword  

Offering Price

     2  

offering provisions

     7(a)  

Proceeding

     13  

Reallowance

     1  

SEC

     6  

Securities

     1  

Selected Dealers

     1  

Seller

     3  

Selling Concession

     1  

Underwriters

     1  

Wire

     2  

 

11

Exhibit h.5

 

UBS SECURITIES LLC

MASTER AGREEMENT AMONG UNDERWRITERS

REGISTERED SEC OFFERINGS

(INCLUDING MULTIPLE SYNDICATE OFFERINGS) AND

EXEMPT OFFERINGS

(OTHER THAN OFFERINGS OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES)

 

January 2, 2019

 

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This Master Agreement Among Underwriters (this “Master AAU”), dated as of January 2, 2019, is by and between UBS Securities LLC (“we”) and the party named on the signature page hereto (an “Underwriter,” as defined in Section 1.1 hereof, or “you”).

From time to time we or one or more of our affiliates may invite you (and others) to participate on the terms set forth herein as an underwriter or an initial purchaser, or in a similar capacity, in connection with certain offerings of securities that are managed solely by us or with one or more other co-managers. If we invite you to participate in a specific offering and sale of securities (an “Offering”) to which this Master AAU will apply, we will send the information set forth in Section 1.1 hereof to you by one or more wires, telexes, telecopy or electronic data transmissions, or other written communications (each, a “Wire,” and collectively, an “AAU”), unless you are otherwise deemed to have accepted an AAU with respect to such Offering pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof. Each Wire will indicate that it is a Wire pursuant to this Master AAU. The Wire inviting you to participate in an Offering is referred to herein as an “Invitation Wire.” You and we hereby agree that by the terms hereof the provisions of this Master AAU automatically will be incorporated by reference in each AAU, except that any such AAU may also exclude or revise such provisions of this Master AAU in respect of the Offering to which such AAU relates, and may contain such additional provisions as may be specified in any Wire relating to such AAU. You and we further agree as follows:

I. GENERAL

1.1. Terms of AAU; Certain Definitions; Construction. Each AAU will relate to an Offering, and will identify: (i) the securities to be offered in the Offering (the “Securities”), their principal terms, the issuer or issuers (each, an “Issuer”) and any guarantor (each, a “Guarantor”) thereof, and, if different from the Issuer, the seller or sellers (each, a “Seller”) of the Securities, (ii) the underwriting agreement, purchase agreement, standby underwriting agreement, distribution agreement, or similar agreement (as identified in such AAU and as amended or supplemented, including a terms agreement or pricing agreement pursuant to any of the foregoing, collectively, the “Underwriting Agreement”) providing for the purchase, on a several and not joint basis, of the Securities by the several underwriters, initial purchasers, or others acting in a similar capacity (the “Underwriters”) on whose behalf the Manager (as defined below) executes the Underwriting Agreement, and whether such agreement provides for: (x) an option to purchase Additional Securities (as defined below) to cover over- allotments, or (y) an offering in multiple jurisdictions or markets involving two or more syndicates (an “International Offering”), each of which will offer and sell Securities subject to such restrictions as may be specified in any Intersyndicate Agreement (as defined below) referred to in such AAU, (iii) the price at which the Securities are to be purchased by the several Underwriters from any Issuer or Seller thereof (the “Purchase Price”), (iv) the offering terms, including, if applicable, the price or prices at which the Securities initially will be offered by the Underwriters (the “Offering Price”), any selling concession to dealers (the “Selling Concession”), reallowance (the “Reallowance”), management fee, global coordinators’ fee, praecipium, or other similar fees, discounts, or commissions (collectively, the “Fees and Commissions”) with respect to the Securities, and (v) other principal terms of the Offering, which may include, without limitation: (A) the proposed or actual pricing date (“Pricing Date”) and settlement date (the “Settlement Date”), (B) any contractual restrictions on the offer and sale of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Intersyndicate Agreement, or otherwise, (C) any co-managers for such Offering (the “Co- Managers”), (D) your proposed participation in the Offering, and (E) any trustee, fiscal agent, or similar agent (the “Trustee”) for the indenture, trust agreement, fiscal agency agreement, or similar agreement (the “Indenture”) under which such Securities will be issued.

 

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Manager” means UBS Securities LLC, except as set forth in Section 9.9 hereof. “Representative” means the Manager and any Co-Manager that signs the applicable Underwriting Agreement on behalf of the Underwriters or is identified as a Representative in the applicable Underwriting Agreement. “Underwriters” includes the Representative(s), the Manager, and the Co-Managers.Firm Securities” means the number or amount of Securities that the several Underwriters are initially committed to purchase under the Underwriting Agreement (which may be expressed as a percentage of an aggregate number or amount of Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters, as in the case of a standby Underwriting Agreement). “Additional Securities” means the Securities, if any, that the several Underwriters have an option to purchase under the Underwriting Agreement to cover over-allotments. The number, amount, or percentage of Firm Securities set forth opposite each Underwriter’s name in the Underwriting Agreement plus any additional Firm Securities which such Underwriter has made a commitment to purchase, irrespective of whether such Underwriter actually purchases or sells such number, amount, or percentage of Securities under the Underwriting Agreement or Article XI hereof, is hereinafter referred to as the “Original Underwriting Obligation” of such Underwriter, and the ratio which such Original Underwriting Obligation bears to the total of all Firm Securities set forth in the Underwriting Agreement (or, in the case of a standby Underwriting Agreement, to 100%) is hereinafter referred to as the “Underwriting Percentage” of such Underwriter. For the avoidance of doubt, each Underwriter acknowledges and agrees that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise (including, to the extent applicable, for purposes of Section 11(e) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”)), each Underwriter’s Underwriting Percentage of the total number, amount, or percentage of Securities offered and sold in the Offering (including any Additional Securities), and only such number, amount, or percentage, constitutes the securities underwritten by such Underwriter and distributed to investors.1

References herein to laws, statutory and regulatory sections, rules, regulations, forms, and interpretive materials will be deemed to include any successor provisions.

1.2. Acceptance of AAU. You will have accepted an AAU for an Offering if:

(a) we receive your acceptance, prior to the time specified in the Invitation Wire for such Offering, by wire, telex, telecopy or electronic data transmission, or other written communication (any such communication being deemed “In Writing”) or orally (if promptly confirmed In Writing), in the manner specified in the Invitation Wire, of our invitation to participate in the Offering, or (b) notwithstanding that we did not send you an Invitation Wire or you have not otherwise responded In Writing to any such Wire, you: (i) agree (orally or by a Wire) to be named as an Underwriter in the relevant Underwriting Agreement executed by us as Manager, or (ii) receive and retain an economic benefit for participating in the Offering as an Underwriter. Your acceptance of the invitation to participate will cause such AAU to constitute a valid and binding contract between us. Your acceptance of the AAU as provided above or an Invitation Wire will also constitute acceptance by you of the terms of subsequent Wires to you relating to the Offering unless we receive In Writing, within the time and in the manner specified in such subsequent Wire, a notice from you to the effect that you do not accept the terms of such subsequent Wire, in which case you will be deemed to have elected not to participate in the Offering.

 

1 Meant to clarify mechanics of underwriting for purposes of Section 11(e), and rebut footnote 8 of the WorldCom decision (See In re: Worldcom, Inc. Securities Litigation, U.S. Dist. Ct. (SDNY), slip-op 02 Civ 3288, March 14, 2005 (unpublished)).

 

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1.3. Underwriters’ Questionnaire. Your acceptance of the Invitation Wire for an Offering or your participation in an Offering as an Underwriter will confirm that you have no exceptions to the Underwriters’ Questionnaire attached as Exhibit A hereto (or to any other questions addressed to you in any Wires relating to the Offering previously sent to you), other than exceptions noted by you In Writing in connection with the Offering and received from you by us before the time specified in the Invitation Wire or any subsequent Wire.

II. OFFERING MATERIALS; OFFERING AGREEMENTS

2.1. Registered Offerings. In the case of an Offering that will be registered in whole or in part (a “Registered Offering”) under the 1933 Act, you acknowledge that the Issuer has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement, including a prospectus relating to the Securities. “Registration Statement” means such registration statement as amended to the effective date of the Underwriting Agreement and, in the event that the Issuer files an abbreviated registration statement to register additional Securities pursuant to Rule 462(b) or 462(e) under the 1933 Act, such abbreviated registration statement. “Prospectus” means the prospectus, together with the final prospectus supplement, if any, containing the final terms of the Securities and, in the case of a Registered Offering that is an International Offering, “Prospectus” means, collectively, each prospectus or offering circular, together with each final prospectus supplement or final offering circular supplement, if any, relating to the Offering, in the respective forms containing the final terms of the Securities. “Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus relating to the Offering or any preliminary prospectus supplement together with a prospectus relating to the Offering and, in the case of a Registered Offering that is an International Offering, “Preliminary Prospectus” means, collectively, each preliminary prospectus or preliminary offering circular relating to the Offering or each preliminary prospectus supplement or preliminary offering circular supplement, together with a prospectus or offering circular, respectively, relating to the Offering. “Free Writing Prospectus” means, in the case of a Registered Offering, a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act. As used herein the terms “Registration Statement,” “Prospectus,” “Preliminary Prospectus,” and “Free Writing Prospectus” will include in each case the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein, and as used herein, the term “Registration Statement” includes information deemed to be part thereof pursuant to, and as of the date and time specified in, Rules 430A, 430B, or 430C under the 1933 Act, while the terms “Prospectus” and “Preliminary Prospectus” include information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act, but only as of the actual time that information is first used or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act. The Manager will furnish, make available to you, or make arrangements for you to obtain copies (which may, to the extent permitted by law, be in electronic form) of each Prospectus and Preliminary Prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if applicable, but excluding, for this purpose, unless otherwise required pursuant to rules or regulations under the 1933 Act, documents incorporated therein by reference) as soon as practicable after sufficient quantities thereof have been made available by the Issuer.

As used herein, in the case of an Offering that is an offering of asset-backed securities, the term “ABS Underwriter Derived Information” means any analytical or computational materials as described in clause (5) of footnote 271 of Commission Release No. 33-8591, issued July 19, 2005 (Securities Offering Reform) (the “Securities Offering Reform Release”).

 

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2.2. Non-Registered Offerings. In the case of an Offering other than a Registered Offering, you acknowledge that no registration statement has been filed with the Commission. “Offering Circular” means the final offering circular or memorandum, if any, or any other final written materials authorized by the Issuer to be used in connection with an Offering that is not a Registered Offering. “Preliminary Offering Circular” means any preliminary offering circular or memorandum, if any, or any other written preliminary materials authorized by the Issuer to be used in connection with such an Offering. As used herein, the terms “Offering Circular” and “Preliminary Offering Circular” include the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein. We will either, as soon as practicable after the later of the date of the Invitation Wire or the date made available to us by the Issuer, furnish to you (or make available for your review) a copy of any Preliminary Offering Circular or any proof or draft of the Offering Circular. In any event, in any Offering involving an Offering Circular, the Manager will furnish, make available to you, or make arrangements for you to obtain, as soon as practicable after sufficient quantities thereof are made available by the Issuer, copies (which may, to the extent permitted by law, be in electronic form) of the Preliminary Offering Circular and Offering Circular, as amended or supplemented, if applicable (but excluding, for this purpose, documents incorporated therein by reference).

2.3. Authority to Execute Underwriting and Intersyndicate Agreements. You authorize the Manager, on your behalf: (a) to determine the form of the Underwriting Agreement and to execute and deliver to the Issuer, Guarantor, or Seller the Underwriting Agreement to purchase: (i) up to the number, amount, or percentage of Firm Securities set forth in the applicable AAU, and (ii) if the Manager elects on behalf of the several Underwriters to exercise any option to purchase Additional Securities, up to the number, amount, or percentage of Additional Securities set forth in the applicable AAU, subject, in each case, to reduction pursuant to Article IV; and (b) to determine the form of any agreement or agreements, including, but not limited to, underwriting agreements, between or among the syndicates participating in the Offering or International Offering, respectively (each, an “Intersyndicate Agreement”), and to execute and deliver any such Intersyndicate Agreement.

III. MANAGER’S AUTHORITY

3.1. Terms of Offering. You authorize the Manager to act as manager of the Offering of the Securities by the Underwriters (the “Underwriters’ Securities”) or by the Issuer or Seller pursuant to delayed delivery contracts (the “Contract Securities”), if any, contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement. You authorize the Manager: (i) to purchase any or all of the Additional Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) to agree, on your behalf and on behalf of the Co- Managers, to any addition to, change in, or waiver of any provision of, or the termination of, the Underwriting Agreement or any Intersyndicate Agreement (other than an increase in the Purchase Price or in your Original Underwriting Obligation to purchase Securities, in either case from that contemplated by the applicable AAU), (iii) to add prospective or remove existing Underwriters from the syndicate, (iv) to exercise, in the Manager’s discretion, all of the authority vested in the Manager in the Underwriting Agreement, (v) except as described below in this Section 3.1, to take any other action as may seem advisable to the Manager in respect of the Offering (including, in the case of an Offering of asset-backed securities, the preparation and delivery of ABS Underwriter Derived Information), including actions and communications with the Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), state blue sky or securities commissions, stock exchanges, and other regulatory bodies or organizations. Furthermore, the Manager will have exclusive authority, on your behalf and on behalf of the Co-Managers, to exercise powers and pursue enforcement of the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement and any Intersyndicate Agreement, whether or not actually exercised, except as otherwise specified herein or therein. If, in

 

5


accordance with the terms of the applicable AAU, the Offering of the Securities is at varying prices based on prevailing market prices, or prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, you authorize the Manager to determine, on your behalf in the Manager’s discretion, any Offering Price and the Fees and Commissions applicable to the Offering from time to time. You authorize the Manager on your behalf to arrange for any currency transactions (including forward and hedging currency transactions) as the Manager may deem necessary to facilitate settlement of the purchase of the Securities, but you do not authorize the Manager on your behalf to engage in any other forward or hedging transactions (including interest rate hedging transactions) in connection with the Offering unless such transactions are specified in an applicable AAU or are otherwise consented to by you. You further authorize the Manager, subject to the provisions of Section 1.2 hereof: (i) to vary the offering terms of the Securities in effect at any time, including, if applicable, the Offering Price, Fees, and Commissions set forth in the applicable AAU, (ii) to determine, on your behalf, the Purchase Price, and (iii) to increase or decrease the number, amount, or percentage of Securities being offered. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1, the Manager will notify the Underwriters, prior to the signing of the Underwriting Agreement, of any provision in the Underwriting Agreement that could result in an increase in the number, amount, or percentage of Firm Securities set forth opposite each Underwriter’s name in the Underwriting Agreement by more than 25% (or such other percentage as will have been specified in the applicable Invitation Wire or otherwise consented to by you) as a result of the failure or refusal of another Underwriter or Underwriters to perform its or their obligations thereunder. The Manager may, at its discretion, delegate to any Underwriter any and all authority vested in the applicable AAU, including, but not limited to, the powers set forth in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof.

3.2. Offering Date. The Offering is to be made on or about the time the Underwriting Agreement is entered into by the Issuer, Guarantor, or Seller and the Manager as in the Manager’s judgment is advisable, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, and the applicable AAU. You will not sell any Securities prior to the time the Manager releases such Securities for sale to purchasers. The date on which such Securities are released for sale is referred to herein as the “Offering Date.”

3.3. Communications. Any public announcement or advertisement of the Offering will be made by the Manager on behalf of the Underwriters on such date as the Manager may determine. You will not announce or advertise the Offering prior to the date of the Manager’s announcement or advertisement thereof without the Manager’s consent. You will abide by any restrictions in the Underwriting Agreement relating to any general solicitation, announcement, advertising, or publicity in addition to the restrictions in this Section 3.3. Further, if the Offering is made in whole or in part in reliance on any applicable exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, you will not engage in any general solicitation, announcement, or advertising in connection with the Offering that would be inconsistent with such exemption. Any announcement or advertisement you may make of the Offering after such date will be your own responsibility, and at your own expense and risk. In addition to your compliance with restrictions on the Offering pursuant to Sections 10.10, 10.11, and 10.12 hereof, you represent that you have not, and you agree that you will not, in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities in the Offering, give, send, or otherwise convey to any prospective purchaser or any purchaser of the Securities or other person not in your employ any written communication (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) other than:

(i) any Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus, Preliminary Offering Circular, or Offering Circular,

(ii) (A) written confirmations and notices of allocation delivered to your customers in accordance with Rules 172 or 173 under the 1933 Act, and written communications based on

 

6


the exemption provided by Rule 134 under the 1933 Act, and (B) in the case of Offerings not registered under the 1933 Act, such written communications (1) as would be permitted by Section 3.3(v)(D)(1) below were such Offering registered under the 1933 Act, or (2) that the Manager or Underwriting Agreement may permit; provided, however, that such written communication under this clause (B) would not have otherwise constituted “Issuer Information” as defined below, or would have qualified for the exemption provided by Rule 134 under the 1933 Act, in each case, if such communication had been furnished in the context of a Registered Offering (“Supplemental Materials”),

(iii) any “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433(h) under the 1933 Act, an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”), the issuance or use of which has been permitted or consented to by the Issuer and the Manager,

(iv) information contained in any computational materials, or in the case of an Offering of asset backed securities, the ABS Underwriter Derived Information, or any other offering materials not constituting a Free Writing Prospectus concerning the Offering, the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller, in each case, prepared by or with the permission of the Manager for use by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, and, in the case of a Registered Offering, filed (if required) with the Commission or FINRA, as applicable,

(v) a Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used or referred to by, an Underwriter in connection with the Offering, so long as: (A) such Free Writing Prospectus is not required to be filed with the Commission, (B) the proposed use of such Free Writing Prospectus is permitted by the Underwriting Agreement, (C) such Free Writing Prospectus complies with the legending condition of Rule 433 under the 1933 Act, and you comply with the record-keeping condition of Rule 433, and (D) (1) such Free Writing Prospectus contains only information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities and other pricing data2 that is not “Issuer Information” (as defined in Rule 433(h) under the 1933 Act, including footnote 271 of the Securities Offering Reform Release), or (2) the Issuer has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to file a final term sheet under Rule 433 within the time period necessary to avoid a requirement for any Underwriter to file the Free Writing Prospectus to be used by such Underwriter, and the Free Writing Prospectus used by such Underwriter contains only information describing the terms of the Securities or their offering that is included in such final term sheet of the Issuer and other pricing data that is not Issuer Information (a Free Writing Prospectus meeting the requirements of (A) through (D) above is referred to herein as an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”). Without limiting the foregoing, any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus that you use or refer to will not be distributed by you or on your behalf in a manner reasonably designed to lead to its broad unrestricted dissemination. You will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder in connection with your use of any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus,

 

2 Meant to permit disclosure of non-Issuer related information, such as benchmark Treasury rate, in preliminary term sheets or price talk.

 

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(vi) any written communication prepared by or on behalf of, or used or referred to by, the Issuer, the conveyance of which by you in reliance on Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act has been permitted or consented to by the Issuer and the Manager (a “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication”), so long as (A) you convey any such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication solely to entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the 1933 Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the 1933 Act, and (B) you otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act, and

(vii) any written communication not otherwise permitted under clauses (i) through (vi) above, the conveyance of which by you has been permitted or consented to by the Manager (a “Manager-Approved Communication”).

3.4. Institutional and Retail Sales. You authorize the Manager to sell to institutions and retail purchasers such Securities purchased by you pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement as the Manager will determine. The Selling Concession on any such sales will be credited to the accounts of the Underwriters as the Manager will determine.

3.5. Sales to Dealers. You authorize the Manager to sell to Dealers (as defined below) such Securities purchased by you pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement as the Manager will determine. A “Dealer” will be a person who is: (a) a broker or dealer (as defined by FINRA) actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business, and (i) a member in good standing of FINRA, or (ii) a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer, or other institution not eligible for membership in FINRA that, in the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii), makes the representations and agreements applicable to such institutions contained in Section 10.5 hereof, or (b) in the case of Offerings of Securities that are exempt securities under Section 3(a)(12) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), and such other Securities as from time to time may be sold by a “bank” (as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the 1934 Act (a “Bank”)), a Bank that is not a member of FINRA and that makes the representations and agreements applicable to such institutions contained in Section 10.5 hereof. If the price for any such sales by the Manager to Dealers exceeds an amount equal to the Offering Price less the Selling Concession set forth in the applicable AAU, the amount of such excess, if any, will be credited to the accounts of the Underwriters as the Manager will determine.

3.6. Direct Sales. The Manager will advise you promptly, on the Offering Date, as to the Securities purchased by you pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement that you will retain for direct sale. At any time prior to the termination of the applicable AAU, any such Securities that are held by the Manager for sale but not sold may, on your request and at the Manager’s discretion, be released to you for direct sale, and Securities so released to you will no longer be deemed held for sale by the Manager. You may allow, and Dealers may reallow, a discount on sales to Dealers in an amount not in excess of the Reallowance set forth in the applicable AAU. You may not purchase Securities from, or sell Securities to, any other Underwriter or Dealer at any discount or concession other than the Reallowance, except with the prior consent of the Manager.

 

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3.7. Release of Unsold Securities. From time to time prior to the termination of the applicable AAU, at the request of the Manager, you will advise the Manager of the number or amount of Securities remaining unsold which were retained by or released to you for direct sale, and of the number or amount of Securities and Other Securities (as defined below) purchased for your account remaining unsold which were delivered to you pursuant to Article V hereof or pursuant to any Intersyndicate Agreement, and, on the request of the Manager, you will release to the Manager any such Securities and Other Securities remaining unsold:

(a) for sale by the Manager to institutions, Dealers, or retail purchasers, (b) for sale by the Issuer or Seller pursuant to delayed delivery contracts, or (c) if, in the Manager’s opinion, such Securities or Other Securities are needed to make delivery against sales made pursuant to Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement.

3.8. International Offerings. In the case of an International Offering, you authorize the Manager: (i) to make representations on your behalf as set forth in any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (ii) to purchase or sell for your account pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement: (a) Securities, (b) any other securities of the same class and series, or any securities into which the Securities may be converted or for which the Securities may be exchanged or exercised, and (c) any other securities designated in the applicable AAU or applicable Intersyndicate Agreement (the securities referred to in clauses (b) and (c) above being referred to collectively as the “Other Securities”).

IV. DELAYED DELIVERY CONTRACTS

4.1. Arrangements for Sales. Arrangements for sales of Contract Securities will be made only through the Manager acting either directly or through Dealers (including Underwriters acting as Dealers), and you authorize the Manager to act on your behalf in making such arrangements. The aggregate number or amount of Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters will be reduced by the respective number or amounts of Contract Securities attributed to such Underwriters as hereinafter provided. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, the aggregate number or amount of Contract Securities will be attributed to the Underwriters as nearly as practicable in proportion to their respective Underwriting Percentages, except that, as determined by the Manager in its discretion: (a) Contract Securities directed and allocated by a purchaser to specific Underwriters will be attributed to such Underwriters, and (b) Contract Securities for which arrangements have been made for sale through Dealers will be attributed to each Underwriter approximately in the proportion that Securities of such Underwriter held by the Manager for sales to Dealers bear to all Securities so held. The fee with respect to Contract Securities payable to the Manager for the accounts of the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement will be credited to the accounts of the respective Underwriters in proportion to the Contract Securities attributed to such Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.1, less, in the case of each Underwriter, the concession to Dealers on Contract Securities sold through Dealers and attributed to such Underwriter.

4.2. Excess Sales. If the number or amount of Contract Securities attributable to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof would exceed such Underwriter’s Original Underwriting Obligation reduced by the number or amount of Underwriters’ Securities sold by or on behalf of such Underwriter, such excess will not be attributed to such Underwriter, and such Underwriter will be regarded as having acted only as a Dealer with respect to, and will receive only the concession to Dealers on, such excess.

 

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V. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES

5.1. Facilitation of Distribution. In order to facilitate the distribution and sale of the Securities, you authorize the Manager to buy and sell Securities and any Other Securities, in addition to Securities sold pursuant to Article III hereof, in the open market or otherwise (including, without limitation, pursuant to any Intersyndicate Agreement), for long or short account, on such terms as it may deem advisable, and to over-allot in arranging sales. Such purchases and sales and over-allotments will be made for the accounts of the several Underwriters as nearly as practicable to their respective Underwriting Percentages or, in the case of an International Offering, such purchases and sales will be for such accounts as set forth in the applicable Intersyndicate Agreement. Any Securities or Other Securities which may have been purchased by the Manager for stabilizing purposes in connection with the Offering prior to the acceptance of the applicable AAU will be treated as having been purchased pursuant to this Section 5.1 for the accounts of the several Underwriters or, in the case of an International Offering, for such accounts as are set forth in the applicable Intersyndicate Agreement. Your net commitment pursuant to the foregoing authorization will not exceed at the close of business on any day an amount equal to 20% of your Underwriting Percentage of the aggregate initial Offering Price of the Firm Securities, it being understood that, in calculating such net commitment, the initial Offering Price will be used with respect to the Securities so purchased or sold and, in the case of all Other Securities, will be the purchase price thereof. For purposes of determining your net commitment for short account (i.e., “naked short”), any short position that can be covered with: (a) Securities that may be purchased upon exercise of any over-allotment option then exercisable, (b) in the case of an International Offering, any Securities or Other Securities that the Manager has agreed to purchase for your account pursuant to any applicable Intersyndicate Agreement, and (c) Securities that may be purchased pursuant to a forward sale contract or similar arrangement with the Issuer or any selling security holder in the Offering, will be disregarded. On demand you will take up and pay for any Securities or Other Securities so purchased for your account and any Securities released to you pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof, and will deliver to the Manager against payment any Securities or Other Securities so sold or over-allotted for your account or released to you. The Manager will notify you if it engages in any stabilization transaction in accordance with Rule 17a-2 under the 1934 Act, and will notify you of the date of termination of stabilization. You will not stabilize or engage in any syndicate covering transaction (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the 1934 Act (“Regulation M”)) in connection with the Offering without the prior consent of the Manager. You will provide to the Manager any reports required of you pursuant to Rule 17a-2 under the 1934 Act not later than the date specified therein.

5.2. Penalty with Respect to Securities Repurchased by the Manager. If pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.1 hereof and prior to the termination of the Manager’s authority to cover any short position incurred under the applicable AAU or such other date as the Manager may specify in a Wire, either: (a) the Manager purchases or contracts to purchase for the account of any Underwriter in the open market or otherwise any Securities which were retained by, or released to, you for direct sale or any Securities sold pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof for which you received a portion of the Selling Concession set forth in the applicable AAU, or any Securities which may have been issued on transfer or in exchange for such Securities, and which Securities were therefore not effectively placed for investment, or (b) if the Manager has advised you by Wire that trading in the Securities will be reported to the Manager pursuant to the “Initial Public Offering Tracking System” of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and the Manager determines, based on notices from DTC, that your customers sold a number or amount of Securities during any day that exceeds the number or amount previously notified to you by Wire, then you authorize the Manager either to charge your account with an amount equal to such portion of the Selling Concession set forth in the applicable AAU received by you with respect to such Securities or, in the case of clause (b), such Securities as exceed

 

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the number or amount specified in such Wire, or to require you to repurchase such Securities or, in the case of clause (b), such Securities as exceed the number or amount specified in such Wire, at a price equal to the total cost of such purchase, including transfer taxes, accrued interest, dividends, and commissions, if any.

5.3. Compliance with Regulation M. You represent that, at all times since you were invited to participate in the Offering, you have complied with the provisions of Regulation M applicable to the Offering, in each case as interpreted by the Commission and after giving effect to any applicable exemptions. If you have been notified in a Wire that the Underwriters may conduct passive market making in compliance with Rule 103 of Regulation M in connection with the Offering, you represent that, at all times since your receipt of such Wire, you have complied with the provisions of such Rule applicable to such Offering, as interpreted by the Commission and after giving effect to any applicable exemptions. You will comply with any additional provisions of Regulation M if and to the extent set forth in the Invitation Wire or other Wire.

5.4. Standby Underwritings. You authorize the Manager in its discretion, at any time on, or from time to time prior to, the expiration of the conversion right of convertible securities identified in the applicable AAU in the case of securities called for redemption, or the expiration of rights to acquire securities in the case of rights offerings, for which, in either case, standby underwriting arrangements have been made: (i) to purchase convertible securities or rights to acquire Securities for your account, in the open market or otherwise, on such terms as the Manager determines, and to convert convertible securities or exercise rights so purchased; and (ii) to offer and sell the underlying common stock or depositary shares for your account, in the open market or otherwise, for long or short account (for purposes of such commitment, such common stock or depositary shares being considered the equivalent of convertible securities or rights), on such terms consistent with the terms of the Offering set forth in the Prospectus or Offering Circular as the Manager determines. On demand, you will take up and pay for any securities so purchased for your account or you will deliver to the Manager against payment any securities so sold, as the case may be. During such period, you may offer and sell the underlying common stock or depositary shares, but only at prices set by the Manager from time to time, and any such sales will be subject to the Manager’s right to sell to you the underlying common stock or depositary shares as above provided and to the Manager’s right to reserve your securities purchased, received, or to be received upon conversion. You agree not to otherwise bid for, purchase, or attempt to induce others to purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any convertible securities or rights or underlying common stock or depositary shares, provided, however, that no Underwriter will be prohibited from: (a) selling underlying common stock owned beneficially by such Underwriter on the day the convertible securities were first called for redemption, (b) converting convertible securities owned beneficially by such Underwriter on such date or selling underlying common stock issued upon conversion of convertible securities so owned, (c) exercising rights owned beneficially by such Underwriter on the record date for a rights offering, or selling the underlying common stock or depositary shares issued upon exercise of rights so owned, or (d) purchasing or selling convertible securities or rights or underlying common stock or depositary shares as a broker pursuant to unsolicited orders.

 

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VI. PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT

You will deliver to the Manager on the date and at the place and time specified in the applicable AAU (or on such later date and at such place and time as may be specified by the Manager in a subsequent Wire) the funds specified in the applicable AAU, payable to the order of UBS Securities LLC, for: (a) an amount equal to the Offering Price plus (if not included in the Offering Price) accrued interest, amortization of original issue discount or dividends, if any, specified in the Prospectus or Offering Circular, less the applicable Selling Concession in respect of the Firm Securities to be purchased by you, (b) an amount equal to the Offering Price plus (if not included in the Offering Price) accrued interest, amortization of original issue discount or dividends, if any, specified in the Prospectus or Offering Circular, less the applicable Selling Concession in respect of such of the Firm Securities to be purchased by you as will have been retained by or released to you for direct sale as contemplated by Section 3.6 hereof, or (c) the amount set forth or indicated in the applicable AAU, as the Manager will advise. You will make similar payment as the Manager may direct for Additional Securities, if any, to be purchased by you on the date specified by the Manager for such payment. The Manager will make payment to the Issuer or Seller against delivery to the Manager for your account of the Securities to be purchased by you, and the Manager will deliver to you the Securities paid for by you which will have been retained by or released to you for direct sale. If the Manager determines that transactions in the Securities are to be settled through DTC or another clearinghouse facility and payment in the settlement currency is supported by such facility, payment for and delivery of Securities purchased by you will be made through such facilities, if you are a participant, or, if you are not a participant, settlement will be made through your ordinary correspondent who is a participant.

VII. EXPENSES

7.1. Management Fee. You authorize the Manager to charge your account as compensation for the Manager’s and Co-Managers’ services in connection with the Offering, including the purchase from the Issuer or Seller of the Securities, as the case may be, and the management of the Offering, the amount, if any, set forth as the management fee, global coordinators’ fee, praecipium, or other similar fee in the applicable AAU. Such amount will be divided among the Manager and any Co-Managers named in the applicable AAU as they may determine. Each Underwriter acknowledges that such fees are being paid by the Underwriters, and are not a benefit received directly or indirectly from the Issuer of the type referred to in Section 11(e) of the 1933 Act.

7.2. Offering Expenses. You authorize the Manager to charge your account with your Underwriting Percentage of all expenses agreed to be paid by the Underwriters in the Underwriting Agreement and all expenses of a general nature incurred by the Manager and Co-Managers under the applicable AAU in connection with the Offering, including the negotiation and preparation thereof, or in connection with the purchase, carrying, marketing, sale and distribution of any securities under the applicable AAU and any Intersyndicate Agreement, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, transfer taxes, costs associated with approval of the Offering by FINRA, and the costs of currency transactions (including forward and hedging currency transactions) or, if permitted pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, any other forward or hedging transactions (including interest rate swaps) entered into to facilitate settlement of the purchase of Securities permitted hereunder.

 

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VIII. MANAGEMENT OF SECURITIES AND FUNDS

8.1. Advances; Loans; Pledges. You authorize the Manager to advance the Manager’s own funds for your account, charging current interest rates, and to arrange loans for your account for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the applicable AAU and any Intersyndicate Agreement, and in connection therewith, to hold or pledge as security therefor all or any securities which the Manager may be holding for your account under the applicable AAU and any Intersyndicate Agreement, to execute and deliver any notes or other instruments evidencing such advances or loans, and to give all instructions to the lenders with respect to any such loans and the proceeds thereof. The obligations of the Underwriters under loans arranged on their behalf will be several in proportion to their respective Original Underwriting Obligations, and not joint. Any lender is authorized to accept the Manager’s instructions as to the disposition of the proceeds of any such loans. In the event of any such advance or loan, repayment thereof will, in the discretion of the Manager, be effected prior to making any remittance or delivery pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, or 9.2 hereof.

8.2. Return of Amount Paid for Securities. Out of payment received by the Manager for Securities sold for your account which have been paid for by you, the Manager will remit to you promptly an amount equal to the price paid by you for such Securities.

8.3. Delivery and Redelivery of Securities for Carrying Purposes. The Manager may deliver to you from time to time prior to the termination of the applicable AAU pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof against payment, for carrying purposes only, any Securities or Other Securities purchased by you under the applicable AAU or any Intersyndicate Agreement which the Manager is holding for sale for your account but which are not sold and paid for. You will redeliver to the Manager against payment any Securities or Other Securities delivered to you for carrying purposes at such times as the Manager may demand.

IX. TERMINATION; INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION; SETTLEMENT

9.1. Termination. Each AAU will terminate at the close of business on the later of: (a) the date on which the Underwriters pay the Issuer or Seller for the Securities, and (b) 45 calendar days after the applicable Offering Date, unless sooner terminated by the Manager. The Manager may at its discretion by notice to you prior to the termination of such AAU alter any of the terms or conditions of the Offering to the extent permitted by Articles III and IV hereof, or terminate or suspend the effectiveness of Article V hereof, or any part thereof. No termination or suspension pursuant to this paragraph will affect the Manager’s authority under Section 3.1 hereof to take actions in respect of the Offering or under Article V hereof to cover any short position incurred under such AAU or in connection with covering any such short position to require you to repurchase Securities as specified in Section 5.2 hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise agreed in a Wire or an Intersyndicate Agreement, the Manager’s authority to purchase Securities or Other Securities, for long account, pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, will terminate or be suspended upon the termination or suspension, as the case may be, of the applicable AAU (or any provision and/or term thereof in respect of trading, price or offering restrictions as set forth in a Wire that is sent by the Manager following the time the Securities are released for sale to purchasers) or Article V or Section 5.1 hereof pursuant to this paragraph.

9.2. Delivery or Sale of Securities; Settlement of Accounts. Upon termination of each AAU, or prior thereto at the Manager’s discretion, the Manager will deliver to you any Securities paid for by you pursuant to Article VI hereof and held by the Manager for sale pursuant to Section 3.4 or 3.5 hereof but not sold and paid for and any Securities or Other Securities that are held by the Manager

 

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for your account pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the termination of such AAU, if the aggregate initial Offering Price of any such Securities and the aggregate purchase price of any Other Securities so held and not sold and paid for does not exceed an amount equal to 20% of the aggregate initial Offering Price of the Securities, the Manager may, in its discretion, sell such Securities and Other Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters, at such prices, on such terms, at such times, and in such manner as it may determine. Within the period specified by applicable FINRA Rules or, if no period is so specified, as soon as practicable after termination of such AAU, your account will be settled and paid. The Manager may reserve from distribution such amount as the Manager deems advisable to cover possible additional expenses. The determination by the Manager of the amount so to be paid to or by you will be final and conclusive. Any of your funds under the Manager’s control may be held with the Manager’s general funds without accountability for interest.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Master AAU other than Section 10.12 hereof, upon termination of each AAU, or prior thereto at the Manager’s discretion, the Manager may: (i) allocate to the accounts of the Underwriters the expenses described in Section 7.2 hereof and any losses incurred upon the sale of Securities or Other Securities pursuant to the applicable AAU or any Intersyndicate Agreement (including any losses incurred upon the sale of securities referred to in Section 5.4(ii) hereof), (ii) deliver to the Underwriters any unsold Securities or Other Securities purchased pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (iii) deliver to the Underwriters any unsold Securities purchased pursuant to the applicable Underwriting Agreement, in each case in the Manager’s discretion. The only limitations on such discretion will be as follows: (a) no Underwriter that is not the Manager or a Co-Manager will bear more than its share of such expenses, losses, or Securities (such share will not exceed such Underwriter’s Underwriting Percentage and will be determined pro rata among all such Underwriters based on their Underwriting Percentages), (b) no such Underwriter will receive Securities that, together with any Securities purchased by such Underwriter pursuant to Article VI (but excluding any Securities that such Underwriter is required to repurchase pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof) exceed such Underwriter’s Original Underwriting Obligation, and (c) no Co-Manager will bear more than its share of such expenses, losses, or Securities (such share to be determined pro rata among the Manager and all Co-Managers based on their Underwriting Percentages). If any Securities or Other Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above were not paid for by you pursuant to Article VI hereof, you will pay to the Manager an amount per security equal to the amount set forth in clause (i) of Article VI, in the case of Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (iii) above, or the purchase price of such securities, in the case of Securities or Other Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (ii) above.

9.3. Certain Other Expenses. You will pay your Underwriting Percentage of: (i) all expenses incurred by the Manager in investigating, preparing to defend, and defending against any action, claim, or proceeding which is asserted, threatened, or instituted by any party, including any governmental or regulatory body (each, an “Action”), relating to: (A) the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Offering Circular or Offering Circular (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Supplemental Materials, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, and any ABS Underwriter Derived Information used by any Underwriter other than the Manager, (B) the violation of any applicable restrictions on the offer, sale, resale, or purchase of Securities or Other Securities imposed by U.S. Federal or state laws or non-U.S. laws and the rules and regulations of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder or pursuant to the terms of the applicable AAU, the Underwriting Agreement, or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (C) any claim that the Underwriters constitute a partnership, an association, or an unincorporated business or other separate entity, and (ii)

 

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any Losses (as defined in Section 9.4 hereof) incurred by the Manager in respect of any such Action, whether such Loss will be the result of a judgment or arbitrator’s determination or as a result of any settlement agreed to by the Manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you will not be required to pay your Underwriting Percentage of any such expense or liability: (1) to the extent that such expense or liability was caused by the Manager’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; (2) as to which, and to the extent, the Manager actually receives (a) indemnity pursuant to Section 9.4 hereof, (b) contribution pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, (c) indemnity or contribution pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, or (d) damages from an Underwriter for breach of its representations, warranties, agreements, or covenants contained in the applicable AAU; or (3) of the Manager (other than fees of Syndicate Counsel) that relates to a settlement entered into by the Manager on a basis that results in a settlement of such Action against it and fewer than all the Underwriters. None of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.3 will relieve any defaulting or breaching Underwriter from liability for its defaults or breach. Failure of any party to give notice under Section 9.10 hereof will not relieve any Underwriter of an obligation to pay expenses pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.3.

9.4. Indemnification. Notwithstanding any settlement or the termination of the applicable AAU, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless each other Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act (each, an “Indemnified Party”), to the extent and upon the terms which you agree to indemnify and hold harmless any of the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller, any person controlling the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller, its directors, and, in the case of a Registered Offering, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and, in the case of an Offering other than a Registered Offering, its officers, in each case as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement. You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses not reimbursed pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof (collectively, “Losses”) related to, arising out of, or in connection with the breach or violation by you of the terms of Section 3.3 hereof, including any and all Losses under Section 5 of the 1933 Act, and any litigation, investigation, and proceeding (collectively, “Litigation”) relating to any of the foregoing. You will also reimburse each such Indemnified Party upon demand for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any of the foregoing. You will indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses related to, arising out of, or in connection with, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus, Manager-Approved Communication or Supplemental Material used by you, or any research report in the form of a written communication (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) used by you in reliance upon the penultimate sentence of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1933 Act prior to completion of the distribution of an initial public offering (a “Written Research Report”), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and any Litigation relating to any of the foregoing, and to reimburse each such Indemnified Party upon demand for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any of the foregoing. In addition, you will indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses related to, arising out of, or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any ABS Underwriter Derived Information used by you, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and any Litigation relating to any of the foregoing, and to reimburse each such Indemnified Party upon demand for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any of the foregoing; provided, however, that any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon any ABS Underwriter Derived

 

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Information which was used only by such Underwriter, or in connection with the preparation of which an Underwriter is found to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, will be paid solely by such Underwriter.

Each Underwriter will further indemnify and hold harmless any investment banking firm identified in a Wire as the qualified independent underwriter as defined in FINRA Rule 5121 or any successor rule thereto (in such capacity, a “QIU”) for an Offering and each person, if any, who controls such QIU within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any and all Losses related to, arising out of, or in connection with such investment banking firm’s activities as QIU for the Offering. Each Underwriter will reimburse such QIU for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, and defending any Action related to, arising out of, or in connection with such QIU’s activities as a QIU for the Offering. Each Underwriter will be responsible for its Underwriting Percentage of any amount due to such QIU on account of the foregoing indemnity and reimbursement. Such QIU will have no additional liability to any Underwriter or otherwise as a result of its serving as QIU in connection with the Offering. To the extent the indemnification provided to a QIU under this Section 9.4 is unavailable to such QIU or is insufficient in respect of any Losses related thereto, whether as a matter of law or public policy or as a result of the default of any Underwriter in performing its obligations under this Section 9.4, each other Underwriter will contribute to the amount paid or payable by such QIU as a result of such Losses related thereto in proportion to its Underwriting Percentage.

For the avoidance of doubt, references to an “Underwriter” or “you” in this Section 9.4 shall include the Manager in its role as an Underwriter.

9.5. Contribution. Notwithstanding any settlement or the termination of the applicable AAU, you will pay upon request of the Manager, as contribution, your Underwriting Percentage of any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Indemnified Party to any person other than an Indemnified Party, arising out of or in connection with the breach or violation of the terms of Section 3.3 hereof, including any and all Losses under Section 5 of the 1933 Act, and any Litigation relating to the foregoing. Further, you will pay upon request of the Manager, as contribution, your Underwriting Percentage of any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Indemnified Party to any person other than an Indemnified Party, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Offering Circular or Offering Circular (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Supplemental Materials, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any other materials prepared or used by an Underwriter in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, or any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus, Manager-Approved Communication or Written Research Report, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (other than an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company In Writing by the Underwriter on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made expressly for use therein), or any act or omission to act or any alleged act or omission to act by the Manager or, if applicable, a Representative, as the Manager or a Representative, in connection with any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or undertaken in preparing for the purchase, sale, and delivery of the Securities (provided, that you will not be required to pay in any such case to the extent that any such Loss resulted from the Manager’s or such Representative’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), and your Underwriting Percentage of any legal or other expenses,

 

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including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party (with the approval of the Manager) on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or any action in respect thereof; provided, however, that no request will be made on behalf of any Indemnified Party guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) from any Indemnified Party who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act); provided, further, that any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Indemnified Party, arising out of or based upon an Underwriter’s Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus, Manager- Approved Communication, Written Research Report or Supplemental Material, will be paid by only the Underwriters that used such Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus, Manager- Approved Communication, Written Research Report or Supplemental Material, as the case may be (the “Contributing Underwriters”), and the amount to be paid by each Contributing Underwriter will be determined pro rata among the Contributing Underwriters based on their Underwriting Percentages. None of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.5 will relieve any defaulting or breaching Underwriter from liability for its defaults or breach.

In addition, you will pay upon request of the Manager, as contribution, your Underwriting Percentage of any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Indemnified Party to any person other than an Indemnified Party, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any ABS Underwriter Derived Information, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (other than an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company In Writing by the Underwriter on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made expressly for use therein) and your Underwriting Percentage of any expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party (with the approval of the Manager) on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any such Loss or any action in respect thereof; provided, however, that any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon any ABS Underwriter Derived Information which was used only by such Underwriter, or in connection with the preparation of which the Underwriter is found to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, will be paid solely by the Underwriter.

For the avoidance of doubt, references to an “Underwriter” or “you” in this Section 9.5 shall include the Manager in its role as an Underwriter.

9.6. Separate Counsel. If any Action is asserted or commenced pursuant to which the indemnity provided in Section 9.4 hereof or the right of contribution provided in Section 9.5 hereof may apply, the Manager may take such action in connection therewith as it deems necessary or desirable, including retention of counsel for the Underwriters (“Syndicate Counsel”), and in its discretion separate counsel for any particular Underwriter or group of Underwriters, and the fees and disbursements of any counsel so retained will be allocated among the several Underwriters as determined by the Manager. Any such Syndicate Counsel retained by the Manager will be counsel to the Underwriters as a group and, in the event that: (a) the Manager settles any Action on a basis that results in the settlement of such Action against it and fewer than all the Underwriters, or (b)(i) a conflict develops between the Manager and the other Underwriters, or (ii) differing defenses are available to the other Underwriters and not available to the Manager, and as a result of either (b)(i) or (b)(ii) such Syndicate Counsel concludes that it is unable to continue to represent the Manager and the other Underwriters, then in each such case, after notification to the Manager and the other

 

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Underwriters, Syndicate Counsel will remain counsel to the other Underwriters and will withdraw as counsel to the Manager. The Manager hereby consents to such arrangement and undertakes to take steps to: (i) ensure that any engagement letters with Syndicate Counsel are consistent with such arrangement; (ii) issue a notice to all other Underwriters promptly following receipt of any advice (whether oral or written) from Syndicate Counsel regarding its inability to represent the Manager and the other Underwriters jointly; and (iii) facilitate Syndicate Counsel’s continued representation of the other Underwriters. Any Underwriter may elect to retain at its own expense its own counsel and, on advice of such counsel, may settle or consent to the settlement of any such Action, but only in compliance with Section 9.7 hereof, and in each case, only after notification to every other Underwriter. The Manager may settle or consent to the settlement of any such Action, but only in compliance with Section 9.7 hereof.

9.7. Settlement of Actions. Neither the Manager nor any other Underwriter party to this Master AAU may settle or agree to settle any Action related to or arising out of the Offering, nor may any other Underwriter settle or agree to settle any such Action without the consent of the Manager, nor may any other Underwriter seek the Manager’s consent to any such settlement agreement, nor may the Manager consent to any such settlement agreement, unless: (A) the Manager, together with such other Underwriters as constitute a majority in aggregate interest based on the Underwriting Percentage of the Underwriters as a whole (including the Manager’s interest), approve the settlement of such Action, in which case the Manager is authorized to settle for all Underwriters, provided, however, that the settlement agreement results in the settlement of the Action against all Underwriters raised by the plaintiffs party thereto; or (B) (i) such settlement agreement expressly provides that the non- settling Underwriters will be given a judgment credit (or credit in settlement) with respect to all such Actions for which the non-settling Underwriters may be found liable (or will pay in subsequent settlement), in an amount that is the greatest of: (x) the dollar amount paid in such initial settlement to settle such Actions, (y) the proportionate share of the settling Underwriter’s fault in respect of common damages arising in connection with such Actions as proven at trial, if applicable, or (z) the amount by which the settling Underwriter would have been required to make contribution had it not settled, under Sections 9.5 and 11.2 hereof in respect of the final non-appealable judgment (or settlement) subsequently entered into by the non-settling Underwriters (such greatest amount of either (x), (y), or (z), the “Judgment Credit”);3 (ii) such settlement agreement expressly provides that in the event that the applicable court does not approve the Judgment Credit as part of the settlement, the settlement agreement will automatically terminate; and (iii) the final judgment entered with respect to the settlement agreement contains the Judgment Credit.

9.8. Survival. Except as set forth in the last sentence of Section 9.1, your agreements contained in Article V and Sections 3.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, and 11.2 hereof will

 

3 Seeks to ensure that there is no harm to non-settling Underwriter due to settlement. For example, assume that plaintiffs have suffered $1,000 in damage in a case in which the Underwriters are 50% at fault and other defendants, all of whom are insolvent, are 50% at fault. Further assume that there were 2 Underwriters, each which underwrote 50% of the offering, and they were equally at fault. If neither Underwriter settles, then each would be required to pay $500 to satisfy the $1,000 verdict for which they are jointly and severally liable (or, if one paid $1,000, Section 9.5 would obligate the other to contribute $500 towards such payment). If the first Underwriter settles for $100, then the second Underwriter will obtain a judgment credit of $500, being equal to the greater of: (a) settlement amount ($100), (b) the first Underwriter’s fault ($250), and (c) the amount which the settling Underwriters would have been required to contribute under the contribution provisions ($500). This formula ensures that the second Underwriter is not harmed by the settlement. By contrast, the judgment credit applied in WorldCom ignored clause (c), resulting in a credit of only $250 and leading the non-settling Underwriter to pay $750, or $250 more than had the first Underwriter not settled.

 

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remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any termination of an AAU and: (a) any termination of the Underwriting Agreement, (b) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller, its directors or officers, or any person controlling the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Seller, and (c) acceptance of any payment for any Securities.

9.9. Replacement of Manager. If at any time after any Action is brought the Manager settles the Action on a basis that results in the settlement of such Action against it and fewer than all the Underwriters (whether or not such settlement complies with Section 9.7 hereof), the Manager will, at such time, for purposes of Sections 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, and 9.7 hereof, cease to be the Manager. The non-settling Underwriters will, by vote of holders of a majority of the Underwriting Percentage of such non-settling Underwriters, select a new Manager, which will become the new “Manager” for all purposes of Sections 9.3, 9.4., 9.5, 9.6, and 9.7 hereof as well as this section; provided that the non-settling Underwriter(s) with the largest Underwriting Percentage will act as Manager until such vote occurs and a new Manager is selected.4

Notwithstanding such a settlement, the Manager and the other settling Underwriters will remain obligated to the non-settling Underwriters to assist and cooperate fully, in good faith, and at their own expense, in the defense of any Actions, including, without limitation, by providing, upon reasonable request of any non-settling Underwriter, and without the necessity of court process, access to or copies of all relevant records, and reasonable access to all witnesses under control of the Manager or the other settling Underwriters, for the purpose of interviews, depositions, and testimony at trial, subject in each case to the applicable legal and procedural obligations of such Manager and such other settling Underwriter.

In addition, if at any time, the Manager is unwilling or unable for any reason to assume or discharge its duties as Manager under the applicable AAU, whether resulting from its insolvency (voluntary or involuntary), resignation or otherwise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the remaining Underwriters will, by vote of holders of a majority of the Underwriting Percentage of such Underwriters, be entitled to select a new Manager, which will become the new Manager for all purposes under this Agreement.5

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Manager replaced pursuant to this Section 9.9 shall continue to benefit from and be subject to all other terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to an Underwriter.

9.10. Notice. When the Manager receives notice of the assertion of any Action to which the provisions of Sections 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, or 9.7 hereof would apply, it will give prompt notice thereof to each Underwriter, and whenever an Underwriter receives notice of the assertion of any claim or commencement of any Action to which the provisions of Sections 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, or 9.7 hereof would apply, such Underwriter will give prompt notice thereof to the Manager. The Manager also will furnish each Underwriter with periodic reports, at such times as it deems appropriate, as to the status of such Action, and the actions taken by it in connection therewith. If the Manager or any other Underwriter engages in any settlement discussion that involves or contemplates settlement on any

 

4 Permits new Manager to replace settling Manager and manage the litigation–related provisions of this agreement.

5 Permits new Manager to replace insolvent Manager and manage all aspects of this MAAU.

 

19


basis other than settlement of all Actions against all Underwriters on a pro rata basis according to their Underwriting Percentages, the Manager (or other Underwriter engaging in such discussions) will notify all other Underwriters promptly and provide reasonable details about such discussions.

X. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF UNDERWRITERS

10.1. Knowledge of Offering. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to examine the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, any amendment or supplement thereto relating to the Offering, any Preliminary Prospectus or Preliminary Offering Circular, and the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Supplemental Materials, and any ABS Underwriter Derived Information, and you will familiarize yourself with the terms of the Securities, any applicable Indenture, and the other terms of the Offering thereof which are to be reflected in the Prospectus or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, and the applicable AAU and Underwriting Agreement. The Manager is authorized, with the advice of counsel for the Underwriters, to approve on your behalf any amendments or supplements to the documents described in the preceding sentence.

10.2. Accuracy of Underwriters’ Information. You confirm that the information that you have given and are deemed to have given in response to the Underwriters’ Questionnaire attached as Exhibit A hereto (and to any other questions addressed to you in the Invitation Wire or other Wires), which information has been furnished to the Issuer for use in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, or Offering Circular, as the case may be, or has otherwise been relied upon in connection with the Offering, is complete and accurate. You will notify the Manager immediately of any development before the termination of the applicable AAU which makes untrue or incomplete any information that you have given or are deemed to have given in response to the Underwriters’ Questionnaire (or such other questions).

10.3. Name; Address. Unless you have promptly notified the Manager In Writing otherwise, your name as it should appear in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or Offering Circular and any advertisement, if different, and your address, are as set forth on the signature pages hereof.

10.4. Compliance with Capital Requirements. You represent that your commitment to purchase the Securities will not result in a violation of the financial responsibility requirements of Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act or of any similar provision of any applicable rules of any securities exchange to which you are subject or, if you are a financial institution subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, or the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, will not place you in violation of any applicable capital requirements or restrictions of such regulator or any other regulator to which you are subject.

10.5. FINRA Requirements. (A) You represent that you are a member in good standing of FINRA, or a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer, or institution not eligible for membership in FINRA or a Bank.

(i) If you are a member of FINRA, you will comply with all applicable rules of FINRA in respect of any Offering of Securities, including, without limitation, the requirements of FINRA Rules 5110, 5121, 5130, 5131 and 5141 (to the extent any or all such rules are applicable to the particular Offering).

(ii) If you are a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer, or other non-U.S. institution not eligible for membership in FINRA, you represent that you are not required to be registered as

 

20


a broker or dealer under the 1934 Act and you will not make any offers or sales of the Securities in, or to nationals or residents of, the United States, its territories, or its possessions, except to the extent permitted by Rule 15a-6 under the 1934 Act (or any successor rule thereto adopted by the SEC). In making any offers or sales of the Securities you also agree to comply with the requirements of the following FINRA rules (including any successor rules thereto adopted by FINRA): (a) to the extent that you are acting, in respect of offers or sales of the Securities, as a “conduit” for, or are receiving in connection with such offers and sales any selling commissions, discounts, allowances or other compensation from, or are otherwise being directed with respect to allocations or disposition of the Securities by, a FINRA member, FINRA Rule 5130 and FINRA Rule 5141 as though you are a member of FINRA, and (b) NASD Conduct Rule 2420(c), as that Rule applies to a non-member broker/dealer in a non-U.S. country.

(iii) If you are a Bank, you agree that (a) to the extent you are acting, in respect of offers or sales of the Securities, as a “conduit” for, or are receiving in connection with such offers and sales any selling commissions, discounts, allowances or other compensation from, or are otherwise being directed with respect to allocations or disposition of the Securities by, a FINRA member, you will comply with FINRA Rules 5130 and 5141 as though you are a member of FINRA, and (b) you will not accept any portion of the management fee paid by the Underwriters with respect to any Offering or, in connection with any Offering of Securities that do not constitute “exempted securities” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act, or purchase any Securities at a discount from the offering price from any Underwriter or Dealer or otherwise accept any Fees and Commissions from any Underwriter or Dealer, which in any such case is not permitted under FINRA rules (including, without limitation, NASD Conduct Rule 2420 or any successor rule thereto adopted by FINRA) or would subject you to registration and regulation as a “broker” or “dealer” under Section 3(a)(4) or 3(a)(5) of the 1934 Act.

(B) With respect to any Offering of Securities that constitutes a “new issue” under FINRA Rule 5131, you agree that, with respect to any Securities trading at a premium to the public offering price that are returned by a purchaser (the “Returned Securities”) to you after secondary market trading commences, you will promptly consult with the Manager or Co-Manager that has been appointed to manage the syndicate short position for that Offering (the “Designated Syndicate Agent”) to determine the appropriate treatment of the Returned Securities under FINRA Rule 5131(d)(3), and agree to (i) return the Returned Securities to the Designated Syndicate Agent if directed to do so by that entity, or (ii) if no such direction has been provided by the Designated Syndicate Agent, to comply with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5131(d)(3)(B) with respect to the disposition of the Returned Securities.

10.6. FATCA Certification. If you are a Foreign Financial Institution (“FFI”) as that term is defined pursuant to FATCA (as defined below) (including a U.S. branch of a non-U.S. bank), you represent that you are not, and have not been identified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as, a nonparticipating FFI as that term is defined pursuant to FATCA. Unless otherwise agreed, promptly following your acceptance of an AAU for an Offering, but not later than such Offering’s Pricing Date, you will provide us such documents (including an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or an IRS Form W-8BEN if the instructions to the IRS Form W-8BEN-E have not been released) as may be necessary to confirm that no tax is required to be withheld under FATCA in respect of payments to you that we make or are deemed to make for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are required to make any deduction or withholding pursuant to or on account of FATCA in respect of payments to you that we make or are deemed to make for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we do not so

 

21


deduct or withhold and a liability resulting from such failure to withhold or deduct is assessed directly against us, then you will indemnify us therefor (without duplication of any applicable indemnification obligation, and without triggering any contribution obligation of any other Underwriter, with respect thereto under Article IX hereof) and promptly pay us the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest and penalties). “FATCA” means sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into thereunder, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation thereof.

10.7. Further State Notice. The Manager will file a Further State Notice with the Department of State of New York, if required.

10.8. Compliance with Rule 15c2-8. In the case of a Registered Offering and any other Offering to which the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 under the 1934 Act are made applicable pursuant to the AAU or otherwise, you will comply with such Rule in connection with the Offering. In the case of an Offering other than a Registered Offering, you will comply with applicable Federal and state laws and the applicable rules and regulations of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder governing the use and distribution of offering circulars by underwriters.

10.9. Discretionary Accounts. In the case of a Registered Offering of Securities issued by an Issuer that was not, immediately prior to the filing of the Registration Statement, subject to the requirements of Section 13(d) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, you will not make sales to any account over which you exercise discretionary authority in connection with such sale, except as otherwise permitted by the applicable AAU for such Offering.

10.10. Offering Restrictions. You will not make any offers or sales of Securities or any Other Securities in jurisdictions outside the United States except under circumstances that will result in compliance with (i) applicable laws, including private placement requirements, in each such jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on offers or sales set forth in any AAU or the Prospectus, Preliminary Prospectus, Offering Circular, or Preliminary Offering Circular, as the case may be.

It is understood that, except as specified in the Prospectus or Offering Circular or applicable AAU, no action has been taken by the Manager, the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller to permit you to offer Securities in any jurisdiction other than the United States, in the case of a Registered Offering, where action would be required for such purpose.

10.11. Representations, Warranties, and Agreements. You will make to each other Underwriter participating in an Offering the same representations, warranties, and agreements, if any, made by the Underwriters to the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller in the applicable Underwriting Agreement or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and you authorize the Manager to make such representations, warranties, and agreements to the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller on your behalf.

10.12. Limitation on the Authority of the Manager to Purchase and Sell Securities for the Account of Certain Underwriters. Notwithstanding any provision of this AAU authorizing the Manager to purchase or sell any Securities or Other Securities (including arranging for the sale of Contract Securities) or over-allot in arranging sales of Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters, the Manager may not, in connection with the Offering of any Securities, make any such purchases, sales, and/or over-allotments for the account of any Underwriter that, not later than its acceptance of the Invitation Wire relating to such Offering, has advised the Manager that, due to its

 

22


status as, or relationship to, a bank or bank holding company such purchases, sales, and/or over-allotments are prohibited by applicable law. If any Underwriter so advises the Manager, the Manager may allocate any such purchases, sales, and over-allotments (and the related expenses) which otherwise would have been allocated to your account based on your respective Underwriting Percentage to your account based on the ratio of your Original Underwriting Obligation to the Original Underwriting Obligations of all Underwriters other than the advising Underwriter or Underwriters, or in such other manner as the Manager will determine.

10.13. Agreement Regarding Oral Due Diligence. By participating in an Offering, each Underwriter agrees that it, each of its affiliates participating in an Offering as Underwriter or financial intermediary and each controlling person of it and each such participating affiliate are bound by the Agreement Regarding Oral Due Diligence currently in effect between UBS Securities LLC and the accounting firm or firms that participate in oral due diligence in such offering.

XI. DEFAULTING UNDERWRITERS

11.1. Effect of Termination. If the Underwriting Agreement is terminated as permitted by the terms thereof, your obligations hereunder with respect to the Offering of the Securities will immediately terminate except: (a) as set forth in Section 9.8 hereof, (b) that you will remain liable for your Underwriting Percentage (or such other percentage as may be specified pursuant to Section 9.2 hereof) of all expenses, and for any purchases or sales which may have been made for your account pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (c) that such termination will not affect any obligations of any defaulting or breaching Underwriter.

11.2. Sharing of Liability. If any Underwriter defaults in its obligations:

(a) pursuant to Section 5.1, 5.2 or 5.4 hereof, (b) to pay amounts charged to its account pursuant to Section 7.1, 7.2, or 8.1 hereof, or (c) pursuant to Section 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, or 11.1 hereof, you will assume your proportionate share (determined on the basis of the respective Underwriting Percentages of the non-defaulting Underwriters) of such obligations, but no such assumption will relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability to the non- defaulting Underwriters, the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller for its default.

11.3. Arrangements for Purchases. The Manager is authorized to arrange for the purchase by others (including the Manager or any other Underwriter) of any Securities not purchased by any defaulting Underwriter in accordance with the terms of the applicable Underwriting Agreement or, if the applicable Underwriting Agreement does not provide arrangements for defaulting Underwriters, in the discretion of the Manager. If such arrangements are made, the respective amounts of Securities to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters and such other person or persons, if any, will be taken as the basis for all rights and obligations hereunder, but this will not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

XII. MISCELLANEOUS

12.1. Obligations Several. Nothing contained in this Master AAU or any AAU constitutes you partners with the Manager or with the other Underwriters, and the obligations of you and each of the other Underwriters are several and not joint. Each Underwriter elects to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the Code. Each Underwriter authorizes the Manager, on behalf of such Underwriter, to execute such evidence of such election as may be required by the IRS.

12.2. Liability of Manager. The Manager will not be liable to you for any act or omission, except for obligations expressly assumed by the Manager in the applicable AAU.

 

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12.3. Termination of Master AAU. This Master AAU may be terminated by either party hereto upon five business days’ written notice to the other party; provided, however, that with respect to any Offering for which an AAU was sent prior to such notice, this Master AAU as it applies to such Offering will remain in full force and effect and will terminate with respect to such Offering in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof.

12.4. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.

(i) In the event that any party that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such party of this Master AAU and each AAU, and any interest and obligation in or under this Master AAU and each AAU, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Master AAU and each AAU, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(ii) In the event that any party that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Master AAU or any AAU that may be exercised against such party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Master AAU and such AAU were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

For purposes of this Section 12.4, a “BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

12.5. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Master AAU and each AAU will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. You hereby irrevocably: (a) submit to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York located in the City of New York or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of the State of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of this Master AAU, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated hereby (each, a “Proceeding”), (b) agree that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, (c) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any immunity from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process therein, (d) agree not to commence any Proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claim that such Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party hereto irrevocably waives any right that it may have to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Master AAU and each AAU or the transactions contemplated thereby.

12.6. Amendments. This Master AAU may be amended from time to time by consent of the parties hereto. Your consent will be deemed to have been given to an amendment to this Master

 

24


AAU, and such amendment will be effective, five business days following written notice to you of such amendment if you do not notify us In Writing prior to the close of business on such fifth business day that you do not consent to such amendment. Upon effectiveness, the provisions of this Master AAU as so amended will apply to each AAU thereafter entered into, except as otherwise specifically provided in any such AAU.

12.7. Notices. Any notice to any Underwriter will be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, sent by wire, telecopy or electronic transmission or other written communication, or delivered in person to such Underwriter at the address set forth in its Underwriters’ Questionnaire, or if no address is provided in an Underwriters’ Questionnaire, then at the address set forth in reports filed by such Underwriter with FINRA. Any such notice will take effect upon receipt thereof.

12.8. Severability. In case any provision in this Master AAU is deemed invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

12.9. Counterparts. This Master AAU may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same instrument. Transmission by telecopy of an executed counterpart of this Master AAU will constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart.

Please confirm your acceptance of this Master AAU by signing and returning to us the enclosed duplicate copy hereof.

 

UBS SECURITIES LLC
By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    
    (Authorized Officer)

 

By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    
    (Authorized Officer)

 

Confirmed and accepted as of __________,

20__

   
 

(Legal Name of Underwriter)

   
 

(Address)

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   
  (Authorized Officer)

 

25


(If person signing is not an officer or

a partner, please attach instrument of

authorization)

GUIDE TO DEFINED TERMS

 

Term    Section
Reference

1933 Act

   1.1

1934 Act

   3.5

AAU

   Foreword

ABS Underwriter Derived Information

   2.1

Action

   9.3

Additional Securities

   1.1

Bank

   3.5

Code

   10.6

Co-Managers

   1.1

Commission

   2.1

Contract Securities

   3.1

Contributing Underwriters

   9.5

Dealer

   3.5

Designated Syndicate Agent

   10.5

DTC

   5.2

FATCA

   10.6

Fees and Commissions

   1.1

FFI

   10.6

FINRA

   3.1

Firm Securities

   1.1

Free Writing Prospectus

   2.1

Guarantor

   1.1

In Writing

   1.2

Indemnified Party

   9.4

Indenture

   1.1

International Offering

   1.1

Intersyndicate Agreement

   2.3

 

26


Invitation Wire

   Foreword

IRS

   10.6

Issuer

   1.1

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus

   3.3

Issuer Information

   3.3

Judgment Credit

   9.7

Litigation

   9.4

Losses

   9.4

Manager

   1.1

Manager-Approved Communication

   3.3

Master AAU

   Foreword

Offering

   Foreword

Offering Circular

   2.2

Offering Date

   3.2

Offering Price

   1.1

Original Underwriting Obligation

   1.1

Preliminary Offering Circular

   2.2

Preliminary Prospectus

   2.1

Pricing Date

   1.1

Proceeding

   12.4

Prospectus

   2.1

Purchase Price

   1.1

QIU

   9.4

Reallowance

   1.1

Registered Offering

   2.1

Registration Statement

   2.1

Regulation M

   5.1

Representative

   1.1

Returned Securities

   10.5

Securities

   1.1

Securities Offering Reform Release

   2.1

Seller

   1.1

Selling Concession

   1.1

Settlement Date

   1.1

 

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Supplemental Materials

   3.3

Syndicate Counsel

   9.6

Trustee

   1.1

Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus

   3.3

Underwriters

   1.1

Underwriters’ Securities

   3.1

Underwriting Agreement

   1.1

Underwriting Percentage

   1.1

Wire

   Foreword

Written Research Report

   9.4

Written Testing-the-Waters Communication

   3.3

 

28


EXHIBIT A

UNDERWRITERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

In connection with each Offering governed by the UBS Securities LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters dated January 2, 2019, except as otherwise indicated in a timely acceptance of the Invitation Wire pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Master Agreement Among Underwriters (“Master AAU”) or already expressly disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus or Preliminary Offering Circular, as the case may be, each Underwriter participating in such Offering severally advises the Issuer and the other participating Underwriters (all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings given to them in the Master AAU) as follows:

(a) neither such Underwriter nor any of its directors, officers, or partners have a material relationship, as “material” is defined in Regulation C under the 1933 Act, with the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller;

(b) if the Registration Statement is on Form S-1, neither such Underwriter nor any “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of which such Underwriter is aware is the beneficial (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) owner of more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Issuer or Guarantor, nor does such Underwriter have any knowledge that more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Issuer or the Guarantor is held or to be held subject to any voting trust or other similar agreement, nor does such Underwriter have any knowledge that more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Issuer or the Guarantor is held or to be held subject to any voting trust or other similar agreement;

(c) other than as may be stated in the UBS Securities LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters dated January 2, 2019, the applicable AAU, the Intersyndicate Agreement or dealer agreement, if any, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Offering Circular, such Underwriter does not know and has no reason to believe that there is an intention to over-allot or that the price of any security may be stabilized to facilitate the offering of the Securities;

(d) other than as stated in the Invitation Wire, such Underwriter does not know of (i) any other discounts or commissions to be allowed or paid to the Underwriters or of any other items that would be deemed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) to constitute underwriting compensation for purposes of FINRA Rule 5110, or (ii) any discounts or commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers, including all cash, securities, contracts, or other consideration to be received by any dealer in connection with the sale of the Securities;

(e) such Underwriter has not prepared any report or memorandum for external use in connection with the Offering;

(f) if the offer and sale of the Securities are to be registered under the 1933 Act pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 or Form F-1, such Underwriter has not within the past 12 months prepared or had prepared for such Underwriter any engineering, management, or similar report or memorandum relating to broad aspects of the business, operations, or products of the Issuer or the Guarantor. The immediately preceding sentence does not apply to reports solely comprised of recommendations to buy, sell, or hold the Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s securities, unless such recommendations have changed within the past six months, or to information already contained in documents filed with the Commission;

 

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(g) in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, such Underwriter does not have a “conflict of interest” with the Issuer or the Guarantor under FINRA Rule 5121. In that regard, such Underwriter specifically confirms that, at the time of such Underwriter’s participation in the subject Offering, (A) such Underwriter is not issuing the Securities in such Offering; (B) neither the Issuer nor the Guarantor controls, is controlled by or is under common control (as the term “control” is defined in FINRA Rule 5121(f)(6)) with such Underwriter or such Underwriter’s “associated persons” (as such term is defined by FINRA); (C) less than five percent of the net proceeds of the Offering, not including Fees and Commissions, are intended to be: (i) used to reduce or retire the balance of a loan or credit facility extended by such Underwriter, its “affiliates” and its “associated persons” (as such terms are defined by FINRA), in the aggregate; or (ii) otherwise directed to such Underwriter, its affiliates and associated persons, in the aggregate, and (D) as a result of such Offering and any transactions contemplated at the time of such Offering: (i) such Underwriter will not become an affiliate of the Issuer or Guarantor; (ii) such Underwriter will not become publicly owned; and (iii) the Issuer or Guarantor will not become a FINRA member or form a broker-dealer subsidiary. Furthermore, such Underwriter specifically confirms that such Underwriter does not, (a) beneficially own 10% or more of the Issuer’s or Guarantor’s outstanding “common equity”, “preferred equity” or “subordinated debt” (as each such term is defined in FINRA Rule 5121), including the right to receive such securities or subordinated debt within 60 days of such Underwriter’s participation in the Offering; (b) in the case of an Issuer or Guarantor which is a partnership, beneficially own a general, limited or special partnership interest in 10% or more of the Issuer’s or Guarantor’s distributable profits or losses, or a right to receive an interest in such distributable profits or losses within 60 days of such Underwriter’s participation in the Offering; or (c) have the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the Issuer or the Guarantor;

(h) other than as stated in the Invitation Wire, in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, neither such Underwriter nor any of its directors, officers, partners, or “persons associated with” such Underwriter (as defined by FINRA) nor, to such Underwriter’s knowledge, any “related person” (defined by FINRA to include counsel, financial consultants and advisors, finders, members of the selling or distribution group, any FINRA member participating in the offering, and any other persons associated with or related to and members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing) or any other broker-dealer: (A) within the last six months have purchased in private transactions, or intend before, at, or within six months after the commencement of the public offering of the Securities to purchase in private transactions, any securities of the Issuer, the Guarantor, or any Issuer Related Party (as hereinafter defined), (B) within the last 6 months have had any dealings with the Issuer, the Guarantor, any Seller, or any subsidiary or controlling person thereof (other than relating to the proposed Underwriting Agreement) as to which documents or information are required to be filed with FINRA, or (C) during the 6 months immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement (or, if there is none, the Offering Circular), have entered into any arrangement which provided or provides for the receipt of any item of value (including, but not limited to, cash payments, expense reimbursements and rights of first refusal to participate in a future public offering, private placement or other financing transaction) and/or the transfer of any warrants, options, or other securities from the Issuer, the Guarantor, or any Issuer Related Party to you or any related person;

 

2


(i) in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, there is no association or affiliation between such Underwriter and; (A) any officer or director of the Issuer, the Guarantor or, any Issuer Related Party, or (B) any securityholder of 5% or more (or, in the case of an initial public offering of equity securities, any securityholder) of any class of securities of the Issuer, the Guarantor, or an Issuer Related Party; it being understood that for purposes of paragraph (i) above and this paragraph (j), the term “Issuer Related Party” includes any Seller, any affiliate of the Issuer, the Guarantor, or a Seller, and the officers or general partners, directors, employees, and securityholders thereof;

(j) in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, and if the Securities are not issued by a real estate investment trust, no portion of the net offering proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be paid to such Underwriter or any of its affiliates or “persons associated with” such Underwriter (as defined by FINRA) or members of the immediate family of any such person; and

(k) in the case of Securities which are debt securities whose offer and sale is to be registered under the 1933 Act, such Underwriter is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 0-2 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939) of the Trustee for the Securities or of its parent, if any. Neither the Trustee nor its parent, if any, nor any of their directors or executive officers is a “director, officer, partner, employee, appointee, or representative” of such Underwriter (as those terms are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or in the relevant instructions to Form T-1). Such Underwriter and its directors, partners, and executive officers, taken as a group, did not on the date specified in the Invitation, and do not, own beneficially 1% or more of the shares of any class of voting securities of the Trustee or of its parent, if any. If such Underwriter is a corporation, it does not have outstanding and has not assumed or guaranteed any securities issued otherwise than in its present corporate name.

 

3


If an Underwriter notes an exception with respect to material of the type referred to in clauses (e) and (f), such underwriter will send three copies of each item of such material, together with a statement as to distribution, identifying classes of recipients and the number of copies distributed to each such class, and, if relevant, the number of equity securities or the face value of debt securities owned by such person, the date such securities were acquired, and the price paid for such securities to UBS Securities LLC, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Syndicate Department.

 

4

Exhibit h.6

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT

April [ ], 2021

UBS Securities LLC

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This agreement (the “Agreement”) is between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (including any successor or assign by merger or otherwise, the “Company”) and UBS Securities LLC (“UBS”) with respect to Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Fund, the Company, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and each of the underwriters named therein.

1.        Fee. In consideration of certain financial advisory services that UBS has provided to the Company in assisting the Company in structuring, designing and organizing the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of common shares of the Fund, it being understood that the ultimate decision with respect to the structure, design and organization of the Fund shall rest with the Company, the Company shall pay a fee to UBS in the aggregate amount of $[ ] (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be paid following the Closing Date on or before [ ], 2021. In the event the Offering does not proceed, UBS will not receive any fees under this Agreement; however, for the avoidance of doubt, accountable expenses actually incurred may be payable to UBS pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

2.        Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 of this Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

3.        Indemnification. The Company agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

4.        Confidential Advice. Except to the extent (i) legally required (after consultation with, and approval as to form and substance by, UBS and its counsel) or (ii) disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus as of the date hereof, none of (A) the name of UBS, (B) any advice rendered by UBS to the Company, or (C) the terms of this Agreement or any communication from UBS, each in connection with the services performed by UBS pursuant to this Agreement, will be quoted or referred to orally or in writing, or in the case of (B) and (C), reproduced or disseminated, by the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its agents, without UBS’ prior written consent.

5.        Information. The Company recognizes and confirms that UBS (a) has used and relied primarily on the information provided by the Company and on information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated by this Agreement without having assumed responsibility for independently verifying the same, (b) has not assumed responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of such information and (c) has not made an appraisal of any


assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Fund. The information provided by the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Omitting Prospectus, was true and correct in all material respects and did not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading. The Company will promptly notify UBS if it learns of any material inaccuracy or misstatement in, or material omission from, any information provided by the Company to UBS pursuant to this Section 5.

6.        Not an Investment Adviser. The Company acknowledges that UBS has not provided any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. The Company acknowledges and agrees that UBS has been retained to act solely as an adviser to the Company, and the Company’s engagement of UBS pursuant to this Agreement is not intended to confer rights upon any person (including the Fund or any shareholders, employees or creditors of the Company or the Fund) not a party hereto as against UBS or its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, successors, or assigns. UBS has acted as an independent contractor under this Agreement, and not in any other capacity including as a fiduciary, and any duties arising out of its engagement under this Agreement shall be owed solely to the Company.

7.        Not Exclusive. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting you or your affiliates from acting as an underwriter or financial adviser or in any other capacity for any other persons (including other registered investment companies or other investment managers).

8.        Amendment; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

9.        Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“Claim”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. No Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company and UBS consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. EACH OF UBS AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

10.        Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and UBS and their respective successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s or UBS’ respective businesses and/or assets.

11.        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or other similar electronic transmission (such as e-mail) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above.

 

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Agreed and Accepted:

 

UBS SECURITIES LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature page to UBS Structuring Fee Agreement]


Indemnification Agreement

April [ ], 2021

UBS Securities LLC

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of UBS Securities LLC (“UBS”) to advise and assist the undersigned (including any successor or assign by merger or otherwise, the “Company”) with the matters set forth in the Structuring Fee Agreement, dated April [ ], 2021, between the Company and UBS (the “Agreement”), in the event that UBS becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “Proceeding”) in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities provided prior to the date of the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold UBS harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities provided prior to the date of the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of UBS. In addition, in the event that UBS becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, the Company will reimburse UBS for its legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by UBS in connection therewith.

As promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement.

If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its shareholders and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and UBS, on the other hand, in connection with the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its shareholders and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its

 

1


shareholders and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, in connection with the matters contemplated by the Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received by or paid to or contemplated to be received by or paid to the Company or its shareholders or affiliates and other constituencies, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the matters (whether or not consummated) for which UBS has been retained to perform financial services bears to the fees paid to UBS under the Agreement; provided that, in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that UBS is not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by UBS pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to information provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by UBS, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, an indemnified party shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that such indemnified party was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not UBS is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without UBS’ prior written consent. For purposes of this Indemnification Agreement, UBS shall include UBS Securities LLC, any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling UBS or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons. The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any indemnified party may have at common law or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein and for the avoidance of doubt, UBS shall have no right hereunder to indemnification, reimbursement for legal or other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) or contribution from the Company in connection with any matter with respect to which indemnification, reimbursement, contribution or other similar remedies may be sought by UBS under the Underwriting Agreement (as defined in the Agreement).

The Company agrees that neither UBS nor any of its affiliates, directors, agents, employees or controlling persons shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company in connection with or as a result of either UBS’ engagement under the Agreement or any matter referred to in the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities provided prior to the date of the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of UBS in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement.

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS

 

2


SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND UBS CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST UBS OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH OF UBS AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON THE COMPANY AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of UBS’ engagement. This Indemnification Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and UBS and their respective successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s or UBS’ respective businesses and/or assets. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed (electronic signatures being sufficient) in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3


Very truly yours,
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

By:                                                                      

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

Agreed and Accepted:

UBS SECURITIES LLC

 

 

By:                                                                      

       Name:

       Title:

 

By:                                                                      

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to UBS Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit h.7

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of April [ ], 2021, between BofA Securities, Inc. (collectively with its affiliates, “BofA”) and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“Nuveen”).

WHEREAS, Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and its common shares (the “Common Shares”) are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

WHEREAS, Nuveen is the investment adviser of the Fund;

WHEREAS, BofA is acting as a lead underwriter in an offering of the Fund’s Common Shares (the “Offering”); and

WHEREAS, Nuveen desires to provide additional compensation to BofA in consideration for providing the advice and services described below;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms and conditions set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.

In consideration of BofA’s providing advice relating to the structure and design and the organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares, Nuveen shall pay BofA a fee equal to $[ ] (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be paid following the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 by and among the Fund, Nuveen, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and each of the Underwriters named in Schedule I therein (the “Underwriting Agreement”)) on or before [ ], 2021, by wire transfer to the order of BofA using the following wire instructions:

 

 

[                     ]

 

2.

Notwithstanding Paragraph 1, and excluding any compensation or agreement to compensate (whether such compensation be denominated as a fee, an expense reimbursement, a set-off, a credit or otherwise) UBS Securities LLC, who is designated as lead manager in the Offering (the “UBS Fee”), in the event that Nuveen (or the Fund or any person or entity affiliated with Nuveen, the Fund or any sub-adviser to the Fund or acting on behalf of or at the direction of any of the foregoing) compensates or agrees to compensate any other broker or dealer participating in the Offering (each, an “Other Broker”) for any services or otherwise in connection with the Offering or with respect to the Fund or its Common Shares (excluding for this purpose any compensation paid directly to the entire underwriting syndicate, as a group, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement), whether such compensation be denominated as a fee, an expense reimbursement, a set-off, a credit or otherwise (such compensation with respect to any Other Broker, such Other Broker’s “Other Compensation”), then the amount of the Fee shall be increased as and to the extent necessary so that the Fee payable to BofA hereunder, expressed as both a dollar amount and as a percentage of the aggregate price to the public of the Common Shares sold by BofA in the Offering (including any Common Shares over-allotted by BofA in the Offering regardless of whether the over-allotment option in the Offering is exercised), is no less than the Other Compensation, expressed as both a dollar amount and a percentage of the aggregate price to the public of the Common Shares sold by such Other Broker in the Offering (including any Common

 

1


  Shares over-allotted by such Other Broker in the Offering regardless of whether the over-allotment option in the Offering is exercised).

Additionally, notwithstanding the above, if the UBS Fee paid to or agreed to be paid to UBS Securities LLC, as lead manager of the Offering, by Nuveen (or the Fund or any person or entity affiliated with Nuveen, the Fund or any sub-adviser to the Fund or acting on behalf of or at the direction of any of the foregoing), expressed as both a dollar amount and as a percentage of the aggregate price to the public of all Common Shares sold in the Offering, exceeds an amount equal to [        ] (the “Applicable Lead Manager Fee”), then the Fee payable to BofA hereunder shall be increased by an amount equal to the amount by which the UBS Fee paid to or agreed to be paid to UBS Securities LLC exceeds the Applicable Lead Manager Fee.

“Qualifying Broker” means any Other Broker, other than BofA, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC or Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, that sells $[        ] in Common Shares in the Offering (including any Common Shares over-allotted by such Other Broker in the Offering regardless of whether the overallotment option in the Offering is exercised).

“Non-Qualifying Broker” means any Other Broker, other than BofA, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC or Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, that is not a Qualifying Broker.

 

3.

Nuveen acknowledges that BofA did not provide and is not providing any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. No provision of this Agreement shall be considered as creating, nor shall any provision create, any obligation on the part of BofA, and BofA is not hereby agreeing, to: (i) furnish any advice or make any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities or (ii) render any opinions, valuations or recommendations of any kind or to perform any such similar services in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

 

4.

Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting BofA or its affiliates from providing similar or other services to any other clients (including other registered investment companies or other investment advisers), so long as BofA’s services to Nuveen are not impaired thereby.

 

5.

This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof. BofA confirms that should the Offering be terminated, BofA will only be reimbursed for reasonable and actual out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(D).

 

6.

Nuveen has furnished BofA with such information as BofA believes appropriate to its assignment hereunder (all such information so furnished being the “Information”). Nuveen recognizes and confirms that BofA (a) will use and rely primarily on the Information and on information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated by this Agreement without having independently verified the same and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the Information and such other information. To the best of Nuveen’s knowledge, the Information furnished by Nuveen, when delivered, was true and correct in all material respects and did not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading. Nuveen will promptly notify BofA if it learns of any material inaccuracy or misstatement in, or material omission from, any Information delivered to BofA pursuant to this Section 6.

 

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7.

It is understood that BofA is being engaged hereunder solely to provide the services described above to Nuveen and that BofA is not acting as an agent or fiduciary of, and shall have no duties or liability to the current or future shareholders of the Fund or any other third party in connection with its engagement hereunder, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

 

8.

Nuveen agrees that BofA shall have no liability to Nuveen or the Fund for any act or omission to act by BofA in the course of its performance under this Agreement, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of BofA. Nuveen agrees to the indemnification provisions and other terms set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

 

9.

This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“Claim”) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

10.

No Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and Nuveen and BofA consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. Each of BofA and Nuveen waives all right to trial by jury in any proceeding (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Nuveen agrees that a final judgment in any proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon Nuveen and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which Nuveen is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.

 

11.

This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

12.

This Agreement (including the attached Indemnification Agreement) embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such determination will not affect such provision in any other respect or any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may not be amended or otherwise modified or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by both BofA and Nuveen.

 

13.

All notices required or permitted to be sent under this Agreement shall be sent, if to Nuveen:

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Kevin J. McCarthy, Esq.

or if to BofA:

BofA Securities, Inc.

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Syndicate Department, with a copy to the ECM Legal Department

 

3


  or such other name or address as may be given in writing to the other parties. Any notice shall be deemed to be given or received on the third day after deposit in the U.S. mail with certified postage prepaid or when actually received, whether by hand, express delivery service or facsimile or electronic transmission, whichever is earlier.

 

14.

This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Structuring Fee Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC       BOFA SECURITIES, INC.
By:  

 

                                           By:  

 

  Name:         Name:
  Title:         Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NPCT – BofA Structuring Fee Agreement]


BofA Indemnification Agreement

April [ ], 2021

BofA Securities, Inc.

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of BofA Securities, Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively, “BofA”) to advise and assist the undersigned (together with its affiliates and subsidiaries, referred to as the “Company”) with the matters set forth in the Structuring Fee Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 between the Company and BofA (the “Agreement”), in the event that BofA becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “Proceeding”) in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities prior to the date of the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold BofA harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities prior to the date of the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review, that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted solely from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of BofA. In addition, in the event that BofA becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities prior to the date of the Agreement, the Company will reimburse BofA for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by BofA in connection therewith. As promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by BofA of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, BofA will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement. The Company shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the Company’s choice at the Company’s expense to represent BofA in any Proceeding for which indemnification is sought (in which case the Company shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by BofA or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to BofA. Notwithstanding the Company’s election to appoint counsel to represent BofA in a Proceeding, BofA shall have the right to employ one separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Company shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Company to represent BofA would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such Proceeding include both BofA and the Company and BofA shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the Company, (iii) the Company shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to BofA to represent BofA within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such Proceeding or (iv) the Company shall authorize BofA to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Company. If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in

 

1


the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its members and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and BofA, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its members and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, BofA shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that BofA was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, of a transaction as contemplated shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received by or paid to or contemplated to be received by or paid to the Company or its members or affiliates and other constituencies, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the Agreement bears to the fees paid to BofA under the Agreement; provided, that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that BofA is not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by BofA pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to Information (as defined in the Agreement) provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by BofA, on the other hand. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not BofA is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without BofA’s prior written consent, unless such settlement, (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. For purposes of this Indemnification Agreement, BofA shall include BofA Securities, Inc., any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling BofA or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons. The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any indemnified party may have at common law or otherwise.

The Company agrees that neither BofA nor any of its affiliates, directors, agents, employees or controlling persons shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company in connection with or as a result of either BofA’s engagement under the Agreement or any matter referred to in the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities prior to the date of the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted solely from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of BofA in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement. Nothing in this Indemnification Agreement shall be read or construed to limit any liability or obligations of any party arising under or in connection with the Underwriting Agreement (as defined in the Agreement).

For clarification, the parties to this Indemnification Agreement agree that the term “affiliate” as used in the definition of “Company” herein does not include any registered investment company (including any successor by merger or otherwise), for which Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser.

 

2


THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND BOFA CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST BOFA OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH OF BOFA AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON THE COMPANY AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

 

3


The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of the Agreement. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

Very truly yours,
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Accepted and agreed to as of

the date first above written:

 

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

[NPCT – BofA Indemnification Agreement]

 

Exhibit h.8

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT

April [ ], 2021

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

500 West 33rd Street

New York, NY 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”), Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Manager”), Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and each of the Underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), severally, with respect to the issue and sale of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 (the “Common Shares”), as described therein (the “Offering”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

1.        Fee. In consideration of your services assisting the Investment Manager with respect to the structure and design of the Fund and the organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares, the Investment Manager shall pay a fee to you in the aggregate amount of $[             ] (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be paid following the Closing Date on or before [ ], 2021. The Fee shall be paid by wire transfer to the order of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. In the event the Offering does not proceed, you will not receive any fees under this Agreement; however, for the avoidance of doubt, accountable expenses actually incurred may be payable to you pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

2.        Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof.

3.        Indemnification. The Investment Manager agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

4.        Not an Adviser; No Fiduciary Duty. The Investment Manager acknowledges that you are not providing any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. No provision of this Agreement shall be considered as creating, nor shall any provision create, any obligation on the part of you, and you are not agreeing hereby, to: (i) furnish any advice or make any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities; or (ii) render any opinions, valuations or recommendations of any kind or to perform any such similar services. The Investment Manager hereby acknowledges that your engagement under this Agreement is as an independent contractor and not in any other capacity, including as a fiduciary. Furthermore, the


Investment Manager agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgment in connection with the matters covered by this Agreement (irrespective of whether you have advised or are currently advising the Investment Manager on related or other matters).

5.        Not Exclusive. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting you or your affiliates from acting as an underwriter or financial adviser or in any other capacity for any other persons (including other registered investment companies or other investment advisers).

6.        Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent of the other party.

7.        Amendment; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

8.        Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

9.        Execution; Counterparts. This Agreement shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, or any other relevant and applicable electronic signatures law; (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above.

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Agreed and Accepted:

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

 

[Signature page to Wells Fargo Structuring Fee Agreement]


Indemnification Agreement

April [ ], 2021

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

500 West 33rd Street

New York, NY 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the “Bank”) to assist the undersigned, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, together with its affiliates and subsidiaries (the “Company”) with respect to the matters set forth in the Structuring Fee Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 between the Company and the Bank (the “Agreement”), in the event that the Bank, any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling the Bank or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, or the successors or assigns of any of the foregoing persons (the Bank and each such other person or entity being referred to as an “Indemnified Party”) becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, litigation, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “Proceeding”) with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold each Indemnified Party harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Indemnified Parties, with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review, that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. In addition, in the event that an Indemnified Party becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection therewith. Promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement. Counsel to the Indemnified Parties shall be selected by the Bank. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the Indemnified Parties) also be counsel to the Indemnified Party. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Parties, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any Proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Party

 

1


from all liability arising out of such Proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.

If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, of a transaction as contemplated shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received by or paid to or contemplated to be received by or paid to the Company or its members or affiliates, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the transaction (whether or not consummated) for which the Bank has been retained to perform services bears to the fees paid to the Bank under the Agreement; provided, that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that the Indemnified Parties are not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by the Bank pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to information provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by the Bank, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, an Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that such Indemnified Party was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not an Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without the Bank’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at common law or otherwise.

The Company agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Bank in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement.

For clarification, the parties to this Indemnification Agreement agree that the term “affiliate” as used in the definition of “Company” herein does not include any registered investment company for which Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser.

 

2


THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PERFORMED PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST THE BANK OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH INDEMNIFIED PARTY AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON THE COMPANY AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of the Bank’s engagement under the Agreement. This Indemnification Agreement shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, or any other relevant and applicable electronic signatures law; (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3


Very truly yours,
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Agreed and Accepted:
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Wells Fargo Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit h.9

FEE AGREEMENT

April [ ], 2021

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Three World Financial Center, 8th Floor

200 Vesey Street,

New York, New York 10281-8098

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”), Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Company”), Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and each of the Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto, with respect to the issue and sale of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”), as described therein (the “Offering”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

1.    Fee. In consideration of your services relating to the sale and distribution of the Common Shares, which services may be completed by your affiliate in your sole discretion, the Company shall pay a fee to you in the aggregate amount of $[                    ] (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be paid following the Closing Date on or before April [ ], 2021. The payment shall be made by wire transfer to the order of RBC Capital Markets, LLC. The Company acknowledges that the Fee is in addition to any compensation you earn in connection with your role as an underwriter to the Fund in the Offering, which services are distinct from and in addition to the services described above. In the event the Offering does not proceed, you will not receive any fees under this Agreement; however, for the avoidance of doubt, accountable expenses actually incurred may be payable to you pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

2.    Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof. If this Agreement is terminated, the Company shall reimburse only for your accountable out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(D).

3.    Indemnification. The Company agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

4.    Not an Investment Adviser; No Fiduciary Duty. The Company acknowledges that you are not providing any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. No provision of this Agreement shall be considered as creating, nor shall any provision create, any obligation on the part of you, and you are not agreeing hereby, to: (i) furnish any advice or make any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities; or (ii) render any opinions, valuations or recommendations of any kind or to perform any such similar services. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of the services contemplated hereunder shall be considered to constitute a partnership, association or joint venture between you and the Company. In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to constitute you as the agent or


employee of the Company or the Company as your agent or employee, and neither party shall make any representation to the contrary. It is understood that you are engaged hereunder as an independent contractor solely to provide the services described above to the Company and that you are not acting as an agent or fiduciary of, and you shall not have any duties or liability to, the current or future partners, members or equity owners of the Company or any other third party in connection with its engagement hereunder, all of which are hereby expressly waived to the extent the Company has the authority to waive such duties and liabilities. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the matters covered by this Agreement (irrespective of whether you have advised or are currently advising the Company on related or other matters).

5.    Not Exclusive. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting you or your affiliates from acting as an underwriter or financial adviser or in any other capacity for any other persons (including other registered investment companies or other investment managers).

6.    Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent of the other party.

7.    Amendment; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

8.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

9.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other similar electronic transmission (such as e-mail) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[END OF TEXT]

 

2


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above.

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Agreed and Accepted:

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:


[NPCT – RBC Fee Agreement]


Indemnification Agreement

April [ ], 2021

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Three World Financial Center, 8th Floor

200 Vesey Street,

New York, New York 10281-8098

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of RBC Capital Markets, LLC (the “Bank”) to advise and assist the undersigned, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), with respect to the matters set forth in the Fee Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 between the Company and the Bank (the “Agreement”), the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank and its affiliates and their respective employees, directors, officers, consultants, agents and persons deemed to be in control of the Bank or any of its affiliates within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” and individually an “Indemnified Party”), from and against any claims, losses, expenses, damages and liabilities, joint or several, as they may be incurred, related to or arising in any manner out of the engagement of the Bank under the Agreement. The Company also agrees that neither the Bank nor any other Indemnified Party shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to the Company or its affiliates, partners, directors, officers, consultants, agents, employees, controlling persons, creditors or security holders for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses related to or arising out of the Agreement. The Company will promptly reimburse any Indemnified Party for all costs and expenses as reasonably incurred (including but not limited to fees, costs and expenses of counsel(s) and expert(s)) in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense of, responding to third-party subpoenas related to, preparing to serve or serving as a witness with respect to, and/or providing evidence in, or otherwise relating to any pending or threatened claim related to or arising in any manner out of the Agreement or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not any Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to be, a formal party to such pending or threatened litigation or other proceeding (a “Proceeding”).

Without the prior written consent of the Bank, (A) neither the Company nor any member of the Company’s board of directors or similar governing body shall settle, compromise, consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any Proceeding relating to the Agreement (whether or not any Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to be, a formal party to any Proceeding) and (B) the Company shall not participate in or facilitate any such settlement, compromise, consent or termination on behalf of the Company’s board of directors or similar governing body unless in each of (A) and (B) such settlement, compromise, consent or termination (i) includes an express, complete and unconditional release of the Bank and its affiliates (and their respective control persons, partners, directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents) with respect to all claims asserted in such litigation or relating to the Agreement (such release to be set forth in an instrument signed by all parties to such settlement, compromise, consent or termination) and (ii) does not include any statement as to, or any admission of, fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party. Without the prior written consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, no Indemnified Party shall settle or compromise any claim for which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Party requests that the Company reimburse the Indemnified Party for fees, costs and expenses as provided in this Indemnification Agreement, the Company shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its prior written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than thirty (30) days after


receipt by it of the request for reimbursement, and (ii) it shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be liable hereunder for indemnification to an Indemnified Party, and the Indemnified Party shall not be exculpated, in respect of any claims, losses, expenses, damages and liabilities that are finally judicially determined, in a non-appealable judgment, to have resulted primarily and directly from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. Promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by and Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this Indemnification Agreement, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this Indemnification Agreement to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement.

The Company agrees that if any exculpation, indemnification or reimbursement sought pursuant to the Agreement were for any reason not to be available to any Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold any Indemnified Party harmless as and to the extent contemplated hereby, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of the claims, damages, losses, expenses and liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate (i) to reflect the relative benefits to the Company and its security holders on the one hand, and the Bank on the other hand, in connection with the services of the Bank to which such exculpation, indemnification or reimbursement relates or (ii) if the allocation on that basis is not permitted by applicable law, to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of each such Indemnified Party, respectively, and the Company as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company and the Bank agree that it would not be just and equitable if the contribution provided for herein were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to above. It is hereby agreed that the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and the Bank, on the other hand, with respect to this engagement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (i) the gross proceeds raised or anticipated to be raised in connection with, the transaction (whether or not consummated), as applicable, for which the Bank is engaged under the Agreement bears to (ii) the fee paid to the Bank in connection with such engagement. In no event shall the Bank contribute in excess of the fees actually received by the Bank pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this paragraph, an Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that such Indemnified Party was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

The Company agrees that the exculpation, indemnification, reimbursement and contribution obligations of the Company set forth herein shall apply whether or not any Indemnified Party is a formal party to any claim, action or proceeding relating to the Agreement. Such obligations of the Company, as well as the Company’s obligations regarding the settlement of pending or threatened litigation or other proceedings, shall survive the termination of the Agreement, shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have under the Agreement and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Company or an Indemnified Party.

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PERFORMED PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE

 

2


COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. EACH PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST THE BANK OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH INDEMNIFIED PARTY AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON SUCH PARTY AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH SUCH PARTY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

 

3


The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of the Bank’s engagement under the Agreement. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed (electronic signatures being sufficient) in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Very truly yours,

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Agreed and Accepted:

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

[NPCT – RBC Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit h.10

FEE AGREEMENT

April [ ], 2021

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

237 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”), Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”) and each of the other Underwriters named therein, severally, with respect to the issue and sale of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 (the ”Common Shares”), as described therein (the ”Offering”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

1.        Services; Fee. Stifel has provided services to the Adviser related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares (the “Services”). In consideration of the Services to the Adviser, subject to and conditioned upon the completion of the Offering, the Adviser shall pay a fee to Stifel in the aggregate amount of $[                ] (the “Fee”) following the Closing Date on or before April [ ], 2021 by wire transfer to the order of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. In the event the Offering does not proceed, you will not receive any fees under this Agreement; however, for the avoidance of doubt, accountable expenses actually incurred may be payable to you pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

2.        Indemnification. The Adviser agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

3.        Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in paragraph 1 hereof, or upon the termination of the Underwriting Agreement without the Common Shares having been delivered and paid for.

4.        Confidential Advice. Except to the extent legally required (after consultation with, and, in the case of Stifel’s advice, approval (not to be unreasonably withheld) as to form and substance by Stifel and its counsel), none of (i) the name of the Stifel, (ii) any advice rendered by Stifel to the Adviser, or (iii) the terms of this Agreement or any communication from Stifel in connection with the Services performed by Stifel pursuant to this Agreement will be quoted or referred to orally or in writing, or in the case of (ii) and (iii), reproduced or disseminated, by the Adviser or any of its affiliates or any of their agents, without Stifel’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld in the case of clause (i) and (iii) (but not (ii)).

5.        Information. The Adviser recognizes and confirms that Stifel (a) has used and relied primarily on the information provided by the Adviser and on information available from generally recognized public


sources in performing the Services contemplated by this Agreement without having assumed responsibility for independently verifying the same, (b) has not assumed responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of such information and (c) has not made an appraisal of any assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Fund.

6.        Not an Investment Adviser; No Fiduciary Duty. The Adviser acknowledges that Stifel is not providing any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. No provision of this Agreement shall be considered as creating, nor shall any provision create, any obligation on the part of Stifel, and Stifel is not agreeing hereby, to: (i) furnish any advice or make any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities; or (ii) render any opinions, valuations or recommendations of any kind or to perform any such similar services. The Adviser hereby acknowledges that Stifel’s engagement under this Agreement is as an independent contractor and not in any other capacity, including as a fiduciary. Furthermore, the Adviser agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the matters covered by this Agreement (irrespective of whether Stifel has advised or is currently advising the Adviser on related or other matters).

7.        Not Exclusive. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting Stifel or its affiliates from acting as an underwriter or financial adviser or in any other capacity for any other persons (including other registered investment companies or other investment advisers).

8.        Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent of the other party.

9.        Amendment; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

10.        Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. This Agreement together with the Indemnification Agreement constitutes the final and entire agreement and understanding between the parties to this Agreement relative to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between such parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.

11.        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above.

 

Very truly yours,
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Agreed and Accepted:

 

STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

[NPCT - Stifel Fee Agreement]


Indemnification Agreement

April [ ], 2021

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

237 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (the “Bank”) to assist the undersigned, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (together with its affiliates and subsidiaries, the “Company”) with respect to the matters set forth in the Fee Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 between the Company and the Bank (the “Agreement”), in the event that the Bank, any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling the Bank or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, or the successors or assigns of any of the foregoing persons (the Bank and each such other person or entity being referred to as an “Indemnified Party”) becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “Proceeding”) with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold each Indemnified Party harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Indemnified Parties, reasonably incurred, with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review, that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted primarily from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. In addition, in the event that an Indemnified Party becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection therewith. Promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement. The indemnifying party, upon request of the Indemnified Party, shall retain counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party and shall pay the reasonably incurred fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such Proceeding. In any such Proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such Proceeding; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the Indemnified Parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or deferred), also be counsel to the Indemnified Party. No indemnifying party, including, without limitation, the Company, nor any member of the Company, shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or deferred), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any


judgment with respect to any Proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such Proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.

If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its members and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, of a transaction as contemplated shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received by or paid to or contemplated to be received by or paid to the Company or its members or affiliates, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the transaction (whether or not consummated) for which the Bank has been retained to perform services bears to the fees paid to the Bank under the Agreement; provided, that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that the Indemnified Parties are not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by the Bank pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to information provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by the Bank, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, an Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that such Indemnified Party was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not an Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without the Bank’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or deferred). The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at common law or otherwise.

The Company agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted primarily from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Bank in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement.

For clarification, the parties to this Indemnification Agreement agree that the term “affiliate” as used in the definition of “Company” herein does not include any registered investment company for which the Company or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser.

 

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THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PERFORMED PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST THE BANK OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH INDEMNIFIED PARTY AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE BANK AND THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON THE BANK OR THE COMPANY, RESPECTIVELY, AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

This Agreement together with the Fee Agreement constitutes the final and entire agreement and understanding between the parties to this Agreement relative to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between such parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.

The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of the Bank’s engagement under the Agreement. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed (electronic signatures being sufficient) in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Indemnification Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Indemnification Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Agreed and Accepted:

STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NPCT – Stifel Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit h.11

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT

April [ ], 2021

[            ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This agreement (the “Agreement”) is between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (including any successor or assign by merger or otherwise, the “Company”) and each qualifying underwriter listed on Schedule I hereto (each, a “Qualifying Underwriter”) with respect to Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement dated April [ ], 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Fund, the Company, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and each of the underwriters named therein.

1.        Fee. In consideration of certain financial advisory services that each Qualifying Underwriter has provided to the Company related to the sale and distribution of common shares of the Fund, the Company shall pay a fee to each Qualifying Underwriter in the amount set forth with respect to such Qualifying Underwriter on Schedule I hereto (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be paid following the Closing Date on or before [ ], 2021. In the event the Offering does not proceed, each Qualifying Underwriter will not receive any fees under this Agreement; however, for the avoidance of doubt, accountable expenses actually incurred may be payable to the Qualifying Underwriters pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

2.        Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

3.        Indemnification. The Company agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

4.        Not an Investment Adviser. The Company acknowledges that each Qualifying Underwriter has not provided any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Qualifying Underwriter has been retained to act solely as an adviser to the Company, and the Company’s engagement of each Qualifying Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement is not intended to confer rights upon any person (including the Fund or any shareholders, employees or creditors of the Company or the Fund) not a party hereto as against a Qualifying Underwriter or its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, successors, or assigns. Each Qualifying Underwriter has acted as an


independent contractor under this Agreement, and not in any other capacity including as a fiduciary, and any duties arising out of its engagement under this Agreement shall be owed solely to the Company.

5.        Not Exclusive. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting you or your affiliates from acting as an underwriter or financial adviser or in any other capacity for any other persons (including other registered investment companies or other investment managers).

6.        Amendment; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

7.        Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“Claim”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. No Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. EACH OF THE QUALIFYING UNDERWRITERS AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

8.        Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and the Qualifying Underwriters and their respective successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s or a Qualifying Underwriter’s respective businesses and/or assets.

9.        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or other similar electronic transmission (such as e-mail) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above.

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

By:                                                                       

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

Agreed and Accepted:

 

[            ]

 

 

By:                                                                      

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

[Signature page to Qualifying Underwriter Structuring Fee Agreement]


Schedule I

 

Qualifying Underwriter   Fee  

Percentage of the total price

to the public of the shares

sold by the Fund in the Offering


Indemnification Agreement

April, 2021

[            ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Structuring Fee Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated April [ ], 2021, between the undersigned (including any successor or assign by merger or otherwise, the “Company”) and each Qualifying Underwriter listed on Schedule I thereto (each a “Qualifying Underwriter”). In connection with the engagement of each Qualifying Underwriter to advise and assist the Company with the matters set forth in the Agreement, in the event that a Qualifying Underwriter becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “Proceeding”) in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities provided prior to the date of the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Qualifying Underwriter harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities provided prior to the date of the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Qualifying Underwriter. In addition, in the event that a Qualifying Underwriter becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding in connection with any matter in any way relating to or referred to in the Agreement or arising out of the matters contemplated by the Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Qualifying Underwriter for its legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by the Qualifying Underwriter in connection therewith.

As promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement.

If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its shareholders and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and the Qualifying Underwriter, on the other hand, in connection with the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason

 

1


held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its shareholders and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its shareholders and affiliates and other constituencies, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, in connection with the matters contemplated by the Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received by or paid to or contemplated to be received by or paid to the Company or its shareholders or affiliates and other constituencies, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the matters (whether or not consummated) for which the Qualifying Underwriter has been retained to perform financial services bears to the fees paid to the Qualifying Underwriter under the Agreement; provided that, in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that the Qualifying Underwriter is not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by the Qualifying Underwriter pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to information provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by the Qualifying Underwriter, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, an indemnified party shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that such indemnified party was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not the Qualifying Underwriter is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without the Qualifying Underwriter’s prior written consent. For purposes of this Indemnification Agreement, the Qualifying Underwriter shall include the Qualifying Underwriter, any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling the Qualifying Underwriter or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons. The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any indemnified party may have at common law or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein and for the avoidance of doubt, the Qualifying Underwriter shall have no right hereunder to indemnification, reimbursement for legal or other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) or contribution from the Company in connection with any matter with respect to which indemnification, reimbursement, contribution or other similar remedies may be sought by the Qualifying Underwriter under the Underwriting Agreement (as defined in the Agreement).

The Company agrees that neither a Qualifying Underwriter nor any of its affiliates, directors, agents, employees or controlling persons shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company in connection with or as a result of either the Qualifying Underwriter’s engagement under the Agreement or any matter referred to in the Agreement, including, without limitation, related services and activities provided prior to the date of the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject

 

2


to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Qualifying Underwriter in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement.

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFYING UNDERWRITERS CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST THE QUALIFYING UNDERWRITER OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH OF THE QUALIFYING UNDERWRITERS AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON THE COMPANY AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of the Qualifying Underwriters’ engagement. This Indemnification Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and the Qualifying Underwriters and their respective successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s or the Qualifying Underwriters’ respective businesses and/or assets. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed (electronic signatures being sufficient) in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3


Very truly yours,
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

By:                                                                      

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

Agreed and Accepted:

 

[            ]

 

 

By:                                                                      

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Qualifying Underwriter Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit j.2

AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN

AGREEMENT BETWEEN

EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY IDENTIFIED ON APPENDIX A

OF THE AGREEMENT

AND

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

This AMENDMENT (the “Amendment”) is entered into as of the 26th day of April, 2021 and effective as of the 15th Day of March, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), amending the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) made as of July 15, 2015 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Custodian”) and each management investment company identified on Appendix A of the Agreement and each management investment company which becomes a party to the Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof (in each case, a “Fund” or “Funds”), including, if applicable, each series of the Fund identified on Appendix A and each series which becomes a party to the Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides that it may be amended by agreement between the parties at any time or from time to time in writing; and

WHEREAS, Custodian and the Funds wish to amend the Agreement to add an additional Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

  1.

Amendment and Restatement Appendix A. Appendix A to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Appendix A attached to this Amendment, effective as of the Effective Date, which Appendix A may be supplemented or modified by the parties from time to time in writing, which upon execution and delivery shall form a part of the Agreement.

 

  2.

Defined Terms. Terms used in this Amendment but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

  3.

One Agreement. Except as amended herein, no other terms or provisions of the Agreement are amended or modified by this Amendment. Upon the execution of this Amendment, this Amendment and the Agreement shall form one agreement.

 

  4.

Counterparts.    This Amendment may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Amendment. Counterparts may be executed in either original or electronically transmitted form (e.g., faxes or emailed portable document format (PDF) form), and the parties hereby adopt as original any signatures received via electronically transmitted form.

 

  5.

Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the choice of law set forth in the Agreement (excluding the law thereof which requires the application of or reference to the law of any other jurisdiction).


[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed for and on behalf of the undersigned as of the day and year first written above

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST

COMPANY

                

EACH OF THE MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND SERIES

SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO

Signed on its behalf:    

Signed on its behalf:

By: /s/ Louis Abruzzi                                                          

    By: /s/ E. Scott Wickerham                                                          
(Authorized Signatory)     (Authorized Signatory)

Name: Louis Abruzzi

   

Name: E. Scott Wickerham

Title: Senior Vice President

   

Title: SMD, Head of Fund Admin. VP & Controller


APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of April 26, 2021)

NUVEEN CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Enhanced AMT-Free Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund*

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund*

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund*

Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California AMT- Free Municipal Income Fund*

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2*

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.*

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund*

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio*

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (effective March 15, 2021)

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2024 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

Nuveen Dow 30SM Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund*

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2025 Term Fund

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund*

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2*

Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2018 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2019 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income November 2021 Target Term Fund


Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund*

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund*

Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Income Fund*

Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2 Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund*

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund*

Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund*

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund*

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.*

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.*

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund*

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund*

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New York AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund*

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2*

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc.*

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund*

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio*

Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund*

Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Securities Income Fund

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund*

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio*

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2*

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3*

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund


Nuveen Strategic Municipal Credit Fund f/k/a Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund*

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund*

NUVEEN OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund*

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST I, on behalf of:

Nuveen Arizona Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund*

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund*

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund*

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST IV, on behalf of:

Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund*


NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global All-Cap Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen Global Growth Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Japan Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Global Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara International Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony International Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony Mid-Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Symphony Small Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Emerging Markets Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Large Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Small Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG Fund f/k/a Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Winslow Managed Volatility Equity Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Credit Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Bond Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Symphony Credit Opportunities Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST V, on behalf of:

Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Gresham Diversified Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Long/Short Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Managed Futures Strategy Fund

Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Tax-Aware Fund

Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund

Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Securities Fund


NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST, on behalf of

Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio

Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio*

NUVEEN INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC., on behalf of

Nuveen Dividend Value

Fund Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund

Nuveen Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Value Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Nebraska Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Short Term Municipal Bond Fund*

Nuveen Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

*Tax-Exempt funds eligible for an earnings credit on U.S. cash balances as of April 1, 2020

Exhibit k.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED SCHEDULE A

TO TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

The attached Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement Between Each of the Nuveen Closed-End Investment Companies Listed on Scheduled A Attached Hereto and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., effective as of June 15, 2017, as amended (the “TA Agreement”), hereby amends and restates Schedule A to the TA Agreement in its entirety, to be effective April 12, 2021.

[Remainder of this page is left intentionally blank.]


Amended and Restated Schedule A

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

To Be Effective April 12, 2021

 

Fund Name

  

    CPU COY    

             Cusip        

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

   NUV      670928100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund f/k/a Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

   NCA      67062C107

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund f/k/a Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

   NNY      67062M105

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

   NMI      67062J102

Nuveen PA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NQP      670972108

Nuveen OH Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NUO      670980101

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXP      67062F100

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

   NXQ      67063C106

Nuveen CA Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXC      67063R103

Nuveen NY Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXN      67063V104

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

   NXR      67063X100

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

   NIM      67061T101

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NVG      67071L106

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NZF      67070X101

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NEA      670657105

Nuveen NY AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NRK      670656107

Nuveen CA AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKX      670651108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

   JFR      67072T108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

   JRO      6706EN100

Nuveen AZ Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAZ      67061W104

Nuveen MA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMT      67061E104

Nuveen VA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NPV      67064R102

Nuveen MO Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NOM      67060Q108

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAD      67066V101

Nuveen NY Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAN      67066X107

Nuveen CA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAC      67066Y105

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

   NSL      67067Y104

Nuveen NJ Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NXJ      67069Y102

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

   JRS      67071B108

Nuveen GA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKG      67072B107

Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund

   JPS      67072C105

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

   JPC      67073B106

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

   JQC      67073D102

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

   JDD      6706EP105

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

   NMZ      670682103

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

   JTA      67090H102

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

   JPZ      6706ER101

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   JPG      6706EW100

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

   JCE      67090X107

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

   JTD      67073G105

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund

   NUW      670695105

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

   NEVF      67074M101

Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

   JLS      670735109

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

   NBB      67074C103


Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund    QQQF      670699107
Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund    JSD      67074X107
Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund    JRI      67074Y105
Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund    JPI      67075A106
Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund    NID      670671106
Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund    NIQ      670677103
Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund    JMM      67075J107
Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund    JEMD      67077P101
Nuveen MN Quality Municipal Income Fund    NMS      670734102
Nuveen Global High Income Fund    JGH      67075G103
Nuveen Dow 30 Dynamic Overwrite Fund    DIAX      67075F105
Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund f/k/a Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund    JHAA      67079F101
Nuveen Corporate Income Nov 2021 Target Term Fund f/k/a Nuveen High Income Nov 2021 Target Term    JHB      67077N106
Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund    JPT      67075T105
Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund    JCO      67075U102
Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund    NMCO      670663103
Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund    NDMO      67079X102
Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund    NPCT      67080D103
Nuveen NAD Series 2028-1 AMTP    NADC      67066V788
Nuveen NIQ Adj Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2023    NIQA      670677301
Nuveen NAD Series 2028 AMTP    NADA      67066V796
Nuveen NAN Series 2028 AMTP    NANA      670654102
Nuveen NAZ Series 2028 AMTP    NAZA      67061W880
Nuveen NID Adj Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2023    VNID      670671403
Nuveen NKG Series 2028 AMTP    NKGA      67072B875
Nuveen NMS Series 2028 AMTP    NMSA      670734508
Nuveen NMZ Adj Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2028    NMZA      670682889
Nuveen NEA Series 2028 AMTP    NEAX      670657758
Nuveen NVG Series 2028 AMTP    NVGX      67071L817
Nuveen NEA Series 2028-1 AMTP    VNEA      670657741
Nuveen NAD Series 2028-2 AMTP    NADD      67066V762

Exhibit l.1

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

191 North Wacker Drive

Suite 1601

Chicago, IL 60606

April 26, 2021

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

We have acted as counsel for Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (the “Fund”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of certain of its common shares of beneficial interest, par value of $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) in registration statement no. 333-251817 on form N-2 as it is proposed to be amended by pre-effective amendment no. 5 (as proposed to be amended, the “Registration Statement”).

In this connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate and other records, certificates and other papers as we deemed it necessary to examine for the purpose of this opinion, including the Fund’s declaration of trust and by-laws, actions of the board of trustees of the Fund authorizing the issuance of shares of the Fund and the Registration Statement.

We assume that, upon sale of the Shares, the Fund will receive the authorized consideration therefor, which will at least equal the net asset value of the Shares.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the Shares are issued and sold after the Registration Statement has been declared effective and the authorized consideration therefor is received by the Fund, they will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable by the Fund, except that, as set forth in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the Fund may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for obligations of the Fund.

In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have relied upon the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP expressed in their letter to us dated April 26, 2021.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the heading “Legal opinions and experts” in the Prospectus and “Tax matters” in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under section 7 of the Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

LOGO

Exhibit l.2

April 26, 2021

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

191 N. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1601

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

  RE:

Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Massachusetts counsel to Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Fund”), in connection with the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 as such Registration Statement is proposed to be amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 5 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about April 26, 2021 (as proposed to be amended, the “Registration Statement”), with respect to certain of its Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value of $.01 per share (the “Shares”). You have requested that we deliver this opinion to you, as special counsel to the Fund, for use by you in connection with your opinion to the Fund with respect to the Shares.

In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined the following documents:

(a)    a certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as to the existence of the Fund;

(b)    a copy, as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 4, 2020, of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust dated December 3, 2020, and the name change amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated December 18, 2020, as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 21, 2020 (as so amended, the “Declaration”);

(c)    a certificate of the Secretary of the Fund, certifying as to the Fund’s Declaration, By-Laws, and the resolutions adopted by written consents of the sole Trustee of the Fund dated December 3, 2020 and February 22, 2021 and the resolutions adopted by the Fund’s Trustees at a meeting held on February 23-25, 2021 (the “Resolutions”);

(d)    a printer’s proof received on April 26, 2021 of Pre-Effective

 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP    
One Federal Street    
Boston, MA 02110   LOGO   +1.617.341.7700
United States   LOGO   +1.617.341.7701


Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

April 26, 2021

Page 2

 

Amendment No. 5.

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, 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 that the Registration Statement, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be in substantially the form of the printer’s proof referred to in paragraph (d). We have further assumed that the Fund’s Declaration and the Resolutions will not have been amended, modified or withdrawn with respect to matters relating to the Shares and will be in full force and effect on the date of issuance of such Shares.

This opinion is based entirely on our review of the documents listed above and such investigation of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. We have made no other review or investigation of any kind whatsoever, and we have assumed, without independent inquiry, the accuracy of the information set forth in such documents. As to our opinion below relating to the legal existence of the Fund, our opinion relies entirely upon and is limited by the certificate referenced in paragraph (a) above.

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 which any tribunal may apply. In addition, to the extent that the Fund’s 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 Fund, except for the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as aforesaid, we have assumed compliance with such reference, incorporation or requirement by the Fund.

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:

1.    The Fund is legally existing under the Fund’s Declaration and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a voluntary association with transferable shares of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a “Massachusetts business trust.”

2.    The Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Resolutions, and for the consideration described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except that, as indicated in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the 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 your reliance on this opinion in


Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

April 26, 2021

Page 3

 

connection with your opinion to the Fund with respect to the Shares, to the reference to our name in the Registration Statement under the heading “Legal opinions and experts” 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 Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP

Exhibit n

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund of our report dated March 25, 2021, relating to the financial statements of Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Experts” and “Legal opinions and experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 26, 2021

Exhibit p

NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

Subscription Agreement

This Agreement made this March 15, 2021 by and between Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Fund”), and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Subscriber”);

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Fund has been formed for the purposes of carrying on business as a closed-end management investment company; and

WHEREAS, the Subscriber has been selected by the Fund’s Board of Trustees to serve as investment adviser to the Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Subscriber wishes to subscribe for and purchase, and the Fund wishes to sell to the Subscriber, 5,000 common shares for a purchase price of $20.00 per share;

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

l. The Subscriber subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Fund 5,000 common shares for a purchase price of $20.00 per share. Subscriber agrees to make payment for these shares at such time as demand for payment may be made by an officer of the Fund.

2. The Fund agrees to issue and sell said shares to Subscriber promptly upon its receipt of the purchase price.

3. To induce the Fund to accept its subscription and issue the shares subscribed for, the Subscriber represents that it is informed as follows:

(a) That the shares being subscribed for have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of l933 (“Securities Act”);

(b) That the shares will be sold by the Fund in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act;

(c) That the Fund’s reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is predicated in part on the representations and agreements contained in this Subscription Agreement;


(d) That when issued, the shares will be “restricted securities” as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of Rule l44 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act (“Rule l44”) and cannot be sold or transferred by Subscriber unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and

(e) That there do not appear to be any exemptions from the registration provisions of the Securities Act available to the Subscriber for resale of the shares. In the future, certain exemptions may possibly become available, including an exemption for limited sales in accordance with the conditions of Rule l44.

The Subscriber understands that a primary purpose of the information acknowledged in subparagraphs (a) through (e) above is to put it on notice as to restrictions on the transferability of the shares.

4. To further induce the Fund to accept its subscription and issue the shares subscribed for, the Subscriber:

(a) Represents and warrants that the shares subscribed for are being and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not on behalf of any other person or persons and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any public distribution thereof; and

(b) Agrees that any certificates representing the shares subscribed for may bear a legend substantially in the following form:

The shares represented by this certificate have been acquired for investment and have not been registered under the Securities Act of l933 or any other federal or state securities law. These shares may not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred unless registered under said securities laws or unless some exemption from registration is available.

5. This Subscription Agreement and all of its provisions shall be binding upon the legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

2


6. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Fund by the Fund’s officers as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Fund’s Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Subscription Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the day and date first above written.

 

NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND
By:   /s/ Mark L. Winget
  Mark L. Winget
  Vice President and Secretary
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:   /s/ Christopher M. Rohrbacher
  Christopher M. Rohrbacher
  Managing Director

 

3

Nuveen Funds

Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees

 

 

 

 

  I.

Summary

 

  a.

Purpose

The purpose of this Code is to help to ensure that the Independent Directors/Trustees (“Trustees”) of the Nuveen Funds place the interests of the Nuveen Funds and their shareholders ahead of the Trustees’ own personal interests. This Code has been adopted in recognition of Nuveen’s and the Trustees’ fiduciary obligations to Nuveen Fund shareholders and in accordance with various provisions of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

  b.

Important to understand

The securities industry is highly regulated and its participants are expected to adhere to high standards of behavior, including in their personal trading. A violation of the Code can have an adverse effect on you, your fellow Trustees, and Nuveen, as well as the Funds and their shareholders. The Code does not address every ethical issue that might arise.

It is important for Trustees to be sensitive to investments that may compromise your independence, directly or indirectly. The Code applies to appearance as well as substance. Always consider how any action might appear to an outside observer such as a regulator. If you have any doubt after consulting the Code, contact Legal or Compliance.

For purposes of this Policy, the obligations and requirements for Independent Trustees also covers the Independent Trustee’s Household Members (as defined herein) and covers any account for which the Independent Trustee or Household Member has Beneficial Ownership (also as defined herein).

 

  c.

Terms with Special Meanings

 

  i.

Beneficial Ownership: Any interest by which you or any Household Member – directly or indirectly – derives a monetary benefit from purchasing, selling, or owning a security or account, or exercises investment discretion.

You have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in accounts in your own name, or any Household Member’s name, and in all other accounts over which you or any Household Member exercise or may exercise investment decision-making powers, or other influence or control, including trust, partnership, estate, and corporate accounts or other joint ownership or pooling arrangements.

 

  ii.

Code. This Code of Ethics.

 

  iii.

Household Member: Any of the following who reside, or are expected to reside for at least 90 days a year, in the same household as an Independent Trustee: Spouse or Domestic Partner, Sibling, Child, Stepchild, Grandchild, Parent, Stepparent, Grandparent, In-laws (mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister).


  iv.

Inside Information: Inside information is information that is both material and non-public. Information is material if: (1) a reasonable investor would likely consider it important when making an investment decision; and (2) public release of the information would likely affect the price of a security. Information is non-public if it has not been distributed through a widely used public medium such as a press release or a report, filing or other periodic communication.

 

  v.

Nuveen: Nuveen, LLC. and all of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

 

  vi.

Nuveen Fund: Any Nuveen-sponsored open-end fund, closed-end fund, or exchange traded fund (respectively, “OEF,” “CEF,” and “ETF”)

 

  vii.

NFAL: Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

 

  viii.

Trustee: Any director or trustee of a Nuveen Fund advised by NFAL who is not an “interested person” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Any Interested Trustee is covered by the applicable Nuveen Code of Ethics along with other Nuveen employees.

 

  II.

Restrictions and requirements

 

  a.

Do not purchase or sell common or preferred shares of any Nuveen CEF without prior approval from Nuveen Legal. The procedures are found in the Director Handbook located in the board’s online portal at https://nuveen.boardvantage.com under the “Resources” folder.

 

  b.

Do not purchase and sell or sell and purchase a Nuveen CEF within 6 months at a profit.

 

  c.

Do not purchase or sell any securities if you know at the time of the proposed transaction that a Nuveen Fund has purchased or sold the same securities within the past 15 days, or is considering purchasing or selling the same securities within the next 15 days. This is the “15 day window.”

 

  d.

Avoid conflicts of interest. This applies not only to actual conflicts of interest, but also to any situation that might appear to an outside observer to be improper or a breach of fiduciary duty.

 

  e.

Keep confidential information regarding the Nuveen Funds, including information regarding securities held in or under consideration for a Nuveen Fund, confidential.

 

  f.

Comply with trading restrictions found in the prospectuses for the Nuveen Funds. This includes restrictions on frequent trading in shares of any Nuveen OEF.

 

  g.

Never do anything indirectly that, if done directly, would violate the Code. Such actions will be considered the equivalent of direct Code violations.

 

  h.

Promptly alert Compliance of any actual or suspected wrongdoing.

 

2


  III.

Actions to Take

 

  a.

When you become an Independent Trustee: Sign an acknowledgement that you have received this Code.

 

  b.

If you want to trade in a security within the 15-day window (described above)

 

  i.

Contact Legal to pre-clear your trade.

 

  ii.

Submit a quarterly transaction report to Compliance within 30 days after the end of the quarter in which the transaction takes place.

 

  c.

If you want to trade in common or preferred shares of any Nuveen CEF

 

  i.

Contact Legal to pre-clear your trade.

 

  ii.

After you have purchased or sold the shares, immediately notify Legal and Compliance of the number of shares and the price.

 

  d.

Section 16 – CEF Insider Requirements

 

  i.

Reporting Requirements – Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act required officers and directors of certain publicly-traded companies to report promptly to the SEC their trades in the company of which they are an “insider.” As an Independent Trustee, you are considered an “insider” of the Nuveen CEFs and must report your trades in Nuveen CEF shares. Please also see III.c.ii. above.

 

  ii.

Short Swing Profit Prohibition – Section 16 insiders are also subject to a ban on short-swing profits from sales of shares of the company. This means that you may not profit from any purchase and any sale of Nuveen CEF shares within 6 months of each other. You must surrender to the Nuveen CEF in question any profits from such trades. This extends to options or other transactions that may have the same effect as a purchase or sale. Please also see II.b. above.

 

  e.

During the year: Acknowledge receipt of any material amendments to the Code. Your approval of such changes may serve as the acknowledgment.

IV. Administration of this Code

 

  a.

Training: A Nuveen representative will review this Code with you when you join the Board.

 

  b.

Exceptions: The Code exists to ensure that Trustees place the interests of the Nuveen Funds and shareholders ahead of Trustee’s own personal interests. No exceptions that would violate that principle will be granted.

 

3


  c.

Reporting and enforcement: Compliance will alert the Nuveen Fund Board to any known violations of this Code. The Nuveen Fund Board shall determine what action is appropriate for any breach of the provisions of this Code by a Trustee.

 

  V.

Responsible Parties

Fund Board Relations

Legal

Compliance (Fund and Ethics Office)

Effective: January 1, 2013

Amended: May 23, 2019

 

4


Appendix

Policy Governance

Approval Date: See Policy

Approver: NFAL Compliance Committee

Review Date: 4/30/19

Effective Date: See Policy

Policy Leader: Fund Compliance

Policy Owner: See Responsible Party Section of Policy

 

5

Exhibit s

NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Jack B. Evans                                         
Jack B. Evans


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ William C. Hunter                                         
William C. Hunter


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Albin F. Moschner                                         
Albin F. Moschner


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ John K. Nelson                                         
John K. Nelson


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Judith M. Stockdale                                         
Judith M. Stockdale


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Carole E. Stone                                         
Carole E. Stone


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Matthew Thornton III                                         
Matthew Thornton III


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Terence J. Toth                                         
Terence J. Toth


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Margaret L. Wolff                                         
Margaret L. Wolff


NUVEEN CORE PLUS IMPACT FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 23rd day of February 2021.

 

/s/ Robert L. Young                                         
Robert L. Young