Form 487 SmartTrust 545

1933 Act File No.: 333-259547

1940 Act File No.: 811-21429

CIK No.: 1824945

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 1

to

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ON

Form S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act

of 1933 of Securities of Unit Investment

Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

Hennion & Walsh, Inc.
2001 Route 46, Waterview Plaza

Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

As Soon As Practicable After The Effective Date Of The Registration Statement

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SmartTrust

Information Supplement

December 6, 2021

This Information Supplement provides additional information concerning SmartTrust unit investment trusts that have prospectuses dated on and after the date set forth above. This Information Supplement should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for a trust. It is not a prospectus. It does not include all of the information that an investor should consider before investing in a trust. It may not be used to offer or sell units of a trust without the prospectus. This Information Supplement is incorporated into the prospectus by reference and has been filed as part of the registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for each applicable trust. Investors should obtain and read the prospectus prior to purchasing units of a trust. You can obtain the prospectus without charge at www.smartrustuit.com, by contacting your financial professional or by contacting Hennion & Walsh, Inc. at (973) 299-8989.

Contents

General Information

Each trust is one of a series of separate unit investment trusts (“UITs”) created under the name SmartTrust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Each trust was created as a common law trust on the initial date of deposit set forth in the prospectus for such trust under the laws of the state of New York. Each trust was created under a trust agreement among Hennion & Walsh, Inc. (as sponsor/depositor), Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, Inc. (as supervisor) and The Bank of New York Mellon (as trustee).

When a trust was created, the sponsor delivered to the trustee securities or contracts for the purchase thereof for deposit in the trust and the trustee delivered to the sponsor documentation evidencing the ownership of units of the trust. At the close of the New York Stock Exchange on a trust’s initial date of deposit or the first day units are offered to the public, the number of units may be adjusted so that the public offering price per unit equals $10. The number of units, fractional interest of each unit in a trust and any estimated income distributions per unit will increase or decrease to the extent of any adjustment. Additional units of a trust may be issued from time to time by depositing in the trust additional securities (or contracts for the purchase thereof together with cash or irrevocable letters of credit) or cash (including a letter of credit or the equivalent) with instructions to purchase additional securities. As additional units are issued by a trust, the aggregate value of the securities in the trust will be increased and the fractional undivided interest in the trust represented by each unit will be decreased. The sponsor may continue to make additional deposits of securities into a trust, provided that such additional deposits will be in amounts which will generally maintain the existing relationship among the shares of the securities in such trust. Thus, although additional units will be issued, each unit will generally continue to represent the approximately same number of shares of each security. If the sponsor deposits cash to purchase additional securities, existing and new investors may experience a dilution of their investments and a reduction in their anticipated income because of fluctuations in the prices of the securities between the time of the deposit and the purchase of the securities and because a trust will pay any associated brokerage fees.

Neither the sponsor nor the trustee shall be liable in any way for any failure in any of the securities. However, should any contract for the purchase of any of the securities initially deposited in a trust fail, the sponsor will, unless substantially all of the moneys held in the trust to cover such purchase are reinvested in substitute securities in accordance with the trust agreement, refund the cash and sales charge attributable to such failed contract to all unitholders on the next distribution date.

Investment Policies

Each trust is a UIT and is not an “actively managed” fund. Traditional methods of investment management for a managed fund typically involve frequent changes in a portfolio of securities on the basis of economic, financial and market analysis. The portfolio of a trust, however, will not be actively managed and therefore the adverse financial condition of an issuer will not necessarily require the sale of its securities from a portfolio.

The sponsor may not alter the portfolio of a trust by the purchase, sale or substitution of securities, except in special circumstances as provided in the applicable trust agreement. Thus, the assets of a trust will generally remain unchanged under normal circumstances. Each trust agreement provides that the sponsor may direct the trustee to sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of securities in the trust at such price and time and in such manner as shall be determined by the sponsor, provided that the supervisor has determined, if appropriate, that any one or more of the following conditions exist with respect to such securities: (i) that there has been a default in the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments, after declared and when due and payable; (ii) that any action or proceeding has been instituted at law or equity seeking to restrain or enjoin the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments on securities after declared and when due and payable, or that there exists any legal question or impediment affecting such securities or the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments from the same; (iii) that there has occurred any breach of covenant or warranty in any document relating to the issuer of the securities which would adversely affect either immediately or contingently the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments on the securities or the general credit standing of the issuer or otherwise impair the sound investment character of such securities; (iv) that there has been a default in the payment of dividends, interest, principal, income, premium or other similar payments, if any, on any other outstanding obligations of the issuer of such securities; (v) that the price of the security has declined to such an extent or other such credit factors exist so that in the opinion of the supervisor, as evidenced in writing to the trustee, the retention of such securities would be detrimental to the trust and to the interest of the unitholders; (vi) that all of the securities in the trust will be sold pursuant to termination of the trust; (vii) that such sale is required due to units tendered for redemption; (viii) that there has been a public tender offer made for a security or a merger or acquisition is announced affecting a security, and that in the opinion of the supervisor the sale or tender of the security is in the best interest of the unitholders; (ix) if the trust is designed to be a grantor trust for tax purposes, that the sale of such securities is required in order to prevent the trust from being deemed an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes; (x) if the trust has elected to be a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) for tax purposes, that such sale is necessary or advisable (a) to maintain the qualification of the trust as a RIC or (b) to provide funds to make any distribution for a taxable year in order to avoid imposition of any income or excise taxes on the trust or on undistributed income in the trust; (xi) that as result of the ownership of the security, the trust or its unitholders would be a direct or indirect shareholder of a passive foreign investment company as defined in section 1297(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (xii) that such sale is necessary for the trust to comply with such federal and/or state securities laws, regulations and/or regulatory actions and interpretations which may be in effect from time to time. The trustee may also sell securities, designated by the supervisor, from a trust for the purpose of the payment of expenses. In the event a security is sold as a direct result of serious adverse credit factors affecting the issuer of such security and a trust is a RIC for tax purposes, then the sponsor may, if permitted by applicable law, but is not obligated to, direct the reinvestment of the proceeds of the sale of such security in any other securities which meet the criteria necessary for inclusion in such trust on the initial date of deposit.

If the trustee is notified at any time of any action to be taken or proposed to be taken by holders of the portfolio securities, the trustee will notify the sponsor and will take such action or refrain from taking any action as the sponsor directs and, if the sponsor does not within five

business days of the giving of such notice direct the trustee to take or refrain from taking any action, the trustee will take such reasonable action or refrain from taking any action so that the securities are voted as closely as possible in the same manner and the same general proportion, with respect to all issues, as are shares of such securities that are held by owners other than the trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the trustee shall have been notified at any time of any action to be taken or proposed to be taken by holders of shares of any registered investment company, the trustee will thereupon take such reasonable action or refrain from taking any action with respect to the fund shares so that the fund shares are voted as closely as possible in the same manner and the same general proportion, with respect to all issues, as are shares of such fund shares that are held by owners other than the related trust.

In the event that an offer by the issuer of any of the securities or any other party is made to issue new securities, or to exchange securities, for trust portfolio securities, the trustee will reject such offer, provided that in the case of a trust that is a RIC for tax purposes, if an offer by the issuer of any of the securities or any other party is made to issue new securities, or to exchange securities, for trust portfolio securities, the trustee will at the direction of the sponsor, vote for or against, or accept or reject, any offer for new or exchanged securities or property in exchange for a trust portfolio security. If any such issuance, exchange or substitution occurs (regardless of any action or rejection by a trust), any securities, cash and/or property received will be deposited into the trust and will be promptly sold, if securities or property, by the trustee pursuant to the sponsor’s direction, unless the sponsor advises the trustee to keep such securities, cash or property. The sponsor may rely on the supervisor in so advising the trustee.

Proceeds from the sale of securities (or any securities or other property received by a trust in exchange for securities) are credited to the Capital Account of the trust for distribution to unitholders or to meet redemptions. Except for failed securities and as provided herein, in a prospectus or in a trust agreement, the acquisition by a trust of any securities other than the portfolio securities is prohibited.

Because certain of the securities in certain of the trusts may from time to time under certain circumstances be sold or otherwise liquidated and because the proceeds from such events will be distributed to unitholders and will not be reinvested, no assurance can be given that a trust will retain for any length of time its present size and composition. Neither the sponsor nor the trustee shall be liable in any way for any default, failure or defect in any security. In the event of a failure to deliver any security that has been purchased for a trust under a contract (“Failed Securities”), the sponsor is authorized under the trust agreement to direct the trustee to acquire other securities (“Replacement Securities”) to make up the original corpus of such trust.

The Replacement Securities must be securities as originally selected for deposit in a trust or, in the case of a trust that is a RIC for tax purposes, securities which the sponsor determines to be similar in character as the securities originally selected for deposit in the trust and the purchase of the Replacement Securities may not adversely affect the federal income tax status of the trust. The Replacement Securities must be purchased within thirty days after the deposit of the Failed Security. Whenever a Replacement Security is acquired for a trust, the trustee shall notify all unitholders of the trust of the acquisition of the Replacement Security and shall, on the next distribution date which is more than thirty days thereafter, make a pro rata distribution of

the amount, if any, by which the cost to the trust of the Failed Security exceeded the cost of the Replacement Security. The trustee will not be liable or responsible in any way for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any purchase made pursuant to, or any failure to make any purchase of Replacement Securities. The sponsor will not be liable for any failure to instruct the trustee to purchase any Replacement Securities, nor shall the trustee or sponsor be liable for errors of judgment in connection with Failed Securities or Replacement Securities.

If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding paragraphs is not utilized to acquire Replacement Securities in the event of a failed contract, the sponsor will refund the sales charge attributable to such Failed Securities to all unitholders of the related trust and the trustee will distribute the cash attributable to such Failed Securities not more than thirty days after the date on which the trustee would have been required to purchase a Replacement Security. In addition, unitholders should be aware that, at the time of receipt of such cash, they may not be able to reinvest such proceeds in other securities at a return equal to or in excess of the return which such proceeds would have earned for unitholders of a trust. In the event that a Replacement Security is not acquired by a trust, the income for such trust may be reduced.

Risk Factors

An investment in units of a trust, and/or shares of other registered investment companies (“funds”) held by a trust, if any, may be subject to some or all of the risks described below. In addition, you should carefully review the objective, strategy and risk of the trust as described in the prospectus and consider your ability to assume the risks involved before making an investment in a trust.

Market Risk. You should understand the risks of investing in securities before purchasing units. These risks include the risk that the financial condition of the company or the general condition of the stock market may worsen and the value of the securities (and therefore units) will fall. Securities are especially susceptible to general stock market movements. The value of securities often rises or falls rapidly and unpredictably as market confidence and perceptions of companies change. These perceptions are based on factors including expectations regarding government economic policies, inflation, interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, political climates and economic or banking crises. The value of units of a trust will fluctuate with the value of the securities in the trust and may be more or less than the price you originally paid for your units. As with any investment, no one can guarantee that the performance of a trust will be positive over any period of time. Because each trust is unmanaged, the trustee will not sell securities in response to market fluctuations as is common in managed investments. In addition, because some trusts hold a relatively small number of securities, you may encounter greater market risk than in a more diversified investment. First detected in late 2019, a novel form of coronavirus disease first detected in 2019 (“COVID-19”) spread rapidly around the globe which led the World Health Organization to declare the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains, adversely affected commercial activities and resulted in increased market volatility, and may further impact supply chains, commercial activities and market volatility in the future. The potential economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, or any future public health crisis, are impossible to predict and could result in adverse market conditions.

Equity Securities. Investments in securities representing equity ownership of a company are exposed to risks associated with the companies issuing the securities, the sectors and geographic locations they are involved in and the markets that such securities are traded on among other risks as described in greater detail below.

Fixed Income Securities. Investments in fixed income and similar securities involve certain unique risks such as credit risk and interest rate risk among other things as described in greater detail below.

Dividends. Stocks represent ownership interests in a company and are not obligations of the company. Common stockholders have a right to receive payments from the company that is subordinate to the rights of creditors, bondholders or preferred stockholders of the company. This means that common stockholders have a right to receive dividends only if a company’s board of directors declares a dividend and the company has provided for payment of all of its creditors, bondholders and preferred stockholders. If a company issues additional debt securities or preferred stock, the owners of these securities will have a claim against the company’s assets before common stockholders if the company declares bankruptcy or liquidates its assets even though the common stock was issued first. As a result, the company may be less willing or able to declare or pay dividends on its common stock. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decline in economic activity which caused many companies to reduce the level of dividends declared or suspend their dividends, and may cause further reductions or suspensions of dividends in the future.

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that a borrower is unable to meet its obligation to pay principal or interest on a security. This could cause the value of an investment to fall and may reduce the level of dividends an investment pays which would reduce income. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may further result in the future, a decline in economic activity which could negatively impact the ability of borrowers to make principal or interest payments on securities, when due.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of fixed income securities and similar securities will fall if interest rates increase. Bonds and other fixed income securities typically fall in value when interest rates rise and rise in value when interest rates fall. Securities with longer periods before maturity are often more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that the value of a security will fall if trading in the security is limited or absent. No one can guarantee that a liquid trading market will exist for any security.

Investment in Other Investment Companies. As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, when a trust acquires shares of investment companies, unitholders bear both their proportionate share of fees and expenses in the trust and, indirectly, the expenses of the underlying investment companies. Investment companies’ expenses are subject to the risk of fluctuation including in response to fluctuation in a fund’s assets. Accordingly, a fund’s actual expenses may vary from what is indicated at the time of investment by a trust. There are certain regulatory limitations on the

ability of a trust to hold other investment companies which may impact the trust’s ability to invest in certain funds, the weighting of the fund in a trust’s portfolio and the trust’s ability to issue additional units in the future.

Closed-end Funds. Closed-end investment companies (“closed-end funds”) are actively managed investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act that invest in various types of securities. Closed-end funds issue shares of common stock that are generally traded on a securities exchange (although some closed-end fund shares are not listed on a securities exchange). Closed-end funds are subject to various risks, including management’s ability to meet the closed-end fund’s investment objective and to manage the closed-end fund 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. If a trust invests in closed-end funds, you will bear not only your share of the trust’s expenses, but also the expenses of the underlying funds. By investing in the other funds, a trust may incur greater expenses than you would incur if you invested directly in the closed-end funds.

The net asset value of closed-end fund shares will fluctuate with changes in the value of the underlying securities that the closed-end fund owns. In addition, for various reasons closed-end fund shares frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the net asset value of closed-end fund shares may decrease. The amount of such discount from net asset value is subject to change from time to time in response to various factors.

Certain closed-end funds employ the use of leverage in their portfolios through the issuance of preferred stock, debt or other borrowings. While leverage often serves to increase the yield of a closed-end fund, this leverage also subjects the closed-end fund to increased risks. These risks may include the likelihood of increased volatility and the possibility that the closed-end fund’s common share income will fall if the dividend rate on the preferred shares or the interest rate on any borrowings rises.

Closed-end funds’ governing documents may contain certain anti-takeover provisions that may have the effect of inhibiting a fund’s possible conversion to open-end status and limiting the ability of other persons to acquire control of a fund. In certain circumstances, these provisions might also inhibit the ability of stockholders (including a trust) to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that a fund’s net asset value will decrease. In particular, this characteristic would increase the loss or reduce the return on the sale of those closed-end fund shares that were purchased by a trust at a premium. In the unlikely event that a closed-end fund converts to open-end status at a time when its shares are trading at a premium there would be an immediate loss in value to a trust since shares of open-end funds trade at net asset value. Certain closed-end funds may have in place or may put in place in the future plans pursuant to which the fund may repurchase its own shares in the marketplace. Typically, these plans are put in place in an attempt by a fund’s board of directors to reduce a discount on its share price. To the extent that such a plan is implemented and shares owned by a trust are repurchased by a fund, the trust’s position in that fund will be reduced and the cash will be distributed.

A trust may be prohibited from subscribing to a rights offering for shares of any of the closed-end funds in which it invests. In the event of a rights offering for additional shares of a fund, unitholders should expect that a trust holding shares of the fund will, at the completion of the offer, own a smaller proportional interest in such fund that would otherwise be the case. It is not possible to determine the extent of this dilution in share ownership without knowing what proportion of the shares in a rights offering will be subscribed. This may be particularly serious when the subscription price per share for the offer is less than the fund’s net asset value per share. Assuming that all rights are exercised and there is no change in the net asset value per share, the aggregate net asset value of each shareholder’s shares of common stock should decrease as a result of the offer. If a fund’s subscription price per share is below that fund’s net asset value per share at the expiration of the offer, shareholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares of common stock as a result of the offer, which could be substantial.

Business Development Companies. Business development companies (“BDCs”) are closed-end investment companies that have elected to be treated as business development companies under the Investment Company Act. BDCs are required to hold at least 70% of their investments in eligible assets which include, among other things, (i) securities of eligible portfolio companies (generally, domestic companies that are not investment companies and that cannot have a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or have securities that are marginable that are purchased from that company in a private transaction), (ii) securities received by the BDC in connection with its ownership of securities of eligible portfolio companies or (iii) cash, cash items, government securities or high quality debt securities maturing one year or less from the time of investment.

BDCs’ ability to grow and their overall financial condition is impacted significantly by their ability to raise capital. In addition to raising capital through the issuance of common stock, BDCs may engage in borrowing. This may involve using revolving credit facilities, the securitization of loans through separate wholly-owned subsidiaries and issuing of debt and preferred securities. BDCs are less restricted than other closed-end funds as to the amount of debt they can have outstanding. Generally, a BDC may not issue any class of senior security representing an indebtedness unless, immediately after such issuance or sale, it will have asset coverage of at least 200%. (Thus, for example, if a BDC has $5 million in assets, it can borrow up to $5 million, which would result in assets of $10 million and debt of $5 million.) These borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, accordingly, the risks associated with investing in BDC securities. While the value of a BDC’s assets increases, leveraging would cause the net value per share of BDC common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had such BDC not leveraged. However, if the value of a BDC’s assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had such BDC not leveraged. In addition to decreasing the value of a BDC’s common stock, it could also adversely impact a BDC’s ability to make dividend payments. A BDC’s credit rating may change over time which could adversely affect its ability to obtain additional credit and/or increase the cost of such borrowing. Agreements governing a BDC’s credit facilities and related funding and service agreements may contain various covenants that limit the BDC’s discretion in operating its business along with other limitations.

Any defaults may restrict the BDC’s ability to manage assets securing related assets, which may adversely impact the BDC’s liquidity and operations.

BDCs compete with other BDCs along with a large number of investment funds, investment banks and other sources of financing to make their investments. Competitors may have lower costs or access to funding sources that cause BDCs to lose prospective investments if they do not match competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. As a result of this competition, there is no assurance that a BDC will be able to identify and take advantage of attractive investment opportunities or that they will fully be able to invest available capital.

BDC investments are frequently not publicly traded and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value and liquidity of those investments. BDCs may use independent valuation firms to value their investments and such valuations may be uncertain, be based on estimates and/or differ materially from that which would have been used if a ready market for those investments existed. The value of a BDC could be adversely affected if its determinations regarding the fair value of investments was materially higher than the value realized upon sale of such investments. Due to the relative illiquidity of certain BDC investments, if a BDC is required to liquidate all or a portion of its portfolio quickly, it may realize significantly less than the value at which such investments are recorded. Further restrictions may exist on the ability to liquidate certain assets to the extent that subsidiaries or related parties have material non-public information regarding such assets.

BDCs may enter into hedging transactions and utilize derivative instruments such as forward contracts, options and swaps. Unanticipated movements and improper correlation of hedging instruments may prevent a BDC from hedging against exposure to risk of loss. BDCs are required to make available significant managerial assistance to their portfolio companies. Significant managerial assistance refers to any arrangement whereby a BDC provides significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company. Examples of such activities include arranging financing, managing relationships with financing sources, recruiting management personnel and evaluating acquisition and divestiture opportunities. BDCs are frequently externally managed by an investment adviser which may also provide this external managerial assistance to portfolio companies. Such investment adviser’s liability may be limited under its investment advisory agreement, which may lead such investment adviser to act in a riskier manner than it would were it investing for its own account. Such investment advisers may be entitled to incentive compensation which may cause such adviser to make more speculative and riskier investments than it would if investing for its own account. Such compensation may be due even in the case of declines to the value of a BDC’s investments.

BDCs may issue options, warrants and rights to convert to voting securities to its officers, employees and board members. Any issuance of derivative securities requires the approval of the company’s board of directors and authorization by the company’s shareholders. A BDC may operate a profit-sharing plan for its employees, subject to certain restrictions. BDCs frequently have high expenses which may include, but are not limited to, the payment of management fees, administration expenses, taxes, interest payable on debt, governmental charges, independent

director fees and expenses, valuation expenses and fees payable to third parties relating to or associated with making investments. These expenses may fluctuate significantly over time.

If a BDC fails to maintain its status as a BDC it may be regulated as a closed-end fund which would subject such BDC to additional regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease its operating flexibility. In addition, such failure could trigger an event of default under certain outstanding indebtedness which could have a material adverse impact on its business.

Exchange-Traded Funds. Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are typically investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act with shares that trade on a securities exchange. Shares of ETFs may trade at a discount or premium from their net asset value. If shares of an ETF are sold at a discount, then the trust will receive less than their net asset value. Alternatively, if shares of an ETF are purchased at a premium, then the trust will pay more than their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the net asset value of ETFs may decrease. The amount of such discount from net asset value is subject to change from time to time in response to various factors. ETFs are subject to various risks, including management’s ability to meet the ETF’s investment objective, and to manage the ETF portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold during periods of market turmoil and as investors’ perceptions regarding ETFs or their underlying investments change. A trust and any underlying ETFs have operating expenses. If a trust invests in ETFs, you will bear not only your share of the trust’s expenses, but also the expenses of the underlying funds. By investing in the other funds, a trust may incur greater expenses than you would incur if you invested directly in the funds.

Most ETFs replicate the composition or returns of a securities index. These ETFs face index correlation risk which is the risk that the performance of an ETF will vary from the actual performance of the fund’s target index, known as “tracking error.” This can happen due to transaction costs, market impact, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs) and timing variances. Some funds use a technique called “representative sampling,” which means that the fund invests in a representative sample of securities in its target index rather than all of the index securities. This could increase the risk of tracking error.

Some ETFs are open-end funds. Open-end funds of this type can be actively-managed or passively-managed investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act. These open-end funds have received orders from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) exempting them from various provisions of the Investment Company Act. Regular open-end funds generally issue redeemable securities that are issued and redeemed at a price based on the fund’s current net asset value and are not traded on a securities exchange. Exchange-traded open-end funds, however, issue shares of common stock that are traded on a securities exchange based on negotiated prices rather than the fund’s current net asset value. These funds only issue new shares and redeem outstanding shares in very large blocks, often called “creation units,” in exchange for an in-kind distribution of the fund’s portfolio securities. Due to a variety of cost and administrative factors, a trust that invests in ETFs will generally buy and sell shares of its underlying open-end fund ETFs on securities exchanges rather than engaging in transactions in creation units.

Some ETFs are UITs. UITs of this type are passively-managed investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act. ETFs that are UITs differ significantly from your trust in certain respects, even though the UITs that may be held in the trust’s portfolio and the trust itself are registered UITs. UITs that are ETFs have received orders from the SEC exempting them from various provisions of the Investment Company Act. Regular UITs, such as your trust, generally issue redeemable securities that are issued and redeemed at a price based on the UIT’s current net asset value and are not traded on a securities exchange. ETFs that are UITs, however, issue units that are traded on a securities exchange based on negotiated prices rather than the UIT’s current net asset value. These UITs only issue new shares and redeem outstanding shares in very large blocks, often called “creation units,” in exchange for an in-kind distribution of the UIT’s portfolio securities. Due to a variety of cost and administrative factors, a trust that invests in ETFs will generally buy and sell shares of its underlying ETFs on securities exchanges rather than engaging in transactions in creation units. Units of exchange-traded UITs frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the net asset value of UIT units may decrease. The amount of such discount from net asset value is subject to change from time to time in response to various factors.

Inverse ETFs. Certain ETFs may be “inverse” ETFs. An inverse ETF, sometimes referred to as a “bear ETF” or “short ETF,” is a special type of index ETF that is designed to provide investment results that move in the opposite direction of the daily price movement of the index to which it is benchmarked. Put another way, an inverse ETF is designed to go up in value when its benchmark index goes down in value and go down in value when its benchmark index goes up in value. Inverse ETFs can be used to establish a hedge position within an investment portfolio to attempt to protect its value during market declines. Though inverse ETFs may reduce downside risk and volatility in a down market, they are not suitable for all investors. The value of an inverse investment may tend to increase on a daily basis by the amount of any decrease in the index, but the converse is also true that the value of the investment will also tend to decrease on a daily basis by the amount of any increase in the index.

Investing in inverse ETFs involves certain risks, which may include increased volatility due to the ETFs’ possible use of short sales of securities and derivatives such as options and futures. Inverse ETFs are subject to active trading risks that may increase volatility and impact the ETFs’ ability to achieve their investment objectives. The use of leverage by an ETF increases the risk to the ETF. The more an ETF invests in leveraged instruments, the more the leverage will magnify any gains or losses on those investments. Most inverse ETFs “reset” daily, meaning that they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis only and not over any longer time period. Due to the effect of compounding, the performance of these ETFs over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the inverse of the performance of the ETF’s underlying index or benchmark during the same period of time. This effect can be magnified in volatile markets. Inverse ETFs typically are not suitable for retail investors who plan to hold them for more than one trading session, particularly in volatile markets.

Leveraged ETFs. Certain ETFs may be “leveraged” ETFs. These ETFs seek to match a multiple or multiples of the performance, or the inverse of the performance, of a benchmark index on a given day and not for greater periods of time. This means that the return of a

leveraged ETF for a period longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period and not the point-to-point return of the index over the entire time period. As a result, the use of leverage will very likely cause the performance of such an ETF to be either greater than, or less than, the index performance times the stated multiple in an ETF’s investment objective. Investors should recognize that the degree of volatility of the underlying index can have a dramatic effect on an ETF’s longer-term performance. The greater the volatility, given a particular index return, the greater the downside deviation will be of the ETF’s longer-term performance from a simple multiple of its index’s longer-term return. Leveraged ETFs use investment techniques that may be considered aggressive, including the use of futures contracts, options on futures contracts, securities and indexes, forward contracts, swap agreements and similar instruments. Leveraged ETFs are typically unsuitable for investors who plan to hold them for longer than one trading session, particularly in volatile markets.

Non-Diversification Risk. Certain funds held by a trust may be classified as “non-diversified.” Such funds may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer, industry and/or asset class than a fund that invests more widely.

Foreign Issuers. An investment in securities of non-U.S. issuers involves certain investment risks that are different in some respects from an investment in the securities of domestic issuers. These investment risks include future political or governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment or receipt of payment of dividends on the relevant securities, the possibility that the financial condition of the issuers of the securities may become impaired or that the general condition of the relevant stock market may worsen (both of which would contribute directly to a decrease in the value of foreign securities), the limited liquidity and relatively small market capitalization of the relevant securities market, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, economic uncertainties and foreign currency devaluations and fluctuations. In addition, for foreign issuers that are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange Act”), there may be less publicly available information than is available from a domestic issuer. In addition, foreign issuers are not necessarily subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. The securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. In addition, fixed brokerage commissions and other transaction costs in foreign securities markets are generally higher than in the United States and there is generally less government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers in foreign countries than there is in the United States.

Securities issued by non-U.S. issuers generally pay income in foreign currencies and principally trade in foreign currencies. Therefore, there is a risk that the U.S. dollar value of these securities will vary with fluctuations in the U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates for the various securities.

There can be no assurance that exchange control regulations might not be adopted in the future which might adversely affect payment to a trust or a fund held by a trust. The adoption of exchange control regulations and other legal restrictions could have an adverse impact on the

marketability of foreign securities and on the ability to liquidate securities. In addition, restrictions on the settlement of transactions on either the purchase or sale side, or both, could cause delays or increase the costs associated with the purchase and sale of the foreign securities and correspondingly could affect the price of trust units.

Investors should be aware that it may not be possible to buy all securities at the same time because of the unavailability of any security and restrictions applicable to a trust relating to the purchase of a security by reason of the federal securities laws or otherwise.

Foreign securities generally have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and may not be exempt from the registration requirements of such Act. Sales of non-exempt securities in the United States securities markets are subject to severe restrictions and may not be practicable. Accordingly, sales of these securities will generally be effected only in foreign securities markets. Investors should realize that the securities might be traded in foreign countries where the securities markets are not as developed or efficient and may not be as liquid as those in the United States. The value of securities will be adversely affected if trading markets for the securities are limited or absent.

Emerging Markets. Compared to more mature markets, some emerging markets may have a low level of regulation, enforcement of regulations and monitoring of investors’ activities. Those activities may include practices such as trading on material non-public information. The securities markets of developing countries are not as large as the more established securities markets and have substantially less trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and high price volatility. There may be a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. These factors may adversely affect the timing and pricing of the acquisition or disposal of securities. In certain emerging markets, registrars are not subject to effective government supervision nor are they always independent from issuers. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists, which, along with other factors, could result in the registration of a shareholding being completely lost. Investors could suffer loss arising from these registration problems. The rights and remedies associated with emerging market investment securities may differ and be more limited than those available in more developed countries, and the legal remedies in emerging markets are often more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Emerging market companies are also subject to a greater risk of market closure or manipulation and exchange delistings. Emerging market companies may have lower quality or less information publicly available due to differences in regulatory, accounting, audit, and financial recordkeeping standards. Information that is available may be unreliable or outdated. The limitations associated with investments in emerging market companies could impact the trust’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Practices pertaining to the settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in large part because of the need to use brokers and counterparties who are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. As a result, brokerage commissions and other fees are generally higher in emerging markets and the procedures and rules governing foreign

transactions and custody may involve delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or investments. Delays in settlement could result in investment opportunities being missed if a trust or a fund held by a trust is unable to acquire or dispose of a security. Certain foreign investments may also be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. investments, which may mean at times that such investments are unable to be sold at desirable prices.

Political and economic structures in emerging markets often change rapidly, which may cause instability. In adverse social and political circumstances, governments have been involved in policies of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, intervention in the securities market and trade settlement and imposition of foreign investment restrictions and exchange controls, and these could be repeated in the future. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some governments in emerging markets may impose different capital gains taxes on foreign investors. Foreign investments may also be subject to the risks of seizure by a foreign government and the imposition of restrictions on the exchange or export of foreign currency. Additionally, some governments exercise substantial influence over the private economic sector and the political and social uncertainties that exist for many developing countries are considerable.

Another risk common to most developing countries is that the economy is heavily export oriented and, accordingly, is dependent upon international trade. The existence of overburdened infrastructures and obsolete financial systems also presents risks in certain countries, as do environmental problems. Certain economies also depend to a large degree upon exports of primary commodities and, therefore, are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices which, in turn, may be affected by a variety of factors. Further, companies in emerging markets may have less reliable access to capital.

Depositary Receipts. Certain of the securities in a trust may be in depositary receipt form, including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). Depositary receipts represent stock deposited with a custodian in a depositary. Depositary receipts are issued by a bank or trust company to evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. These instruments may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted.

Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. In an unsponsored facility, the depositary initiates and arranges the facility at the request of market makers and acts as agent for the depositary receipts holder, while the company itself is not involved in the transaction. In a sponsored facility, the issuing company initiates the facility and agrees to pay certain administrative and shareholder-related expenses. Sponsored facilities use a single depositary and entail a contractual relationship between the issuer, the shareholder and the depositary; unsponsored facilities involve several depositaries with no contractual relationship to the company. The depositary bank that issues depositary receipts generally charges a fee, based on the price of the depositary receipts, upon issuance and cancellation of the depositary receipts. This fee would be in addition to the brokerage commissions paid upon the acquisition or surrender of the security. In addition, the depositary bank incurs expenses in connection with the conversion of dividends or other cash distributions paid in local currency into U.S. dollars and such expenses are deducted from the amount of the dividend or distribution paid to holders,

resulting in a lower payout per underlying shares represented by the depositary receipts than would be the case if the underlying share were held directly. Certain tax considerations, including tax rate differentials and withholding requirements, arising from the application of the tax laws of one nation to nationals of another and from certain practices in the depositary receipts market may also exist with respect to certain depositary receipts. In varying degrees, any or all of these factors may affect the value of the depositary receipts compared with the value of the underlying shares in the local market. In addition, the rights of holders of depositary receipts may be different than those of holders of the underlying shares, and the market for depositary receipts may be less liquid than that for the underlying shares. Depositary receipts are registered securities pursuant to the Securities Act and may be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act.

For the securities that are depositary receipts, currency fluctuations will affect the United States dollar equivalent of the local currency price of the underlying domestic share and, as a result, are likely to affect the value of the depositary receipts and consequently the value of the securities. The foreign issuers of securities that are depositary receipts may pay dividends in foreign currencies which must be converted into dollars. Most foreign currencies have fluctuated widely in value against the United States dollar for many reasons, including supply and demand of the respective currency, the soundness of the world economy and the strength of the respective economy as compared to the economies of the United States and other countries. Therefore, for any securities of issuers (whether or not they are in depositary receipt form) whose earnings are stated in foreign currencies, or which pay dividends in foreign currencies or which are traded in foreign currencies, there is a risk that their United States dollar value will vary with fluctuations in the United States dollar foreign exchange rates for the relevant currencies.

Currency Risk. A trust that invests in securities of non-U.S. issuers will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the non-U.S. currency will reduce returns or portfolio value. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value relative to a non-U.S. currency, a trust’s investment in securities denominated in that currency will lose value because its currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. On the other hand, when the value of the U.S. dollar falls relative to a non-U.S. currency, a trust’s investments denominated in that currency will tend to increase in value because that currency is worth more U.S. dollars. The exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. currencies depend upon such factors as supply and demand in the currency exchange markets, international balance of payments, governmental intervention, speculation and other economic and political conditions. A trust may incur conversion costs when it converts its holdings to another currency. Non-U.S. exchange dealers may realize a profit on the difference between the price at which a trust buys and sells currencies. A trust may engage in non-U.S. currency exchange transactions in connection with its portfolio investments. A trust may also be subject to currency risk through investments in ADRs, GDRs and other non-U.S. securities denominated in U.S. dollars.

Alternative Minimum Tax Risk. While certain of the distributions from the trust may be exempt from certain taxes, a portion of such distributions may be taken into account in computing the alternative minimum tax.

Foreign Government Securities Risk. The ability of a government issuer, especially in an emerging market country, to make timely and complete payments on its debt obligations will be strongly influenced by the government issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits 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 government 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 are no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the United States by which defaulted government debt may be collected. Additional factors that may influence a government issuer’s ability or willingness to service debt include, but are not limited to, a country’s cash flow situation, the ability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due (where applicable), the relative size of its debt burden to the economy as a whole and the issuer’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other international agencies to which a government debtor may be subject.

Supranational Entities’ Securities. Certain securities are obligations issued by supranational entities such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”). The government members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to supranational entities and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if a supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of a supranational entity will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and an investor in such securities may lose money on such investments.

Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Companies. Smaller company stocks customarily involve more investment risk than larger company stocks. Small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may lack management depth or experience; and may be more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments than large companies. Some of these companies may distribute, sell or produce products which have recently been brought to market and may be dependent on key personnel.

The prices of small or mid-size company securities are often more volatile than prices associated with large company issues and can display abrupt or erratic movements at times, due to limited trading volumes and less publicly available information. Also, because small-cap and mid-cap companies normally have fewer shares outstanding and these shares trade less frequently than large companies, it may be more difficult for a trust which contains these securities to buy and sell significant amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices.

Real Estate Investment Trusts. Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be exposed to the risks associated with the ownership of real estate which include, among other factors, changes in general U.S., global and local economic conditions, declines in real estate values,

changes in the financial health of tenants, overbuilding and increased competition for tenants, oversupply of properties for sale, changing demographics, changes in interest rates, tax rates and other operating expenses, changes in government regulations, faulty construction and the ongoing need for capital improvements, regulatory and judicial requirements including relating to liability for environmental hazards, changes in neighborhood values and buyer demand and the unavailability of construction financing or mortgage loans at rates acceptable to developers.

Many factors can have an adverse impact on the performance of a REIT, including its cash available for distribution, the credit quality of the REIT or the real estate industry generally. The success of a REIT depends on various factors, including the occupancy and rent levels, appreciation of the underlying property and the ability to raise rents on those properties. Economic recession, overbuilding, tax law changes, higher interest rates or excessive speculation can all negatively impact REITs, their future earnings and share prices. Variations in rental income and space availability and vacancy rates in terms of supply and demand are additional factors affecting real estate generally and REITs in particular. Properties owned by a REIT may not be adequately insured against certain losses and may be subject to significant environmental liabilities, including remediation costs. You should also be aware that REITs may not be diversified and are subject to the risks of financing projects. The real estate industry may be cyclical, and, if REIT securities are acquired at or near the top of the cycle, there is increased risk of a decline in value of the REIT securities. At various points in time, demand for certain types of real estate may inflate the value of real estate. This may increase the risk of a substantial decline in the value of such real estate and increase the risk of a decline in the value of the securities. REITs are also subject to defaults by borrowers and the market’s perception of the REIT industry generally. Because of their structure and a current legal requirement that they distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders annually, REITs require frequent amounts of new funding, through both borrowing money and issuing stock. Thus, REITs historically have frequently issued substantial amounts of new equity shares (or equivalents) to purchase or build new properties. This may adversely affect REIT equity share market prices. Both existing and new share issuances may have an adverse effect on these prices in the future, especially if REITs issue stock when real estate prices are relatively high and stock prices are relatively low.

Mortgage REITs engage in financing real estate, purchasing or originating mortgages and mortgage-backed securities and earning income from the interest on these investments. Such REITs face risks similar to those of other financial firms, such as changes in interest rates, general market conditions and credit risk, in addition to risks associated with an investment in real estate.

Master Limited Partnerships. Master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) are limited partnerships or limited liability companies that are generally taxed as partnerships whose interests are traded on securities exchanges. MLP ownership generally consists of a general partner and limited partners. The general partner manages the partnership, has an ownership stake in the partnership and is eligible to receive an incentive distribution. The limited partners provide capital to the partnership, have a limited (if any) role in the operation and management of the partnership and receive cash distributions. Most MLPs generally operate in the energy, natural resources or real estate sectors and are subject to the risks generally applicable to

companies in those sectors. MLPs are also subject to the risk that authorities could challenge the tax treatment of MLPs for federal income tax purposes which could have a negative impact on the after-tax income available for distribution by the MLPs.

Bond Quality Risk. Bond quality risk is the risk that a bond will fall in value if a rating agency decreases or withdraws the bond’s rating.

Prepayment Risk. When interest rates fall, among other factors, the issuer of a fixed income security may prepay its obligations earlier than expected. Such amounts will result in early distributions to an investor who may be unable to reinvest such amounts at the yields originally invested which could adversely impact the value of your investment. Certain bonds include call provisions which expose such an investor to call risk. Call risk is the risk that the issuer prepays or “calls” a bond before its stated maturity. An issuer might call a bond if interest rates, in general, fall and the bond pays a higher interest rate or if it no longer needs the money for the original purpose. If an issuer calls a bond, the holder of such bond will receive principal but will not receive any future interest distributions on the bond. Such investor might not be able to reinvest this principal at as high a yield. A bond’s call price could be less than the price paid for the bond and could be below the bond’s par value. Certain bonds may also be subject to extraordinary optional or mandatory redemptions if certain events occur, such as certain changes in tax laws, the substantial damage or destruction by fire or other casualty of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were used and various other events.

Extension Risk. When interest rates rise, among other factors, issuers of a security may pay off obligations more slowly than expected causing the value of such obligations to fall.

“When Issued” and “Delayed Delivery” Bonds. Certain debt obligations may have been purchased on a “when, as and if issued” or “delayed delivery” basis. The delivery of any such bonds may be delayed or may not occur. Interest on these bonds begins accruing to the benefit of investors on their respective dates of delivery. Investors will be “at risk” with respect to all “when, as and if issued” and “delayed delivery” bonds (i.e., may derive either gain or loss from fluctuations in the values of such bonds) from the date they purchase their investment.

Premium Securities. Certain securities may have been acquired at a market premium from par value at maturity. The coupon interest rates on the premium securities at the time they were purchased by the fund were higher than the current market interest rates for newly issued securities of comparable rating and type. If such interest rates for newly issued and otherwise comparable securities decrease, the market premium of previously issued securities will be increased, and if such interest rates for newly issued comparable securities increase, the market premium of previously issued securities will be reduced, other things being equal. The current returns of securities trading at a market premium are initially higher than the current returns of comparable securities of a similar type issued at currently prevailing interest rates because premium securities tend to decrease in market value as they approach maturity when the face amount becomes payable. Because part of the purchase price is thus returned not at maturity but through current income payments, early redemption of a premium security at par or early prepayments of principal will result in a reduction in yield. Redemption pursuant to call provisions generally will, and redemption pursuant to sinking fund provisions may, occur at

times when the redeemed securities have an offering side valuation which represents a premium over par or for original issue discount securities a premium over the accreted value.

Market Discount. Certain fixed income securities may have been acquired at a market discount from par value at maturity. The coupon interest rates on discount securities at the time of purchase are lower than the current market interest rates for newly issued securities of comparable rating and type. If such interest rates for newly issued comparable securities increase, the market discount of previously issued securities will become greater, and if such interest rates for newly issued comparable securities decline, the market discount of previously issued securities will be reduced, other things being equal. Investors should also note that the value of securities purchased at a market discount will increase in value faster than securities purchased at a market premium if interest rates decrease. Conversely, if interest rates increase, the value of securities purchased at a market discount will decrease faster than securities purchased at a market premium. In addition, if interest rates rise, the prepayment risk of higher yielding, premium securities and the prepayment benefit for lower yielding, discount securities will be reduced.

Original Issue Discount Bonds. Original issue discount bonds were initially issued at a price below their face (or par) value. These bonds typically pay a lower interest rate than comparable bonds that were issued at or above their par value. In a stable interest rate environment, the market value of these bonds tends to increase more slowly in early years and in greater increments as the bonds approach maturity. The issuers of these bonds may be able to call or redeem a bond before its stated maturity date and at a price less than the bond’s par value. Under current law, the original issue discount, which is the difference between the stated redemption price at maturity and the issue price of the bonds, is deemed to accrue on a daily basis and the accrued portion is treated as taxable interest income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Zero Coupon Bonds. Certain bonds may be “zero coupon” bonds. Zero coupon bonds are purchased at a deep discount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment at the maturity of the bond and does not receive any periodic interest payments. The effect of owning deep discount bonds which do not make current interest payments (such as the zero coupon bonds) is that a fixed yield is earned not only on the original investment but also, in effect, on all discount earned during the life of such obligation. This implicit reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to reinvest the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit yield on the discount obligation, but at the same time eliminates the holder’s ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. For this reason, zero coupon bonds are subject to substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market interest rates than are securities of comparable quality which pay interest.

Restricted Securities. Certain securities may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Such securities may not be readily marketable. Restricted securities may be sold only to purchasers meeting certain eligibility requirements in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act. Where registration of such securities under the Securities Act is required, an owner 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 an owner may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, an owner might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell.

Preferred Security Risks. Preferred securities include preferred stocks, trust preferred securities, subordinated or junior notes and debentures and other similarly structured securities. Preferred securities combine some of the characteristics of common stocks and bonds. Preferred securities generally pay fixed or adjustable rate income in the form of dividends or interest to investors. Preferred securities generally have preference over common stock in the payment of income and the liquidation of a company’s assets. However, preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer dividend or interest payments for extended periods of time without triggering an event of default for the issuer and certain other features, preferred securities are often treated as equity-like instruments by both issuers and investors, as their quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability and cash flows of the issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets. Preferred securities are often callable at their par value at some point in time after their original issuance date. Income payments on preferred securities are generally stated as a percentage of these par values although certain preferred securities provide for variable or additional participation payments.

While some preferred securities are issued with a final maturity date, others are perpetual in nature. 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 triggering an event of default for the issuer. Preferred securities generally may be subject to provisions that allow an issuer, under certain conditions, to skip (“non-cumulative” preferred securities) or defer (“cumulative” preferred securities) distributions. The issuer of a non-cumulative preferred security does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to holders of such securities and non-cumulative preferred securities can defer distributions indefinitely. Cumulative preferred securities typically contain provisions that allow an issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions payments for up to 10 years. If a preferred security is deferring its distribution, investors may be required to recognize income for tax purposes while they are not receiving any income. In certain circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities during their life. For certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws. As with call provisions, a redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security. Preferred security holders generally have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company except in very limited situations, such as if the issuer fails to make income payments for a specified period of time or if a declaration of default occurs and is continuing. Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. government securities or common stock. The federal income tax treatment of preferred securities may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service. Issuers of preferred securities may be in industries that are heavily regulated and that may receive government funding. The value of preferred securities issued by these companies may be affected by changes in government policy, such as increased regulation, ownership restrictions, deregulation or reduced government funding.

Preferred stocks are a category of preferred securities that are typically considered equity securities and make income payments from an issuer’s after-tax profits that are treated as dividends for tax purposes. While they generally provide for specified income payments as a percentage of their par value, these payments generally do not carry the same set of guarantees afforded to bondholders and have higher risks of non-payment or deferral.

Certain preferred securities may be issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are therefore not direct obligations of operating companies. At the time a trust or special purpose entity sells its preferred securities to investors, the trust or special purpose entity generally purchases debt of the operating company with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities. The trust or special purpose entity, as the holder of the operating company’s debt, has priority with respect to the operating company’s earnings and profits over the operating company’s common shareholders, but is typically subordinated to other classes of the operating company’s debt. Distribution payments of trust preferred securities generally coincide with interest payments on the underlying obligations. Distributions from trust preferred securities are typically treated as interest rather than dividends for federal income tax purposes and therefore, are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the lower federal tax rates applicable to qualified dividends. Trust preferred securities generally involve the same risks as traditional preferred stocks but are also subject to unique risks, including risks associated with income payments only being made if payments on the underlying obligations are made. Typically, a trust preferred security will have a rating that is below that of its corresponding operating company’s senior debt securities due to its subordinated nature.

Subordinated or junior notes or debentures are securities that generally have priority to common stock and other preferred securities in a company’s capital structure but are subordinated to other bonds and debt instruments in a company’s capital structure. As a result, these securities will be subject to greater credit risk than those senior debt instruments and will not receive income payments or return of principal in the event of insolvency until all obligations on senior debt instruments have been made. Distributions from these securities are typically treated as interest rather than dividends for federal income tax purposes and therefore, are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the lower federal tax rates applicable to qualified dividends. Investments in subordinated or junior notes or debentures also generally involve risks similar to risks of other preferred securities described above.

High Yield Securities. “High yield” or “junk” securities, the generic names for securities rated below BBB by Standard & Poor’s or below Baa by Moody’s (or similar ratings of other rating agencies), are frequently issued by corporations in the growth stage of their development, by established companies whose operations or industries are depressed or by highly leveraged companies purchased in leveraged buyout transactions. These obligations that are considered below “investment grade” and should be considered speculative as such ratings indicate a quality of less than investment grade. High yield securities are generally not listed on a national securities exchange. Trading of high yield securities, therefore, takes place primarily in over-the-counter markets that consist of groups of dealer firms that are typically major securities firms. Because the high yield security market is a dealer market, rather than an auction market, no single obtainable price for a given security prevails at any given time. Prices are determined

by negotiation between traders. The existence of a liquid trading market for the securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in the securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made for any of the securities, that any market for the securities will be maintained or of the liquidity of the securities in any markets made. Not all dealers maintain markets in all high yield securities. Therefore, since there are fewer traders in these securities than there are in “investment grade” securities, the bid-offer spread is usually greater for high yield securities than it is for investment grade securities. The price at which the securities may be sold to meet redemptions and the value of a trust may be adversely affected if trading markets for the securities are limited or absent.

An investment in “high yield, high-risk” debt obligations or “junk” obligations may include increased credit risks and the risk that the value of the units will decline and may decline precipitously, with increases in interest rates. During certain periods there have been wide fluctuations in interest rates and thus in the value of debt obligations generally. Certain high yield securities may be subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss of income and principal than are investments in lower-yielding, higher-rated securities, and their value may decline precipitously because of increases in interest rates, not only because the increases in rates generally decrease values, but also because increased rates may indicate a slowdown in the economy and a decrease in the value of assets generally that may adversely affect the credit of issuers of high yield, high-risk securities resulting in a higher incidence of defaults among high yield, high-risk securities. A slowdown in the economy or a development adversely affecting an issuer’s creditworthiness, may result in the issuer being unable to maintain earnings or sell assets at the rate and at the prices, respectively, that are required to produce sufficient cash flow to meet its interest and principal requirements. For an issuer that has outstanding both senior commercial bank debt and subordinated high yield, high-risk securities, an increase in interest rates will increase that issuer’s interest expense insofar as the interest rate on the bank debt is fluctuating. However, many leveraged issuers enter into interest rate protection agreements to fix or cap the interest rate on a large portion of their bank debt. This reduces exposure to increasing rates, but reduces the benefit to the issuer of declining rates. The sponsor cannot predict future economic policies or their consequences or, therefore, the course or extent of any similar market fluctuations in the future.

Lower-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher-rated securities with the same maturities because the creditworthiness of the issuers of lower-rated securities may not be as strong as that of other issuers. Moreover, if a security is recharacterized as equity by the Internal Revenue Service for federal income tax purposes, the issuer’s interest deduction with respect to the security will be disallowed and this disallowance may adversely affect the issuer’s credit rating. Because investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with the lower-rated securities, the yields and prices of these securities tend to fluctuate more than higher- rated securities with changes in the perceived quality of the credit of their issuers. In addition, the market value of high yield, high-risk securities may fluctuate more than the market value of higher-rated securities since these securities tend to reflect short-term credit development to a greater extent than higher-rated securities. Lower-rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities may possess fewer creditworthiness characteristics than issuers of higher-rated securities and, especially in the case of issuers whose obligations or credit standing have recently been

downgraded, may be subject to claims by debt-holders, owners of property leased to the issuer or others which, if sustained, would make it more difficult for the issuers to meet their payment obligations. High yield, high-risk securities are also affected by variables such as interest rates, inflation rates and real growth in the economy.

Should the issuer of any security default in the payment of principal or interest, the holders of such security may incur additional expenses seeking payment on the defaulted security. Because the amounts (if any) recovered in payment under the defaulted security may not be reflected in the value of a fund held by a trust or units of a trust until actually received, and depending upon when a unitholder purchases or sells his or her units, it is possible that a unitholder would bear a portion of the cost of recovery without receiving any portion of the payment recovered.

High yield, high-risk securities are generally subordinated obligations. The payment of principal (and premium, if any), interest and sinking fund requirements with respect to subordinated obligations of an issuer is subordinated in right of payment to the payment of senior obligations of the issuer. Senior obligations generally include most, if not all, significant debt obligations of an issuer, whether existing at the time of issuance of subordinated debt or created thereafter. Upon any distribution of the assets of an issuer with subordinated obligations upon dissolution, total or partial liquidation or reorganization of or similar proceeding relating to the issuer, the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full before holders of subordinated indebtedness will be entitled to receive any payment. Moreover, generally no payment with respect to subordinated indebtedness may be made while there exists a default with respect to any senior indebtedness. Thus, in the event of insolvency, holders of senior indebtedness of an issuer generally will recover more, ratably, than holders of subordinated indebtedness of that issuer.

Municipal Bonds. Certain municipal bonds are “general obligation bonds” and are general obligations of a governmental entity that are backed by the taxing power of such entity. Other municipal bonds are “revenue bonds” payable from the income of a specific project or authority and are not supported by the issuer’s power to levy taxes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds, on the other hand, are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. There are, of course, variations in the security of the different bonds, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected, and may further adversely affect in the future, the financial conditions of many states and political subdivisions, and could negatively impact the value of bonds issued by states and political subdivisions, as well as the ability of such entities to make payments when due.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations which derive their payments from mortgage loans. Certain of such housing bonds may be insured by the Federal Housing Administration or may be single family mortgage revenue bonds issued for the purpose of acquiring from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages on residences located within the issuer’s boundaries and owned by persons of low or moderate income. Mortgage loans are

generally partially or completely prepaid prior to their final maturities as a result of events such as sale of the mortgaged premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these bonds are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from such prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their ordinary call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result from the failure of the originating financial institutions to make mortgage loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. Additionally, unusually high rates of default on the underlying mortgage loans may reduce revenues available for the payment of principal of or interest on such mortgage revenue bonds. These bonds were issued under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, which include certain requirements relating to the use of the proceeds of such bonds in order for the interest on such bonds to retain its tax-exempt status. In each case the issuer of the bonds has covenanted to comply with applicable requirements and bond counsel to such issuer has issued an opinion that the interest on the bonds is exempt from federal income tax under existing laws and regulations.

Certain municipal bonds may be health care revenue bonds. Ratings of bonds issued for health care facilities are often based on feasibility studies that contain projections of occupancy levels, revenues and expenses. A facility’s gross receipts and net income available for debt service may be affected by future events and conditions including, among other things, demand for services and the ability of the facility to provide the services required, physicians’ confidence in the facility, management capabilities, competition with other health care facilities, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit rates, legislation establishing state rate-setting agencies, expenses, the cost and possible unavailability of malpractice insurance, the funding of Medicare, Medicaid and other similar third party pay or programs, government regulation and the termination or restriction of governmental financial assistance, including that associated with Medicare, Medicaid and other similar third party pay or programs.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations of public utility issuers, including those selling wholesale and retail electric power and gas. General problems of such issuers would include the difficulty in financing large construction programs, the limitations on operations and increased costs and delays attributable to environmental considerations, the difficulty of the capital market in absorbing utility debt, the difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable prices and the effect of energy conservation. In addition, federal, state and municipal governmental authorities may from time to time review existing, and impose additional, regulations governing the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants, which may adversely affect the ability of the issuers of certain bonds to make payments of principal and/or interest on such bonds.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water and/or sewerage services. Such bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems of such issuers include the ability to obtain timely and adequate rate increases, population decline resulting in decreased user fees, the difficulty of financing large construction programs, the limitations on operations and increased costs and delays attributable to environmental considerations, the increasing difficulty of obtaining or discovering new supplies of fresh water, the effect of conservation programs and the impact of “no-growth” zoning ordinances.

Certain municipal bonds may be industrial revenue bonds (“IRBs”). IRBs have generally been issued under bond resolutions pursuant to which the revenues and receipts payable under the arrangements with the operator of a particular project have been assigned and pledged to purchasers. In some cases, a mortgage on the underlying project may have been granted as security for the IRBs. Regardless of the structure, payment of IRBs is solely dependent upon the creditworthiness of the corporate operator of the project or corporate guarantor. Corporate operators or guarantors may be affected by many factors which may have an adverse impact on the credit quality of the particular company or industry. These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental restrictions, litigation resulting from accidents or environmentally-caused illnesses, extensive competition and financial deterioration resulting from a corporate restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or otherwise. Such a restructuring may result in the operator of a project becoming highly leveraged which may impact on such operator’s creditworthiness which in turn would have an adverse impact on the rating and/or market value of such bonds. Further, the possibility of such a restructuring may have an adverse impact on the market for and consequently the value of such bonds, even though no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations that are secured by lease payments of a governmental entity (“lease obligations”). Lease obligations are often in the form of certificates of participation. Although the lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for which the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s covenant to appropriate for and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. A governmental entity that enters into such a lease agreement cannot obligate future governments to appropriate for and make lease payments but covenants to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental entity’s failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could result in insufficient funds available for payment of the obligations secured thereby. Although “non-appropriation” lease obligations are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations of issuers which are, or which govern the operation of, schools, colleges and universities and whose revenues are derived mainly from ad valorem taxes or for higher education systems, from tuition, dormitory revenues, grants and endowments. General problems relating to school bonds include litigation contesting the state constitutionality of financing public education in part from ad valorem taxes, thereby creating a disparity in educational funds available to schools in wealthy areas and schools in poor areas. Litigation or legislation on this issue may affect the sources of funds available for the payment of school bonds. General problems relating to college and university obligations include the prospect of declining student enrollment, possible inability to raise tuitions and fees sufficiently to cover operating costs, the uncertainty of continued receipt of federal grants and state funding and government legislation or regulations which may adversely affect the revenues or costs of such issuers.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations which are payable from and secured by revenues derived from the ownership and operation of facilities such as airports, bridges, turnpikes, port authorities, convention centers and arenas. The major portion of an airport’s gross operating income is generally derived from fees received from signatory airlines pursuant to use agreements which consist of annual payments for leases, occupancy of certain terminal space and service fees. Airport operating income may therefore be affected by the ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements. From time to time the air transport industry has experienced significant variations in earnings and traffic, due to increased competition, excess capacity, increased costs, deregulation, traffic constraints and other factors, and several airlines have experienced severe financial difficulties. Similarly, payment on bonds related to other facilities is dependent on revenues from the projects, such as user fees from ports, tolls on turnpikes and bridges and rents from buildings. Therefore, payment may be adversely affected by reduction in revenues due to such factors as increased cost of maintenance, decreased use of a facility, lower cost of alternative modes of transportation, scarcity of fuel and reduction or loss of rents.

Certain municipal bonds may be obligations which are payable from and secured by revenues derived from the operation of resource recovery facilities. Resource recovery facilities are designed to process solid waste, generate steam and convert steam to electricity. Resource recovery bonds may be subject to extraordinary optional redemption at par upon the occurrence of certain circumstances, including but not limited to: destruction or condemnation of a project; contracts relating to a project becoming void, unenforceable or impossible to perform; changes in the economic availability of raw materials, operating supplies or facilities necessary for the operation of a project; technological or other unavoidable changes adversely affecting the operation of a project; and administrative or judicial actions which render contracts relating to the projects void, unenforceable or impossible to perform or impose unreasonable burdens or excessive liabilities. No one can predict the causes or likelihood of the redemption of resource recovery bonds prior to the stated maturity of the bonds.

Certain municipal bonds may have been acquired at a market discount from par value at maturity. A “tax-exempt” municipal bond purchased at a market discount and held to maturity will have a larger portion of its total return in the form of taxable income and capital gain and less in the form of tax-exempt interest income than a comparable bond newly issued at current market rates.

Certain municipal bonds may be subject to redemption prior to their stated maturity date pursuant to sinking fund provisions, call provisions or extraordinary optional or mandatory redemption provisions or otherwise. A sinking fund is a reserve fund accumulated over a period of time for retirement of debt. A callable debt obligation is one which is subject to redemption or refunding prior to maturity at the option of the issuer. A refunding is a method by which a debt obligation is redeemed, at or before maturity, by the proceeds of a new debt obligation. In general, call provisions are more likely to be exercised when the offering side valuation is at a premium over par than when it is at a discount from par. The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the proceeds of the called bonds are used to pay for unit redemptions) result in the distribution of principal and may result in a reduction in the amount of subsequent interest distributions. Extraordinary optional redemptions and mandatory

redemptions result from the happening of certain events. Generally, events that may permit the extraordinary optional redemption of bonds or may require the mandatory redemption of bonds include, among others: a final determination that the interest on the bonds is taxable; the substantial damage or destruction by fire or other casualty of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were used; an exercise by a local, state or federal governmental unit of its power of eminent domain to take all or substantially all of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were used; changes in the economic availability of raw materials, operating supplies or facilities; technological or other changes which render the operation of the project for which the proceeds of the bonds were used uneconomic; changes in law or an administrative or judicial decree which renders the performance of the agreement under which the proceeds of the bonds were made available to finance the project impossible or which creates unreasonable burdens or which imposes excessive liabilities, such as taxes, not imposed on the date the bonds are issued on the issuer of the bonds or the user of the proceeds of the bonds; an administrative or judicial decree which requires the cessation of a substantial part of the operations of the project financed with the proceeds of the bonds; an overestimate of the costs of the project to be financed with the proceeds of the bonds resulting in excess proceeds of the bonds which may be applied to redeem bonds; or an underestimate of a source of funds securing the bonds resulting in excess funds which may be applied to redeem bonds. The issuer of certain bonds may have sold or reserved the right to sell, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, to third parties all or any portion of its rights to call bonds in accordance with the stated redemption provisions of such bonds. In such a case the issuer no longer has the right to call the bonds for redemption unless it reacquires the rights from such third party. A third party pursuant to these rights may exercise the redemption provisions with respect to a bond at a time when the issuer of the bond might not have called a bond for redemption had it not sold such rights. No one can predict all of the circumstances which may result in such redemption of an issue of bonds. See also the discussion of single family mortgage and multi-family revenue bonds above for more information on the call provisions of such bonds.

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are generally debt obligations or preferred stock of a company that are convertible into another security of the company, typically common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security’s market value also tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company, particularly when the stock price is greater than the convertible security’s conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security than by the market price of the underlying common stock. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock, and convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. However, mandatory convertible securities (as discussed below) generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would be paid before that company’s common stockholders. Consequently,

an issuer’s convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock. However, convertible securities generally fall below other debt obligations of the same issuer in order of preference or priority in the event of a liquidation and are typically unrated or rated lower than such debt obligations. In addition, contingent payment, convertible securities allow the issuer to claim deductions based on its nonconvertible cost of debt, which generally will result in deduction in excess of the actual cash payments made on the securities (and accordingly, holders will recognize income in amounts in excess of the cash payments received).

Mandatory convertible securities are distinguished as a subset of convertible securities because the conversion is not optional and the conversion price at maturity is based solely upon the market price of the underlying common stock, which may be significantly less than par or the price (above or below par) paid. For these reasons, the risks associated with investing in mandatory convertible securities most closely resemble the risks inherent in common stocks. Mandatory convertible securities customarily pay a higher coupon yield to compensate for the potential risk of additional price volatility and loss upon conversion. Because the market price of a mandatory convertible security increasingly corresponds to the market price of its underlying common stock as the convertible security approaches its conversion date, there can be no assurance that the higher coupon will compensate for the potential loss.

Senior Loans. Senior loans may be issued by banks, other financial institutions and other investors to corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and other entities to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, debt refinancings and, to a lesser extent, for general operating and other purposes. Senior loans generally are of below investment grade credit quality and may be unrated at the time of investment. They generally are not registered with the SEC or any state securities commission and generally are not listed on any securities exchange.

An investment in senior loans involves risk that the borrowers under senior loans may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. Although senior loans may be secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. Senior loans are typically structured as floating rate instruments in which the interest rate payable on the obligation fluctuates with interest rate changes. As a result, the yield on an investment in senior loans will generally decline in a falling interest rate environment and increase in a rising interest rate environment. Additionally, senior loans generally have floating interest rates that may be tied to the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is set to be phased out by 2021. The potential phase out of LIBOR could adversely affect the value of investments tied to LIBOR.

The amount of public information available on senior loans generally will be less extensive than that available for other types of assets. No reliable, active trading market currently exists for many senior loans, although a secondary market for certain senior loans does exist. Senior loans are thus relatively illiquid. If a fund held by a trust invests in senior loans, liquidity of a senior loan refers to the ability of the fund to sell the investment in a timely manner at a price approximately equal to its value on the fund’s books. The illiquidity of senior loans may impair a fund’s ability to realize the full value of its assets in the event of a voluntary or

involuntary liquidation of such assets. Because of the lack of an active trading market, illiquid securities are also difficult to value and prices provided by external pricing services may not reflect the true value of the securities. However, many senior loans are of a large principal amount and are held by financial institutions. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain senior loans, the market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for senior loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates. This could result in increased volatility in the market and in a trust’s net asset value.

If legislation or state or federal regulators impose additional requirements or restrictions on the ability of financial institutions to make loans that are considered highly leveraged transactions, the availability of senior loans for investment may be adversely affected. In addition, such requirements or restrictions could reduce or eliminate sources of financing for certain borrowers. This would increase the risk of default. If legislation or federal or state regulators require financial institutions to dispose of senior loans that are considered highly leveraged transactions or subject such senior loans to increased regulatory scrutiny, financial institutions may determine to sell such senior loans. Such sales could result in depressed prices. The price for the senior loan may be adversely affected if sold at a time when a financial institution is engaging in such a sale.

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 borrower or take other action detrimental to lenders. Such court action could under certain circumstances include invalidation of senior loans. Any lender, which could include a fund held by a trust, is subject to the risk that a court could find the lender liable for damages in a claim by a borrower arising under the common laws of tort or contracts or anti-fraud provisions of certain securities laws for actions taken or omitted to be taken by the lenders under the relevant terms of a loan agreement or in connection with actions with respect to the collateral underlying the senior loan.

Floating Rate Instruments. A floating rate security is an instrument in which the interest rate payable on the obligation fluctuates on a periodic basis based upon changes in a benchmark, often related to interest rates. As a result, the yield on such a security will generally decline with negative changes to the benchmark, causing an investor to experience a reduction in the income it receives from such securities. A sudden and significant increase in the applicable benchmark may increase the risk of payment defaults and cause a decline in the value of the security.

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) are securities backed by pools of loans or other receivables. ABS are created from many types of assets, including auto loans, credit card receivables, home equity loans and student loans. ABS are issued through special purpose vehicles that are bankruptcy remote from the issuer of the collateral. The credit quality of an ABS transaction depends on the performance of the underlying assets. To protect ABS investors from the possibility that some borrowers could miss payments or even default on their loans, ABS include various forms of credit enhancement. 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. ABS also carry credit or default risk. 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 big rise in defaults on the underlying loans, a sharp drop in the credit enhancement level or even 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.

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are a type of ABS representing direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property and can include single- and multi-class pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. These securities often have stated maturities of up to thirty years when they are issued, depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities. In practice, however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may make the securities’ effective maturity shorter than this. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates and may reduce the market value of the securities. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk, the risk that borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected, particularly when interest rates decline.

Sovereign Debt. Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place required economic reforms. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.

U.S. Government Obligations Risk. Obligations of U.S. government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, not all U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Obligations of certain agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises of the U.S. government are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., the Government National Mortgage Association); other obligations are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Banks) and others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase an agency’s obligations. Still others are backed only by the credit of the agency, authority, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise issuing the obligation. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to any of these entities if it is not obligated to do so by law.

Money Market Securities. Certain funds held by a trust may invest in money market securities. If market conditions improve while a fund has temporarily invested some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities, this strategy could result in reducing the potential gain from the market upswing, thus reducing a fund’s opportunity to achieve its investment objective.

Derivatives Risk. Certain funds held by a trust may engage in transactions in derivatives. Derivatives are subject to counterparty risk which is the risk that the other party in a transaction may be unable or unwilling to meet obligations when due. Use of derivatives may increase volatility of a fund and reduce returns. Fluctuations in the value of derivatives may not correspond with fluctuations of underlying exposures. Unanticipated market movements could result in significant losses on derivative positions including greater losses than amounts originally invested and potentially unlimited losses in the case of certain derivatives. There are no assurances that there will be a secondary market available in any derivative position which could result in illiquidity and the inability of a fund to liquidate or terminate positions as valued. Valuation of derivative positions may be difficult and increase during times of market turmoil. Certain derivatives may be used as a hedge against other securities positions; however, hedging can be subject to the risk of imperfect alignment and there are no assurances that a hedge will be achieved as intended which can pose significant loss to a fund. The derivatives market is subject to the risk of changing or increased regulation which may make derivatives more costly, limit the availability of derivatives or otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Examples of increased regulation include, but are not limited to, the imposition of clearing and reporting requirements on transactions that fall within the definition of “swap” and “security-based swap,” increased recordkeeping and reporting requirements, changing definitional and registration requirements and changes to the way that funds’ use of derivatives is regulated. No one can predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of a fund to use any financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect a fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The federal income tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in the asset that a derivative provides exposure to, which may adversely impact the timing, character and amount of income a fund realizes from its investment. The tax treatment of certain derivatives is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements.

Options. A trust may hold a fund or funds that write (sell) or purchase options as part of its investment strategy. In addition to general risks associated with derivatives described above, options are considered speculative. When a fund purchases an option, it may lose the premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreases or remains the same (in the case of a call option) or increases or remains the same (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by a fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to a fund. To the extent that a fund writes or sells an option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, a fund could experience substantial and potentially unlimited losses.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market for the options will exist when a fund seeks to close out an option position. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an

exchange may include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen of an exchange or The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options). If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. A fund’s ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. If a fund were unable to close out a covered call option that it had written (sold) on a security, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. Additionally, the exercise price of an option may be adjusted downward before the option’s expiration as a result of the occurrence of certain corporate events affecting the underlying equity security, such as extraordinary dividends, stock splits, merger or other extraordinary distributions or events. In certain circumstances, a reduction in the exercise price of an option could reduce a fund’s capital appreciation potential on the underlying security.

To the extent that a fund purchases options pursuant to a hedging strategy, the fund will be subject to the following additional risks. If a put or call option purchased by a fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security. If restrictions on exercise were imposed, a fund might be unable to exercise an option it had purchased. If a fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a security, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless.

The writing (selling) and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of a fund’s adviser to predict future price fluctuations and, for hedging transactions, the degree of correlation between the options and securities or currency markets.

If a fund employs a covered call strategy, a fund will generally write (sell) call options on a significant portion of the fund’s managed assets. These call options will give the option holder

the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a security from the fund at the strike price on or prior to the option’s expiration date. The ability to successfully implement the fund’s investment strategy depends on the fund adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. Thus, the use of options may require a fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the fund can realize on an investment or may cause the fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. The writer (seller) of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer (seller) of the option. Once an option writer (seller) has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. As the writer (seller) of a covered call option, a fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security underlying the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call option, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The value of the options written (sold) by a fund will be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the underlying equity securities, an increase in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of securities markets and the underlying securities and the remaining time to the options’ expirations. The value of the options may also be adversely affected if the market for the options becomes less liquid or smaller.

An option is generally considered “covered” if a fund owns the security underlying the call option or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if required, liquid cash or other assets are segregated by the fund) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the fund. In certain cases, a call option may also be considered covered if a fund holds a call option on the same security as the call option written (sold) provided that certain conditions are met. By writing (selling) covered call options, a fund generally seeks to generate income, in the form of the premiums received for writing (selling) the call options. Investment income paid by a fund to its shareholders (such as a trust) may be derived primarily from the premiums it receives from writing (selling) call options and, to a lesser extent, from the dividends and interest it receives from the equity securities or other investments held in the fund’s portfolio and short-term gains thereon. Premiums from writing (selling) call options and dividends and interest payments made by the securities in a fund’s portfolio can vary widely over time.

Swaps. Certain funds held by a trust may invest in swaps. In addition to general risks associated with derivatives described above, swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom a fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay a fund and the risk that a fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. Swaps entered into by a fund may include, but are not limited to, interest rate swaps, total return swaps and/or credit default swaps. In an interest rate swap transaction, two parties exchange rights to receive interest payments, such as exchanging the right to receive floating rate payments based on a reference interest rate for the right to receive fixed rate payments. In addition to the general risks associated with derivatives and swaps described above, interest rate swaps are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. In a total return swap transaction, one party agrees to pay another party an amount equal to the total return on a reference asset during a specified period of time in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total

return from a different reference asset. In addition to the general risks associated with derivatives and swaps described above, total return swaps could result in losses if the reference asset does not perform as anticipated and these swaps can have the potential for unlimited losses. In a credit default swap transaction, one party makes one or more payments over the term of the contract to the counterparty, provided that no event of default with respect to a specific obligation or issuer has occurred. In return, upon any event of default, such party would receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such specified obligation. In addition to general risks associated with derivatives and swaps described above, credit default swaps involve special risks because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Certain funds held by a trust may engage in forward foreign currency exchange transactions. Forward foreign exchange transactions are contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a specified currency or multinational currency unit at a price and future date set at the time of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow a fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.

Indexed and Inverse Securities. Certain funds held by a trust may invest in indexed and inverse securities. In addition to general risks associated with derivatives described above, indexed and inverse securities are subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. These securities are subject to leverage risk and correlation risk. Certain indexed and inverse securities have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates or index levels than other securities, and a fund’s investment in such instruments may decline significantly in value if interest rates or index levels move in a way a fund’s management does not anticipate.

Futures. Certain funds held by a trust may engage in futures transactions. In addition to general risks associated with derivatives described above, the primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by a fund and the price of the futures contract or option; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the investment adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations. While futures contracts are generally liquid instruments, under certain market conditions they may become illiquid. Futures exchanges may impose daily or intra-day price change limits and/or limit the volume of trading. Additionally, government regulation may further reduce liquidity through similar trading restrictions.

Repurchase Agreement Risk. A repurchase agreement is a form of short-term borrowing where a dealer sells securities to investors (usually on an overnight basis) and buys them back the following day. If the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its

obligation under such agreement, a fund held by a trust may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security under a repurchase agreement and the market value of such security declines, such fund may lose money.

Short Sales Risk. Certain funds held by a trust may engage in short sales. Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes a fund to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. A fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which such fund replaces the security sold short. A fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. As a result, if a fund makes short sales in securities that increase in value, it will likely underperform similar funds that do not make short sales in securities they do not own. There can be no assurance that a fund will be able to close out a short sale position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although a fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the security, less the price at which the security was sold. Short sale transactions involve leverage because they can provide investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. A fund may also pay transaction costs and borrowing fees in connection with short sales.

Commodities. Certain funds held by a trust may have exposure to the commodities market. This exposure could expose such funds and to greater volatility than investment in other securities. The value of investments providing commodity exposure may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.

Concentration Risk. Concentration risk is the risk that the value of a trust may be more susceptible to fluctuations based on factors that impact a particular sector because the trust provides exposure to investments concentrated within a particular sector or sectors. A portfolio “concentrates” in a sector when securities in a particular sector make up 25% or more of the portfolio.

Communication Services Sector. General risks of communication services companies include rapidly changing technology, rapid product obsolescence, loss of patent protection, cyclical market patterns, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. Certain communication companies are subject to substantial governmental regulation, which among other things, regulates permitted rates of return and the kinds of services that a company may offer. Media and entertainment companies are subject to changing demographics, consumer preferences and changes in the way people communicate and access information and entertainment content. Certain of these companies may be particularly susceptible to cybersecurity threats, which could have an adverse effect on their business. Companies in this sector may be subject to fierce competition for market share from existing competitors and new market entrants. Such competitive pressures are intense and communication stocks can experience extreme volatility.

Companies in the communication sector may encounter distressed cash flows and heavy debt burdens due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition and research and development costs. Technological innovations may also make the existing products and services of communication companies obsolete. In addition, companies in this sector can be impacted by a lack of investor or consumer acceptance of new products, changing consumer preferences and lack of standardization or compatibility with existing technologies making implementation of new products more difficult.

Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples Sectors. The profitability of companies that manufacture or sell consumer products or provide consumer services may be affected by various factors including the general state of the economy and consumer spending trends. The viability of the retail industry depends on the industry’s ability to adapt and to compete in changing economic and social conditions, to attract and retain capable management, and to finance expansion. Weakness in the banking or real estate industry, a recessionary economic climate with the consequent slowdown in employment growth, less favorable trends in unemployment or a marked deceleration in real disposable personal income growth could result in significant pressure on both consumer wealth and consumer confidence, adversely affecting consumer spending habits. In addition, competitiveness of the retail industry may require large capital outlays for technological investments. Increasing employee and retiree benefit costs may also have an adverse effect on the industry. In many sectors of the retail industry, competition may be fierce due to market saturation, converging consumer tastes and other factors. Many retailers may be involved in entering global markets which entail added risks such as sudden weakening of foreign economies, difficulty in adapting to local conditions and constraints and added research costs.

Energy Sector. Energy companies may include but are not limited to companies involved in: production, generation, transmission, marketing, control, or measurement of energy; the provision of component parts or services to companies engaged in the above activities; energy research or experimentation; and environmental activities related to the solution of energy problems, such as energy conservation and pollution control.

The securities of companies in the energy field are subject to changes in value and dividend yield which depend, to a large extent, on the price and supply of energy fuels. Swift price and supply fluctuations may be caused by events relating to international politics, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other regulatory policies of various governments. As a result of the foregoing, the securities issued by energy companies may be subject to rapid price volatility.

Any future scientific advances concerning new sources of energy and fuels or legislative changes relating to the energy sector or the environment could have a negative impact on the energy sector. Each of the problems referred to could adversely affect the financial stability of the issuers of any energy sector securities.

Financials Sector. Companies in the financials sector may include banks and their holding companies, finance companies, investment managers, broker-dealers, insurance and reinsurance companies and mortgage REITs. Banks and their holding companies are especially

subject to the adverse effects of economic recession, volatile interest rates, portfolio concentrations in geographic markets and in commercial and residential real estate loans and competition from new entrants in their fields of business. In addition, banks and their holding companies are extensively regulated at both the federal and state level and may be adversely affected by increased regulations. Banks may face increased competition from nontraditional lending sources as regulatory changes permit new entrants to offer various financial products. Technological advances allow these nontraditional lending sources to cut overhead and permit the more efficient use of customer data. Banks face tremendous pressure from mutual funds, brokerage firms and other providers in the competition to furnish services that were traditionally offered by banks.

Companies engaged in investment management and broker-dealer activities are subject to volatility in their earnings and share prices that often exceeds the volatility of the equity market in general. Adverse changes in the direction of the stock market, investor confidence, equity transaction volume, the level and direction of interest rates and the outlook of emerging markets could adversely affect the financial stability, as well as the stock prices, of these companies. Additionally, competitive pressures, including increased competition with new and existing competitors, the ongoing commoditization of traditional businesses and the need for increased capital expenditures on new technology could adversely impact the profit margins of companies in the investment management and brokerage industries. Companies involved in investment management and broker-dealer activities are also subject to extensive regulation by government agencies and self-regulatory organizations, and changes in laws, regulations or rules, or in the interpretation of such laws, regulations and rules could adversely affect the stock prices of such companies.

Companies involved in the insurance, reinsurance and risk management industry underwrite, sell or distribute property, casualty and business insurance. Many factors affect insurance, reinsurance and risk management company profits, including but not limited to interest rate movements, the imposition of premium rate caps, a misapprehension of the risks involved in given underwritings, competition and pressure to compete globally, weather catastrophes or other natural or man-made disasters and the effects of client mergers. Individual companies may be exposed to material risks including reserve inadequacy and the inability to collect from reinsurance carriers. Insurance companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation, including the imposition of maximum rate levels, which may not be adequate for some lines of business. Proposed or potential tax law changes may also adversely affect insurance companies’ policy sales, tax obligations and profitability. In addition to the foregoing, profit margins of these companies continue to shrink due to the commoditization of traditional businesses, new competitors, capital expenditures on new technology and the pressure to compete globally.

In addition to the normal risks of business, companies involved in the insurance and risk management industry are subject to significant risk factors, including those applicable to regulated insurance companies, such as: the inherent uncertainty in the process of establishing property-liability loss reserves, and the fact that ultimate losses could materially exceed established loss reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition; the fact that insurance companies have experienced, and can be expected in

the future to experience, catastrophic losses, which could have a material adverse impact on their financial conditions, results of operations and cash flow; the inherent uncertainty in the process of establishing property-liability loss reserves due to changes in loss payment patterns caused by new claim settlement practices; the need for insurance companies and their subsidiaries to maintain appropriate levels of statutory capital and surplus, particularly in light of continuing scrutiny by rating organizations and state insurance regulatory authorities, and in order to maintain acceptable financial strength or claims-paying ability ratings; the extensive regulation and supervision to which insurance companies are subject, and various regulatory and other legal actions; the adverse impact that increases in interest rates could have on the value of an insurance company’s investment portfolio and on the attractiveness of certain of its products; and the uncertainty involved in estimating the availability of reinsurance and the collectability of reinsurance recoverables.

The state insurance regulatory framework is also subject to the risk of federal and state legislatures potentially enacting laws that alter or increase regulation of insurance companies and insurance holding company systems. Previously, Congress and certain federal agencies have investigated the condition of the insurance industry in the United States to determine whether to promulgate additional federal regulation. The Sponsor is unable to predict whether any state or federal legislation will be enacted to change the nature or scope of regulation of the insurance industry, or what effect, if any, such legislation would have on the industry.

All insurance companies are subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of their investment portfolios and limit the amount of investments in certain investment categories. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause non- conforming investments to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring statutory surplus and, in some instances, would require divestiture.

Mortgage REITs engage in financing real estate, purchasing or originating mortgages and mortgage-backed securities and earning income from the interest on these investments. Such REITs face risks similar to those of other financial firms, such as changes in interest rates, general market conditions and credit risk, in addition to risks associated with an investment in real estate (as discussed herein).

Health Care Sector. Health care companies involved in advanced medical devices and instruments, drugs and biotech, managed care, hospital management/health services and medical supplies have potential risks unique to their sector of the health care field. These companies are subject to governmental regulation of their products and services, a factor which could have a significant and possibly unfavorable effect on the price and availability of such products or services. Furthermore, such companies face the risk of increasing competition from new products or services, generic drug sales, termination of patent protection for drug or medical supply products and the risk that technological advances will render their products obsolete. The research and development costs of bringing a drug to market are substantial, and include lengthy governmental review processes with no guarantee that the product will ever come to market. Many of these companies may have losses and not offer certain products for several years. Such companies may also have persistent losses during a new product’s transition from development to production, and revenue patterns may be erratic. In addition, health care facility operators may

be affected by events and conditions including, among other things, demand for services, the ability of the facility to provide the services required, physicians’ confidence in the facility, management capabilities, competition with other hospitals, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit rates, legislation establishing state rate-setting agencies, expenses, government regulation, the cost and possible unavailability of malpractice insurance and the termination or restriction of governmental financial assistance, including that associated with Medicare, Medicaid and other similar third-party payor programs. Legislative proposals concerning health care are proposed in Congress from time to time. These proposals may span a wide range of topics, including cost and price controls (which might include a freeze on the prices of prescription drugs), national health insurance incentives for competition in the provision of health care services, tax incentives and penalties related to health care insurance premiums and promotion of prepaid health care plans.

Industrials Sector. General risks of industrials companies include the general state of the economy, intense competition, consolidation, domestic and international politics, excess capacity and consumer spending trends. In addition, capital goods companies may also be significantly affected by overall capital spending levels, economic cycles, technical obsolescence, delays in modernization, limitations on supply of key materials, labor relations, government regulations, government contracts and ecommerce initiatives. Furthermore, certain companies involved in the industry have also faced scrutiny for alleged accounting irregularities that may have led to the overstatement of their financial results, and other companies in the industry may face similar scrutiny.

Industrials companies may also be affected by factors more specific to their individual industries. Industrial machinery manufacturers may be subject to declines in commercial and consumer demand and the need for modernization. Aerospace and defense companies may be influenced by decreased demand for new equipment, aircraft order cancellations, disputes over or ability to obtain or retain government contracts, or changes in government budget priorities, changes in aircraft-leasing contracts and cutbacks in profitable business travel.

Information Technology Sector. Information technology companies generally include companies involved in the development, design, manufacture and sale of computers and peripherals, software and services, data networking and communications equipment, internet access and information providers, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment and other related products, systems and services. The market for these products, especially those specifically related to the internet, may be characterized by rapidly changing technology, product obsolescence, cyclical markets, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. The success of companies in this sector depends, in substantial part, on the timely and successful introduction of new products. An unexpected change in one or more of the technologies affecting a company’s products or in the market for products based on a particular technology could have a material adverse effect on an issuer’s operating results. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that any particular company will be able to respond in a timely manner to compete in the rapidly developing marketplace.

Factors such as announcements of new products or development of new technologies and general conditions of the industry have caused and are likely to cause the market price of high-

technology common stocks to fluctuate substantially. In addition, technology company stocks may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that are often unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. Such market volatility may adversely affect the price of shares of these companies.

Some key components of certain products of technology issuers may be available only from single sources. There can be no assurance that suppliers will be able to meet the demand for components in a timely and cost-effective manner. Accordingly, an issuer’s operating results and customer relationships could be adversely affected by either an increase in price for, or an interruption or reduction in supply of, any key components. Additionally, technology issuers may have a highly concentrated customer base consisting of a limited number of large customers who may require product vendors to comply with rigorous industry standards. Any failure to comply with such standards may result in a significant loss or reduction of sales. Because many products and technologies of technology companies are incorporated into other related products, such companies are often highly dependent on the performance of the personal computer, electronics and telecommunications industries. There can be no assurance that these customers will place additional orders, or that an issuer will obtain orders of similar magnitude as past orders from other customers. Similarly, the success of certain technology companies is tied to a relatively small concentration of products or technologies. Accordingly, a decline in demand of such products, technologies or from such customers could have a material adverse impact on companies in this sector.

Many technology companies rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no assurance that the steps taken to protect proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of technology or that competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to an issuer’s technology. In addition, due to the increasing public use of the internet, it is possible that other laws and regulations may be adopted to address issues such as privacy, pricing, characteristics, and quality of internet products and services. The adoption of any such laws could have a material adverse impact on the issuers of securities in the information technology sector.

Materials Sector. Companies in the basic materials sector are engaged in the manufacture, mining, processing, or distribution of raw materials and intermediate goods used in the industrial sector. These may include materials and products such as chemicals, commodities, forestry products, paper products, copper, iron ore, nickel, steel, aluminum, precious metals, textiles, cement, and gypsum. Basic materials companies may be affected by the volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, worldwide competition, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control devices. In addition, they may be adversely affected by technical progress, labor relations and governmental regulation. These companies are also at risk for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production of industrial materials often exceeds demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, which may lead to poor investment returns.

Real Estate Sector. Real estate companies include REITs and real estate management and development companies. Companies in the real estate sector may be exposed to the risks

associated with the ownership of real estate which include, among other factors, changes in general U.S., global and local economic conditions, declines in real estate values, changes in the financial health of tenants, overbuilding and increased competition for tenants, oversupply of properties for sale, changing demographics, changes in interest rates, tax rates and other operating expenses, changes in government regulations, faulty construction and the ongoing need for capital improvements, regulatory and judicial requirements including relating to liability for environmental hazards, changes in neighborhood values and buyer demand and the unavailability of construction financing or mortgage loans at rates acceptable to developers. The performance of a REIT may also be adversely impacted by other factors (discussed above).

Real estate management and development companies often are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. To the extent such companies focus their business on a particular geographic region of a country, they may also be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in that area. These companies may also be subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. Certain real estate management and development companies have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities.

Utilities Sector. General problems of utility companies include risks of increases in energy and other operating costs; restrictions on operations and increased costs and delays as a result of environmental, nuclear safety and other regulations; regulatory restrictions on the ability to pass increasing wholesale costs along to the retail and business customer; energy conservation; technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete; the effects of local weather, maturing markets and difficulty in expanding to new markets due to regulatory and other factors; natural or manmade disasters; difficulty obtaining adequate returns on invested capital; the high cost of obtaining financing during periods of inflation; difficulties of the capital markets in absorbing utility debt and equity securities; and increased competition. In addition, taxes, government regulation, international politics, price and supply fluctuations, volatile interest rates and energy conservation may cause difficulties for utilities. All of such issuers experience certain of these problems to varying degrees.

California. The information provided below is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in California and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. Except where otherwise indicated, the information is based on California’s 2019-20 fiscal year running from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the following information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in California or contained in official statements for various California municipal obligations.

Economic Outlook. The 2019-20 fiscal year marked an unprecedented period for California’s economy. The first 8 months of the fiscal year (through February 2020) were marked by continued economic expansion and low unemployment. However, by the end of the fiscal year the economic disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic led to steep declines in economic activity and dramatic increases in unemployment. As of December 2019,

California’s GDP had reached almost $3.2 trillion, an increase of 4.3% compared to the same period in 2018. Personal income increased by 5.0% over the preceding year. In January 2020, California posted its lowest unemployment rate on record under the methodology used since 1976, with a rate of 3.9%. By March 2020, however, the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were already becoming apparent, with unemployment increasing to 5.5%. By April, unemployment had increased dramatically reaching a record high of 16.4%, and held steady through May before receding to14.9% in June. The unemployment rate was 11.0% at the end of September 2020, which was still well above the rate prior to the pandemic.

The largest job losses occurred in the leisure and hospitality sector, which includes jobs in arts, entertainment, and recreation, as well as food service and accommodations. The number of jobs in this sector declined by 632,200 (30.8%) from February 2020 through June 2020. Other hard-hit sectors included non-durable goods manufacturing, which lost 45,900 jobs (9.9%) over this period, and retail trade, which lost 192,300 jobs (11.6%).

In spite of the steep loss of jobs during the final four months of the 2019-20 fiscal year, some parts of the economy stabilized after initial declines. Sales of existing single-family homes fell during the March to June 2020 time period when compared to the same months in 2019. By July 2020, the pace of existing single family home sales exceeded the pace of sales in July 2019 by 6.4%. Home prices fell modestly in April and May 2020, but had increased significantly by July 2020, with the median price of a single-family home reaching a new record high of $666,320, a 9.0% increase from the June 2020 amount.

Construction activity also declined sharply in March and April 2020 before bouncing back. New single- family residential permits for June and July 2020 exceeded the number recorded in the same months in 2019 by 2.7% and 3.0%, respectively. Non-residential permits also declined during the initial months of the pandemic before partially rebounding in June 2020.

New vehicle registrations were also impacted by the pandemic’s economic fallout, with new registrations from April to June 2020 down by 52.1% compared to the same period in 2019.

Over 1.9 million fewer Californians were working in non-farm jobs at the end of June 2020 compared with February 2020, and California still faced significant uncertainty about the timing of its future economic recovery.

Net Assets. The primary government’s combined net deficit position (governmental and business-type activities) improved by $15.1 billion (21.2%) from a negative $71.1 billion, as restated, to a negative $56.0 billion at June 30, 2019.

The primary government’s $114.8 billion net investment in capital assets, such as land, buildings, equipment, and infrastructure (roads, bridges, and other immovable assets) comprise a significant portion of its net position. This amount of capital assets is net of any outstanding debt used to acquire those assets. California uses capital assets when providing services to citizens; consequently, these assets are not available for future spending. Although California’s investment in capital assets is reported net of related debt, the resources needed to repay this debt

must come from other sources because California cannot use the capital assets to pay off the liabilities.

Another $54.3 billion of the primary government’s net position represents resources that are externally restricted as to how they may be used, such as resources pledged to debt service. The internally-imposed earmarking of resources is not presented in this publication as restricted net position. As of June 30, 2019, the primary government’s combined unrestricted net deficit position was $225.1 billion ($208.4 billion for governmental activities and $16.7 billion for business-type activities).

California General Fund. California’s main operating fund (the “California General Fund”) ended fiscal year 2018-19 with assets of $49.7 billion; liabilities and deferred inflows of resources of $31.2 billion; and non-spendable, restricted, and committed fund balances of $1.2 billion, $14.8 billion, and $1.8 billion, respectively, leaving the California General Fund with an unassigned fund balance of $766 million. Total assets of the California General Fund increased by $10.5 billion (26.9%) over the prior fiscal year. Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources increased by $4.1 billion (15.4%), while the California General Fund’s unassigned fund balance decreased by $883 billion (53.6%) from the prior year.

The California General Fund had an excess of revenues over expenditures of $11.4 billion ($140.5 billion in revenues and $129.1 billion in expenditures). Approximately $134.7 billion (95.9%) of California General Fund revenue is derived from California’s largest three taxes (personal income taxes ($95.0 billion), sales and use taxes ($25.7 billion), and corporation taxes ($14.0 billion)). As a result of fund classifications made to comply with generally accepted governmental accounting principles, a total of $289 million in revenue, mostly from unemployment programs, is included in the California General Fund.

During fiscal year 2018-19, total California General Fund revenue increased by $4.9 billion (3.6%). The increase is a result of increases in personal income taxes of $2.2 billion (2.4%), corporation taxes of $1.4 billion (11.4%), and sales and use taxes of $610 million (2.4%). California General Fund expenditures increased by $4.9 billion (3.9%). The largest increases were in education, natural resources and environmental protection, and business, consumer services and housing expenditures, which were up $5.4 billion, $817 million, and $467 million, respectively. The California General Fund ended the fiscal year with a fund balance of $18.6 billion, an improvement of $6.4 billion from the prior year’s restated ending fund balance of $12.2 billion. The California General Fund’s ending fund balance includes $14.4 billion restricted for budget stabilization if the Governor must declare a budget emergency during an economic downturn.

Budget Outlook. California’s 2019-20 Budget Act was enacted on June 27, 2019. The Budget Act appropriated $214.8 billion —$147.8 billion from the California General Fund, $61.1 billion from special funds, and $5.9 billion from bond funds. The California General Fund’s budgeted expenditures increased by $5.1 billion (3.6%) over the prior year budget. The California General Fund’s revenues were projected to be $143.8 billion after a $2.2 billion transfer to the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA), California’s rainy day fund. California General Fund revenue comes predominantly from taxes, with personal income taxes expected to

provide 70.2% of total revenue in fiscal year 2019-20. California’s major taxes (personal income, sales and use, and corporation) were projected to provide approximately 97.8% of the California General Fund’s resources in the 2019-20 fiscal year. The California General Fund was projected to end the 2019-2020 fiscal year with $19.2 billion in total reserves—$16.5 billion in the BSA, $1.4 billion in the California General Fund’s Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties (SFEU), $900 million in the Safety Net Reserve (SNR), and the initial funding of $377 million into the Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSSA). In addition to the required minimum annual transfer to the BSA, Proposition 2 requires the California General Fund to make an equivalent minimum annual amount of debt reduction payments; the 2019-20 spending plan included $2.2 billion of debt reduction expenditures.

The 2019-20 Budget Act increased total expenditures by $11.7 billion over the 2018-19 budgeted level, driven by an increase in budgeted California General Fund expenditures of $9.1 billion. Primary increases in California General Fund spending were for health and human services of $2.4 billion, K-12 education of $2.4 billion, and higher education of $1.4 billion. The California General Fund’s share of Proposition 98 guaranteed minimum funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges increased by $1.4 billion to $55.9 billion.

Specific 2019-20 Budget provisions included $850 million to cover a portion of school districts’ 2019-20 and 2020-21 pension payments, increased funding for the California State Universities and University of California of $713 million and $416 million, respectively, and $1.3 billion for early education programs. Additional 2019-20 Budget provisions included $332 million to increase monthly CalWORKs grants, $550 million to expand health care coverage and increase affordability, and a one-time allocation of $2.8 billion to support local governments’ housing and homelessness programs.

Subsequent to the enactment of the 2019-20 Budget Act, the COVID-19 pandemic struck causing a global economic crisis and a serious economic downturn in California. California anticipates declines in revenue as a result of record high unemployment and long-term economic shut-downs, increases in health and human services and COVID-related expenditures, and programmatic spending reductions or eliminations. California is facing a great deal of economic uncertainty.

In June 2020, the 2020-21 Budget Act was enacted, and provided updated estimates of fiscal year 2019-20 California General Fund revenues, expenditures, and reserves. The 2020-21 Budget Act, revised to take into consideration the recession brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, projected fiscal year 2019-20 California General Fund revenue of $137.6 billion (after transfers), expenditures of $146.9 billion, and total year-end reserves of $17.0 billion —$16.1 billion in the BSA and $900 million in the SNR—which is $2.2 billion less than projected in the 2019-20 Budget Act in June 2019.

Capital Assets. As of June 30, 2019, California’s investment in capital assets for its governmental and business-type activities amounted to $148.3 billion (net of accumulated depreciation/amortization). California’s capital assets include land, state highway infrastructure, collections, buildings and other depreciable property, intangible assets, and construction/development in progress. The buildings and other depreciable property account

includes buildings, improvements other than buildings, equipment, certain infrastructure assets, certain books, and other capitalized and depreciable property. Intangible assets include computer software, land use rights, patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Infrastructure assets are items that normally are immovable, such as roads and bridges, and can be preserved for a greater number of years than can most capital assets.

As of June 30, 2019, California’s capital assets increased by $3.6 billion, or 2.5% over the prior fiscal year. The majority of the increase occurred in state highway infrastructure and buildings and other depreciable property.

Debt Administration. At June 30, 2019, California had total bonded debt outstanding of $109.8 billion. Of this amount, $79.6 billion (72.5%) represents general obligation bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of California. The current portion of general obligation bonds outstanding is $4.0 billion and the long-term portion is $75.6 billion. The remaining $30.2 billion (27.5%) of bonded debt outstanding represents revenue bonds, which are secured solely by specified revenue sources. The current portion of revenue bonds outstanding is $2.0 billion and the long-term portion is $28.2 billion.

During the fiscal year, California issued a total of $7.2 billion in new general obligation bonds to fund various capital projects and other voter-approved costs related to K-12 schools and higher education facilities, transportation improvements and high-speed rail, water quality and environmental protection, and other public purposes.

Budgetary Control. California’s annual budget is primarily prepared on a modified accrual basis for governmental funds. The Governor recommends a budget for approval by the Legislature each year. This recommended budget includes estimated revenues, but revenues are not included in the annual budget bill adopted by the Legislature. Under state law, California cannot adopt a spending plan that exceeds estimated revenues.

Under the California Constitution, money may be drawn from the treasury only through a legal appropriation. The appropriations contained in the Budget Act, as approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, are the primary sources of annual expenditure authorizations and establish the legal level of control for the annual operating budget. The budget can be amended throughout the year by special legislative action, budget revisions by the Department of Finance, or executive orders of the Governor. Amendments to the original budget for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, increased spending authority for the budgetary/ legal basis-reported General Fund, Transportation Funds, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Funds.

Appropriations are generally available for expenditure or encumbrance either in the year appropriated or for a period of three years if the legislation does not specify a period of availability. At the end of the availability period, the encumbering authority for the unencumbered balance lapses. Some appropriations continue indefinitely, while others are available until fully spent. Generally, encumbrances must be liquidated within two years from the end of the period in which the appropriation is available. If the encumbrances are not

liquidated within this additional two-year period, the spending authority for these encumbrances lapses.

Risk Management. The primary government has elected, with a few exceptions, to be self-insured against loss or liability. The primary government generally does not maintain reserves. Losses are covered by appropriations from each fund responsible for payment in the year in which the payment occurs. California is permissively self- insured and, barring any extraordinary catastrophic event, the potential amount of loss faced by California is not considered material in relation to the primary government’s financial position. Generally, the exceptions are when a bond resolution or a contract requires the primary government to purchase commercial insurance for coverage against property loss or liability. There have been no significant reductions in insurance coverage from the prior year. In addition, no insurance settlement in the last three years has exceeded insurance coverage. All claim payments are on a “pay-as-you-go” basis, with workers’ compensation benefits for self-insured agencies initially being paid by the California Compensation Insurance Fund.

The discounted liability for unpaid self-insurance claims of the primary government is estimated to be $4.4 billion as of June 30, 2019. This estimate is primarily based on actuarial reviews of California’s workers’ compensation program and includes indemnity payments to claimants, as well as all other costs of providing workers’ compensation benefits, such as medical care and rehabilitation. The estimate also includes the liability for unpaid services fees, industrial disability leave benefits, and incurred-but-not-reported amounts. The estimated total liability of approximately $6.2 billion is discounted to $4.4 billion using a 3.5% interest rate. Of the total discounted liability, $473 million is a current liability, of which $330 million is included in the California General Fund, $140 million in the special revenue funds, and $3 million in the internal service funds. The remaining $3.9 billion is reported as other noncurrent liabilities in the government-wide Statement of Net Position. The University of California, a discretely presented component unit, is self-insured or insured through a wholly-owned captive insurance company.

Ratings. As of December 30, 2020, all outstanding general obligation bonds of the state of California were rated “AA-” by S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and “Aa2” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Any explanation concerning the significance of such ratings must be obtained from the rating agencies. There is no assurance that any ratings will continue for any period of time or that they will not be revised or withdrawn.

Local Issuances. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local California issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the state of California, and there is no obligation on the part of the state to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.

The foregoing information constitutes only a brief summary of some of the general factors which may impact certain issuers of California bonds and does not purport to be a complete or exhaustive description of all adverse conditions to which the issuers of such obligations are subject. Additionally, many factors including national economic, social and environmental policies and conditions, which are not within the control of the issuers of such bonds, could affect or could have an adverse impact on the financial condition of the state and

various agencies and political subdivisions thereof. The sponsor is unable to predict whether or to what extent such factors or other factors may affect the issuers of the bonds, the market value or marketability of such bonds or the ability of the respective issuers of such bonds to pay interest on or principal of such bonds.

New Jersey. The information provided below is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in New Jersey and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. Except where otherwise indicated, the information is based on New Jersey’s 2018-19 fiscal year running from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the following information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in New Jersey or contained in official statements for various New Jersey municipal obligations.

Economic Outlook. As of December 2019, New Jersey’s labor market continued to expand and unemployment was at 3.5% with labor force participation fairly stable.

New Jersey’s labor market added 52,400 jobs in 2019, which was the ninth consecutive year of employment gains. Job growth reached 1.3%, accelerating over 2018’s 0.8% growth rate. The education & health services sector added 14,800 jobs, while the professional & business services sector added 14,200 jobs. The leisure & hospitality services sector added 7,200 jobs. The manufacturing sector added 800 jobs, while the construction sector added 600.

New Jersey’s unemployment rate averaged 3.5% in 2019, a fall of 0.6 percentage points below the prior year’s rate. The labor force participation rate averaged 63.5%, a rise of 0.8 percentage points over the prior year.

New Jersey’s existing home sales were 0.1% higher than the prior year. The number of single-family homes sold was 0.2% lower than the prior year, while the number of townhomes and condos sold was 0.3% higher. The foreclosure picture continued to improve as the share of mortgages in foreclosure continued to steadily decline, falling to 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2019.

New Jersey’s economic expansion continued in 2019. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for New Jersey grew at a 2.3% annual rate in the third quarter of 2019, rebounding from a 0.7% annual rate in the second quarter. Personal income, a broad measure of income that includes asset and transfer income in addition to wages and salaries, grew at a 2.9% annual rate in the third quarter of 2019, slowing slightly from the first and second quarters (which grew 6.5% and 3.4%, respectively).

The national economic expansion was projected to continue in 2020 at the start of the year. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) had projected real GDP growth of 2.0% during its December 2019 meeting. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic altered both the national and global outlook.

Revenues and Expenditures. During the 2018-19 fiscal year New Jersey’s revenues, including transfers, totaled $66.0 billion, which was an increase of $3.4 billion versus the prior fiscal year after restatements. This increase is primarily attributable to higher general taxes and operating grants. General taxes totaled $35.7 billion and accounted for 54.1% of total New Jersey revenues for the 2018-19 fiscal year. New Jersey’s gross income tax totaled $15.9 billion, the sales and use tax totaled $10.0 billion, and the corporation business tax totaled $4.1 billion. New Jersey’s three major taxes comprised 84.0% of the total general taxes that were collected during the 2018-19 fiscal year. General taxes increased by $3.0 billion as compared to the 2017-18 fiscal year.

New Jersey’s 2018-19 fiscal year expenses totaled $67.0 billion, a decrease of $2.2 billion after restatements in comparison to the prior fiscal year. New Jersey’s spending decreased by $4.7 billion in government direction, management, and control mainly due to decreases in pension and total other postemployment benefits expenses resulting from changes in assumptions. Partially offsetting this spending decrease, were spending increases in New Jersey’s lottery fund ($1.1 billion), and education, cultural, and intellectual development ($1.1 billion).

New Jersey General Fund. New Jersey’s chief operating fund (the “New Jersey General Fund”) is the fund into which all State revenues, not otherwise restricted by statute, are deposited. The New Jersey General Fund’s ending fund balance totaled $6.6 billion, of which $1.7 billion represented unassigned fund balance. The “Surplus Revenue Fund” is an account within the New Jersey General Fund that is used as a “rainy day fund.” During the 2018-19 fiscal year, New Jersey deposited $420.6 million into the Surplus Revenue Fund, which was the first such deposit since the 2007-08 fiscal year.

On a budgetary basis, general revenues of $37.4 billion were $0.3 billion lower than the final budget. The negative variance was primarily the result of unearned grant revenues (both federal and other) of $0.9 billion, offset with positive variances in services and assessments and licenses and fees of $0.3 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively. Federal and other grant revenues are not earned unless there has been a grant award and eligible grant expenses incurred. To the extent that federal and grant appropriations are made in anticipation of grant awards and the incurrence of grant expenditures, grant revenues are budgeted.

Total expenditures were $2.1 billion lower than original appropriations as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act plus supplemental appropriations enacted during the 2017-18 fiscal year. A major cause for under-spending resulted from the overestimate of federal funds. This practice allows New Jersey to receive the maximum federal dollars that become available. During the 2018-19 fiscal year, New Jersey’s appropriation of federal funds and other grants exceeded expenditures by $0.9 billion, which is available for use in future years. From a 2018-19 fiscal year program perspective, the following areas under-spent: government direction, management, and control ($1.6 billion); transportation programs ($704.9 million); community development and environmental management ($555.9 million); economic planning, development and security ($137.1 million); public safety and criminal justice ($39.1 million); special government services ($20.9 million). This was offset by: over-spending in physical and mental health ($513.9 million) and educational, cultural, and intellectual development ($457.2 million).

Net Assets. The primary government’s assets and deferred outflows of resources totaled $73.8 billion, representing a decrease of $0.7 billion from the prior fiscal year after restatements (that resulted in a $0.4 billion increase in net position). Restatements were made to increase capital assets. As of June 30, 2019, liabilities and deferred inflows of resources exceeded assets and deferred outflows of resources by $198.7 billion. The State’s unrestricted net position (representing the net position that has not statutory commitments and is available for discretionary use), totaled negative $216.9 billion. The negative balance is primarily a result of New Jersey implementing in the 2014-15 fiscal year, GASB Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions, and in the fiscal year 2017-28, GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions. Financing activities that have contributed to New Jersey’s negative unrestricted net position include: liabilities from pension obligation bonds, funding of a portion of local elementary and high school construction, and the securitization of a major portion of annual tobacco master settlement agreement receipts with no corresponding assets. During the 2018-19 fiscal year, the proprietary funds’ net position increased by $300.0 million resulting in net position of $3.4 billion as of June 30, 2019.

Changes in Net Assets. New Jersey’s 2018-19 fiscal year net position decreased by $1.0 billion. Approximately 54.1% of New Jersey’s total revenues came from general taxes, while 27.1% came from operating grants. Charges for services amounted to 16.9% of total revenues, while other items such as capital grants, miscellaneous revenues and interest earnings accounted for the remainder. New Jersey’s expenses cover a range of services. The largest expense was for educational, cultural, and intellectual development (28.1%), which includes approximately $354.8 million disbursed by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (a blended component unit) to help finance school facilities construction; physical and mental health (23.3%); and government direction, management, and control (15.7%). Other major expenditures focused on economic planning, development, and security; New Jersey Lottery Fund; and public safety and criminal justice. During the 2018-19 fiscal year, governmental activities expenses exceeded program revenues. This imbalance was mainly funded through $336.5 billion of general revenues (mostly taxes). The remaining $1.3 billion resulted in a decrease in net position. Offsetting the governmental net position decrease, Business-type Activities reflected a net position increase of $300.0 million primarily because the Unemployment Compensation Fund’s available resources exceeded the need to pay claims.

Debt Administration. As of June 30, 2019, New Jersey’s outstanding long-term obligations for governmental activities totaled $217.7 billion, a $21.3 billion decrease over the prior fiscal years after restatements (which includes a $20.4 billion decrease in the net pension liability and total other postemployment benefits liability, a decrease of $0.7 billion in bonded debt and a $0.2 billion decrease in other non-bonded debt). Long-term bonded obligations totaled $44.4 billion, while other long-term obligations totaled $173.3 billion. In addition, New Jersey has $14.5 billion of legislatively authorized bonding capacity that has not yet been issued. As of June 30, 20190, the legislatively authorized but unissued debt decreased by $0.6 billion from the prior fiscal year.

Ratings. As of December 30, 2020, all outstanding general obligation bonds of the State of New Jersey were rated “BBB+” by S&P Global Ratings a division of S&P Global, Inc. and

“A3” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Any explanation concerning the significance of such ratings must be obtained from the rating agencies. There is no assurance that any ratings will continue for any period of time or that they will not be revised or withdrawn.

Local Issuances. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local New Jersey issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the State of New Jersey, and there is no obligation on the part of the state to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.

The foregoing information constitutes only a brief summary of some of the general factors which may impact certain issuers of bonds and does not purport to be a complete or exhaustive description of all adverse conditions to which the issuers of such obligations are subject. Additionally, many factors including national economic, social and environmental policies and conditions, which are not within the control of the issuers of such bonds, could affect or could have an adverse impact on the financial condition of the state and various agencies and political subdivisions thereof. The sponsor is unable to predict whether or to what extent such factors or other factors may affect the issuers of the bonds, the market value or marketability of such bonds or the ability of the respective issuers of such bonds to pay interest on or principal of such bonds.

New York. The information provided below is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in New York and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. Except where otherwise indicated, the information is based on New York’s 2019-2020 fiscal year running from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the following information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in New York or contained in official statements for various New York municipal obligations.

Economic Condition and Outlook. With the national economy in its second longest expansion in recorded history, overall economic activity, employment and wages all continued to increase in New York State in 2019. Growth in the overall economic activity at the national level (2.3%) outpaced the increase in New York (1.8%). Employment growth decelerated at both the national (1.4%) and state (1.0%) levels. New York over added 100,000 jobs and total employment grew nearly 9.8 million.

Average annual wages nationally and at the state level rose 3.4% in the 2018-19 fiscal year. Total wages paid to all employees increased at 4.6% in New York, versus 4.8% nationally, reflecting larger employment growth nationally.

In February 2020, the economic expansion ended and the national economy went into recession, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter 2020, real GDP nationally decreased by 5.0%. Unemployment and unemployment insurance claims spiked upward, due to broad limits on economic activity put into place in March. In April, the national unemployment rate increased to 14.7% with over 22 million unemployed. The New York rate was higher, at 15.3%, with 1.5 million unemployed.

General Governmental Results. An operating surplus of $355 million is reported in the state’s general fund (“New York General Fund”) for the 2019-20 fiscal year. As a result, the New York General Fund now has an accumulated fund balance of $3.7 billion. New York completed its 2019-20 fiscal year with a combined governmental funds operating deficit of $920 million as compared to a combined governmental funds operating surplus in the preceding fiscal year of $97 million. The combined operating surplus of $920 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 included an operating deficit in the New York General Fund of $355 million, an operating deficit in the “Federal Special Revenue Fund” of $6 million, an operating deficit in the “General Debt Service Fund” of $332 million and an operating deficit in the “Other Governmental Funds” of $937 million.

New York’s financial position as shown in its governmental funds balance sheet as of March 31, 2020 includes a fund balance of $12.9 billion comprised of $53.6 billion of assets less liabilities of $38.5 billion and deferred inflows of resources of $2.1 billion. The governmental funds fund balance includes a $3.7 billion accumulated New York General Fund balance.

Overall Financial Position and Results of Operations. For the 2019-20 fiscal year, New York reported a net position deficit of $13.6 billion, comprising $72.9 billion in net investment in capital assets, and $8.3 billion in restricted net position, offset by an unrestricted net position deficit of $94.8 billion.

Net position reported for governmental activities decreased by $1.1 billion to a $5.2 billion net position deficit. Unrestricted net position for governmental activities—the part of net position that can be used to finance day-to-day operations without constraints established by debt covenants, enabling legislation, or other legal requirements—had a deficit of $79.9 billion at March 31, 2020.

The net position deficit in unrestricted governmental activities, which decreased by $117 million (0.1%) in 2020, exists primarily because New York has issued debt for purposes not resulting in a capital asset related to New York governmental activities and because of the obligation related to other postemployment benefits ($51.1 billion). Such outstanding debt included: eliminating the need for seasonal borrowing by the New York Local Government Assistance Corporation ($253 million); and borrowing for local highway and bridge projects ($4.5 billion), local mass transit projects ($2 billion), and a wide variety of grants and other expenditures not resulting in New York capital assets ($15.2 billion). This deficit in unrestricted net position of governmental activities can be expected to continue for as long as New York continues to have obligations outstanding for purposes other than the acquisition of New York governmental capital assets.

The net position deficit in business-type activities decreased by $41 million (0.5%) to $8.4 billion in the 2019-20 fiscal year (versus $8.3 billion in the prior fiscal year). The increase in net position deficit for business-type activities was due to City University of New York Senior Colleges’ expenses exceeding revenues and New York support by $141 million, and unemployment benefit payments exceeding employer contributions and other revenues for the “Unemployment Insurance Fund” by $25 million. This was partially offset by Lottery net

income exceeding education aid transfers by $110 million, and State University of New York revenues and New York support exceeding expenses by $15 million.

New York General Fund Budgetary Highlights. Total New York General Fund receipts exceeded disbursements by $1.7 billion in the 2019-20 fiscal year. Total New York General Fund receipts for the year (including transfers from other funds) were $79.2 billion. The New York General Fund ended the fiscal year with a closing cash fund balance of $8.9 billion, consisting of: (i) approximately $2.5 billion in New York’s rainy day reserve funds ($1.3 billion in the “Tax Stabilization Reserve Account” and $1.2 billion in the “Rainy Day Reserve Fund”); (ii) $31 million in the “Community Projects Fund”; (iii) $21 million in the “Contingency Reserve Fund”; and (iv) $6.4 billion in the “Refund Reserve Account.” The Refund Reserve included undesignated reserves of $2.6 billion for extraordinary monetary settlements earmarked for transfer to capital projects funds (though not exclusively for capital projects), $1.3 billion for timing-related transactions that did not occur in the 2019-20 fiscal year and are expected to occur in the 2020-21 fiscal year, $890 million for economic uncertainties, and $500 million for debt management. These amounts are identified by the Division of the Budget in the financial plan but can be used for other purposes.

Net operating results were $2.5 billion more favorable than anticipated in the original financial plan (which predicted a net operating deficit of $740 million). Total receipts and transfers from other funds were greater than original financial plan estimates by $2.1 billion and total disbursements and transfers to other funds were less than original financial plan estimates by $388 million.

New York General Fund receipts were nearly $2.1 billion above the initial estimate, with growth concentrated in personal income tax. The New York General Fund spending was $388 million below the initial estimate. Budgeted New York General Fund payments of $1.3 billion were not released due to the interruptions and uncertainties created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These payments affected spending levels for higher education, social welfare, mental hygiene, and public health. The lower spending was in part offset by higher Medicaid spending of $1.7 billion and minimum wage costs in the health care sector of $322 million. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused a spike in health care spending above projected levels.

Personal income tax receipts exceeded estimates by $1.9 billion. Debt service prepayments increased the amount of personal income tax available for transfer to the New York General Fund by roughly $1.2 billion. The remainder of personal income tax increase reflected stronger than expected collections. Lower consumption/use tax collections were driven by lower sales tax collections due to weaker than anticipated growth in the sales tax base and lower than anticipated opioid excise tax collections. Higher business taxes reflected stronger than anticipated corporate franchise tax collections and lower refunds, partially offset by lower audit receipts across all business taxes. Higher than projected miscellaneous receipts are mainly due to medical reimbursements, investment income, and monetary settlements.

Net operating results were $2.4 billion better than anticipated in the final financial plan, with the final financial plan projecting a net operating deficit of $679 million. Total disbursements were lower than estimates by $1.5 billion, which was primarily due to lower than

expected local assistance grants driven by the $1.3 billion of payments that did not occur by year-end.

Capital Assets. As of the 2019-20 fiscal year end, New York has $109.8 billion invested in a broad range of capital assets including, equipment, buildings, construction in progress, land preparation, and infrastructure, which primarily includes roads and bridges. This amount represents a net increase (including additions and deductions) of $1.9 billion over the prior fiscal year.

Debt Administration. New York has obtained long-term financing in the form of voter-approved General Obligation debt (voter-approved debt) and other obligations that are authorized by legislation but not approved by the voters (non-voter-approved debt), including lease-purchase and contractual obligations where New York’s legal obligation to make payments is subject to and paid from annual appropriations made by the New York Legislature or from assignment of revenue in the case of Tobacco Settlement Revenue Bonds. Equipment capital leases and mortgage loan commitments (which represent $555 million as of March 31, 2020) do not require legislative or voter approval. Other obligations include certain bonds issued through New York public authorities and certificates of participation. New York administers its long-term financing needs as a single portfolio of New York-supported debt that includes general obligation bonds and other obligations of both its governmental activities and business-type activities. Most of the debt reported under business-type activities, all of which was issued for capital assets used in those activities, is supported by payments from resources generated by New York’s governmental activities—thus it is not expected to be directly repaid from resources generated by business-type activities. New York finance law allows the bonded portion of this single combined debt portfolio, which includes debt reported in both governmental and business-type activities, to include debt instruments which result in a net variable rate exposure in an amount that does not exceed 15% of the total outstanding New York-supported debt. As of March 31, 2020, New York had $97 million in state-supported net variable rate bonds outstanding and $952 million in interest rate exchange agreements, in which New York issues variable rate bonds and enters into a swap agreement that effectively converts the rate to a fixed rate.

As of March 31, 2020, variable rate bonds, net of those subject to the fixed rate swaps, were equal to 0.2% of the New York state-supported debt portfolio. Variable rate bonds that were converted to a synthetic fixed rate through swap agreements of $952 million were equal to 1.8% of the total New York state-supported debt portfolio.

As of March 31, 2020, New York had $60.9 billion in bonds, notes, and other financing agreements outstanding compared to $59.6 billion in the prior year, an increase of $1.3 billion.

During 2018-19 fiscal year, New York issued $7.1 billion in bonds, of which $2.7 billion was for refunding and $4.4 billion was for new borrowing.

New York’s Constitution, with exceptions for emergencies, limits the amount of general obligation bonds that can be issued to that amount approved by the voters for a single work or purpose in a general election. Currently, New York has $2.5 billion in authorized but unissued

bond capacity that can be used to issue bonds for specifically approved purposes. New York may issue short-term debt without voter approval in anticipation of the receipt of taxes and revenues or proceeds from duly authorized but not issued general obligation bonds.

The New York finance law, through the New York State Debt Reform Act of 2000 (the “New York Debt Reform Act”), also imposes phased-in caps on the issuance of the new New York-supported debt and related debt service costs. The New York Debt Reform Act also limits the use of debt to capital works and purposes, and establishes a maximum term length for repayment of 30 years. The New York Debt Reform Act applies to all New York-supported debt. The New York Debt Reform Act does not apply to debt issued prior to April 1, 2000 or to other obligations issued by public authorities where New York is not the direct obligor.

Litigation. The State of New York is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings pertaining to matters incidental to the performance of routine governmental operations. Such litigation includes, but is not limited to, claims asserted against the State of New York arising from alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts, condemnation proceedings and other alleged violations of state and federal laws.

Included in New York’s outstanding litigation are a number of cases challenging the legality or the adequacy of a variety of significant social welfare programs, primarily involving New York’s Medicaid and mental health programs. Adverse judgments in these matters generally could result in injunctive relief coupled with prospective changes in patient care that could require substantial increased financing of the litigated programs in the future.

With respect to pending and threatened litigation, New York has reported $1 billion in the primary government, $136 million is related to governmental activities and $878 million pertains to State University of New York. State University of New York reported $793 million as of December 31, 2019 for awarded claims, anticipated unfavorable judgments, and incurred but not reported loss estimates related to medical malpractice claims. The difference of $85 million is due to a timing difference between New York and State University of New York’s fiscal year end. In addition, New York is a party to other claims and litigation that its legal counsel has advised may result in possible adverse court decisions with estimated potential losses of approximately $48.5 million.

Ratings. As of December 30, 2020, all outstanding general obligation bonds of the State of New York were rated “AA+” by S&P Global Ratings a division of S&P Global, Inc., and “Aa2” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Any explanation concerning the significance of such ratings must be obtained from the rating agencies. There is no assurance that any ratings will continue for any period of time or that they will not be revised or withdrawn.

Local Issuances. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local New York issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of obligations issued by the State of New York, and there is no obligation on the part of the state to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.

The foregoing information constitutes only a brief summary of some of the general factors which may impact certain issuers of bonds and does not purport to be a complete or exhaustive description of all adverse conditions to which the issuers of such obligations are subject. Additionally, many factors including national economic, social and environmental policies and conditions, which are not within the control of the issuers of such bonds, could affect or could have an adverse impact on the financial condition of the state and various agencies and political subdivisions thereof. The sponsor is unable to predict whether or to what extent such factors or other factors may affect the issuers of the bonds, the market value or marketability of such bonds or the ability of the respective issuers of such bonds to pay interest on or principal of such bonds.

Administration of the Trust

Distributions to Unitholders. Income received by a trust is credited by the trustee to the Income Account for the trust. All other receipts are credited by the trustee to a separate Capital Account for the trust. The trustee will normally distribute any income received by a trust on each distribution date or shortly thereafter to unitholders of record on the preceding record date. A trust will also generally make required distributions or distributions to avoid imposition of tax at the end of each year if it has elected to be taxed as a RIC for federal tax purposes. Unitholders will receive an amount substantially equal to their pro rata share of the available balance of the Income Account of the related trust. All distributions will be net of applicable expenses. There is no assurance that any actual distributions will be made since all dividends and other income distributions received may be used to pay expenses. In addition, excess amounts from the Capital Account of a trust, if any, will be distributed on each distribution date or shortly thereafter to unitholders of record on the preceding record date, provided that the trustee is not required to make a distribution from the Capital Account unless the amount available for distribution is at least $1.00 per 100 units. Proceeds received from the disposition of any of the securities after a record date and prior to the following distribution date will be held in the Capital Account and not distributed until the next distribution date applicable to the Capital Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a trust is designed to be a grantor trust for tax purposes, the trustee is not required to make a distribution from the Income Account or the Capital Account unless the total cash held for distribution equals at least 0.1% of the trust’s net asset value as determined under the trust agreement, provided that the trustee is required to distribute the balance of the Income Account and Capital Account on the distribution date occurring in December of each year. The trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in the Capital or Income Accounts (but may itself earn interest thereon and therefore benefits from the use of such funds).

The distribution to the unitholders of a trust as of each record date will be made on the following distribution date or shortly thereafter and shall consist of an amount substantially equal to the unitholders’ pro rata share of the available balance of the Income Account of the trust after deducting estimated expenses. Because dividends and other income distributions are not received by a trust at a constant rate throughout the year, such distributions to unitholders are expected to fluctuate. Persons who purchase units will commence receiving distributions only after such person becomes a record owner. A person will become the owner of units, and thereby a unitholder of record, on the date of settlement provided payment has been received.

Notification to the trustee of the transfer of units is the responsibility of the purchaser, but in the normal course of business the selling broker-dealer provides such notice.

The trustee will periodically deduct from the Income Account of a trust and, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from the Capital Account of the trust amounts necessary to pay the expenses of the trust. The trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amounts, if any, as it deems necessary to establish a reserve for any governmental charges payable out of a trust. Amounts so withdrawn shall not be considered a part of the related trust’s assets until such time as the trustee shall return all or any part of such amounts to the appropriate accounts. In addition, the trustee may withdraw from the Income and Capital Accounts of a trust such amounts as may be necessary to cover redemptions of units.

Statements to Unitholders. With each distribution, the trustee will furnish to each unitholder a statement of the amount of income and the amount of other receipts, if any, which are being distributed, expressed in each case as a dollar amount per unit.

The accounts of a trust are required to be audited annually, at the related trust’s expense, by independent public accountants designated by the sponsor, unless the sponsor determines that such an audit is not required. The accountants’ report for any audit will be furnished by the trustee to any unitholder upon written request. Within a reasonable period of time after the last business day of each calendar year, the trustee shall furnish to each person who at any time during such calendar year was a unitholder of a trust a statement, covering such calendar year, setting forth for such trust:

(A)       As to the Income Account:

(B)       As to the Capital Account:

(C)       The following information:

Rights of Unitholders. The death or incapacity of any unitholder shall not operate to terminate a trust nor entitle his legal representatives or heirs to claim an accounting or to take any action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for a partition or winding up of a trust, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties to the applicable trust agreement. By purchasing units of a trust, each unitholder expressly waives any right he may have under any rule of law or the provisions of any statute, or otherwise, to require the trustee at any time to account, in any manner other than as expressly provided in the applicable trust agreement, in respect of the securities or moneys from time to time received, held and applied by the trustee under the trust agreement. No unitholder shall have the right to control the operation and management of a trust in any manner, except to vote with respect to the amendment of the related trust agreement or termination of the trust.

Amendment. Each trust agreement may be amended from time to time by the sponsor and trustee or their respective successors, without the consent of any of the unitholders, (i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained in the trust agreement, (ii) to change any provision required by the SEC or any successor governmental agency, (iii) to make such other provision in regard to matters or questions arising under the trust agreement as shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the unitholders or (iv) to make such amendments as may be necessary (a) for a trust to continue to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes if the trust has elected to be taxed as such under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or (b) to prevent a trust from being deemed an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes if the trust has not elected to be taxed as a RIC under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A trust agreement may not be amended, however, without the consent of all unitholders of the related trust then outstanding, so as (1) to permit, except in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, the acquisition thereunder of any securities other than those specified in the schedules to the trust agreement or (2) to reduce the percentage of units the holders of which are required to consent to certain of such amendments. A trust agreement may not be amended so as to reduce the interest in a trust represented by units without the consent of all affected unitholders.

Except for the amendments, changes or modifications described above, neither the sponsor nor the trustee nor their respective successors shall consent to any other amendment, change or modification of a trust agreement without the giving of notice and the obtaining of the approval or consent of unitholders representing at least 66 2/3% of the units then outstanding of the affected trust. No amendment may reduce the aggregate percentage of units the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, change or modification of a trust agreement without the consent of the unitholders of all of the units then outstanding of the affected trust and

in no event may any amendment be made which would (1) alter the rights to the unitholders of the trust as against each other, (2) provide the trustee with the power to engage in business or investment activities other than as specifically provided in the trust agreement, (3) adversely affect the tax status of the related trust for federal income tax purposes or result in the units being deemed to be sold or exchanged for federal income tax purposes or (4) unless a trust has elected to be taxed as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, result in a variation of the investment of unitholders in the trust. The trustee will notify unitholders of a trust of the substance of any such amendment to the trust agreement for such trust.

Termination. Each trust agreement provides that the related trust shall terminate upon the maturity, redemption, sale or other disposition as the case may be of the last security held in the trust but in no event is it to continue beyond the trust’s mandatory termination date. If the value of a trust shall be less than 40% of the aggregate value of securities deposited in such trust during the initial offering period, the trustee may, in its discretion, and shall when so directed by the sponsor, terminate the trust. A trust may be terminated at any time by written consent of the holders of units representing 100% of the units thereof then outstanding. A trust will be liquidated by the trustee in the event that a sufficient number of units of the trust not yet sold are tendered for redemption by the sponsor or any underwriter of units of a trust, so that the net worth of the trust would be reduced to less than 40% of the principal amount of the securities at the time they were initially deposited in the trust. If a trust is liquidated because of the redemption of unsold units by the sponsor or any underwriter, the sponsor will refund, on demand and without deduction, to each purchaser of units of the trust the entire sales charge paid by such purchaser.

Beginning nine business days prior to, but no later than, the scheduled termination date described in the prospectus for a trust, the trustee may begin to sell all of the remaining underlying securities on behalf of unitholders in connection with the termination of the trust. The sponsor may assist the trustee in these sales and receive compensation to the extent permitted by applicable law. The sale proceeds will be net of any incidental expenses involved in the sales.

The sponsor will generally instruct the trustee to sell the securities as quickly as practicable during the termination proceedings without in its judgment materially adversely affecting the market price of the securities, but it is expected that all of the securities will in any event be disposed of within a reasonable time after a trust’s termination. The sponsor does not anticipate that the period will be longer than one month, and it could be as short as one day, depending on the liquidity of the securities being sold. The liquidity of any security depends on the daily trading volume of the security and the amount that the sponsor has available for sale on any particular day. Of course, no assurances can be given that the market value of the securities will not be adversely affected during the termination proceedings.

Not less than thirty days prior to termination of a trust, the trustee will notify unitholders thereof of the termination and provide a form allowing qualifying unitholders to elect an in-kind distribution, if applicable. If applicable, a unitholder who owns the minimum number of units described in the prospectus may request an in-kind distribution from the trustee instead of cash. To the extent possible, the trustee will make an in-kind distribution through the distribution of

each of the securities of a trust in book-entry form to the account of the unitholder’s bank or broker-dealer at Depository Trust Company. The unitholder will be entitled to receive whole shares of each of the securities comprising the portfolio of the related trust and cash from the Income and Capital Account equal to the fractional shares to which the unitholder is entitled. The trustee may adjust the number of shares of any security included in a unitholder’s in-kind distribution to facilitate the distribution of whole shares. The sponsor may terminate the in-kind distribution option at any time upon sixty days written notice to the unitholders. Special federal income tax consequences will result if a unitholder requests an in-kind distribution.

Within a reasonable period after termination, the trustee will sell any securities remaining in a trust not segregated for in-kind distribution. After paying all expenses and charges incurred by a trust, the trustee will distribute to unitholders thereof their pro rata share of the balances remaining in the Income and Capital Accounts of the trust.

The sponsor may, but is not obligated to, offer for sale units of a subsequent series of a trust at approximately the time of the mandatory termination date. If the sponsor does offer such units for sale, unitholders may be given the opportunity to purchase such units at a public offering price. There is, however, no assurance that units of any new series of a trust will be offered for sale at that time, or if offered, that there will be sufficient units available for sale to meet the requests of any or all unitholders.

The Trustee. The trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon, a trust company organized under the laws of New York. The Bank of New York Mellon has its principal unit investment trust division offices at 240 Greenwich Street, 22W Floor, New York, NY 10286, (877) 363-3613. The Bank of New York Mellon is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the extent permitted by law.

Under each trust agreement, the trustee or any successor trustee may resign and be discharged of the trust created by the trust agreement by executing an instrument in writing and filing the same with the sponsor. If the trustee merges or is consolidated with another entity, the resulting entity shall be the successor trustee without the execution or filing of any paper, instrument or further act.

The trustee or successor trustee must mail a copy of the notice of resignation to all unitholders then of record, not less than sixty days before the date specified in such notice when such resignation is to take effect. The sponsor upon receiving notice of such resignation is obligated to appoint a successor trustee promptly. If, upon such resignation, no successor trustee has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within thirty days after notification, the retiring trustee may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor. The sponsor, upon sixty days’ prior written notice, may remove the trustee for any reason and appoint a successor trustee, by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which shall be delivered to the trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee. Notice of such removal and appointment shall be mailed to each unitholder of record by the successor trustee. Upon execution of a written acceptance of such appointment by such successor trustee, all the

rights, powers, duties and obligations of the original trustee shall vest in the successor. The trustee shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and have at all times an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $5,000,000.

The trustee except by reason of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by a trust agreement. Each trust agreement provides that the trustee shall be under no liability for any action taken in good faith in reliance on any document prima facie properly executed or for the disposition of moneys, securities or certificates pursuant to the trust agreement except by reason of its own gross negligence, lack of good faith or willful misconduct. The trustee shall in no event be deemed to have assumed or incurred any liability, duty or obligation to any unitholder or the sponsor, other than as expressly provided for in a trust agreement. The trustee shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless, as often as required by the trustee, it shall be furnished with reasonable security and indemnity against such expense or liability, and any pecuniary cost of the trustee from such actions shall be deductible from and a charge against the Income and Capital Accounts of the affected trust. The trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges imposed upon or in respect of the portfolio securities or upon the interest thereon or upon it as trustee under a trust agreement or upon or in respect of any trust. In addition, each trust agreement contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the trustee. The trustee shall be indemnified ratably by the affected trusts and held harmless against any loss or liability accruing to it without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust, including the costs and expenses (including counsel fees) of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.

The sponsor and unitholders may rely on any evaluation furnished by the trustee and the trustee shall have no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. The trustee shall have no liability to the sponsor or unitholders for errors in information obtained from any pricing service or similar source of information used to obtain closing sale prices which is selected by the trustee using reasonable care. Each trust agreement provides that with respect to any evaluation of portfolio securities made by the trustee, the trustee shall not be liable for errors in judgment or any action taken in good faith, provided that the trustee will not be protected against any liability to which it would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the trust agreement.

The Sponsor. The sponsor of each trust is Hennion & Walsh, Inc. The sponsor is a full service broker-dealer which caters to individual investors. The sponsor’s headquarters are located at 2001 Route 46, Waterview Plaza, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. You can contact the sponsor at this address or by using the contacts listed on the back cover of the prospectus. The sponsor is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) and a registrant of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”).

Under each trust agreement, the sponsor may resign and be discharged of the trust created by the trust agreement by executing an instrument in writing and filing the same with the trustee. If the sponsor merges or is consolidated with another entity, the resulting entity shall be the successor sponsor without the execution or filing of any paper, instrument or further act.

If at any time the sponsor shall resign or fail to undertake or perform any of the duties which by the terms of a trust agreement are required by it to be undertaken or performed, or the sponsor shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the sponsor or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the sponsor or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then the trustee may (a) appoint a successor sponsor at rates of compensation deemed by the trustee to be reasonable and not exceeding such reasonable amounts as may be prescribed by the SEC, (b) terminate the trust agreement and liquidate the related trust as provided therein or (c) continue to act as trustee without appointing a successor sponsor and receive additional compensation deemed by the trustee to be reasonable and not exceeding such reasonable amounts as may be prescribed by the SEC.

The sponsor shall be under no liability to any trust or the unitholders for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to the trust agreement or for errors in judgment or for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, provided that the sponsor shall not be protected against any liability to which it would otherwise be subjected by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under a trust agreement. The sponsor may rely in good faith on any document prima facie properly executed and submitted to it by the trustee, supervisor, counsel or any other persons pursuant to a trust agreement. The sponsor shall in no event be deemed to have assumed or incurred any liability, duty or obligation to any trust, any unitholder or the trustee other than as expressly provided in a trust agreement.

Each trust shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the sponsor from and against any loss, liability or expense incurred in acting as sponsor of such trust (including the costs and expenses of the defense against such loss, liability or expense) other than by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the related trust agreement. The sponsor shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability; provided, however, that the sponsor may in its discretion undertake any such action which it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of a trust agreement and the rights and duties of the parties thereto and the interests of the unitholders thereunder and, in such event, the legal expenses and costs of any such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be expenses, costs and liabilities of the trust concerned and shall be paid directly by the trustee out of the Income and Capital Accounts of such trust.

The sponsor will receive gross sales charges equal to the percentage of the offering price of the units of a trust stated in the prospectus and will pay a portion of such sales charges to dealers and selling agents. In addition, the sponsor may realize a profit or a loss resulting from the difference between the purchase prices of the securities to the sponsor and the cost of such

securities to a trust. The sponsor may also realize profits or losses with respect to securities deposited in a trust which were acquired from underwriting syndicates of which the sponsor was a member. An underwriter or underwriting syndicate purchases securities from the issuer on a negotiated or competitive bid basis, as principal, with the motive of marketing such securities to investors at a profit. The sponsor may realize additional profits or losses during the initial offering period on unsold units as a result of changes in the daily evaluation of the securities in a trust.

The Supervisor. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, Inc. serves as supervisor. The supervisor may resign by executing an instrument in writing and filing the same with the sponsor and the trustee. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the sponsor or, if no sponsor is acting, the trustee, may appoint a successor supervisor (which may include the sponsor) having qualifications and at a rate of compensation satisfactory to the sponsor or, if the appointment is made by the trustee, the trustee. The sponsor or, if no sponsor is acting, the trustee, may remove the supervisor at any time upon thirty days’ written notice and either continue without a supervisor or appoint a successor supervisor (which may include the sponsor) having qualifications and at a rate of compensation satisfactory to the sponsor or, if the removal and appointment is made by the trustee, the trustee. Notice of such resignation or removal and appointment of a successor supervisor shall be mailed by the trustee to each unitholder then of record.

The supervisor shall be under no liability to any trust or the unitholders for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to a trust agreement or for errors in judgment or for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, provided, however, that the supervisor is not protected against any liability to which it would otherwise be subjected by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the trust agreement. The supervisor may rely in good faith on any document prima facie properly executed and submitted to it by the trustee, counsel or any other persons pursuant to a trust agreement. The supervisor shall in no event be deemed to have assumed or incurred any liability, duty or obligation to any trust, any unitholder or the trustee other than as expressly provided in the related trust agreement.

Each trust shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the supervisor from and against any loss, liability or expense incurred in acting as supervisor of such trust (including the costs and expenses of the defense against any such loss, liability or expense) other than by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the related trust agreement. The supervisor shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability.

Expenses of the Trust. The sponsor may receive a fee from a trust for creating and developing the trust, including determining the trust’s objectives, policies, composition and size, selecting service providers and information services and for providing other similar administrative and ministerial functions. The amount of this “creation and development fee” is set forth in the prospectus. The trustee will deduct this amount from a trust’s assets as of the

close of the initial offering period. No portion of this fee is applied to the payment of distribution expenses or as compensation for sales efforts. This fee will not be deducted from proceeds received upon a repurchase, redemption or exchange of units before the close of the initial public offering period.

The trustee receives for its services that fee set forth in the prospectus. The trustee’s fee which is calculated and paid monthly is based on the largest number of units outstanding during the period for which such compensation is calculated. Such fee shall be prorated for any period in which the trustee provides services under the trust agreement during less than the whole of such period. The trustee benefits to the extent there are funds for future distributions, payment of expenses and redemptions in the Capital and Income Accounts since these Accounts are non-interest bearing and the amounts earned by the trustee are retained by the trustee. Part of the trustee’s compensation for its services to the trust is expected to result from the use of these funds.

The supervisor will charge the trust a fee for surveillance services and bookkeeping and administrative services performed for the trust in an amount not to exceed that amount set forth in the prospectus but in no event will such compensation, when combined with all compensation received from other UITs for which the supervisor acts as supervisor, exceed the aggregate cost to the supervisor of providing such services. Such fee shall be calculated based on the largest number of units outstanding during the period for which such compensation is calculated and shall be pro rated for any period in which the sponsor provides services during less than the whole of such period.

For providing bookkeeping and administrative services to a trust, the sponsor shall receive a fee in an amount not to exceed that amount set forth in the prospectus but in no event will such compensation, when combined with all compensation from other UITs for which the sponsor acts as sponsor and provides bookkeeping and administrative services, exceed the aggregate cost of providing such services. Such fee shall be calculated based on the largest number of units outstanding during the period for which such compensation is calculated and shall be pro rated for any period in which the sponsor provides services during less than the whole of such period.

The trustee’s fee, sponsor’s fee for providing bookkeeping and administrative services to a trust and supervisor’s fee are deducted from the Income Account of the related trust to the extent funds are available and then from the Capital Account. Each such fee (other than any creation and development fee) may be increased without approval of unitholders by amounts not exceeding a proportionate increase in the Consumer Price Index or any equivalent index substituted therefor.

The following additional charges are or may be incurred by a trust in addition to any other fees, expenses or charges described in the prospectus: (a) fees for the trustee’s extraordinary services; (b) expenses of the trustee (including legal and auditing expenses and reimbursement of the cost of advances to the trust for payment of expenses and distributions, but not including any fees and expenses charged by an agent for custody and safeguarding of securities) and of counsel, if any; (c) various governmental charges; (d) expenses and costs of

any action taken by the trustee or sponsor to protect the trust or the rights and interests of the unitholders; (e) indemnification of the trustee for any loss or liability accruing to it without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust; (f) indemnification of the sponsor for any loss, liability or expense incurred in acting in that capacity other than by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the applicable trust agreement; (g) indemnification of the supervisor for any loss, liability or expense incurred in acting in that capacity other than by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the applicable trust agreement; (h) expenditures incurred in contacting unitholders upon termination of the trust; and (i) license fees for the right to use trademarks and trade names, intellectual property rights or for the use of databases and research owned by third-party licensors. The sponsor is authorized to obtain from Mutual Fund Quotation Service (or similar service operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or its successor) a UIT ticker symbol for each trust and to contract for the dissemination of the unit prices through that service. A trust will bear any cost or expense incurred in connection with the obtaining of the ticker symbol and the dissemination of unit prices. A trust may pay the costs of updating its registration statement each year. All fees and expenses are payable out of a trust and, when owing to the trustee, are secured by a lien on the trust. If the balances in the Income and Capital Accounts are insufficient to provide for amounts payable by a trust, the trustee has the power to sell securities to pay such amounts. These sales may result in capital gains or losses to unitholders.

Each trust will pay the costs of organizing the trust. These costs may include, but are not limited to, the cost of the initial preparation and typesetting of the registration statement, prospectuses (including preliminary prospectuses), the trust agreement and other documents relating to the applicable trust, SEC and state blue sky registration fees, the costs of the initial valuation of the portfolio and audit of the trust, the costs of a portfolio consultant, if any, one-time license fees, if any, the initial fees and expenses of the trustee and legal and other out-of-pocket expenses related thereto but not including the expenses incurred in the printing of prospectuses (including preliminary prospectuses), expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising materials and any other selling expenses. A trust may sell securities to reimburse the sponsor for these costs at the end of the initial offering period or after six months, if earlier. The value of the units will decline when a trust pays these costs.

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation. When a trust sells securities, the composition and diversity of the securities in the trust may be altered. In order to obtain the best price for a trust, it may be necessary for the sponsor to specify minimum amounts in which blocks of securities are to be sold. In effecting purchases and sales of a trust’s portfolio securities, the sponsor may direct that orders be placed with and brokerage commissions be paid to brokers, including the sponsor or brokers which may be affiliated with the trust, the sponsor, the trustee or dealers participating in the offering of units.

Undertakings

Contents of Registration Statement

This Amendment to the Registration Statement comprises the following:

The facing sheet

The prospectus and information supplement

The signatures

The consents of evaluator, independent auditors and legal counsel

The following exhibits:

Signatures

The Registrant hereby identifies Smart Trust, Smart Ten Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Tax Free Bond Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Diversified Equity Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Value Architects Disciplined Core Portfolio Trust, 2010 Series C and 2011 Series I; Smart Trust, Zacks Diversified Equity & Corporate Bond Trust, Series 1 and Series 3-10; Smart Trust, Rising Interest Rates Hedge Trust, Series 1-5; Smart Trust, NASDAQ International Dividend Achievers Index Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Zacks GARP Composite 35 Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Argus Select 30 Equity Total Return Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, California Municipal Portfolio of Closed-End Funds Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Defensive 50 Equities Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Closed-End Fund Advisors Select BDC Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Sustainable Impact Investing Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust, Dorsey Wright International Momentum Trust, Series 1; Smart Trust 224, 229, 234, 235, 248, 255, 260, 282, 295, 302, 304, 318, 328, 334, 335, 353, 360, 367, 372, 383, 390, 393, 401, 407, 410, 415, 418, 421, 433, 437 and 441; and SmartTrust 448, 453, 458, 460, 464, 466, 470, 478, 479, 483, 484, 488, 494, 499, 501, 503, 506, 508, 511, 519, 522, 525, 527, 531, 534, 539 and 543 for the purposes of the representations required by Rule 487 and represents the following:

1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to the securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;

2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained in the Registration Statements for such previous series as to which the effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and

3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Parsippany and State of New Jersey on December 6, 2021.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below on December 6, 2021 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

Hennion & Walsh, Inc. 487

Exhibit 1.1

SmartTrust 545

Trust Agreement

Dated: December 6, 2021

This Trust Agreement among Hennion & Walsh, Inc., as Depositor, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, Inc., as Supervisor and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, sets forth certain provisions in full and incorporates other provisions by reference to the document entitled “Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust For Smart Trust, Effective for Unit Investment Trusts Investing in Equity Securities Established On and After July 21, 2015” (the “Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust”) and such provisions as are set forth in full and such provisions as are incorporated by reference constitute a single instrument. All references herein to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust.

Witnesseth That:

In consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein contained, the Depositor, Trustee and Supervisor agree as follows:

Part I

Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust

Subject to the provisions of Part II hereof, all the provisions contained in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this instrument as fully and to the same extent as though said provisions had been set forth in full in this instrument.

Part II

Special Terms and Conditions of Trust

The following special terms and conditions are hereby agreed to:

1.       The Securities listed in Schedule A hereto have been deposited in trust under this Trust Agreement.

2.       The fractional undivided interest in and ownership of a Trust represented by each Unit thereof is a fractional amount, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the amount set forth under “Number of units” in the “Statement of Financial Condition” in the Prospectus for the Trust.

3.       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust, the Trustee’s unit investment trust division office is located at 240 Greenwich Street, 22W Floor, New York, NY 10286.

4.       The aggregate number of Units described in Section 2.03(a) for a Trust is that number of Units set forth under “Number of units” in the “Statement of Financial Condition” in the Prospectus for the Trust.

5.       The term “Deferred Sales Charge Payment Dates” for a Trust shall mean the dates specified for deferred sales charge installments in the footnote to the “Fee Table” in the Prospectus for the Trust.

6.       The term “Distribution Date” for a Trust shall mean the “Distribution Dates” set forth under “Essential Information” in the Prospectus for the Trust.

7.       The term “Mandatory Termination Date” for a Trust shall mean the “Mandatory Termination Date” set forth under “Essential Information” in the Prospectus for the Trust.

8.       The term “Record Date” for a Trust shall mean the “Record Dates” set forth under “Essential Information” in the Prospectus for the Trust.

9.       Section 1.01(a)(43) is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“(43) ‘Prospectus’ shall mean the most recent prospectus relating to a Trust filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.”

10.       Section 1.01(a)(53) is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“(53) ‘Securities’ shall mean the securities of corporations or other entities, including Contract Securities, deposited in irrevocable trust and listed in the schedule(s) to the Trust Agreement or which are deposited in or purchased on behalf of a Trust pursuant to Section 2.01(b) or as otherwise permitted hereby, and any securities received in exchange, substitution or replacement for such securities, as may from time to time continue to be held as a part of the Trusts.”

11.       Section 2.01(b) is amended by adding the following at the beginning of the second paragraph:

“The Depositor, in each case, shall ensure that each deposit of additional Securities pursuant to this Section shall be, as nearly as is practicable, in the identical ratio as the Percentage Ratio for such Securities.”

12.       Section 3.01 is replaced in its entirety by the following:

“Section 3.01. Initial Cost. Subject to reimbursement as hereinafter provided, the cost of organizing the Trust and the sale of the Units shall be borne by the Depositor, provided, however, that the liability on the part of the Depositor under this Section 3.01 shall not include any fees or other expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Trust subsequent to the deposit referred to in Section 2.01. At the earlier of six (6) months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the conclusion of the initial offering period (as certified by the Depositor to the Trustee), the Trustee shall withdraw from the account(s) specified in the Prospectus or, if no account is therein specified, from the Capital Account, and pay to the Depositor the Depositor’s reimbursable expenses of organizing the Trust in an amount certified to the Trustee by the Depositor. In no event shall the amount paid by the Trustee to the Depositor for the Depositor’s reimbursable expenses of organizing the Trust exceed the estimated per Unit amount of organization costs set forth in the Prospectus for the Trust multiplied by the number of Units of the Trust outstanding at the earlier of six (6) months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the conclusion of the initial offering period; nor shall the Depositor be entitled to or request reimbursement for expenses of organizing the Trust incurred after the earlier of six (6) months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the conclusion of the initial offering period. If the cash balance of the Capital Account is insufficient to make such withdrawal, the Trustee shall, as directed by the Depositor, sell Securities identified by the Supervisor, or distribute to the Depositor Securities having a value, as determined under Section 5.01 as of the date of distribution, sufficient for such reimbursement provided that such distribution is permissible under applicable laws and regulations. Securities sold or distributed to the Depositor to reimburse the Depositor pursuant to this Section shall be sold or distributed by the Trustee, to the extent practicable, in the Percentage Ratio then existing (unless the Trust is a RIC, in which case sales or distributions by the Trustee shall be made in accordance with the instructions of the Supervisor or its designees). The reimbursement provided for in this Section shall be for the account of Unitholders of record at the earlier of six (6) months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the conclusion of the initial offering period. Any assets deposited with the Trustee in respect of the expenses reimbursable under this Section 3.01 shall be held and administered as assets of the Trust for all purposes hereunder. Any cash which the Depositor has identified as to be used for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to this Section 3.01 shall be held by the Trustee, without interest, and reserved for such purposes and, accordingly, prior to the earlier of six (6) months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the conclusion of the initial offering period, shall not be subject to distribution or, unless the Depositor otherwise directs, used for payment of redemptions in excess of the per Unit amount payable pursuant to the next sentence. If a Unitholder redeems Units prior to the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the conclusion of the initial offering period, the Trustee shall pay the Unitholder, in addition to the Unit Value of the tendered Units (in the computation of which the expenses reimbursable pursuant to this Section shall have been deducted), unless otherwise directed by the Depositor, an amount equal to the estimated per Unit cost of organizing the Trust set forth in the Prospectus, or such lower revision thereof most recently communicated to the Trustee by the Depositor, multiplied by the number of Units tendered for redemption; to the extent the cash on hand in the Trust is insufficient for such payments, the Trustee shall have the power to sell Securities in accordance with Section 6.02. As used herein, the Depositor’s reimbursable expenses of organizing the Trust shall include, but are not limited to, the cost of the initial preparation

and typesetting of the registration statement, prospectuses (including preliminary prospectuses), the Indenture, and other documents relating to a Trust Securities and Exchange Commission and state blue sky registration fees, the costs of the initial valuation of the portfolio and audit of a Trust, the costs of a portfolio consultant, if any, one-time licensing fees, if any, the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee, and legal and other out-of-pocket expenses related thereto, but not including the expenses incurred in the printing of prospectuses (including preliminary prospectuses), expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising materials and any other selling expenses.”

13.       The first sentence of Section 3.02 is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“The Trustee shall collect the dividends, interest and other similar income distributions on the Securities in each Trust as such becomes payable (including all moneys representing penalties for the failure to make timely payments on the Securities, or as liquidated damages for default or breach of any condition or term of the Securities or of the underlying instrument relating to any Securities and other income attributable to a Failed Contract Security for which no Replacement Security has been obtained pursuant to Section 3.12) and credit such income to a separate account for each Trust to be known as the ‘Income Account.’”

14.       Section 3.05(b)(i) is replaced in its entirety by the following:

“(b) (i) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall distribute to each Unitholder of record at the close of business on the preceding Record Date an amount per Unit equal to such Unitholder’s Income Distribution (as defined below) plus such Unitholder’s pro rata share of the balance of the Capital Account (except for moneys on deposit therein required to purchase Contract Securities or to purchase Securities contracted for pursuant to the Depositor’s purchase instructions) computed as of the close of business on the Record Date immediately preceding such Distribution Date, provided, however, the Trustee shall not be required to make a distribution from the Capital Account unless the amount available for distribution shall equal at least one dollar ($1.00) per one hundred (100) units.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the case of a Grantor Trust, the Trustee shall not be required to make a distribution from the Income Account or the Capital Account unless the aggregate cash held for distribution within the meaning of Treas. Reg 1.671-5(b)(5) from the Income Account and the Capital Account is equal to or greater than one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the net asset value of the Trust on the related Record Date, provided, however, that the Trustee shall in any event distribute the balance of the Income Account and Capital Account on the Distribution Date occurring in December of each year (including in such distribution income receivable by the Trust on or prior to the December Distribution Date). This provision is intended to comply with Treas. Reg. 1.671-5(c)(2)(v)(C), and shall be interpreted consistent therewith and with any successor regulation. Any contrary provision of this Indenture is superseded by the provisions of this

paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any contrary provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be required to distribute funds held in the Income or Capital Accounts which the Depositor or the Trustee has designated as required for the payment of Trust expenses.

The Trust shall provide the following distribution elections: (A) distributions to be made by mail addressed to the post office address of the Unitholder as it appears on the registration books of the Trustee or (B) if provided for in the Prospectus for a Trust, the following reinvestment option:

The Trustee will, for any Unitholder who provides the Trustee written instruction, properly executed and in form satisfactory to the Trustee, received by the Trustee no later than its close of business ten (10) Business Days prior to the Record Date for the first distribution to which such election shall apply (the “Reinvestment Notice Date”), reinvest such Unitholder’s distribution from the Income and Capital Accounts in Units of the Trust, purchased from the Depositor, to the extent the Depositor shall make Units available for such purchase, at the Depositor’s offering price as of the second (2nd) Business Day prior to the following Distribution Date (or such other day which would be the trade date for a purchase settling on the Distribution Date pursuant to Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as then in effect), and at such reduced sales charge as may be described in the Prospectus for the Trust. If, for any reason, the Depositor does not have Units of the Trust available for purchase, the Trustee shall distribute such Unitholder’s distribution from the Income and Capital Accounts in the manner provided in the immediately preceding clause (A). The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on a written instruction received as of the Reinvestment Notice Date and shall not be affected by any subsequent notice to the contrary. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for any loss or depreciation resulting from any reinvestment made in accordance with this paragraph or for any failure to make such reinvestment in the event the Depositor does not make Units available for purchase.

Any Unitholder who does not effectively elect reinvestment in Units of his or her respective Trust pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall receive a cash distribution in the manner provided in clause (A) of the second preceding paragraph.”

15.       Section 3.05(b)(vi) is replaced in its entirety by the following:

“(vi) In the case of a Grantor Trust, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall not be required to make a distribution from the Income Account or the Capital Account unless the aggregate cash for distribution within the meaning of Treas. Reg 1.671-5(b)(5) from the Income Account and the Capital Account is equal to or greater than one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the net asset value of the Trust on the related Record Date. This provision is intended to comply with Treas. Reg. 1.671-5(c)(2)(v)(C), and shall be interpreted consistent therewith and with any successor regulation.”

16.       Section 3.07(a)(i) through (iv) is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“(i) that there has been a default on any of the Securities in the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments, after declared and when due and payable;

(ii) that any action or proceeding has been instituted at law or equity seeking to restrain or enjoin the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments on Securities after declared and when due and payable, or that there exists any legal question or impediment affecting such Securities or the payment of dividends, interest, principal or other payments from the same;

(iii) that there has occurred any breach of covenant or warranty in any document relating to the issuer of the Securities which would adversely affect either immediately or contingently the payment of dividends, interest, principal, or other payments after declared and when due and payable, or the general credit standing of the issuer or otherwise impair the sound investment character of such Securities;

(iv)       that there has been a default in the payment of dividends, interest, principal, income, premium or other similar payments, if any, on any other outstanding obligations of the issuer or guarantor of such Securities;”

17.       Section 3.09 is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“Section 3.09. Notice and Sale by Trustee. If at any time dividends, interest, principal or other payments, after declared and when due and payable, on any of the Securities shall not have been paid within thirty (30) days, the Trustee shall notify the Depositor thereof. If within thirty (30) days after such notification the Depositor has not given any instruction to sell or to hold or has not taken any other action in connection with such Securities, the Trustee may in its discretion sell such Securities forthwith, and the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible in any way for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of such sale.”

18.       Section 3.10(d)(i) is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“ (d)(i) The Depositor may resign and be discharged hereunder, by executing an instrument in writing resigning as Depositor and filing the same with the Trustee, not less than sixty (60) days before the date specified in such instrument when such resignation is to take effect. Upon effective resignation hereunder, the resigning Depositor shall be discharged and shall no longer be liable in any manner hereunder except as to acts or omissions occurring prior to such resignation and any successor depositor appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.01(g) shall thereupon perform all duties and be entitled to all rights under this Indenture. The successor Depositor shall not be under any liability hereunder for occurrences or omissions prior to the execution of such instrument. Notice of such resignation and appointment of a successor depositor shall be delivered by the Trustee to each Unitholder then of record.”

19.        Section 3.13 is hereby deleted in its entirety.

20.       The Supervisor’s annual compensation as set forth under Section 4.03 for a Trust shall be that dollar amount per 100 Units set forth under “Estimated Annual Operating Expenses—Supervisor Fee” in the “Fee Table” for the Trust in the Prospectus.

21.       Section 6.02(d) is amended by adding the following to the end of the Section:

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Trustee sells, redeems or otherwise liquidates Fund Shares pursuant to this Section 6.02 to satisfy Unit redemptions, the Trustee shall do so, as nearly as practicable, on a pro rata basis among all Securities held by a Trust.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if a Trust is a Grantor Trust and the Trustee sells, redeems or otherwise liquidates Securities pursuant to this Section 6.02 to satisfy Unit redemptions, the Trustee shall do so, as nearly as practicable, on a pro rata basis among all Securities held by the Trust.”

22.       The Trustee’s annual compensation as set forth under Section 7.04 for a Trust shall be the dollar amount per 100 Units set forth under “Estimated Annual Operating Expenses—Trustee Fee” in the “Fee Table” for the Trust in the Prospectus.

23.       The third paragraph of Section 7.04 is replaced in its entirety with the following:

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Trustee sells or otherwise liquidates Fund Shares pursuant to this Section 7.04, the Trustee shall do so, as nearly as practicable, on a pro rata basis among all Securities held by a Trust.”

24. The second paragraph of Section 9.02 is amended by adding the following to the end of the Section:

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Unitholder of a Grantor Trust may elect to receive an In Kind Distribution in connection with the termination of such Trust within thirty (30) days of the termination of such Trust.”

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Trust Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.

The Bank of New York Mellon

Hennion & Walsh, Inc.

Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.

Schedule A to Trust Agreement

Securities Initially Deposited

in

SmartTrust 545

Incorporated herein by this reference and made a part hereof is the schedule set forth under “Portfolio of Investments” in the Prospectus for each Trust.

Hennion & Walsh, Inc. 487

Exhibit 3.1

111 West Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603-4080 T 312.845.3000 F 312.701.2361 www.chapman.com

December 6, 2021

Hennion & Walsh, Inc.

2001 Route 46, Waterview Plaza

Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

Re: SmartTrust 545 (the “Fund”)

(File No. 333-259547)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as counsel for the Fund, in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of a trust agreement dated as of the date shown above (the “Indenture”) among Hennion & Walsh, Inc., as depositor (the “Depositor”), Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, Inc., as supervisor and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Depositor has delivered to and deposited the securities listed in the schedule to the Indenture with the Trustee and pursuant to which the Trustee has provided to or on the order of the Depositor documentation evidencing ownership of units (the “Units”) of fractional undivided interest in and ownership of the unit investment trust of the Fund (the “Trust”), created under said Indenture.

In connection therewith we have examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us to express the opinions hereinafter set forth. We have assumed the genuineness of all agreements, instruments and documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to originals of all copies thereof submitted to us. We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the legal capacity of all persons executing agreements, instruments and documents examined or relied upon by us.

We have not reviewed the financial statements, compilation of the securities to be acquired by the Trust, or other financial or statistical data contained in the registration statement and the prospectus, as to which we understand you have been furnished with the reports of the accountants appearing in the registration statement and the prospectus. In addition, we have made no specific inquiry as to whether any stop order or investigatory proceedings have been commenced with respect to the registration statement or the Depositor nor have we reviewed court or governmental agency dockets.

Statements in this opinion as to the validity, binding effect and enforceability of agreements, instruments and documents are subject: (i) to limitations as to enforceability imposed by bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency and other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights, and (ii) to limitations under equitable principles governing the availability of equitable remedies.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York. No opinion is expressed as to the effect that the law of any other jurisdiction might have upon the subject matter of the opinions expressed herein under applicable conflicts of law principles, rules or regulations or otherwise.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1. The execution and delivery of the Indenture and the execution and issuance of the Units in the Trust have been duly authorized; and

2. The Units in the Trust, when duly executed and delivered by the Depositor and the Trustee in accordance with the aforementioned Indenture, will constitute valid and binding obligations of such Trust and the Depositor and such Units, when issued and delivered in accordance with the Indenture against payment of the consideration set forth in the Fund prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to the Units referred to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said registration statement and in the related prospectus. This opinion is intended solely for the benefit of the addressee in connection with the issuance of Units of the Trust and may not be relied upon in any other manner or by any other person without our express written consent.

Very truly yours,

/s/ CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP    

Chapman and Cutler LLP

SRA/lew

Hennion & Walsh, Inc. 487

Exhibit 3.3

December 6, 2021

Re:          SmartTrust 545 (the “Trust”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”) in connection with the execution and delivery by BNYM of a certain Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust dated July 21, 2015, and related Trust Agreement dated as of today’s date (collectively, the “Trust Agreement”) among Hennion & Walsh, Inc., as Depositor (the “Depositor”), Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, Inc., as Portfolio Supervisor (the “Portfolio Supervisor”), and BNYM, as Trustee establishing the Trust, and the execution by BNYM, as Trustee under the Trust Agreement, of a receipt for units evidencing ownership of all of the units of fractional undivided interest (such receipt for units and such aggregate units being herein respectively called “Receipt for Units” and “Units”) in the Trust, as set forth in the prospectus, (the “Prospectus”) included in the registration statement on Form S-6, as amended to the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”), relating to the Trust. The Trust consists of equity and/or debt securities (the “Securities”) (including delivery statements relating to contracts for the purchase of certain Securities not yet delivered and cash, cash equivalents or an irrevocable letter or letters of credit, or a combination thereof, in the amount required to pay for such purchases upon the receipt of such Securities) as listed under “Portfolio of Investments” in the Prospectus (such Securities, delivery statements and cash, cash equivalents, letter or letters of credit being herein called the “Portfolio Assets”). We have also assumed, based on representations made by BNYM, that any Portfolio Assets held outside the United States of America (the “U.S.”) will be held in foreign branches of BNYM or in foreign branches of other U.S. banks (collectively, “Foreign Branches”).

We have examined the Trust Agreement, and originals (or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction) of such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to any facts material to our opinion, we have, when relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon the aforesaid instruments, certificates and documents.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1.        BNYM is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York with the powers of a trust company under the Banking Law of the State of New York.

2.        The Trust Agreement is in proper form for execution and delivery by BNYM, as Trustee, and has been duly executed and delivered by BNYM, as Trustee, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Depositor and the Portfolio Supervisor, the Trust Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of BNYM.

3.        The Receipt for Units is in proper form for execution by BNYM, as Trustee, and has been duly executed by BNY, as Trustee, and pursuant to the Depositor’s instructions, the Trustee has registered on the registration books of the Trust the ownership of the Units by Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depository Trust Company where it has caused the Units to be credited to the account of the Depositor.

4.       Foreign Branches of U.S. banks are eligible to act as trustee or custodian of unit investment trusts under Section 26(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and therefore possession of Portfolio Assets by such Foreign Branches would comply with the provisions of Section 26(a)(2)(D) of the 1940 Act.

In rendering the foregoing opinion we have not considered, among other things, the merchantability of the Portfolio Assets, whether the Portfolio Assets have been duly authorized and delivered or the tax status of the Portfolio Assets under any federal, state or local laws.

We are members of the New York Bar only and do not hold ourselves out as experts on, nor do we express any opinion as to, the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States. This opinion is for your benefit and may not be disclosed to or relied upon by any other person without our prior written consent.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Hennion & Walsh, Inc. 487

Exhibit 4.1

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

NEW YORK’S FIRST BANK-FOUNDED 1784 BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON

240 Greenwich Street, 22W Floor, New York, NY 10286

December 6, 2021

Hennion & Walsh, Inc.

2001 Route 46, Waterview Plaza

Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

SmartTrust 545 (the “Fund”)

Dear Sirs:

The Bank of New York Mellon is acting as trustee for the Fund, consisting of the unit investment trust (the “Trust”) included in the Registration Statement relating to the Fund. We enclosed a list of the securities to be deposited in the Trust on the date hereof. The prices indicated therein reflect our evaluation of such securities as of close of business on December 3, 2021, in accordance with the valuation method set forth in the applicable Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust and Trust Agreement. We consent to the reference to The Bank of New York Mellon as the party performing the evaluations of the Trust securities in the Registration Statement (No. 333-259547) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the registration of the sale of the Units of the Trust and to the filing of this consent as an exhibit thereto.

Very truly yours,

/s/ GERARDO CIPRIANO

Gerardo Cipriano

Vice President

Hennion & Walsh, Inc. 487

Exhibit 4.3

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We have issued our report dated December 6, 2021, with respect to the financial statement of SmartTrust 545 contained in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 (File No. 333-259547) and related Prospectus. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Chicago, Illinois

December 6, 2021