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Form N-CSR WESTERN ASSET INTERMEDIA For: Nov 30

January 30, 2023 9:20 AM EST
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-6506

 

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

George P. Hoyt

Franklin Templeton

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-888-777-0102

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2022

 

 

 


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ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

Annual Report   November 30, 2022

WESTERN ASSET

INTERMEDIATE MUNI

FUND INC. (SBI)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE


Table of Contents
What’s inside      
Letter from the chairman     III  
Fund overview     1  
Fund at a glance     6  
Fund performance     7  
Schedule of investments     9  
Statement of assets and liabilities     28  
Statement of operations     29  
Statements of changes in net assets     30  
Statement of cash flows     31  
Financial highlights     32  
Notes to financial statements     34  
Report of independent registered public accounting firm     46  
Additional information     47  
Annual chief executive officer and principal financial officer certifications     53  
Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters     54  
Summary of information regarding the Fund     55  
Dividend reinvestment plan     71  
Important tax information     73  

 

*

Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.

Fund objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide common shareholders a high level of current income exempt from regular federal income taxes*, consistent with prudent investing.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations. In addition, under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities that are, at the time of investment, rated investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. The Fund also maintains a dollar-weighted average effective maturity of between three and ten years.

 

 

 II 

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.


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Letter from the chairman

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the annual report of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. for the twelve-month reporting period ended November 30, 2022. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

 

Fund prices and performance,

 

 

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

 

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

December 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.  

 

III


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Fund overview

 

Q. What is the Fund’s investment strategy?

A. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide common shareholders a high level of current income exempt from regular federal income taxes consistent with prudent investing. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations. The Fund also maintains a dollar-weighted average effective maturity of between three and ten years. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities that are, at the time of investment, rated investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in debt securities that are, at the time of investment, rated below investment grade (commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds) by an NRSRO or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments as part of its investment strategy or for hedging and/or risk management purposes.

At Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”), the Fund’s subadviser, we utilize a fixed income team approach, with decisions derived from interaction among various investment management sector specialists. The sector teams are comprised of Western Asset’s senior portfolio management personnel, research analysts and an in-house economist. Under this team approach, management of client fixed income portfolios will reflect a consensus of interdisciplinary views within the Western Asset organization. The individuals responsible for development of investment strategy, day-to-day portfolio management, oversight and coordination of the Fund are S. Kenneth Leech, Robert E. Amodeo and David T. Fare.

Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period?

A. Fixed income markets experienced periods of volatility and fell sharply over the twelve-month reporting period ended November 30, 2022. The market’s decline was driven by a number of factors, including rising inflation and interest rates, aggressive Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) monetary policy tightening, the repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants, the weakening global economy, and the war in Ukraine.

Short-term U.S. Treasury yields moved sharply higher as the Fed began to aggressively raise interest rates in March 2022. Over the next eight months, the central bank hiked rates an additional five times, bringing the federal funds rate to a range between 3.75% and 4.00%, the highest level since 2008. The yield for the two-year Treasury note began the reporting period at 0.52% (the low for the reporting period) and ended the period at 4.38%. The peak of 4.72% took place on November 7, 2022. The yield for the ten-year Treasury note began the reporting period at 1.43% and ended the period at 3.68%. The low of 1.35% occurred on December 3, 2021, and the peak of 4.25% took place on October 24, 2022.

The municipal bond market produced a negative absolute return but outperformed its taxable bond counterpart during the twelve-month reporting period. Over that time, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Indexi and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Indexii returned

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

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Fund overview (cont’d)

 

-8.64% and -12.84%, respectively. Both the taxable and tax-free bond markets were negatively impacted by rising interest rates.

Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?

A. We reduced Fund’s duration during the reporting period. From a sector positioning perspective, we decreased the Fund’s allocations to leasing. In contrast, we increased its pre-refunded exposure. Looking at the Fund’s quality positioning, we reduced its allocation to securities rated BBB.

During the reporting period, we utilized leverage in the Fund. This detracted from performance over the Fund’s fiscal year. We ended the period with leverage from preferred shares as a percentage of total assets of roughly 27% versus approximately 24% when the period began.

Performance review

For the twelve months ended November 30, 2022, Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. returned -11.87% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)iii and -18.08% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Bloomberg 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Indexiv, returned -6.25% for the same period. The Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Closed-End Funds Category Averagev returned -12.60% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.

The Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions to shareholders. This practice has no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s manager believes the practice helps maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.

During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.28 per share.* The performance table shows the Fund’s twelve-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of November 30, 2022. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of November 30, 2022  
Price Per Share   12-Month
Total Return**
 
$8.90 (NAV)     -11.87%†  
$7.72 (Market Price)     -18.08%‡  

 

*

For the tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, please refer to page 44 of this report.

 

 

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All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.

** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?

A. The largest contributor to the Fund’s relative performance during the reporting period was its security selection within certain sectors. In particular, selection within industrial revenue and leasing contributed the most to results. Elsewhere, an overweight to pre-refunded was beneficial to returns.

Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?

A. The largest detractor from the Fund’s relative performance was its overweight to duration, as rates rose over the period. Security selection within the transportation and local general obligation sectors were also headwind for returns. Additionally, from a sector positioning perspective, overweights to industrial revenue and transportation were detractors as higher risk (beta) sectors underperformed.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “SBI” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the symbol “XSBIX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.franklintempleton.com.

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

Western Asset Management Company, LLC

December 12, 2022

 

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

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Fund overview (cont’d)

 

RISKS: The Fund is a diversified closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Diversification does not assure against market loss. The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk, leveraging risk and management risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the fixed income securities held by the Fund. Lower rated, higher yielding bonds, known as “junk bonds”, are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk, including the risk of default, than higher rated obligations. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of municipal issuers and insurers, regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. To the extent it does, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation. Investing in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest primarily in municipal securities, involves risks similar to those of investing directly in the securities in which those investment companies invest. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and market price of common shares and increases a shareholder’s risk of loss. The Fund may enter into tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions, which expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investments in fixed rate municipal bonds, including the risk of loss of principal. The interest payments that the Fund would typically receive on inverse floaters acquired in such transactions vary inversely with short-term interest rates and will be reduced (and potentially eliminated) when short-term interest rates increase. Inverse floaters will generally underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities when interest rates rise. The value and market for inverse floaters can be volatile, and inverse floaters can have limited liquidity. Investments in inverse floaters issued in TOB transactions are derivative instruments and, therefore, are also subject to the risks generally applicable to investments in derivatives. The Fund may also invest in money market funds, including funds affiliated with the Fund’s manager and subadviser. For more information on risks, see Summary of information regarding the Fund - Principal Risk Factors in this report.

The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time and may not be representative of the portfolio managers’ current or future investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.

 

 

 

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All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.

 

i 

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

 

ii

The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity.

 

iii 

Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

iv 

The Bloomberg 1–15 Year Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade (Baa3/BBB- or higher) fixed-rate municipal bonds with maturities of one to fifteen years.

 

v 

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refinitiv, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2022, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 3 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.

 

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

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Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

 

 

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Fund performance (unaudited)

 

Net Asset Value       
Average annual total returns1        
Twelve Months Ended 11/30/22      -11.87
Five Years Ended 11/30/22      0.62  
Ten Years Ended 11/30/22      2.03  
Cumulative total returns1        
11/30/12 through 11/30/22      22.31

 

Market Price       
Average annual total returns2        
Twelve Months Ended 11/30/22      -18.08
Five Years Ended 11/30/22      -0.34  
Ten Years Ended 11/30/22      0.59  

 

Cumulative total returns2       
11/30/12 through 11/30/22      6.11

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

 

1 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value.

 

2 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

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Table of Contents

Fund performance (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

 

Historical performance

Value of $10,000 invested in

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. vs. Bloomberg 1–15 Year Municipal Bond Index†—November 2012 - November 2022

 

LOGO

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

 

Hypothetical illustration of $10,000 invested in Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. on November 30, 2012, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and also assuming the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan through November 30, 2022. The hypothetical illustration also assumes a $10,000 investment in the Bloomberg 1–15 Year Municipal Bond Index. The Bloomberg 1–15 Year Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”) is a market value weighted index of investment grade (Baa3/BBB- or higher) fixed-rate municipal bonds with maturities of one to fifteen years. The Index is unmanaged. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

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Schedule of investments

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  
Municipal Bonds — 129.1%                                

Alabama — 0.6%

 

                       

Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority Revenue, Series A

    5.000     7/1/42     $ 750,000     $ 806,136  

Alaska — 0.6%

                               

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue, State Capital Project, Series B

    4.000     12/1/36       250,000       253,000  

Northern Tobacco Securitization Corp., AK, Tobacco Settlement Revenue, Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Class 1, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/39       500,000       465,323  

Total Alaska

 

            718,323  

Arizona — 2.7%

                               

Arizona State IDA, Education Revenue, Lincoln South Beltway Project

    5.000     2/1/25       500,000       521,912  

Chandler, AZ, IDA Revenue, Intel Corp. Project

    5.000     6/3/24       1,000,000       1,014,762   (a)(b)(c) 

La Paz County, AZ, IDA, Lease Revenue, Charter School Solutions Harmony Public Schools Project

    5.000     2/15/38       500,000       504,055  

Navajo Nation, AZ, Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/25       250,000       256,512  (d)  

Phoenix, AZ, Civic Improvement Corp., Airport Revenue, Junior Lien, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/27       1,000,000       1,034,683  

Total Arizona

 

            3,331,924  

California — 15.9%

                               

Alameda, CA, Corridor Transportation Authority Revenue, Second Subordinated Lien, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/34       500,000       514,591  

Anaheim, CA, Public Financing Authority Lease, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     5/1/26       2,000,000       2,069,717  (e) 

Bay Area Toll Authority, CA, Toll Bridge Revenue, San Francisco Bay Area, Series B-1 (SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 1.100%)

    3.000     4/1/24       2,000,000       2,015,221  (b)(c) 

California State MFA Revenue:

                               

Senior Lien, LINXS APM Project, Series A

    5.000     12/31/34       350,000       361,141  (a) 

Senior Lien, LINXS APM Project, Series A

    5.000     12/31/43       400,000       404,583  (a)  

California State MFA Special Facility Revenue, United Airlines, Inc., Los Angeles International Airport Project

    4.000     7/15/29       250,000       242,649  (a)  

California State PCFA Water Furnishing Revenue, Poseidon Resources

    5.000     7/1/27       1,500,000       1,500,697  (a)(d) 

California State, GO, Various Purpose

    5.000     3/1/35       500,000       566,332  

California Statewide CDA Revenue, Provident Group-Pomona Properties LLC, Series A

    5.600     1/15/36       555,000       553,752  (d)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

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Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

California — continued

 

                       

Golden State, CA, Tobacco Securitization Corp. Revenue, Tobacco Settlement Funded, Series A-1, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/34     $ 1,500,000     $ 1,689,022  (e) 

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Airports Revenue:

                               

Subordinated, Los Angeles International Airport, Series C, Refunding

    4.000     5/15/35       700,000       692,709  (a)  

Subordinated, Los Angeles International Airport, Series D

    5.000     5/15/36       1,200,000       1,265,509  (a) 

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power, Power System Revenue, Series C

    5.000     7/1/37       750,000       809,642  

M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Natural Gas Revenue, Series B

    6.125     11/1/29       2,675,000       2,964,767  

Northern California Energy Authority, Commodity Supply Revenue, Series A

    4.000     7/1/24       500,000       501,733  (b)(c)  

River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority, Special Tax Revenue, Community Facilities District No. 2003-1

    5.500     9/1/37       350,000       342,956  

Riverside, CA, Electric Revenue:

                               

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/36       750,000       830,800  

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/43       250,000       271,666  

Riverside, CA, Sewer Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     8/1/35       750,000       820,913  

San Bernardino City, CA, Unified School District, COP, School Financing Project, AGM

    5.000     10/1/35       250,000       273,964  

San Francisco, CA, City & County Airport Commission, International Airport Revenue, SFO Fuel Co. LLC, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/33       645,000       686,985  (a)  

Sanger, CA, USD Revenue, COP, Capital Projects, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     6/1/49       250,000       257,998  

Tobacco Securitization Authority of Southern California Revenue, Asset Backed Refunding, San Diego County Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation, Class 1, Series A

    5.000     6/1/25       250,000       257,889  

Total California

 

            19,895,236  

Colorado — 1.6%

                               

Base Village Metropolitan District #2, CO, GO, Series A, Refunding

    5.500     12/1/36       500,000       501,683  

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Commonspirit Health Initiatives, Series B-2

    5.000     8/1/26       250,000       260,377  (b)(c)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

Colorado — continued

                               

Denver, CO, City & County Special Facility Apartment Revenue, United Airlines Inc. Project, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/32     $ 100,000     $ 99,283  (a)  

Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue, Series 2008

    6.125     11/15/23       940,000       961,624  

Vauxmont Metropolitan District, CO, GO, Subordinate Limited Tax, Series 2019, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     12/15/28       125,000       134,097  

Total Colorado

                            1,957,064  

Connecticut — 2.7%

                               

Connecticut State HEFA Revenue, Sacred Heart University Issue, Series I-1, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/36       250,000       261,769  

Connecticut State Special Tax Revenue:

                               

Transportation Infrastructure, Series A

    5.000     5/1/34       600,000       677,920  

Transportation Infrastructure, Series A

    5.000     1/1/37       500,000       539,868  

Connecticut State, GO:

                               

Series A

    5.000     4/15/39       1,290,000       1,387,936  

Series C

    4.000     6/1/38       250,000       252,839  

Series E

    5.000     10/15/34       210,000       223,799  

Total Connecticut

                            3,344,131  

Florida — 4.1%

                               

Broward County, FL, Airport System Revenue, Series 2017

    5.000     10/1/36       250,000       259,410  (a)  

Broward County, FL, Port Facilities Revenue, Series 2022

    5.000     9/1/37       450,000       482,519  (a)  

Florida State Development Finance Corp., Educational Facilities Revenue, Renaissance Charter School Inc. Projects, Series A

    6.000     6/15/35       150,000       151,643  (d)  

Florida State Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/27       545,000       556,337  

Hillsborough County, FL, Aviation Authority Revenue, Tampa International Airport, Series E

    5.000     10/1/43       250,000       256,554  (a)  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     10/1/36       1,000,000       998,775  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Expressway Authority Toll System Revenue, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/26       1,500,000       1,542,859  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Refunding

    5.000     8/1/36       250,000       257,818  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

11


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

Florida — continued

                               

Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Refunding

    5.000     8/1/36     $ 250,000     $ 260,546  

Palm Beach County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton Expansion, Series 2022, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/31       150,000       134,795  

Tampa, FL, Hospital Revenue, H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center Project, Series B

    5.000     7/1/40       250,000       258,590  

Total Florida

 

            5,159,846  

Georgia — 0.8%

                               

Georgia State Municipal Electric Authority Power Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/37       250,000       263,004  

Main Street Natural Gas Inc., GA, Gas Project Revenue, Series A

    5.000     5/15/33       250,000       259,953  

Private Colleges & Universities Authority, GA, Revenue, Savannah College of Art & Design Inc. Project

    5.000     4/1/28       500,000       515,902  (e)  

Total Georgia

 

            1,038,859  

Guam — 0.1%

                               

Guam Government, Business Privilege Tax Revenue, Series F, Refunding

    4.000     1/1/36       200,000       185,112  

Illinois — 19.5%

                               

Chicago, IL, Board of Education, Dedicated Capital Improvement, Special Tax Revenue, Series 2018

    5.000     4/1/38       500,000       504,724  

Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO:

                               

Dedicated, Series A

    5.000     12/1/43       1,000,000       950,218  

Dedicated, Series G, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/34       270,000       268,749  

Series C, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/24       250,000       252,884  

Series D

    5.000     12/1/46       1,500,000       1,411,546  

Chicago, IL, GO:

                               

Series A

    5.000     1/1/40       610,000       609,974  

Series A, Refunding

    5.625     1/1/29       500,000       516,420  

Series C, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/25       500,000       506,957  

Chicago, IL, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Greater Chicago, GO, Green Bond, Series B

    5.000     12/1/29       850,000       889,818   (e)  

Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Revenue:

                               

Senior Lien, Series D

    5.250     1/1/36       500,000       529,258  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

12

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

Illinois — continued

                               

Senior Lien, Series D

    5.250     1/1/37     $ 400,000     $ 421,369  

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/31       1,750,000       1,784,368  (a) 

Series C, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/43       600,000       616,154  (a) 

Chicago, IL, Transit Authority, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue, Second Lien, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/45       550,000       565,366  

Chicago, IL, Wastewater Transmission Revenue:

                               

Second Lien, Series A

    5.000     1/1/47       300,000       300,664  

Second Lien, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/36       600,000       612,814  

Chicago, IL, Waterworks Revenue:

                               

Second Lien, Series 2017, Refunding

    5.000     11/1/29       500,000       523,440  

Second Lien, Series 2017-2, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     11/1/32       630,000       671,380  

Cook County, IL, Sales Tax Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/38       315,000       337,594  

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue:

                               

NorthShore University HealthSystem, Refunding, Series A

    5.000     8/15/33       250,000       276,104  

Southern Illinois Healthcare Enterprises Inc., Refunding

    5.000     3/1/34       500,000       521,658  

Illinois State Sports Facilities Authority Revenue, State Tax Supported, Refunding, AGM

    5.250     6/15/30       3,000,000       3,080,094  

Illinois State University, Auxiliary Facilities System Revenue, Series A, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     4/1/28       100,000       109,382  

Illinois State, GO:

                               

Series 2016, Refunding

    5.000     2/1/29       500,000       518,485  

Series A

    5.000     3/1/35       400,000       416,455  

Series A

    5.000     5/1/36       770,000       789,172  

Series A

    5.000     5/1/39       300,000       304,820  

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/29       1,300,000       1,364,563  

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     9/1/27       600,000       626,467  

Series D

    5.000     11/1/27       300,000       313,373  

Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL, Revenue:

                               

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     12/15/42       600,000       540,298  

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/50       1,200,000       1,202,383  

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     12/15/31       250,000       257,527  

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/42       500,000       507,039  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

13


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

Illinois — continued

                               

Regional Transportation Authority, IL, GO, Series A, Refunding, NATL

    6.000     7/1/29     $ 1,020,000     $ 1,148,514  

Sales Tax Securitization Corp., IL, Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/28       250,000       268,957  

Total Illinois

                            24,518,988  

Indiana — 5.2%

                               

Hammond, IN, Multi-School Building Corp.:

                               

First Mortgage Bond, State Intercept Program

    5.000     7/15/34       750,000       801,439  

First Mortgage Bond, State Intercept Program

    5.000     7/15/35       1,035,000       1,100,185  

Indiana State Finance Authority Revenue:

                               

Marion General Hospital, Series A

    4.000     7/1/45       250,000       236,470  

Midwestern Disaster Relief, Ohio Valley Electric Corp. Project, Series A

    4.250     11/1/30       200,000       194,740  

Indianapolis, IN, Department of Public Utilities Gas Utility Revenue, Second Lien, Series A, Refunding

    5.250     8/15/29       4,000,000       4,076,465  

Valparaiso, IN, Exempt Facility Revenue, Pratt Paper LLC Project

    5.875     1/1/24       100,000       101,340  (a)  

Total Indiana

                            6,510,639  

Iowa — 0.6%

                               

Iowa State Finance Authority Revenue, Midwestern Disaster Area, Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/42       750,000       725,152  (b)(c) 

Kentucky — 2.2%

                               

Kentucky State PEA, Gas Supply Revenue:

                               

Series A

    4.000     6/1/26       1,200,000       1,191,702  (b)(c) 

Series C

    4.000     6/1/25       1,600,000       1,590,601  (b)(c) 

Total Kentucky

                            2,782,303  

Louisiana — 5.1%

                               

New Orleans, LA, Aviation Board, General Airport Revenue:

                               

Series B

    5.000     1/1/29       2,000,000       2,052,376  (a) 

Series B

    5.000     1/1/30       2,000,000       2,049,834  (a) 

Port New Orleans Board of Commissioners, Revenue, Series B, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     4/1/38       1,625,000       1,658,371  (a) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

14

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Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
     Value  

Louisiana — continued

                                

St. John the Baptist Parish, LA, State Revenue:

                                

Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series B-1, Refunding

    2.125     7/1/24     $ 400,000      $  387,073  (b)(c) 

Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series B-2, Refunding

    2.375     7/1/26       300,000        277,066  (b)(c) 

Total Louisiana

                             6,424,720  

Maryland — 0.5%

                                

Maryland State EDC, Senior Student Housing Revenue, Morgan State University Project

    4.000     7/1/40       500,000        450,641  

Maryland State Stadium Authority Built to Learn Revenue, Series 2021

    4.000     6/1/46       250,000        238,338  

Total Maryland

                             688,979  

Massachusetts — 2.9%

                                

Massachusetts State Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Highway System Revenue, Series B-1, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/35       350,000        385,559  

Massachusetts State DFA Revenue:

                                

Mass General Brigham Issue, Series A-1

    5.000     1/31/30       1,000,000        1,111,457  (b)(c) 

Northeastern University Issue, Series 2022, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/42       605,000        652,253  

Partners Healthcare System, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/37       250,000        264,769  

UMass Boston Student Housing Project

    5.000     10/1/28       200,000        201,998  

Massachusetts State Port Authority Revenue:

                                

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/36       500,000        531,401  (a) 

Series E

    5.000     7/1/46       500,000        521,305  (a) 

Total Massachusetts

                             3,668,742  

Michigan — 2.8%

                                

Detroit, MI, Downtown Development Authority, Tax Increment Revenue, Series A, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     7/1/38       250,000        253,741  

Great Lakes, MI, Water Authority Water Supply System Revenue:

                                

Senior Lien, Series C, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/33       800,000        850,401  

Senior Lien, Series C, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/35       350,000        369,849  

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue:

                                

Hospital Revenue, Trinity Health Credit Group, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/42       250,000        256,221  

Local Government Loan Program, Detroit, MI, Water & Sewer Department, Second Lien Local Project, Series C, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/33       275,000        284,241  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

15


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

Michigan — continued

                               

Local Government Loan Program, Detroit, MI, Water & Sewer Department, Series D2, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     7/1/24     $ 1,000,000     $ 1,036,415  

Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed, Series A-1, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/39       150,000       136,112  

Michigan State Strategic Fund Limited Obligation Revenue, I-75 Improvement Project

    5.000     12/31/43       300,000       295,268  (a)  

Total Michigan

                            3,482,248  

Missouri — 1.0%

                               

Kansas City, MO, IDA, Airport System Revenue, Kansas City International Airport Terminal Modernization Project, Series B

    5.000     3/1/35       750,000       787,983  (a)  

Missouri State Health Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Lutheran Senior Services Projects, Series A

    5.000     2/1/34       150,000       150,125  

St. Louis County, MO, IDA, Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Friendship Village, St. Louis Obligated Group, Series A

    5.000     9/1/38       300,000       273,676  

Total Missouri

                            1,211,784  

Nebraska — 0.4%

                               

Central Plains, NE, Energy Project, Gas Project Revenue, Project #3, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     9/1/37       500,000       520,520  

New Jersey — 11.9%

                               

Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, NJ, Luxury Tax Revenue, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     11/1/28       1,000,000       1,034,508  

New Jersey State EDA Revenue:

                               

School Facilities Construction, Series NN, Refunding

    5.000     3/1/28       2,825,000       2,842,792  (e) 

School Facilities Construction, Series NN, Refunding

    5.000     3/1/29       2,175,000       2,188,698  (e) 

School Facilities Construction, Series QQQ

    5.000     6/15/31       500,000       553,778  

Special Facility, Port Newark Container Terminal LLC Project, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/37       150,000       151,141  (a)  

Transit Transportation Project, Series A

    5.000     11/1/32       750,000       816,538  

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue:

                               

Transportation Program, Series AA

    5.000     6/15/36       1,000,000       1,063,491  

Transportation Program, Series CC

    5.000     6/15/40       2,000,000       2,094,680   (f) 

Transportation System, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/15/25       425,000       449,174  

Transportation System, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/15/28       575,000       630,441  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

16

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
   

Face

Amount

    Value  

New Jersey — continued

                               

New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Revenue, Series G, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/35     $ 1,000,000     $ 1,082,764  

New Jersey State, GO, COVID-19 Emergency, Series A

    5.000     6/1/25       1,400,000       1,476,876  

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., NJ, Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/35       500,000       513,860  

Total New Jersey

                            14,898,741  

New York — 17.1%

                               

Brookhaven, NY, Local Development Corp. Revenue, Long Island Community Hospital Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/32       575,000       616,563  

Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corp., NY, Second Indenture Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     2/15/35       1,000,000       1,066,574  

MTA, NY, Transportation Revenue:

                               

Green Bonds, Series A-2, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/24       125,000       128,630  

Green Bonds, Series D-1

    5.000     11/15/43       250,000       246,921  

Green Bonds, Series E, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/28       1,000,000       1,044,564  

Series A-2

    5.000     5/15/30       400,000       423,446  (b)(c)  

New York City, NY, GO, Subseries B-1

    5.250     10/1/43       1,000,000       1,116,848  

New York City, NY, Industrial Development Agency Revenue, Yankee Stadium Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     3/1/29       250,000       275,262  

New York City, NY, TFA Revenue Future Tax Secured, Series C

    4.000     5/1/39       2,200,000       2,188,807  

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, School District, Series A, AGM

    5.000     10/1/29       750,000       840,333  

New York State Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax Revenue, Bidding Group 3, Series E, Refunding

    5.000     3/15/38       1,500,000       1,610,323  

New York State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, Series D, Refunding

    5.000     2/15/41       750,000       805,589  

New York State Thruway Authority General Revenue, Junior Indebtedness Obligations, Junior Lien, Series A

    5.000     1/1/41       1,250,000       1,290,024  

New York State Thruway Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, Series A

    5.000     3/15/26       200,000       201,334  

New York State Transportation Development Corp., Special Facilities Revenue:

                               

Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project

    5.000     1/1/30       850,000       865,454  (a)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

17


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
     Value  

New York — continued

                                

Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project

    5.000     1/1/32     $ 1,200,000      $ 1,218,130  (a) 

LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project

    5.000     7/1/30       1,225,000        1,244,721  (a) 

Terminal 4 John F. Kennedy International Airport Project, Series C, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/27       500,000        525,638  

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue:

                                

State Personal Income Tax, Series A

    5.000     3/15/41       750,000        808,942  

State Personal Income Tax, Series C

    4.000     3/15/45       550,000        523,462  

Niagara Area Development Corp., NY, Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue, Covanta Project, Series B, Refunding

    3.500     11/1/24       750,000        731,549  (d)  

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Revenue, Consolidated Series 193, Refunding

    5.000     10/15/30       1,500,000        1,550,071  (a) 

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, NY, Revenue:

                                

General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A

    5.000     11/15/49       1,000,000        1,056,920  

Senior Lien-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series C-1A

    5.000     5/15/51       1,000,000        1,066,893  

Total New York

                             21,446,998  

North Carolina — 1.2%

                                

Charlotte, NC, COP, Series P, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/44       250,000        269,067  

Charlotte, NC, Airport Revenue, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/36       400,000        435,771  

North Carolina State Limited Obligation Revenue, Series A

    5.000     5/1/32       750,000        843,329  

Total North Carolina

                             1,548,167  

Ohio — 2.2%

                                

American Municipal Power Inc., OH, Revenue, AMP Fremont Energy Center Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     2/15/29       500,000        548,294  

Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Revenue:

                                

Senior Bonds, Series A-2, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/33       500,000        532,743  

Senior Bonds, Series B-2, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/55       550,000        504,695  

Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Revenue:

                                

American Electric Co. Project, Series B, Refunding

    2.500     10/1/29       350,000        310,178  (a)(b)(c) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

18

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
     Value  

Ohio — continued

                                

Duke Energy Corp. Project, Series B, Refunding

    4.250     6/1/27     $ 250,000      $ 249,010  (a)(b)(c) 

Ohio State Higher Educational Facility Revenue, Xavier University Project, Refunding

    5.000     5/1/34       525,000        573,131  

Total Ohio

                             2,718,051  

Oregon — 1.1%

                                

Port of Portland, OR, Airport Revenue, Portland International Airport, Series 26C, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/26       250,000        262,327  (a) 

Washington Multnomah & Yamhill Counties, OR, School District #1J West Union, GO, Hillsboro, School Board Guaranty

    5.000     6/15/34       500,000        541,487  

Yamhill County, OR, Hospital Authority Revenue:

                                

Friendsview Retirement Community, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/31       350,000        332,759  

Friendsview Retirement Community, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/36       325,000        295,710  

Total Oregon

                             1,432,283  

Pennsylvania — 4.1%

                                

Commonwealth Financing Authority, PA, Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue

    5.000     6/1/30       200,000        218,791  

Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Revenue:

                                

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/27       150,000        156,960  (e) 

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/27       290,000        296,074  

Lancaster County, PA, Hospital Authority Revenue, Penn State Health, Series 2021

    5.000     11/1/46       600,000        613,769  

Montgomery County, PA, Higher Education and Health Authority Revenue, Thomas Jefferson University, Series B, Refunding

    4.000     5/1/35       500,000        494,460  

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Revenue:

                                

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/47       500,000        525,118  

Series B

    5.000     12/1/40       750,000        806,201  

Series B, Refunding

    5.250     12/1/47       250,000        273,209  (f) 

Philadelphia, PA, Authority for IDR:

                                

City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild Project

    5.000     5/1/35       500,000        535,038  

Lease Revenue, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/30       250,000        280,947  

Philadelphia, PA, GO, Series B

    5.000     2/1/35       250,000        268,165  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

19


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
    Value  

Pennsylvania — continued

                               

State Public School Building Authority, PA, Lease Revenue:

                               

Philadelphia SD Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding

    5.000     6/1/31     $ 150,000     $ 157,503  

Philadelphia SD Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding

    5.000     6/1/33       450,000       470,803  

Total Pennsylvania

                            5,097,038  

Puerto Rico — 5.0%

                               

Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Revenue:

                               

Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/47       400,000       384,052  (d)  

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/33       750,000       753,085  (d)  

Puerto Rico Commonwealth, GO:

                               

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/24       3,689       3,390  

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/33       14,271       7,834  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.250     7/1/23       6,192       6,219  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.375     7/1/25       12,350       12,528  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.625     7/1/27       12,238       12,535  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.625     7/1/29       12,040       12,342  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.750     7/1/31       11,694       12,012  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/33       11,089       9,662  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/35       9,968       8,501  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/37       8,555       7,150  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/41       11,631       9,348  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/46       12,097       9,343  

Subseries CW

    0.000     11/1/43       52,371       23,894  (c)  

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Revenue:

                               

Series A

    5.000     7/1/42       220,000       162,800  *(g) 

Series A

    5.050     7/1/42       75,000       55,312  *(g)  

Series DDD, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/21       280,000       205,800  *(h) 

Series TT

    5.000     7/1/37       450,000       333,000  *(g) 

Series XX

    5.250     7/1/40       400,000       297,000  *(g) 

Series ZZ, Refunding

    5.250     7/1/18       250,000       184,375  *(h) 

Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue:

                               

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/27       220,000       177,317  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.550     7/1/40       50,000       46,567  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

20

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security

 

Rate

   

Maturity

Date

   

Face

Amount

   

Value

 

Puerto Rico — continued

                               

Restructured, Series A-2

    4.329     7/1/40     $ 1,490,000     $ 1,349,822  

Restructured, Series A-2A

    4.550     7/1/40       2,380,000       2,216,566  

Total Puerto Rico

                            6,300,454  

South Carolina — 0.7%

                               

South Carolina State Jobs-EDA Hospital Facilities Revenue, Bon Secours Mercy Health Inc., Series A, Refunding

    4.000     12/1/44       500,000       464,599  

South Carolina State Ports Authority Revenue, Series 2018

    5.000     7/1/36       400,000       417,419  (a)  

Total South Carolina

                            882,018  

Tennessee — 1.2%

                               

Clarksville, TN, Water, Sewer & Gas Revenue, Series A

    4.000     2/1/51       750,000       707,636  

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Water & Sewer Revenue, Subordinated, Green Bonds, Series A

    5.000     7/1/42       300,000       318,112  

Tennessee State Energy Acquisition Corp., Natural Gas Revenue, Series 2018

    4.000     11/1/25       500,000       497,806  (b)(c) 

Total Tennessee

                            1,523,554  

Texas — 8.0%

                               

Arlington, TX, Special Tax Revenue, Subordinated Lien, Series C, BAM

    5.000     2/15/41       250,000       257,214  

Austin, TX, Airport System Revenue:

                               

Series 2014

    5.000     11/15/27       1,000,000       1,028,982  (a) 

Series 2022

    5.000     11/15/39       350,000       369,880  (a)  

Central Texas, Regional Mobility Authority Revenue, Senior Lien, Series E

    5.000     1/1/45       500,000       522,406  

Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Texas Children’s Hospital, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/31       300,000       337,104  (b)(c) 

Harris County, TX, Houston Sports Authority Revenue, Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     11/15/25       1,000,000       1,038,178  

Hays, TX, ISD, GO, Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, PSF - GTD

    4.000     2/15/47       300,000       297,073  

Houston, TX, Airport System Revenue:

                               

Special Facilities, United Airlines Inc., Airport Improvements Project

    5.000     7/15/28       500,000       506,321  (a)  

Special Facilities, United Airlines Inc., Terminal Improvement Project, Series B-1

    4.000     7/15/41       500,000       420,214  (a)  

Subordinated, Series A

    5.000     7/1/36       1,055,000       1,098,808  (a) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

21


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security

 

Rate

   

Maturity

Date

   

Face

Amount

   

Value

 

Texas — continued

                               

Laredo, TX, Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue, Series 2019

    5.000     3/1/33     $ 1,000,000     $ 1,103,933  

Love Field, TX, Airport Modernization Corp., General Airport Revenue, Series 2017

    5.000     11/1/31       90,000       94,250  (a)  

Newark, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp., Education Revenue, TLC Academy, Series A

    4.000     8/15/31       250,000       232,350  

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue:

                               

First Tier, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/36       500,000       529,421  

First Tier, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/34       1,300,000       1,347,659  

Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas

    5.000     10/1/37       500,000       542,131  

Texas State Public Finance Authority, Lease Revenue, Refunding

    4.000     2/1/36       350,000       358,527  

Total Texas

                            10,084,451  

Utah — 0.7%

                               

Utah State Charter School Finance Authority, Charter School Revenue, Syracuse Arts Academy Project, UT CSCE

    5.000     4/15/37       250,000       256,347  

Utah State Infrastructure Agency, Telecommunications Revenue:

                               

Series 2019

    5.000     10/15/25       470,000       478,893  

Series 2021

    4.000     10/15/36       100,000       89,399  

Total Utah

                            824,639  

Virginia — 2.6%

                               

Arlington County, VA, IDA, Hospital Revenue, Virginia Hospital Center, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/35       200,000       216,952  

Virginia Beach, VA, Development Authority, Residential Care Facility Revenue, Westminster- Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, Refunding

    5.000     9/1/40       1,250,000       1,176,941  

Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Revenue:

                               

Senior Lien, 95 Express Lanes LLC Project, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/38       1,250,000       1,282,960  (a) 

Senior Lien, I-495 Hot Lanes Project, Refunding

    5.000     6/30/42       250,000       261,285  (a)  

The Obligated Group of National Senior Campuses Inc., Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/31       250,000       269,966  

Total Virginia

                            3,208,104  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

22

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
     Value  

Washington — 1.7%

                                

Port of Seattle, WA, Intermediate Lien Revenue:

                                

Series 2019

    5.000     4/1/33     $ 500,000      $  531,769  (a) 

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     8/1/37       1,000,000        1,064,371  (a) 

Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue:

                                

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/29       170,000        184,917  

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Refunding

    5.000     9/1/38       300,000        314,896  

Total Washington

                             2,095,953  

Wisconsin — 2.3%

                                

Central Brown County, WI, Water Authority System Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     11/1/35       2,105,000        2,190,462  

Public Finance Authority, WI, Revenue, Carmelite System Inc., Obligated Group, Series 2020, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/40       150,000        149,482  

Village of Mount Pleasant, WI, Tax Increment Revenue, Series A

    5.000     4/1/43       500,000        527,128  

Total Wisconsin

                             2,867,072  

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost — $166,150,432)

                             161,898,229  
Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trust (i) — 2.9%

 

                

New York — 2.9%

                                

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue, Second General Resolution Fiscal 2023, Subseries AA-3, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/47       1,625,000        1,759,501  

New York State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, General Obligations Bonds, Series A

    4.000     3/15/45       1,925,000        1,853,622  

Total New York

                             3,613,123  

Total Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trust (Cost — $3,645,643)

 

             3,613,123  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $169,796,075)

 

     165,511,352  
Short-Term Investments — 8.3%                                 
Municipal Bonds — 8.3%                                 

Alabama — 0.1%

                                

Mobile County, AL, IDA Revenue, ExxonMobil Project, Refunding

    1.000     7/15/32       100,000        100,000  (j)(k) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

23


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount
     Value  

California — 0.1%

                                

San Francisco, CA, City & County Airport Commission, International Airport Revenue, Second Series A, Refunding, LOC - Bank of America N.A.

    1.500     5/1/30     $ 100,000      $ 100,000  (a)(j)(k) 

Maryland — 0.8%

                                

Maryland State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, University of Maryland Medical System, Series D, LOC - TD Bank N.A.

    1.000     7/1/41       1,000,000        1,000,000  (j)(k) 

Massachusetts — 0.1%

                                

Massachusetts State DFA Revenue, Boston University, Series U-6E, Refunding, LOC - TD Bank N.A.

    1.000     10/1/42       115,000        115,000  (j)(k) 

Mississippi — 1.4%

                                

Mississippi State Business Finance Corp., Gulf Opportunity Zone, IDR, Chevron USA Inc. Project, Series K

    1.000     11/1/35       1,800,000        1,800,000  (j)(k) 

Nevada — 1.4%

                                

Nevada State Housing Division, Multi Unit Housing Revenue, Series A, LOC - FNMA, LIQ - FNMA

    1.900     4/15/33       1,800,000        1,800,000  (a)(j)(k) 

New York — 2.1%

                                

Battery Park City Authority Revenue, NY, Subseries D-2, Refunding, SPA - TD Bank N.A.

    1.850     11/1/38       100,000        100,000  (j)(k) 

New York City, NY, GO, Subseries I-4, Refunding, LOC - TD Bank N.A.

    1.000     4/1/36       2,350,000        2,350,000  (j)(k) 

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue, Second General Resolution Fiscal 2008, Series BB-5, Refunding, SPA - Bank of America N.A.

    1.000     6/15/33       200,000        200,000  (j)(k) 

Total New York

 

             2,650,000  

North Carolina — 0.2%

                                

North Carolina Educational Facilities Finance Agency Revenue, Duke University, Series A

    1.750     6/1/27       200,000        200,000  (j)(k) 

Pennsylvania — 1.0%

                                

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Revenue, Series 2020, Refunding, LOC - TD Bank N.A.

    1.860     12/1/39       900,000        900,000  (j)(k) 

Philadelphia, PA, Authority for IDR, Gift of Life Donor Program Project, LOC - TD Bank N.A.

    1.860     12/1/34       400,000        400,000  (j)(k) 

Total Pennsylvania

 

             1,300,000  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

24

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security

 

Rate

   

Maturity

Date

   

Face

Amount

   

Value

 

Texas — 0.9%

                               

Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Revenue, Methodist Hospital System, Series A-1, Refunding

    1.000     12/1/41     $ 1,150,000     $ 1,150,000  (j)(k) 

Utah — 0.2%

                               

Murray City, UT, Hospital Revenue, IHC Health Services Inc., Series B, SPA - JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1.000     5/15/37       200,000       200,000   (j)(k) 

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost — $10,415,000)

 

            10,415,000  
                   Shares         
Money Market Funds — 0.0%††                                

Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares
(Cost — $7,792)

    3.749             7,792       7,792  (l)(m)  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost — $10,422,792)

 

    10,422,792  

Total Investments — 140.3% (Cost — $180,218,867)

 

    175,934,144  

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (0.4)%

 

    (500,000

Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (37.8)%

 

    (47,400,000

TOB Floating Rate Notes — (1.6)%

 

    (2,050,000

Other Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.5)%

 

    (598,296

Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders — 100.0%

 

  $ 125,385,848  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report  

 

25


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2022

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

 

 

††

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a) 

Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”).

 

(b) 

Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date.

 

(c) 

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above.

 

(d) 

Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(e) 

Pre-Refunded bonds are generally escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities.

 

(f)

Securities traded on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

(g) 

The coupon payment on this security is currently in default as of November 30, 2022.

 

(h) 

The maturity principal is currently in default as of November 30, 2022.

 

(i) 

Represents securities deposited into a special purpose entity, referred to as a Tender Option Bond (“TOB”) trust (Note 1).

 

(j) 

Variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”) have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice. The interest rate generally resets on a daily or weekly basis and is determined on the specific interest rate reset date by the remarketing agent, pursuant to a formula specified in official documents for the VRDO, or set at the highest rate allowable as specified in official documents for the VRDO. VRDOs are benchmarked to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is compiled from weekly interest rate resets of tax-exempt VRDOs reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Short-term Obligation Rate Transparency System.

 

(k) 

Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the issuer before final maturity.

 

(l)

Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(m) 

In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an “Affiliated Company” represents Fund ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At November 30, 2022, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was $7,792 and the cost was $7,792 (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

26

   Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2022 Annual Report


Table of Contents

    

 

    

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

AGM   — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation — Insured Bonds
BAM   — Build America Mutual — Insured Bonds
CAB   — Capital Appreciation Bonds
CDA   — Communities Development Authority
COP   — Certificates of Participation
CSCE   — Charter School Credit Enhancement
DFA   — Development Finance Agency
EDA   — Economic Development Authority
EDC   — Economic Development Corporation
FNMA   — Federal National Mortgage Association
GO   — General Obligation
GTD   — Guaranteed
HEFA   — Health & Educational Facilities Authority
IDA   — Industrial Development Authority
IDR   — Industrial Development Revenue
ISD   — Independent School District
LIQ   — Liquidity Facility
LOC   — Letter of Credit
MFA   — Municipal Finance Authority
MTA   — Metropolitan Transportation Authority
NATL   — National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation — Insured Bonds
PCFA   — Pollution Control Financing Authority
PEA   — Public Energy Authority
PSF   — Permanent School Fund
SD   — School District
SIFMA   — Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
SPA   — Standby Bond Purchase Agreement — Insured Bonds
TFA   — Transitional Finance Authority
USD   — Unified School District

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities

November 30, 2022

 

Assets:         

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost — $180,211,075)

   $ 175,926,352  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost — $7,792)

     7,792  

Interest receivable

     2,310,545  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     77  

Prepaid expenses

     5,621  

Total Assets

     178,250,387  
Liabilities:         

Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock ($25,000 liquidation value per share; 1,896 shares issued and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $614,641) (Note 5)

     46,785,359  

Payable for securities purchased

     3,069,371  

TOB Floating Rate Notes (Note 1)

     2,050,000  

Distributions payable to Common Shareholders

     330,934  

Investment management fee payable

     77,061  

Directors’ fees payable

     6,134  

Interest expense payable

     3,883  

Distributions payable to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders

     188  

Accrued expenses

     41,609  

Total Liabilities

     52,364,539  

Series M Municipal Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (20 shares authorized and issued at $25,000 per share) (Note 6)

     500,000  
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    $ 125,385,848  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:         

Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 14,082,315 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 common shares authorized)

   $ 14,082  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     133,147,458  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (7,775,692)  
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    $ 125,385,848  
Common Shares Outstanding      14,082,315  
Net Asset Value Per Common Share      $8.90  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations

For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

Investment Income:         

Interest

   $ 5,834,521  

Dividends from affiliated investments

     506  

Total Investment Income

     5,835,027  
Expenses:         

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     991,062  

Distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 5)

     495,882  

Liquidity fees (Note 5)

     397,472  

Rating agency fees

     58,925  

Audit and tax fees

     46,900  

Directors’ fees

     46,028  

Legal fees

     39,689  

Transfer agent fees

     31,591  

Amortization of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock offering costs (Note 5)

     27,608  

Remarketing fees (Note 5)

     24,028  

Fund accounting fees

     21,298  

Shareholder reports

     17,657  

Stock exchange listing fees

     12,500  

Interest expense (Note 1)

     9,080  

Auction agent fees

     8,800  

Custody fees

     992  

Insurance

     759  

Auction participation fees (Note 6)

     299  

Miscellaneous expenses

     14,239  

Total Expenses

     2,244,809  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2)

     (35)  

Net Expenses

     2,244,774  
Net Investment Income      3,590,253  
Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments (Notes 1 and 3):         

Net Realized Loss From Unaffiliated Investment Transactions

     (2,453,731)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From Unaffiliated Investments

     (18,396,465)  
Net Loss on Investments      (20,850,196)  

Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders From Net Investment Income (Notes 1 and 6)

     (9,801)  
Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations    $ (17,269,744)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Statements of changes in net assets

 

 

For the Years Ended November 30,    2022      2021  
Operations:                  

Net investment income

   $ 3,590,253      $ 4,159,557  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (2,453,731)        1,251,085  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (18,396,465)        860,562  

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income

     (9,801)        (616)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations

     (17,269,744)        6,270,588  
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1):                  

Total distributable earnings

     (3,971,213)        (3,971,213)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Shareholders

     (3,971,213)        (3,971,213)  
Fund Share Transactions:                  

Net increase from repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares (Note 6)

     5,000         

Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     5,000         

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

     (21,235,957)        2,299,375  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:                  

Beginning of year

     146,621,805        144,322,430  

End of year

   $ 125,385,848      $ 146,621,805  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Statement of cash flows

For the Year Ended November 30, 2022

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:         

Net decrease in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations*

   $ (17,259,943

Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

        

Purchases of portfolio securities

     (51,977,882

Sales of portfolio securities

     49,757,354  

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

     (1,583,009

Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)

     1,960,730  

Decrease in interest receivable

     10,629  

Increase in prepaid expenses

     (5,615

Increase in dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     (77

Increase in payable for securities purchased

     2,215,331  

Amortization of preferred stock offering costs

     27,608  

Decrease in investment management fee payable

     (10,728

Increase in Directors’ fees payable

     1,475  

Increase in interest expense payable

     2,196  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (517,437

Net realized loss on investments

     2,453,731  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     18,396,465  

Net Cash Provided in Operating Activities**

     3,470,828  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:         

Distributions paid on common stock (net of distributions payable)

     (3,971,213

Distributions paid on Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (net of distributions payable)

     (9,615

Repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

     (95,000

Proceeds from TOB Floating Rate Notes

     2,530,000  

Repayment of TOB Floating Rate Notes

     (1,925,000

Net Cash Used by Financing Activities

     (3,470,828
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year       
Cash and restricted cash at end of year       

 

*

Does not include distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders.

 

**

Included in operating expenses is $6,884 paid for interest on borrowings and $495,882 paid for distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders.

 

  

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sums to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows.

 

      November 30, 2022  
Cash       
Restricted cash       
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Financial highlights

 

For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30:        
     20221     20211     20201     20191     20181  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $10.41     $10.25     $10.24     $9.75     $10.08  
Income (loss) from operations:          

Net investment income

    0.25       0.30       0.29       0.32       0.35  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.48     0.14       0.00 2       0.50       (0.33

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income2

    (0.00     (0.00     (0.00     (0.00     (0.00

Total income (loss) from operations

    (1.23     0.44       0.29       0.82       0.02  
Less distributions to common shareholders from:          

Net investment income

    (0.28     (0.28     (0.28     (0.33     (0.37

Total distributions to common shareholders

    (0.28     (0.28     (0.28     (0.33     (0.37
Net increase from repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares     0.00 2                         0.02  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 8.90     $ 10.41     $ 10.25     $ 10.24     $ 9.75  
Market price, end of year   $ 7.72     $ 9.75     $ 9.07     $ 9.21     $ 8.29  

Total return, based on NAV3,4

    (11.87 )%5      4.33     2.96     8.51     0.39 %6  

Total return, based on Market Price7

    (18.08 )%      10.72     1.66     15.26     (7.52 )% 
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of year (millions)   $ 125     $ 147     $ 144     $ 144     $ 137  
Ratios to average net assets:8          

Gross expenses

    1.70     1.29     1.60     1.76     1.76

Net expenses9

    1.70 10       1.29 10       1.60 10       1.76       1.76  

Net investment income

    2.72       2.82       2.87       3.15       3.57  
Portfolio turnover rate     29     11     27     18     27
Supplemental data:          

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s)

  $ 500     $ 600     $ 600     $ 600     $ 600  

Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s)

  $ 47,400     $ 47,400     $ 47,400     $ 47,400     $ 47,400  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock11

    362     405     401     400     386

Asset Coverage, per $25,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock11

  $ 90,441     $ 101,366     $ 100,168     $ 100,095     $ 96,531  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

 

3 

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

4 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

5 

The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 95% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been the same.

 

6 

The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 85% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been 0.19%.

 

7 

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

8 

Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders.

 

9 

The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

10 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

11 

Represents value of net assets plus the liquidation value of the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, at the end of the period divided by the liquidation value of the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, outstanding at the end of the period.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on December 19, 1991 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide common shareholders a high level of current income exempt from regular federal income taxes consistent with prudent investing. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations. In addition, under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities that are, at the time of investment, rated investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. For credit ratings purposes, pre-refunded bonds are deemed to be unrated. The subadviser determines the credit quality of prefunded bonds based on the quality of the escrowed collateral and such other factors as the subadviser deems appropriate.

The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

 

 

 

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Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

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Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

ASSETS  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Long-Term Investments†:                                

Municipal Bonds

        $ 161,898,229           $ 161,898,229  

Municipal Bonds Deposited in
    Tender Option Bond Trust

          3,613,123             3,613,123  
Total Long-Term Investments           165,511,352             165,511,352  
Short-Term Investments†:                                

Municipal Bonds

          10,415,000             10,415,000  

Money Market Funds

  $ 7,792                   7,792  
Total Short-Term Investments     7,792       10,415,000             10,422,792  
Total Investments   $ 7,792     $ 175,926,352           $ 175,934,144  

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

(b) Tender option bonds. The Fund may enter into tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions and may invest in inverse floating rate instruments (“Inverse Floaters”) issued in TOB transactions. The Fund may participate either in structuring an Inverse Floater or purchasing an Inverse Floater in the secondary market. When structuring an Inverse Floater, the Fund deposits securities (typically municipal bonds or other municipal securities) (the “Underlying Bonds”) into a special purpose entity, referred to as a TOB trust. The TOB trust generally issues floating rate notes (“Floaters”) to third parties and residual interest, Inverse Floaters, to the Fund. The Floaters issued by the TOB trust have interest rates which reset weekly and provide the holders of the Floaters the option to tender their notes back to the TOB trust for redemption at par at each reset date. The net proceeds of the sale of the Floaters, after expenses, are received by the Fund and may be invested in additional securities. The Inverse Floaters are inverse floating rate debt instruments, as the return on those bonds is inversely related to changes in a specified interest rate. Distributions on any Inverse Floaters paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term interest rates rise and will increase when such interest rates fall. Floaters issued by a TOB trust may be senior to the Inverse Floaters held by the Fund. The value and market for Inverse Floaters can be volatile, and Inverse Floaters can have limited liquidity.

An investment in an Inverse Floater structured by the Fund is accounted for as a secured borrowing. The Underlying Bonds deposited into the TOB trust are included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and a liability for Floaters (TOB floating rate notes) issued by the TOB trust is recognized in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The carrying amount of the TOB trust’s floating rate note obligations as reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities approximates its fair value. Interest income, including amortization, on the Underlying Bonds is recognized in the Fund’s Statements of Operations. Interest paid

 

 

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to holders of the Floaters, as well as other expenses related to administration, liquidity, remarketing and trustee services of the TOB trust, are recognized in Interest expense in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

(c) Net asset value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s common stock is determined no less frequently than the close of business on the Fund’s last business day of each week (generally Friday) and on the last business day of the month. It is determined by dividing the value of the net assets available to common shareholders by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. For the purpose of determining the NAV per share of the common stock, the value of the Fund’s net assets shall be deemed to equal the value of the Fund’s assets less (1) the Fund’s liabilities including the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $25,000 per outstanding share) of the Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (“VRDPS”), net of the deferred offering costs, and (2) the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $25,000 per outstanding share) of the Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“ARCPS”).

(d) Securities traded on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. In when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, the securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.

Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

(e) Cash flow information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.

(f) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(g) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the common shareholders of the Fund. Distributions to common shareholders of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions to common shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

 

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Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

Distributions to holders of ARCPS are accrued daily and paid on a weekly basis and are determined as described in Note 6. Distributions to holders of VRDPS are accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly as described in Note 5 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Fund’s VRDPS are treated as dividends or distributions.

(h) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

(i) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2022, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

(j) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:

 

        Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
       Paid-in
Capital
 
(a)      $ 27,608        $ (27,608)  

 

(a) 

Reclassifications are due to non-deductible offering costs for tax purposes.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and Western Asset are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the purposes of calculating this fee, the aggregate liquidation value of the preferred stock is not deducted in determining the Fund’s average daily net assets.

LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.

 

 

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The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”).

During the year ended November 30, 2022, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $35, all of which was an affiliated money market fund waiver.

All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities, typically short-term variable rate demand obligations, from or to certain other affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is, or could be considered, an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment manager or subadviser (or affiliated investment manager or subadviser), common Directors and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the year ended November 30, 2022, such purchase and sale transactions (excluding accrued interest) were $10,215,000 and $18,450,000, respectively.

3. Investments

During the year ended November 30, 2022, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 51,977,882  
Sales        49,757,354  

At November 30, 2022, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

      Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Depreciation
 
Securities    $ 178,157,487      $ 1,354,312      $ (5,627,655)      $ (4,273,343)  

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

During the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not invest in derivative instruments.

5. Variable rate demand preferred stock

On February 25, 2015, the Fund completed a private offering of 1,896 shares of Series 1 VRDPS. Net proceeds from the offering were used by the Fund to repurchase outstanding shares of Series M Municipal ARCPS that had been accepted for payment pursuant to the tender offer (see Note 6). Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the VRDPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the life of the VRDPS.

 

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Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

The table below summarizes the key terms of Series 1 of the VRDPS at November 30, 2022.

 

Series    Mandatory
Redemption Date
     Shares      Liquidation
Preference
Per Share
     Aggregate
Liquidation
Value
 
Series 1      2/25/2045        1,896      $ 25,000      $ 47,400,000  

The VRDPS shares are not listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. For financial reporting purposes, the VRDPS shares are considered debt of the Fund; therefore, the liquidation value, which approximates fair value of the VRDPS shares, is recorded as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Holders of VRDPS have the right to tender their VRDPS shares for remarketing at a price equal to the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends and at a date which is no earlier than the seventh day following delivery of the notice to the tender and paying agent. The VRDPS shares include a liquidity feature that allows VRDPS holders to have their shares purchased by the liquidity provider with whom the Fund has contracted in the event of a failed remarketing where purchase orders are not sufficient in number to be matched with the sale orders. The Fund is required to redeem the VRDPS shares owned by the liquidity provider after six months of continuous, unsuccessful remarketing. The Fund pays a monthly remarketing fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the liquidation value of each VRDPS share outstanding on the first calendar day of the preceding calendar month. These fees are shown as remarketing fees on the Statement of Operations.

Holders of VRDPS are entitled to receive monthly cumulative cash dividends, payable on the first business day of each calendar month, at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. The dividend rate is generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate will reset to the maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined, in part, based upon the long-term rating assigned to the VRDPS. In the event the Fund fails to make a scheduled dividend payment, all outstanding shares of the VRDPS are subject to mandatory tender.

Subject to certain conditions, the VRDPS shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the Fund. The redemption price per share is equal to the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Fund is required to redeem its VRDPS on the mandatory redemption date, February 25, 2045. In addition, the Fund is required to redeem certain of the VRDPS shares if the Fund fails to maintain certain asset coverage and rating agency guidelines.

The Fund is a party to a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that requires monthly payment of an annual liquidity fee. These fees are shown as liquidity fees on the Statement of Operations. The fee agreement between the Fund and the liquidity provider is scheduled to terminate on June 23, 2023. The Fund has the right, which is exercisable 120 to 90 days prior to the scheduled termination date, to request that the liquidity provider extend the term of the agreement for an additional period. The Fund may also terminate the agreement early. In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and the Fund does not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDPS will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of

 

 

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the fee agreement. The Fund is required to redeem any VRDPS purchased by the liquidity provider six months after the purchase date.

The VRDPS ranks senior to the Fund’s outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the VRDPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the VRDPS asset coverage and rating agency requirements.

The holders of the VRDPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of VRDPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the VRDPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.

The annualized dividend rate for the VRDPS shares for the year ended November 30, 2022 was 1.046%. VRDPS shares issued and outstanding remained constant during the year ended November 30, 2022.

6. Municipal auction rate cumulative preferred stock

As of November 30, 2022, the Fund had 20 shares of ARCPS outstanding with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) and subject to certain restrictions, are redeemable in whole or in part.

On January 28, 2002, the Fund issued 2,000 shares of Series M Municipal ARCPS.

On January 22, 2015, the Fund announced that it had commenced an issuer tender offer for up to 100% of its outstanding ARCPS at a price equal to 90% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $22,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through February 20, 2015, the expiration date of the tender offer.

The Fund’s tender offer was conditioned upon the Fund closing on the private offering of VRDPS with an aggregate liquidation preference at least equal to the aggregate liquidation preference of ARCPS accepted for tender.

On February 25, 2015, the Fund announced the final results for its issuer tender offer and all shares that were validly tendered and not withdrawn during the offering period were accepted for payment. The Fund accepted for payment 1,896 ARCPS, which represented 94.8% of outstanding ARCPS. The ARCPS that were not tendered remained outstanding.

On November 27, 2018, the Fund repurchased 80 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $21,250 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.

On November 16, 2022, the Fund repurchased 4 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 95% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $23,750 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.

The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARCPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARCPS was recognized by the Fund in the Statement of Changes in

 

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Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and repurchase of the ARCPS by the Fund.

The ARCPS’ dividends are cumulative at a rate determined at an auction and the dividend period is typically 7 days. The dividend rate cannot exceed a certain maximum rate, including in the event of a failed auction, unless the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizes an increased maximum rate. To the extent capital gains and other taxable income are allocated to holders of ARCPS for tax purposes, the Fund will likely have to pay higher dividends to holders of ARCPS to compensate them for the increased tax liability to them resulting from such allocation. Due to failed auctions experienced by the Fund’s ARCPS starting on February 14, 2008, the Fund pays the applicable maximum rate, which is calculated using the higher of 110% of the taxable equivalent of the short-term municipal bond rate and 110% of the prevailing 30-days “AA” Composite Commercial Paper Rate. The Fund may pay higher maximum rates if the rating of the Fund’s ARCPS were to be lowered by the rating agencies. The dividend rates ranged from 0.078% to 4.360% during the year ended November 30, 2022. At November 30, 2022, the dividend rate was 4.304%.

The ARCPS are redeemable under certain conditions by the Fund, or subject to mandatory redemption (if the Fund is in default of certain coverage requirements) at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference, which is the sum of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.

The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverages with respect to the ARCPS. If the Fund fails to maintain these coverages and does not cure any such failure within the required time period, the Fund is required to redeem a requisite number of the ARCPS in order to meet the applicable requirement. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements would restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders.

The holders of the ARCPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of preferred stock or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the preferred stock have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., acts as a broker/dealer in connection with the auction of ARCPS. For all previous periods since the ARCPS have been outstanding, the participation fee has been paid at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the ARCPS that the broker/dealer places at the auction. However, on August 3, 2009, CGM reduced its participation fee to an annual rate of 0.05% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction. For the year ended November 30, 2022, CGM earned $299 as a participating broker/dealer.

7. Distributions to common shareholders subsequent to November 30, 2022

The following distributions to common shareholders have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:

 

Record Date      Payable Date      Amount
11/22/2022      12/1/2022      $0.0235

 

 

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Record Date      Payable Date        Amount
12/22/2022        12/30/2022        $0.0235
1/24/2023        2/1/2023        $0.0235
2/21/2023        3/1/2023        $0.0235

8. Stock repurchase program

On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.

9. Transactions with affiliated company

As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company for all or some portion of the year ended November 30, 2022. The following transactions were effected in such company for the year ended November 30, 2022.

 

     Affiliate
Value at

November 30,
2021
     Purchased      Sold  
      Cost      Shares      Proceeds      Shares  
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares    $ 39,783      $ 2,759,421        2,759,421      $ 2,791,412        2,791,412  

 

(cont’d)   

Realized

Gain (Loss)

     Dividend
Income
     Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Affiliate
Value at
November 30,
2022
 
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares           $ 506             $ 7,792  

 

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Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

10. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, was as follows:

 

        2022        2021  
Distributions paid from:                      
Tax exempt income:                      
Common shareholders      $ 3,960,876        $ 3,800,061  
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders        9,774          324  
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders        494,462          48,766  
Total tax exempt distributions      $ 4,465,112        $ 3,849,151  
Taxable income:                      
Common shareholders        10,337          171,152  
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders        27          292  
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders        1,420          15,210  
Total taxable distributions      $ 11,784        $ 186,654  
Total distributions paid      $ 4,476,896        $ 4,035,805  

As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed tax-exempt income — net      $ 20,075  
Deferred capital losses*        (3,513,330)  
Other book/tax temporary differences(a)        (9,094)  
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)        (4,273,343)  
Total distributable earnings (loss) — net      $ (7,775,692)  

 

*

These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or long-term losses. The losses will be deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character as they were originally deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

 

(a) 

Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses.

 

(b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the difference between book and tax accretion methods for market discount on fixed income securities.

11. Recent accounting pronouncement

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 and 2023. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

 

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12. Other matters

The outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has continued to rapidly spread around the world, causing considerable uncertainty for the global economy and financial markets. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.

*  *  *

The Fund’s investments, payment obligations, and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. On March 5, 2021, the ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, stated that it will cease the publication of the overnight and one-, three-, six- and twelve-month USD LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on Friday, June 30, 2023. All other LIBOR settings, including the one-week and two-month USD LIBOR settings, have ceased publication as of January 1, 2022. There remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund’s transactions and the financial markets generally. As such, the potential effect of a transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or the Fund’s investments cannot yet be determined.

*  *  *

On February 24, 2022, Russia engaged in military actions in the sovereign territory of Ukraine. The current political and financial uncertainty surrounding Russia and Ukraine may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in these countries and may also cause uncertainty for the global economy and broader financial markets. The ultimate fallout and long-term impact from these events are not known. The Fund will continue to assess the impact on valuations and liquidity and will take any potential actions needed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors.

 

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) as of November 30, 2022, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended November 30, 2022, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended November 30, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended November 30, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of November 30, 2022, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended November 30, 2022 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended November 30, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

January 20, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds since 1948.

 

 

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Additional information (unaudited)

Information about Directors and Officers

 

The business and affairs of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Directors. The business address of each Director is c/o Jane Trust, Franklin Templeton, 100 International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

Information pertaining to the Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth below. The Fund’s annual proxy statement includes additional information about Directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

 

Independent Directors
Robert D. Agdern  
Year of birth   1950
Position(s) held with Fund1   Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Compliance Liaison, Class II
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2015
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University (2002 to 2016); formerly, Deputy General Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters for BP PLC (1999 to 2001); Associate General Counsel at Amoco Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining and marketing matters and special assignments (1993 to 1998) (Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC)
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)   20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years   None
Carol L. Colman  
Year of birth   1946
Position(s) held with Fund1   Director and Member of Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees, and Chair of Pricing and Valuation Committee, Class II
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   President, Colman Consulting Company (consulting)
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)   20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years   None

 

 

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Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Directors and Officers

 

Independent Directors (cont’d)    
Daniel P. Cronin  
Year of birth   1946
Position(s) held with Fund1   Director and Member of Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Nominating Committee, Class III
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. (prior to and including 2004)
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)   20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years   None
Paolo M. Cucchi  
Year of birth   1941
Position(s) held with Fund1   Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Compensation Committee, Class II
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Emeritus Professor of French and Italian (since 2014) and formerly, Vice President and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts (1984 to 2009) and Professor of French and Italian (2009 to 2014) at Drew University
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)   20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years   None
William R. Hutchinson*  
Year of birth   1942
Position(s) held with Fund1   Formerly Lead Independent Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, Class III
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (consulting) (since 2001)
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)   20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years   Director (1994 to 2021) and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (December 2009 to April 2020), Associated Banc-Corp. (financial services company)

 

 

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Independent Directors (cont’d)     
Eileen A. Kamerick**   
Year of birth    1958
Position(s) held with Fund1    Lead Independent Director and Member of Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation and Audit Committees, Class I
Term of office1 and length of time served    Since 2013
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years    Chief Executive Officer, The Governance Partners, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2015); National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow (since 2016, with Directorship Certification since 2019) and NACD 2022 Directorship 100 honoree; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (since 2021); Adjunct Professor, The University of Chicago Law School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa College of Law (since 2007); formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank) and President, Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012)
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)    20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years    Director, VALIC Company I (since October 2022); Director of ACV Auctions Inc. (since 2021); Director of Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (since 2016); Director of Associated Banc-Corp (financial services company) (since 2007); formerly Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (2018 to 2021)
Nisha Kumar***   
Year of birth    1970
Position(s) held with Fund1    Director and Member of Nominating, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of the Audit Committee, Class III
Term of office1 and length of time served    Since 2019
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years    Formerly, Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Greenbriar Equity Group, LP (2011 to 2021); formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Rent the Runway, Inc. (2011); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AOL LLC, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (2007 to 2009); Member of the Council of Foreign Relations
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)    20
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years    Director of The India Fund, Inc. (since 2016); formerly, Director of Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund (2017 to 2018); and Director of The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016 to 2018)

 

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Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Directors and Officers

 

Interested Director and Officer    
Jane Trust, CFA2  
Year of birth   1962
Position(s) held with Fund1   Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class I
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2015
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years  

Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management, Franklin

Templeton (since 2020); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 128 funds associated with LMPFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Managing Director (2018 to 2020) and Managing Director (2016 to 2018) of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director

(including the Fund)

  128
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five years   None
     
Additional Officers

Fred Jensen

Franklin Templeton

280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017

 
Year of birth   1963
Position(s) held with Fund1   Chief Compliance Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2020
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Director—Global Compliance of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2006 to 2020); Director of Compliance, Legg Mason Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (2006 to 2020); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation (prior to 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2013); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of The Reserve Funds (investment adviser, funds and broker-dealer) (2004) and Ambac Financial Group (investment adviser, funds and broker- dealer) (2000 to 2003)

George P. Hoyt

Franklin Templeton

100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902

 
Year of birth   1965
Position(s) held with Fund1   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2020
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2020); formerly, Managing Director (2016 to 2020) and Associate General Counsel for Legg Mason & Co. and Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (2006 to 2020)

 

 

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Additional Officers (cont’d)

Thomas C. Mandia****

Franklin Templeton

100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902

 
Year of birth   1962
Position(s) held with Fund1   Senior Vice President
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2022
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years  

Senior Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton

(since 2020); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant

Secretary of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (“LMAS”) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (“LMFAM”) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers); formerly, Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020) and Assistant Secretary of certain funds in the fund complex (2006 to 2022)

Christopher Berarducci

Franklin Templeton

280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017

 
Year of birth   1974
Position(s) held with Fund1   Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2019
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years  

Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting, Franklin

Templeton (since 2020); Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal

Financial Officer (since 2019) of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Managing Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011 to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co.

Jeanne M. Kelly

Franklin Templeton

280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017

 
Year of birth   1951
Position(s) held with Fund1   Senior Vice President
Term of office1 and length of time served   Since 2009
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years   U.S. Fund Board Team Manager, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Senior Vice President of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); formerly, Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020); Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015)

 

Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

*

Mr. Hutchinson served as a Director until his passing on October 28, 2022.

 

**

Effective November 9, 2022, Ms. Kamerick became Lead Independent Director.

 

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Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Directors and Officers

 

***

Effective November 9, 2022, Ms. Kumar became Chair of Audit Committee.

 

****

Effective February 10, 2022, Mr. Mandia became a Senior Vice President.

 

1 

The Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and III Directors expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in the year 2024, year 2025 and year 2023, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year, to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

2 

Ms. Trust is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because Ms. Trust is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates.

 

 

 

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Annual chief executive officer and principal financial officer certifications (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification and the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Fund’s CEO and Principal Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.

 

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Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Fund’s Audit Committee Chair. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.

The CCO may be contacted at:

Franklin Resources Inc.

Compliance Department

280 Park Ave, 8th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.

 

 

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Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide common shareholders a high level of current income exempt from regular federal income taxes consistent with prudent investing.

Principal Investment Policies and Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which, in the opinion of bond counsel or other counsel to the issuer of such securities is, at the time of issuance, not includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Fund also maintains a dollar-weighted average effective maturity of between three and ten years. For this purpose, any scheduled principal prepayments on municipal securities will be reflected in the calculation of dollar-weighted average maturity. Western Asset may adjust the average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment of the relative yields available on securities of different maturities and its expectations of future changes in interest rates. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities that are, at the time of investment, rated investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in debt securities that are, at the time of investment, rated below investment grade (“high-yield” or “junk” bonds) by an NRSRO or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. For credit ratings purposes, pre-refunded bonds are deemed to be unrated. Western Asset determines the credit quality of pre-refunded bonds based on the quality of the escrowed collateral and such other factors as Western Asset deems appropriate.

The Fund’s policies on the credit quality of its investments apply only at the time of the purchase of a security, and the Fund is not required to dispose of securities in the event that an NRSRO downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issuer or in the event the manager reassesses its view with respect to the credit quality of the issuer thereof.

The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments as part of its investment strategy or for hedging and/or risk management purposes. As part of its strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, purchase and sell (or write) exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial indices and futures contracts, enter into interest rate and currency transactions and enter into other similar transactions which may be developed in the future to the extent Western Asset determines that they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies and applicable regulatory requirements. By way of example, the Fund may purchase and sell options (including swaps,

 

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caps, floors and collars) on municipal securities and on indices based on municipal securities. In order to seek to protect the value of its portfolio securities against declines resulting from changes in interest rates or other market changes, the Fund may enter into hedging transactions, including the use of financial futures contracts and related options contracts. The Fund may use any or all of these techniques at any time, and the use of any particular derivative transaction will depend on market conditions.

The Fund will not engage in over-the-counter (“OTC”) options transactions if the amount invested by the Fund in OTC options, plus, with respect to OTC options written by the Fund, the amounts required to be treated as illiquid pursuant to the terms of certain no action letters published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission staff (and the value of the assets used as cover with respect to OTC option sales which are not within the scope of such letters), plus the amount invested by the Fund in illiquid securities, would exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets. OTC options on securities other than U.S. Government securities, including options on municipal securities, may not be within the scope of such letters and, accordingly, the amount invested by the Fund in OTC options on such other securities and the value of the assets used as cover with respect to OTC options sales regarding such non-U.S. Government securities will be treated as illiquid and subject to the 25% limitation on the Fund’s assets which may be invested in illiquid securities.

The Fund may enter into TOB transactions and may invest in inverse floating rate instruments issued in TOB transactions. In a TOB transaction, the Fund transfers securities (typically municipal bonds or other municipal securities) into a special purpose entity, referred to as a TOB trust. The TOB trust generally issues floating rate notes to third parties and residual interest TOBs to the Fund. The net proceeds of the sale of the floating rate notes, after expenses, are received by the Fund and may be invested in additional securities. The residual interest TOBs are inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”), as the return on those bonds is inversely related to changes in a specified interest rate. Distributions on the inverse floaters paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term interest rates rise and will increase when such interest rates fall. Floating rate notes issued by a TOB trust may be senior to the inverse floaters held by the Fund. The Fund may enter into TOB transactions on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. If the Fund invests in a TOB trust on a recourse basis, it will bear the risk of loss with respect to any liquidation of the TOB trust. The Fund will look through to the underlying securities held by a TOB trust for purposes of calculating compliance with the Fund’s 80% policy. TOB transactions create leverage to the extent the Fund invests the net proceeds of the floating rate notes in additional securities. The Fund currently intends to segregate or earmark liquid assets or otherwise cover its obligations with respect to its investments in TOB trusts.

 

 

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The Fund uses leverage from the offering of preferred stock in an effort to increase the Fund’s income available for distribution to holders of its common stock. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may use leverage through the issuance of preferred stock in an aggregate amount of liquidation preference attributable to the preferred stock of up to approximately 50% of the Fund’s total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (for these purposes, “total net assets”) immediately after such issuance. In addition, the Fund may use leverage through borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and/or the issuance of debt securities. The Fund may use leverage through borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to approximately 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total net assets immediately after such borrowings.

The Fund has not established any limit on the percentage of its portfolio that may be invested in municipal securities subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of federal tax law, and a substantial portion of the income produced by the Fund may be taxable under the alternative minimum tax.

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in “non-appropriation” lease obligations and in unrated “non-appropriation” lease obligations believed, at the time of investment, by the investment manager to have credit characteristics equivalent to, and to be of comparable quality as, securities that are rated investment grade.

Municipal securities may have fixed or variable interest rates. The Fund may purchase floating and variable rate demand notes, which are municipal securities normally having a stated maturity in excess of one year, but which permit the holder to tender the notes for purchase at the principal amount thereof.

The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond pays no interest in cash to its holder during its life, although interest is accrued during that period.

The Fund generally will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any industry, nor will the Fund invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any single issue. Governmental issuers of municipal securities are not considered part of any “industry”. However, municipal securities backed only by the assets and revenues of nongovernmental users may for this purpose be deemed to be issued by such nongovernmental users, and the 25% limitation would apply to the industries of such nongovernmental users. It is nonetheless possible that the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in a broader segment of the municipal securities market, such as: hospital and other health care facilities obligations, housing agency revenue obligations, or airport revenue obligations. The Fund will invest more than 25% of its assets in such types of municipal securities if Western Asset determines that the yields available from such obligations in a particular segment justify the additional risks associated with a large investment in that segment. Although these obligations could be supported by the credit of governmental users, or by

 

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the credit of nongovernmental users engaged in a number of industries, economic, business, political and other developments generally affecting the revenues of such users (for example, proposed legislation or pending court decisions affecting the financing of such projects and market factors affecting the demand for their services or products) may have a general adverse effect on all such municipal securities in such a market segment. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in industrial development bonds or in issuers located in the same state.

When Western Asset believes a temporary defensive posture in the market is warranted (e.g., times when, in Western Asset’s opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the municipal securities market adversely affect the price at which municipal securities are available), and in order to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may temporarily invest to a substantial degree in high quality, short-term municipal securities. If these high-quality, short-term municipal securities are not available or, in Western Asset’s judgment, do not afford sufficient protection against adverse market conditions, the Fund may invest in the following taxable securities: obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other debt securities rated within the four highest categories by an NRSRO; commercial paper rated in the highest category by an NRSRO; certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances; or repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing investments or any other fixed-income securities that Western Asset considers consistent with such strategy. To the extent the Fund invests in taxable securities, the Fund will not at such times be able to achieve its investment objective of income exempt from regular federal income taxes.

The Fund may purchase municipal securities on a “when-issued” and “delayed delivery” basis. To the extent that the Fund engages in “when-issued” and “delayed delivery” transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities for the Fund’s portfolio consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

The Fund may use repurchase agreements to manage its cash position.

The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. To the extent it does, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation. Investing in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds that invest primarily in municipal securities, involves risks similar to those of investing directly in the securities in which those investment companies invest.

Principal Risk Factors

There are risks associated with an investment in the Fund. You should consider whether the Fund is an appropriate investment for you. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in

 

 

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municipal obligations, and circumstances or events that affect the value of municipal obligations will affect the Fund’s net asset value.

Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. Your investment in the Common Stock represents an indirect investment in the fixed income securities and other investments owned by the Fund, most of which could be purchased directly. The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your Common Stock may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in municipal obligations of below investment grade quality. High yield debt securities are generally subject to greater credit risks than higher-grade debt securities, including the risk of default on the payment of interest or principal. High yield debt securities are considered speculative, typically have lower liquidity and are more difficult to value than higher grade bonds. High yield debt securities tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events, credit downgrades and negative sentiments and may be difficult to sell at a desired price, or at all, during periods of uncertainty or market turmoil.

Municipal Securities Risk. Liquidity in the municipal securities market may vary from time to time. At times of decreased liquidity, the ability of the Fund to buy and sell municipal securities may, with respect to any particular securities, be limited. The amount of information about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal securities may not be as extensive as information about corporations whose securities are publicly traded, and the Fund’s performance may therefore be more dependent on the sub-adviser’s analytical abilities than if the Fund were to invest in stocks or taxable bonds. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade municipal securities in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal securities at attractive prices.

Obligations of issuers of municipal securities may be subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and the United States Bankruptcy Code and applicable state laws, which could limit the ability of the Fund to recover payments of principal or interest on such securities.

Certain municipal securities which may be held by the Fund may permit the issuer at its option to “call,” or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were to redeem municipal securities held by the Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may realize a capital loss on its investment if the security was purchased at a premium and may not be able to

 

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reinvest the proceeds in municipal securities providing as high a level of investment return as the securities redeemed.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities and TOBs Risk. Subject to certain limitations, the Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a “tender option bond trust”) formed by a third party sponsor for the purpose of holding municipal bonds purchased from the Fund or from another third party. An investment in an inverse floating rate security may involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed-rate bond. Because changes in the interest rate on the underlying security or index inversely affect the residual interest paid on the inverse floating rate security, the value of an inverse floating rate security is generally more volatile than that of a fixed-rate bond.

Inverse floating rate securities have interest rate adjustment formulas which generally reduce or, in the extreme, eliminate the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates rise, and increase the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates fall. Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity, and the market for these securities is relatively volatile. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed-rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed-rate bonds when interest rates decline. Shifts in long-term interest rates may, however, alter this tendency.

During times of reduced market liquidity, such as at the present, the Fund may not be able to sell municipal securities readily at prices reflecting the values at which the securities are carried on the Fund’s books. Sales of large blocks of municipal securities by market participants, such as the Fund, that are seeking liquidity can further reduce municipal security prices in an illiquid market. The Fund may seek to make sales of large blocks of municipal securities as part of its investment strategy or it may be required to raise cash to re-collateralize, unwind or “collapse” tender option bond trusts that issued inverse floating rate securities to the Fund or to make payments to such trusts to enable them to pay for tenders of the short-term securities they have issued if the remarketing agents for those municipal securities are unable to sell the short-term securities in the marketplace to other buyers (typically tax-exempt money market funds). The Fund’s potential exposure to losses related to or on inverse floating rate securities may increase beyond the value of the Fund’s inverse floater investments as the Fund may potentially be liable to fulfill all amounts owed to holders of the floating rate certificates.

Although volatile, inverse floating rate securities typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed-rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. These securities usually permit the investor to convert the floating rate to a fixed rate (normally adjusted downward), and this optional conversion feature may provide a partial hedge against rising rates if exercised at an opportune time.

 

 

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Investment in inverse floating rate securities may amplify the effects of the Fund’s use of leverage. Any economic effect of leverage through the Fund’s purchase of inverse floating rate securities will create an opportunity for increased Common Stock net income and returns, but may also result in losses if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund.

TOB transactions expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investments in fixed rate municipal bonds, including the risk of loss of principal. The interest payments that the Fund would typically receive on inverse floaters acquired in such transactions vary inversely with short-term interest rates and will be reduced (and potentially eliminated) when short-term interest rates increase. Inverse floaters will generally underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities when interest rates rise. The value and market for inverse floaters can be volatile, and inverse floaters can have limited liquidity. Investments in inverse floaters issued in TOB transactions are derivative instruments and, therefore, are also subject to the risks generally applicable to investments in derivatives.

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

Special Risks Related to Certain Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in municipal leases and certificates of participation in such leases. Municipal leases and certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer)

 

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have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate governmental body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover the Fund’s original investment. In the event of non-appropriation, the issuer would be in default and taking ownership of the assets may be a remedy available to the Fund, although the Fund does not anticipate that such a remedy would normally be pursued. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Certificates of participation, which represent interests in unmanaged pools of municipal leases or installment contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificates of participation to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.

Alternative Minimum Tax and Taxable Income Risk. The Fund will qualify to pay “exempt-interest dividends,” which are exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, for any taxable year only if at least 50% of the value of its assets, as of the close of each quarter of the taxable year, consists of state or local obligations described in Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Assuming that the Fund qualifies to pay exempt-interest dividends, it is anticipated that certain of the Fund’s distributions will nevertheless constitute taxable income. Moreover, a portion of the Fund’s exempt-interest dividends may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax, and all or a portion of such dividends may be subject to state and local taxation.

A portion of the Fund’s distributions may be taxable to Common Stockholders. In particular, the Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments and may sell certain fixed-income securities short including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasuries, for investment and/or hedging purposes. To the extent that the Fund utilizes these strategies the Fund could generate taxable income and gains. Distributions of any capital gain or other taxable income (including gains and “market discount” realized by the Fund on the sale of municipal

 

 

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securities) will be taxable to Common Stockholders. The Fund may not be a suitable investment for investors subject to the federal alternative minimum tax or who would become subject to such tax by investing in the Fund. The suitability of an investment in Common Stock will depend upon a comparison of the after tax yield likely to be provided from the Fund with that from comparable tax-exempt investments not subject to the alternative minimum tax, and from comparable fully taxable investments, in light of each such investor’s tax position. Special considerations apply to corporate investors.

Certain provisions of the Code relating to the issuance of municipal obligations impose restrictions on the volume of municipal obligations qualifying for federal tax exemption. One effect of these provisions could be to increase the cost of the municipal securities available for purchase by the Fund and thus reduce available yield. Legislative proposals that may further restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal obligations may be introduced in the future. The value of the Fund’s investments and its net asset value may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because interest income from municipal securities normally is not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect the Fund’s net asset value and ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels.

Credit Crisis Liquidity and Volatility Risk. The markets for credit instruments, including fixed income securities, have experienced periods of extreme illiquidity and volatility. General market uncertainty and consequent repricing risk have led to market imbalances of sellers and buyers, which in turn have also resulted in significant valuation uncertainties in a variety of debt securities, including certain fixed income securities. These conditions resulted, and in many cases continue to result in greater volatility, less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many debt securities remaining illiquid and of uncertain value. During times of reduced market liquidity, the Fund may not be able to sell securities readily at prices reflecting the values at which the securities are carried on the Fund’s books. Sales of large blocks of securities by market participants, such as the Fund, that are seeking liquidity can further reduce security prices in an illiquid market. These market conditions may make valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or result in sudden and significant valuation increases or decreases in its holdings. Illiquidity and volatility in the credit markets may directly and adversely affect the setting of dividend rates on the Common Stock.

 

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Government Intervention in Financial Markets Risk. The instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government and foreign governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. U.S. federal and state governments and foreign governments, their regulatory agencies or self regulatory organizations may take additional actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such securities, in ways that are unforeseeable. Issuers of corporate fixed income securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Western Asset will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may utilize a variety of derivative instruments such as financial futures contracts and options. Using derivatives can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives also can have a leveraging effect and increase Fund volatility. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may not be available at the time or price desired, may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.

Effective August 19, 2022, the Fund began operating under Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act which, among other things, governs the use of derivative investments and certain financing transactions (e.g. reverse repurchase agreements) by registered investment companies. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 requires funds that invest in derivative instruments beyond a specified limited amount to apply a value at risk (VaR) based limit to their use of certain derivative instruments and financing transactions and to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program. A fund that uses derivative instruments in a limited amount is

 

 

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not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. Compliance with Rule 18f-4 by the Fund could, among other things, make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, or otherwise adversely affect their performance. Rule 18f-4 may limit the Fund’s ability to use derivatives as part of its investment strategy.

Short Sales Risk. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will realize a loss, which may be substantial. A fund that engages in a short sale or short position may lose more money than the actual cost of the short sale or short position and its potential losses may be unlimited if the fund does not own the security sold short or the reference instrument and it is unable to close out of the short sale or short position.

Counterparty Risk. The Fund may enter into transactions with counterparties that become unable or unwilling to fulfill their contractual obligations. There can be no assurance that any such counterparty will not default on its obligations to the Fund. In the event of a counterparty default, the Fund may be hindered or delayed in exercising rights against a counterparty and may experience significant losses. To the extent that the Fund enters into multiple transactions with a single or small set of counterparties, the Fund will be subject to increased counterparty risk.

Credit Risk. If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund defaults or its credit is downgraded, or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or if the value of the assets underlying a security declines, the value of your investment will typically decline. Changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness may occur quickly. The Fund could be delayed or hindered in its enforcement of rights against an issuer, guarantor or counterparty. Subordinated securities are more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer and will be disproportionately affected by a default, downgrade or perceived decline in creditworthiness.

LIBOR Risk. The Fund’s investments, payment obligations, and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. In 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced its intention to cease compelling banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into beginning in 2022. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. Various financial industry groups have been planning for the transition away from LIBOR, but there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and

 

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Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund’s transactions and the financial markets generally. The transition away from LIBOR may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that rely on LIBOR and may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. The transition may also result in a reduction in the value of certain LIBOR-based investments held by the Fund or reduce the effectiveness of related transactions such as hedges. Any such effects of the transition away from LIBOR, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses for the Fund. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could also deteriorate during the transition period, effects could occur at any time.

Interest Rate Risk. The market value of the Fund’s investments will change in response to changes in interest rates and other factors. During periods of declining interest rates, the values of fixed-income securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities generally decline. The magnitude of these fluctuations is generally greater for securities with longer maturities. The subadviser’s judgment about interest rate trends may prove to be incorrect.

Prepayment Risk. Prepayments may cause losses on securities purchased at a premium. At times, some of the securities in which the Fund may invest may have higher than market interest rates and therefore may be purchased at a premium above their par value. Unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, may cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium. In addition, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.

Inflation/Deflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of certain assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Stock and distributions on the Common Stock can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, the dividend rates or borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to stockholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time—the opposite of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse affect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund may invest all or a portion of its net assets in illiquid securities. The term “illiquid securities” for this purpose means securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid securities and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. Accordingly, the Fund may be forced to sell these securities at less than fair market value or may not be able to sell them when the Subadviser believes it is desirable to do so.

 

 

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Market Events Risk. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, investor sentiment, the global and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other asset. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, public health events, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

The rapid and global spread of a highly contagious novel coronavirus respiratory disease, designated COVID-19, first detected in China in December 2019, has resulted in extreme volatility in the financial markets and severe losses; reduced liquidity of many instruments; restrictions on international and, in some cases, local travel, significant disruptions to business operations (including business closures); strained healthcare systems; disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and employee availability; and widespread uncertainty regarding the duration and long-term effects of this pandemic. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may result in a sustained economic downturn or a global recession, domestic and foreign political and social instability, damage to diplomatic and international trade relations and increased volatility and/or decreased liquidity in the securities markets. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. Certain risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and counterparty risk, may be heightened as a result of such market events. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, are taking extraordinary actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including by pushing interest rates to very low levels. This and other government intervention into the economy and financial markets to address the COVID-19 pandemic may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.

Market Price Discount from Net Asset Value Risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk is separate

 

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Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities and may be a greater risk to investors expecting to sell their Common Stock in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the Common Stock will depend not upon the Fund’s net asset value but upon whether the market price of the Common Stock at the time of sale is above or below the investor’s purchase price for the Common Stock.

Because the market price of the Common Stock will be determined by factors such as relative supply of and demand for the Common Stock in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the Common Stock will trade at, above or below net asset value or at, above or below the initial public offering price. The Fund’s Common Stock is designed primarily for long term investors and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. Changes to the investments of the Fund may be made regardless of the length of time particular investments have been held. A high portfolio turnover rate may result in increased transaction costs for the Fund in the form of increased dealer spreads and other transactional costs, which may have an adverse impact on performance. The portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will vary from year to year, as well as within a year.

Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The subadviser and each individual portfolio manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.

Anti-Takeover Provisions Risk. The Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that are designed to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund for short-term objectives, including by converting the Fund to open-end status or changing the composition of the Board, that may be detrimental to the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Such provisions may limit the ability of shareholders to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. There can be no assurance, however, that such provisions will be sufficient to deter activist investors that seek to cause the Fund to take actions that may not be aligned with the interests of long-term shareholders.

Temporary Defensive Strategies Risk. When Western Asset anticipates unusual market or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies as a defensive measure and invest all or a portion of its assets in obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other investment grade debt securities; investment grade commercial paper; certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances; repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing investments or any other fixed

 

 

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income securities that Western Asset considers consistent with this strategy. To the extent that the Fund invests defensively, it may not achieve its investment objective.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions Risk. The Fund may use when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to purchase securities. The value of securities purchased in these transactions may decrease before they are delivered to the Fund. Also, the yield on securities purchased in these transactions may be higher in the market when the delivery takes place.

Repurchase Agreements Risk. The Fund may use repurchase agreements to manage its cash position. If the other party to the agreement defaults, the Fund may not be able to sell the underlying securities. If the Fund must assert its rights against the other party to recover the securities, the Fund will incur unexpected expenses, risk losing the income on the security and bear the risk of loss in the value of the security.

Lending Securities Risk. If the party borrowing the Fund’s securities fails financially, the Fund may be unable to recover the loaned securities.

Operational risk. The valuation of the Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted because of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers or trading counterparties. It is not possible to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or mitigate the occurrence of such failures. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity incidents, both intentional and unintentional, may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, Fund or proprietary information, cause the Fund, the Fund’s manager and subadviser and/or their service providers to suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of operational functionality or prevent fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Fund, manager and subadviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or the manager. Cybersecurity incidents may result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs may be incurred in an effort to prevent or mitigate future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.

More Information

For a complete list of the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions and more detailed descriptions of the Fund’s investment policies, strategies and risks, see the Fund’s

 

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Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

registration statement on Form N-2 in connection with the Fund’s public offering in April 28, 2001, as amended or superseded by subsequent disclosures. The Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

 

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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

 

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.

(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

 

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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

 

 

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Important tax information (unaudited)

 

By mid-February, tax information related to a shareholder’s proportionate share of distributions paid during the preceding calendar year will be received, if applicable. Please also refer to www.franklintempleton.com for per share tax information related to any distributions paid during the preceding calendar year. Shareholders are advised to consult with their tax advisors for further information on the treatment of these amounts on their tax returns.

The following tax information for the Fund is required to be furnished to shareholders with respect to income earned and distributions paid during its fiscal year.

The Fund hereby reports the following amounts, or if subsequently determined to be different, the maximum allowable amounts, for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022:

 

       Pursuant to:        Amount Reported  
Exempt-Interest Dividends Distributed    § 852(b)(5)(A)      $ 3,969,230  

 

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Western Asset

Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

 

Directors

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

Jane Trust

Chairman

Officers

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher Berarducci

Treasurer and Principal Financial

Officer

Fred Jensen

Chief Compliance Officer

George P. Hoyt

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Thomas C. Mandia*

Senior Vice President

Jeanne M. Kelly

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

Western Asset Management Company, LLC

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

Auction agent

Deutsche Bank

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

 

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

Legal counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

900 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

SBI

 

*

Effective February 10, 2022, Mr. Mandia became a Senior Vice President.


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the LeggMason Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Legg Mason Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include the Western Asset Money Market Funds sold by the Funds’ distributor, Franklin Distributors, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.

The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You

The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:

 

 

Personal information included on applications or other forms;

 

 

Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;

 

 

Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation; and

 

 

Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses.

How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You

The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:

 

 

Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely for the Funds;

 

 

Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds’ employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

 

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.

The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.

Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices

The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time, they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.

The Funds’ Security Practices

The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.

Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.

In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.franklintempleton.com, or contact the Funds at 1-877-721-1926 for the Western Asset Money Market Funds or 1-888-777-0102 for the Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds.

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Legg Mason California Consumer Privacy Act Policy

Although much of the personal information we collect is “nonpublic personal information” subject to federal law, residents of California may, in certain circumstances, have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). For example, if you are a broker, dealer, agent, fiduciary, or representative acting by or on behalf of, or for, the account of any other person(s) or household, or a financial advisor, or if you have otherwise provided personal information to us separate from the relationship we have with personal investors, the provisions of this Privacy Policy apply to your personal information (as defined by the CCPA).

In addition to the provisions of the Legg Mason Funds Security and Privacy Notice, you may have the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

You also have the right to request the deletion of the personal information collected or maintained by the Funds.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights you have in respect of your personal information, you should advise the Funds by contacting them as set forth below. The rights noted above are subject to our other legal and regulatory obligations and any exemptions under the CCPA. You may designate an authorized agent to make a rights request on your behalf, subject to the identification process described below. We do not discriminate based on requests for information related to our use of your personal information, and you have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment related to the exercise of your privacy rights.

We may request information from you in order to verify your identity or authority in making such a request. If you have appointed an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, or you are an authorized agent making such a request (such as a power of attorney or other written permission), this process may include providing a password/passcode, a copy of government issued identification, affidavit or other applicable documentation, i.e. written permission. We may require you to verify your identity directly even when using an authorized agent, unless a power of attorney has been provided. We reserve the right to deny a request submitted by an agent if suitable and appropriate proof is not provided.

For the 12-month period prior to the date of this Privacy Policy, the Legg Mason Funds have not sold any of your personal information; nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.

Contact Information

Address: Data Privacy Officer, 100 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-800-396-4748

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT


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Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its stock.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on Franklin Templeton’s website, which can be accessed at www.franklintempleton.com. Any reference to Franklin Templeton’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate Franklin Templeton’s website in this report.

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

WASX010710 1/23 SR22-4570


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ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that Eileen A. Kamerick and Nisha Kumar, are the members of the Board’s Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert”.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the previous fiscal years ending November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $43,000 in November 30, 2021 and $43,000 in November 30, 2022.

(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements were $0 in November 30, 2021 and $0 in November 30, 2022.

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $9,750 in November 30, 2021 and $9,750 in November 30, 2022. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees for other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item for the Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. were $0 in November 30, 2021 and $0 in November 30, 2022.

All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisors, LLC (“LMPFA”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.

(e) Audit Committee’s pre—approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The


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Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.

The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

(2) None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were performed in reliance on paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc., LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. during the reporting period were $343,489 in November 30, 2021 and $350,359 in November 30, 2022.

(h) Yes. Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.

(i) Not applicable.

(j) Not applicable.


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ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

a) Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)58(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

b) Not applicable

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLOCIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Western Asset Management Company, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

BACKGROUND

An investment adviser is required to adopt and implement policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established through investment management agreements or comparable documents. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities have been established for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the investment manager.

POLICY

As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies is very rare. However, the Firm has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the Investment Manager.

While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the Firm’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).

In exercising its voting authority, Western Asset will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Franklin Resources (Franklin Resources includes Franklin Resources, Inc. and organizations operating as Franklin Resources) or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset affiliated companies) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.


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Procedures

Responsibility and Oversight

The Western Asset Legal and Compliance Department is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support (“Corporate Actions”). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

Client Authority

The Investment Management Agreement for each client is reviewed at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Legal and Compliance Department maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

Proxy Gathering

Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (“Proxy Recipients”) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

Proxy Voting

Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Legal and Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

 

  a.

Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

 

  b.

Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority.

 

  c.

Legal and Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.)

 

  d.

If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

 

  e.

Legal and Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.

 

  f.

Legal and Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

Timing

Western Asset’s Legal and Compliance Department personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.


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Recordkeeping

Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:

 

   

A copy of Western Asset’s proxy voting policies and procedures.

 

   

Copies of proxy statements received with respect to securities in client accounts.

 

   

A copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies.

 

   

Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset’s written response to both verbal and written client requests.

 

   

A proxy log including:

 

  1.

Issuer name;

 

  2.

Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted;

 

  3.

Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares to be voted;

 

  4.

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

  5.

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

 

  6.

Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

 

  7.

A record of how the vote was cast; and

 

  8.

Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team.

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years with the first two years in Western Asset’s offices.

Disclosure

Western Asset’s proxy policies and procedures are described in the firm’s Part 2A of Form ADV. Clients are provided with a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted, upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

All proxies are reviewed by the Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:

 

  1.

Whether Western Asset (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;

 

  2.

Whether Western Asset or an officer or director of Western Asset or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

 

  3.

Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

Voting Guidelines

Western Asset’s substantive voting decisions are based on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.

Situations can arise in which more than one Western Asset client invests in instruments of the same issuer or in which a single client may invest in instruments of the same issuer but in multiple accounts or strategies. Multiple clients or the same client in multiple accounts or strategies may have different investment objectives, investment styles, or investment professionals involved in making decisions. While there may be differences, votes are always cast in the best interests of the client and the investment objectives agreed with Western Asset. As a result, there may be circumstances where Western Asset casts different votes on behalf of different clients or on behalf of the same client with multiple accounts or strategies.


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Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors; Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.

 

I.

Board Approved Proposals

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

 

  1.

Matters relating to the Board of Directors

Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company’s nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

 

  a.

Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

 

  b.

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

 

  c.

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

 

  d.

Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

 

  2.

Matters relating to Executive Compensation

Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company’s long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

 

   

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

 

   

Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options.

 

   

Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price.

 

   

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

 

  3.

Matters relating to Capitalization

The management of a company’s capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company’s capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

  a.

Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock.

 

  b.

Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits).


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  c.

Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs.

 

  4.

Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions

Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.

 

  5.

Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures

Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

 

  a.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans.

 

  b.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

 

  6.

Other Business Matters

Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

 

  a.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws.

 

  b.

Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

 

  7.

Reporting of Financially Material Information

Western Asset generally believes issuers should disclose information that is material to their business. This principle extends to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. What qualifies as “material” can vary, so votes are cast on a case by case basis but consistent with the overarching principle.

 

II.

Shareholder Proposals

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

 

  1.

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans.

 

  2.

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset’s proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals.

 

  3.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

Environmental or social issues that are the subject of a proxy vote will be considered on a case by case basis. Constructive proposals that seek to advance the health of the issuer and the prospect for risk-adjusted returns to Western Assets clients are viewed more favorably than proposals that advance a single issue or limit the ability of management to meet its operating objectives.

 

III.

Voting Shares of Investment Companies

Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.

 

  1.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients’ portfolios.

 

  2.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.


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IV.

Voting Shares of Foreign Issuers

In the event Western Asset is required to vote on securities held in non-U.S. issuers – i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

 

  1.

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management.

 

  2.

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees.

 

  3.

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges, and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated.

 

  4.

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.

 

V.

Environmental, Social and Governance Matters

Western Asset considers ESG matters as part of the overall investment process. The Firm seeks to identify and consider material risks to the investment thesis, including material risks presented by ESG factors. While Western Asset is primarily a fixed income manager, opportunities to vote proxies are considered on the investment merits of the instruments and strategies involved.

As a general proposition, Western Asset votes to encourage disclosure of information material to their business. This principle extends to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. What qualifies as “material” can vary, so votes are cast on a case by case basis but consistent with the overarching principle. Western Asset recognizes that objective standards and criteria may not be available or universally agreed and that there may be different views and subjective analysis regarding factors and their significance.

As a general matter, Western Asset votes to encourage management and governance practices that enhance the strength of the issuer, build value for investors, and mitigate risks that might threaten their ability to operate and navigate competitive pressures.

Targeted environmental or social issues that are the subject of a proxy vote will be considered on a case by case basis. Constructive proposals that seek to advance the health of the issuer and the prospect for risk-adjusted returns to Western Assets clients are viewed more favorably than proposals that advance a single issue or limit the ability of management to meet its operating objectives.

Western Asset’s engagement process is aligned with the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and engages with issuers on the principles enshrined within it. Some of these issues include, but are not restricted to, Climate Risk and Environmental Management, Diversity and Development of Talent, Human Rights and Supply Chain Management, Product Safety and Security, Transparency in Reporting and Governance and Corporate Management As such, Western Asset seeks to integrate ESG principles into investment analysis where applicable and consistent with the Firm’s fiduciary duties. Although bondholders possess very different legal rights than shareholders, Western Asset believes it can impact ESG practices given its role in determining issuers’ cost of debt capital. By reinforcing the linkage between ESG practices and the cost of capital in meetings with issues, Western Asset seeks to guide issuers to improve their behavior around material ESG issues. Proxy voting practices reflect these priorities.

Situations can arise in which different clients and strategies have explicit ESG objectives beyond generally taking into account material ESG risks. Votes may be cast for such clients with the ESG objectives in mind. Votes involving ESG proposals that are not otherwise addressed in this policy will be voted on a case-by-case basis


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consistent with the Firm’s fiduciary duties to its clients, the potential consequences to the investment thesis for that issuer, and the specific facts and circumstances of each proposal.

Retirement Accounts

For accounts subject to ERISA, as well as other Retirement Accounts, Western Asset is presumed to have the responsibility to vote proxies for the client. The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued a bulletin that states that investment managers have the responsibility to vote proxies on behalf of Retirement Accounts unless the authority to vote proxies has been specifically reserved to another named fiduciary. Furthermore, unless Western Asset is expressly precluded from voting the proxies, the DOL has determined that the responsibility remains with the investment manager.

In order to comply with the DOL’s position, Western Asset will be presumed to have the obligation to vote proxies for its Retirement Accounts unless Western Asset has obtained a specific written instruction indicating that: (a) the right to vote proxies has been reserved to a named fiduciary of the client, and (b) Western Asset is precluded from voting proxies on behalf of the client. If Western Asset does not receive such an instruction, Western Asset will be responsible for voting proxies in the best interests of the Retirement Account client and in accordance with any proxy voting guidelines provided by the client.


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Western Asset Management Company Limited

Proxy Voting and Corporate Actions Policy

NOTE: Below policy relating to Proxy Voting and Corporate Actions is a global policy for all Western Asset affiliates. As compliance with the Policy is monitored by Western Asset Pasadena affiliate, the Policy has been adopted from US Compliance Manual and therefore all defined terms are those defined in the US Compliance Manual rather than UK Compliance Manual.

As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies is very rare. However, the Firm has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the Investment Manager.

While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the Firm’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).

In exercising its voting authority, Western Asset will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Legg Mason Inc. or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset affiliated companies) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.

RESPONSIBILITY AND OVERSIGHT

The Western Asset Legal and Compliance Department (“Compliance Department”) is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support (“Corporate Actions”). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

CLIENT AUTHORITY

The Investment Management Agreement for each client is reviewed at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Legal and Compliance Department maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

PROXY GATHERING

Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (“Proxy Recipients”) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

PROXY VOTING

Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Legal and Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

 

   

Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

 

   

Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority.


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Legal and Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.)

 

   

If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

 

   

Legal and Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.

 

   

Legal and Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

TIMING

Western Asset personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.

RECORDKEEPING

Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Section 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:

A copy of Western Asset’s policies and procedures.

Copies of proxy statements received regarding client securities.

A copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies.

Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset’s written response to both verbal and written client requests.

A proxy log including:

 

   

Issuer name;

 

   

Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted;

 

   

Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares to be voted;

 

   

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

   

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

 

   

Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

 

   

A record of how the vote was cast; and

 

   

Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team.

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in Western Asset’s offices.

DISCLOSURE

Western Asset’s proxy policies are described in the firm’s Part 2A of Form ADV. Clients will be provided a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, upon request, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All proxies are reviewed by the Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:

 

   

Whether Western (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;


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Whether Western or an officer or director of Western or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

 

   

Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

VOTING GUIDELINES

Western Asset’s substantive voting decisions turn on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.

Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors; Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.

BOARD APPROVAL PROPOSALS

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

Matters relating to the Board of Directors – Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company’s nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

 

   

Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

 

   

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

 

   

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

 

   

Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

Matters relating to Executive Compensation – Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company’s long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by- case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

 

   

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

 

   

Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options.

 

   

Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price.

 

   

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

Matters relating to Capitalization – The management of a company’s capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board- approved proposals involving changes to a company’s capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

   

Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock;


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Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits);

 

   

Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs;

 

   

Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions;

 

   

Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions;

Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures – Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans;

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

Other Business Matters – Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws;

 

   

Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans;

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset’s proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals;

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

VOTING SHARES OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients’ portfolios;

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.

VOTING SHARES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS

In the event Western Asset is required to vote on securities held in non-U.S. issuers – i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management;

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees;

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated;

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights,


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or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

For accounts subject to ERISA, as well as other Retirement Accounts, Western Asset is presumed to have the responsibility to vote proxies for the client. The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued a bulletin that states that investment managers have the responsibility to vote proxies on behalf of Retirement Accounts unless the authority to vote proxies has been specifically reserved to another named fiduciary.

Furthermore, unless Western Asset is expressly precluded from voting the proxies, the DOL has determined that the responsibility remains with the investment manager.

In order to comply with the DOL’s position, Western Asset will be presumed to have the obligation to vote proxies for its Retirement Accounts unless Western Asset has obtained a specific written instruction indicating that: (a) the right to vote proxies has been reserved to a named fiduciary of the client, and (b) Western Asset is precluded from voting proxies on behalf of the client. If Western Asset does not receive such an instruction, Western Asset will be responsible for voting proxies in the best interests of the Retirement Account client and in accordance with any proxy voting guidelines provided by the client.

CORPORATE ACTIONS

Western Asset must pay strict attention to any corporate actions that are taken with respect to issuers whose securities are held in client accounts. For example, Western Asset must review any tender offers, rights offerings, etc., made in connection with securities owned by clients. Western Asset must also act in a timely manner and in the best interest of each client with respect to any such corporate actions.


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Western Asset Management Company Ltd (“WAMJ”) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

POLICY

As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies for WAMJ is very rare. However, the Firm has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients.

While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the Firm’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).

In exercising its voting authority, WAMJ will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Legg Mason Inc. or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset affiliated companies) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.

PROCEDURE

Responsibility and Oversight

The WAMJ Legal and Compliance Department (“Compliance Department”) is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Operations (“Corporate Actions”). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

Client Authority

The Investment Management Agreement for each client is reviewed at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority, WAMJ will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Legal and Compliance Department maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

Proxy Gathering

Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (“Proxy Recipients”) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if WAMJ becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If WAMJ personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

Proxy Voting

Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Legal and Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

 

  a.

Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

 

  b.

Impacted accounts are checked to confirm WAMJ voting authority.

 

  c.

Legal and Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.)

 

  d.

If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and WAMJ obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by


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  applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle), WAMJ seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

 

  e.

Legal and Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, WAMJ may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.

 

  f.

Legal and Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

Timing

WAMJ personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.

Recordkeeping

WAMJ maintains records of proxies. These records include:

 

  a.

A copy of WAMJ’s policies and procedures.

 

  b.

Copies of proxy statements received regarding client securities.

 

  c.

A copy of any document created by WAMJ that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies.

 

  d.

Each written client request for proxy voting records and WAMJ’s written response to both verbal and written client requests.

 

  e.

A proxy log including:

 

  1.

Issuer name;

 

  2.

Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted;

 

  3.

Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares to be voted;

 

  4.

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

  5.

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

 

  6.

Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

 

  7.

A record of how the vote was cast; and

 

  8.

Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team.

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in WAMJ’s offices.

Disclosure

WAMJ’s proxy policies are described in the firm’s Part 2A of Form ADV. Clients will be provided a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, upon request, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted.

Conflicts of Interest

All proxies are reviewed by the Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:


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  1.

Whether Western (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;

 

  2.

Whether Western or an officer or director of Western or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

 

  3.

Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

Voting Guidelines

WAMJ’s substantive voting decisions turn on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.

Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors; Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.

 

  1b.

Board Approved Proposals

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, WAMJ generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

 

  1.

Matters relating to the Board of Directors

WAMJ votes proxies for the election of the company’s nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

 

  a.

Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

 

  b.

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

 

  c.

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

 

  d.

Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

 

  2.

Matters relating to Executive Compensation

WAMJ generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company’s long- term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

 

  a.

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, WAMJ votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

 

  b.

WAMJ votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options.


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  c.

WAMJ votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price.

 

  d.

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, WAMJ votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

 

  3.

Matters relating to Capitalization

The management of a company’s capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company’s capitalization except where WAMJ is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

  a.

WAMJ votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock.

 

  b.

WAMJ votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits).

 

  c.

WAMJ votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs.

 

  4.

Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions WAMJ votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.

 

  5.

Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures

WAMJ votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

 

  a.

WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans.

 

  b.

WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

 

  6.

Other Business Matters

WAMJ votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

 

  a.

WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws.

 

  b.

WAMJ votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

 

  2b.

Shareholder Proposals

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. WAMJ votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

 

  a.

WAMJ votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans.

 

  b.

WAMJ votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with WAMJ’s proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals.

 

  c.

WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

  3b.

Voting Shares of Investment Companies

WAMJ may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.


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WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients’ portfolios.

 

   

WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.

 

  4b.

Voting Shares of Foreign Issuers

In the event WAMJ is required to vote on securities held in non-U.S. issuers – i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

 

  1.

WAMJ votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management.

 

  2.

WAMJ votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees.

 

  3.

WAMJ votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges, and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated.

WAMJ votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.


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Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“WAMS”)

Compliance Policies and Procedures

Proxy Voting

WAMS has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and the applicable laws and regulations. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts.

While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the Firm’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).

In exercising its voting authority, WAMS will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Legg Mason Inc. or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset affiliated companies) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.

Procedure

Responsibility and Oversight

The Western Asset Legal and Compliance Department is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support (“Corporate Actions”). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

Client Authority

The Investment Management Agreement for each client is reviewed  at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Legal and Compliance Department maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

Proxy Gathering

Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (“Proxy Recipients”) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

Proxy Voting

Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Legal and Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

 

  1.

Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

 

  2.

Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority.

 

  3.

Legal and Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. [See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.]


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  4.

If a material conflict of interest exists, (4.1) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (4.2) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

 

  5.

Legal and Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.

 

  6.

Legal and Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (4) or (5) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

Timing

Western Asset personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.

Recordkeeping

Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Section 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:

 

   

A copy of Western Asset’s policies and procedures.

 

   

Copies of proxy statements received regarding client securities.

 

   

A copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies.

 

   

Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset’s written response to both verbal and written client requests.

 

   

A proxy log including:

 

   

Issuer name;

 

   

Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted;

 

   

Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares to be voted;

 

   

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

   

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

 

   

Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

 

   

A record of how the vote was cast; and

 

   

Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team.

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in Western Asset’s offices.

Disclosure

Western Asset’s proxy policies are described in the firm’s Part 2A of Form ADV. Clients will be provided a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, upon request, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted.

Conflicts of Interest

All proxies are reviewed by the Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:


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Whether Western (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;

 

   

Whether Western or an officer or director of Western or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

 

   

Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

Voting Guidelines

Western Asset’s substantive voting decisions turn on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid the decision making process.

Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part 1 deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors; Part 2 deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part 3 addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part 4 addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers

Part 1 - Board  Approved Proposals 

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve  proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

 

   

Matters relating to the Board of Directors. Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company’s nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

 

   

Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

 

   

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

 

   

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

 

   

Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

 

   

Matters relating to Executive Compensation. Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company’s long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

 

   

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

 

   

Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or re-pricing of underwater options.

 

   

Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price.

 

   

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

 

   

Matters relating to Capitalization. The management of a company’s capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are


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unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company’s capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

   

Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock.

 

   

Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits).

 

   

Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs.

 

   

Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions. Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.

 

   

Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures. Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

 

   

Other Business Matters. Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws.

 

   

Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

Part 2 - Shareholder Proposals

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans.

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset’s proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

Part 3 – Voting Shares of Investment Companies

Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts 1 and 2 above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients’ portfolios.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g. proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.

Part 4 – Voting Shares of Foreign Issuers

In the event Western Asset is required to vote on securities held in non-U.S. issuers – i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management.


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Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees.

 

   

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges, and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated.

 

   

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have pre-emptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders have pre-emptive rights.

Retirement Accounts

For accounts subject to ERISA, as well as other Retirement Accounts, Western Asset is presumed to have the responsibility to vote proxies for the client. The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has issued a bulletin that states that investment managers have the responsibility to vote proxies on behalf of Retirement Accounts unless the authority to vote proxies has been specifically reserved to another named fiduciary. Furthermore, unless Western Asset is expressly precluded from voting the proxies, the DOL has determined that the responsibility remains with the investment manager. In order to comply with the DOL’s position, Western Asset will be presumed to have the obligation to vote proxies for its Retirement Accounts unless Western Asset has obtained a specific written instruction indicating that: (1) the right to vote proxies has been reserved to a named fiduciary of the client, and (2) Western Asset is precluded from voting proxies on behalf of the client. If Western Asset does not receive such an instruction, Western Asset will be responsible for voting proxies in the best interests of the Retirement Account client and in accordance with any proxy voting guidelines provided by the client.


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ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

(a)(1) :

 

NAME AND

ADDRESS

   LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED
  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS

S. Kenneth Leech

Western Asset

385 East

Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91101

   Since 2014    Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset from 1998 to 2008 and since 2014; Senior Advisor/Chief Investment Officer Emeritus of Western Asset from 2008-2013; Co- Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset from 2013-2014.

David Fare

Western Asset

385 East

Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA

91101

   Since 2006    Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Fare was with Citigroup Asset Management or one of its affiliates since 1989.

Robert Amodeo

Western Asset

385 East

Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA

91101

   Since 2007    Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Amodeo was a Managing Director and portfolio manager with Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc from 1992 to 2005.


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(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL

The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the above named fund’s investment professional responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of November 30, 2022.

Other Accounts Managed by Investment Professional

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the below named fund’s investment professional has day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.

 

Name of PM

  

Type of Account

  

Number of
Accounts
Managed

   Total Assets
Managed
    

Number of
Accounts
Managed for
which
Advisory Fee
is
Performance-
Based

   Assets Managed
for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-
Based
 

S. Kenneth Leech‡

   Other Registered Investment Companies    95    $ 143.74 billion      None      None  
   Other Pooled Vehicles    319    $ 71.67 billion      27    $ 2.82 billion  
   Other Accounts    642    $ 176.77 billion      26    $ 14.94 billion  

Robert E. Amodeo‡

   Other Registered Investment Companies    19    $ 10.64 billion      None      None  
   Other Pooled Vehicles    4    $ 1.21 billion      None      None  
   Other Accounts    10    $ 3.06 billion      None      None  

David T. Fare‡

   Other Registered Investment Companies    17    $ 10.12 billion      None      None  
   Other Pooled Vehicles    3    $ 1.19 billion      None      None  
   Other Accounts    4    $ 1.47 billion      None      None  

 

The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). Mr. Leech is involved in the management of all the Firm’s portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western Asset’s investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. They are responsible for overseeing implementation of Western Asset’s overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.


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(a)(3): Investment Professional Compensation

Conflicts of Interest

The Subadviser has adopted compliance policies and procedures to address a wide range of potential conflicts of interest that could directly impact client portfolios. For example, potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios (including portfolios managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a portfolio’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers are privy to the size, timing, and possible market impact of a portfolio’s trades.

It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Subadviser or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Subadviser has adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. Eligible accounts that can participate in a trade generally share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis, taking into account differences based on factors such as cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

With respect to securities transactions, the Subadviser determines which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Subadviser may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for a portfolio in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each portfolio and/or other account. The Subadviser’s team approach to portfolio management and block trading approach seeks to limit this potential risk.

The Subadviser also maintains a gift and entertainment policy to address the potential for a business contact to give gifts or host entertainment events that may influence the business judgment of an employee. Employees are permitted to retain gifts of only a nominal value and are required to make reimbursement for entertainment events above a certain value. All gifts (except those of a de minimis value) and entertainment events that are given or sponsored by a business contact are required to be reported in a gift and entertainment log which is reviewed on a regular basis for possible issues.

Employees of the Subadviser have access to transactions and holdings information regarding client accounts and the Subadviser’s overall trading activities. This information represents a potential conflict of interest because employees may take advantage of this information as they trade in their personal accounts. Accordingly, the Subadviser maintains a Code of Ethics that is compliant with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act to address personal trading. In addition, the Code of Ethics seeks to establish broader principles of good conduct and fiduciary responsibility in all aspects of the Subadviser’s business. The Code of Ethics is administered by the Legal and Compliance Department and monitored through the Subadviser’s compliance monitoring program.

The Subadviser may also face other potential conflicts of interest with respect to managing client assets, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist. The Subadviser also maintains a compliance monitoring program and engages independent auditors to conduct a SOC1/ISAE 3402 audit on an annual basis. These steps help to ensure that potential conflicts of interest have been addressed.


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Investment Professional Compensation

With respect to the compensation of the Fund’s investment professionals, the Subadviser’s compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation range, which is derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with its job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience and ability to produce desired results. Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits and a retirement plan.

In addition, the Subadviser’s employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Subadviser, and are determined by the professional’s job function and pre-tax performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. The principal factor considered is an investment professional’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks (e.g., a securities index and with respect to the Fund, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus to which the Fund’s average annual total returns are compared or, if none, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s annual report). Performance is reviewed on a 1, 3 and 5 year basis for compensation—with 3 and 5 years having a larger emphasis. The Subadviser may also measure an investment professional’s pre-tax investment performance against other benchmarks, as it determines appropriate. Because investment professionals are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Fund) with similar investment strategies, they are generally compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. Other factors that may be considered when making bonus decisions include client service, business development, length of service to the Subadviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Subadviser’s business.

Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all investment professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.

Investment Professional Securities Ownership

The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the named investment professional as of November 30, 2022.

 

Investment Professional

   Dollar Range of
Portfolio
Securities
Beneficially
Owned

S. Kenneth Leech

   A

David T. Fare

   A

Robert Amodeo

   B

Dollar Range ownership is as follows:

A: none

B: $1 - $10,000

C: 10,001 - $50,000

D: $50,001 - $100,000

E: $100,001 - $500,000

F: $500,001 - $1 million

G: over $1 million


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ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.

Exhibit  99.CODE ETH

(a) (2)  Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CERT

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.906CERT


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

 

By:   /s/ Jane Trust
  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   January 25, 2023

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:   /s/ Jane Trust
  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   January 25, 2023
By:   /s/ Christopher Berarducci
  Christopher Berarducci
  Principal Financial Officer
Date:   January 25, 2023

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

CODE OF ETHICS

CERTIFICATION (302)

CERTIFICATION (906)



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