UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
[ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant
to Section 240.14a-12
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Eaton Vance
Municipal Bond Fund
(Name of
Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s)
Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check
all boxes that apply):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee paid previously with
preliminary materials
[ ] Fee computed on table in
exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11
Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
June 20, 2024
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
(the “Annual Meeting”) of Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”), which will be held at the principal office
of the Fund, One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time).
At this Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider the election
of Trustees of the Fund. The enclosed proxy statement contains additional information.
I hope that you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether
or not you plan to attend and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that your shares be represented. I urge you
to complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope as soon as possible to assure that
your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Kenneth A. Topping
Kenneth A. Topping
President
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT - PLEASE RETURN YOUR
PROXY CARD PROMPTLY.
It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend, you are requested to complete, date, sign and return the applicable enclosed proxy card as soon as
possible. You may withdraw your proxy if you attend the Annual Meeting and desire to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024: The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement,
Proxy Card(s) and Shareholder Report are available on the Eaton Vance website at https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php.
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund,
a Massachusetts business trust (the “Fund”), will be held at the principal office of the Fund, One Post Office Square, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) (the “Annual Meeting”), for the following purposes:
| (1) | To elect three Class I Trustees, Mark R. Fetting, Valerie A. Mosley and Keith Quinton, each to be elected by the shareholders of the
Fund. |
| (2) | To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjourned or postponed session
thereof. |
Any such vote FOR or AGAINST the proposal will also authorize the
persons named as proxies to vote accordingly FOR or AGAINST any such adjournment of the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has fixed the close of business
on May 28, 2024 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders of the Fund entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
By Order of the Board of Trustees of the Fund
/s/ Nicholas S. Di Lorenzo
Nicholas S. Di Lorenzo
Secretary
June 20, 2024
Boston, Massachusetts
IMPORTANT
Shareholders can help the Board of Trustees of the Fund avoid the
necessity and additional expense to the Fund of further solicitations by promptly returning the enclosed proxy. The enclosed addressed
envelope requires no postage if mailed in the United States and is intended for your convenience.
Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Trustees of Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”). The proxies will be voted at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting
will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) at the principal office of the Fund, One Post Office Square, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, as discussed further herein. The Annual Meeting will be held for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice.
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy cards are first being sent or given to shareholders on or about June 20, 2024.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board” or the
“Board of Trustees”) has fixed the close of business on May 28, 2024 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. As of May 28, 2024, there were
71,153,184 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Shares”), of the Fund outstanding. See
“Proxy Solicitation, Tabulation and Voting Requirements” below for additional information. To the knowledge of the Fund, based
on filings made on Schedules 13D and 13G pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange
Act”), one or more shareholders of the Fund owns 5% or more of the Fund's Common Shares as of May 28, 2024. Information relating
to such shareholders can be found on Exhibit B. Also as of May 28, 2024, to the Fund’s knowledge: (i) no other shareholder owned
5% or more of the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund, and (ii) the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, individually and as
a group, owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund.
Shareholders as of the close of business on the record date of May
28, 2024, who have voting power with respect to such shares, are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. All properly executed
proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Each proxy will be voted in accordance with its instructions;
if no instruction is given, an executed proxy will authorize the persons named on the proxy card enclosed as proxies, or any of them,
to vote FOR the election of each Trustee. An executed proxy delivered to the Fund is revocable by the person giving it, prior to its exercise,
by a signed writing filed with the Fund’s Secretary, by executing and delivering a later dated proxy, or by attending the Annual
Meeting and voting the shares at the Annual Meeting. Merely attending the Annual Meeting will not revoke a previously executed proxy.
If you hold Fund shares through an intermediary (such as a broker, bank, adviser or custodian), please consult with the intermediary regarding
your ability to revoke voting instructions after they have been provided.
If you are a record holder of Fund shares and plan to attend the Annual
Meeting, you must show a valid photo identification (such as a driver’s license) to gain admission to the Annual Meeting. Please
call 1-800-262-1122 for information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting.
If you hold Fund shares through an intermediary and plan to attend
and vote at the Annual Meeting, you will be required to show a valid photo identification and your authority to vote your shares (referred
to as a “legal proxy”) to gain admission to the Annual Meeting. As described above, you must contact your intermediary to
obtain a legal proxy for your shares.
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
The Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that
a majority of the Trustees shall fix the number of the entire Board and that such number shall be at least two and no greater than fifteen.
The Board has fixed the number of Trustees at ten. Under the terms of the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Board of
Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years to expire on the date of the third Annual Meeting following
its election. Thus, this could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board.
| Proxies will be voted for the election of the following nominees: |
| |
a. |
Three Class I Trustees, Mark R. Fetting, Valerie A. Mosley and Keith Quinton, each to be elected by the shareholders of the Fund. |
The Board of Trustees recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election
of the Trustee nominees of the Fund.
Each nominee is currently serving as a Trustee of the Fund and has
consented to continue to so serve. In the event that a nominee is unable to serve for any reason (which is not now expected) when the
election occurs, the accompanying proxy will be voted for such other person or persons as the Board of Trustees may recommend. Election
of Trustees is non-cumulative. Shareholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the proposal in this proxy statement.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 1 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Each nominee shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality
of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.
No nominee is a party adverse to the Fund or any of its affiliates in any material pending legal proceeding, nor does any nominee have
an interest materially adverse to such Fund.
The following table presents certain information regarding the current
Trustees of the Fund, including the principal occupations of each such person for at least the last
five years.
| Name and Year of Birth |
|
Fund Position(s) |
|
Trustee Since(1) |
|
Current Term Expiring |
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
|
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years |
| Noninterested Trustees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALAN C. BOWSER
1962 |
|
Trustee |
|
2023 |
|
Class III Trustee until 2026. |
|
Private investor. Formerly, Chief Diversity Officer, Partner and a member of the Operating Committee, and formerly served as Senior Advisor on Diversity and Inclusion for the firm’s chief executive officer, Co-Head of the Americas Region, and Senior Client Advisor of Bridgewater Associates, an asset management firm (2011-2023). |
|
Independent Director of Stout Risius Ross (a middle market professional services advisory firm) (since 2021). |
MARK R. FETTING
1954 |
|
Trustee |
|
2016 |
|
Class I Trustee until 2024. |
|
Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000). |
|
None |
CYNTHIA E. FROST
1961 |
|
Trustee |
|
2014 |
|
Class II Trustee until 2025. |
|
Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985). |
|
None |
GEORGE J. GORMAN
1952 |
|
Chairperson of the Board and Trustee |
|
2021 (Chairperson) and 2014 (Trustee) |
|
Class III Trustee until 2026. |
|
Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009). |
|
None |
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 2 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
| Name and Year of Birth |
|
Fund Position(s) |
|
Trustee Since(1) |
|
Current Term Expiring |
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
|
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years |
VALERIE A. MOSLEY
1960 |
|
Trustee |
|
2014 |
|
Class I Trustee until 2024. |
|
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Founder of Upward Wealth, Inc., dba BrightUp, a fintech platform. Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990). |
|
Director of DraftKings, Inc. (digital sports entertainment and gaming company) (since September 2020). Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (2013-2020) and Director of Groupon, Inc. (e-commerce provider) (2020-2022). |
KEITH QUINTON
1958 |
|
Trustee |
|
2018 |
|
Class I Trustee until 2024. |
|
Private investor, researcher and lecturer. Formerly, Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (2017-2021). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014). |
|
Formerly, Director (2016-2021) and Chairman (2019-2021) of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank. |
MARCUS L. SMITH
1966 |
|
Trustee |
|
2018 |
|
Class III Trustee until 2026. |
|
Private investor and independent corporate director. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Canada (2012-2017), Chief Investment Officer, Asia (2010-2012), Director of Asian Research (2004-2010) and portfolio manager (2001-2017) at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm). |
|
Director of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (an industrial REIT) (since 2021). Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018). |
SUSAN J. SUTHERLAND
1957 |
|
Trustee |
|
2015 |
|
Class III Trustee until 2026. |
|
Private investor. Director of Ascot Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries (insurance and reinsurance) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of Hagerty Holding Corp. (insurance) (2015-2018) and Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (insurance and reinsurance) (2013-2015). Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013). |
|
Formerly, Director of Kairos Acquisition Corp. (insurance/InsurTech acquisition company) (2021-2023). |
SCOTT E. WENNERHOLM
1959 |
|
Trustee |
|
2016 |
|
Class II Trustee until 2025. |
|
Private investor. Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997). |
|
None |
NANCY A. WISER
1967 |
|
Trustee |
|
2022 |
|
Class II Trustee until 2025. |
|
Formerly, Executive Vice President and the Global Head of Operations at Wells Fargo Asset Management (2011-2021). |
|
None |
| (1) | Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since
appointment unless indicated otherwise. |
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 3 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Each current Trustee listed above is a Trustee that is not an “interested
person” of the Fund, as that term is used in the 1940 Act (each, a “noninterested Trustee”), and each served as a Trustee
of 127 funds within the Eaton Vance fund complex as of May 28, 2024 (including both funds and portfolios in a hub and spoke structure).
The address of each Trustee is One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
Each Trustee holds office until the Annual Meeting for the year in
which his or her term expires and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to a prior death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal. Under the terms of the Fund’s current Trustee retirement policy, a noninterested Trustee must retire
and resign as a Trustee on the earlier of: (i) the first day of July following his or her 74th birthday; or (ii), with limited
exception, December 31st of the 20th year in which he or she has served as a Trustee. However, if such retirement
and resignation would cause the Fund to be out of compliance with Section 16 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”), or any other regulations or guidance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), then such retirement
and resignation will not become effective until such time as action has been taken for the Fund to be in compliance with Section 16 of
the 1940 Act and any other regulations or guidance of the SEC.
Share Ownership by Trustee
As of May 28, 2024, no Trustee beneficially owned the Fund’s
equity securities. The following table shows, as of May 28, 2024, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee
in all registered investment companies advised or administered by Eaton Vance (the “Eaton Vance family of funds”) overseen
by the Trustee, which may include shares, if any, deemed to be beneficially owned by a noninterested Trustee through a deferred compensation
plan.
| |
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially Owned in Funds
Overseen by Trustee in the
Eaton Vance Family of Funds |
| Noninterested Trustees |
|
| |
Alan C. Bowser |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Mark R. Fetting |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Cynthia E. Frost |
Over $100,000 |
| |
George J. Gorman |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Valerie A. Mosley |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Keith Quinton |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Marcus L. Smith |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Susan J. Sutherland |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Scott E. Wennerholm |
Over $100,000 |
| |
Nancy A. Wiser |
Over $100,000 |
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board has general oversight responsibility with respect to the
business and affairs of the Fund. The Board has engaged an investment adviser and (if applicable) a sub-adviser (collectively, the “adviser”)
to manage the Fund. The Fund’s investment adviser also serves as administrator of the Fund. The Board is responsible for overseeing
such adviser and administrator and other service providers to the Fund. The Board is currently composed of ten noninterested Trustees.
In addition to six regularly scheduled meetings per year, the Board holds special meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific
matters that may require action prior to the next regular meeting. As discussed below, the Board has established six committees to assist
the Board in performing its oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed a noninterested Trustee to serve in the role
of Chairperson. The Chairperson’s primary role is to participate in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and
the identification of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson
also presides at all meetings of the Board and acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Board members
generally between meetings. The Chairperson may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. In addition,
the Board may appoint a noninterested Trustee to serve in the role of Vice-Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson has the power and authority
to perform any or all of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and/or as requested by the
Chairperson. Except for any duties specified herein or pursuant to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, the designation of
Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson does not impose on such noninterested Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than
the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board, generally.
The Fund is subject to a number
of risks, including, among others, investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks. Risk oversight is part of the Board’s
general oversight of the Fund and is addressed as part of various activities of the Board and its Committees.
As part of its oversight of the Fund, the Board directly, or through a Committee, relies on and reviews reports from, among others,
Fund management, the adviser/administrator, the principal underwriter, the Chief
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 4 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Compliance Officer (the “CCO”), and other Fund service
providers responsible for day-to-day oversight of Fund investments, operations and compliance to assist the Board in identifying and
understanding the nature and extent of risks and determining whether, and to what extent, such risks can or should be mitigated. The
Board also interacts with the CCO and with senior personnel of the adviser/administrator, the principal underwriter and other Fund service
providers and provides input on risk management issues during meetings of the Board and its Committees. Each of the adviser/administrator,
the principal underwriter and the other Fund service providers has its own independent interest and responsibilities
in risk management, and its policies and methods for carrying out risk management functions will depend, in part, on its individual priorities,
resources and controls. It is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls
to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks)
to achieve the Fund’s goals.
The Board, with the assistance of management
and with input from the Board’s various committees, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of Fund
performance. The Board has appointed a Fund CCO who oversees the implementation and testing of the Fund’s compliance program and
reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Fund and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board’s
periodic review of the advisory, subadvisory (if applicable), distribution and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider
risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible. With respect to valuation, the Board approves
and periodically reviews valuation policies and procedures applicable to valuing the Fund’s shares. The administrator and the adviser
are responsible for the implementation and day-to-day administration of these valuation policies and procedures and provide reports to
the Audit Committee of the Board and the Board regarding these and related matters. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board or
the Board receives reports periodically from the independent public accounting firm for the Fund regarding tests performed by such firm
on the valuation of all securities, as well as with respect to other risks associated with registered investment companies. Reports received
from service providers, legal counsel and the independent public accounting firm assist the Board in performing its oversight function.
The Fund’s By-Laws set forth specific
qualifications to serve as a Trustee. The Charter of the Governance Committee also sets forth certain factors that the Committee may
take into account in considering noninterested Trustee candidates. In general, no one factor is decisive in the selection of an individual
to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considers when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board are the following:
(i) knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) experience as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii)
educational background; (iv) reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) specific financial, technical or other
expertise possessed by the individual or other experience or background of the individual, and the extent to which such expertise, experience
or background would complement the Board members’ existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications and diversity of
experiences and background; (vi) perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the ability and commitment
to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the ability to qualify as a noninterested
Trustee for purposes of the 1940 Act and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the individual and the Fund; and
(viii) such other factors as the Board determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated
vacancies.
Among the attributes or skills common to all Board members are their
ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other members
of the Board, management, sub-advisers, other service providers, counsel and independent registered public accounting firms, and to exercise
effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as members of the Board. Each Board member’s ability
to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the Board member’s business, consulting, public service and/or
academic positions and through experience from service as a member of the Boards of the Eaton Vance family of funds (“Eaton Vance
Fund Boards”) (and/or in other capacities, including for any predecessor funds), public companies, or non-profit entities or other
organizations as set forth below. Each Board member’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively also has been enhanced by
his or her educational background, professional training, and/or other life experiences.
In respect of each current member of the Board, the individual’s
substantial professional accomplishments and experience, including in fields related to the operations of registered investment companies,
were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a member of the Board. The following is a summary of
each Board member’s particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Board’s conclusion
that he or she should serve as a member of the Board:
Alan C. Bowser. Mr. Bowser has served as a Board member of
the Eaton Vance open-end funds since 2022 and of the Eaton Vance closed-end funds since 2023. Mr. Bowser has over 25 years of experience
in the financial services industry, most of which has been dedicated to leading investment advisory teams serving institutions, family
offices, and ultra-high net worth individuals in the U.S. and Latin America. From 2011-2023, Mr. Bowser served in several capacities at
Bridgewater Associates, an asset management firm, including most recently serving as Chief Diversity Officer and Co-Head of the Americas
Region in addition to being a Partner and a member of the Operating Committee. Prior to joining Bridgewater Associates, he was Managing
Director and Head of Investment Services at UBS Wealth Management Americas from 2007 to 2010 and, before that, Managing Director and Head
of Client Solutions for the Latin America Division at the Citibank Private Bank from 1999 to 2007. Mr. Bowser has been an Independent
Director of Stout Risius Ross since 2021, a founding Board Member and current Board Chair of the Black Hedge Fund Professionals Network
and has served on the Boards of the Robert Toigo Foundation, the New York Urban League, the University of Pennsylvania, and as Vice Chairman
of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Ethics. In 2020, he was recognized as one of the top 100 “EMPower Ethnic Minority Executive Role
Models” and in 2022 he was recognized by Business Insider magazine as one of 14 “Diversity Trailblazers” making corporate
America more inclusive.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 5 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Mark R. Fetting. Mr. Fetting has served as a member of the
Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2016 and is the Chairperson of the Contract Review Committee. He has over 30 years of experience in the
investment management industry as an executive and in various leadership roles. From 2000 through 2012, Mr. Fetting served in several
capacities at Legg Mason, Inc., including most recently serving as President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman from 2008
to his retirement in 2012. He also served as a Director/Trustee and Chairman of the Legg Mason family of funds from 2008-2012 and Director/Trustee
of the Royce family of funds from 2001-2012. From 2001 through 2008, Mr. Fetting also served as President of the Legg Mason family of
funds. From 1991 through 2000, Mr. Fetting served as Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related
companies. Early in his professional career, Mr. Fetting was a Vice President at T. Rowe Price and served in leadership roles within the
firm’s mutual fund division from 1981-1987.
Cynthia E. Frost. Ms. Frost has served as a member of the Eaton
Vance Fund Boards since 2014. From 2000 through 2012, Ms. Frost was the Chief Investment Officer of Brown University, where she oversaw
the evaluation, selection and monitoring of the third party investment managers who managed the university’s endowment. From 1995
through 2000, Ms. Frost was a Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company, which oversaw Duke University’s endowment. Ms. Frost
also served in various investment and consulting roles at Cambridge Associates from 1989-1995, Bain and Company from 1987-1989 and BA
Investment Management Company from 1983-1985. She serves as a member of the investment committee of The MCNC Endowment.
George J. Gorman. Mr. Gorman has served as a member of the
Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014 and is the Independent Chairperson of the Board. From 1974 through 2009, Mr. Gorman served in various
capacities at Ernst & Young LLP, including as a Senior Partner in the Asset Management Group (from 1988) specializing in managing
engagement teams responsible for auditing mutual funds registered with the SEC, hedge funds and private equity funds. Mr. Gorman also
has experience serving as an independent trustee of other mutual fund complexes, including the Bank of America Money Market Funds Series
Trust from 2011-2014 and the Ashmore Funds from 2010-2014.
Valerie A. Mosley. Ms. Mosley has served as a member
of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014 and is the Chairperson of the Governance Committee. In 2020 she founded Upward Wealth, Inc.,
doing business as BrightUp, a fintech platform focused on helping everyday workers grow their net worth and reinforce their self-worth.
From 1992 through 2012, Ms. Mosley served in several capacities at Wellington Management Company, LLP, an investment management firm,
including as a Partner, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist. Ms. Mosley also served as Chief Investment
Officer at PG Corbin Asset Management from 1990-1992 and worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody from 1986-1990.
She is a Director of Envestnet, Inc., a provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness and DraftKings, Inc.,
a digital sports entertainment and gaming company. In addition, she is also a board member of Caribou Financial, Inc., an auto loan refinancing
company. Ms. Mosley previously served as a Director of Dynex Capital, Inc., a mortgage REIT from 2013-2020, a Director of Progress Investment
Management Company, a manager of emerging managers, until 2020, and a Director of Groupon, Inc., an e-commerce platform from 2020-2022.
She serves as a trustee or board member of several major non-profit organizations and endowments.
Keith Quinton. Mr. Quinton has served as a member of the Eaton
Vance Fund Boards since 2018 and is the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters. He had over thirty years of experience
in the investment industry before retiring from Fidelity Investments in 2014. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Quinton was a vice president
and quantitative analyst at MFS Investment Management from 2000-2001. From 1997 through 2000, he was a senior quantitative analyst at
Santander Global Advisors and, from 1995 through 1997, Mr. Quinton was senior vice president in the quantitative equity research department
at Putnam Investments. Prior to joining Putnam Investments, Mr. Quinton served in various investment roles at Eberstadt Fleming, Falconwood
Securities Corporation and Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he began his career in the investment industry as a senior quantitative analyst
in 1983. Mr. Quinton served as an Independent Investment Committee Member of the New Hampshire Retirement System, a five member committee
that manages investments based on the investment policy and asset allocation approved by the board of trustees (2017-2021), and as a Director
(2016-2021) and Chairman (2019-2021) of the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank.
Marcus L. Smith. Mr. Smith has served as a member of
the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2018 and is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Management Committee. Mr. Smith has been a Director of
First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., a fully integrated owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, since 2021, where he
serves on the Investment and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees. Since 2017, Mr. Smith has been a Director of MSCI Inc., a leading
provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, where he serves on the Compensation and Talent Management Committee and Strategy
& Finance Committee. From 2017 through 2018, he served as a Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc., a leading logistics real estate
company, where he served as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees. From 1994 through 2017, Mr.
Smith served in several capacities at MFS Investment Management, an investment management firm, where he managed the MFS Institutional
International Fund for 17 years and the MFS Concentrated International Fund for 10 years. In addition to his portfolio management
duties, Mr. Smith served as Chief Investment Officer, Canada from 2012-2017, Chief Investment Officer, Asia from 2010-2012, and Director
of Asian Research from 2005-2010. Prior to joining MFS, Mr. Smith was a senior consultant at Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) from 1988-1992. Mr. Smith served as a United
States Army Reserve Officer from 1987-1992. He was also a trustee of the University of Mount Union from 2008-2020 and served on
the Boston advisory board of the Posse Foundation from 2015-2021. Mr. Smith currently sits on the Harvard Medical School Advisory Council
on Education, the Board of Directors for Facing History and Ourselves and is a Trustee of the Core Knowledge Foundation.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 6 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Susan J. Sutherland. Ms. Sutherland has served as a member
of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2015 and is the Chairperson of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. She is also
a Director of Ascot Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries. Ascot Group Limited, through its related businesses including Syndicate
1414 at Lloyd’s of London, is a leading global underwriter of specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. In addition,
Ms. Sutherland was a Director of Kairos Acquisition Corp. from 2021 until its dissolution in 2023, which had concentrated on acquisition
and business combination efforts within the insurance and insurance technology (also known as “InsurTech”) sectors. Ms. Sutherland
was also a Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., a global provider of customized reinsurance and insurance products, from 2013 until
its sale in 2015 and of Hagerty Holding Corp., a leading provider of specialized automobile and marine insurance from 2015-2018. From
1982 through 2013, Ms. Sutherland was an associate, counsel and then a partner in the Financial Institutions Group of Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, where she primarily represented U.S. and international insurance and reinsurance companies, investment banks and
private equity firms in insurance-related corporate transactions. In addition, Ms. Sutherland has also served as a board member of prominent
non-profit organizations.
Scott E. Wennerholm. Mr. Wennerholm has served as a member
of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2016 and is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial
services industry in various leadership and executive roles. Mr. Wennerholm served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
at BNY Mellon Asset Management from 2005-2011. He also served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global
Asset Management from 1997-2004 and was a Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services from 1994-1997. In addition, Mr.
Wennerholm served as a Trustee at Wheelock College, a postsecondary institution from 2012-2018.
Nancy A. Wiser. Ms. Wiser has served as a member of the Eaton
Vance Fund Boards since 2022. She also serves as a corporate Director for Rimes Technologies, a data management company based in London
(since 2022). Ms. Wiser has over 30 years of experience in the investment management and financial services industry. From 2011-2021,
Ms. Wiser served as an Executive Vice President and the Global Head of Operations at Wells Fargo Asset Management, where she oversaw operations
and governance matters. In the role of governance, Ms. Wiser served as chairman of the board for the Wells Fargo Asset Management United
Kingdom and Luxembourg legal entities as well as the Luxembourg funds. Additionally, Ms. Wiser served as the Treasurer for the Wells Fargo
Funds from 2012-2021. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Asset Management, Ms. Wiser served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance
Officer for two registered asset management companies where she oversaw all non-investment activities. She currently serves on the University
of Minnesota Foundation Board of Trustees (since 2022) and previously served on several other non-profit boards including her alma
mater Providence College Business Advisory board, Boston Scores and the National Black MBA Advisory board.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Trustees of the
Fund met nine times. The Board of Trustees has several standing Committees, including the Audit Committee, the Contract Review Committee,
the Governance Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee
for Closed-End Fund Matters. The Audit Committee met nine times, the Contract Review Committee met seven times, the Governance Committee
met four times, the Portfolio Management Committee met nine times, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee met nine times
and the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters met two times during such period. Each Trustee attended at least 75% of the Board
and Committee meetings on which he or she serves. None of the Trustees attended the Fund’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Each Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fund is comprised of
only noninterested Trustees. The respective duties and responsibilities of these Committees remain under the continuing review of the
Governance Committee and the Board.
Messrs. Wennerholm (Chairperson), Gorman and Quinton and Ms. Wiser
are members of the Audit Committee. The Board has designated Messrs. Gorman and Wennerholm, each a noninterested Trustee, as “audit
committee financial experts” as that term is defined in the applicable SEC rules. Each Audit Committee member is independent under
applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The purposes of the Audit Committee are to (i) oversee the Fund’s accounting
and financial reporting processes, its internal control over financial reporting, and, as appropriate, the internal control over financial
reporting of certain service providers; (ii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of the quality and integrity of the Fund’s
financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Fund’s
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control
over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve, prior to appointment, the engagement and, when appropriate, replacement
of the independent auditors, and, if applicable, nominate independent auditors to be proposed for shareholder ratification in any proxy
statement of the Fund; (v) evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm
and the audit partner in charge of leading the audit; and (vi) prepare, as necessary, audit committee reports consistent with the requirements
of applicable SEC and stock exchange rules for inclusion in the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund. The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has adopted a written charter for its Audit Committee, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A. The Audit
Committee’s Report is set forth below under “Additional Information.”
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 7 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Messrs. Fetting (Chairperson), Bowser, Gorman, Quinton, Smith and
Wennerholm and Mses. Frost, Mosley, Sutherland and Wiser are members of the Contract Review Committee. The purposes of the Contract Review
Committee are to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the following matters: (i) contractual arrangements
with each service provider to the Fund, including advisory, sub-advisory, transfer agency, custodial and fund accounting, distribution
services (if any) and administrative services; (ii) any and all other matters in which any of the Fund’s service providers (including
Eaton Vance or any affiliated entity thereof) has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the interests of the Fund or its shareholders;
and (iii) any other matter appropriate for review by the noninterested Trustees, unless the matter is within the responsibilities of other
Committees of the Board.
Messrs. Smith (Chairperson), Bowser and Wennerholm and Mses. Frost
and Mosley are members of the Portfolio Management Committee. The purposes of the Portfolio Management Committee are to: (i) assist the
Board in its oversight of the portfolio management process employed by the Fund and its investment adviser and sub-adviser(s), if applicable,
relative to the Fund’s stated objective(s), strategies and restrictions; (ii) assist the Board in its oversight of the trading policies
and procedures and risk management techniques applicable to the Fund; and (iii) assist the Board in its monitoring of the performance
results of all funds, giving special attention to the performance of certain funds that it or the Board of Trustees identifies from time
to time.
Mses. Sutherland (Chairperson) and Wiser and Messrs. Fetting and Quinton
are members of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. The purposes of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters
Committee are to: (i) assist the Board in its oversight role with respect to compliance issues and certain other regulatory matters affecting
the Fund; (ii) serve as a liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Fund’s CCO; and (iii) serve as a “qualified legal
compliance committee” within the rules promulgated by the SEC.
Messrs. Smith (Chairperson), Fetting and Quinton and Ms. Sutherland
are members of the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters. The purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters is to
consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board with respect to issues specifically related to Eaton Vance Closed-End Funds.
Mses. Mosley (Chairperson), Frost, Sutherland and Wiser and Messrs.
Fetting, Gorman, Quinton, Smith and Wennerholm are members of the Governance Committee. Each Governance Committee member is independent
under applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The purpose of the Governance Committee is to consider, evaluate and
make recommendations to the Board with respect to the structure, membership and operation of the Board and the Committees thereof, including
the nomination and selection of noninterested Trustees and a Chairperson of the Board and the compensation of such persons.
The Fund’s Board has adopted a written charter for its Governance
Committee, a copy of which is available on the Eaton Vance website, https://www.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php.
The Governance Committee identifies candidates by obtaining referrals from such sources as it deems appropriate, which may include current
Trustees, management of the Fund, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the Fund who submit recommendations
in accordance with the procedures described in the Committee’s charter. In no event shall the Governance Committee consider as a
candidate to fill any vacancy an individual recommended by management of the Fund, unless the Governance Committee has invited management
to make such a recommendation. The Governance Committee will, when a vacancy exists, consider a nominee for Trustee recommended by a shareholder,
provided that such recommendation is submitted in writing to the Fund’s Secretary at the principal executive office of the Fund.
Such recommendations must be accompanied by biographical and occupational data on the candidate (including whether the candidate would
be an “interested person” of the Fund), a written consent by the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as Trustee
if elected, record and ownership information for the recommending shareholder with respect to the Fund, and a description of any arrangements
or understandings regarding recommendation of the candidate for consideration. The Governance Committee’s procedures for evaluating
candidates for the position of noninterested Trustee are set forth in an appendix to the Committee’s charter.
The Governance Committee does not have a formal policy to consider
diversity when identifying candidates for the position of noninterested Trustee. Rather, as a matter of practice, the Committee considers
the overall diversity of the Board’s composition when identifying candidates. Specifically, the Committee considers how a particular
candidate could be expected to contribute to overall diversity in the backgrounds, skills and experiences of the Board’s members
and thereby enhance the effectiveness of the Board. In addition, as part of its annual self-evaluation, the Board has an opportunity to
consider the diversity of its members, including specifically whether the Board’s members have the right mix of characteristics,
experiences and skills. The results of the self-evaluation are considered by the Governance Committee in its decision-making process with
respect to candidates for the position of noninterested Trustee.
Communications with the Board of Trustees
Shareholders wishing to communicate with the Board may do so by sending
a written communication to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, the Chairperson of any Committee of the Board of Trustees or to the
noninterested Trustees as a group, at the following address: One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, c/o the Secretary of
the Fund.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 8 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
Remuneration of Trustees
Each noninterested Trustee is compensated
for his or her services according to a fee schedule adopted by the Board of Trustees, and receives a fee that consists of an annual retainer
and a committee service component. The Fund pays each noninterested Trustee a pro rata share, as described below, of: (i) an annual retainer
of $315,000; (ii) an additional annual retainer of $150,000 for serving as the Chairperson of the noninterested Trustees; (iii) an additional
annual retainer of $82,500 for Committee Service; (iv) an additional annual retainer of $15,000 for serving on four or more Committees,
not including the Ad Hoc Committee; (v) an additional annual retainer of $35,000 for serving as the Governance Committee Chairperson,
the Audit Committee Chairperson, the Compliance Committee Chairperson, the Contract Review Committee Chairperson or the Portfolio Management
Committee Chairperson (to be split evenly in the event of Co-Chairpersons); (vi) the Chairperson of an Ad Hoc Committee will receive $5,000
for any six-month period the Ad Hoc Committee is in existence and meets, with the six-month periods being October 1 through March 31 and
April 1 through September 30; and (vii) out-of-pocket expenses. The pro rata share paid by the Fund is based on the Fund’s average
net assets as a percentage of the average net assets of all the funds in the Eaton Vance family of funds. During the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2023, the noninterested Trustees of the Fund earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees of the Fund.
For the calendar year ended December 31, 2023, the noninterested Trustees earned the following compensation in their capacities as members
of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards(1):
| Name of Trustee |
Total
Compensation
from Fund |
Total Compensation
from Fund and
Fund Complex(1) |
| Alan C. Bowser |
$7,417 |
$374,906 |
| Mark R. Fetting |
$8,373 |
$422,500 |
| Cynthia E. Frost |
$7,862 |
$396,250 |
| George J. Gorman |
$10,652 |
$537,500 |
| Valerie A. Mosley |
$8,373(2) |
$422,500(3) |
| Keith Quinton |
$8,071 |
$407,500 |
| Marcus L. Smith |
$8,295 |
$418,750 |
| Susan J. Sutherland |
$8,373 |
$422,500 |
| Scott E. Wennerholm |
$8,670 |
$437,500 |
| Nancy A. Wiser |
$7,977 |
$402,500 |
| (1) | As of May 28, 2024, the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of 127 registered investment companies or series thereof. The compensation
schedule disclosed above reflects the current compensation, which may not have been in place for each Fund’s full fiscal year ended
September 30, 2023 or the full calendar year ended December 31, 2023. Amounts do not include expenses reimbursed to Trustees for attending
Board meetings, which in the aggregate amounted to $95,050 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. |
| (2) | Includes $602 of deferred compensation. |
| (3) | Includes $30,000 of deferred compensation. |
Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with Eaton Vance may elect
to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of a Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan (the
“Deferred Compensation Plan”). Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, an eligible Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred
fees invested in the shares of one or more funds in the Eaton Vance family of funds, and the amount paid to the Trustees under the Deferred
Compensation Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees’ fees in accordance with
the Deferred Compensation Plan will have a negligible effect on the assets, liabilities, and net income of a participating Fund, and will
not obligate the Fund to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Fund to pay any particular level of compensation to the Trustee.
The Fund does not have a pension or retirement plan for its Trustees.
The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of
the Trustee nominees of the Fund.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board knows of no business other than that identified in Proposal
1 of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders that will be presented for consideration. If any other matters are properly presented,
it is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
NOTICE TO BANKS AND BROKER/DEALERS
The Fund has previously solicited all nominee and broker/dealer accounts
as to the number of additional proxy statements required to supply owners of shares. Should additional proxy material be required for
beneficial owners, please call 1-866-745-0272, send an email to corporateservices@equiniti.com or forward such requests to EQ Fund Solutions,
LLC, P.O. Box 500, Newark, NJ 07101.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 9 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee reviews and discusses the audited financial statements
with Fund management. The Audit Committee also discusses with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to
be discussed by SAS 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee receives the written disclosures
and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees), as modified or supplemented, and discusses with the independent registered public accounting firm
their independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Trustees that the audited financial statements be included in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders
for filing with the SEC. As mentioned, the Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Wennerholm (Chairperson), Gorman and Quinton
and Ms. Wiser.
Auditors, Audit Fees and All Other Fees
The Board members, including a majority of the noninterested Trustees,
of the Fund have selected Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, as the
independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. Representatives of Deloitte are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting,
but have been given the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available should any matter arise requiring
their presence.
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed for the two
fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for professional services
rendered for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by the independent
registered public accounting firm during these periods.
| |
September 30, 2023 |
September 30, 2022 |
| Audit Fees |
$102,600 |
$122,600 |
| Audit-Related Fees(1) |
0 |
0 |
| Tax Fees(2) |
0 |
0 |
| All Other Fees(3) |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
$102,600 |
$122,600 |
| (1) | Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance
of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees. |
| (2) | Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm
relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation and other related tax
compliance/planning matters. |
| (3) | All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the Fund’s independent registered
public accounting firm other than audit, audit-related, and tax services. |
No services described in the table above were approved by the Fund’s
Audit Committee pursuant to the “de minimis exception” set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.
The Fund’s Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures
relating to the pre-approval of services provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “Pre-Approval
Policies”). The Pre-Approval Policies establish a framework intended to assist the Audit Committee in the proper discharge of its
pre-approval responsibilities. As a general matter, the Pre-Approval Policies (i) specify certain types of audit, audit-related, tax,
and other services determined to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee; and (ii) delineate specific procedures governing the mechanics
of the pre-approval process, including the approval and monitoring of audit and non-audit service fees. Unless a service is specifically
pre-approved under the Pre-Approval Policies, it must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Pre-Approval Policies and
the types of audit and non-audit services pre-approved therein must be reviewed and ratified by the Fund’s Audit Committee at least
annually. The Fund’s Audit Committee maintains full responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work
of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e.,
fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed for services rendered to the Fund by the Fund’s independent registered public
accounting firm for two fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related,
tax, and other services) billed by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for services rendered to Eaton Vance
and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Eaton Vance that provides ongoing services to the Fund for two
fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
|
September 30, 2023 |
September 30, 2022 |
| Fund |
$0 |
$0 |
| Eaton Vance |
$52,836 |
$52,836 |
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 10 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
The Fund’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision
by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm of non-audit services to the Fund’s investment adviser, as well
as any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the Fund, that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation
S-X is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
Officers of the Fund
The officers of the Fund and their length of service are set forth
below. The officers of the Fund hold indefinite terms of office. Because of their positions with Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton
Vance”) and their ownership of Morgan Stanley stock, the officers of the Fund will benefit from any advisory and/or administration
fees paid by the Fund to Eaton Vance. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that
is comparable to his or her position with Eaton Vance listed below.
| Name and Year of Birth(1) |
|
Fund Position(s) |
|
Officer Since(2) |
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years(3) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
KENNETH A. TOPPING
1966 |
|
President of EIM |
|
2023 |
|
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Eaton Vance and Boston Management and Research (“BMR”) and Chief Operating Officer for Public Markets at MSIM. Officer of 107 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”) since 2021. Formerly, Chief Operating Officer for Goldman Sachs Asset Management ‘Classic’ (2009-2020). |
DEIDRE E. WALSH
1971 |
|
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer |
|
2021 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR. Officer of 127 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Also Vice President of CRM and officer of 46 registered investment companies advised or administered by CRM since 2021. |
JAMES F. KIRCHNER
1967 |
|
Treasurer |
|
2007 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR. Officer of 127 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Also Vice President of CRM and officer of 46 registered investment companies advised or administered by CRM since 2016. |
NICHOLAS S. DI LORENZO
1987 |
|
Secretary |
|
2022 |
|
Officer of 127 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Formerly, associate (2012-2021) and counsel (2022) at Dechert LLP. |
LAURA T. DONOVAN
1976 |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
2024 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR. Officer of 127 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. |
| (1) | The business address of each officer is One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. |
| (2) | Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise,
year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election. |
| (3) | Includes both funds and portfolios in a hub and spoke structure. |
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Eaton Vance, with its principal office at One Post Office Square,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as the investment adviser and administrator to the Fund. Eaton Vance is an indirect, wholly
owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
Proxy Solicitation, Tabulation and Voting Requirements
The expense of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement
and enclosures and the costs of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of the Fund will be borne by the Fund. Proxies will be solicited
by mail and may be solicited in person or by telephone or facsimile by officers of the Fund, by personnel of its administrator, Eaton
Vance, by the transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, by broker-dealer firms, or by a professional solicitation organization. The
expenses associated with the solicitation of these proxies and with any further proxies will be borne by the Fund. A written proxy may
be delivered to the Fund or its transfer agent prior to the Annual Meeting by facsimile machine, graphic communication equipment or similar
electronic transmission. The Fund will reimburse banks, broker-dealer firms, and other persons holding shares registered in their names
or in the names of their nominees, for their expenses incurred in sending proxy material to and obtaining proxies from the beneficial
owners of such shares. Total estimated proxy solicitation costs are approximately $3,986.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 11 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
All proxy cards solicited by the Board that are properly executed
and received by the Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting, and which are not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Shares represented
by such proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions thereon. If no specification is made on the proxy card with respect
to Proposal 1, it will be voted FOR the matters specified on the proxy card. All shares that are voted and votes to ABSTAIN will be counted
towards establishing a quorum, as will broker non-votes. (Broker non-votes are shares for which (i) the beneficial owner has not voted
and (ii) the broker holding the shares does not have discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter.) Accordingly, abstentions
and broker non-votes, which will be treated as shares that are present at the Annual Meeting but which have not been voted, will assist
the Fund in obtaining a quorum but will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.
A quorum requires the presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, or if a quorum
is present at the Annual Meeting but sufficient votes by the shareholders of the Fund FOR the Proposal set forth in the Notice of this
Annual Meeting are not received by that time on August 7, 2024, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the
Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the shares present in person or by proxy at the session of the Annual Meeting to be adjourned. The persons named as proxies will vote
FOR such adjournment those proxies which they are entitled to vote FOR any Trustee nominee. They will vote against any such adjournment
those proxies that voted “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES” (sometimes referred to as abstentions). The costs of any such
additional solicitation and of any adjourned session will be borne by the Fund.
The Fund’s By-Laws include provisions (the “Control Share
Provisions”) pursuant to which, in summary, a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of Fund shares in a “Control Share
Acquisition” may exercise voting rights with respect to such shares only to the extent the authorization of such voting rights is
approved by other shareholders of the Fund. Subject to various conditions and exceptions, the By-Laws define a “Control Share Acquisition”
to include an acquisition of Fund shares that, but for the Control Share Provisions, would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition
of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power in the election of Fund Trustees in any of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or
more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third
or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. Share acquisitions prior to August
13, 2020 are excluded from the definition of Control Share Acquisition, though such shares are included in assessing whether any subsequent
share acquisition exceeds one of the enumerated thresholds. Additionally, Control Share Acquisitions are defined as including certain
shares acquired during look-back and look-forward periods as provided in the By-Laws. Subject to various conditions and procedural requirements
set forth in the By-Laws, including the delivery of a “Control Share Acquisition Statement” to the Fund’s secretary
setting forth certain required information, a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of shares in a Control Share Acquisition generally
may request a vote of Fund shareholders (excluding such acquiring shareholder and certain other interested shareholders) to approve the
authorization of voting rights for such shares at the next annual meeting of Fund shareholders following the Control Share Acquisition.
On January 26, 2023, the Fund's Board of Trustees voted to exempt, on a going forward basis, all prior and, until further notice, new
acquisitions of Fund shares that otherwise might be deemed “Control Share Acquisitions” under the Fund's By-Laws from the
Control Share Provisions.
Pursuant to the Fund’s By-Laws, with respect to any election
of Trustees other than a contested election, a nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast at any meeting at
which a quorum is present to be elected. A plurality means that the Trustee nominee receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected.
With respect to a contested election, a nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund’s shares outstanding
and entitled to vote with respect to such nominee in order to be elected. The By-Laws define a “contested election” as any
election of Trustees in which the number of persons validly nominated for election as Trustees with respect to a given class or classes
of Fund shares exceeds the number of Trustees to be elected with respect to such class or classes. See Proposal 1 for the vote required
to elect Trustees at the Annual Meeting.
Standstill Agreement
On May 1, 2024, Eaton Vance entered into a standstill agreement (the
“Agreement”) with Karpus Management, Inc. (“Karpus”), pursuant to which Eaton Vance agreed to propose a tender
offer for 20% of the outstanding common shares of the Fund on the date of the commencement of the tender offer (or such lesser amount
that is properly tendered and not withdrawn) at not less than 98% of the Fund's net asset value (“NAV”) (the “Tender
Offer”), along with the two conditional tender offers discussed below, and Karpus agreed to, among other things, certain constraints
on its activities with respect to the Fund and certain other funds within the Eaton Vance fund complex during the “Restricted Period.”
The “Restricted Period” refers to the period commencing with the date of the Agreement and ending upon the earlier of (i)
the two year anniversary of the Agreement; (ii) sixty days prior to the nomination deadline for the Fund's 2026 annual meeting of shareholders;
or (iii) sixty days prior to the date that is the last date that a shareholder proposal is permitted to be submitted to the Fund for its
2026 annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
In addition to the Tender Offer, Eaton Vance also agreed to propose
to the Board that the Fund conduct two conditional cash tender offers to follow the Tender Offer. Specifically, Eaton Vance agreed to
propose a conditional tender offer for 5% of the Fund's outstanding common shares at 98% of NAV if, during a 4-month period commencing
on the date of the close of the Tender Offer, the Fund's shares trade at an average discount to its NAV of more than 7.5% (based upon
the average of the difference between its volume-weighted average market price and NAV each business day during the
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 12 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
period, as measured at the close of the period). Eaton Vance also
agreed to propose a second conditional tender offer for 5% of the Fund's outstanding common shares at 98% of NAV, if during a four-month
period commencing on the first business day after the nine-month anniversary of the commencement of the Tender Offer, the Fund's shares
trade at an average discount to its NAV of more than 7.5% (based upon the average of the difference between its volume-weighted average
market price and NAV each business day during the period, as measured at the close of the period).
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms received by
the Fund, all of the Trustees and officers of the Fund, Eaton Vance and its affiliates, and any person who owns more than ten percent
of the Fund’s outstanding securities have complied with the filings required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act regarding ownership
of shares of the Fund for the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, except that Alan C. Bowser, Trustee of the Fund, submitted a Form
3 filing after its due date. No transactions were reported on this form.
The Fund will furnish without charge a copy of its most recent
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to any shareholder upon request. Shareholders desiring to obtain a copy of such reports should call 1-866-745-0272,
send an email to corporateservices@equiniti.com or write to the Fund c/o EQ Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 500, Newark, NJ 07101. Please
note that only one Annual or Semi-Annual Report or this proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials may be delivered
to two or more shareholders of the Fund who share an address, unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. Shareholder reports
are also available on the Eaton Vance website at https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
To be considered for presentation at the Fund’s 2025 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, a shareholder proposal submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act must be received at the Fund’s
principal office c/o the Secretary of the Fund on or before February 20, 2025. Written notice of a shareholder proposal submitted outside
of the processes of Rule 14a-8 must be delivered to the Fund’s principal office c/o the Secretary of the Fund no later than the
close of business on April 9, 2025 and no earlier than the close of business on May 9, 2025. In order to be included in the Fund’s
proxy statement and form of proxy, a shareholder proposal must comply with all applicable legal requirements. Timely submission of a proposal
does not guarantee that such proposal will be included.
| Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | 13 | Proxy Statement dated June 20, 2024 |
EXHIBIT A
EATON VANCE FUNDS
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. Purposes of the Committee.
The Board of Trustees or Directors (the “Board”) of each
registered investment company or series thereof advised by Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research (collectively,
“Eaton Vance”) (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), has established an Audit Committee
of the Board (the “Committee”) and has approved this Charter for the operation of the Committee. The purposes of the Committee
are as follows:
| 1. | To oversee each Fund’s accounting and financial reporting processes, its internal control over financial reporting, and, as
appropriate, the internal control over financial reporting of certain service providers; |
| 2. | To oversee or, as appropriate, assist the Board in its oversight of the quality and integrity of the Funds’ financial statements
and the independent audits thereof; |
| 3. | To oversee or, as appropriate, assist the Board in its oversight of the Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
that relate to the Funds’ accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting, independent audits, and
valuation of investments; |
| 4. | To approve prior to appointment the engagement and, when appropriate, replacement of the independent registered public accountants
(“independent auditors”), and, if applicable, nominate independent auditors to be proposed for shareholder ratification in
any proxy statement of a Fund; |
| 5. | To evaluate or, as appropriate, assist the Board in its evaluation of the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent
auditors and the audit partner in charge of leading the audit; and |
| 6. | To prepare, as necessary, such audit committee reports as are required to be prepared by applicable Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”), NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American,” formerly NYSE MKT LLC) and New York Stock Exchange rules, for inclusion
in the proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders of a Fund. |
The primary function of the Committee is oversight. The Committee
is not responsible for managing the Funds or for performing tasks that are delegated to the officers of any Fund, any investment adviser
to a Fund, the custodian of a Fund, and other service providers for the Funds, including the independent auditors, and nothing in this
Charter shall be construed to reduce the responsibilities or liabilities of management or the Funds’ service providers. It is management’s
responsibility to maintain appropriate systems for accounting and internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, management
is responsible for: (1) the preparation, presentation and integrity of the financial statements of each Fund; (2) the maintenance of appropriate
accounting and financial reporting principles and policies; and (3) the maintenance of internal control over financial reporting and other
procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and related laws and regulations. The independent auditors are responsible
for planning and carrying out an audit consistent with applicable legal and professional standards and the terms of their engagement letter,
and shall report directly to the Committee. In performing its oversight function, the Committee shall be entitled to rely upon advice
and information that it receives in its discussions and communications with management, the independent auditors and such experts, advisors
and professionals as may be consulted by the Committee.
II. Composition of the Committee.
The Committee shall be comprised of at least three members appointed
by the Board, which shall also determine the number and term, if any, of such members, in each case upon the recommendation of the Governance
Committee of the Board. All members of the Committee shall be Trustees or Directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of any Fund or of the investment adviser, sub-adviser
or principal underwriter of any Fund (each, an “Independent Trustee,” and collectively, the “Independent Trustees”).
In the event that a resignation, retirement, removal or other event or circumstance causes the number of Committee members to fall below
the minimum set forth above, the Committee shall nevertheless be authorized to take any and all actions otherwise permitted under this
Charter pending the appointment, within a reasonable time, of one or more Independent Trustees to fill the vacancy created thereby.
The following requirements shall also be satisfied with respect to
the membership and composition of the Committee:
| 1. | each member of the Committee shall have no material relationship that would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent
judgment; |
| 2. | no member of the Committee shall receive any compensation from a Fund except compensation for service as a member or Chairperson of
the Board or of a committee of the Board; |
| 3. | each member of the Committee shall also satisfy the Committee membership requirements imposed under the applicable rules of NYSE American
and New York Stock Exchange (and any other national securities exchange on which a Fund’s shares are listed), as in effect from
time to time, including with respect to the member’s former affiliations or employment and financial literacy; |
| 4. | at least one member of the Committee must have the accounting or related financial management expertise and/or financial sophistication
required under applicable rules of the NYSE American and New York Stock Exchange; and |
| 5. | unless it determines that no member of the Committee qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 3 of Form
N-CSR, the Board will identify one (or in its discretion, more than one) member of the Committee as an audit committee financial expert. |
III. Meetings of the Committee.
Meetings of the Committee shall be held, upon reasonable notice, at
such times (but not less frequently than annually with respect to each Fund), at such places and for such purposes (consistent with the
purposes of the Committee set forth in this Charter) as may be determined from time to time by the Committee, the Chairperson of the Committee,
the Board or the Chairperson of the Board. The Committee shall periodically meet separately with any independent auditors rendering reports
to the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting,
and the decision of a majority of the members present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall determine any matter
submitted to a vote. The Committee may adopt such procedures or rules not otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this Charter as it
deems appropriate to govern its conduct under this Charter, which procedures or rules, if any, shall be included as an appendix to this
Charter. Notices of all meetings of the Committee shall be provided to all Independent Trustees and all Independent Trustees shall be
entitled to attend such meetings. Materials provided to the members of the Committee in connection with meetings of the Committee shall
be made available to each Independent Trustee.
IV. Chairperson of the Committee.
A member of the Committee shall be appointed Chairperson of the Committee
by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, for a term of not more than four years, and such member may serve as
Chairperson of the Committee for more than one term. The Chairperson of the Committee, or another member of the Committee designated by
the Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Committee. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be authorized to determine the agenda
of such meetings, the materials to be provided in connection with such meetings, the topics to be discussed, the amount of time to be
devoted to such topics and the order in which the topics are to be addressed. The Chairperson of the Committee may from time to time establish
one or more working groups comprised of members of the Committee to assist the Chairperson and the Committee in performing their duties
and responsibilities, and shall promptly notify the Chairperson of the Board upon the establishment of any such working group. The Chairperson
of the Committee shall provide oral or written reports to the Board at regular meetings of the Board regarding the activities of the Committee
(and any working group thereof), including any approval by the Chairperson of the Board of expenditures by the Committee not previously
reported to the Board. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be primarily responsible for interfacing with the Chairperson of the Board
and with the Chairperson of each other committee of the Board with respect to matters potentially affecting the activities of the Committee.
The Chairperson of the Committee shall also be primarily responsible, on behalf of the Committee, for interfacing with those individuals
identified by Eaton Vance from time to time as being primarily responsible for responding to requests of the Committee. The Board may,
upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee with the power and authority to perform
any or all of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson of the Committee in the absence of the Chairperson of the Committee and/or
as requested by the Chairperson of the Committee. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, if any, of the Committee shall receive such compensation
as is determined from time to time by the Board upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee.
V. Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee.
To carry out its purposes, the Committee shall have the following
duties and responsibilities:
| 1. | With respect to each Fund the securities of which are listed on a national securities exchange, to meet to review and discuss with
management and the independent auditors the audited financial statements and other periodic financial statements of the Fund (including
the Fund’s specific disclosures under the item “Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance”); provided that discussion
with the independent auditors shall not be required with respect to any periodic financial statement of the Fund that was not the subject
of a review by such auditors. |
| 2. | To consider the results of the examination of the Fund’s financial statements by the independent auditors, the independent auditors’
opinion with respect thereto, and any management letter issued by the independent auditors. |
| 3. | To review and discuss with the independent auditors: (a) the scope of audits and audit reports and the policies relating to internal
auditing procedures and controls and the accounting principles employed in the Fund’s financial reports and any proposed changes
therein; (b) the personnel, staffing, qualifications and experience of the independent auditors; and (c) the compensation of the independent
auditors. |
| 4. | To review and assess the performance of the independent auditors and to approve, on behalf of the Board, the engagement and compensation
of the independent auditors and to recommend the appointment and selection to the Board for approval. Approval by the Committee shall
be in addition to any approval required under applicable law by a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons”
of the Fund as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. In performing this function, the Committee shall: (a) discuss with the
independent auditors matters bearing upon the qualifications of such auditors as “independent” under applicable standards
of independence established from time to time by the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and other regulatory authorities;
and (b) shall secure from the independent auditors the information required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as in effect from time to time. The Committee shall actively engage in a dialogue with the independent
auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors. |
| 5. | To pre-approve: (a) audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Fund; and (b) non-audit services provided
by the independent auditors to the adviser or any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that
provides on-going services to the Fund (“Adviser Affiliates”) if the engagement of the independent auditors relates directly
to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund, as contemplated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”)
and the rules issued by the SEC in connection therewith (except, in the case of non-audit services provided to the Fund or any Adviser
Affiliate, those within applicable de minimis statutory or regulatory exceptions), and to consider the possible effect of providing such
services on the independence of the independent auditors. |
| 6. | To adopt, if and to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, policies and procedures for pre-approval of the audit or non-audit
services referred to above, including policies and procedures by which the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members authority
to grant such pre-approval on behalf of the Committee (subject to subsequent reporting to the Committee). Separate and apart from any
such policies and procedures, the Committee hereby delegates to each of its members the authority to pre-approve any non-audit services
referred to above between meetings of the Committee, provided that: (i) all reasonable efforts shall be made to obtain such pre-approval
from the Chairperson of the Committee or a Vice-Chairperson, if any, prior to seeking such pre-approval from any other member of the Committee;
and (ii) all such pre-approvals shall be reported to the Committee not later than the next meeting thereof. |
| 7. | To consider the controls implemented by the independent auditors and any measures taken by management to ensure that all items requiring
pre-approval by the Committee are identified and referred to the Committee in a timely fashion. |
| 8. | To timely receive reports from such independent auditors of: (i) all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Fund (or,
in connection with any update, any changes in such accounting policies and practices), (ii) any material alternative accounting treatments
within GAAP that have been discussed with management since the last annual report or update, including the ramifications of the use of
the alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by the accounting firm, (iii) all other material written communications between
the independent auditors and the management of the Fund since the last quarterly report or update, (iv) a description of all non-audit
services provided, including fees associated with the services, to any fund complex of which the Fund is a part since the last annual
report or update that was not subject to the pre-approval requirements as discussed above; and (v) any other matters of concern relating
to the Fund’s financial statements, including any uncorrected misstatements (or audit differences) whose effects management believes
are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate, to the financial statements taken as a whole. |
| 9. | To review and discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be communicated with respect to the Fund pursuant to applicable
auditing standards, as in effect from time to time, and to receive such other communications or reports from the independent auditors
(and management’s responses to such reports or communications) as may be required under applicable listing standards of the national
securities exchanges on which the Fund’s shares are listed, including a report describing: (1) the internal quality-control procedures
of the independent auditors, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the independent
auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional regulatory authorities, within the preceding five years,
respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the independent auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and
(2) all relationships between the independent auditors and the Fund and any other relationships or services that may impact the objectivity
and independence of the independent auditors. To the extent unresolved disagreements exist between management and the independent auditors
regarding the financial reporting of the Fund, it shall be the responsibility of the Committee to resolve such disagreements. |
| 10. | To consider and review with the independent auditors any reports of audit problems or difficulties that may have arisen in the course
of the audit, including any limitations on the scope of the audit, and management’s response thereto. |
| 11. | To establish hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors who will serve as officers or employees
of the Fund, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B. |
| 12. | With respect to each Fund the securities of which are listed on a national securities exchange, to: (a) provide a recommendation to
the Board regarding whether the audited financial statements of the Fund should be included in the annual report to shareholders of the
Fund; and (b) prepare an audit committee report consistent with the requirements of applicable regulations under Regulation S-K for inclusion
in the proxy statement for the Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders. |
| 13. | To discuss generally the Fund’s earnings releases, as well as financial information and guidance provided to analysts and rating
agencies, in the event a Fund issues any such releases or provides such information or guidance. Such discussions may include the types
of information to be disclosed and the type of presentation to be made. The Committee need not discuss in advance each earnings release
or each instance in which earnings guidance may be provided. |
| 14. | To consider the Fund’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures,
including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. |
| 15. | To review and report to the Board with respect to any material accounting, tax, valuation, or record-keeping issues that may affect
the Fund, its respective financial statements or the amount of their dividend or distribution rates. |
| 16. | To establish procedures for: (a) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Fund regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls, or auditing matters; and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Fund or its service providers
(including its investment advisers, administrators, principal underwriters and any other provider of accounting related services to the
Fund) of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A. |
| 17. | To direct and supervise investigations with respect to the following: (a) evidence of fraud or significant deficiencies in the design
or implementation of internal controls reported to the Committee by the principal executive or financial officers of the Fund pursuant
to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules; and (b) any other matters within the scope of this Charter, including
the integrity of reported facts and figures, ethical conduct, and appropriate disclosure concerning the financial statements of the Funds. |
| 18. | To review and discuss with Eaton Vance and the independent auditors, and other key service providers, if the Committee deems appropriate,
matters relating to the valuation of investments and recommend to the Board policies and procedures for valuing portfolio securities of
the Fund, to oversee Eaton Vance’s valuation processes, to receive and review annual, quarterly, and ad-hoc reporting regarding
Eaton Vance’s valuation processes, and to report to the Board regarding such items, consistent with Eaton Vance Group of Funds Valuation
Policies and Procedures. |
| 19. | To coordinate its activities with the other committees of the Board as necessary or appropriate to carry out its purposes effectively
and efficiently, and to communicate with such other committees regarding matters that the Committee or such other committees may wish
to consider in exercising their respective powers. |
| 20. | To review the adequacy of this Charter and evaluate the Committee’s performance of its duties and responsibilities hereunder
at least annually, and to make recommendations to the Board for any appropriate changes or other action. |
| 21. | To take such other actions as may be requested by the Board or Chairperson of the Board from time to time consistent with carrying
out the purposes of the Committee. |
VI. Powers and Authority of the Committee.
In performing its duties and responsibilities, the Committee shall
have the following powers and authority:
| 1. | To make recommendations to the Board with respect to any of the foregoing matters and such other matters as the Committee may determine
to be necessary or appropriate to carry out its purposes, including recommendations with respect to industry trends, leading practices
and educational or training opportunities for Independent Trustees to enhance the Board’s understanding of such matters. |
| 2. | To exercise such additional powers as from time to time may be authorized by the Board. |
VII. Resources of the Committee.
The Committee shall have the resources appropriate to exercise its
powers and fulfill its responsibilities hereunder. Subject to the prior approval of the Board or the Chairperson of the Board, the Committee
may engage counsel, consultants and other experts, at the expense of the Funds, and may determine the appropriate levels of funding for
payment of compensation to such counsel, consultants and other experts, as well as the ordinary administrative expenses necessary or appropriate
in exercising its powers and fulfilling its responsibilities under this Charter, including the reasonable costs of specialized training
for Committee and Board members. The Committee may access directly such officers and employees of the Funds, Eaton Vance and the Funds’
other services providers, as it deems necessary or desirable in accordance with such communication protocols, if any, as may be established
from time to time by the Board.
EXHIBIT B
To the knowledge of the Fund, based on filings made on Schedules 13D
and 13G pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Exchange Act, as amended, the following shareholders own 5% or more of the Fund’s
Common Shares.*
| Fund Name and Title of Class |
Name and Address of Owner |
Aggregate Share Amount Owned |
Percent |
| Municipal Bond Fund – Common Shares |
Karpus Management, Inc.
Karpus Investment Management
183 Sully’s Trail
Pittsford, NY 14534 |
14,468,742 |
20.33% |
| |
| * | Information in this table is based on filings made on or before May 28, 2024. To the knowledge of the Fund, no other person owned
5% or more of the outstanding common shares of the Fund as of such date. Owners of 25% or more of common shares of the Fund are presumed
to be in control of the class for purposes of voting on certain matters submitted to shareholders. |
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