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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 22, 2024
Securities Act File No. 333-281404
1940 Act File No. 811-23481
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
|
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
[X] |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 [X]
Post-Effective Amendment No.
|
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
[X] |
|
Amendment No. 15 |
[X] |
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(561) 484-7185
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)
Marcus L. Collins, Esq.
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Joshua B. Deringer, Esq.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Ste. 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
215-988-2700
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box [ ]
If any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), other than
securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box [X]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction
A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box [X]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction
B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities
Act, check the following box [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement
filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b)
under the Securities Act, check the following box [ ]
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box):
[ ] when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
[X] Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”)).
[ ] Business Development Company (closed-end company that
intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act.
[ ] Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business
Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).
[X] A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General
Instruction A.2 of this Form).
[ ] Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under
the Securities Act).
[ ] Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934).
[ ] If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark
if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards
provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
[ ] New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment
Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH
DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES
THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
The information in this prospectus is not complete
and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to Completion, Dated OCTOBER 22, 2024
BASE PROSPECTUS
$150,000,000
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Subscription Rights for Common Stock
Subscription Rights for Preferred Stock
Subscription Rights for Common and Preferred Stock
The Fund. RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.
Investment Objectives.
The Fund’s primary investment objective is current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable
in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return.
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Principal Investment
Strategies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, directly or indirectly,
at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in municipal bonds, the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to
the issuers, generally excludable from gross income for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that the interest may be includable
in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax (“Municipal Bonds”). In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest
dividends, which are items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, the Fund seeks to invest at least
50% of its Managed Assets either directly (and indirectly through tender option bond transactions) in such Municipal Bonds or in other
funds that are taxed as regulated investment companies.
The Fund seeks to allocate
its assets between the two principal investment strategies described below:
Tactical Municipal Closed-End
Fund Strategy (25% - 65% of Managed Assets): This strategy seeks to (i) generate returns through investments in closed-end funds,
exchange-traded funds and other investment companies (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”) that invest, under normal market
conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal Bonds, and (ii)
derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds that invest, under normal market conditions, at least
80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal Bonds. The term “tactical”
is used to indicate that this strategy seeks to take advantage of pricing discrepancies in the closed-end fund market (e.g., the
difference between a closed-end fund’s market value and its net asset value (“NAV”)).
Municipal Bond Income Strategy
(35% - 75% of Managed Assets): This strategy seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities
markets through investments in Municipal Bonds. The Fund may not directly invest more than 25% of the Managed Assets allocated to this
strategy in Municipal Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin, and the Fund may not directly invest more than 5% of the
Managed Assets allocated to this strategy in the Municipal Bonds of any one issuer, except that the foregoing industry and issuer restrictions
shall not apply to general obligation bonds and the Fund will consider the obligor or borrower underlying the Municipal Bond to be the
“issuer.” The Fund may invest up to 30% of the Managed Assets allocated to this strategy in Municipal Bonds that pay interest
that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund can invest, directly or indirectly
through Underlying Funds, in bonds of any maturity; however, under this strategy, it will generally invest in Municipal Bonds that have
a maturity of five years or longer at the time of purchase.
The Fund may offer, from
time to time, up to $150,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of (i) shares of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common
Shares”), (ii) shares of its preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”) and/or (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common
Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights” and together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, “Securities”),
in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus. See “Description of the
Fund’s Securities” beginning on page 23.
The Fund may offer Securities
directly to one or more purchasers, including existing common shareholders and/or preferred shareholders in a Rights offering, through
agents that the Fund or the purchasers designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement
relating to the particular offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the Fund’s Securities, and
will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and such agents or underwriters
or among the underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The prospectus supplement relating to any sale of preferred
stock will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call
period and other matters, including the terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common
stock or any other security and, if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or
exchange period. A supplement to this Prospectus relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of shares (common
or preferred) issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering, including whether the Preferred Shares
issuable upon the exercise of such rights are convertible into Common Shares. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters
or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus and a prospectus supplement. For more information about the manner in which the Fund may
offer shares of its common stock, see “Plan of Distribution.”
The currently outstanding
shares of the Fund’s common stock are, and the shares of the Fund’s common stock offered in this Prospectus will be, subject
to notice of issuance, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.”
The NAV of the Fund's common stock on August 31, 2024 was $17.06 per share, and the last sale price of the Fund's common stock on the
NYSE on such date was $15.93. Shares of common stock of closed-end funds, like the Fund, frequently trade at discounts to their NAVs.
If the shares of the Fund’s common stock trade at a discount to NAV, the risk of loss may increase for purchasers in an offering
under this prospectus, especially for those investors who expect to sell their shares in a relatively short period after purchasing shares
in such an offering. Following a Rights offering, a shareholder may experience dilution in NAV per share of stock if the subscription
price per share is below the NAV per share on the expiration date.
The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth whether or not the Preferred Shares offered in this Prospectus will be listed or traded on any securities exchange.
If the Fund’s Preferred Shares are not listed on a securities exchange, there may be no active secondary trading market for such
shares and an investment in such shares may be illiquid.
The Fund, or the Underlying
Funds in which the Fund invests, may invest in securities of any credit quality, including, without limit, securities that are rated below
investment grade, except as further set forth under “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies” below. Below investment
grade securities are commonly referred to as “junk” and “high yield” securities and are considered speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Credit and
Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.”
“Managed Assets”
means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage
and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). Such assets attributable to leverage include the portion of assets in tender option
bond trusts of which the Fund owns TOB Residuals (as defined below) that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of
TOB Floaters (as defined below). See “Use of Leverage -Tender Option Bonds.”
Investment Adviser and
Subadviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Fund’s
subadviser is MacKay Shields LLC (the “Subadviser”). The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s
Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. The Subadviser is responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. See “Management of the Fund.”
Limited Term and Eligible
Tender Offer. The Fund will terminate on or before March 26, 2035 (the “Termination Date”); provided, that if the
Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board of Directors”) believes that, under then-current market conditions, it is in the
best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination Date: (i) once for up to one year (i.e., up to March 26, 2036),
and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), in each case upon the affirmative vote of a majority
of the Board of Directors and without the approval of the holders of the Common Shares of the Fund (the “Common Shareholders”).
In addition, as of a date
within twelve months preceding the Termination Date, the Board of Directors may cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer to all Common
Shareholders to purchase Common Shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per Common Share on the expiration date of the tender offer
(an “Eligible Tender Offer”). The Board of Directors has established that, following an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund must
have at least $100 million of net assets to ensure the continued viability of the Fund (the “Termination Threshold”). In an
Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder; provided, that if the number
of properly tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, the Eligible
Tender Offer will be terminated and no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead, the Fund will
begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and proceed to terminate on or before the Termination Date. Following the completion of
an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative vote of a majority
of the Board of Directors and without the approval of Common Shareholders.
The Fund is not a so called
“target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date,
often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective
is to return its original NAV on the termination date. See “Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer” and “Risks-Structural
Risks-Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk” below.
Dividends and Distributions.
The Fund has implemented a level distribution policy. Under the level distribution policy, the Fund intends to distribute to holders
of the Common Shares regular monthly cash distributions of all or a portion of its net investment income. There is no assurance the Fund
will make regular monthly distributions or that it will do so at a particular rate. If the Fund’s investments do not generate sufficient
income, the Fund may be required to liquidate a portion of its portfolio to fund these distributions, and therefore these payments may
represent a reduction of a shareholder’s principal investment.
From time to time, portions
of the Fund’s distributions may constitute a return of capital. A return of capital would reduce a Common Shareholder’s tax
basis in its Common Shares, which could result in higher taxes when the Common Shareholder sells such Common Shares. This may cause the
Common Shareholder to owe taxes even if it sells Common Shares for less than the original purchase price of such Common Shares. See “Dividends
and Distributions.”
Leverage. The
Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging.
In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative and other transactions that have the effect of leverage. Such other transactions may include
tender option bond transactions (as described herein). As of the time immediately after it enters into any of the foregoing transactions,
the Fund will seek to limit its overall effective leverage to 45% of its Managed Assets. The Fund currently anticipates that leverage
will be obtained through borrowings from banks or other financial institutions and the use of proceeds received from tender option bond
transactions. See “Use of Leverage – Tender Option Bonds.” Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related
to the use of leverage, such use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the Fund’s Common Shares than if leverage is
not used. See “Risks-Structural Risk-Leverage Risk.”
The Prospectus sets forth
concisely the information about the Fund and the Securities that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in the Fund. You
should read this Prospectus and the related prospectus supplement, which contain important information about the Fund, before deciding
whether to invest in the Fund’s Securities, and retain them for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated [ ], 2024 (the “SAI”), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Prospectus,
the SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information about the Fund, or make shareholder inquiries, by calling
(855) 862-6092, by writing to the Fund at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, or by visiting the Fund’s
and the Adviser’s website at rivernorth.com (information included on the website does not form a part of this Prospectus), or from
the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
Investing in the Fund
involves certain risks. See “Risks” beginning on page 17 of this Prospectus.
Neither the SEC nor any
state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The Fund’s Securities
do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depositary institution,
and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
Prospectus dated [ ], 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY |
1 |
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES |
13 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
14 |
SENIOR SECURITIES |
14 |
MARKET AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION |
14 |
THE FUND |
14 |
THE OFFERING |
15 |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
16 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES |
16 |
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS |
16 |
USE OF LEVERAGE |
17 |
RISKS |
17 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND |
18 |
NET ASSET VALUE |
21 |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS |
22 |
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN |
23 |
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SECURITIES |
23 |
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND OF MARYLAND LAW |
27 |
REPURCHASE OF SHARES |
34 |
RIGHTS OFFERINGS |
35 |
CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND |
35 |
LIMITED TERM AND ELIGIBLE TENDER OFFER |
36 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS |
38 |
CALIFORNIA TAX MATTERS |
42 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
43 |
ADMINISTRATOR, FUND ACCOUNTANT, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN |
46 |
LEGAL MATTERS |
47 |
CONTROL PERSONS |
47 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
47 |
THE FUND’S PRIVACY POLICY |
47 |
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
48 |
You should rely only on
the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. The Fund has not authorized
any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should
not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus and any related prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date
other than the respective dates on the front covers. The Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations may have
changed since that date.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This is only a summary
of information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before
investing in the Fund’s securities offered by this Prospectus. You should review the more detailed information contained in this
Prospectus, and any related prospectus supplement and the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), including the documents
incorporated by reference. In particular, you should carefully read the section entitled “Risks” in this Prospectus.
The Fund |
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
(the “Fund”) is a Maryland corporation registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund will have a limited term unless otherwise determined by the Fund’s
Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”). See “Limited Term” and “Risks-Structural Risks-Limited Term and
Eligible Tender Offer Risk.”
The Fund commenced operations and completed
its initial public offering of common stock in March 2020, raising approximately $122 million in equity after payment of offering
expenses (and including the exercise of the overallotment option). As of August 31, 2024, the Fund had 6,114,699 shares of its common
stock outstanding and net assets applicable to such shares of $104,340,236. The shares of the Fund’s common stock offered by
this Prospectus are called “Common Shares” and the holders of Common Shares are called “Common Shareholders.”
As used hereinafter in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, “common shares” refer to the shares of
the Fund’s common stock currently outstanding as well as those Common Shares offered by this Prospectus and the holders of
common shares are called “common shareholders.” As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not issued any shares
of preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”). An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. |
Investment Adviser and Subadviser |
The Fund’s investment adviser is RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Fund’s subadviser is MacKay Shields LLC (the “Subadviser”). The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets (as defined below) allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy (as described below). The Subadviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy (as described below). Subject to the ranges noted below under “-Principal Investment Strategies and Policies-Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy” and “-Principal Investment Strategies and Policies-Municipal Bond Income Strategy,” the Adviser determines the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations. See “Management of the Fund.” |
The Offering |
The Fund may offer Securities directly to one
or more purchasers, including existing common shareholders and/or preferred shareholders in a Rights offering, through agents that the
Fund or the purchasers designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to the
offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the Securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price,
fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and such agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which
such amount may be calculated. The prospectus supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation preference
and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters, including the terms,
if any, on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable,
the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period. A supplement to this Prospectus
relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of shares (common or preferred) issuable upon the exercise of
each right and the other terms of such rights offering, including whether the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such right
are convertible into Common Shares. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this
Prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of the Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Offerings of Shares will be subject to the provisions
of the 1940 Act, which generally require that the public offering price of common shares of a closed-end investment company (exclusive
of distribution commissions and discounts) must equal the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the company’s common
stock (calculated within 48 hours of pricing), absent shareholder approval or under certain other circumstances. The Fund may, however,
issue Common Shares pursuant to exercises of Rights at prices below NAV. |
Investment Objectives |
The Fund’s primary investment objective is current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. |
Principal Investment Strategies and Policies |
Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 80% of its Managed Assets in municipal bonds, the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers, generally excludable from gross income for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax (“Municipal Bonds”). In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, the Fund seeks to invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets either directly (and indirectly through tender option bond transactions) in such Municipal Bonds or in other funds that are taxed as regulated investment companies. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Tax Risks.” |
|
Municipal Bonds are debt obligations, which may have a variety of issuers, including governmental entities or other qualifying issuers. Issuers may be states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Municipal Bond Risks” and “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Market Disruption, Geopolitical, Pandemic and Climate Change Risks.” Such territories of the United States include Puerto Rico. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Risks” for a discussion of the risks associated with an investment in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds include, among other instruments, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, municipal leases, certificates of participation, private activity bonds, moral obligation bonds, and tobacco settlement bonds, as well as short-term, tax-exempt obligations such as municipal notes and variable rate demand obligations. See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies-Portfolio Composition” for a description of the types of Municipal Bonds in which the Fund may invest. |
|
The Fund seeks to allocate its assets between
the two principal strategies described below. The Adviser determines the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each
strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations. See “Risks-Structural Risks-Asset Allocation Risk.” Under normal
market conditions, the Fund may allocate between 25% and 65% of its Managed Assets to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy
and 35% to 75% of its Managed Assets to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy
(25%-65% of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to (i) generate returns through investments in closed-end funds (“CEFs”),
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other investment companies (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”) that invest,
under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal
Bonds, and (ii) derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with CEFs that invest, under normal market conditions, at
least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal Bonds. See “Risks-Investment-Related
Risks-Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy Risk.” All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Under normal market conditions, the Fund limits
its investments in CEFs that have been in operation for less than one year to no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated
to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs or leveraged ETFs. Under normal market conditions,
the Fund may not invest more than 30% of its Managed Assets in the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy in single state municipal
CEFs. The Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the expenses, including the management fees, of the Underlying Funds. See “Risks-Investment-Related
Risks-Underlying Fund Risks.”
Under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the
Fund may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Underlying
Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all other Underlying Fund securities
held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. These limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule
12d1-4. The Fund intends to rely on either Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which provides that the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(A)
shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more
than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain
requirements are met with respect to sales charges, or Rule 12d1-4. |
|
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that invest
in securities that are rated below investment grade, including those receiving the lowest ratings from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”),
Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”), or Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”),
or comparably rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, determined
by the Adviser or Subadviser to be of comparable credit quality, which indicates that the security is in default or has little prospect
for full recovery of principal or interest. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risk.”
Below investment grade securities (such as securities rated below BBB- by S&P or Fitch or below Baa3 by Moody’s) are commonly
referred to as “junk” and “high yield” securities. Below investment grade securities are considered speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest
in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs, including securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by S&P. Lower rated
below investment grade securities are considered more vulnerable to nonpayment than other below investment grade securities and their
issuers are more dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet their financial commitments. The lowest rated
below investment grade securities are typically already in default. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Credit and Below Investment
Grade Securities Risk.”
The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests
will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.
Municipal Bond Income Strategy (35%-75% of
Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets through
investments in Municipal Bonds. The Fund may not directly invest more than 25% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income
Strategy in Municipal Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin, and the Fund may not directly invest more than 5% of the
Managed Assets allocated to this strategy in the Municipal Bonds of any one issuer, except that the foregoing industry and issuer restrictions
shall not apply to general obligation bonds and the Fund will consider the obligor or borrower underlying the Municipal Bond to be the
“issuer.” See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-State Specific and Industry Risks.” The Fund may invest up to 30%
of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds that pay interest that may be includable in taxable
income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund can invest, directly or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in bonds
of any maturity; however, under this strategy, it will generally invest in Municipal Bonds that have a maturity of five years or longer
at the time of purchase.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests
at least 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy directly in investment grade Municipal
Bonds. The Subadviser invests no more than 20% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds
rated at or below Caa1 by Moody’s or CCC+ by S&P or Fitch, or comparably rated by another NRSRO, including unrated bonds judged
to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. Investment grade securities are those rated Baa
or higher by Moody’s (although Moody’s considers securities rated Baa to have speculative characteristics) or BBB or higher
by S&P or rated similarly by another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser,
as applicable. If the independent ratings agencies assign different ratings to the same security, the Fund will use the higher rating
for purposes of determining the security’s credit quality. Subject to the foregoing limitations, the Fund may invest in securities
receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs, including securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by S&P, which indicates that the
security is in default or has little prospect for full recovery of principal or interest. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Credit
and Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.” |
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Under normal market conditions, the Fund, or the
Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests, invests at least 50% of its Managed Assets, directly or indirectly in investment grade Municipal
Bonds.
“Managed Assets” means the total assets
of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock
that may be outstanding). Such assets attributable to leverage include the portion of assets in tender option bond trusts of which the
Fund owns TOB Residuals (as defined below) that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of TOB Floaters (as defined
below). See “Use of Leverage-Tender Option Bonds.”
Other Investments. The Fund may invest,
directly or indirectly, up to 20% of its Managed Assets in taxable municipal securities. Any portion of the Fund’s assets invested
in taxable municipal securities does not count toward the 35%-75% of the Fund’s assets allocated to Municipal Bonds.
The Fund may at times establish hedging positions,
which may include short sales and derivatives, such as options, futures and swaps (“Hedging Positions”). Such Hedging Positions
may be used to attempt to protect against possible changes in the value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s
portfolio and to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund’s Hedging Positions may, however,
result in income or gain to the Fund that is not exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Derivatives
Risks” and “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Options and Futures Risks.”
A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund
sells a security that it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the security. The Fund may benefit from a short
position when the shorted security decreases in value by more than the cost of the transaction but will suffer a loss on a short sale
if the security’s value does not decline or increases. The Fund will not engage in any short sales of securities issued by CEFs.
See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies-Principal Investment Strategies-Other Investments” and “Risks-Investment-Related
Risks-Short Sale Risks.”
The Fund also may attempt to enhance the return
on the cash portion of its portfolio by investing in total return swap agreements. A total return swap agreement provides the Fund with
a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments to a counterparty based on a specific rate. The
difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the Fund, and is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the
underlying asset declines in value over the term of the swap, the Fund would be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus
any applicable fees to the counterparty. The Fund may use its own NAV or any other reference asset that the Adviser or Subadviser chooses
as the underlying asset in a total return swap. The Fund limits the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets. See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies-Principal Investment Strategies-Other Investments”
and “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Swap Risks.”
The Fund may also purchase and sell municipal
market data rate locks (“MMD Rate Locks”). An MMD Rate Lock permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest
rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management
technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock,
the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part
of the yield curve. The Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is
permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Fund's yield, for example, during periods of steep interest
rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest rates). An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between
the Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent
upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of
the contract. For example, if the Fund buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below
the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Fund equal to the specified
level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation
Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level
minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. |
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In addition to the foregoing principal investment
strategies of the Fund, the Adviser also may allocate the Fund’s Managed Assets among cash and short-term investments. See “Investment
Policies and Techniques-Temporary Investments and Defensive Position” in the SAI. There are no limits on the Fund’s portfolio
turnover, and the Fund may buy and sell securities to take advantage of potential short-term trading opportunities without regard to length
of time and when the Adviser or Subadviser believes investment considerations warrant such action. High portfolio turnover may result
in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary
income. In addition, a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional
expenses that are borne by the Fund. See “Risks-Structural Risks-Portfolio Turnover Risk.”
All percentage limitations described in this Prospectus
are measured at the time of investment and may be exceeded on a going-forward basis as a result of credit rating downgrades or market
value fluctuations of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Unless otherwise specified herein, the Fund may count its holdings in Underlying
Funds towards various guideline tests, including the 80% policy so long as the earnings on the underlying holdings of such Underlying
Funds are exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative
minimum tax).
Unless otherwise specified, the investment policies
and limitations of the Fund are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without a vote of the Common Shareholders.
The Fund’s primary investment objective, 80% policy and certain investment restrictions specifically identified as such in the SAI
are considered fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, which includes Common Shares and Preferred Shares, if any, voting together as a single class,
and the holders of the outstanding Preferred Shares, if any, voting as a single class. See “Investment Restrictions” in the
SAI. |
Investment Philosophy and Process |
The Adviser allocates the Fund’s assets
between the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and the Municipal Bond Income Strategy (as described above). The amount allocated
to each of the principal strategies may change depending on the Adviser’s assessment of market risk, security valuations, market
volatility, and the prospects for earning income and capital appreciation.
Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy.
The Adviser considers a number of factors when selecting Underlying Funds, including fundamental and technical analysis to assess
the relative risk and reward potential throughout the financial markets. The term “tactical” is used to indicate that the
portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to this strategy invest in CEFs to take advantage of pricing discrepancies in the
CEF market. |
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In selecting CEFs, the Adviser opportunistically
utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from the discount and premium spreads
associated with CEFs by identifying pricing aberrations. The Adviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach in its selection
of CEFs and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to trade CEFs. The Adviser’s mean reversion investing looks
to capitalize on changes within the pricing of a CEF and, based upon its research and analysis, a view that it will revert to historical
pricing. The Adviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
Statistical Analysis (Mean Reversion) |
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Using proprietary quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify CEFs that are trading at compelling
absolute and/or relative discounts. |
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● |
The Adviser attempts to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that the discount
widening is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations. |
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Corporate Actions |
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● |
The Adviser pursues investments in CEFs that have announced, or the Adviser believes are likely to announce,
certain corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders. |
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The Adviser has developed trading strategies that focus on CEF tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder
distributions, open-endings and liquidations. |
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Shareholder Activism |
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● |
The Adviser assesses activism opportunities by determining a CEF’s susceptibility to dissident activity
and analyzing the composition of the fund’s shareholder register. The Fund, in seeking to achieve its investment objectives, will
not take activist positions in the Underlying Funds. |
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In employing its trading strategies, the Adviser
conducts an extensive amount of due diligence on various fund sponsors, investment managers and funds, including actively monitoring regulatory
filings, analyzing a fund’s registration statements, financial statements and organizational documents, as well as conducting proprietary
research, such as speaking with fund sponsors, underwriters, sell-side brokers and investors.
See “Investment Philosophy and Process-Tactical
Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy.”
Municipal Bond Income Strategy. The Subadviser
believes inefficiencies exist in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets. In order to capitalize on these opportunities,
the Subadviser applies both a top-down and bottom-up research investment process. The Subadviser’s top-down analysis considers the
economic, interest rate, inflation outlook and other economic variables to guide overall portfolio structure. The Subadviser employs a
value-oriented security selection process to invest in securities it believes to be mispriced which offer a yield advantage. In choosing
investments, the Subadviser analyzes the credit quality of issuers and considers the yields available on municipal bonds with different
maturities. In addition, the Subadviser reviews macroeconomic events, technical characteristics in the municipal bond market, tax policies,
as well as analyzing individual municipal securities and sectors. The Subadviser seeks to reduce volatility through its disciplined investment
process and investment risk management. |
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The Subadviser may sell a security if it no longer
believes the security will contribute to meeting the investment objectives of the Fund. In considering whether to sell a security, the
Subadviser may evaluate, among other things, the condition of the economy and meaningful changes in the issuer’s financial condition.
See “Investment Philosophy and Process-Municipal
Bond Income Strategy.” |
Limited Term Fund Structure and Eligible Tender Offer |
The Fund will terminate on or before March 26,
2035 (the “Termination Date”); provided, that if the Board of Directors believes that, under then-current market conditions,
it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination Date: (i) once for up to one year (i.e., up to March
26, 2036), and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), in each case upon the affirmative vote of
a majority of the Board of Directors and without the approval of Common Shareholders. In determining whether to extend the Termination
Date, the Board of Directors may consider the inability to sell the Fund’s assets in a time frame consistent with the termination
due to lack of market liquidity or other extenuating circumstances. Additionally, the Board of Directors may determine that market conditions
are such that it is reasonable to believe that, with an extension, the Fund’s remaining assets will appreciate and generate income
in an amount that, in the aggregate, is meaningful relative to the cost and expense of continuing the operation of the Fund.
In anticipation of the Termination Date (such
period of time, the “wind-down period”), the Fund may begin liquidating all or a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, and
may deviate from its investment policies and may not achieve its investment objective. During the wind-down period (or in anticipation
of an Eligible Tender Offer), the Fund’s portfolio composition may change as more of its portfolio holdings are called or sold and
portfolio holdings are disposed of in anticipation of liquidation. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of matured, called or sold securities
in accordance with the investment program described above, the Fund may invest such proceeds in short term or other lower yielding securities
or hold the proceeds in cash, which may adversely affect its performance.
In addition, within twelve months preceding the
Termination Date, the Board of Directors may cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. An Eligible Tender Offer would consist
of a tender offer to all Common Shareholders to purchase Common Shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per Common Share on the
expiration date of the tender offer. The Board of Directors has established that, following an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund must have
at least $100 million of net assets to ensure the continued viability of the Fund (the “Termination Threshold”). |
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In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer
to purchase all Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder; provided, that if the number of properly tendered Common Shares would result
in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated and no Common
Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead, the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio
and proceed to terminate on or before the Termination Date. The Adviser will pay all costs and expenses associated with the making of
an Eligible Tender Offer, other than brokerage and related transaction costs associated with the disposition of portfolio investments
in connection with the Eligible Tender Offer, which will be borne by the Fund and its Shareholders. An Eligible Tender Offer would be
made, and Shareholders would be notified thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the applicable tender offer rules thereunder (including Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E under
the Exchange Act).
If the number of properly tendered Common Shares
would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, all Common Shares properly tendered
and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer. The Fund’s purchase of tendered
Common Shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences for tendering Common Shareholders and may have tax consequences for
non-tendering Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund would continue to be subject to its obligations with respect to its issued and
outstanding preferred stock or debt securities, if any.
All Common Shareholders remaining after a tender
offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total assets resulting from payment
for the tendered Common Shares. A reduction in net assets, and the corresponding increase in the Fund’s expense ratio, could result
in lower returns and put the Fund at a disadvantage relative to its peers and potentially cause the Fund to trade at a wider discount
to NAV than it otherwise would. Such reduction in the Fund’s total assets may also result in less investment flexibility, reduced
diversification and greater volatility for the Fund, and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover,
the resulting reduction in the number of outstanding Common Shares could cause the Common Shares to become thinly traded or otherwise
adversely impact the secondary market trading of such shares. See “Risks-Structural Risks-Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer
Risk.”
Following the completion of an Eligible Tender
Offer, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board
of Directors and without the approval of Common Shareholders. In making such decision, the Board of Directors will take such actions with
respect to the continued operations of the Fund as it deems to be in the best interests of the Fund, based on market conditions at such
time, the extent of Common Shareholder participation in the Eligible Tender Offer and all other factors deemed relevant by the Board of
Directors in consultation with the Adviser and Subadviser, taking into account that the Adviser and Subadviser may have a potential conflict
of interest in seeking to convert to a perpetual fund (or in seeking to extend the Termination Date). The Fund is not required to conduct
additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a perpetual structure. Therefore, remaining Common Shareholders
may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer or exchange their Common Shares for the then-existing NAV per Common
Share. |
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The Fund is not a so called “target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective is to return its original NAV on the termination date. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and Of Maryland Law” and “Risks-Structural Risks-Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk.” |
Use of Leverage |
The Fund may borrow money and/or issue
Preferred Shares, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. In addition, the Fund
may enter into derivative and other transactions that have the effect of leverage. Such other transactions may include tender option
bond transactions (as described herein). The Adviser determines whether or not to engage in leverage based on its assessment of conditions
in the debt and credit markets. As of the time immediately after it enters into any of the foregoing transactions, the Fund will
seek to limit its overall effective leverage to 45% of its Managed Assets. On June 1, 2020, the Fund entered into a credit agreement for margin financing with Pershing LLC (“Pershing Facility”). The
Pershing Facility permits the Fund to borrow funds that are collateralized by assets held in a special custody account held at State Street
Bank & Trust Co. pursuant to a Special Custody and Pledge Agreement. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at the overnight
bank funding rate plus 80 basis points. The maximum borrowing allowed is $65,000,000. The Fund did not utilize the Pershing Facility during
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
On March 9, 2023, the Fund entered into
an additional credit agreement with BNP Paribas (“BNP Credit Agreement”). The BNP Credit Agreement permits the Fund to
borrow funds that are collateralized by assets held at BNP Paribas pursuant to the BNP Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the BNP
Credit Agreement, the Fund may borrow up to $15,000,000 bearing an interest rate of the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus a fixed
rate determined by the securities pledged as collateral. Any unused portion of the BNP Credit Agreement is subject to a commitment
fee of 0.50% of the unused portion of the facility until a utilization of 80% or greater is met. The Fund did not utilize the BNP
Credit Agreement during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
The Fund currently anticipates that leverage will
be obtained through borrowings from banks or other financial institutions and the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions.
See “-Tender Option Bonds.” To date, the Fund has not issued any Preferred Shares or debt securities.
The provisions of the 1940 Act provide that the
Fund may borrow or issue notes or debt securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets or may issue Preferred Shares in an amount
up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets (including the proceeds from leverage). With respect to the Fund’s anticipated investments
in TOB Residuals issued by a tender option bond trust (as further discussed below under “-Tender Option Bonds”), the Fund
will treat such instruments as derivatives in compliance with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Legislation
and Regulatory Risks.” |
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The use of leverage by the Fund can magnify the
effect of any losses. If the income and gains earned on the securities and investments purchased with leverage proceeds are greater than
the cost of the leverage, returns will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income and gains from the securities
and investments purchased with such proceeds do not cover the cost of leverage, returns will be less than if leverage had not been used.
The use of leverage magnifies gains and losses to Common Shareholders. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the
issuance of debt or use of leverage, any use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the Common Shares than if leverage is
not used. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Use
of Leverage” and “Risks-Structural Risk-Leverage Risk.”
Tender Option Bonds. The Fund may leverage
its assets through the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. In a tender option bond transaction, a tender option
bond trust (a “TOB Issuer”) is typically established by forming a special purpose trust into which the Fund, or an agent on
behalf of the Fund, transfers municipal bonds or other municipal securities. A TOB Issuer typically issues two classes of beneficial interests:
short-term floating rate notes (“TOB Floaters”), which are sold to third party investors, and residual interest municipal
tender option bonds (“TOB Residuals”), which are generally issued to the Fund. The Fund may invest in both TOB Floaters and
TOB Residuals, including TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals issued by the same TOB Issuer. The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its Managed
Assets in any single TOB Issuer. The Fund does not currently intend to invest in TOB Residuals issued by a TOB Issuer that was not formed
for the Fund, although it reserves the right to do so in the future.
Under accounting rules, securities of the Fund
that are deposited into a TOB Issuer are treated as investments of the Fund, and are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments
and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Issuer are presented as liabilities in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Interest income from the underlying security is recorded by the Fund on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters
and other expenses related to remarketing, administration and trustee services to a TOB Issuer are reported as expenses of the Fund.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the interest rate
earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration
to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to extended periods of one year or multiple years.
Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB
Issuer, the Fund, if it is the holder of the TOB Floaters, relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing
the option as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the TOB Issuer provide
for a liquidation of the municipal security deposited in the TOB Issuer and the application of the proceeds to pay off the TOB Floaters. |
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There are inherent risks with respect to investing in
a TOB Issuer. These risks include, among others, the bankruptcy or default of the issuer of the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer,
a substantial downgrade in the credit quality of the issuer of the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, the inability of the TOB
Issuer to obtain liquidity support for the TOB Floaters, a substantial decline in the market value of the securities deposited in
the TOB Issuer, or the inability of the sponsor to remarket any TOB Floaters tendered to it by holders of the TOB Floaters. See “Risks-Investment-Related
Risks-Tender Option Bonds Risk.”The use of proceeds from tender option bond transactions represented approximately 38.12% of
Managed Assets as of June 30, 2024. Asset coverage from tender option bond transactions was 262%. |
Dividends and Distributions |
The Fund has implemented a level distribution
policy (the “Level Distribution Policy”). Under the Level Distribution Policy, the Fund intends to make monthly distributions
to common shareholders at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate (which is annually reset) equal to 6.75% of the average
of the Fund’s NAV per share as reported for the final five trading days of the preceding calendar year. The rate disclosed
is as of the date of this Prospectus.
Under the Level Distribution Policy, to the extent
that sufficient investment income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund’s distributions could consist of return of capital
in order to maintain the distribution rate. The amount treated as a return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s adjusted basis
in the shareholder’s shares, thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the sale of shares. Investors
should not make any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s distributions or from
the terms of the Fund’s Level Distribution Policy. Dividends and distributions may be payable in cash or common shares, with shareholders
having the option to receive additional common shares in lieu of cash. The Fund may at times, in its discretion, pay out less than the
entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income
in addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more stable level of distributions.
As a result, the dividend paid by the Fund to common shareholders for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net
investment income earned by the Fund during such period. The Fund’s ability to maintain a stable level of distributions to shareholders
will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of income received from its investments. The amount of monthly distributions
could vary depending on a number of factors, including the costs of any leverage. As portfolio and market conditions change, the amount
of dividends on the Fund’s common shares could change. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially
all of its net investment income each year to both reduce its federal income tax liability and to avoid a potential federal excise tax.
The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. See “Dividends and Distributions.” |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
The Fund has an automatic dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each Common Shareholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends and capital gains automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions in Common Shares will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends and distributions, even though such participants have not received any cash with which to pay the resulting tax. |
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Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash. All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan, including how a Common Shareholder may opt out of the Plan, should be directed to DST Systems, Inc., (844) 569-4750 (the “Plan Administrator”). Beneficial owners of Common Shares who hold their Common Shares in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in, or opt out of, the Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.” |
Listing of Common Shares |
The Fund’s currently outstanding common shares are, and the
Common Shares offered in this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be, subject to notice of issuance, listed
on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.” The NAV of
the Fund's common stock on August 31, 2024 was $17.06 per share, and the last sale price of the Fund's common stock on the NYSE on
such date was $15.93. |
Risk Considerations |
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any
investment company security involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even
that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing in the Fund, you should consider the risks more
fully set forth under “Risks” beginning on page 17 (as well as the other information in this Prospectus, the applicable
prospectus supplement and the SAI), which provides a discussion of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in the
Fund specifically, as well as those factors generally associated with an investment in a company with investment objectives, investment
policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to the Fund. Given the nature of the Fund’s investment strategies,
these principal risks include risks associated with investments in municipal bonds, other investment companies and below investment
grade-rated securities; risks associated with the use of leverage, including the use of tender option bond transactions and derivatives;
and risks related to interest rates and tax matters. |
Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian |
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”) is the Fund’s administrator. Under an Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), AFS is responsible for calculating NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. State Street Bank & Trust Co. serves as the Fund’s custodian. DST Systems, Inc. serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, Plan Administrator and dividend disbursing agent. See “Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian.” |
SUMMARY OF FUND
EXPENSES
The information in “Summary of Fund Expenses”
is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Fund Expenses”, which is incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. See “Incorporation
by Reference” below for more information.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Fund’s “Financial
Highlights” and the report of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen & Company, Ltd. ("Cohen"),
thereon, contained in the following document filed by the Fund with the SEC, is hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus:
the annual report for the year ended June 30, 2024 contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSR
filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024.
SENIOR SECURITIES
The information in "Senior
Securities" and the report of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen, thereon, contained in the following document
filed by the Fund with the SEC, is hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus: the annual report for the year ended June 30,
2024 contained in the Fund's Form N-CSR
filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024.
MARKET AND NET
ASSET VALUE INFORMATION
The information in “Market and Net Asset
Value Information” is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR
for the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Market and Net Asset Value Information”, which is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
THE FUND
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal
Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on October 1, 2019. The
Fund will have an approximate 15-year limited term unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. On March 26, 2020, 5,505,000
shares of common stock were issued in connection with the Fund’s initial public offering. An additional 609,699 shares of common
stock were issued on May 11, 2020 in connection with the underwriter’s over-allotment option. The Fund’s currently outstanding
common stock is, and common stock offered in this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be, listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “RFM.” The Fund’s principal office is located at 360 South Rosemary
Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, and its telephone number is (561) 484-7185. The shares of the Fund’s common stock
offered by this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement are hereinafter called “Common Shares” and the holders
of Common Shares are called “Common Shareholders.” As used in this Prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, “common
shares” refers to the shares of the Fund’s common stock currently outstanding as well as those Common Shares offered by this
Prospectus and the holders of common shares are called “common shareholders.”
The
following table provides information about the Fund’s outstanding securities as of August 31, 2024:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund or for its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common
Shares |
50,000,000 |
0 |
6,114,699 |
THE OFFERING
The Fund may offer, from time
to time, up to $150,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of (i) Common Shares, (ii) shares of its preferred stock (“Preferred
Shares”), and/or (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights” and, together
with the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares, “Securities) in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth
in one or more supplements to this Prospectus. See “Description of the Fund’s Securities.”
The Fund may offer Securities
directly to one or more purchasers, including existing common shareholders and/or preferred shareholders in a Rights offering, through
agents that the Fund or the purchasers designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement
relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the Securities, and will set forth any applicable
purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and such agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the
basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The prospectus supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation
preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters, including
the terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and,
if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period. A supplement to
this Prospectus relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of shares (common or preferred) issuable upon
the exercise of each right and the other terms of such Rights offering, including whether the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise
of such right are convertible into Common Shares. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery
of this Prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of the Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”
The Fund may offer Common
Shares or Preferred Shares on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis. Offerings of Shares will be subject to the provisions of the
1940 Act, which generally require that the public offering price of common shares of a closed-end investment company (exclusive of distribution
commissions and discounts) must equal or exceed the NAV per share of the company’s common stock (calculated within 48 hours of pricing),
absent shareholder approval or under certain other circumstances. The Fund may, however, issue Common Shares pursuant to exercises of
Rights at prices below NAV.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified
in a prospectus supplement, the Fund expects to invest the net proceeds from any sales of Securities in accordance with the Fund’s
investment objective and policies as stated below, or use such proceeds for other general corporate purposes within approximately three
months of receipt of such proceeds. Pending any such use, the proceeds may be invested in cash, cash equivalents, short-term debt securities
or U.S. government securities. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds could lower returns and reduce the Fund’s distributions
to common shareholders.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES,
STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
The information in “Investment Objective, Strategies and
Policies” is set forth in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Updated Information Regarding the Fund”, which is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
AND PROCESS
The Adviser allocates the
Fund’s assets between the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and the Municipal Bond Income Strategy (as described above).
The amount allocated to each of the principal strategies may change depending on the Adviser’s assessment of market risk, security
valuations, market volatility, and the prospects for earning income and capital appreciation. See “Risks-Structural Risks-Multi-Manager
Risk.”
Tactical Municipal Closed-End
Fund Strategy. The Adviser considers a number of factors when selecting Underlying Funds, including fundamental and technical analysis
to assess the relative risk and reward potential throughout the financial markets. The term “tactical” is used to indicate
that the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to this strategy that invests in CEFs to take advantage of pricing discrepancies
in the CEF market.
In selecting CEFs, the Adviser
opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from the discount and
premium spreads associated with CEFs by identifying pricing aberrations. The Adviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach
in its selection of CEFs and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to trade CEFs. The Adviser’s mean reversion
investing looks to capitalize on changes within the pricing of a CEF and, based upon its research and analysis, a view that it will revert
to historical pricing. The Adviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
Statistical Analysis (Mean
Reversion)
| ● | Using proprietary quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify CEFs that are trading at compelling
absolute and/or relative discounts. |
| ● | The Adviser will attempt to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that the discount
widening is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations. |
Corporate Actions
| ● | The Adviser pursues investments in CEFs that have announced, or the Adviser believes are likely to announce,
certain corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders. |
| ● | The Adviser has developed trading strategies that focus on CEF tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder
distributions, open-endings and liquidations. |
Shareholder Activism
| ● | The Adviser assesses activism opportunities by determining a CEF’s susceptibility to dissident activity
and analyzing the composition of the fund’s shareholder register. The Fund, in seeking to achieve its investment objectives, will
not take activist positions in the Underlying Funds. |
In employing its trading strategies,
the Adviser conducts an extensive amount of due diligence on various fund sponsors, investment managers and funds, including actively
monitoring regulatory filings, analyzing a fund’s registration statements, financial statements and organizational documents, as
well as conducting proprietary research, such as speaking with fund sponsors, underwriters, sell-side brokers and investors.
Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
The Subadviser believes inefficiencies exist in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets. In order to capitalize on these
opportunities, the Subadviser applies both a top-down and bottom-up research investment process. The Subadviser’s top-down analysis
considers the economic, interest rate, inflation outlook and other economic variables to guide overall portfolio structure. The Subadviser
employs a value-oriented security selection process to invest in securities it believes to be mispriced which offer a yield advantage.
In choosing investments, the Subadviser analyzes the credit quality of issuers and considers the yields available on municipal bonds with
different maturities. In addition, the Subadviser reviews macroeconomic events, technical characteristics in the municipal bond market,
tax policies, as well as analyzing individual municipal securities and sectors. The Subadviser seeks to reduce volatility through its
disciplined investment process and investment risk management.
The Subadviser may sell a
security if it no longer believes the security will contribute to meeting the investment objectives of the Fund. In considering whether
to sell a security, the Subadviser may evaluate, among other things, the condition of the economy and meaningful changes in the issuer’s
financial condition.
USE OF LEVERAGE
The information in “Use of Leverage”
is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on
Form N-CSR for the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Updated Information Regarding the Fund”, which
is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
RISKS
The information in “Risks” is set
forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Updated Information Regarding the Fund – Risk Factors”,
which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
MANAGEMENT OF THE
FUND
Board of Directors
The Fund’s Board of
Directors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund. The Board of Directors decides upon matters of general policy and generally
oversees the actions of the Adviser, the Subadviser and the other service providers of the Fund. The name and business address of the
Board of Directors and officers of the Fund, and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, are set
forth under “Board Members and Officers” in the SAI.
Investment Adviser
RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”), a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s investment adviser and
is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy,
managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain administrative services. The Adviser is also responsible for determining
the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing its implementation. Subject to the ranges noted above, the Adviser determines
the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations.
RiverNorth, founded in
2000, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RiverNorth Financial Holdings LLC and is located at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West
Palm Beach, FL 33401. As of August 31, 2024, RiverNorth managed approximately $5.02 billion for registered open-end management
investment companies, registered closed-end management investment companies and private investment vehicles. See “Management of
the Fund” in the SAI.
Subadviser
MacKay Shields LLC is
the Fund’s subadviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal
Bond Income Strategy. The Subadviser is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10105. The
Subadviser is registered with the SEC, and as of August 31, 2024, had approximately $147.8 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser
was incorporated in 1969 as an independent investment advisory firm and was privately held until 1984 when it was acquired by New York
Life Insurance Company. The Subadviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
Portfolio Management
Patrick W. Galley, CFA has
been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception on March 26, 2020. Mr.
Galley is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the Adviser. Mr. Galley heads the Adviser’s research and
investment team and oversees all portfolio management activities at the Adviser. Mr. Galley also serves as the President and Chairman
of the RiverNorth Funds, a mutual fund complex for which RiverNorth serves as the investment adviser, as well as for several other CEFs
advised by the Adviser. Prior to joining the Adviser in 2004, he was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment
Bank’s Portfolio Management group, where he specialized in analyzing and structuring corporate transactions for investment management
firms in addition to closed-end and open-end funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, structured investment vehicles and insurance/reinsurance
companies. Mr. Galley graduated with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Finance. He has received the Chartered
Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Stephen O’Neill, CFA
has been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. O’Neill
conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEFs and their respective asset classes at RiverNorth. Prior to joining RiverNorth Capital
in 2007, Mr. O’Neill was most recently an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio
Management group. At Bank of America, he specialized in the corporate real estate, asset management, and structured finance industries.
Mr. O’Neill graduated magna cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S. in Finance. Mr. O’Neill has received
the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute, and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Jonathan Browne has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed End Fund Strategy for the Fund since 2024. Jonathan Browne has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since 2024. Mr. Browne a member of the investment management
team and is responsible for assisting with the research and trading of RiverNorth's closed-end fund and special purpose acquisition company
strategies. Prior to joining RiverNorth, Mr. Browne was a Portfolio Manager, Director of Research at Robinson Capital where he co-managed
several closed-end fund and SPAC focused mutual funds, as well as oversaw the firm's closed-end fund and SPAC research efforts. Prior
to Robinson Capital, Jonathan worked as an Associate Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst for Federated Hermes. Mr. Browne holds both
a B.S. and MBA in Finance and Economics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Robert DiMella, CFA has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. DiMella is an Executive Managing Director
of the Subadviser. He has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010,
the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since May 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the
MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Previously,
he co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
(“MLIM”), he served as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of the Municipal Products Group. Mr. DiMella earned
his Master’s degree at Rutgers University Business School and a Bachelors Degree at the University of Connecticut, and he has received
the CFA designation.
John Loffredo, CFA has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Loffredo is an Executive Managing Director
of the Subadviser. Mr. Loffredo has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since
2010, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012,
the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. He
has been a municipal portfolio manager and/or municipal analyst on Wall Street since 1990, with a broad range of portfolio management
and analytic experience in the municipal markets. He previously co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s
merger with MLIM, he served as Chief Investment Officer of the Municipal Products Group of MLIM. Mr. Loffredo graduated cum laude with
an MBA from Utah State University where he was a Harry S. Truman Scholar. He also has a Certificate of Public Management from Boston University,
and he has received the CFA designation.
Michael Petty has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Petty is a Senior Managing Director of the Subadviser.
Mr. Petty has managed the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2011, the MainStay
New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California
Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Before joining the Subadviser
in 2009, he was a Portfolio Manager for Mariner Municipal Managers. He has been a portfolio manager on Wall Street since 1992, and has
worked in the municipal products market since 1985. Mr. Petty has a broad array of trading, portfolio management, and sales experience.
Prior to joining Mariner Municipal Managers, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Dreyfus Corporation from 1997 to 2009. From 1992 to
1997, he served as a Portfolio Manager for Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. Mr. Petty graduated from Hobart College with a B.S. in Mathematics
and Economics.
Scott Sprauer has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Sprauer is a Senior Managing Director of the Subadviser.
He joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He has managed the MainStay New York Tax Free
Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities
Fund since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax
Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining the Subadviser, he was the Head Trader, Fixed Income at Financial Guaranty
Insurance Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BSBA from Villanova University, and has been in the investment management industry since
1991.
David Dowden has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Dowden is a Managing Director of the Subadviser. He
joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He has managed the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities
Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund
since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged
Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining the Subadviser, he was the Chief Investment Officer at Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BA from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia University. He has been in the investment management
industry since 1989.
Robert Burke has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Burke is a Managing Director of the Subadviser. He
joined the Subadviser in July 2017. Before joining the Subadviser, Mr. Burke held various leadership roles in capital markets, spending
the majority of his time in the municipal markets. In his last role working for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mr. Burke managed the Global
Futures, Derivatives Clearing and Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage businesses. Mr. Burke started his career at Bank of America Merrill
Lynch in the municipal bond department covering insurance, hedge fund, and asset management clients. He holds a Masters of Business Administration
from the Gabelli School at Fordham University, and a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in Economics from Colgate University. Mr. Burke
has received the CFA designation. He has been in the investment management industry since 1985.
John Lawlor has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. He is a Managing Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Lawlor
joined MacKay Shields in 2016. Before joining the firm, he was Vice President Equity Sales at Deutsche Bank and was previously at Bank
of America Merrill Lynch. From 1997-2011, he was a senior trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Lawlor has a broad and
diverse set of skills in sales, trading, and electronic trading platforms. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Lehigh
University and has a Masters of Public Policy and Administration from American University. He has been in the financial services industry
since 1997.
The Fund’s SAI provides
information about the compensation received by the portfolio managers of the Fund, other accounts that they manage and their ownership
of the Fund’s equity securities.
Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements
Pursuant to an Investment
Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s affairs, subject at all times to the general oversight of
the Fund’s Board of Directors. The Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual
rate of 1.40% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the services it provides. This management fee paid by the Fund to the
Adviser is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified management fee”) and, as part of the unified management fee,
the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished all supervisory and administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation
of the Fund, except (unless otherwise described in this Prospectus or otherwise agreed to in writing), the Fund pays, in addition to the
unified management fee, taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against the Fund; brokerage fees and commissions and other portfolio
transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of
leverage financing including, without limit, through the use by the Fund of tender option bond transactions; costs, including dividend
and/or interest expenses and other costs (including, without limit, offering and related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction
agents, fees to transfer agents, fees to ratings agencies and fees to auditors associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements
for preferred shares or other securities issued by the Fund and other related requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents)
associated with the Fund’s issuance, offering, redemption and maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the
use of tender option bond transactions) for the purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which the
Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses and fees
and expenses of legal counsel retained for their benefit, of directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders
or members of the Adviser or its affiliates; fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations
involving contested elections of directors, shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by the
Adviser; legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses associated with any future share offerings, such as rights offerings
and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers (other than any Eligible Tender
Offer) and other share repurchases and redemptions; and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise,
including, without limit, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and the legal obligations of the
Fund to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto.
Pursuant to a Subadvisory
Agreement, the Adviser has delegated daily management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy
to the Subadviser, who is paid by the Adviser from the unified management fee and not the Fund. The Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed
to pay the Subadviser a subadvisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily Managed
Assets for the service it provides.
Because the fees received
by the Adviser and the Subadviser are based on the Managed Assets of the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive
for the Fund to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the
common shareholders, on the other. Because leverage costs are borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, the Fund’s investment
management fee and other expenses, including expenses incurred as a result of any leverage, are paid only by the common shareholders and
not by holders of Preferred Shares or through borrowings. See “Use of Leverage.”
A discussion of the basis
for the Board of Directors’ most recent renewal of the Fund’s Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements is available
in the Fund’s semi-annual report dated December 31, 2023. The basis for subsequent continuations of these agreements will be provided
in annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
NET ASSET VALUE
NAV is determined daily as
of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). NAV is calculated by dividing the value of all
of the securities and other assets of the Fund, less the liabilities (including accrued expenses and indebtedness) and the aggregate liquidation
value of any outstanding Preferred Shares, by the total number of common shares outstanding.
The Fund utilizes an independent
pricing service approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors to value its Municipal Bond investments. The Fund’s Underlying Fund
investments are generally valued at their market value using market quotations. The Fund may use independent pricing services to provide
market quotations. Prices obtained from independent pricing services use various observable inputs and assumptions, including, but not
limited to, information provided by broker-dealers, pricing formulas, such as dividend discount models, option valuation formulas, estimates
of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics and discounted cash flow
models that might be applicable. In valuing Municipal Bonds, the pricing services may consider, among other factors, the yields or prices
of municipal securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating and the obligor’s credit characteristics
considered relevant by the pricing service of the Board of Directors. If a market valuation for a security is unavailable or deemed to
be an unreliable indicator of current market value, the Fund will seek to obtain a broker quote from an external data vendor or directly
from broker-dealers. Certain fixed income securities purchased on a delayed delivery basis are marked-to-market daily until settlement
at the forward settlement date. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost; however,
securities with a demand feature exercisable within seven days are generally valued at par. Exchange-traded options, futures and options
on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. If market quotations are not available or, in the Adviser’s
opinion, market quotations do not reflect market value, or if an event occurs after the close of trading on the domestic or foreign exchange
or market on which the security is principally traded (but prior to the time as of which the NAV is calculated) that materially affects
market value, the security will be valued at fair value by the Adviser, as the valuation designee, according to policies approved by the
Board of Directors. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV,
the security may need to be fair valued using the Fund’s fair value pricing policies. Fair valuation involves subjective judgments
and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be realized upon the
sale of the security. The Fund invests in Underlying Funds. The Fund’s NAV is calculated based, in part, upon the market prices
of the Underlying Funds in its portfolio, and the prospectuses of those companies explain the circumstances under which they will use
fair value pricing and the effects of doing so.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund has implemented
a level distribution policy (the “Level Distribution Policy). Under the Level Distribution Policy, the Fund intends to make monthly
distributions to common shareholders at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate (which is annually reset) equal to 6.75% of the
average of the Fund’s NAV per share (the “Distribution Amount”) as reported for the final five trading days of the
preceding calendar year. The Distribution Amount disclosed is as of the date of this Prospectus. The Board of Directors may amend the
Level Distribution Policy, the Distribution Amount or distribution intervals, or the Fund may cease distributions entirely, at any time,
without prior notice to common shareholders. The Fund’s intention under the Level Distribution Policy is that monthly distributions
paid to common shareholders throughout a calendar year will be at least equal to the Distribution Amount (plus any additional amounts
that may be required to be included in a distribution for federal or excise tax purposes).
Under the Level Distribution
Policy, to the extent that sufficient investment income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund’s distributions could consist
of return of capital in order to maintain the distribution rate. The amount treated as a return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s
adjusted basis in the shareholder’s shares, thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the sale of
shares. Investors should not make any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s distributions
or from the terms of the Fund’s Level Distribution Policy.
It is expected that the Fund’s
distributions will generally be treated as tax-exempt income for purposes of regular U.S. federal income tax; however, a portion of the
Fund’s distributions may (i) be subject to U.S. federal income tax and such distributions will generally be subject to state and
local taxes, (ii) be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax, and/or (iii) constitute a return
of capital. For example, the Fund may invest up to 30% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal
Bonds that pay interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. Moreover, the Underlying
Funds in which the Fund invests pursuant to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy may themselves invest in municipal bonds that
pay interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax.
The Fund will distribute to
common shareholders at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net exempt interest income
after the payment of dividends and interest, if any, owed with respect to any outstanding Preferred Shares or other forms of leverage
utilized by the Fund. The Fund intends to pay any capital gains distributions at least annually. If the Fund realizes a long-term capital
gain, it will be required to allocate such gain between the common shares and any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund in proportion to
the total dividends paid to each class for the year in which the income is realized. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s
current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a common shareholder as a return of capital which is applied against and
reduces the common shareholder’s tax basis in his or her common shares. To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds
the common shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, the excess will be treated by the common shareholder as gain from a sale or
exchange of the common shares.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund
may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital shares, or purchase any such capital shares, unless the
aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such
purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case
may be.
While any Preferred Shares
are outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its common shares, unless at the time of such declaration,
(i) all accumulated preferred dividends have been paid and (ii) the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the
amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares (expected
to be equal to the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon).
In addition to the limitations
imposed by the 1940 Act described above, certain lenders may impose additional restrictions on the payment of dividends or distributions
on the common shares in the event of a default on the Fund’s borrowings. If the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its
common shares is limited, such limitations could, under certain circumstances, impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification
for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, which would have adverse tax consequences for shareholders. See “Use
of Leverage” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
PLAN
The information in “Dividend Reinvestment
Plan” is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR
for the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”, which is incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. See
“Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
DESCRIPTION OF
THE FUND’S SECURITIES
The following summary of the
terms of the common shares of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits
to the Registration Statement.
The Fund’s authorized
capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, all of which is classified as common shares.
The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, but without any action by the shareholders of
the Fund, may amend the Fund’s Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the
Fund or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue.
In general, shareholders or
subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the Fund because of their status as
shareholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed consideration for the stock has not been
paid.
Common Stock
The Common Shares issued in
the offering are fully paid and non-assessable. The Common Shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights,
and each share has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights.
Common shareholders are entitled
to receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors declares dividends from funds legally available. Whenever Fund Preferred Shares
or borrowings are outstanding, common shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued
dividends on the Preferred Shares and interest and principal payments on borrowings have been paid, and unless the applicable asset coverage
requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution as described above.
In the event of the Fund’s
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, common shares would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Fund’s assets that are legally
available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of Preferred
Shares, if any Preferred Shares are outstanding at such time.
Common shareholders are entitled
to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of directors are noncumulative, which means that, assuming there are no Preferred
Shares outstanding, the holders of more than 50% of the common shares will elect 100% of the directors then nominated for election if
they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining common shares will not be able to elect any Directors.
The Fund’s Charter authorizes
the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to
issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set
the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions,
qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance
of shares of common stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a
change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s common shares or otherwise be in their best interest.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has no plans to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock.
The Fund’s currently
outstanding common shares are, and the Common Shares offered in this Prospectus will be, subject to notice of issuance, listed on the
NYSE under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.” Under the rules of the NYSE applicable to listed companies, the
Fund is required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders in each year.
The provisions of the 1940
Act generally require that the public offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common shares sold by a closed-end
investment company must equal or exceed the NAV of such company’s common shares (calculated within 48 hours of the pricing of such
offering), unless such a sale is made in connection with an offering to existing holders of shares of common stock or with the consent
of a majority of its common stockholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of common shareholders to permit the issuance
and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then-current NAV, subject to certain conditions. If such consent
is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event more than one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common
Shares at a price below NAV in accordance with any conditions adopted in connection with the giving of such consent. Additional information
regarding any consent of common shareholders obtained by the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the issuance and sale by the
Fund of Common Shares at a price below NAV will be disclosed in the prospectus supplement relating to any such offering of Common Shares
at a price below NAV. See also “-Subscription Rights” below.
Preferred Stock
The Fund’s Charter authorizes
the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including Preferred
Shares, without the approval of common shareholders. Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Shares, the Board of Directors is required
by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board
of Directors could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for common shareholders or otherwise be in their
best interest. The prospectus supplement for any potential offering of preferred shares will describe the terms and conditions of those
shares, including information regarding the liquidation preference, distribution rate, any optional or mandatory redemption provisions
and whether the preferred shares are convertible into common shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not issued any Preferred
Shares.
Any issuance of Preferred
Shares must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Fund is not permitted under the 1940 Act to issue Preferred
Shares unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation
value of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Among other requirements, including other voting rights, the 1940 Act requires that the holders
of any Preferred Shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two directors at all times. In addition,
subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred
Shares would have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s directors at any time two years’ dividends on any Preferred
Shares are unpaid.
Preferred Shares of the Fund
would be senior to the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distributions of the assets of the Fund upon liquidation.
In addition, all Preferred Shares of the Fund would be pari passu (or on equal footing) with one another and junior to the Fund’s
senior securities representing indebtedness. See “Use of Leverage”.
The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth whether or not the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock offered in this Prospectus will be listed or traded
on any securities exchange. If the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock are not listed on a securities exchange, there may be no
active secondary trading market for such shares and an investment in such shares may be illiquid.
The terms, if any, on which
the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable, the conversion
or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period will also be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Subscription Rights
The Fund may issue Rights
to (i) common shareholders to purchase Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares or (ii) preferred shareholders to purchase Preferred Shares
(subject to applicable law). Rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered Security and may or may not be transferable
by the person purchasing or receiving the Rights. In connection with a Rights offering to common and/or preferred shareholders, the Fund
would distribute certificates evidencing the Rights and a prospectus supplement, containing all of the material terms of the Rights agreement
relating to such Rights (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”), to the Fund’s common or preferred shareholders, as applicable,
as of the record date that the Fund sets for determining the shareholders eligible to receive Rights in such Rights offering.
The applicable prospectus
supplement would describe the following terms of Rights in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered:
| ● | the period of time the offering would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of days such that
all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and will not be open longer than 120 days); |
| ● | the title of such subscription Rights; |
| ● | the exercise price for such Rights (or method of calculation thereof); |
| ● | the number of such Rights issued in respect of each common share; |
| ● | the number of Rights required to purchase a single preferred share; |
| ● | the extent to which such Rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are
transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance
or exercise of such Rights; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise such Rights will commence, and the date on which such right will
expire (subject to any extension); |
| ● | the extent to which such Rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities
and the terms of such over-subscription privilege; |
| ● | any termination right the Fund may have in connection with such Rights offering; |
| ● | the expected trading market, if any, for Rights; and |
| ● | any other terms of such Rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating
to the transfer and exercise of such Rights. |
Exercise of Rights.
Each Right would entitle the holder of the Right to purchase for cash such number of shares at such exercise price as in each case is
set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the Rights offered thereby. Rights would be exercisable
at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such Rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close
of business on the expiration date, all unexercised Rights would become void.
Upon expiration of the Rights
offering and the receipt of payment and the Rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the
Rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, the Fund would issue, as soon as practicable, the shares purchased
as a result of such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Fund may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered
Securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such
methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subscription Rights to
Purchase Common and Preferred Stock
The Fund may issue Rights,
which would entitle holders to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares in a ratio to be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. In accordance with the 1940 Act, at least three subscription rights to purchase Common Shares would be required to subscribe
for one Common Share. It is expected that Rights to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares would require holders to purchase
an equal number of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, and would not permit holders to purchase an unequal number of Common Shares or
Preferred Shares, or purchase only Common Shares or only Preferred Shares. For example, such an offering might be structured such that
three Rights would entitle an investor to purchase one Common Share and one Preferred Share, and such investor would not be able to choose
to purchase only a Common Share or only a Preferred Share upon the exercise of his, her or its Rights.
The Common Shares and Preferred
Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of any such Rights, however, would at all times be separately tradeable securities. Such Common
Shares and Preferred Shares would not be issued as a “unit” or “combination” and would not be listed or traded
as a “unit” or “combination” on a securities exchange, such as the NYSE, at any time. The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth additional details regarding an offering of Rights to purchase Common Shares and Preferred Shares.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF THE FUND’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND OF MARYLAND LAW
The following is a summary
of certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and of the Charter and Bylaws of the Fund.
General
The MGCL and the Fund’s
Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure.
These provisions could have
the effect of depriving common shareholders of an opportunity to sell their common shares by discouraging a third party from seeking to
obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. On the other hand, these provisions may require persons seeking control
of the Fund to negotiate with the Fund’s management regarding the price to be paid for the common shares required to obtain such
control, promote continuity and stability and enhance the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with
its investment objectives.
The Board of Directors has
concluded that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.
Classified Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is
divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes will
expire at the first, second and third annual meetings of shareholders, respectively, and, in each case, until their successors are duly
elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their
successors are duly elected and qualify and at each annual meeting one class of directors will be elected by the shareholders. A classified
Board of Directors promotes continuity and stability of management but makes it more difficult for shareholders to change a majority of
the directors because it generally takes at least two annual elections of directors for this to occur. The Fund believes that classification
of the Board of Directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of the Fund’s strategies and policies as determined by
the Board of Directors.
Election of Directors
The MGCL provides that, unless
the charter or bylaws of a corporation provide otherwise, which the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws do not, a plurality
of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.
Number of Directors; Vacancies
The Fund’s Charter provides
that the number of directors will be set only by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Bylaws. The Bylaws provide that a majority
of the Fund’s entire Board of Directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that there may be
no fewer than three directors and no more than 12 directors.
The Fund’s Charter provides
that the Fund elects, at such time as the Fund becomes eligible to make such an election (i.e., when the Fund has at least three
independent directors and the Common Shares are registered under the Exchange Act), to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title
3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors. Accordingly, at such time, except as may be provided by the
Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may
be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, and any director elected to fill a vacancy
will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies,
subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
Removal of Directors
The Fund’s Charter provides
that, subject to the rights of the holders of one or more class or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove directors, a director
may be removed from office only for cause (as defined in the Charter) and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Absence of Cumulative Voting
There is no cumulative voting
in the election of the Fund’s directors. Cumulative voting means that holders of stock of a corporation are entitled, in the election
of directors, to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares that they own multiplied by the number of directors to be elected.
Because a shareholder entitled to cumulative voting may cast all of his or her votes for one nominee or disperse his or her votes among
nominees as he or she chooses, cumulative voting is generally considered to increase the ability of minority shareholders to elect nominees
to a corporation’s Board of Directors. In general, the absence of cumulative voting means that the holders of a majority of the
Fund’s shares can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able
to elect any directors.
Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Actions
The Fund’s Charter requires
the favorable vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares (if any) entitled to be voted on the matter, voting
together as a single class, to advise, approve, adopt or authorize the following:
| ● | a “Business Combination,” which includes the following: |
| ○ | a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with or into another person; |
| ○ | an issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12-month period) of any
securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair
market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities of the Fund in
connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, issuances
of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and portfolio transactions effected
by the Fund in the ordinary course of business; or |
| ○ | a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series
of transactions in any 12-month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value
of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected
by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business; |
| ● | the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or charter amendment to terminate the Fund’s
existence; |
| ● | the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end company to an open-end company, and any amendments necessary
to effect the conversion; or |
| ● | unless the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any shareholder proposal as to specific investment
decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which shareholder approval is required under federal or Maryland
law. |
However, unless shareholder
approval is required under federal or Maryland law, the common shareholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the
foregoing transactions if they are approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as defined below). If Maryland law or
the 1940 Act requires common shareholder approval (and two-thirds of the Continuing Directors have approved the transaction), the affirmative
vote by common shareholders, at a meeting of such shareholders, of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at such
meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (b)
more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, will be required. In addition, if the Fund has any Preferred Shares outstanding,
the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares voting separately as a class, would be required under the 1940 Act to adopt
any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the holders of the Preferred Shares, to convert the Fund to an open-end investment
company or to deviate from any of the Fund’s fundamental investment policies.
In no event will the foregoing
provisions affect shareholder rights under the 1940 Act to approve or terminate an advisory contract of the Fund (either of which may
be effectuated by Fund shareholders without the need for approval of any Continuing Director or other member of the Board of Directors).
“Continuing Director”
means any member of the Board of Directors who is not an Interested Party (as defined below) or an affiliate of an Interested Party and
has been a member of the Board of Directors for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since February
21, 2020, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing
Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors.
“Interested Party”
means any person, other than an investment company advised by the Adviser or any of its affiliates, which enters, or proposes to enter,
into a Business Combination with the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s
Charter requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors to advise, approve, adopt or authorize any of the following:
| ● | the election and removal of officers; |
| ● | the creation of and delegation of authority and appointment of members to committees of the Board of Directors; |
| ● | amendments to the Fund’s Bylaws (which may only be effected by the Board of Directors, not the common
shareholders); and |
| ● | Charter amendments not requiring shareholder approval under the 1940 Act. |
The Board of Directors has
determined that the foregoing supermajority requirements applicable to certain votes of the directors and the common shareholders, which
are greater than the minimum requirements permitted under Maryland law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the Fund. Reference
should be made to the Charter on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions. See also “Conversion to Open-End Fund.”
Action by Shareholders
Under the MGCL, common shareholder
action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of common shareholders or, unless the charter provides for common shareholder
action by less than unanimous written consent (which is not the case in the Fund’s Charter), by unanimous written consent in lieu
of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of the Fund’s Bylaws regarding the calling of a common shareholder-requested
special meeting, as discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a common shareholder proposal until the next annual
meeting.
Procedures for Shareholder Nominations and Proposals
The Fund’s Bylaws provide
that any common shareholder desiring to make a nomination for the election of directors or a proposal for new business at a meeting of
common shareholders must comply with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws. Nominations and proposals that fail to follow the prescribed
procedures will not be considered. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the Fund’s best interests to provide sufficient
time to enable management to disclose to common shareholders information about a slate of nominations for directors or proposals for new
business. This advance notice requirement also may give management time to solicit its own proxies in an attempt to defeat any slate of
nominations should management determine that doing so is in the best interest of common shareholders generally. Similarly, adequate advance
notice of common shareholder proposals will give management time to study such proposals and to determine whether to recommend to the
common shareholders that such proposals be adopted. For common shareholder proposals to be included in the Fund’s proxy materials,
the common shareholder must comply with all timing and information requirements of the Exchange Act.
Calling of Special Meetings of Shareholders
The Fund’s Bylaws provide
that special meetings of common shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by certain of its officers. Additionally, the
Fund’s Bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the common shareholders
requesting the meeting, a special meeting of common shareholders will be called by the Fund’s Secretary upon the written request
of common shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
No Appraisal Rights
As permitted by the MGCL,
the Fund’s Charter provides that common shareholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights, unless the Fund’s
Board of Directors determines that such rights apply.
Limitations on Liabilities
The Fund’s Charter provides
that the personal liability of the Fund’s directors and officers for monetary damages is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted
by Maryland law. Maryland law currently provides that directors and officers of corporations that have adopted such a provision will generally
not be so liable, except to the extent that (i) it is proven that the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money,
property, or services for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services actually received; and (ii) a judgment or
other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the person’s
action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the
proceeding.
The Fund’s Charter permits
the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, to indemnify and advance expenses to the Fund’s directors
and officers. The Fund’s Bylaws provide that the Fund will indemnify its officers and directors against liabilities to the fullest
extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, and that it shall advance expenses to such persons prior to a final disposition of
an action. The rights of indemnification provided in the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights which may
be available under any insurance or other agreement, by resolution of common shareholders or directors or otherwise.
Authorized Shares
The Fund’s Charter authorizes
the issuance of 50,000,000 common shares, and authorizes a majority of the Fund’s Board of Directors, without common shareholder
approval, to increase the number of authorized common shares and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares into one or more classes
or series of stock and set the terms thereof. The issuance of capital stock or any class or series thereof without common shareholder
approval may be used by the Fund’s Board of Directors consistent with its duties to deter attempts to gain control of the Fund.
Further, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms and conditions that could have the effect
of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that some of the Fund’s shareholders might believe to be in their best interests.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law
Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the
Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and
at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors
and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
| ● | a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director; |
| ● | a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of directors; |
| ● | a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder
of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and |
| ● | a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of shareholders. |
The Fund has elected to be
subject to a requirement that a vacancy on the Board of Directors be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the
full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and, otherwise, retains its right to opt into any of the other provisions.
The charter of a corporation may contain a provision or the board of directors may adopt a provision that prohibits the corporation from
electing to be subject to any or all of the provisions of Subtitle 8.
Maryland Business Combination Act
The provisions of the Maryland
Business Combination Act (the “MBCA”) do not apply to a closed-end investment company, such as the Fund, unless the Board
of Directors has affirmatively elected to be subject to the MBCA by a resolution. To date, the Fund has not made such an election but
may make such an election under Maryland law at any time. Any such election, however, could be subject to certain of the 1940 Act limitations
discussed below under “Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act” and would not apply to any person who had become an interested
shareholder (as defined below) before the time that the resolution was adopted.
Under the MBCA, “business
combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited
for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. These business combinations
include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the MBCA, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification
of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:
| ● | any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares;
or |
| ● | an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the
date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation. |
A person is not an interested
shareholder under the MBCA if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested
shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or
after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year prohibition,
any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder generally must be recommended by the board of
directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
| ● | 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation;
and |
| ● | two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares
held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate
or associate of the interested shareholder. |
These super-majority vote
requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common shareholders receive a minimum price, as defined in the MBCA, for their shares
in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares.
The MBCA permits various exemptions
from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested shareholder
becomes an interested shareholder.
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act
The Fund, in its Charter,
has exempted all of its shares from the application of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the “MCSAA”). In order
to avail itself of the provisions of this Act, the Charter would have to be amended (which would require the approval of the holders of
at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast) and the Board of Directors would have to affirmatively elect to be subject to the
MCSAA by a resolution. Any such election, however, would not apply to any person who had become a holder of control shares (as defined
below) before the time that the resolution was adopted.
The MCSAA provides that control
shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote
of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers of the acquirer or by an employee
of the acquirer who is also a director of the acquirer are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting
shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able
to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise
voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
| ● | one-tenth or more but less than one-third, |
| ● | one-third or more but less than a majority, or |
| ● | a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include
shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. A control share acquisition
means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes
to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of shareholders to
be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting
is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved
at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the MCSAA, then the corporation
may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right
of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard
to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any
meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares
are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other
shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less
than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
Potentially inhibiting a closed-end
investment company’s ability to utilize the MCSAA is Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act which provides that “every share of stock
.. . . issued by a registered management company . . . shall be a voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding
voting stock,” thereby preventing the Fund from issuing a class of shares with voting rights that vary within that class. There
are currently different views, however, on whether or not the MCSAA conflicts with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. One view is that implementation
of the MCSAA would conflict with the 1940 Act because it would deprive certain shares of their voting rights. Another view is that implementation
of the MCSAA would not conflict with the 1940 Act because it would limit the voting rights of shareholders who choose to acquire shares
of stock that put them within the specified percentages of ownership rather than limiting the voting rights of the shares themselves.
The Fund exempted its
shares from the MCSAA in light of a November 15, 2010 letter from the staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management that
took the position that a closed-end fund, by opting in to the MCSAA, would be acting in a manner inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the
1940 Act, which generally requires that shares of the fund have equal voting rights. However, on May 27, 2020, the staff of the SEC’s
Division of Investment Management published an updated statement (the “2020 Control Share Statute Relief”) withdrawing the
November 15, 2010 letter and replacing it with a new no-action position allowing a closed-end fund under Section 18(i) to opt-in to the
MCSAA, provided that the decision to do so was taken with reasonable care in light of (1) the board’s fiduciary duties, (2) applicable
federal and state law, and (3) the particular facts and circumstances surrounding the action. The 2020 Control Share Statute Relief reflects
only the enforcement position of the Staff and is not binding on the SEC or any court, and some uncertainty around the application under
the 1940 Act of state control share statutes exists as a result of recent federal and state court decisions that have found that certain
control share acquisition provisions violate the 1940 Act.
If the Fund were to amend
its Charter and subsequently elect to be subject to the MCSAA, it would not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or
share exchange if the Fund is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the Fund’s Charter or the
Fund’s Bylaws.
REPURCHASE OF SHARES
Shares of CEFs often trade
at a discount to NAV, and the Fund’s shares may also trade at a discount to their NAV, although it is possible that they may trade
at a premium above NAV. The market price of the common shares will be determined by such factors as relative demand for and supply of
shares in the market, the Fund’s NAV, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund.
Although common shareholders
will not have the right to redeem their shares, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) take action to repurchase shares in the open market
or make tender offers for its shares at or near NAV. During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will publish how common shareholders
may readily ascertain the NAV. Repurchase of the common shares may have the effect of reducing any market discount to NAV.
There is no assurance that,
if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading at a price which approximates
their NAV. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price of the shares, you should be aware
that the acquisition of shares by the Fund will decrease the total assets of the Fund and, therefore, have the effect of increasing the
Fund’s expense ratio and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment objectives. To the extent the Fund
may need to liquidate investments to fund repurchases of shares, this may result in portfolio turnover which will result in additional
expenses being borne by the Fund and its shareholders. The Board of Directors currently considers the following factors to be relevant
to a potential decision to repurchase shares: the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, and
the impact of any action on the Fund and market considerations. Such a decision is a matter on which the Board of Directors would exercise
its fiduciary judgment, and the Board of Directors will consider other factors that may be relevant at the time it considers the matter.
Any share repurchases or tender offers will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act.
RIGHTS OFFERINGS
The Fund may in the future,
and at its discretion, choose to make offerings of Rights to (i) common shareholders to purchase Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares
and/or (ii) preferred shareholders to purchase Preferred Shares (subject to applicable law). A future Rights offering may be transferable
or non-transferable. Any such future Rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act. Under the laws of Maryland, the Board
of Directors is authorized to approve rights offerings without obtaining shareholder approval. The staff of the SEC has interpreted the
1940 Act as not requiring shareholder approval of a transferable rights offering to purchase common stock at a price below the then current
NAV so long as certain conditions are met, including: (i) a good faith determination by a fund’s board that such offering would
result in a net benefit to existing shareholders; (ii) the offering fully protects shareholders’ preemptive rights and does not
discriminate among shareholders (except for the possible effect of not offering fractional rights); (iii) management uses its best efforts
to ensure an adequate trading market in the rights for use by shareholders who do not exercise such rights; and (iv) the ratio of a transferable
rights offering does not exceed one new share for each three rights held.
CONVERSION TO OPEN-END
FUND
The Fund may be converted
to an open-end investment company at any time if approved by the Board of Directors and the shareholders. See “Certain Provisions
of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law” for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to conversion
of the Fund to an open-end investment company and any related Charter amendments. If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company,
it would be required to redeem all Preferred Shares then outstanding (possibly requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment
portfolio). Conversion to open-end status could also require the Fund to modify certain investment restrictions and policies. Shareholders
of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized
by or permitted under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption.
In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies
typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end investment companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and
out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Directors may at any time (but is not required to) propose conversion
of the Fund to open-end status, depending upon its judgment regarding the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.
Before deciding whether to make such a proposal, the Board of Directors would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and
duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of the conversion on the Fund or its shareholders, and
market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Directors
may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.
LIMITED TERM AND
ELIGIBLE TENDER OFFER
The Fund will terminate on
or before the Termination Date; provided, that if the Board of Directors believes that under then-current market conditions it is in the
best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination Date (i) once for up to one year (i.e., up to March 26, 2036),
and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), in each case upon the affirmative vote of a majority
of the Board of Directors and without a vote of common shareholders. In addition, as of a date within twelve months preceding the Termination
Date, the Board of Directors may cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer, which is a tender offer by the Fund to all common
shareholders to purchase common shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per common share on the expiration date of the tender offer.
Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund and
convert the Fund to a perpetual fund upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of common shareholders.
The Fund is not a so called
“target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date,
often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective
is to return its original NAV on the termination date.
Upon its termination, the
Fund will distribute substantially all of its net assets to common shareholders, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges,
taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, of the Fund, as may be determined by the Board of Directors. In
anticipation of an Eligible Tender Offer or the Termination Date, the Fund may begin liquidating all or a portion of the Fund’s
portfolio, and may deviate from its investment policies, including its policy of investing at least 80% of the value of its Managed Assets
in municipal bonds and may not achieve its investment objective. During such period(s), the Fund’s portfolio composition may change
as more of its portfolio holdings are called or sold and portfolio holdings are disposed of in anticipation of liquidation or an Eligible
Tender Offer. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of matured, called or sold securities in accordance with the investment program described
above, the Fund may invest such proceeds in short term or other lower yielding securities or hold the proceeds in cash, which may adversely
affect its performance. The Fund’s distributions during the wind-down period may decrease, and such distributions may include a
return of capital. The Fund may distribute the proceeds in one or more liquidating distributions prior to the final liquidation, which
may cause fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of assets under management. It is expected that common shareholders
will receive cash in any liquidating distribution from the Fund, regardless of their participation in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment
Plan. However, if on the Termination Date the Fund owns securities for which no market exists or securities trading at depressed prices,
such securities may be placed in a liquidating trust. Common shareholders generally will realize capital gain or loss upon the termination
of the Fund in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash or other property received by the common shareholder (including
any property deemed received by reason of its being placed in a liquidating trust) and the common shareholder’s adjusted tax basis
in the common shares of the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If the Board of Directors
believes that under then-current market conditions it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination
Date (i) once for up to one year (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e. up to March
26, 2036), in each case upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of common shareholders. In
determining whether to extend the Termination Date, the Board of Directors may consider the inability to sell the Fund’s assets
in a time frame consistent with termination due to lack of market liquidity or other extenuating circumstances. Additionally, the Board
of Directors may determine that market conditions are such that it is reasonable to believe that, with an extension, the Fund’s
remaining assets will appreciate and generate income in an amount that, in the aggregate, is meaningful relative to the cost and expense
of continuing the operation of the Fund.
The Board of Directors may
cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. An Eligible Tender Offer would consist of a tender offer to all common shareholders
to purchase common shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per common share on the expiration date of the tender offer, which shall
be as of a date within twelve months preceding the Termination Date. The Board of Directors has established that, following an Eligible
Tender Offer, the Fund must have at least $100 million of net assets to ensure the continued viability of the Fund (the “Termination
Threshold”). In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all common shares held by each common shareholder; provided,
that if the number of properly tendered common shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold,
the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated and no common shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead,
the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and proceed to terminate on or before the Termination Date.
If the number of properly
tendered common shares would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling greater than the Termination Threshold, all common
shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer. The Fund’s
purchase of tendered common shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences for tendering common shareholders and may have
tax consequences for non-tendering common shareholders. In addition, the Fund would continue to be subject to its obligations with respect
to its issued and outstanding preferred stock or debt securities, if any. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board
of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and
without the approval of common shareholders. In making a decision to do so to provide for the Fund’s perpetual existence, the Board
of Directors will take such actions with respect to the continued operations of the Fund as it deems to be in the best interests of the
Fund, based on market conditions at such time, the extent of common shareholder participation in the Eligible Tender Offer and all other
factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors in consultation with the Adviser, taking into account that the Adviser may have a potential
conflict of interest in recommending to the Board of Directors that the limited term structure be eliminated and the Fund have a perpetual
existence (or that the Termination Date be extended). The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible
Tender Offer and conversion to a perpetual structure. Therefore, remaining common shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate
in a tender offer or exchange their common shares for the then-existing NAV per common share.
An Eligible Tender Offer would
be made, and common shareholders would be notified thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Exchange Act and
the applicable tender offer rules thereunder (including Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act or successor rules to the
same general effect). The repurchase of tendered common shares by the Fund in a tender offer would be a taxable event to common shareholders.
The Adviser will pay all costs and expenses associated with the making of an Eligible Tender Offer, other than brokerage and related transaction
costs associated with the disposition of portfolio investments in connection with the Eligible Tender Offer, which will be borne by the
Fund and its common shareholders.
An Eligible Tender Offer may
be commenced upon approval of a majority of the Board of Directors, without a vote of common shareholders. The Fund is not required to
conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If no Eligible Tender Offer is conducted, the Fund will liquidate on or before the Termination Date
(subject to extension as described above), unless the limited term provisions of the Articles of Incorporation are amended with the vote
of common shareholders, as described above. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.”
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME
TAX MATTERS
The following is a summary
discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes
of common shares of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders who hold their
shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular shareholders
in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject
to special rules, including, without limitation, banks or other financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or
foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who
hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt
or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities. In addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences.
The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject
to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect
the continued validity of this summary. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting
the Fund and its shareholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their
own tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund,
including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in tax laws. See
“California Tax Matters.”
The tax legislation commonly
referred to as Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax rules for taxation
of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Many of the changes applicable
to individuals are temporary and would apply only to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. There
are only minor changes with respect to the specific rules only applicable to a RIC, such as the Fund. The Tax Act, however, made numerous
other changes to the tax rules that may affect shareholders and the Fund. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding
how the Tax Act affects your investment in the Fund.
The Fund has elected to be
treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on
income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated as being distributed, as described below) to shareholders. If the Fund qualifies
as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable
income” as that term is defined in the Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any
net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible
expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain
disallowed deductions, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains,
distributed to shareholders. However, if the Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (i.e.,
the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate
federal income tax rates (currently at a rate of 21%) on the amount retained. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or
substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), net tax-exempt
interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on
the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect
to each calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of
98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis, and taking into account certain deferrals and elections),
plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed
amounts from prior years on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner
in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal circumstances, does not expect to be subject
to this excise tax. However, the Fund may also decide to distribute less and pay the federal excise taxes.
If, for any taxable year,
the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation
subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible
by the Fund in computing its taxable income.
A Common Shareholder will
have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in shares of common stock of the Fund (unless the shareholder “opts
out” of the Plan). For shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax, Fund dividends that are not “exempt-interest”
dividends will generally be taxable regardless of whether the shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional shares
of the Fund. Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends
paid) will generally be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. The
Fund does not generally expect to pay dividends that qualify for either the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders
under Section 243 of the Code or the reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation for “qualified dividend income” available
to non-corporate shareholders under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code. Distributions of net capital gain, if any, that are properly reported
by the Fund are generally taxable as long-term capital gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time
a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment
company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified dividend income or as eligible for the dividends received deduction,
then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income and/or as eligible for the
dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund.
A distribution of an amount
in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a shareholder as a tax-free return
of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares. To the extent that the amount
of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his, her, or its shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder
as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. The U.S. federal income tax status of all dividends and distributions will be designated
by the Fund and reported to shareholders annually. The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will
qualify for the dividends received deduction or for qualified dividend income treatment. As long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC under
the Code, it is not expected that any significant part of its distributions to Common Shareholders from its investments will so qualify.
The Fund intends to distribute
all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate
the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term
capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount,
and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against
their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an
event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased
by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed
paid by the shareholder.
Any dividend declared by the
Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S.
federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
If a shareholder’s distributions
are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the shareholder will be treated as having
received a distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the shareholder would have received if the shareholder had elected to
receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued shares of the Fund that are trading at or above NAV, in which case the shareholder
will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the fair market value of the stock the shareholder receives.
Certain of the investment
practices of the Fund or an Underlying Fund are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things,
(i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert tax-advantaged, long-term capital
gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a
deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund or an Underlying Fund to recognize income
or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the timing as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities
is deemed to occur, (vi) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test and (vii) adversely alter
the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and
timing of distributions to shareholders. The Fund will monitor its investments and transactions and may make certain federal income tax
elections where applicable in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions, if possible.
The Fund will not be able
to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another Underlying Fund in which the
Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes in the allocation among Underlying Funds,
could also cause additional distributable gains to shareholders of the Fund. A portion of any such gains may be short-term capital gains
that would be distributable as ordinary income to shareholders of the Fund. Further, a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the
Underlying Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally, the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result
in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions
could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the
fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
Investments in distressed
debt obligations that are at risk of or in default may present special federal income tax issues for the Fund. The federal income tax
consequences to a holder of such securities are not entirely certain. If the Fund’s characterization of such investments were successfully
challenged by the IRS or the IRS issues guidance regarding investments in such securities, it may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient
distributions or otherwise satisfied the requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal
income and excise taxes.
The Fund may qualify to pay
“exempt-interest” dividends, as defined in the Code, on its Common Shares by satisfying the requirement that, at the close
of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of municipal securities. Exempt-interest dividends
are dividends or any part thereof (other than a capital gain dividend) paid by the Fund which are attributable to interest on municipal
securities and which are so reported by the Fund. As an alternative, the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends if it is a
qualified fund-of-funds, i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total assets are invested in the shares of Underlying RICs at the close
of each quarter of its taxable year. Exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from federal income tax, subject to the possible application
of the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains
with respect to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax
treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases.
Sales, exchanges and other
dispositions of the Fund’s shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax. Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction
in the Fund’s shares is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes,
and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. Gain or loss will generally be equal to the difference between
the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold
or exchanged. Such gain or loss will generally be characterized as capital gain or loss and will be long-term if the shareholder’s
holding period for the shares is more than one year and short-term if it is one year or less. However, any loss realized by a shareholder
upon the sale or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. Additionally, any loss realized
by a shareholder of the Fund upon the sale of shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest
dividends received with respect to such shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period, the holding period is suspended
for any periods during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in
substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual obligations to sell. The ability to deduct
capital losses may be limited. In addition, losses on sales or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under the “wash sale”
rules in the event that substantially identical stock or securities are acquired (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends)
within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the
disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis of the shares acquired.
An additional 3.8% Medicare
tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and
net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such
person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in
the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
The Fund is required in certain
circumstances to backup withhold at a current rate of 24% on reportable payments including dividends, capital gain distributions, and
proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s shares paid to certain holders of the Fund’s shares who do not furnish
the Fund with their correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number and certain certifications, or who are otherwise
subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a shareholder may
be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information
is timely furnished to the IRS.
This Prospectus does not address
the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder of an investment in common stock. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult
their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that distributions may
be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty if the investor provides proper
certification of its non-U.S. status).
A separate U.S. withholding
tax may apply in the case of distributions to (i) certain non-U.S. financial institutions that have not agreed to collect and disclose
certain account holder information and are not resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury
and (ii) certain other non-U.S. entities that do not provide certain certifications and information about the entity’s U.S. owners.
The foregoing is a general
and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder currently in effect as they directly govern
the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any
such change may be retroactive. A more complete discussion of the federal income tax rules applicable to the Fund can be found in the
SAI, which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific
questions as to U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local income or other taxes before making an investment in the Fund.
CALIFORNIA TAX
MATTERS
The assets of the Fund may
consist of one or more of the following: (i) interest bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of a state or a local government (the
“Bonds”), and (ii) shares (the “RIC Shares”) in funds qualifying as regulated investment companies
(“RICs”) that are treated as interests in regulated investment companies for federal income tax purposes. A portion
of the Bonds may be issued by the State of California or a local government in California (the “California Bonds”).
The discussion in this section is based on the assumption that: (i) the California Bonds were validly issued by the State of California
or a local government in California, and (ii) the interest on the Bonds is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes.
This portion of the disclosure does not address the taxation of taxpayers other than individuals who are full-time residents of the State
of California and corporations that are subject to California corporate income or franchise tax.
If you are an individual,
you may be able to exclude from taxable income for purposes of the California personal income tax dividends received from the Fund that
are properly reported by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends for California personal income tax purposes in written statements furnished
to you. The portion of the Fund’s dividends reported as California exempt-interest dividends may not exceed the amount of interest
the Fund receives during its taxable year on obligations the interest on which, if held by an individual, is exempt from taxation by the
State of California and the amount of California exempt-interest dividends the Fund receives from the RIC Shares, reduced by certain non-deductible
expenses. The Fund may designate California exempt-interest dividends only if the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under
the Code, and, if at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50 percent of the value of the total assets of the Fund
consists of obligations the interest on which, when held by an individual, is exempt from taxation by the State of California or (ii)
at least 50 percent of the value of the total assets of the Fund consists of interests in other entities qualifying as regulated investment
companies for federal income tax purposes in a taxable year. It is not anticipated that at least 50 percent of the value of the total
assets of the Fund will consist of obligations the interest on which, when held by an individual, is exempt from taxation by the State
of California. However, at least 50 percent of the value of the total assets of the Fund may consist of interests in other entities qualifying
as regulated investment companies for federal income tax purposes. Depending upon the nature and source of the income from the Bonds and
the RICs, the Fund may be eligible to distribute dividends that are properly reported by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends for purposes
of the California personal income tax.
Distributions from the Fund,
other than those properly reported by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends for California personal income tax purposes, will generally
be subject to the California personal income tax. Please note that all distributions from the Fund, including California exempt-interest
dividends, received by taxpayers subject to the California corporation tax laws may be subject to the California corporate franchise tax
or the California corporate income tax. If a taxpayer is subject to California personal income tax, corporate franchise tax or corporate
income tax, any gain recognized on the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund generally will be taxable for purposes of such taxes.
Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of the Fund, if the Fund distributes California exempt-interest
dividends during a tax year, is generally not deductible for purposes of the California personal income tax.
Fund counsel has not independently
examined the RIC Shares, the Bonds or the opinions of bond counsel rendered in connection with the issuance of the Bonds. Ownership of
shares in the Fund may result in other California tax consequences to certain taxpayers, and prospective investors should consult their
tax advisors.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund may sell up to $150,000,000
in aggregate initial offering price of (i) Common Shares, (ii) Preferred Shares, and/or (iii) Rights, from time to time under this Prospectus
and any related prospectus supplement in any one or more of the following ways: (1) directly to one or more purchasers; (2) through agents;
(3) to or through underwriters; or (4) through dealers. See also “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” above.
Each prospectus supplement
relating to an offering of the Securities will state the terms of the offering, including as applicable:
| ● | the names of any agents, underwriters or dealers; |
| ● | any sales loads or other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; |
| ● | any discounts, commissions, fees or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers or agents; |
| ● | the public offering or purchase price of the offered Securities and the estimated net proceeds the Fund
will receive from the sale; and |
| ● | any securities exchange on which the offered Securities may be listed. |
Any public offering price
and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
In the case of a Rights offering,
the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of
each Right and the other terms of such Rights offering. The transferable Rights offered by means of this Prospectus and applicable prospectus
supplement, including any related over-subscription privilege and any follow-on offering, if applicable, may be convertible or exchangeable
into Common Shares at a ratio not to exceed one Common Share received for every three subscription rights to purchase Common Shares converted,
exercised or exchanged on an aggregate basis such that the exercise of all subscription rights to purchase Common Shares in any transferable
subscription Rights offering will not cumulatively result in more than a 33 1/3 percentage increase in the outstanding common shares of
the Fund.
Direct Sales
The Fund may sell Securities
directly to, and solicit offers from, purchasers, including institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as
defined in the 1933 Act for any resales of the Securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. In addition to cash
purchases, the Fund may allow Securities to be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities,
including shares of other investment companies. Any securities used to buy the Fund’s Securities must be consistent with the Fund’s
investment objective and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser and the Board. The Fund may use electronic media, including the Internet,
to sell Securities directly. The terms of any of those sales will be described in a prospectus supplement.
By Agents
The Fund may offer Securities
through agents that the Fund designates. Any agent involved in the offer and sale will be named and any commissions payable by the Fund
will be described in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the agents will be acting on
a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
The Fund may engage in at-the-market
offerings to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4).
An at-the-market offering may be through one or more underwriters or dealers acting as principal or agent for the Fund.
By Underwriters
The Fund may offer and sell
Securities from time to time to one or more underwriters who would purchase the Securities as principal for resale to the public, either
on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. If the Fund sells Securities to underwriters, the Fund will execute an underwriting agreement
with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the prospectus supplement. In connection with these sales, the underwriters may
be deemed to have received compensation from the Fund in the form of underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters also may
receive commissions from purchasers of Securities for whom they may act as agent. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement,
the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the Securities unless the conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are satisfied,
and if the underwriters purchase any of the Securities, they will be required to purchase all of the offered Securities. In the event
of default by any underwriter, in certain circumstances, the purchase commitments may be increased among the non-defaulting underwriters
or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. The underwriters may sell the offered Securities to or through dealers, and those dealers
may receive discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters as well as from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
In connection with an offering
of Common Shares, if a prospectus supplement so indicates, the Fund may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional Common
Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within a specified number of days from the date
of the prospectus supplement, to cover any overallotments.
By Dealers
The Fund may offer and sell
Securities from time to time to one or more dealers who would purchase the Securities as principal. The dealers then may resell the offered
Securities to the public at fixed or varying prices to be determined by those dealers at the time of resale. The names of the dealers
and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
General Information
Agents, underwriters, or dealers
participating in an offering of Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commission received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the offered Securities for whom they may act as agent may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the 1933 Act.
The Fund may offer to sell
Securities either at a fixed price or at prices that may vary, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing
market prices, or at negotiated prices. In addition to cash purchases, the Fund may allow Securities to be purchased by tendering payment
in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions,
short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
| ● | Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. |
| ● | Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids
do not exceed a specified maximum price. Stabilizing transactions may occur when the demand for the shares of an offering is less than
expected. |
| ● | Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through
exercise of the overallotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. |
| ● | Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities
originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. |
Any of these activities may
stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage
in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
Any underwriters that are
qualified market makers on the NYSE may engage in passive market making transactions in our shares on NYSE in accordance with Regulation
M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of
our shares. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers.
In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if
all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, however, the passive market maker's bid must then be lowered when
certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which
might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In connection with any Rights
offering, the Fund may also enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter(s)
will purchase Common Shares and/or other Securities remaining unsubscribed for after the Rights offering.
Any underwriters to whom the
offered Securities are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered Securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated
to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. There can be no assurance that there will be a liquid trading
market for the offered Securities.
Under agreements entered into
with the Fund, underwriters and agents may be entitled to indemnification by the Fund against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the 1933 Act, or to contribution for payments the underwriters or agents may be required to make. The underwriters, agents, and
their affiliates may engage in financial or other business transactions with the Fund and its subsidiaries, if any, in the ordinary course
of business.
The aggregate offering price
specified on the cover of this Prospectus relates to the offering of the Securities not yet issued as of the date of this Prospectus.
To the extent permitted under
the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as a broker or dealer and
receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and,
subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.
The Prospectus and accompanying
prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the website maintained by the underwriters. The underwriters may agree
to allocate a number of Securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of Securities for internet distributions
will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who
resell Securities to online brokerage account holders.
ADMINISTRATOR,
FUND ACCOUNTANT, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN
The Fund’s administrator
is ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), an affiliate of the Fund’s transfer agent. AFS is a service company and SEC-registered
transfer agent. Under the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement, AFS is responsible for calculating NAVs, providing
additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. The address of AFS is
1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203. For its services, the Fund pays AFS customary fees based on the Fund’s net assets plus
out of pocket expenses.
State Street Bank & Trust
Co., located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund’s custodian and maintains
custody of the securities and cash of the Fund. For its services, the custodian receives a monthly fee based upon, among other things,
the average value of the net assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
DST Systems, Inc., an affiliate
of the Fund’s administrator, located at 333 West 9th Street, 2nd floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, serves as the Fund’s
transfer agent, registrar, Plan Administrator and dividend disbursing agent.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection
with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A.
CONTROL PERSONS
Based on a review of Schedule
13D and Schedule 13G filings as of the date of this Prospectus, there are no persons who control the Fund. For purposes of the foregoing
statement, “control” means (1) the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of
more than 25% of the voting securities of a company; (2) the acknowledgement or assertion by either the controlled or controlling party
of the existence of control; or (3) an adjudication under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act, which has become final, that control exists.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
SEC. The SEC maintains a website at sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants,
including the Fund (when available), that file electronically with the SEC.
This Prospectus constitutes
part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits certain
of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits
for further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free
of charge through the SEC’s website (sec.gov).
THE FUND’S
PRIVACY POLICY
The Fund is committed to ensuring
your financial privacy. This notice is being sent to comply with privacy regulations of the SEC. The Fund has in effect the following
policy with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:
| ● | Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about
your Fund transactions will be collected. |
| ● | None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted
by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). |
| ● | Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are
designed to protect the confidentiality of such information. |
| ● | The Fund does not currently obtain consumer information. If the Fund were to obtain consumer information
at any time in the future, it would employ appropriate procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to protect against unauthorized
access to and properly dispose of consumer information. |
For more information about
the Fund’s privacy policies call (855) 830-1222 (toll-free).
The Fund does not control
the safeguarding, use or disposition of the personal and financial information about investors that is in the possession of the Underwriters
and dealers. Investors should look to the privacy policies of those entities for information about how they treat investors’ personal
and financial information.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This Prospectus is part of
a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. We are allowed to “incorporate by reference” the information that
we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this Prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by
us with the SEC before the date that any offering of securities by means of this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement is
terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this Prospectus or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus.
We incorporate by reference
into this Prospectus our filings listed below and any future filings that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, until all of the Securities offered by the Fund’s Prospectus and any applicable
prospectus supplement have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these Securities. Information that we file with the SEC
will automatically update and may supersede information in this Prospectus, any applicable supplement and information previously filed
with the SEC.
This Prospectus and any applicable
prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| ● | our annual report on Form N-CSR
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024; and |
| ● | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form
8-A (File No. 811-23481), as filed with the SEC on October 7, 2019, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating
such description prior to the termination of the offering of the common stock registered hereby. |
You may request a copy
of these filings (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) at no cost
at the Fund's website at rivernorth.com or by writing or calling the following address and telephone number:
RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC.
360 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite
1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 484-7185
You should rely only on the
information incorporated by reference or provided in the Fund’s Prospectus, SAI and any supplement thereto. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different or additional information, and you should not rely on such information if you receive it. We are
not making an offer of or soliciting an offer to buy, any securities in any state or other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information in this Prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as
of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus or those documents.
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
PROSPECTUS
[ ], 2024
Until [ ] (25 days after the date of this Prospectus),
all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a
prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters.
The information in this Statement of Additional
Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not
soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
OCTOBER 22, 2024
RIVERNORTH FLEXIBLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal
Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a Maryland corporation that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective
is current income exempt from regular U.S. Federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal
alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return. RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC, the investment
adviser of the Fund (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”), and MacKay Shields LLC, the subadviser of the Fund (“MacKay
Shields” or the “Subadviser”), attempt to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives by allocating the Fund’s
assets between two principal investment strategies: Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and Municipal Bond Income Strategy. See
“Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies-Principal Investment Strategies” in the Fund’s Prospectus (as defined
below). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
This Statement of Additional
Information (“SAI”) relates to the Fund’s (i) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common
Shares” and holders of such Common Shares, “Common Shareholders”), (ii) shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred
Shares”), (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, (iv) subscription rights to purchase Preferred Shares and (v) subscription
rights to purchase Common Shares and Preferred Shares (“Rights” and, together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares,
“Securities”). This SAI is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated [ ], 2024 (the
“Prospectus”) and the applicable prospectus supplement. This SAI does not include all of the information that a prospective
investor should consider before purchasing Securities. Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement
prior to purchasing Securities. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund at (844) 569-4750.
The Prospectus and this SAI
omit certain of the information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),
Washington, D.C. The Fund’s filings with the SEC are available to the public on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Copies of these
filings may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
This Statement of Additional
Information is dated [ ], 2024.
* * *
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS |
1 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES |
3 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND |
24 |
Investment Adviser |
24 |
Investment Subadviser |
24 |
Investment Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement |
24 |
Portfolio Managers |
26 |
Compensation of Portfolio Managers |
28 |
Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Shares |
29 |
Conflicts of Interest |
29 |
Other Accounts Managed |
30 |
Administrator |
30 |
Codes of Ethics |
30 |
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS |
31 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
31 |
Legal Counsel |
31 |
Custodian and Transfer Agent |
31 |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS |
31 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS |
32 |
Fund Taxation |
33 |
Common Shareholder Taxation |
35 |
Preferred Shareholder Taxation |
40 |
Other Taxes |
41 |
BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS |
41 |
Director Ownership in the Fund |
42 |
Securities Beneficially Owned |
42 |
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES |
42 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
43 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
43 |
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
43 |
APPENDIX A - PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER |
A-1 |
APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
B-1 |
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Except as otherwise indicated,
the Fund’s investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of Common Shareholders. There can be no assurance
the Fund’s investment objectives will be met.
Any investment restrictions
herein that involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage
occurs immediately after and is caused by an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund. However,
the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings will be maintained as required under the 1940 Act.
The Fund’s primary investment
objective and 80% policy (as set forth in the Prospectus) are considered fundamental. In addition, as a matter of fundamental policy,
the Fund will not:
(1) with respect to 75% of
its total assets, purchase any securities (other than Government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and securities issued by other
investment companies), if, as a result, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would then be invested in securities of any single
issuer or if, as a result, the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer;
(2) borrow money, except as
permitted under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended, interpreted or modified from time to time by Congress or regulatory authorities having
jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations;
(3) issue senior securities,
except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended, interpreted or modified from time to time by Congress or regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations;
(4) purchase any security
if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in any single industry or group
of industries, except that the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds shall not be deemed to be investments in a single industry
or group of industries, and except that this limitation shall not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities
backed principally by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users. (For purposes of this restriction, governments and their political
subdivisions are not members of any industry.);
(5) engage in the business
of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with
the disposition of portfolio securities;
(6) purchase or sell real
estate; provided that this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing in municipal securities secured by real estate
or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such real estate or from managing and maintaining it in the interim;
(7) purchase or sell commodities,
unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit
the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars
and any other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities or as otherwise
permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, interpreted or modified from time to time by Congress or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction,
including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations, or pursuant to an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from
the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time; or
(8) make loans, except as
permitted under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended, interpreted or modified from time to time by Congress or regulatory authorities having
jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations, or except as may be permitted by exemptive orders granted
under the 1940 Act.
A fundamental policy may not
be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which, under the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder and as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders
of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.
Fundamental Investment Restriction (1)
For the purpose of applying
the limitation in fundamental investment restriction (1), an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of a security when its assets and
revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in the
case of a non-governmental issuer, such as an industrial corporation or a privately owned or operated hospital, if the security is backed
only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental issuer, then such non-governmental issuer would be deemed to be the sole issuer.
Where a security is also backed by the enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental or other entity (other than a bond
insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where
a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility, such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee
or letter of credit would be considered a separate security and would be treated as an issue of such government, other entity or bank.
When a municipal bond is insured by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security that is issued or guaranteed by the insurer;
instead, the issuer of such municipal bond will be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing restrictions
do not limit the percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in municipal securities insured by any given insurer.
Fundamental Investment Restriction (2)
The 1940 Act permits the Fund
to borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities (not including any
borrowings but including the fair market value at the time of computation of any other senior securities then outstanding). The Fund may
also borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitation for temporary purposes such as clearance of
portfolio transactions.
Practices and investments
that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy. For more information on leverage and
the risks relating thereto, see “Risks-Structural Risk-Leverage Risk” in the Prospectus.
Fundamental Investment Restriction (3)
The ability of a closed-end
fund (“CEF”) to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints under the 1940 Act that
restrict, for instance, the amount, timing, and form of senior securities that may be issued. Certain portfolio management techniques,
such as reverse repurchase agreements, tender option bonds, credit default swaps, futures contracts, the purchase of securities on margin,
short sales, or the writing of puts on portfolio securities, may be considered senior securities.
Under the 1940 Act, the issuance
by the Fund of a senior security representing an indebtedness is subject to a requirement that provision is made that, (i) if on the last
business day of each of 12 consecutive calendar months the asset coverage with respect to the senior security is less than 100%, the holders
of such securities voting as a class shall be entitled to elect at least a majority of the Board with such voting right to continue until
the asset coverage for such class of senior security is at least 110% on the last business day of each of 3 consecutive calendar months
or, (ii) if on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months the asset coverage for such class of senior security is
less than 100%, an event of default shall be deemed to have occurred.
The Fund now complies with
Rule 18f-4 with respect to its derivatives transactions. Thus, the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities above will
not restrict the Fund from entering into derivatives transactions that are treated as senior securities so long as the Fund complies with
Rule 18f-4 with respect to such derivatives transactions.
Fundamental Investment Restriction (4)
The limitation in fundamental
investment restriction (4) will apply to municipal securities if the payment of principal and interest for such securities is derived
principally from a specific project associated with an issuer that is not a governmental entity or a political subdivision of a government,
and in that situation the Fund will consider such municipal securities to be in an industry associated with the project. Although the
Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds are not deemed to be investments in a particular industry, to the extent that the Fund is
aware of the investments held by the Underlying Funds, the Fund will consider such information when determining compliance with fundamental
investment restriction (4).
Fundamental Investment Restriction (7)
The ability of the Fund to
invest directly in commodities, and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments, is subject to significant limitations
in order to enable the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”).
Fundamental Investment Restriction (8)
The 1940 Act does not prohibit
a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total
assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement to
purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that
reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The following describes certain
investment practices and techniques in which the Fund may engage, and certain of the risks associated with such practices and techniques,
and includes a discussion of the spectrum of investments that the Adviser and the Subadviser in their discretion may, but are not required
to, use in managing the Fund’s assets. Certain risks may only apply to a particular investment strategy of the Fund, or may apply
to both investment strategies. The following descriptions supplement the descriptions of the investment objectives, policies, strategies
and risks as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus.
These same investment practices
or techniques may be used by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests (as described in the Prospectus) and, therefore, the risks
described below may apply to the Underlying Funds as well. The Underlying Funds are not subject to the Fund’s investment policies
and restrictions, and the Underlying Funds may invest their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment techniques
and strategies, that are not described in the Prospectus.
Furthermore, it is possible
that certain types of financial instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be available, permissible, economically
feasible or effective for their intended purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques or instruments may not be principal activities
of the Fund but, to the extent employed, could from time to time have a material impact on the Fund’s performance.
Municipal Securities. Municipal
securities are either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public projects (such as roads or public
buildings), to pay general operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt.
Municipal securities may also
be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or
for privately owned industrial development and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit,
or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source; revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a
specific facility or source. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may also purchase municipal securities that represent lease obligations,
municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, tender option bonds and other forms of municipal bonds and securities.
Municipal securities of below
investment grade quality (Ba/BB or below) are commonly referred to as junk bonds. Issuers of securities rated Ba/BB or B are regarded
as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial or economic conditions which
could adversely affect such payment capacity. Municipal securities rated Baa or BBB or above are considered “investment grade”
securities; municipal securities rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations that lack outstanding investment characteristics and
have speculative characteristics, while municipal securities rated BBB are regarded as having adequate capacity to pay principal and interest.
Municipal securities rated Aaa or AAA in which the Fund may invest may have been so rated on the basis of the existence of insurance guaranteeing
the timely payment, when due, of all principal and interest. Municipal securities rated below investment grade quality are obligations
of issuers that are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal
according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and
bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Municipal securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality
securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for municipal securities unrated by any NRSRO is even narrower. During
periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may
have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on the Adviser’s and the Subadviser’s
research and analysis when investing in these securities.
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in distressed securities which are securities of issuers that may be experiencing financial difficulties, such as being
in default on their obligations to pay principal or interest thereon when due or that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.
The issuers of such securities may be in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged or troubled, or potentially troubled, and may
be or have recently been involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation. These characteristics
of these issuers can cause their securities to be particularly risky, although they also may offer the potential for high returns. These
issuers’ securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of the issuers to pay their debts on schedule could be affected
by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific
developments within the issuers. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding and may require the
Fund to bear certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investment. See “-Below Investment Grade Securities
Risk.”
Investments in lower rated
or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these securities default on their
obligations pertaining thereto, and the federal income tax consequences to the Fund as a holder of such distressed securities may not
be clear.
The ratings of S&P, Moody’s
and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal securities they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings
are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may
have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
During temporary defensive
periods (e.g., times when, in the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand or other
temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt securities market adversely affect the price at which long-term or intermediate-term Municipal
Bonds are available), and in order to keep the Fund’s cash fully invested, including the period during which the net proceeds of
an offering are being invested, the Fund may invest any percentage of its net assets in short-term investments including high quality,
short-term securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. Tax-exempt short-term investments include various obligations issued by
state and local governmental issuers, such as tax-exempt notes (bond anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation
notes or other such Municipal Bonds maturing in three years or less from the date of issuance) and municipal commercial paper. Taxable
short-term investments of the Fund may include certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with assets of at least $1 billion, or commercial
paper or corporate notes, bonds or debentures with a remaining maturity of one year or less, or repurchase agreements. To the extent the
Fund invests in taxable investments, the Fund will not at such times be in a position to achieve its investment objective of tax-exempt
income.
The Fund may also invest in
securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal bonds of the types in which the Fund may
invest directly. See “-Investment Company Securities.”
Obligations of issuers of
municipal securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.
In addition, the obligations of such issuers may become subject to the laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures or referenda
extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or
upon municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility that, as a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or ability
of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of, and interest on, its municipal securities may be materially affected.
Subject to the concentration
limits of the Fund’s investment policies and guidelines, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its total assets in certain
sectors of the municipal securities market, such as hospitals and other health care facilities, charter schools and other private educational
facilities, special taxing districts and start-up utility districts and private activity bonds including industrial development bonds
on behalf of transportation companies such as airline companies, whose credit quality and performance may be more susceptible to economic,
business, political, regulatory and other developments than other sectors of municipal issuers. If the Fund invests a significant portion
of its total assets in one or more particular sectors, the Fund’s performance may be subject to additional risk and variability.
To the extent that the Fund focuses its total assets in the hospital and healthcare facilities sector, for example, the Fund will be subject
to risks associated with such sector, including adverse government regulation and reduction in reimbursement rates, as well as government
approval of products and services and intense competition. Securities issued with respect to special taxing districts will be subject
to various risks, including real-estate development related risks and taxpayer concentration risk. Further, the fees, special taxes or
tax allocations and other revenues established to secure the obligations of securities issued with respect to special taxing districts
are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants
or municipal or corporate guarantees. Charter schools and other private educational facilities will be subject to various risks, including
the reversal of legislation authorizing or funding charter schools, the failure to renew or secure a charter, the failure of a funding
entity to appropriate necessary funds and competition from alternatives such as voucher programs. Issuers of municipal utility securities
can be significantly affected by government regulation, financing difficulties, supply and demand of services or fuel and natural resource
conservation. The transportation sector, including airports, airlines, ports and other transportation facilities, can be significantly
affected by changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor relations, insurance costs and government regulation.
Municipal Leases and Certificates
of Participation. Also included within the general category of municipal securities are municipal leases, certificates of participation
in such lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (collectively, “Municipal Lease Obligations”) of municipal
authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality for which
the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s covenant
to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal Lease Obligations
contain “nonappropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase
payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the case of a “non-appropriation”
lease, the Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the
repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property
might prove difficult. To the extent that the Fund invests directly in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit
quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to reduce this risk, the
Fund will only purchase Municipal Lease Obligations where the Adviser or Subadviser believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue
making appropriations until maturity.
Below Investment Grade
Securities. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade securities, which are commonly referred to as “junk”
or “high yield” securities. These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:
Greater Risk of Loss.
These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default
than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted,
financially distressed or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse
industry developments. In addition, below investment grade securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness.
If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its
investments. The Fund also may incur additional expenses in seeking recovery from the issuer.
Sensitivity to Interest
Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities.
Although certain below investment grade securities may be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, below
investment grade securities generally are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of
economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high
yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
Valuation Difficulties.
It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates,
accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded
and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated
securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.
Liquidity. There may
be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets
that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may
hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, lower-rated securities may be required to be sold at
substantial losses or retained indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit Quality. Credit
quality of below investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully
reflect the actual risks posed by a particular below investment grade security.
New Legislation. Future
legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for below investment grade securities.
Borrowing. The Fund
may borrow funds and/or issue preferred stock, notes or other debt securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act for investment and
other purposes, such as for providing the Fund with liquidity. The Fund’s use of leverage may include borrowing through a line of
credit with a bank or other financial institution. In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative and other transactions that have the
effect of leverage. Such other transactions may include investing in inverse floating rate securities issued by tender option bond trusts.
Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after any borrowing, must have an “asset coverage” of at least
300% (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets including the amount borrowed).
With respect to such borrowing, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and
indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented
by senior securities issued by the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is also not permitted to issue preferred stock unless immediately
after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred
stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s total assets).
The use of borrowing and other
leverage by the Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar policies. Because
substantially all of the Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing may be fixed
by the terms of the Fund’s agreement with its lender, the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of Common Shares of the
Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and decrease more when its portfolio securities decrease
in value than would otherwise be the case if the Fund did not use leverage. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with
changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions,
the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when investment considerations would
not favor such sales. The interest that the Fund must pay on borrowed money, together with any additional fees to establish and maintain
a borrowing facility, are additional costs that will reduce or eliminate any net investment income and may also offset any potential capital
gains. Unless appreciation and income, if any, on assets acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of leverage
will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what it would have been without leverage. See “Use of Leverage”
and “Risks-Structural Risk-Leverage Risk” in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Closed-End Funds. The
Fund may invest in shares of CEFs offered in initial or secondary offerings or through purchasing shares in the secondary market. An initial
public offering of CEF shares is typically distributed by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission based
on the initial public offering price. Such shares are then listed for trading on an exchange and, in some cases, may be traded in other
over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of CEFs cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end fund,
investors seek to buy and sell shares of CEFs in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on its secondary purchases
similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market.
The shares of many CEFs, after
their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing
the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation,
which is sought by many CEFs, as well as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer
at the next determined NAV but, rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market
purchasers of CEF shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their NAV.
The Fund may invest in shares
of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of
any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer
realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting
the NAV of the Common Shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue
to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
CEFs may issue senior securities
(including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the CEF’s common shares in an attempt to enhance
the current return to such CEF’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of CEFs that are financially
leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but in a down market may also lose money at a faster rate.
In general, leveraged funds may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and NAV than an investment in shares of investment
companies without a leveraged capital structure.
Derivatives. The Fund
may utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety of purposes, such as hedging various market risks or
enhancing return. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts. The Underlying Funds may also utilize derivative
contracts and are thus subject to the same risks described below.
In the course of pursuing
these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, equity
and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various transactions
such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, (collectively, all the above are called “Derivative Transactions”). In addition, Derivative
Transactions may also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Derivative Transactions
may be used without limit (subject to certain limits imposed by the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market
value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio resulting from securities markets fluctuations, to protect
the Fund’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes,
to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a
substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Derivative Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain. Any
or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that dictates
the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Derivative Transaction is a function of numerous variables including, but
not limited to, market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Derivative Transactions successfully will depend on the Adviser’s
or Subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund’s use of Derivative Transactions
may also be limited by the requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments.
Derivative Transactions, including
derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including, but not limited to, possible default by the other party to the transaction,
illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that
the use of such Derivative Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of Derivative Transactions
may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than or
lower than current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a
security it might otherwise sell.
The use of options and futures
transactions entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts
and price movements in the related portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be
greater than gains in the value of the position the Fund is attempting to hedge. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid
in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be
able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options transactions
for hedging should tend to reduce the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to
limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements
for futures contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited
to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Derivative Transactions would reduce NAV, and possibly income, and
such losses can be greater than if the Derivative Transactions had not been utilized.
On October 28, 2020, the SEC
adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act relating to a registered investment company’s use of derivatives and related instruments.
Rule 18f-4 prescribes specific value-at-risk leverage limits for certain derivatives users and requires certain derivatives users to adopt
and implement a derivatives risk management program (including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of
certain testing requirements), and prescribes reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Subject to certain conditions, if a fund
qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, it is not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4.
In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC rescinded certain of its prior guidance regarding asset segregation and coverage
requirements in respect of derivatives transactions and related instruments. With respect to reverse repurchase agreements, tender option
bonds or other similar financing transactions in particular, Rule 18f-4 permits a fund to enter into such transactions if the fund either
(i) complies with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness associated
with all tender option bonds or similar financing with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when
calculating the relevant asset coverage ratio, or (ii) treats all tender option bonds or similar financing transactions as derivatives
transactions for all purposes under Rule 18f-4. The Fund was required to comply with Rule 18f-4 beginning August 19, 2022 and has adopted
procedures for investing in derivatives and other transactions in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
General Characteristics
of Options. Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of
the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion relates to each of the particular
types of options discussed in greater detail below.
A put option gives the purchaser
of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying security, commodity,
index or other instrument at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund’s purchase of a put option on a security might be designed
to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market
value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives
the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price.
The Fund’s purchase of a call option on a security, financial future, index or other instrument might be intended to protect the
Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which
it may purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European
style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase
and sell exchange listed options and over-the-counter options (“OTC options”). Exchange listed options are issued by a regulated
intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the
parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries.
With certain exceptions, OCC
issued and exchange listed options generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security, although in the future cash settlement
may become available. Index options are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is “in-the-money” (i.e.,
where the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option,
the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying
instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions
that do not result in ownership of the new option.
The Fund’s ability to
close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity
of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading
interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions
imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption
of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume;
or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which
event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed
options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying
markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC options are purchased
from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties (“Counterparties”) through direct bilateral agreement
with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all
the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guarantees and security, are
set by negotiation of the parties. The Fund will only sell OTC options that are subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to
require the Counterparty to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The Fund expects generally to enter
into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it is not required to do so.
Unless the parties provide
for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to make or take delivery
of the security or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment
due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit
of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable, must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty
or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty’s credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option
will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York as “primary dealers” or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other financial institutions
which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation of which have received) a short-term credit rating of “A-1” from
S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or “P-1” from Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”)
or an equivalent rating from any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, in the case of OTC currency
options, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. The staff of the SEC currently
takes the position that OTC options purchased by the Fund, and portfolio securities “covering” the amount of the Fund’s
obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid.
If the Fund sells a call option,
the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the value of the
underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will increase the Fund’s income. The sale of put options can also provide
income.
The Fund may purchase and
sell call options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, corporate debt securities and equity securities (including
convertible securities) that are traded on U.S. securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices and
futures contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be “covered” (i.e., the Fund must own the securities or futures
contract subject to the call). Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the
Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the
underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold.
The Fund may purchase and
sell put options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, corporate debt securities and equity securities (including
convertible securities), whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio, and on securities indices and futures contracts
other than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund
may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
General Characteristics
of Futures. The Fund may enter into futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against
anticipated interest rate or equity market changes or to enhance returns. Futures are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges
where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation
by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future
time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options
on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position
in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position.
Typically, maintaining a futures
contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount
of cash or other specified assets (initial margin), which initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may
be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis
as the mark-to-market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a premium for
the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated
to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position.
Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that
the position can be offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur.
Options on Securities Indices
and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial indices
and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities
or other instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument
except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option
on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon
which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except
if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery is specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of
the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated,
in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements
in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than
price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and
Collars. Among the Derivative Transactions into which the Fund may enter are interest rate, index and other swaps and the purchase
or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread
on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price
of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own
securities or other instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange
by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments
for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. An index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional
amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a
notional principal amount from the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or
amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such
floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and
a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates or values.
The Fund will usually enter
into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified
in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If there is a default
by the Counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
Credit Default Swap Agreements.
The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements. The “buyer” in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the “seller”
a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default on an underlying reference obligation
has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the
reference obligation. Credit default swap transactions are either “physical delivery” settled or “cash” settled.
Physical delivery entails the actual delivery of the reference asset to the seller in exchange for the payment of the full par value of
the reference asset. Cash settled entails a net cash payment from the seller to the buyer based on the difference of the par value of
the reference asset and the current value of the reference asset that may have, through default, lost some, most or all of its value.
The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no event of default occurs,
the Fund will have made a series of periodic payments and recover nothing of monetary value. However, if an event of default occurs, the
Fund (if the buyer) will receive the full notional value of the reference obligation either through a cash payment in exchange for the
asset or a cash payment in addition to owning the reference assets. As a seller, the Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the
term of the contract, which typically is between six months and five years, provided that there is no event of default. If an event
of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.
Credit default swap transactions
involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit
default swaps are subject to liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks, each as further described below. Moreover, if the Fund
is a buyer, it will lose its investment and recover nothing should no event of default occur. If an event of default were to occur, the
value of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the
full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund. When the Fund acts as a seller of a credit default
swap agreement it is exposed to the risks of leverage since if an event of default occurs the seller must pay the buyer the full notional
value of the reference obligation.
A credit default index swap
is a swap on an index of credit default swaps. Credit default index swaps allow an investor to manage credit risk or to take a position
on a basket of credit default swaps (or other instruments) in a more efficient manner than transacting in single name credit default swaps.
If a credit event occurs in one of the underlying companies, the protection is paid out via the delivery of the defaulted bond by the
buyer of protection in return for payment of the notional value of the defaulted bond by the seller of protection or it may be settled
through a cash settlement between the two parties. The underlying company is then removed from the index.
Structured Notes. Structured
notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by reference to changes in value of a specific
security, reference rate, or index. Indexed securities, similar to structured notes, are typically, but not always, debt securities whose
value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to other securities. The performance of a structured note or indexed security
is based upon the performance of the underlying instrument, but may involve a formula that multiplies the effect of certain aspects of
the performance of that instrument, so that the performance of the derivative is more or less volatile than that of the underlying instrument,
but may involve a formula that multiplies the effect of certain aspects of the performance of that instrument, so that the performance
of the derivative is more or less volatile than that of the underlying instrument.
The terms of a structured
note may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due on maturity and, therefore, may result in loss of investment. Structured
notes may be indexed positively or negatively to the performance of the underlying instrument such that the appreciation or deprecation
of the underlying instrument will move in the same direction as the value of the structured note at maturity or of any coupon payment.
In addition, changes in the interest rate and value of the principal at maturity may be fixed at a specific multiple of the change in
value of the underlying instrument, making the value of the structured note more volatile than the underlying instrument. In addition,
structured notes may be less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities or traditional debt securities.
Commodity-Linked Derivatives.
The Fund may invest in instruments with principal and/or coupon payments linked to the value of commodities, commodity futures contracts,
or the performance of commodity indices such as “commodity-linked” or “index-linked” notes. These instruments
are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of the instrument may be structured by the issuer of the
note and the purchaser of the note, such as the Fund.
The values of these notes
will rise and fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index or investment. These notes expose the Fund economically
to movements in commodity prices, but a particular note has many features of a debt obligation. These notes also are subject to credit
and interest rate risks that in general affect the value of debt securities. Therefore, at the maturity of the note, the Fund may receive
more or less principal than it originally invested. The Fund might receive interest payments on the note that are more or less than the
stated coupon interest rate payments.
Structured notes may involve
leverage, meaning that the value of the instrument will be calculated as a multiple of the upward or downward price movement of the underlying
commodity future or index. The prices of commodity-linked instruments may move in different directions than investments in traditional
equity and debt securities in periods of rising inflation, which may provide the Fund with a desired degree of diversity. Of course, there
can be no guarantee that the Fund’s commodity-linked investments would not be correlated with traditional financial assets under
any particular market conditions.
Commodity-linked notes may
be issued by U.S. and foreign banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other corporations. These notes, in addition to fluctuating
in response to changes in the underlying commodity assets, will be subject to credit and interest rate risks that typically affect debt
securities.
The commodity-linked instruments
may be wholly principal protected, partially principal protected or offer no principal protection. With a wholly principal protected instrument,
the Fund will receive at maturity the greater of the par value of the note or the increase in value of the underlying index. Partially
protected instruments may suffer some loss of principal up to a specified limit if the underlying index declines in value during the term
of the instrument. For instruments without principal protection, there is a risk that the instrument could lose all of its value if the
index declines sufficiently. The Adviser’s or Subadviser’s decision on whether and to what extent to use principal protection
depends in part on the cost of the protection. In addition, the ability of the Fund to take advantage of any protection feature depends
on the creditworthiness of the issuer of the instrument.
Commodity-linked derivatives
are generally hybrid instruments which are excluded from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and the rules
thereunder. Additionally, from time to time the Fund may invest in other hybrid instruments that do not qualify for exemption from regulation
under the CEA.
Combined Transactions.
The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency
transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency
and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of a single Derivative Transaction, as part of a single
or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser or Subadviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction
will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally
entered into based on the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more
effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder
achievement of the portfolio management objectives.
Regulation as a “Commodity
Pool.” CFTC Rule 4.5 requires operators of registered investment companies to either limit such investment companies’
use of futures, options on futures and swaps or register as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and submit to dual regulation
by the CFTC and the SEC. In order to be able to comply with the exclusion from the CPO definition pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5 with respect
to the Fund, the Adviser must limit the Fund’s transactions in commodity futures, commodity option contracts and swaps for non-hedging
purposes by either (a) limiting the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish non-hedging commodities positions to not
more than 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on any such
contract or (b) limiting the aggregate net notional value of non-hedging commodities positions to not more than 100% of the liquidation
value of the Fund’s portfolio after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on such positions. In the event that the Fund’s
investments in such instruments exceed such thresholds, the Adviser would no longer be excluded from the CPO definition and may be required
to register as a CPO, and the Subadviser may be required to register as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”). In the event
the Adviser or Subadviser is required to register as a CPO or CTA, as applicable, it will become subject to additional recordkeeping and
reporting requirements with respect to the Fund. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of a CPO with respect to the
Fund under the amended rules. The Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures, options thereon and swaps in accordance
with the Fund’s policies. The Fund does not anticipate that it will invest in commodity futures, commodity options contracts and
swaps to an extent or in a manner that would require the Adviser and the Subadviser to register as a CPO or CTA (as applicable) in connection
with their management of the Fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds.
To the extent the Fund invests a portion of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), those
assets will be subject to the risks of the purchased funds’ portfolio securities, and a Common Shareholder will bear not only his
or her proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, but also indirectly the expenses of the purchased funds. Common Shareholders
would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other funds. The Fund’s investments in other
funds also are subject to the ability of the managers of those funds to achieve the funds’ investment objective(s).
Risks associated with investments
in ETFs may generally include the risks described in the Prospectus associated with the Fund’s structure as a CEF, including market
risk. Most ETFs are investment companies that aim to track or replicate a desired index, such as a sector, market or global segment. Most
ETFs are passively managed and their shares are traded on a national exchange. ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors
and only issue their shares in large blocks known as “creation units.” The investor purchasing a creation unit may sell the
individual shares on a secondary market. Therefore, the liquidity of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There can be
no assurance that an ETF’s investment objective(s) will be achieved, as ETFs based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly
the composition and relative weightings of securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities.
ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV. As ETFs trade on an exchange, they are subject to the risks of any exchange-traded
instrument, including: (i) an active trading market for its shares may not develop or be maintained, (ii) trading of its shares may be
halted by the exchange, and (iii) its shares may be delisted from the exchange. Some ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore will expose
the Fund to risks posed by leverage, including the risk that the use of leverage by an ETF can magnify the effect of any of its losses.
The Fund may invest in a range
of ETFs. When the Fund invests in sector ETFs, there is a risk that securities within the same group of industries will decline in price
due to sector-specific market or economic developments. If the Fund invests more heavily in a particular sector, the value of its Common
Shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector. As a result, the Fund’s Common
Share price may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of a mutual fund that invests in a broader range of industries. Additionally,
some sectors could be subject to greater government regulation than other sectors. Therefore, changes in regulatory policies for those
sectors may have a material effect on the value of securities issued by companies in those sectors. The sectors in which the Fund may
be more heavily invested will vary.
There is a risk that the underlying
ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may cause any of the service providers to the ETFs, such
as the trustee or sponsor, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF. Also, because the ETFs in which the Fund
may invest may be granted licenses by agreement to use the indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use
certain trade names, the ETFs may terminate if such license agreements are terminated. In addition, an ETF may terminate if its entire
NAV falls below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that, in the event of the termination of an underlying ETF they will be able
to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETF tracking the same market index or another market index with the same general market, there
is no guarantee that shares of an alternate ETF would be available for investment at that time. To the extent the Fund invests in a sector
product, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with that sector.
High Yield Securities.
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated
below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody’s). Other terms used to
describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,” “below investment grade
bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are considered to be high-risk investments.
Illiquid Securities and
Restricted Securities. Certain securities may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted securities”).
Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold: (i) only to qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in a privately negotiated transaction
to a limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions
are met pursuant to an exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering for which a registration statement is in effect under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”). Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure
and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded.
Restricted securities are
often illiquid, but they may also be liquid. For example, restricted securities that are eligible for resale under Rule 144A are often
deemed to be liquid. The Fund and Underlying Funds may also purchase securities that are not subject to legal or contractual restrictions
on resale, but that are deemed illiquid. Such securities may be illiquid, for example, because there is a limited trading market for them.
The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may be unable to sell a restricted or illiquid security. In addition, it may be more difficult to determine a market value for restricted
or illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund’s or an Underlying
Fund’s decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which the Fund or an Underlying Fund is permitted or
able to sell such security, the Fund or an Underlying Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided
to sell.
Investment Company Securities.
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including CEFs, open-end funds, ETFs, unit
investment trusts and BDCs registered under the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Investment Companies”), to the extent permitted
under applicable law and subject to certain restrictions.
Under Section 12(d)(1)(A)
of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an Investment Company in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of the Investment Company, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all
other Investment Company securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. These limits may
be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4. The Fund intends to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which provides that the
provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1)(A) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after
such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Investment Company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated
persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect to sales charges, or Rule 12d1-4.
In addition, to comply with
provisions of the 1940 Act, in any matter upon which Investment Company stockholders are solicited to vote, the Adviser or Subadviser,
as applicable, may be required to vote Investment Company shares in the same proportion as shares held by other stockholders of the Investment
Company.
Acquired funds typically incur
fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s
purchase of Investment Company securities results in the layering of expenses as Common Shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate
share of the operating expenses of such Investment Companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying Fund or Underlying Fund expenses.
In addition, the securities of Investment Companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to certain leverage risks. The
NAV and market value of leveraged securities will be more volatile and the yield to Common Shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than
the yield generated by unleveraged securities. Investment Companies may also have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund
or an Underlying Fund.
Under certain circumstances
an open-end investment company in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests may determine to make a payment of a redemption by the
Fund or an Underlying Fund wholly or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, instead of in cash. As a result,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may hold such securities until the Adviser, Subadviser or manager of the Underlying Fund, as applicable,
determines it is appropriate to dispose of them. Such disposition will impose additional costs on the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
Investment decisions by the
investment advisers to the registered investment companies in which the Fund invests are made independently of the Fund. At any particular
time, an Underlying Fund may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another Underlying Fund. As a result, under
these circumstances the Fund indirectly would incur certain transactional costs without accomplishing any investment purpose. See also
“-Exchange Traded Funds.”
Investment Grade Debt Securities.
Investment grade securities are those rated “Baa” or higher by Moody’s or “BBB” or higher by S&P or
rated similarly by another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable.
Moody’s considers bonds it rates “Baa” to have speculative elements as well as investment-grade characteristics. To
the extent that the Fund invests in higher-grade securities, the Fund will not be able to avail itself of opportunities for higher income
which may be available at lower grades.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities.
Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities whose interest rates bear an
inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent
beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. The special purpose trust typically
sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender
option bonds) and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters). Both classes of beneficial interests are
represented by certificates. The short-term floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held
by the special purpose trust. Typically, a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, grants the floating
rate security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof.
As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively
holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the institution granting the tender
option will not be obligated to accept tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the
credit rating assigned to the bond issuer. For its inverse floating rate investment, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the
special purpose trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security,
the Fund as the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal
security deposited into the special purpose trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with
the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters in relation
to the value of the residual inverse floaters that are issued by the special purpose trust. In addition, all voting rights and decisions
to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the special purpose trust are passed through to the
Fund, as the holder of the residual inverse floating rate securities.
Because increases in the interest
rate on the short-term floaters reduce the residual interest paid on inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal
bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater
issued by the trust, inverse floaters’ value is generally more volatile than that of fixed rate bonds. The market price of inverse
floating rate securities is generally more volatile than the underlying securities due to the leveraging effect of this ownership structure.
These securities generally will underperform the market of fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values
are falling), but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although
volatile, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable
credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity based upon, among other things,
the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust.
The Fund may invest in TOB
Residuals that have recourse to the Fund. In the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate
shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose
trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an
agreement because the level of leverage in the special purpose trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support
absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the special purpose trust in the event
that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third
party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the
inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders
of floating rate interests. In such instances, the Fund may be at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate
securities. Absent a shortfall and forbearance agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses
not to enter into such an agreement, the special purpose trust could be liquidated and the Fund could incur a loss.
The Fund may invest in both
inverse floating rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same special purpose trust.
Investments in inverse floating
rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders. See the Prospectus
under “Risks-Structural Risk-Leverage Risks.”
Floating Rate Securities.
The Fund may also invest in floating rate securities, as described above, issued by special purpose trusts. Floating rate securities may
take the form of short-term floating rate securities or the option period may be substantially longer. Generally, the interest rate earned
will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration
to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to extended periods of one year or multiple years.
Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying bond deposited in the trust,
the Fund as the holder of the floating rate security relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing
the option as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the trust provide for a
liquidation of the municipal security deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate security.
The trusts that are organized to issue both short-term floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers
to protect the investor in the floating rate security.
Auction Rate Securities.
Municipal securities also include auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities issued by closed-end investment
companies that invest primarily in municipal securities (collectively, “auction rate securities”). In recent market environments,
auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities, and are unlikely to resume. Provided
that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par
value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other
institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest
or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded
at par value, there is a risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there
may be no secondary market for these securities, and sales conducted on a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller.
Auction rate securities may be called by the issuer. Thus, with respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may
differ substantially from cash equivalents, notwithstanding the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Fund’s
investments in auction rate securities of CEFs are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. The Fund will indirectly bear
its proportionate share of any management and other fees paid by such CEFs in addition to the advisory fees payable directly by the Fund.
Taxable Municipal Securities.
The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in taxable municipal securities, which include obligations issued pursuant to the legislation
providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support. The Fund’s investments in taxable
municipal bonds will result in taxable income, and the Fund may elect to pass through to Common Shareholders the corresponding tax credits.
The tax credits can generally be used to offset federal income taxes and the alternative minimum tax, but such credits are generally not
refundable. Taxable municipal bonds involve similar risks as tax-exempt municipal bonds. See “Risks-Investment-Related Risks-Municipal
Bond Risks” in the Prospectus and -Municipal Securities” in this SAI.
Temporary Investments and
Defensive Position. During the period where the net proceeds of an offering of Securities under the Prospectus and the applicable
prospectus supplement are being invested or during periods in which the Adviser or Subadviser determines that it is temporarily unable
to follow the Fund’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so, the Fund may deviate from its investment strategy and
invest all or any portion of its net assets in cash, cash equivalents or other securities. The Adviser’s or Subadviser’s determination
that it is temporarily unable to follow the Fund’s investment strategy or that it is impracticable to do so generally will occur
only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of
the Fund’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent. In such a case, the Fund may not pursue or achieve its investment
objectives.
Cash and cash equivalents
are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
(1) U.S. Government
securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government agency securities include securities issued by: (a)
the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration,
and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b)
the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by
the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing
Association. While the U.S. Government typically provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities,
no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies, and instrumentalities
do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2) Certificates
of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of
time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited
plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)
regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000, therefore, certificates of deposit purchased
by the Fund may not be fully insured.
(3) Repurchase agreements,
which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously
agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price
and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the
purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available
cash. Pursuant to the Fund’s policies and procedures, the Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations
of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may
invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund
is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement
provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value
of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Adviser
or Subadviser, as applicable, monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the
term of the repurchase agreement. The Adviser or Subadviser does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always
equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding,
the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(4) Commercial paper,
which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance
their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary
market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable, will consider the
financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity measures) and will continuously monitor
the corporation’s ability to meet all its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation
were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the
highest categories by a NRSRO and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.
(5) The Fund may
invest in bankers’ acceptances which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance
is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The
draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on
its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the
going rate of interest for a specific maturity.
(6) The Fund may
invest in bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time
at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which case the yields of these
investments will be reduced.
(7) The Fund may invest in shares of
money market funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Zero Coupon Bonds. A
zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period
after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of the zero coupon bond, which generates
a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at
a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (“OID”) approximates the total amount of interest the security
will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because
zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash interest at regular intervals, the instruments’ ongoing accruals
require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result,
these securities may be subject to greater value fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably
rated securities that pay cash on a current basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid
or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon
loans and bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to Common Shareholders
representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis
or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds
to make income distributions to Common Shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to Common Shareholders will not
be treated as a return of capital.
Further, the Adviser collects
management fees on the value of a zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing non-cash accrual of interest over the
life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, the Adviser receives non-refundable cash payments based on such non-cash accruals while
investors incur the risk that such non-cash accruals ultimately may not be realized.
Additional Risks of
Investing in the Fund
Below Investment Grade
Securities Risk. The Fund or the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade securities, which are commonly referred to
as “junk” or “high yield” securities. These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include
the following:
These securities are regarded
as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated
securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed or bankrupt.
These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition,
below investment grade securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal
or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments. The Fund or the Underlying
Funds also may incur additional expenses in seeking recovery from the issuer.
The income and market value
of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although certain below investment grade securities may be less
sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, below investment grade securities generally are more sensitive to
short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments
in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods
of economic downturn.
It is often more difficult
to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial
and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be
no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities,
valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.
There may be no established
secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively
less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion
of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, lower-rated securities may be required to be sold at substantial losses or
retained indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit quality of below investment
grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks
posed by a particular below investment grade security.
Future legislation may have
a possible negative impact on the market for below investment grade securities. Because of the substantial risks associated with below
investment grade securities, you could lose money on your investment in Common Shares, both in the short term and the long term.
Call Risk. If interest
rates fall, it is possible that issuers of securities with high interest rates will prepay or “call” their securities before
their maturity dates. In this event, the proceeds from the called securities would likely be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing
the new, lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and distributions to Common Shareholders.
Deflation Risk. Deflation
risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies,
their assets and revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default
more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
Inflation Risk. Inflation
risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value
of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest
rate risk is the risk that the value of the debt securities held by the Fund will decline because of rising market interest rates. Interest
rate risk is generally lower for shorter-term investments and higher for longer-term investments. Duration is a common measure of interest
rate risk, which measures a bond’s expected life on a present value basis, taking into account the bond’s yield, interest
payments and final maturity. Duration is a reasonably accurate measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
The longer the duration of a bond, the greater the bond’s price sensitivity is to changes in interest rates.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment
risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded
or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect
the Common Shares’ market price or their overall returns.
Legislation and Regulatory
Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds are subject to legislation and regulatory risks. On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, grants regulatory
authorities such as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the SEC broad rulemaking authority to promulgate
rules under the Dodd-Frank Act, including comprehensive regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market. It is unclear to what extent
these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement
actions that would adversely affect the Fund or Underlying Funds or investments made by the Fund or Underlying Funds. Possible regulatory
actions taken under these revised and expanded powers may include actions related to financial consumer protection, proprietary trading
and derivatives.
While some rules have been
promulgated by the CFTC and the SEC, a number of important rulemakings have not yet been finalized and there can be no assurance that
future regulatory actions authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly reduce the returns of the Fund. The implementation of
the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect the Fund by increasing transaction and/or regulatory compliance costs and may affect the availability,
liquidity and cost of entering into derivatives, including potentially limiting or restricting the ability of the Fund to use certain
derivatives or certain counterparties as a part of its investment strategy, increasing the costs of using these instruments or making
these instruments less effective. In addition, greater regulatory scrutiny may increase the Fund’s, the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s
exposure to potential liabilities. Increased regulatory oversight can also impose administrative burdens on the Fund, the Adviser and
Subadviser, including, without limitation, responding to examinations or investigations and implementing new policies and procedures.
At any time after the date
of this SAI, legislation by U.S. and foreign governments may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers
of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or
regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation
or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or Underlying Funds or will not impair the ability of the Fund or
Underlying Funds to achieve its investment objective.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Investment Adviser
RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser for the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory
Agreement. RiverNorth is headquartered at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Under the oversight of the
Board of Directors, the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, managing the Fund’s
business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. The Adviser is also responsible for determining
the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing its implementation. Subject to the ranges noted above, the Adviser determines
the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations. Founded
in 2000, RiverNorth is registered with the SEC and as of August 31, 2024, managed approximately $5.02 billion for registered open-end
management investment companies, registered closed-end management investment companies and private investment vehicles. Patrick W. Galley,
a portfolio manager of the Fund, and Brian H. Schmucker, each own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of
the ultimate parent company of the Adviser and each is deemed to control the Adviser.
Investment Subadviser
MacKay Shields LLC (“MacKay”
or the “Subadviser”) is the Fund’s subadviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s
Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. The Subadviser is registered with the SEC and as of August 31, 2024,
had approximately $147.8 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser was incorporated in 1969 as an independent investment advisory
firm and was privately held until 1984 when it was acquired by New York Life Insurance Company. The Subadviser is an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
Investment Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory
Agreement
For its services under the
Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly management fee computed at the annual rate of 1.40% of the average
daily Managed Assets. Pursuant to a Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser has delegated daily management of the Fund’s Municipal Bond
Income Strategy to the Subadviser, who is paid by the Adviser and not the Fund. The Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay the Subadviser
a subadvisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the service
it provides. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities
(other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). The Fund pays, in addition to the unified management
fee, taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against the Fund; brokerage fees and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses
incurred by or for the Fund; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing including,
without limit, through the use by the Fund of tender option bond transactions; costs, including dividend and/or interest expenses and
other costs (including, without limit, offering and related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction agents, fees to transfer agents,
fees to ratings agencies and fees to auditors associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements for preferred shares or other securities
issued by the Fund and other related requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents) associated with the Fund’s issuance,
offering, redemption and maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the use of tender option bond transactions) for
the purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses
on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for
their benefit, of directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its affiliates;
fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving contested elections of directors,
shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by the Adviser; legal, marketing, printing, accounting
and other expenses associated with any future share offerings, such as rights offerings and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s
initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers (other than any Eligible Tender Offer) and other share repurchases and redemptions;
and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limit, expenses incurred in
connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify its directors, officers, employees,
shareholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto.
When the Fund utilizes leverage,
the fees paid to the Adviser and Subadviser for investment management services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because
the fees paid will be calculated based on Managed Assets, which would include assets attributable to leverage. Because the fees paid to
the Adviser and Subadviser are determined on the basis of Managed Assets, this creates a conflict of interest for the Adviser and Subadviser.
The Board of Directors monitors the Fund’s use of leverage and in doing so monitors this potential conflict.
The Investment Advisory Agreement
provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services to be rendered under
such agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of
its duties or from reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties under such agreement.
The Adviser will make available,
without additional expense to the Fund, the services of such of its officers, directors and employees as may be duly elected as officers
or directors of the Fund, subject to the individual consent of such persons to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. The Adviser
pays all expenses incurred in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation of and office space
for directors, officers and employees of the Adviser connected with management of the Fund. The Fund pays brokerage and other expenses
of executing the Fund’s portfolio transactions; taxes or governmental fees; interest charges and other costs of borrowing funds;
litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
The Investment Advisory Agreement
and the Subadvisory Agreement were in effect for an initial term ending two years from the effective date of the respective agreement.
The Investment Advisory Agreement continues in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually (i) by a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund or by a vote of the Fund’s Board of Directors, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement,
or “interested persons” of any party to the Investment Advisory Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Subadvisory Agreement continues in effect from year to year after its initial two year term if approved
annually by the Fund’s Board of Directors or a vote of the lesser of (x) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting
if Common Shareholders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy or (y) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund; provided that in either event its continuance is also approved by a majority of the Fund’s directors
who are not “interested persons” of any party to the Subadvisory Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. Information regarding the Board of Directors’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement
and the Subadvisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to Common Shareholders for the period ended December
31, 2023. The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement will terminate upon assignment by any party and is terminable,
without penalty, on 60 days’ written notice by the Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or upon 60 days’ written notice by the Adviser or, as applicable, the Subadviser.
The total dollar amounts
paid by the Fund to the Adviser for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 were $2,347,650, $2,550,970
and $2,890,722, respectively. The total dollar amounts paid by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024,
June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 were $335,000, $364,781 and $412,988, respectively. The Adviser (and not the Fund) pays all sub-advisory
fees to the Sub-Adviser. See “Summary Of Fund Expenses” in the Prospectus.
Portfolio Managers
Patrick W. Galley, CFA has
been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Galley is the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the Adviser. Mr. Galley heads the Adviser’s research and investment team and
oversees all portfolio management activities at the Adviser. Mr. Galley also serves as the President and Chairman of the RiverNorth Funds,
a mutual fund complex for which RiverNorth serves as the investment adviser, as well as for several other CEFs advised by the Adviser.
Prior to joining the Adviser in 2004, he was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio
Management group, where he specialized in analyzing and structuring corporate transactions for investment management firms in addition
to closed-end and open-end funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, structured investment vehicles and insurance/reinsurance companies. Mr.
Galley graduated with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Finance. He has received the Chartered Financial Analyst
(CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Stephen O’Neill, CFA
has been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. O’Neill
conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEFs and their respective asset classes at RiverNorth. Prior to joining RiverNorth in
2007, Mr. O’Neill was most recently an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio
Management group. At Bank of America, he specialized in the corporate real estate, asset management, and structured finance industries.
Mr. O’Neill graduated magna cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S. in Finance. Mr. O’Neill has received
the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute, and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Jonathan Browne has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed End Fund Strategy for the Fund since 2024. Jonathan Browne has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since 2024. Mr. Browne a member of the investment management
team and is responsible for assisting with the research and trading of RiverNorth's closed-end fund and special purpose acquisition company
strategies. Prior to joining RiverNorth, Mr. Browne was a Portfolio Manager, Director of Research at Robinson Capital where he co-managed
several closed-end fund and SPAC focused mutual funds, as well as oversaw the firm's closed-end fund and SPAC research efforts. Prior
to Robinson Capital, Jonathan worked as an Associate Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst for Federated Hermes. Mr. Browne holds both
a B.S. and MBA in Finance and Economics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Robert DiMella, CFA has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. DiMella is an Executive Managing Director
of the Subadviser. He has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010,
the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since May 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the
MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Previously,
he co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
(“MLIM”), he served as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of the Municipal Products Group. Mr. DiMella earned
his Master’s degree at Rutgers University Business School and a Bachelors Degree at the University of Connecticut, and he has received
the CFA designation.
John Loffredo, CFA has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Loffredo is an Executive Managing Director
of the Subadviser. Mr. Loffredo has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since
2010, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012,
the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. He
has been a municipal portfolio manager and/or municipal analyst on Wall Street since 1990, with a broad range of portfolio management
and analytic experience in the municipal markets. He previously co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s
merger with MLIM, he served as Chief Investment Officer of the Municipal Products Group of MLIM. Mr. Loffredo graduated cum laude with
an MBA from Utah State University where he was a Harry S. Truman Scholar. He also has a Certificate of Public Management from Boston University,
and he has received the CFA designation.
Michael Petty has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Petty is a Senior Managing Director of the Subadviser.
Mr. Petty has managed the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2011, the MainStay
New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California
Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Before joining the Subadviser
in 2009, he was a Portfolio Manager for Mariner Municipal Managers. He has been a portfolio manager on Wall Street since 1992, and has
worked in the municipal products market since 1985. Mr. Petty has a broad array of trading, portfolio management, and sales experience.
Prior to joining Mariner Municipal Managers, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Dreyfus Corporation from 1997 to 2009. From 1992 to
1997, he served as a Portfolio Manager for Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. Mr. Petty graduated from Hobart College with a B.S. in Mathematics
and Economics.
Scott Sprauer has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Sprauer is a Senior Managing Director of the Subadviser.
He joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He has managed the MainStay New York Tax Free
Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities
Fund since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax
Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining the Subadviser, he was the Head Trader, Fixed Income at Financial Guaranty
Insurance Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BSBA from Villanova University, and has been in the investment management industry since
1991.
David Dowden has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Dowden is a Managing Director of the Subadviser. He
joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He has managed the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities
Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund
since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged
Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining the Subadviser, he was the Chief Investment Officer at Financial Guaranty Insurance
Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BA from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia University. He has been in the investment management
industry since 1989.
Robert Burke has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Burke is a Managing Director of the Subadviser. He
joined the Subadviser in July 2017. Before joining the Subadviser, Mr. Burke held various leadership roles in capital markets, spending
the majority of his time in the municipal markets. In his last role working for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mr. Burke managed the Global
Futures, Derivatives Clearing and Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage businesses. Mr. Burke started his career at Bank of America Merrill
Lynch in the municipal bond department covering insurance, hedge fund, and asset management clients. He holds a Masters of Business Administration
from the Gabelli School at Fordham University, and a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in Economics from Colgate University. Mr. Burke
has received the CFA designation. He has been in the investment management industry since 1985.
John Lawlor has been a co-portfolio
manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. He is a Managing Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Lawlor
joined MacKay Shields in 2016. Before joining the firm, he was Vice President Equity Sales at Deutsche Bank and was previously at Bank
of America Merrill Lynch. From 1997-2011, he was a senior trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Lawlor has a broad and
diverse set of skills in sales, trading, and electronic trading platforms. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Lehigh
University and has a Masters of Public Policy and Administration from American University. He has been in the financial services industry
since 1997.
Compensation of Portfolio Managers
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
Mr. Galley’s, Mr.
O’Neill’s and Mr. Browne’s total compensation package, like others in the Adviser’s business, is a package designed
to attract and retain investment professionals. The compensation package includes a base salary fixed from year to year. The amount of
the base salary is assessed for its competitiveness in the industry and geographic location of the Adviser. The compensation package
also provides for an annual but variable performance bonus. The performance bonus reflects individual performance of the portfolio manager
in his or her allocated duties and responsibilities. While performance of the funds managed by the portfolio managers is considered in
determining the annual performance bonus, it is but one factor. The overall success of the Adviser in its business objectives and the
performance of the Adviser’s business as a whole are more important factors than the investment performance of a particular fund
or account. Mr. Galley, Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Browne also participate in a 401K program on the same basis as other officers of the Adviser,
which includes matching of employee contributions up to a certain percent of the portfolio manager’s base salary. Those portfolio
managers that are also equity stakeholders in the Adviser or its affiliates may also receive periodic distribution of profits from business
operations.
MacKay Shields LLC
The Subadviser establishes
salaries at competitive levels, verified through industry surveys, to attract and maintain the best professional talent. Incentives are
paid annually to the firm’s employees based upon an individual’s performance and the profitability of the firm, and in some
instances may be fixed and guaranteed for a period of time. Incentive bonuses (both cash and deferred) are an integral portion of total
compensation at MacKay Shields and vary based upon an individual’s role, responsibility and performance. A significant percentage
of the compensation program for the Fund’s portfolio managers is incentive based.
The Subadviser has a phantom
equity program and awards are an integral component of the firm’s compensation structure. Awards vest and pay out after several
years. Thus, eligible professionals share in the results and success of the firm.
The compensation received
by portfolio managers is generally based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. The quantitative factors may include: (i) investment
performance; (ii) assets under management; (iii) revenues and profitability; and (iv) industry benchmarks. The qualitative factors may
include, among others, leadership, adherence to the firm’s policies and procedures, and contribution to the firm’s goals and
objectives.
To the extent that an increase
in the size of the Fund or another account managed by a portfolio manager has a positive impact on revenues/profitability, a portfolio
manager’s compensation may also increase. There is no difference between the method used in determining portfolio managers’
compensation with respect to the Fund and other accounts they manage. The Subadviser does not believe the compensation structure provides
an incentive for an employee who provides services to the Fund to take undue risks in managing the assets of the Fund.
Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Shares
The information in “Portfolio
Manager Ownership of Fund Shares” is set forth in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 within the item of that same name, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and in any future filings
we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this SAI. See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more
information.
Additionally, Mr. Browne became a portfolio
manager of the Fund effective September 30, 2024, and the following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially
owned, as of August 31, 2024, by Mr. Browne.
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities of the Fund1 |
Jonathan Browne |
$0 - $10,000 |
| (1) | “Beneficial
Ownership” is determined in accordance with section 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. |
Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts
of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other
accounts. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds are presented with the following potential conflicts, among
others:
The management of multiple
accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. The management of multiple
funds and accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks,
time horizons and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. Another
potential conflict of interest may arise where another account has the same or similar investment objective as the Fund, whereby the portfolio
manager could favor one account over another.
With respect to securities
transactions for the Fund, the Adviser or Subadviser determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with the duty to
seek best execution of the transaction. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely impact
the value of securities held by the Fund. Securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform the securities
selected for the Fund. Further, a potential conflict could include a portfolio manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible
market impact of Fund trades, whereby they could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the
Fund. These potential conflicts of interest could create the appearance that a portfolio manager is favoring one investment vehicle over
another.
The management of personal
accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Although a portfolio manager generally does not trade securities in his
or her own personal account, the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund have each adopted a code of ethics that, among other things, permits
personal trading by employees (including trading in securities that can be purchased, sold or held by the Fund) under conditions where
it has been determined that such trades would not adversely impact client accounts. Nevertheless, the management of personal accounts
may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, and there is no assurance that these codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.
Conflicts potentially limiting
the Fund’s investment opportunities may also arise when the Fund and other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser invest in, or even
conduct research relating to, different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, such as when the Fund owns senior debt obligations
of an issuer and other clients own junior tranches of the same issuer. In such circumstances, decisions over whether to trigger an event
of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment may result in conflicts of interest. In order to minimize such
conflicts, a portfolio manager may avoid certain investment opportunities that would potentially give rise to conflicts with other clients
of the Adviser or Subadviser or result in the Adviser or Subadviser receiving material, non-public information, or the Adviser or Subadviser
may enact internal procedures designed to minimize such conflicts, which could have the effect of limiting the Fund’s investment
opportunities. Additionally, if the Adviser or Subadviser acquires material non-public confidential information in connection with its
business activities for other clients, a portfolio manager or other investment personnel may be restricted from purchasing securities
or selling certain securities for the Fund or other clients. When making investment decisions where a conflict of interest may arise,
the Adviser and Subadviser will endeavor to act in a fair and equitable manner between the Fund and other clients; however, in certain
instances the resolution of the conflict may result in the Adviser or Subadviser acting on behalf of another client in a manner that may
not be in the best interest, or may be opposed to the best interest, of the Fund.
The Adviser and Subadviser
have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that
such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
The Underlying Funds in which
the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.
Other Accounts Managed
The information in “Other Accounts Managed”
is set forth in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the year ended June 30, 2024 within the item entitled “Number
of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type,” which is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and in any future filings
we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this SAI. See “Incorporation by Reference” for more information.
Additionally, Mr. Browne became a portfolio
manager of the Fund effective September 30, 2024, and as of August 31, 2024, Mr. Browne was responsible for the management of the following other
accounts (in addition to the Fund):
Number of
Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type |
Portfolio Manager |
Registered Investment
Companies
(other than the Fund) |
Registered Investment Companies Subject to Performance-Based
Advisory Fees |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Subject to Performance-Based
Advisory Fees |
Other Accounts |
Other Accounts Subject to Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
Jonathan Browne |
4
$1.6B |
0
$0 |
0
$0 |
0
$0 |
0
$0 |
0
$0 |
Administrator
Under the Administration,
Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors,
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS” or the “Administrator”) is responsible for calculating NAVs, providing additional
fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. AFS will bear all expenses in connection
with the performance of its services under the Administration Agreement, except for certain out-of-pocket expenses described therein.
AFS will not bear any expenses incurred by the Fund, including but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation
expenses; costs of preferred shares (if any); expenses of conducting repurchase offers for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer
agency and custodial expenses; taxes; interest; Fund directors’ fees; compensation and expenses of Fund officers who are not associated
with AFS or its affiliates; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity
bond premiums; Fund legal and audit fees and expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection
with meetings of the Fund’s directors; printing and mailing shareholder reports, offering documents, and proxy materials; securities
pricing and data services; and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the SEC.
AFS, an affiliate of the Fund’s
transfer agent, is entitled to receive a monthly fee based on the Fund’s net assets plus certain out of pocket expenses. See “Summary
of Fund Expenses” in the prospectus.
Codes of Ethics
The Fund, Adviser and Subadviser
have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. These codes permit personnel subject to the code to invest in
securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR Database on
the SEC’s website (sec.gov), and copies of these codes may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at
the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
(“Cohen”), located at 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, serves as the independent registered public accounting
firm for the Fund. Cohen audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax and related services.
Legal Counsel
Faegre Drinker Biddle &
Reath LLP serves as legal counsel to the Fund and legal counsel to the independent directors. Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP may
rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A.
Custodian and Transfer Agent
State Street Bank and Trust
Company, located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund’s custodian and maintains
custody of the securities and cash of the Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement. Under the Custody Agreement, the custodian holds the Fund’s
assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the custodian receives a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average
value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
DST Systems, Inc., located
at 333 West 9th Street, 2nd Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, and an affiliate of the Administrator, serves as the transfer agent and
registrar for the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established
by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Adviser or Subadviser is responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing
of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser or Subadviser seeks the best qualitative execution
for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution
capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer. The Adviser or Subadviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the
benefits received under the circumstances under which that particular trade is placed.
The Adviser or Subadviser
is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other
accounts over which the Adviser or Subadviser exercises investment discretion, and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in excess
of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Adviser or Subadviser determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable
in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction
or the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other accounts over which it exercises
investment discretion. The Adviser or Subadviser may not give consideration to sales of Common Shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection
of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions. However, the Adviser or Subadviser may place portfolio transactions with brokers
or dealers that promote or sell the Fund’s Common Shares so long as such placements are made pursuant to policies approved by the
Board of Directors that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on its
sales efforts.
Research services include
supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities
or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. Much, if not all, of this information
is the usual and customary research provided to the Adviser and Subadviser irrespective of any trading activity effected with that broker.
The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities transactions may also be used
by the Adviser or Subadviser in servicing other accounts. Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers when serving
other clients may be useful to the Adviser or Subadviser in connection with its services to the Fund. Although research services and other
information are useful to the Fund and the Adviser or Subadviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other
information received. It is the opinion of the Board of Directors and the Adviser or Subadviser that the review and study of the research
and other information will not increase or reduce the overall cost to the Adviser or Subadviser of performing its duties to the Fund under
the Agreement.
Over-the-counter transactions
will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price, including commissions
and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker.
Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread
between the bid and asked prices.
When the Fund and another
of the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s clients seek to purchase or sell the same security at or about the same time, the Adviser
or Subadviser may execute the transaction on a combined (“blocked”) basis. Blocked transactions can produce better execution
for the Fund because of the increased volume of the transaction. If the entire blocked order is not filled, the Fund may not be able to
acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Fund
may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if the other
client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. In the event that the entire blocked order is not filled, the purchase
or sale will normally be allocated on a pro rata basis. The Adviser or Subadviser may adjust the allocation when, taking into account
such factors as the size of the individual orders and transaction costs, the Adviser or Subadviser believes an adjustment is reasonable.
The Fund paid brokerage
commissions in the aggregate amounts of $19,956, $54,162 and $16,550 during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, June 30, 2023 and June
30, 2022, respectively, not including the gross underwriting spread on securities purchased in underwritten public offerings.
The Fund did not pay any
brokerage commissions during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 to any broker that (1) is an affiliated
person of the Fund, (2) is an affiliated person of an affiliated person of the Fund or (3) has an affiliated person that is an affiliated
person of the Fund or the Adviser.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following is a summary
discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes
of Securities of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Common Shareholders who hold their
Securities as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular shareholders
in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject
to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or
foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who
hold their Common Shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive sale, straddle or conversion transaction,
or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities. In addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or foreign
tax consequences. The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be
changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively,
which could affect the continued validity of this summary. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income
tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are
urged to consult their own tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of
investing in the Fund, including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes
in tax laws.
The tax legislation commonly
referred to as Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax rules for taxation
of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Many of the changes applicable
to individuals are temporary and would apply only to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. There
are only minor changes with respect to the specific rules only applicable to a RIC, such as the Fund. The Tax Act, however, made numerous
other changes to the tax rules that may affect Common Shareholders and the Fund. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding
how the Tax Act affects your investment in the Fund.
Fund Taxation
The Fund has elected to be
treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code, so that it
will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated as being distributed, as described
below) to Common Shareholders. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its Common Shareholders at least
90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Code (which includes, among other
things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net
foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess
of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on
any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to Common Shareholders. However, if the Fund retains any investment
company taxable income or “net capital gain” (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital
loss), it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%)
on the amount retained. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income
(determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), net tax-exempt interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code,
the Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital
gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal excise
tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar
year basis, and taking into account certain deferrals and elections), plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally
computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years on which the Fund paid no federal income
tax. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution
and therefore, under normal circumstances, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax. However, the Fund may also decide to distribute
less and pay the federal excise taxes.
If for any taxable year the
Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be treated as a U.S. corporation
subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions to its Common Shareholders would not be
deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the
Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would generally constitute ordinary dividends, which generally would be eligible
for the dividends received deduction available to corporate Common Shareholders under Section 243 of the Code, discussed below, and non-corporate
Common Shareholders of the Fund generally would be able to treat such distributions as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced
rates of U.S. federal income taxation, as discussed below, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are
satisfied.
If the Fund or an Underlying
Fund invests in certain positions such as pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general,
any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund or Underlying Fund elects to include market discount
in income currently), the Fund or Underlying Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be
prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all
of its net investment income, including such accrued income, to Common Shareholders to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore,
the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage
itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.
The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may also acquire market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its
stated redemption price at maturity (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond). If the Fund or an Underlying
Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required for federal income tax purposes to treat any gain recognized on the disposition
of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the extent of the accrued market discount unless the Fund
or Underlying Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues.
The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not
currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax
issues. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund or an Underlying Fund may cease to accrue interest, original
issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments
received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy
or workout context are taxable. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities,
in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not
become subject to U.S. federal income or excise taxes.
The Fund will not be able
to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another Underlying Fund in which the
Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes in the allocation among Underlying Funds,
could also cause additional distributable gains to Common Shareholders. A portion of any such gains may be short-term capital gains that
would be distributable as ordinary income to Common Shareholders. Further, a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying
Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally, the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s
receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute
a return of capital to Common Shareholders for federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds
structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to Common Shareholders.
The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may engage in various transactions utilizing options, futures contracts, forward contracts, hedge instruments, straddles, and other
similar transactions. Such transactions may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, affect the character
of any income realized by the Fund from such investments, accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses and affect the
determination of whether capital gain or loss is characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss. These rules could therefore
affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to Common Shareholders. These provisions may also require the Fund to mark-to-market
certain positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income
without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding U.S.
federal income and excise taxes. In addition, certain Fund investments may produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes
of the 90% income test. The Fund will monitor its investments and transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections, and will make
the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires an option, futures contract, forward contract, hedge instrument or other
similar investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company
and minimize the imposition of U.S. federal income and excise taxes, if possible.
The Fund’s transactions
in broad based equity index futures contracts, exchange-traded options on such indices and certain other futures contracts (if any) are
generally considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes. Any unrealized gains or losses on such Section
1256 contracts are treated as though they were realized at the end of each taxable year. The resulting gain or loss is treated as sixty
percent long-term capital gain or loss and forty percent short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss recognized on actual sales of Section
1256 contracts is treated in the same manner. As noted below, distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable to Common Shareholders
as ordinary income while distributions of net long-term capital gain are generally taxable to Common Shareholders as long-term capital
gain, regardless of how long the Common Shareholder has held Common Shares of the Fund.
The Fund’s entry into
a short sale transaction, an option or certain other contracts (if any) could be treated as the constructive sale of an appreciated financial
position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.
If the Fund utilizes leverage
through borrowing, asset coverage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act as well as additional restrictions that may be imposed by certain
lenders on the payment of dividends or distributions could potentially limit or eliminate the Fund’s ability to make distributions
on its common stock until the asset coverage is restored. These limitations could prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income as is required under the Code and therefore might jeopardize the Fund’s qualification as a regulated
investment company and/or might subject the Fund to the nondeductible 4% federal excise tax discussed above. Upon any failure to meet
the asset coverage requirements imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted under the 1940
Act, purchase or redeem shares of preferred stock, if any, in order to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the
adverse consequences to the Fund and its Common Shareholders of failing to meet the distribution requirements. There can be no assurance,
however, that any such action would achieve these objectives. The Fund generally will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to
distribute dividends.
Common Shareholder Taxation
Distributions of investment
company taxable income are generally taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and
profits. Distributions of net investment income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the
hands of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided certain holding period
and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at
either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during
the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such
dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the
extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect
to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment
income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation
that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which the IRS has approved for these purposes
(with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market
in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies
as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted
in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements
with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. Qualified dividend income does not include interest from fixed income securities and generally
does not include income from REITs. If the Fund lends portfolio securities, amounts received by the Fund that is the equivalent of the
dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not be eligible for qualified dividend income treatment. The Fund can provide
no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for qualified dividend income treatment.
Distributions of net capital
gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund are taxable at long-term capital gain rates for U.S. federal income tax purposes
without regard to the length of time the Common Shareholder has held Common Shares of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess
of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a Common Shareholder as a tax-free return
of capital, which is applied against and reduces the Common Shareholder’s basis in his, her or its Common Shares. To the extent
that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Common Shareholder’s basis in his, her or its Common Shares, the excess will
be treated by the Common Shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such Common Shares. The U.S. federal income tax status of all
distributions will be designated by the Fund and reported to Common Shareholders annually.
The Fund may qualify to pay
“exempt-interest” dividends, as defined in the Code, on its Common Shares by satisfying the requirement that, at the close
of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of municipal securities. As an alternative,
the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends if it is a qualified fund-of-funds, i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total
assets are invested in the shares of underlying RICs at the close of each quarter of its taxable year. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends
or any part thereof (other than a capital gain dividend) paid by the Fund which are attributable to interest on municipal securities and
which are so reported by the Fund. Exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from federal income tax, subject to the possible application
of the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. Under the Tax Act, interest paid on a municipal bond issued after December
31, 2017 to advance refund another municipal bond is subject to federal income tax. Insurance proceeds received by the Fund under any
insurance policies in respect of scheduled interest payments on defaulted municipal bonds, as described herein, will generally be correspondingly
excludable from federal gross income. In the case of non-appropriation by a political subdivision, however, there can be no assurance
that payments made by the issuer representing interest on municipal lease obligations will be excludable from gross income for federal
income tax purposes. Any gains of the Fund that are attributable to market discount on municipal securities are treated as ordinary income
to the extent of accrued market discount on those securities.
A portion of the Fund’s
expenditures that would otherwise be deductible may not be allowed as deductions by reason of the Fund’s investment in municipal
securities (such disallowed portion, in general, being the same percentage of the Fund’s aggregate expenses as the percentage of
the Fund’s aggregate gross income that constitutes exempt interest income from municipal securities). A similar disallowance rule
also applies to interest expense paid or incurred by the Fund, if any. Any such disallowed deductions will offset the Fund’s gross
exempt-interest income for purposes of calculating the dividends that the Fund can report as exempt-interest dividends. Interest on indebtedness
incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Fund’s shares is not deductible to the extent the interest relates to exempt-interest
dividends. Under rules used by the IRS for determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
particular assets, the purchase or ownership of shares may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds
are not directly used for the purchase or ownership of such shares.
Distributions to Common Shareholders
of net investment income received by the Fund from taxable investments, if any, including temporary taxable investments, and of net short-term
capital gains realized by the Fund, if any, will be taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions by the Fund of net
capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, are taxable as long-term capital
gain, regardless of the length of time the Common Shareholder has owned the shares with respect to which such distributions are made.
The amount of taxable income allocable to the Fund’s shares will depend upon the amount of such income realized by the Fund. Distributions,
if any, in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a Common Shareholder’s shares
and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the Common Shareholder (assuming the shares are held as
a capital asset). As long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC under the Code, it is not expected that any part of its distributions to Common
Shareholders from its investments will qualify as “qualified dividend income” taxable to non-corporate Common Shareholders
at reduced rates.
The interest on private activity
bonds in most instances is not federally tax-exempt to a person who is a “substantial user” of a facility financed by such
bonds or a “related person” of such “substantial user.” As a result, the Fund may not be an appropriate investment
for a Common Shareholder who is considered either a “substantial user” or a “related person” within the meaning
of the Code. In general, a “substantial user” of a facility includes a “nonexempt person who regularly uses a part of
such facility in his trade or business.” “Related persons” are in general defined to include persons among whom there
exists a relationship, either by family or business, which would result in a disallowance of losses in transactions among them under various
provisions of the Code (or if they are members of the same controlled group of corporations under the Code), including a partnership and
each of its partners (and certain members of their families), an S corporation and each of its shareholders (and certain members of their
families) and various combinations of these and other relationships. The foregoing is not a complete description of all of the provisions
of the Code covering the definitions of “substantial user” and “related person.”
Federal income tax law imposes
an alternative minimum tax with respect to individuals, trusts, and estates. Interest on certain municipal securities, such as bonds issued
to make loans for housing purposes or to private entities (but not to certain tax-exempt organizations such as universities and non-profit
hospitals), is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayer’s alternative minimum taxable income.
To the extent that the Fund receives income from such municipal securities, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, although otherwise
exempt from federal income tax, will be taxable to Common Shareholders whose tax liabilities are determined under the federal alternative
minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage of the Fund’s income attributable to municipal securities
and the portion thereof the interest on which is a tax preference item.
The Fund may invest in municipal
securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. If you are, or as a
result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment
for you. In addition, distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to Common Shareholders
as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will
be taxable as long-term capital gains.
Any loss realized by a shareholder
of the Fund upon the sale of shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received
with respect to such shares.
Certain distributions by the
Fund may qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate Common Shareholders under Section 243 of the Code, subject
to certain holding period and other requirements, but generally only to the extent the Fund earned dividend income from stock investments
in U.S. domestic corporations (but not including real estate investment trusts). Additionally, if the Fund received dividends from an
Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as eligible for the
dividends received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends
received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. As long
as the Fund qualifies as a RIC under the Code, it is not expected that any significant part of its distributions to Common Shareholders
from its investments will qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate Common Shareholders.
A Common Shareholder may elect
to have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all
dividends are generally taxable regardless of whether a Common Shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional Common
Shares of the Fund.
If a Common Shareholder’s
distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Common Shareholder will
be treated as having received a distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the Common Shareholder would have received if the
Common Shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued Common Shares of the Fund that are trading
at or above NAV, in which case the Common Shareholder will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the fair market value of the
stock the Common Shareholder receives.
The Fund intends to distribute
all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate
the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to Common Shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term
capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount,
and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against
their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal
income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder will be increased by the difference between the amount
of undistributed net capital gain included in the Common Shareholder’s gross income and the federal income tax deemed paid by the
Common Shareholder.
Any dividend declared by the
Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be treated for U.S.
federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by Common Shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it is
declared.
At the time of an investor’s
purchase of the Fund’s Common Shares, a portion of the purchase price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation
in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent distributions by the Fund with respect
to these Common Shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such investor even if the NAV of the investor’s Common
Shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such Common Shares and the distributions economically
represent a return of a portion of the investment. Investors should consider the tax implications of purchasing Common Shares just prior
to a distribution.
The IRS has taken the position
that if a regulated investment company has two or more classes of shares, it must designate distributions made to each class in any year
as consisting of no more than such class’ proportionate share of particular types of income (e.g., ordinary income and net
capital gains). Consequently, if both common stock and preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund intends to designate distributions made
to each class of particular types of income in accordance with each class’ proportionate share of such income. Thus, the Fund will
designate to the extent applicable, dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction (if any), income not qualifying
for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income, ordinary income, exempt interest and net capital gain in a manner that
allocates such income between the holders of common stock and preferred stock in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class
during or for the taxable year, or otherwise as required by applicable law. However, for purposes of determining whether distributions
are out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated first
to the Fund’s preferred stock, if any, and then to the Fund’s common stock. In such a case, since the Fund’s current
and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends on the preferred stock, distributions in excess of such earnings
and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of common stock.
In addition, solely for the
purpose of satisfying the 90% distribution requirement and the distribution requirement for avoiding federal income taxes, certain distributions
made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid during such taxable year. In
such case, Common Shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distribution was actually
made.
Sales, exchanges and other
dispositions of the Fund’s Common Shares generally are taxable events for Common Shareholders that are subject to federal income
tax. Common Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular
transaction in the Fund’s Common Shares is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes (as the following
discussion assumes) and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. Generally, gain or loss will be equal
to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received (including securities distributed by
the Fund) and the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares sold or exchanged. In general, any gain or loss realized
upon a taxable disposition of Common Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for
more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of the Fund’s Common Shares will be treated as short-term
capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized by a Common Shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares with a tax
holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions
of long-term capital gain with respect to such Common Shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period, the holding period
is suspended for any periods during which the Common Shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more
other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual obligations to sell.
The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s
income exceeds certain threshold amounts. The ability to deduct capital losses may be subject to limitations. In addition, losses on sales
or other dispositions of Common Shares may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules in the event a Common Shareholder acquires
substantially identical stock or securities (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning
30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition of Common Shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss
generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis of the Common Shares acquired.
An additional 3.8% Medicare
tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and
net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Common Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that
such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income”
(in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
From time to time, the Fund
may repurchase its Common Shares. Common Shareholders who tender all Common Shares held, and those considered to be held (through attribution
rules contained in the Code), by them will be treated as having sold their Common Shares and generally will realize a capital gain or
loss. If a Common Shareholder tenders fewer than all of his, her or its Common Shares (including those considered held through attribution),
such Common Shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its Common Shares. If a tender offer is
made, there is a risk that non-tendering Common Shareholders will be treated as having received taxable distributions from the Fund. To
the extent that the Fund recognizes net gains on the liquidation of portfolio securities to meet such tenders of Common Shares, the Fund
will be required to make additional distributions to its Common Shareholders. If the Board of Directors determines that a tender offer
will be made by the Fund, the federal income tax consequences of such offer will be discussed in materials that will be available at such
time in connection with the specific tender offer, if any.
The Code requires that the
Fund withhold, as “backup withholding,” 24% of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the
proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s stock paid to Common Shareholders who have not complied with IRS regulations.
In order to avoid this withholding requirement, Common Shareholders must certify on their account applications, or on a separate IRS Form
W-9, that the social security number or other taxpayer identification number they provide is their correct number and that they are not
currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required to withhold
if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the Common Shareholder’s U.S. federal
income tax liability if the appropriate information (such as the timely filing of the appropriate federal income tax return) is provided
to the IRS.
Under Treasury regulations,
if a Common Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more in a single taxable year (or $4 million
or more in any combination of taxable years) for an individual Common Shareholder, S corporation or trust or $10 million or more in a
single taxable year (or $20 million or more in any combination of years) for a Common Shareholder who is a C corporation, such Common
Shareholder will generally be required to file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities
are generally excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are
not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated
investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the
taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability
of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Preferred Shareholder Taxation
The IRS has taken the position
that if a regulated investment company has two or more classes of shares, it must designate distributions made to each class in any year
as consisting of no more than such class’ proportionate share of particular types of income (e.g., ordinary income and net
capital gains). Consequently, if both Common Shares and Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund intends to designate distributions
made to each class of particular types of income in accordance with each class’ proportionate share of such income. Thus, the Fund
will designate to the extent applicable, dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction (if any), income not qualifying
for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income (if any), Section 199A dividends (if any), ordinary income and net capital
gain (if any) in a manner that allocates such income between the holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to the total
dividends paid to each class during or for the taxable year, or otherwise as required by applicable law. However, for purposes of determining
whether distributions are out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits,
if any, will be allocated first to the Fund’s Preferred Shares and then to the Fund’s Common Shares. In such a case, since
the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, distributions
in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of Common Shares.
Other Taxes
The description of certain
U.S. federal income tax provisions above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences for Common Shareholders who are U.S. persons
(i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates). Non-U.S. Common Shareholders should consult
their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of Common Shares of the Fund, including the possibility that distributions
may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty if the investor provides
proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
A separate U.S. withholding
tax may apply in the case of distributions to (i) certain non-U.S. financial institutions that have not agreed to collect and disclose
certain account holder information and are not resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury
and (ii) certain other non-U.S. entities that do not provide certain certifications and information about the entity’s U.S. owners.
Shareholders should consult
their own tax advisors on these matters and on any specific question of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other applicable tax laws
before making an investment in the Fund.
BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
The Board of Directors
is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms and, upon expiration of their initial terms, directors
of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify, and at each annual
meeting one class of directors will be elected by the shareholders. When there are Preferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s
directors are elected by the holders of Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, and the remaining directors of the Fund are elected
by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting together as a class. More information regarding the Directors and Officers of
the Fund is set forth in the “Management” section of the Fund’s most recent definitive proxy
statement on Schedule 14A, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that
are incorporated by reference into this SAI. See “Incorporation by Reference” for more information. Except as otherwise noted,
the address for all directors and officers is 360 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The “independent directors”
consist of those directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act (each,
an “Independent Director” and collectively, the “Independent Directors”).
Board Leadership Structure,
Risk Oversight and Compensation. Information regarding each of these items is set forth in the respective similarly named section
of the Fund’s most recent definitive proxy
statement on Schedule 14A, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that
are incorporated by reference into this SAI. See “Incorporation by Reference” for more information.
Director Ownership in the Fund
Information regarding
the Directors’ ownership in the Fund is set forth in the “Director Ownership in the Funds” section of the Fund’s
most recent definitive proxy statement
on Schedule 14A, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated
by reference into this SAI. See “Incorporation by Reference” for more information.
As of December 31, 2023, the
Independent Directors of the Fund and immediate family members did not own beneficially or of record any class of securities of the investment
adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.
As of the date of this
SAI, the directors and officers of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund.
Securities Beneficially Owned
To the knowledge of the
Fund, as of September 30, 2024, no single shareholder or “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) beneficially owned more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding Common
Shares. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges
the existence of control.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The Board of Directors of
the Fund has delegated responsibilities for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser or Subadviser.
The Adviser or Subadviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures. In some instances, the Adviser
or Subadviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders, and those
of the Adviser or Subadviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser or Subadviser. In such a case, the Adviser or Subadviser will abstain
from making a voting decision and will forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Fund to enable the Board of Directors to make
a voting decision. The Adviser or Subadviser shall make a written recommendation of the voting decision to the Board of Directors, which
shall include: (i) an explanation of why it has a conflict of interest; (ii) the reasons for its recommendation; and (iii) an explanation
of why the recommendation is consistent with the Adviser’s (or Subadviser’s) proxy voting policies. The Board of Directors
shall make the proxy voting decision that in its judgment, after reviewing the recommendation of the Adviser or Subadviser, is most consistent
with the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s proxy voting policies and in the best interests of shareholders. When the Board of Directors
of the Fund is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the directors without a conflict of interest with regard to the security
in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast.
The Adviser and Subadviser vote proxies pursuant to the proxy voting policies and guidelines set forth in Appendix A and B, respectively,
to this SAI.
You may also obtain information
about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 by visiting the SEC’s
website at sec.gov or by visiting the Fund’s website at rivernorth.com (this reference to the Fund’s website does not incorporate
the contents of the website into this SAI).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Registration Statement on
Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Securities offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Fund’s
Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules
thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Securities offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration
Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred
to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
The Registration Statement
is available on the Edgar Database on the SEC’s website, sec.gov, or may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic
request to publicinfo@sec.gov.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund’s financial
statements and financial highlights and the report of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen, thereon, contained
in the following document filed by the Fund with the SEC, are hereby incorporated by reference into, and are made part of, this SAI:
the Fund’s Annual
Report for the year ended June 30, 2024 contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSR, filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This Statement of Additional
Information is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. We are allowed to “incorporate by reference”
the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.
The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this Statement of Additional Information from the date we
file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC before the date that any offering of any Securities by means of the Fund’s
prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information
contained in this Statement of Additional Information or incorporated by reference herein.
We incorporate by reference
into this SAI our filings listed below and any future filings that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the 1934 Act until all of the Securities offered by the Fund’s prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement have been sold
or we otherwise terminate the offering of these Securities. Information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and may supersede
information in this Statement of Additional Information, any applicable supplement and information previously filed with the SEC.
This SAI and any applicable
supplement thereto incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| ● | our annual report on Form
N-CSR for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024; and |
| ● | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration
Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 811-23481), as filed with the SEC on October 7, 2019, including any amendment or report filed for
the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering of the common stock registered hereby. |
You may request a copy
of these filings (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) at no cost
at the Fund’s website at rivernorth.com or by writing or calling the following address and telephone number:
RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC
360 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite
1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 484-7185
You should rely only on the
information incorporated by reference or provided in the Fund’s Prospectus, this SAI and any supplement thereto. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different or additional information, and you should not rely on such information if you receive it. We are
not making an offer of or soliciting an offer to buy, any securities in any state or other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information in this Statement of Additional Information or in the documents incorporated by
reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Statement of Additional Information or those documents.
APPENDIX A
PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER
Proxy Voting
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Pursuant to the recent adoption
by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6) and amendments to Rule
204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”), it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative
act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority
with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably
designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures
to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser
voted their proxies.
In its standard investment
advisory agreement, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (RiverNorth Capital) specifically states that it does not vote proxies and the
client, including clients governed by ERISA, is responsible for voting proxies. Therefore, RiverNorth Capital will not vote proxies for
these clients. However, RiverNorth Capital will vote proxies on behalf of investment company clients (“Funds”). RiverNorth
Capital has instructed all custodians, other than Fund custodians, to forward proxies directly to its clients, and if RiverNorth Capital
accidentally receives a proxy for any non-Fund client, current or former, the Chief Compliance Officer will promptly forward the proxy
to the client. In order to fulfill its responsibilities to Funds, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (hereinafter “we” or
“our”) has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in any Fund’s investment
portfolios.
KEY OBJECTIVES
The key objectives of these
policies and procedures recognize that a company’s management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations and longer term strategic
planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company’s board of directors. While “ordinary business matters”
are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s board of directors, these objectives
also recognize that the company’s shareholders must have final say over how management and directors are performing, and how shareholders’
rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.
Therefore, we will pay particular
attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our clients:
Accountability. Each
company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company’s business accountable for their actions.
Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable to shareholders.
Alignment of Management
and Shareholder Interests. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of directors with the interests
of the company’s shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be designed to reward management for doing
a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.
Transparency. Promotion
of timely disclosure of important information about a company’s business operations and financial performance enables investors
to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company’s securities.
DECISION METHODS
We generally believe that
the individual portfolio managers that invest in and track particular companies are the most knowledgeable and best suited to make decisions
with regard to proxy votes. Therefore, we rely on those individuals to make the final decisions on how to cast proxy votes.
No set of proxy voting guidelines
can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from our managers and analysts on how a particular
proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.
In some instances, a proxy
vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client, on the one hand, and our interests or the interests of a person affiliated
with us, on the other. In such a case, we will abstain from making a voting decision and will forward all of the necessary proxy voting
materials to the client to enable the client to cast the votes.
Notwithstanding the forgoing,
the following policies will apply to investment company shares owned by a Fund. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”), a fund may only invest up to 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment
company, but may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or invest more than 10% of its total
assets in the securities of other investment companies. However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act provides that the provisions of paragraph
12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by a fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition
not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment company is owned by the fund and all affiliated persons
of the fund; and (ii) the fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise
at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than 1½% percent. Therefore, each Fund (or the Adviser acting
on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions unless it is determined that the Fund is not relying on Section
12(d)(1)(F):
-when the Fund exercises
voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to any investment company owned by the Fund, the Fund will either
-seek instruction
from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or
-vote the shares
held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Election of the Board of Directors
We believe that good corporate
governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by significant ties to management, all
of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that turnover in board composition promotes independent board action, fresh approaches
to governance, and generally has a positive impact on shareholder value. We will generally vote in favor of non-incumbent independent
directors.
The election of a company’s
board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified board structure prevents shareholders
from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will generally support efforts to declassify boards or other measures that permit
shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time, and will generally oppose efforts to adopt classified board structures.
Approval of Independent Auditors
We believe that the relationship
between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related
activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.
We will evaluate on a case-by-case
basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company to determine whether we believe independence
has been, or could be, compromised.
Equity-based compensation
plans
We believe that appropriately
designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of shareholders and
the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder value. Conversely, we are opposed
to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently
objectionable structural features.
We will generally support
measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership
by employees. These may include:
1. Requiring senior executives
to hold stock in a company.
2. Requiring stock acquired
through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time.
These are guidelines, and
we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plan’s impact on ownership
interests.
Corporate Structure
We view the exercise of shareholders’
rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate
governance.
Because classes of common
stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders should have voting power
equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s by-laws by a simple
majority vote.
We will generally support
the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
Shareholder Rights Plans
While we recognize that there
are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, such measures may tend to entrench current
management, which we generally consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value. Therefore, while we will evaluate such plans on
a case by case basis, we will generally oppose such plans.
CLIENT INFORMATION
A copy of these Proxy Voting
Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-646-0148. We will send a copy of these
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to
ensure equally prompt delivery.
In addition, we will provide
each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard to the client’s securities.
APPENDIX B
MacKay
Shields LLC
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
February 2024
MacKay Shields LLC, MacKay Shields UK LLP, and
MacKay Shields Europe Investment Management Limited (individually and collectively “MacKay” or the “Firm”), has
adopted these “Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures” (the “Policy”) to ensure the Firm’s compliance with Rule
206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and other applicable fiduciary obligations.
The Policy applies to proxies relating to securities held by clients of MacKay Shields who have delegated the responsibility of voting
proxies to the Firm. The Policy is designed to assist Firm employees in meeting their specific responsibilities in this area and to reasonably
ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of the Firm’s clients.
2.1 It
is the policy of MacKay Shields that where the Firm has voting authority, all proxies are to be voted in the best interest of the client
without regard to the interests of MacKay Shields or other related parties. Specifically, MacKay Shields shall not subordinate the interests
of clients to unrelated objectives, including MacKay Shields’ interests. MacKay Shields shall act with the care, skill, prudence
and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would
use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims. For purposes of the Policy, the “best interests of clients”
shall mean, unless otherwise specified by the client, the clients’ best economic interests over the long term as determined by MacKay
Shields – that is, the common interest that all MacKay Shields clients share in seeing the value of a common investment increase
over time. It is further the policy of the Firm that complete and accurate disclosure concerning its proxy voting policies and procedures
and proxy voting records as required by the Advisers Act, be made available to its clients.
2.2 When
proxies with respect to securities held by clients of MacKay Shields have not been received by MacKay Shields or its proxy voting service
provider, MacKay Shields will make reasonable efforts to obtain missing proxies. MacKay Shields is not responsible for voting proxies
it or its proxy voting service provider does not receive.
2.3 MacKay
Shields may choose not to vote proxies when it believes that it is appropriate. This may occur, without limitation, under the following
circumstances:
| ● | If the effect on the client’s economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable
or insignificant; |
| ● | If the cost of voting the proxy outweighs the possible benefit to the client; or |
| ● | If a jurisdiction imposes share blocking restrictions which prevent the Firm from trading shares. |
| 3. | Use of Third Party Proxy Voting Service Provider |
To discharge its responsibility, MacKay Shields
has examined third-party services that assist in the researching and voting of proxies and the development of voting guidelines. After
such review, the Firm has selected Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., (“ISS”), to research voting proposals, analyze
the financial implications of voting proposals and vote proxies. MacKay Shields utilizes the research and analytical services, operational
implementation, administration, record-keeping and reporting services provided by ISS.
| 4. | Proxy Voting Guidelines |
4.1 To
the extent that a client has authorized Mackay Shields to vote proxies on its behalf, and except as set forth Sections 6 & 7 of this
Policy or at otherwise directed by a client in writing, MacKay has determined to adopt the following proxy voting guidelines:
4.1.a Proxies
for non-union clients will generally be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable ISS non-union
domestic or global proxy voting guidelines, as in effect from time to time (“Non-Union Guidelines”). Refer to Exhibit A for
the current U.S. Summary Proxy Voting Guidelines.
4.1.b Proxies
for union or Taft-Hartley clients will generally be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable ISS
Taft-Hartley domestic or international proxy voting guidelines, as in effect from time to time (“Union Guidelines”). A summary
of the current Taft-Hartley U.S. Voting Guidelines and Taft-Hartley International Voting Guidelines are attached as Exhibit B.
4.1.c Notwithstanding
Section 4.1.a of this Policy, proxies for non-union clients whose investment strategy directs MacKay Shields to invest primarily in assets
that satisfy Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) criteria, as determined by MacKay Shields, in its discretion, will
be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable ISS Sustainability U.S. or International proxy voting
guidelines, as in effect from time to time (“Sustainability Guidelines”). Refer to Exhibit C for the current U.S. and International
Sustainability Proxy Voting Guidelines.
4.2 For
purposes of the Policy, the Non-Union Guidelines, Union Guidelines, and Sustainability Guidelines are collectively referred to as the
“Standard Guidelines.”
4.3 A
client may choose to use proxy voting guidelines different from the Standard Guidelines (“Custom Guidelines”). Any Custom
Guidelines must be furnished by the client to MacKay Shields in writing and MacKay Shields will general vote proxies for any such client
in accordance with the applicable Custom Guidelines.
4.4 In
the event the Standard Guidelines or any client’s Custom Guidelines do not address how a proxy should be voted or state that the
vote is to be determined on a “case-by-case” basis, the proxy will be voted in accordance with ISS recommendations, subject
to Section 6. In the event that ISS has not made a recommendation, MacKay Shields will follow the procedure set forth in Section 7.
4.5 For
clients using the Standard Guidelines, the Firm will instruct ISS to cast votes in accordance with the Standard Guidelines. For clients
using Custom Guidelines, the Firm will provide ISS with a copy of such Custom Guidelines and will instruct ISS to cast votes in accordance
with such Custom Guidelines. ISS will cast votes in accordance with the Standard Guidelines or Custom Guidelines, as the case may be,
unless instructed otherwise by MacKay Shields as set forth in Sections 6 and 7. Upon receipt of a specific request from a client pursuant
to Section 4.6, the Firm will instruct ISS to cast such client’s proxy in accordance with such request.
4.6 Notwithstanding
the foregoing, MacKay Shields will vote a proxy with respect to a particular security held by a client in accordance with such client’s
specific request even if it is in a manner inconsistent with the Standard Guidelines or the client’s Custom Guidelines, as the case
may be. Any such specific requests must be furnished to MacKay Shields by the client in writing and must be received by MacKay on a timely
basis for instructing ISS how to cast the vote.
4.7 In
an effort to avoid possible conflicts of interest, MacKay Shields has determined to generally vote proxies based on the Standard Guidelines
or a client’s Custom Guidelines, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, however, it is recognized that the Firm’s
portfolio management teams have the ultimate responsibility determining how to vote proxies in the best interest of a client voting.
| 5. | Client Account Set-up and Review |
5.1 Initially,
MacKay Shields must verify whether the client has duly authorized MacKay Shields to vote proxies on its behalf, or if the client has retained
the responsibility of voting proxies. The Marketing and Client Services departments, in conjunction with the Legal and/or Compliance Department,
will have primary responsibility for making that determination. MacKay’s Compliance Department will be responsible for ensuring
that a record of each client’s proxy voting status and, to the extent applicable, the type of proxy voting guidelines in maintained.
In its sole discretion, the Firm may decline to accept authority to vote a client’s proxies. Any such refusal shall be in writing.
5.2 In
most cases, the delegation of voting authority to MacKay Shields, and the Firm’s use of a third-party proxy voting service provider
shall be memorialized in the client’s investment management agreement.
5.3 MacKay
Shields shall notify ISS of new client accounts using such form as ISS shall specify from time to time. Designated personnel within the
Firm will be responsible for ensuring that each new client’s account for which the Firm has proxy voting authority is established
on the appropriate systems and that each such account is properly coded for voting under the appropriate Non-Union Guidelines, Union Guidelines
or Custom Guidelines, as the case may be.
A portfolio manager may propose that a particular
proxy vote be cast in a manner different from the Standard Guidelines or an ISS voting recommendation, or may propose an abstention from
voting, if they believe that to do so, based on all facts and circumstances, is in the best interest of the Firm’s clients as a
whole. Any portfolio manager who proposes to override the Standard Guidelines or an ISS voting recommendation on a particular vote or
to abstain from voting must complete a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form, which is set forth in Schedule D.
| 7. | Referral of Voting Decision by ISS to MacKay Shields |
7.1 In
the event that the Standard Guidelines or a client’s Custom Guidelines do not address how a proxy should be voted on a specific
proposal for an issuer and ISS has not made a recommendation as to how such proxy should be voted, ISS will so advise MacKay Shields.
In that event, the Legal and/or Compliance Departments will request that the appropriate portfolio manager makes a voting recommendation
and complete a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form.
7.2 In
the event that the Standard Guidelines or a client’s Custom Guidelines require a “case-by-case” determination on a particular
proxy vote and ISS has not made a recommendation as to how such proxy should be voted, ISS will so advise MacKay Shields. In that event,
the Legal and/or Compliance Departments will request that the appropriate portfolio manager make a voting recommendation and complete
a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form.
7.3 In
the event that ISS determines that a conflict of interest exists as a result of which ISS is precluded from making a recommendation as
to how a proxy should be voted on a specific proposal for an issuer, ISS will so advise MacKay Shields. In that event, the Legal and/or
Compliance Departments will request that the appropriate portfolio manager make a voting recommendation and complete a Proxy Vote Override/Decision
Form.
8.1 The
Firm’s portfolio managers may make proxy voting decisions in connection with (i) overriding the Standard Guidelines or an ISS voting
recommendation pursuant to Section 6, or (ii) deciding on a vote pursuant to Section 7. In such event, the portfolio managers have an
affirmative duty to disclose to the Legal and/or Compliance Departments any potential conflict of interest known to them that exists between
the Firm and the client on whose behalf the proxy is to be voted (“Conflict”).
8.2. By
way of example, Conflicts may exist in situations where the Firm is called to vote on a proxy involving an issuer or proponent of a proxy
proposal regarding the issuer where MacKay Shields or an affiliated person of the Firm also:
| ● | Manages the issuer’s or proponent’s pension plan; |
| ● | Administers the issuer’s or proponent’s employee benefit plan; |
| ● | Provided brokerage, underwriting, insurance or banking services to the issuer or proponent; or |
| ● | Manages money for an employee group. |
Additional Conflicts may exist, among others,
if an executive of the Firm or its control affiliates is a close relative of, or has a personal or business relationship with:
| ● | An executive of the issuer or proponent; |
| ● | A director of the issuer or proponent; |
| ● | A person who is a candidate to be a director of the issuer; |
| ● | A participant in the proxy contest; or |
| ● | A proponent of a proxy proposal. |
8.3 Whether
a relationship creates a Conflict will depend on the facts and circumstances. Even if these parties do not attempt to influence the Firm
with respect to voting, the value of the relationship to MacKay Shields or an affiliate can create a Conflict.
8.4 After
a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form is completed pursuant to Sections 6 or 7, such Form, which elicits information as to whether a potential
Conflict exists, must be submitted to the Legal and/or Compliance Departments for review. If the Firm’s General Counsel (“GC”),
Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or their designee determines that there is no potential Conflict, the GC, CCO or their designee,
may instruct ISS to vote the proxy issue as set forth in the completed Form.
8.5 If
the GC, CCO or their designee determines that there exists or may exist a Conflict, he or she will refer the issue to the Compliance Committee
for consideration by convening (in person or via telephone) an emergency meeting of the Compliance Committee. For purposes of this Policy,
a majority vote of those members present shall resolve any Conflict. The Compliance Committee will consider the facts and circumstances
of the pending proxy vote and the potential or actual Conflict and make a determination as to how to vote the proxy – i.e., whether
to permit or deny the recommendation of the portfolio manager, or whether to take other action, such as delegating the proxy vote to an
independent third party or obtaining voting instructions from clients.
8.6 In
considering the proxy vote and potential Conflict, the Compliance Committee may review the following factors, including but not limited
to:
| ● | The percentage of outstanding securities of the issuer held on behalf of clients by the Firm. |
| ● | The nature of the relationship of the issuer or proponent with the Firm, its affiliates or its executive
officers. |
| ● | Whether there has been any attempt to directly or indirectly influence the portfolio manager’s decision. |
| ● | Whether the direction (for or against) of the proposed vote would appear to benefit the Firm or a related
party. |
| ● | Whether an objective decision to vote in a certain way will still create a strong appearance of a Conflict. |
MacKay Shields may not abstain from voting any
such proxy for the purpose of avoiding Conflict.
If MacKay Shields portfolio managers
or their designees become aware of an upcoming shareholder meeting where there is an important vote to be taken, or become aware of a
request for consent of security holders on a material matter affecting the investment, MacKay Shields will consider whether to request
that clients call back securities loans, if applicable. In determining whether to request that clients call back securities loans, the
relevant portfolio manager(s) shall consider whether the benefit to the client in voting the matter or giving or withholding consent outweighs
the benefit to the client in keeping the security on loan. There may be instances when MacKay Shields may not be aware of the upcoming
shareholder meeting or request for consent with sufficient time in advance to make such a request, or when MacKay Shields’ request
that a client call back a securities loan in sufficient time to vote or give or withhold consent may not be successful.
Upon request, MacKay Shields shall report
annually (or more frequently if specifically requested) to its clients on proxy votes cast on their behalf. MacKay Shields will provide
any client who makes a written or verbal request with a copy of a report disclosing how MacKay Shields voted securities held in that client’s
portfolio. The report will generally contain the following information:
| ● | The name of the issuer of the security; |
| ● | The security’s exchange ticker symbol; |
| ● | The security’s CUSIP number; |
| ● | The shareholder meeting date; |
| ● | A brief identification of the matter voted on; |
| ● | Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; |
| ● | Whether MacKay Shields cast its vote on the matter on behalf of the client; |
| ● | How MacKay Shields voted on behalf of the client; and |
| ● | Whether MacKay Shields voted for or against management on behalf of the client. |
Either MacKay Shields or ISS as indicated below
will maintain the following records:
| ● | A copy of the Policy and MacKay’s Standard Guidelines and Custom Guidelines; |
| ● | A copy of each proxy statement received by MacKay Shields or forwarded to ISS by the client’s custodian
regarding client securities; |
| ● | A record of each vote cast by MacKay Shields on behalf of a client; |
| ● | A copy of all documents created by MacKay Shields that were material to making a decision on the proxy
voting (or abstaining from voting) of client securities or that memorialize the basis for that decision including the resolution of any
Conflict, a copy of all guideline override requests and all supporting documents; and |
| ● | A copy of each written request by a client for information on how MacKay Shields voted proxies on behalf
of the client, as well as a copy of any written response by MacKay Shields to any request by a client for information on how MacKay Shields
voted proxies on behalf of the client; records of oral requests for information or oral responses will not be kept. |
Such records must be maintained for at least eight
years, the first two years in an appropriate office of MacKay Shields.
| 12. | Review of Voting and Guidelines |
As part of its periodic reviews, MacKay Shields’
Compliance Department will conduct an annual review of the prior year’s proxy voting as well as the guidelines established for proxy
voting. Documentation shall be maintained of this review and a report setting forth the results of the review will be presented annually
to the Compliance Committee. In addition, MacKay Shields’ Compliance Department maintains a list of non-voting accounts.
| 13. | How to Request Information On How the Firm Voted Proxies |
Clients may, at anytime, request and receive information
from MacKay Shields as to how the Firm voted proxies for securities held in their account. Any such proxy information request should be
in writing to:
MacKay Shields LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
43rd Floor
Attention: Head of Client Services
Exhibits:
Exhibit A - 2024 U.S.
Summary Proxy Voting Guidelines (Standard Guidelines for non-union clients). Effective for Meetings on or after February 1, 2024
Exhibit B (Part I and
II) - 2024 U.S. Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines and 2023 International Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines (Standard Guidelines
for union clients (Taft-Hartley) (US and International))
Exhibit C (Part I and
II) - 2024 U.S. Sustainability Proxy Voting Guidelines and 2024 International Sustainability Proxy Voting Guidelines (Standard Guidelines
for ESG investment objective mandates)
Schedule D - Proxy Vote
Override/Decision Form
Access to the ISS Voting Guidelines mentioned above and other ISS Voting
Guidelines are available at https://www.issgovernance.com/policy-gateway/voting-policies/
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25: Financial Statements and Exhibits
The Registrant's audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 have been incorporated by reference into Part B of the Registration Statement by reference to
the Registrant's annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
| (1) | Filed on October 7, 2019 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-234122)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (2) | Filed on February 18, 2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333- 234122)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (3) | Filed on February 24, 2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333- 234122)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (4) | Filed on March 25, 2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-234122)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (5) | Filed on March 26, 2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-234122)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (6) | Filed on August 9, 2022 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (7) | Filed on October 7, 2022 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (8) | Filed on August 24, 2023 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484)
and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (9) | Filed on August 8, 2024 with Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-281404) and incorporated herein by reference. |
Item 26: Marketing Arrangements
The information contained
under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on page 43 of the Prospectus is incorporated by reference. Please also see the
Distribution Agreement incorporated by reference as exhibit (h)(1) hereto.
Item 27: Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth estimated expenses payable by us in
connection with all offerings described in this Registration Statement (excluding any placement fees):
Securities and Exchange Commission Fees |
$16,530 |
Printing and Miscellaneous Expenses |
$5,000 |
Legal Fees |
$60,000 |
Listing Fees |
$30,792 |
Accounting Expenses |
$2,000 |
Total |
$114,322 |
Item 28: Persons Controlled by or under Common
Control with Registrant
Not applicable.
Item 29: Number of Holders of Securities
At August 31, 2024
Title of Class |
Number of Record Holders |
Common Shares, $0.0001 par value |
2 |
Item 30: Indemnification
Section 7.2 of the Articles of Amendment and Restatement
of the Registrant provides as follows:
Any person who is made a party or is threatened
to be made a party in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative,
by reason of the fact that such person is a current or former director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving while a director
or officer of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, enterprise, or employee benefit plan, shall be indemnified by the Corporation against judgments, penalties, fines,
excise taxes, settlements, and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit, or proceeding to the fullest extent permissible under Maryland law, the Securities Act, and the 1940 Act, as such statutes
are now or hereinafter in force. In addition, the Corporation shall advance expenses to its current and former directors and officers
who are made, or are threatened to be made, parties to any action, suit, or proceeding described above to the fullest extent that advancement
of expenses is permitted by Maryland law, the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. The Board of Directors, by Bylaw, resolution, or agreement,
may make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland
law. No provision of this Article VII shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against
any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which she or he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of her or his office. Upon the direction of the
Board of Directors, an advancement-of-costs agreement may be required in order to require the repayment of reimbursed expenses in the
event that the foregoing exclusion was later determined to apply.
Please also see the Distribution Agreement incorporated
by reference as exhibit (h)(1) hereto.
Item 31: Business and Other Connections of Investment
Advisers
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
The information in the Statement of Additional
Information under the captions “Board Members and Officers” is hereby incorporated by reference.
The principal occupation of the directors and
officers of RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) are their services as directors and officers of the Adviser.
The address of the Adviser is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Set forth below is information as to any other
business, profession, vocation and employment of a substantial nature in which each officer of the Adviser is, or at any during the last
two fiscal years has been, engaged for their own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee partner or trustee:
Name* |
Positions
with RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC |
Other Business Connections |
Type
of Business |
Patrick W. Galley |
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Board of Managers |
President and Trustee/Director, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds; Director, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC. |
Investments |
Jonathan M. Mohrhardt |
President, Chief Operating Officer and Board of Managers |
Treasurer, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds; Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC |
Investments |
Marcus L. Collins |
Secretary, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer |
Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds |
Investments |
Stephen A. O’Neill |
Portfolio Manager |
Portfolio Manager, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Investments |
| * | The address for each of the named is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. |
MacKay Shields LLC
The Registrant’s sub-adviser, Mackay Shields
LLC (the “Subadviser”), is a Delaware limited liability company. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and trustees
of the Subadviser, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged
in by the Subadviser and such officers and trustees during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Form ADV (SEC File No.
801-5594) filed by the Subadviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Item 32: Location of Accounts and Records.
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC maintains the
Charter, By-Laws, minutes of directors and shareholders meetings and contracts of the Registrant, all advisory material of the investment
adviser, all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all portfolio purchases and sales, and all other documents
required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder.
Item 33: Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34: Undertakings
| 1. | The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent
to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of
the effective date of the registration statement or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated
in the prospectus. |
| 3. | The Registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (a) | to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the
registration statement: |
| (1) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act. |
| (2) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation
of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement. |
| (3) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. |
Provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
| (b) | that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of those securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; |
| (c) | to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; |
| (d) | that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
| (1) | if the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B: |
| (A) | Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration
statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration
statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing
the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement
as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities
in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at
that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities
in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such
effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration
statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or |
| (2) | if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than
prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it
is first used after effectiveness; Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is
part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement
or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use,
supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement
or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; |
| (e) | that, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser
in the initial distribution of securities: |
The undersigned Registrant undertakes
that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting
method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to
the purchaser:
| (1) | any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required
to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; |
| (2) | any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant
or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant; |
| (3) | the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities
Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf
of the undersigned Registrant; and |
| (4) | any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
| 4. | The Registrant undertakes that: |
| (a) | for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the
form prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by
the Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time
it was declared effective; and |
| (b) | for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that
contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| 5. | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof. |
| 6. | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue. |
| 7. | The Registrant hereby undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally
prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any prospectus or Statement of Additional Information. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of West Palm Beach, and State of
Florida, on the 22nd day of October, 2024.
|
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Patrick W. Galley |
|
|
|
Patrick W. Galley, President |
|
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
By: |
/s/ Patrick W. Galley |
|
President (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
October 22, 2024 |
|
Patrick W. Galley |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Jonathan M. Mohrhardt |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer/ Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
October 22, 2024 |
|
Jonathan M. Mohrhardt |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Patrick W. Galley |
|
Chairman of the Board and Director |
|
October 22, 2024 |
|
Patrick W. Galley |
|
|
|
|
John K. Carter(1) |
|
Director |
By: |
/s/ Patrick W. Galley |
Lisa B. Mougin(1) |
|
Director |
|
Patrick W. Galley |
David M. Swanson(1) |
|
Director |
|
Attorney-In-Fact |
Jerry Raio(1) |
|
Director |
|
October 22, 2024 |
J. Wayne Hutchens(1) |
|
Director |
|
|
| (1) | Original powers of attorney authorizing Joshua B. Deringer, David
L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley to execute Registrant’s Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the directors of
the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed were previously executed and were filed on August 8, 2024 as Exhibit t.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-281404 ). |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Committed
Facility Agreement
BNP
PARIBAS PRIME BROKERAGE INTERNATIONAL, LTD. (“PBI”) and each customer listed on Annex I hereto, severally and
not jointly (each, a “Customer”), hereby enter into this Committed Facility Agreement (this “Agreement”),
dated as of the date specified on the signature page. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into as separate agreements
between PBI and each Customer and, accordingly, no Customer shall be liable to PBI or a party to any agreement entered into between
another Customer and PBI.
Whereas
BNPP PB and each Customer have entered into the U.S. PB Agreement, dated as of the date listed next to each Customer in Annex
I (the “U.S. PB Agreement”),
Whereas
PBI and each Customer have entered into the PBI Agreement, dated as of the same date as the US PB Agreement (the “PBI
Agreement” and, together, with the U.S. PB Agreement and this Agreement, collectively, the “40 Act Financing
Agreements”).
Whereas
this Agreement supplements and forms part of the other 40 Act Financing Agreements and sets out the terms of the commitment
of PBI to provide financing to Customer under the 40 Act Financing Agreements.
Now,
therefore, in consideration of the foregoing promises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
| (a) | Capitalized
terms not defined in this Agreement have the respective meaning assigned to them in the
U.S. PB Agreement. The 40 Act Financing Agreements are included in the term “Contract,”
as defined in the U.S. PB Agreement. |
| (b) | “Account
Agreement” means the Account Agreement attached as Exhibit A to the U.S. PB
Agreement. |
| (c) | “BNPP
Downgrade Event” means on any day (the “Date of Determination”),
BNP Paribas’ long-term credit rating has declined to a level three or more notches
below its highest rating by any of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s
Investor Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Ltd. during the period beginning on and including
date of this Agreement and ending on and including such Date of Determination. |
| (d) | “Borrowing”
means a draw of cash financing by Customer from PBI pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement. |
| (e) | “Closing
Date” means the date listed under the heading “Closing Date” opposite
the relevant Customer on Annex I hereto. |
| (f) | “Collateral
Requirements” means the collateral requirements set forth in Section 1 of Appendix
A attached hereto. |
| (g) | “Custodian”
means State Street Bank and Trust Company. |
| (h) | “Funding
Event” means that as of any day (each such day, a “Date of Determination”)
either (i) the average Funding Spread over the ten (10) Business Days immediately prior
to the Date of Determination is greater than 300 basis points (the “Funding Event
Increased Spread Event”) or (ii) the Funding Spread is not published by Bloomberg
on the Date of Determination. |
| (i) | “Funding
Event Increased Spread” shall mean the amount that the Funding Spread during
a Funding Event Increased Spread Event exceeds 300 basis points. |
Classification : Internal |
| (j) | “Funding
Spread” means, as of any day, the “Index OAS to Treasury”, as published
by Bloomberg by reference to the ticker “LGAFTRUU” and under the page “I03438USD
Index” or any successor ticker or page thereto. |
| (k) | “Initial
NAV” means the Net Asset Value of Customer as of the date of execution hereof
(“Initial NAV Date”). |
| (l) | “Maximum
Commitment Financing” means the amount specified as applicable to each Customer
on Annex I hereto. |
| (m) | “Net
Asset Value” means, with respect to Customer, the aggregate net asset value
of the common stock issued by Customer calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles. |
| (n) | “Net
Asset Value Floor” means, with respect to Customer, an amount equal to 50%
of the Initial NAV of such Customer (such 50% amount, the “Execution Date NAV
Floor”); provided, however, that following the date hereof, the Net Asset Value
Floor shall be the greater of (i) the Execution Date NAV Floor or (ii) 50% of the Net
Asset Value of Customer, calculated based on the Customer’s Net Asset Value as
of its most recent fiscal year end subsequent to the date hereof. |
| (o) | “Outstanding
Debit Financing” means the aggregate net cash balance (excluding current short
sale proceeds) held under this Agreement if such net cash balance is a debit, or zero
if such aggregate net cash balance is a credit. For the purposes of calculating such
aggregate net cash balance, if Customer holds credit or debit cash balances in non-USD
currencies, PBI will convert each of these balances into USD at prevailing market rates
to determine Customer’s aggregate net cash balance. |
| (p) | “Portfolio
Gross Market Value” means the Gross Market Value (as defined in Appendix A
attached hereto) of all of Customer’s Positions that are Eligible Securities (as
defined in Appendix A attached hereto). |
| (q) | “1940
Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
Subject
to Section 7, PBI shall make available cash financing under this Agreement in an amount up to the relevant Maximum Commitment
Financing. Such cash financing shall be made available in immediately available funds. Customer may borrow under this Section
2, prepay pursuant to Section 4 and reborrow under this Section 2 without penalty. For the avoidance of doubt, any cash financing
in excess of the Maximum Commitment Financing shall not be subject to the commitment in Section 6.
On
the Closing Date, PBI shall make funds available to Customer in an amount up to the Maximum Commitment Financing. Each subsequent
Borrowing (not to exceed the Maximum Commitment Financing) shall be made on written notice, given by Customer to PBI not later
than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of the proposed Borrowing (which must
be a Business Day) by Customer. Subject to Section 7, PBI shall, before 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of such Borrowing,
make available to Customer the amount of such Borrowing (provided that, the Outstanding Debit Financing does not exceed the Maximum
Commitment Financing) payable to the account designated by the Customer in such notice of borrowing.
| (a) | Upon
the occurrence of a Facility Termination Event, an event described in Section 16(a) hereof,
or the date specified in the Facility Modification Notice as described in Section 6,
all Borrowings (including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts
owing or payable hereunder) may be recalled by the BNPP Entities in accordance with Section
1 of the U.S. PB Agreement. |
Classification : Internal |
| (b) | Upon
the occurrence of a Default, the BNPP Entities shall have the right to take any action
described in section 13(b) hereof. |
Customer
may, upon at least one (1) Business Days’ notice to PBI stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the
prepayment, prepay all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Outstanding Debit Financing, together with accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid; provided that Customer shall continue to be obligated
to pay the commitment fee as set forth in Appendix B in respect of any undrawn Maximum Commitment Financing.
Customer
shall pay interest on the outstanding principal amount of each Borrowing from the date of such Borrowing until such principal
amount shall be paid in full, at the rates specified on Appendix B attached hereto; provided that, upon the occurrence
of a Funding Event Increased Spread Event, PBI may immediately increase the interest rate by an amount equal to the Funding Event
Increased Spread. For the avoidance of doubt, if on any day, a Funding Event is not occurring, this Agreement has not been terminated
and the commitment herein has not otherwise expired, the interest rate shall be the rate specified in Appendix B. Such interest
shall be payable monthly, and if not paid when due, any unpaid interest shall be capitalized on the principal balance; provided
that, notwithstanding such capitalization, the failure by Customer to pay such interest when due, shall be a failure of Customer
to comply with an obligation under this Agreement.
| 6. | Scope
of Committed Facility - |
Subject
to Section 7, PBI shall make available cash financing under this Agreement up to the relevant Maximum Commitment Financing, and
may not take any of the following actions except upon at least ninety (90) calendar days’ prior notice (the “Facility
Modification Notice”):
| (a) | modify
the Collateral Requirements; other than in accordance with the terms of Appendix A; |
| (b) | recall
or cause repayment of any Borrowings under this Agreement; |
| (c) | modify
the interest rate spread on Borrowings under this Agreement, as set forth in Appendix
B attached hereto; |
| (d) | modify
the fees, charges or expenses other than those described in clause (b) above, as set
forth in Appendix B attached hereto (the “Fees”) provided that
PBI may modify any Fees immediately if (i) the amount of such Fees charged to PBI,
as the case may be, have been increased by the provider of the relevant services or (ii)
consistent with increases generally to customers, or |
| (e) | terminate
this Agreement. |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, upon the occurrence of a BNPP Downgrade Event, this Agreement shall terminate.
Classification : Internal |
Upon
written notice, Customer may terminate this Agreement. Such termination notice will be effective on the day it is received and
acknowledged by PBI.
| 7. | Conditions
for Committed Facility - |
The
commitment as set forth in Section 6 only applies so long as –
| (a) | Customer
satisfies the Collateral Requirements; |
| (b) | no
Default or Facility Termination Event has occurred; and |
| (c) | there
has not occurred any automatic termination as provided under Section 14. |
| 8. | Arrangement,
Renewal and Commitment Fees - |
Customer
shall pay when due (subject to Section 2(d) of the PBI Agreement) a commitment fee as set forth in Appendix B.
| (a) | After
the BNPP Entities sends a Facility Modification Notice, Customer may not substitute any
collateral, provided that Customer may purchase and sell portfolio securities
in the ordinary course of business consistent with its investment restrictions; provided
further that the BNPP Entities may permit substitutions upon request, which permission
shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided further that for substitutions of
rehypothecated collateral, such collateral shall be returned for substitution within
a commercially reasonable period (in any event no sooner than the standard settlement
period applicable to such collateral). |
| (b) | Prior
to the BNPP Entities sending a Facility Modification Notice, Customer may substitute
collateral, provided that for substitutions of rehypothecated collateral, such
collateral shall be returned for substitution within a reasonable period (in any event
no sooner than the standard settlement period applicable to such collateral). |
As
provided for in Section 1 of the U.S. PB Agreement.
| 11. | Representations
and Warranties - |
Customer
hereby makes all the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Account Agreement, which are deemed to refer
to this Agreement, and such representations and warranties shall survive each transaction and the termination of the 40 Act Financing
Agreements.
| 12. | Financial
Information - |
Customer
shall provide the BNPP Entities with copies of –
| (a) | the
most recent annual report of Customer containing financial statements certified by independent
certified public accountants and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States, as soon as available and in any event within 90 calendar
days after the end of each fiscal year of Customer; |
| (b) | the
most recent monthly financial statement of Customer, including performance returns and
net asset value of Customer, as soon as available and in any event within 30 calendar
days after the end of each month; and |
Classification : Internal |
| (c) | other
information respecting Customer’s financial position or business, as BNPP may reasonably
request from time to time. |
| (a) | Upon
the occurrence of a Facility Termination Event, BNPP shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement, recall any Outstanding Debit Financing, modify Collateral Requirements
and modify any interest rate spread, fees, charges, or expenses, in each case, in accordance
with the timeframes specified in the U.S. PB Agreement. |
| (b) | Upon
the occurrence of a Default, the BNPP Entities may terminate any of the 40 Act Financing
Agreements and take Default Action. |
| (c) | Each
of the following events constitutes a “Default”: |
| i. | Customer
fails to meet the Collateral Requirements within the time periods set forth in Section
1 of the U.S. PB Agreement; |
| ii. | Customer
fails to deliver the financial information within the time periods set out in Section
12 and such failure continues for one (1) Business Day after receipt of written notice
from the BNPP Entities of such failure; |
| iii. | the
Net Asset Value of Customer declines below the Net Asset Value Floor; |
| iv. | any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by Customer to the BNPP Entities under
any 40 Act Financing Agreements (including under Section 11 herein) proves false or misleading
in a material respect (unless such representation or warranty already includes a materiality
standard and it being understood that any representation regarding the Customer’s
ERISA status and all representations relating to tax will be deemed to have a material
effect) when made or deemed made; |
| v. | Customer
fails to comply with or perform any other agreement or obligation under this Agreement
or the other 40 Act Financing Agreements and such failure continues for 15 calendar days
after receipt of written notice from BNPP of such failure; |
| vi. | Customer
becomes bankrupt, insolvent, or subject to any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency
or similar proceeding or all or substantially all its assets become subject to a suit,
levy, enforcement, or other legal process where a secured party maintains possession
of such assets, has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation
(other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger), seeks or becomes subject
to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver,
trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its
assets, has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets, or
takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence
in, any of the foregoing acts; or |
| vii. | the
occurrence of a repudiation, misrepresentation, material breach or the occurrence of
a default, termination event or similar condition (howsoever characterized, which, for
the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event under
an ISDA Master Agreement between Customer and a BNPP Entity, if applicable) by Customer
under any contract with a BNPP Entity or affiliate of a BNPP Entity; or |
| viii. | Customer
fails to comply with the provisions set forth in Section 8. |
Classification : Internal |
| (d) | Each
of the following events constitutes a “Facility Termination Event”: |
| i. | the
occurrence of a repudiation, misrepresentation, material breach or the occurrence of
a default, termination event or similar condition (howsoever characterized, which, for
the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event under
an ISDA Master Agreement) by Customer under any contract with a third party entity, where
the aggregate principal amount of any such contract (which, for the avoidance of doubt,
includes any obligations with respect to borrowed money or other assets in connection
with such contract) is not less than $10,000,000; |
| ii. | there
occurs any change in the BNPP Entities’ interpretation of any Applicable Law or
the adoption of or any changes in the same that, in the reasonable opinion of counsel
to the BNPP Entities, has the effect with regard to the BNPP Entities of impeding or
prohibiting the arrangements under the 40 Act Financing Agreements (including, but not
limited to, imposing or adversely modifying or affecting the amount of regulatory capital
to be maintained by the BNPP Entities); |
| iii. | (A)
as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer has declined by twenty-five percent (25%)
or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding one-month period then ending;
or (B) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer has declined by thirty-five percent
(35%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding three-month period then
ending; or (C) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer, has declined by forty-five
percent (45%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding 12-month period
then ending; (for purposes of (A), (B) and (C), any decline in the Net Asset Value shall
take into account any positive or negative change caused by capital transfers, such as
redemptions, withdrawals, subscriptions, contributions or investments, howsoever characterized,
and all amounts set forth in redemption notices received by or on behalf of Customer
(notwithstanding the date the actual redemption shall occur)); |
| iv. | the
investment management agreement between Customer and its investment advisor (“Advisor”)
is terminated or the Advisor otherwise ceases to act as investment advisor of Customer;
provided, however, such termination or cessation shall not constitute a Facility Termination
Event if there is a replacement investment advisor appointed immediately with the consent
of the BNPP Entities, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; |
| v. | A
violation of Section 18 of the Investment 1940 Act; except reliance by Customer on any
exemptive relief granted to it by the Securities and Exchange Commission will not be
considered a violation of Section 18; |
| vi. | Customer
fails to make any filing necessary to comply with the rules of any exchange in which
its shares are listed; |
| vii. | Customer’s
classification under the 1940 Act becomes something other than as a “closed-end
company” as defined under Section 5 of the 1940 Act; |
| viii. | Customer
enters into any additional indebtedness with a party other than a BNPP Entity or its
affiliates beyond the financing provided hereunder through the 1940 Act Financing Agreements,
including without limitation any further borrowings constituting ‘senior securities’
(as defined for purposes of Section 18 of the 1940 Act) or any promissory note or other
evidence of indebtedness, whether with a bank or any other person excluding issuances
of preferred stock (it being understood that such preferred stock retains all characteristics
of an equity security and is not a security that could reasonably be characterized as
a debt security); |
Classification : Internal |
| ix. | Customer
materially changes, amends, alters or modifies, either formally or informally, its investment
policies without prior written notice to a BNPP Entity; |
| x. | Customer
pledges to any other party, other than a BNPP Entity or its affiliates, any securities
owned or held by Customer over which Custodian has a lien; or |
| xi. | PBI
or BNPP PB ceases to conduct a prime brokerage business; provided that the BNPP Entities shall provide no less than twenty-nine
(29) days’ prior written notice of such cessation. |
Notices
under this Agreement shall be provided pursuant to Section 12(a) of the Account Agreement.
| 16. | Compliance
with Applicable Law - |
| (a) | Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing, if required by Applicable Law – |
| i. | the
BNPP Entities may terminate any 40 Act Financing Agreement and any Contract; |
| ii. | the
BNPP Entities may recall any outstanding loan under the 40 Act Financing Agreements; |
| iii. | the
BNPP Entities may modify the Collateral Requirements; and |
| iv. | the
BNPP Entities may take Default Action. |
| (b) | This
Agreement will not limit the ability of the BNPP Entities to change the product provided
under this Agreement and the 40 Act Financing Agreements as necessary to comply with
Applicable Law. |
| (c) | The
BNPP Entities may exercise any remedies permitted under the Contracts if Customer fails
to comply with Applicable Law. |
| (a) | In
the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the other 40 Act
Financing Agreements, this Agreement prevails. |
| (b) | This
Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws doctrine. |
| (c) | Section
16(c) of the Account Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and
shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provision
had been set forth in full herein. |
| (d) | This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original instrument
and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. |
Classification : Internal |
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of March 9, 2023.
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Each Customer identified in Annex
I, severally and not jointly |
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By: RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC as Investment
Manager |
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By: |
/s/ Marcus Collins |
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Name: Marcus
Collins |
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Title: General Counsel |
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BNP PARIBAS PRIME BROKERAGE INTERNATIONAL, LTD. |
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By: |
/s/ Michael Krzewicki |
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Name: Michael Krzewicki |
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Title: Managing Director |
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By: |
/s/ Robert Lakeman |
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Name: Robert Lakeman |
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Title: Director |
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Classification : Internal |
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
CREDIT AGREEMENT FOR
MARGIN FINANCING
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT FOR MARGIN
FINANCING (this "Agreement"), dated March 28,
2022, by and between RIVERNORTH FLEXIBLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation, that is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Client"), and PERSHING LLC ("Pershing").
WHEREAS, the Client and Pershing entered into
a Credit Agreement for Margin Financing dated as of May 29, 2020 (the "Original Credit Agreement").
WHEREAS, the Client and
Pershing amended and restated the Original Credit Agreement and entered into such agreement as of December 29, 2020 (the "Prior Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, Pershing terminated the
Prior Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective as of January 11, 2022; and WHEREAS, Pershing and Client agreed to change
the terms of the Prior Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to convert any financing provided by Pershing under the Prior Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement to an on demand basis and remove any requirement for a notice period prior to Pershing's modification of the
terms of the financing or asserting any rights thereunder, effective as of January 11, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Pershing and Client
continued to operate under the same terms as set forth herein since January 11, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Pershing and Client
seek to formalize and document the foregoing by entering into the terms of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Pershing is an
SEC registered member of several national securities exchanges and is a clearing member of The Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC");
and
WHEREAS, Client seeks to obtain margin financing
from Pershing, and Pershing is willing to provide such financing, on the terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Client has entered into an Options
Supplement with Pershing dated as of May 14, 2020 (the "Options Supplement"), which is part of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Client intends
to pledge assets held at STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("Custodian") to Pershing to secure performance of Client's
obligations with respect to margin financing obtained from Pershing hereunder and for that purpose has executed a Special Custody and
Pledge Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Special Custody and Pledge Agreement")
with Pershing and Custodian; and
WHEREAS, Pershing is required
to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the margin regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
the OCC, any relevant securities exchanges, other self-regulatory associations (the "Margin Rules") and Pershing's internal
policies; and
WHEREAS, Client and Pershing
desire to establish procedures for their compliance with the Margin Rules; and
WHEREAS, Custodian acts
as custodian of certain assets of Client pursuant to a contract with Client (the "Custodian Contract") and holds such
assets in an account (the "Custodial Account") and is further prepared to act as custodian for Collateral (as defined
in the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement and holds
such assets in an account pledged to Pershing (the "Special Custody Account");
THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Margin Financing
This Agreement relates to Pershing providing margin
financing to Client and sets forth terms and conditions under which Client may borrow funds from Pershing which shall be collateralized
by assets held in a Special Custody Account held at Custodian pursuant to the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement. Capitalized terms
used herein, and not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement.
1.1 No Obligation to Extend Credit Beyond Covered Amount. Nothing herein shall amount to a revolving credit facility or letter of credit. Pershing shall provide credit to the Client up to the Covered Amount but is under no obligation at any time to extend credit to the Client beyond the Covered Amount as determined in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
1.2 Margin
Methodology. The Margin Requirement shall be calculated by Pershing on each Business Day based on the methodology set forth in Appendix
A (as modified from time to time pursuant to this Agreement, the "Margin Methodology"). Margin Methodology will apply
only to the asset classes set forth in Appendix A. Margin requirements for positions of asset classes not set forth in Appendix A shall
be determined by Pershing in its sole discretion.
1.3 Reserved.
1.4 Risk Factors. By applying for a margin account, Client acknowledges receipt of Pershing's Margin Risk Disclosure Statement. Client further acknowledges that it has carefully considered all of the factors set forth in this paragraph as well as the terms set forth in this Section 1 and, has thereupon, decided that margin financing is appropriate for Client.
Margin transactions involve the possibility of greater
loss than transactions for which Client is not borrowing money. If the value of the securities in Client's Special Custody Account falls,
Client may be required to deposit additional assets to secure Client's loans hereunder. Alternatively, subject to the occurrence of a
Term Cessation Event as defined in Section 6 below, Pershing upon written notification to Client may sell Client's securities to pay down
or pay off such loans and at a loss or at lower prices than under other circumstances. Client remains solely liable for any deficiencies
arising from such sales.
Client agrees to carefully consider Client's own financial
condition, tolerance for risk and investment objectives, as well as market conditions, before Client decides to use margin credit. Client
acknowledges that Pershing has made available to Client certain information relating to margin and that before submitting Client's application
for a margin account, Client represents and warrants to Pershing that Client has had an opportunity to discuss with Pershing the risks
associated with the use of margin and that the use of margin is consistent with Client's investment objectives as provided to Pershing.
1.5 Special
Custody Account Operation. Client agrees to pay On Demand and satisfy all margin and maintenance calls and pay all interest
charges in accordance with this Agreement or as otherwise in accordance with Pershing's usual custom for similarly situated clients,
with respect to Client's Special Custody Account.
Pershing may, in its discretion, require Client to
(a) deliver collateral to the Special Custody Account to the extent necessary (i) to maintain margin as required by Pershing in accordance
with Appendix A to this Agreement and (ii) to secure Client's performance of any obligations due to Pershing hereunder or (b) pay any
amount that may become due hereunder in order to meet requests for additional deposits or "marks to market" for any transactions,
including transactions involving foreign exchange and unissued securities that Client may purchase or sell.
The parties acknowledge that the cash loans provided
hereunder are each a "margin loan" as used in the definition of "securities contract" in the United States Bankruptcy
Code (11 U.S.C. Section 741).
2. Interest Charges Disclosure Statement
2.1 Interest
Rates. Interest charged on any debit balances in cash accounts or credit extended in margin accounts shall be in accordance with the
Margin Methodology set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement. Pershing reserves the right to charge interest based on an alternative Reference
Rate upon five
(5) Business Day's prior written notice if Pershing's
actual out-of-pocket costs to facilitate a Net Debit Balance financing exceeds the rate charged or credited to Client.
Interest paid or charged on positions not covered
by the Margin Methodology shall be in accordance with Pershing's policy and procedures and subject to Pershing's sole discretion.
2.2 Interest
Period. The interest period begins on the 20th of each month and ends on the 19th of the following month. Accordingly, the interest
charges for the period as shown on Client's monthly statement are based only on the daily net debit and credit balances for the interest
period.
2.3 Method
of Interest Computation. At the close of each interest period during which credit was extended to Client, an interest charge is computed
by multiplying the average daily debit balance during such interest period for that currency by the applicable schedule rate and by the
number of days during which a debit balance was outstanding during such interest period and then dividing by 360. If there has been a
change in the rate between Pershing and Client for that currency, separate computations will be made with respect to each rate of charge
for the appropriate number of days at each rate during the interest period. If not paid, the interest charge for credit extended to Client's
account at the close of the interest period is added to the opening debit balance for that currency for the next interest period.
With the exception of credit balances in Client's
short account, all credit and debit balances in the same currency will be combined daily and interest will be charged on the resulting
average daily net debit balances for that currency for the interest period. Credit balances in one currency will not be combined or netted
with debit balances in a different currency. Any credit balance in Client's short account is disregarded because such credit collateralizes
the stock borrowed for delivery against the short sale. Such credit is disregarded even if Client should be long the same position in
Client's Special Custody Account or Account (for instance, short sale against the box). If the security that Client sold short (or sold
short against the box) appreciates in market price over the selling price, interest will be charged in U.S. dollars or any other currency
on the appreciation in value. Correspondingly, if the security that Client sold short depreciates in market price, the interest charged
will be reduced since Client's average debit balance will decline. This practice is known as "marking-to-the-market." All short
positions will be "marked to market" on a daily basis. A closing price is issued and reconciled daily to determine any appreciation
or deprecation in the security sold short.
3. Modification
3.1 Modifications to Margin Methodology.
3.1.1 At any time, Pershing
may make any modification to the Margin Methodology in its sole discretion. Such modifications may include, but shall not be limited to,
increasing margin requirements for certain positions or assets classes, or excluding certain positions or asset classes from being eligible
for margin.
3.1.2 Upon the occurrence
of an Extraordinary Market Event, Pershing may, in its sole discretion, make any modification to the Margin Methodology.
Modifications to Margin Methodology
3.2.1 Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Pershing may in its sole discretion modify the Margin Methodology without any prior notice
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Term Cessation Event.
3.2.2 Upon
the occurrence of a Concentration Event as stated in Paragraph B of Appendix A, Pershing may, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, immediately and without further notice, make an upward adjustment of the Margin Requirement with respect to all affected
positions up to such level as it determines in its sole discretion. Client shall satisfy such resulting margin call On Demand. Upon the
discontinuance of a Concentration Event and in the absence of an Event of Default or Term Cessation Event, the Margin Requirement of the
affected position(s) shall be promptly determined in accordance with the Margin Methodology.
3.2.3. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Pershing determines in good faith, based on the advice of its legal counsel, that (a) any
security interest granted under the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement is not, or ceases to be, a first priority perfected security
interest, or (b) any asset in the Special Custody Account is deemed to be ineligible for collateral purposes under Applicable Law or any
interpretation thereof, then all affected assets will be deemed to have zero value for purposes of satisfying Client's Margin Requirement
and for calculating the equity in the relevant Account(s) and any resulting margin call shall be met On Demand.
4. Representations and Warranties
Client represents and warrants that:
4.1 Existence
and Power. Client is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.
The Client is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets,
and properties requires such qualification, except where failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Authorization;
Execution and Delivery, Etc. The execution and delivery by Client of, and the performance by Client of its obligations under,
this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement are within its corporate powers, and have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate action by Client. This Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement have been duly executed and
delivered by Client, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Client enforceable against Client in accordance with
their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable
principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing.
4.3 Noncontravention.
Neither the execution and delivery by Client of this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor compliance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof by Client will
(a) conflict with, or result in a breach of, any of its charter documents or (b) conflict with (i) any Applicable Law, (ii) any contractual
restriction binding on or affecting Client or any of its assets, or (iii) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding
on or affecting Client or any of its assets, in each case except where such conflict or breach would not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Applicable Laws" means, with respect to any person, all
laws, rules, regulations or orders of any governmental authority to which such person is subject or by which such person's property is
bound. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (x) the business,
financial condition operations, of the Borrower or (y) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge
Agreement or the rights and remedies of Pershing hereunder or thereunder.
4.4 Suitability.
Client is an Institutional Account as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c) and is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both
in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities and shall exercise such independent
judgment in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or when engaging in any investment or financing strategy.
4.5 Governmental
Authorizations. Client has obtained all necessary governmental authorizations, and made all governmental filings necessary for the
execution and delivery by Client of, and the performance by Client of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Special Custody and
Pledge Agreement, except where the failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.6 Regulations
T, U and X. The execution, delivery and performance by Client of this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder will not violate any provision of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
4.7 Sections
17 and 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The execution, delivery and performance by Client of this Agreement and the Special
Custody and Pledge Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder will not violate any provision of Sections 17
and 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the rules promulgated thereunder.
4.8 Financial
Information. The statement of assets and liabilities of Client, as of June 30, 2020, and the related Statement of Operations on such
date, reported on by Cohen & Company, LTD and set forth in the financial statements dated June 30, 2020, together with the notes and
schedules thereto, presents fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the financial
position of Client as of such date.
4.9 Litigation.
There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation of any kind pending against, or to the actual knowledge of any officer of Client,
threatened against or affecting, Client before any court or arbitrator or any Authority which would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
4.10 Taxes.
The Client has timely filed all material United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which are required
to be filed by it, if any, and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns, if any, or pursuant to any assessment received by the
Client, except for any taxes or assessments which are being contested in good faith or for which non-payment would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.11 Compliance.
Client is in compliance with all Applicable Laws except where the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith or
exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect or where noncompliance therewith would not be reasonably expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Client is in compliance with all agreements and instruments to which it is a party or to which any of
its properties may be bound, in each case where the violation thereof would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.12 Full Disclosure. All information heretofore furnished by Client to Pershing for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is stated or certified, and such information does not contain, when taken as a whole, on such date, any material misrepresentation or any omission to state therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, matters necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading in any material respect.
4.13 Title to Assets. Client has good and marketable title to all its material properties, assets and rights, except where failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5. Covenants
Client agrees that, so long as the Pershing provides margin financing hereunder
or any amount payable hereunder remains unpaid:
5.1 Information.
Client will deliver to Pershing (i) any financial statements or financial information available to the Client which has been reasonably
requested in writing by Pershing within ten (10) Business Days following Client's receipt of such request therefor from Pershing, provided,
however, that Client will not be obligated to provide any such information or materials that are publicly available, (ii) 30 days' prior
notice of any Strategy Event (defined below) and (iii) a copy of any change, modification or amendment to the indemnity and exculpatory
provisions contained in the Custodian Contract, forty-five (45) days prior to any such change, modification or amendment.
5.2 Payment
of Obligations. Client will pay, at or before maturity of the financing hereunder, all of Client's material obligations, including,
without limitation, tax liabilities, except where the same may be contested in good faith or for which non-payment would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.3 Maintenance
of Insurance. Client will maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, policies with respect to its assets and
property and business against at least such risks and contingencies as are customary in the case of registered closed-end investment companies.
5.4 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence. Client will preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence as a Maryland corporation, except as permitted by Section 5.8. Client will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its rights, privileges and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business except where failure to do so would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.5 Compliance
with Laws. Client will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and requirements of any regulatory or
governmental authority having jurisdiction over Client except where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith
or exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect or where noncompliance therewith would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Client will file all material federal and other material tax returns required by all
relevant jurisdictions on or before the due dates for such returns, and will pay all taxes due pursuant to such returns as and when
they become due, except those that are being contested in good faith by the Client or for which non-payment would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.6 Books
and Records. Client will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to its business and activities in accordance with Applicable Law.
5.7 Liens.
The Client will not create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any lien on any of the Collateral except liens of Pershing created or permitted
by or pursuant to this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement, and, if applicable, the lien of the Custodian subordinated
to Pershing's lien under the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement.
5.8 Consolidations,
Mergers and Sales of Assets. Client will not consolidate or merge with or into any other entity, nor will Client sell, lease or otherwise
transfer, directly or indirectly, all or any substantial part of its assets to any other entity (in each case, whether in one transaction
or a series of related transactions), except (a) a merger or consolidation where Client or its affiliate is the survivor and (b) Client
may dispose of its assets in the ordinary course of business.
5.9 Use
of Proceeds. Proceeds of margin financing may be used to buy, carry or trade in securities or an investment contract security and
for any other purpose permitted by the investment objectives, strategies and policies of Client.
5.10 Collateral.
Client will at all times place and maintain the Collateral in the custody of the Custodian subject to the provisions of the Special Custody
and Pledge Agreement.
6. Term Cessation Events
6.1 The occurrence of any of the following events with regard to Client shall each be a "Term Cessation Event":
| (a) | Manager Event. Client changes, removes, replaces or no longer retains Investment Manager as investment
manager, or Investment Manager resigns or otherwise seeks replacement or removal from its position as Client's investment manager (a "Manager
Event"); or |
| (b) | Net Asset Event. Client's Net Asset Value on any Business Day has declined by (i) 20% or more from
Client's Net Asset Value on the last Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar month; (ii) 30% or more from Client's Net Asset
Value on the last Business Day of the third calendar month immediately preceding such Business Day; or (iii) 40% or more from Client's
Net Asset Value on the last Business Day in the same month in the immediately preceding calendar year (each a "Net Asset Event");
or |
| (c) | Net Asset Value Floor. Client's Net Asset Value on any Business Day has declined by 50% or more
from Client's Net Asset Value on the last Business Day of the preceding calendar year (together with any Net Asset Event, individually
and collectively, a "Net Asset Value Event"); or |
| (d) | Suspension/Delisting. Client is subject to any suspension or delisting procedures commenced by
any regulatory or governmental authority; or |
| (e) | Strategy Event. Client makes a material change to its investment strategy or policies from that
disclosed in its prospectus in effect as of the date of this Agreement (a "Strategy Event"); or |
| (f) | Regulatory Event. A (i) credible allegation of fraud, misconduct, embezzlement, money laundering,
insider trading, market manipulation abuse or other material illegality, breach of regulation or impropriety is made against Client, or
any of its principals, executive officers or directors, that in the good faith and commercially reasonable business judgment of Pershing
could reasonably be expected to present a risk of material damage to the reputation of Pershing or (ii) official findings of breach of
any Applicable Law by any such persons are made by a regulator, judicial or governmental entity including receipt of any Wells notice
(a "Regulatory Event"); or |
| (g) | Custodian Contract. Changes to the indemnification or exculpatory provisions of the Custodian Contact
are made not in accordance with Section 5.1 of this Agreement. |
| (h) | Portfolio Margin Account Requirements. Client is no longer eligible to maintain a Portfolio Margin
Account. |
6.2 The occurrence of any
of the following events in relations to Pershing shall be a "Term Cessation Event":
| (a) | Illegality Event. Applicable Law is changed or adopted or Pershing changes its interpretation of
Applicable Law, which in the opinion Pershing's counsel has the effect of impeding or prohibiting the arrangements under this Agreement
(including adverse effects on the regulatory capital requirements for Pershing or any of its affiliates); or |
| (b) | Cessation of Business Event. Pershing, for any reason, ceases to conduct a prime brokerage business
or maintain direct customer accounts. |
| (c) | Change of Control - Pershing ceases to be a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
("BNY Mellon"). |
| (d) | Credit Event. (i) Pershing's Net Capital is materially reduced for any reason; (ii) BNY Mellon,
or any other provider of committed or uncommitted funding facilities, terminates or materially modifies funding lines to Pershing; or
(iii) an Act of Insolvency with respect to Pershing or BNY Mellon occurs. |
6.3 If a Term Cessation Event in relation to Client occurs, Client shall, promptly upon an officer of the Client having actual knowledge of it, and in any event within five (5) Business Days of the occurrence thereof, notify Pershing orally followed-up in writing at the address specified in Section 8.4 hereof, specifying the nature of that Term Cessation Event. Client shall provide Pershing such other information about that Term Cessation Event as Pershing may reasonably request in writing.
6.4 Upon the occurrence of a Term Cessation Event, notwithstanding any other provision herein and regardless of whether or not Client has notified Pershing of the occurrence of the same pursuant to Section 6.3 and whether or not the Term Cessation Event is continuing, Pershing shall have the right, but not the obligation, to terminate this Agreement by sending Client a written notice, in which case, Pershing will be entitled to (i) require Client to repay any outstanding Net Debit Balance financing amount On Demand, (ii) modify the Margin Methodology without prior notice, (iii) adjust the rates, fees and charges applicable to Client without prior notice (including interest rates and charges applicable to Client's Net Debit Balance financing amount) and (iv) require the Client to close out and/or transfer any outstanding positions; provided that with respect to a Term Cessation Event arising under 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) Pershing shall not terminate this Agreement or take any of the foregoing actions until ten (10) business days after sending Client such written notice.
7. Events of Default
7.1 If any one or more of the following events (each, an "Event of Default") shall occur:
| (a). | Client fails to make, when due, any payment or delivery hereunder (including, but not limited to payments
for investment and the delivery of collateral or margin payment) provided, however, that it shall not be an Event of Default hereunder
if (1) such failure was caused solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (2) funds were available to Client
to enable it at the required time to make the relevant payment or delivery; (3) Client has made a good faith verifiable effort to transmit
such payment or delivery; (4) Client has provided to Pershing when the payment or delivery would have been due, written verification of
clauses (1), (2) and (3) above that is reasonably satisfactory to Pershing and (5) such payment or delivery is made within one (1) Business
Day after the date such payment or delivery was initially due; or |
| (b). | Client fails to deliver any financial statements or financial information available to Client which has
been reasonably requested in writing by Pershing and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days after Client's
receipt of written notice thereof from Pershing; or |
| (c). | Client fails to observe or perform under any other obligation, covenant or agreement under this Agreement,
provided that, if such failure is capable of being cured, Client shall have up to (3) Business Days after written notice has been delivered
by Pershing to the Client, to cure such failure; or |
| (d). | An Act of Insolvency with respect to the Client occurs or any Net Asset Value Event occurs; or |
| (e). | Any representation, warranty, certification or statement made (or deemed made) by Client in this Agreement
or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement or in any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered by Client to Pershing
pursuant to this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when
made (or deemed made); or |
| (f). | Pershing's security interest under the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement is not or ceases to be a first
priority perfected security interest in the Collateral; or |
| (g). | A default, event of default, termination event, close-out event or other similar condition (howsoever described) occurs with respect
to Client under one or more transactions or agreements related to indebtedness to which Client is a party (after giving effect to any
applicable notice requirement or grace period) and such default, event or similar condition results in the rights and obligations pursuant
to such indebtedness being accelerated and the obligations of the Client becoming due and payable before they otherwise would; |
then, and in every such
event, Pershing may by written notice to Client (i) terminate this Agreement and (ii) declare the loans hereunder (together with
accrued and unpaid interest thereon) to be immediately due and payable.
7.2 Remedies.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, in addition to the foregoing rights, Pershing may, upon notice to Client, and at such
times and places as Pershing may reasonably determine, cancel, terminate, accelerate, liquidate and/or close-out any or all
transactions and agreements hereunder between Client and Pershing, sell or otherwise transfer any securities or other property which
Pershing may hold for Client or which has been pledged to Pershing by Client and apply the proceeds to the discharge of Client's
obligations, set-off, net and recoup any obligations to Client against any obligations to Pershing, exercise all rights and remedies
of a secured creditor in respect of all collateral pledged by Client to Pershing in which Pershing has a security interest under the
UCC (whether or not the UCC is otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction), cover any open positions of Client (by buying in
or borrowing securities or otherwise) and take such other actions as Pershing reasonably deems appropriate and in compliance with
Applicable Law. Client shall remain liable for any deficiency and shall promptly reimburse Pershing for any out-of-pocket loss or
expense incurred thereby, including losses sustained by reason of an inability to borrow any securities or other property sold for
Client's account. Client agrees to promptly notify Pershing upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, but the failure to provide
such notice shall not prejudice Pershing's right to determine that an Event of Default has occurred.
7.3 Request for Waiver.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereunder, if, in respect of any Term Cessation Event and Event of Default, Pershing receives written
notice from Client requesting a waiver of such Term Cessation Event or Event of Default and Pershing has not begun to exercise any right
or remedy in respect thereof within 30 calendar days following receipt of such notice, then Pershing shall be deemed to have waived its
right to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to such Term Cessation Event or Event of Default.
8. Repayment of Financing
8.1 Excess Financing. At any time, the Excess Financing amount is due and repayable by Client On Demand to Pershing.
8.2 Reserved.
8.3 Covered Amount Repayable upon demand. Pershing shall have the right to require Client to repay the Covered Amount (or any portion thereof)at any time. At any time, Pershing may (i) require Client to repay any outstanding Net Debit Balance upon demand, (ii) modify the Margin Methodology without prior notice, and (iii) adjust the rates, fees and charges applicable to Client without prior notice.
8.4 Notices.
Written communications and notices hereunder shall be sent by electronic mail, facsimile transmission, regular mail, overnight delivery,
or hand delivered as required herein or by any other means agreed to by the parties, in any such case addressed:
| (a) | if to Client, to: |
RIVERNORTH FLEXIBLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC. |
325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite
645
Chicago, IL 60654
Attention: Marc Collins
Fax No:
312-445-2251
Phone No: 312-832-1440
E-mail: mcollins@rivernorth.com
| (b) | if to Pershing, to: |
Pershing LLC |
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ. 07399
Attention: Chief Administration Officer
Fax No.: 201-395-1299
Phone No.: 201-413-2234
E-Mail: elyndon@pershing.com
For financial information Client shall provide and
additional copy to:
Attention: Credit and Risk Department
Fax Number: 201-434-3243
Email: PershingCreditRiskReporting@pershing.com
Each such notice, request, consent or other communication
shall be effective (i) if given by facsimile, transmission, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this
Section and the appropriate confirmation is received, (b) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails
with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (c) if given by overnight delivery, hand delivery, electronic mail or any
other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, e-mail notice and facsimile transmission
(for example, notice of a margin call) is effective upon transmission to the relevant address above. In the event of the failure of these
communications, actual telephone notice shall suffice.
9. Additional Definitions
"Accounts" means each account established in Client's
name in connection with this Agreement.
"Act of
Insolvency" means (a)a party making a general assignment for the benefit of, or entering into a reorganization,
arrangement, moratorium or composition with, such party's creditors; (b) a party becoming unable to pay its debts as they become
due; (c) a party seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in, the appointment of any trustee, administrator, (whether out of court or
otherwise) receiver or liquidator or analogous officer over a party or any material part of a party's property; (d) the presentation
or filing of a petition or application in respect of a party (other than in respect of any obligation under any agreements between
the parties hereto) whether out of court or in any court or before any agency alleging or for a party's bankruptcy, winding-up or
other insolvency (or any analogous proceeding) or seeking any reorganization, arrangement, composition, re-adjustment,
administration, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (other than a voluntary liquidation or voluntary dissolution for the
purposes of a solvent reconstruction or amalgamation) under any present or future statute, law or regulation (e) the appointment of
a receiver, administrator, (whether out of court or otherwise) liquidator or trustee or analogous officer over all or any material
part of a party's property; (f) the declaration of a moratorium in respect of any of a party's indebtedness (provided that
the ending of the moratorium will not remedy the Event of Default); (g) the convening of any meeting of a party's creditors for the
purpose of considering a voluntary arrangement (or any analogous proceeding); or (h) any event analogous to the foregoing in any
jurisdiction occurs in relation to a party.
"Applicable Law" means all applicable laws, rules, regulations
and customs, including those of all U.S. and non-U.S., federal, state and local governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations,
markets, exchanges and clearing facilities, in all cases where applicable.
"Business Day" means any day on which banks and securities
markets are open for business generally in New York.
"Concentration Event" shall have the meaning set forth
in Appendix A.
"Covered
Amount" means, as of any Business Day (the "Determination Date"), an amount equal to the least of (i) the
Net Debit Balance as of the Business Day immediately preceding the Determination Date, (ii) Customer's average Net Debit Balance for
the thirty (30) calendar days immediately preceding the Determination Date, and (iii) the Maximum Debit Financing as stated in
Schedule I.
"Excess Financing" means at any time, the amount by which
the Net Debit Balance exceeds the Covered Amount.
"Extraordinary Market Event" means the S&P Municipal
Bond Index declines by 20% or more over a consecutive five (5) Business Day period.
"Investment Manager" means RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC.
"Total Long Market Value" or "Total LMV"
means, the market value of all long positions in the Account that are covered under the Margin Methodology as set forth in Appendix A.
"Material Adverse Effect" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.3.
"Margin Requirement" means, on any Business Day, the consolidated
margin requirement for the positions in the Accounts maintained by Client as calculated by Pershing in accordance with this Agreement.
"Net Asset Value" means, as of the relevant time of determination,
an amount (expressed in United States Dollars) equal to the sum of Client's Total Assets minus Total Liabilities (each valued at
market price as of such date), including any estimate thereof provided by Client pursuant to Section 5.1.
"Net Debit Balance" means, on any Calendar Day, the aggregate
amount of debit balances in the Accounts outstanding on such Business Day net of any credit balances (other than short sale proceeds)
in the Accounts. For the avoidance of doubt, if the amount calculated by the foregoing sentence results in a net credit balance, the Net
Debit Balance shall be zero. For the purposes of calculating the aggregate net amount of the Net Debit Balance, Pershing will convert
any debit and credit balances denominated in non-USD currencies into USD.
"On Demand" shall mean that the Margin Requirement shall
be delivered to such account or recipient as Pershing shall specify as follows: If the margin call is made on or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New
York time) on any Business Day, then the margin call must be met by 5:00 p.m. on that Business Day; if the margin call is made after 11:00
a.m. (New York time) on any Business Day, the margin call must be met by 12 noon (New York Time) on the following Business Day.
"Reference Rate" shall mean the benchmark interest rate
on financing.
"Total Assets" means, on any date of determination, all
assets of Client, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and on a basis consistent with prior
periods.
"Total Liabilities" means, on any date of determination,
all liabilities of Client determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and on
a basis consistent with prior periods.
"Total Market Value" means the Total Long Market Value
(excluding cash).
10. Miscellaneous
10.1 No Advice. Pershing
makes no recommendations to purchase or sell any security or engage in any investment strategy including the use of margin; does not provide
legal, tax, credit or accounting advice.
10.2 Conflicts
with Other Agreements. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement
between the parties, this Agreement shall prevail.
10.3 Confidential
Information. "Confidential Information" of a party shall mean all data and information submitted to the other party
or obtained by the other party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including information relating to a party's customers
(which includes, without limitation, Non-Public Personal Information as that term is defined in Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation
S-P), technology, operations, facilities, consumer markets, products, capacities, systems, procedures, security practices, research, development,
business affairs, ideas, concepts, innovations, inventions, designs, business methodologies, improvements, trade secrets, copyrightable
subject matter and other proprietary information.
All Confidential Information relating to a party shall
be held in confidence by the other party to the same extent and in at least the same manner as such party protects its own confidential
or proprietary information. Neither party shall disclose, publish, release, transfer or otherwise make available Confidential Information
of the other party in any form to, or for the use or benefit of, any person or entity without the other party's prior written consent.
Each party shall, however, be permitted to disclose relevant aspects of the other party's Confidential Information to its officers, agents,
parents, affiliates, subcontractors and employees to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary for the performance of its duties
and obligations under this Agreement, in compliance with its internal policies and such disclosure is not prohibited by Gramm- Leach-Bliley
Act of 1999 ("GLBA"), which amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time, the
regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or other Applicable Law; provided, however, that such party
shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that Confidential Information of the other party is not disclosed or duplicated in contravention
of the provisions of this Agreement by such officers, agents, subcontractors and employees. The obligations in this Section shall not
restrict any disclosure by either party pursuant to any Applicable Law, or by order of any court, government agency or self-regulatory
organization having jurisdiction (provided that the disclosing party shall give prompt notice to the non-disclosing party of such order)
and shall not apply with respect to information which (i) is developed by the other party without violating the disclosing party's proprietary
rights; (ii) is or becomes publicly known (other than through unauthorized disclosure); (iii) is disclosed by the owner of such information
to a third party free of any obligation of confidentiality; (iv) is already known by such party without an obligation of confidentiality
other than pursuant to this Agreement or any confidentiality agreements entered into between the parties before the effective date of
this Agreement; or (v) is rightfully received by a party free of any obligation of confidentiality. If the GLBA, the regulations promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or other Applicable Law now or hereafter in effect imposes a higher standard of confidentiality
to the Confidential Information, such standard shall prevail over the provisions of this Section.
Client acknowledges that the services Pershing provides
hereunder involve Client access to proprietary technology, trading and other systems, and that techniques, algorithms and processes contained
in such systems constitute trade secrets and shall be safeguarded by Client, and that Client shall exercise reasonable care to protect
Pershing's interest in such trade secrets. Client agrees to make the proprietary nature of such systems known to those of its consultants,
staff, agents or clients who may reasonably be expected to come into contact with such systems. Client agrees that any breach of this
confidentiality provision may result in its being liable for damages as provided by law.
This Section shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
10.4 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be subject to the arbitration as specified below.
10.5 Limitation of
Liability. Pershing shall have no liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages relating to or arising
from any system or inputting errors that results in an incorrect determination of margin requirements hereunder other than to
correct such error as soon as reasonably practicable; provided that the foregoing limitation of liability shall not apply in the
case of Pershing's gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, correcting such error includes
refunding to Client any excess margin interest charged prior to such correction.
10.6 Amendments;
Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such
amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by Client and Pershing.
10.7 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in facsimile counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original instrument and all of which together
will constitute one and the same agreement.
10.8 Use
of Name. Client and Pershing agree not to use the other party's name for any purpose without the other party's prior written consent,
including, but not limited to, in any advertisement, publication or offering material; provided, however, that Pershing consents to Client's
stating in its offering documents that Pershing is providing margin financing so long as such statement is factually accurate at the time
the statement is made and it is made clear in such disclosure that Pershing has no responsibility for the preparation and accuracy of
such offering documents.
10.9 Arbitration.
This Agreement contains a predispute arbitration clause. By signing an arbitration agreement, the parties agree as follows:
(a) All
parties to this Agreement are giving up the right to sue each other in court, including the right to a trial by jury, except as provided
by the rules of the arbitration forum in which a claim is filed.
(b) Arbitration
awards are generally final and binding; a party's ability to have a court reverse or modify an arbitration award is very limited.
(c) The
ability of the parties to obtain documents, witness statements and other discovery is generally more limited in arbitration than in court
proceedings.
(d) The arbitrators do not have to explain the reason(s) for their award.
(e) The
panel of arbitrators will typically include a minority of arbitrators who were or are affiliated with the securities industry, unless
Client is a member of the organization sponsoring the arbitration facility, in which case all arbitrators may be affiliated with the securities
industry.
(f) The
rules of some arbitration forums may impose time limits for bringing a claim in arbitration. In some cases, a claim that is ineligible
for arbitration may be brought in court.
(g) The
rules of the arbitration forum in which the claim is filed, and any amendments thereto, shall be incorporated into this Agreement.
Any controversy between
Pershing (and any of Pershing's affiliates also involved in such controversy) or any of its or their partners, officers, managing
directors, directors or employees on the one hand, and Client or Client's agents on the other hand, arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the accounts established hereunder, shall be settled by arbitration. The
arbitration will be conducted before The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution ("FINRA-DR").
If FINRA-DR should decline to hear the matter, before the American Arbitration Association, in accordance with their arbitration
rules then in force. The award of the arbitrator shall be final, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court,
state or federal, having jurisdiction.
No person shall bring a putative or certified class action to arbitration
nor seek to enforce any pro- dispute arbitration agreement against any person who has initiated in court a putative class action or who
is a member of a putative class who has not opted out of the class with respect to any claims encompassed by the putative class action
until: (i) the class certification is denied; (ii) the class is decertified; or (iii) Client is excluded from the class by the court.
10.10 This amended and restated
Agreement shall supersede the Prior Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused
this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
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RIVERNORTH FLEXIBLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC. |
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/s/ Jon Mohrhardt |
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Jon Mohrhardt |
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CFO/Treasurer |
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PERSHING LLC |
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/s/ Mark Aldoroty |
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Mark Aldoroty |
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Managing Director |
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Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
320 South Canal Street, Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 569-1100 (Phone)
(312) 569-3107 (Facsimile)
www.faegredrinker.com
October 22, 2024
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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Re: |
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) in connection with the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (the
“Registration Statement”) (File Nos. 333-281404; 811-23481) filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) on August 8, 2024, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as amended
by pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement filed by the Fund on October 22, 2024. The Registration Statement relates to
the issuance and sale by the Fund from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the SEC promulgated
under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of up to $150,000,000 of (i) shares of its common stock, $0.0001
par value per share (“Common Shares”), (ii) shares of its preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”), and/or (iii)
subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights” and, together with the Common Shares and
Preferred Shares, “Shares”).
We have examined the originals or copies, certified
or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Registration Statement, and
the resolutions adopted by its Directors (the “Resolutions”) relating to the authorization of the sale and issuance of the
Shares, and have considered such other legal and factual matters as we have deemed appropriate.
In all cases, we have assumed the legal capacity
of each natural person signing the Registration Statement, the genuineness of signatures, the authenticity of documents submitted to us
as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of documents submitted to us as copies and the accuracy and completeness
of all corporate records and other information made available to us by the Fund. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we
have relied upon the accuracy of any certificates and other comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Fund, upon statements
made to us in discussions with the Fund’s management and upon statements and certificates of public officials.
This opinion is based exclusively on the substantive
laws of the State of Maryland and the federal laws of the United States of America. In rendering our opinion, we have relied on the opinion
of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A. expressed in a letter to us dated October 22, 2024 to the extent that any matter which is
the subject of this opinion is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. We express no opinion as to the laws of any state other
than the State of Maryland or as to state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications,
limitations and assumptions stated herein and therein, we are of the opinion that the issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized
and, when and if issued against payment of net asset value therefor in accordance with the Resolutions and the Registration Statement,
the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
with the SEC as part of the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2.
We hereby consent to the use of our name and to
the references to our Firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and the caption “Legal Counsel”
in the Statement of Additional Information included in the Registration Statement. In consenting to the use of our name and the references
to our Firm under such caption, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section
7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the SEC thereunder.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
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FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
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October 22, 2024
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
360 South Rosemary Avenue
Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form N-2: |
1933 Act File No.: 333-281404
1940 Act File No.: 811-23481
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland
counsel to RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a closed-end management investment company (the “Fund”), in connection with certain
matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of the following securities of the Fund having an aggregate initial offering
price of up to $150,000,000 (collectively, the “Securities”): (a) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common
Stock”); (b) shares of preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”); (c) subscription rights (“Common Stock Subscription
Rights”) to purchase shares of Common Stock; (d) subscription rights (“Preferred Stock Subscription Rights”) to purchase
shares of Preferred Stock; and (e) subscription rights (the “Common Stock & Preferred Stock Subscription Rights” and,
together with the Common Stock Subscription Rights and the Preferred Stock Subscription Rights, the “Subscription Rights”)
to purchase shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, in each case, covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement (the “Registration
Statement”), filed by the Fund with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act. This opinion is being furnished to you at your request.
I. Documents Reviewed and Matters Considered
In connection with our representation
of the Fund, and as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):
(i) the
Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein, substantially in the form transmitted to the Commission under
the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act;
(ii) the
charter of the Fund (the “Charter”), certified by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (the “SDAT”);
RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund,
Inc.
October 22, 2024
Page
2
(iii) the
Bylaws of the Fund (the “Bylaws”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Fund;
(iv) a
Certificate of Status of the SDAT to the effect that the Fund is in good standing, dated October 15, 2024;
(v) resolutions
(the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund relating to the registration and issuance of the Securities,
certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Fund;
(vi) a
certificate executed by an officer of the Fund, dated as of the date hereof, as to such matters as we deem necessary and appropriate to
enable us to render this opinion letter; and
(vii) such
other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinions set forth in this letter, subject to the
assumptions, qualifications, and limitations stated herein.
II. Assumptions
In expressing the opinions
set forth below, we have assumed the following:
(a) Each
individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
(b) Each
individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Fund) is duly authorized to do so.
(c) Each
of the parties (other than the Fund) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents
to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable
in accordance with all stated terms.
(d) All
Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not
differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted
to us as certified, photostatic, or other copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine.
All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete.
(e) All
representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are accurate and complete.
RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund,
Inc.
October 22, 2024
Page
3
(f) There
has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any of the provisions
of the Documents, by actions or omission of the parties or otherwise.
(g) Each
individual executing a certificate is authorized to do so and has knowledge about all matters stated therein. The contents of each such
certificate are accurate and complete and remain so as of the date of this letter.
(h) Upon
the issuance of any Securities that are Common Stock (“Common Securities”), including Common Securities which may be issued
upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Securities, the total number of shares
of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Fund is then authorized to
issue under the Charter.
(i) Upon
the issuance of any Securities that are Preferred Stock (“Preferred Securities”), including Preferred Securities which may
be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Preferred Securities, the total number
of issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, and the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the applicable class or
series of Preferred Stock designated pursuant to the Charter, will not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock or the number
of shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock that the Fund is then authorized to issue under the Charter.
(j) The
issuance, and certain terms, of the Securities to be issued by the Fund from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board,
or a duly authorized committee thereof, in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Charter, the Bylaws, the Registration
Statement and the Resolutions; and with respect to any Subscription Rights, a Subscription Rights Certificate representing such Subscription
Rights (the “Subscription Rights Certificate”) will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Fund and the
specific terms of such Subscription Rights will be duly established by the Board, and such Subscription Rights will be duly distributed
by the Fund, in accordance with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Registration Statement and the Resolutions; and, with respect to any Preferred
Securities, Articles Supplementary setting forth the number of shares and the preferences and other terms of any class or series of Preferred
Stock to be issued by the Fund will be filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT prior to their issuance (such approvals and, if
applicable, acceptance for record, referred to herein as the “Corporate Proceedings”).
III. Opinions
Based upon the foregoing,
and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The
Fund is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing
with the SDAT.
RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund,
Inc.
October 22, 2024
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2. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Common Securities, the issuance of the Common Securities will be duly authorized
and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions and the
Corporate Proceedings, the Common Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Preferred Securities, the issuance of the Preferred Securities will be duly
authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions
and the Corporate Proceedings, the Preferred Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
4. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Subscription Rights, the issuance of the Subscription Rights will be duly
authorized and when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Subscription Rights Certificate, the Subscription Rights will
be valid and binding obligations of the Fund, enforceable against the Fund in accordance with their terms.
IV. Qualifications and Limitations
(A) In
addition to the assumptions and qualifications set forth above, and without limiting the generality of such assumptions and qualifications,
the opinion expressed in Paragraph III.4 above is also subject to (a) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, (b) the
effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability
of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion
of the court before which a proceeding is brought and (c) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions
of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or
contribution is contrary to public policy.
(B) The
foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinions herein concerning any other law.
We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of the 1940 Act or other federal securities laws, or state securities laws, including
the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter
as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do
not express any opinion on such matter. The opinions expressed herein are subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit
the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.
(C) The
opinions expressed in this letter are limited to the matters specifically set forth in this letter, and no other opinions shall be implied
or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after
the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.
RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund,
Inc.
October 22, 2024
Page
5
(D) This
opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the
filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent,
we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ SHAPIRO SHER GUINOT & SANDLER, P.A. |
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SHAPIRO SHER GUINOT & SANDLER, P.A. |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated August 28, 2024, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., for the year ended June 30, 2024, and to the references to our firm under the headings
“Financial Highlights” and “Senior Securities” in the Prospectus and “Fund Service Providers” and
“Financial Statements” in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
October 21, 2024
v3.24.3
N-2 - shares
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Oct. 22, 2024 |
Aug. 31, 2024 |
Cover [Abstract] |
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Entity Central Index Key |
0001790177
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Amendment Flag |
false
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Entity Inv Company Type |
N-2
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Securities Act File Number |
811-23481
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Investment Company Act File Number |
333-281404
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Document Type |
N-2/A
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Document Registration Statement |
true
|
|
Pre-Effective Amendment |
true
|
|
Pre-Effective Amendment Number |
1
|
|
Investment Company Act Registration |
true
|
|
Investment Company Registration Amendment |
true
|
|
Investment Company Registration Amendment Number |
15
|
|
Entity Registrant Name |
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
|
|
Entity Address, Address Line One |
360 South Rosemary Avenue
|
|
Entity Address, Address Line Two |
Suite 1420
|
|
Entity Address, City or Town |
West Palm Beach
|
|
Entity Address, State or Province |
FL
|
|
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code |
33401
|
|
City Area Code |
561
|
|
Local Phone Number |
484-7185
|
|
Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to Public |
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
|
|
Dividend or Interest Reinvestment Plan Only |
false
|
|
Delayed or Continuous Offering |
true
|
|
Primary Shelf [Flag] |
true
|
|
Effective Upon Filing, 462(e) |
false
|
|
Additional Securities Effective, 413(b) |
false
|
|
Effective when Declared, Section 8(c) |
false
|
|
Registered Closed-End Fund [Flag] |
true
|
|
Business Development Company [Flag] |
false
|
|
Interval Fund [Flag] |
false
|
|
Primary Shelf Qualified [Flag] |
true
|
|
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer |
No
|
|
Entity Emerging Growth Company |
false
|
|
New CEF or BDC Registrant [Flag] |
false
|
|
Other Transaction Expenses [Abstract] |
|
|
Annual Expenses [Table Text Block] |
SUMMARY OF FUND
EXPENSES
The information in “Summary of Fund Expenses”
is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Fund Expenses”, which is incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. See “Incorporation
by Reference” below for more information.
|
|
Financial Highlights [Abstract] |
|
|
Senior Securities [Table Text Block] |
SENIOR SECURITIES
The information in "Senior
Securities" and the report of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen, thereon, contained in the following document
filed by the Fund with the SEC, is hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus: the annual report for the year ended June 30,
2024 contained in the Fund's Form N-CSR
filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024.
|
|
General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
|
|
Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block] |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES,
STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
The information in “Investment Objective, Strategies and
Policies” is set forth in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Updated Information Regarding the Fund”, which is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
AND PROCESS
The Adviser allocates the
Fund’s assets between the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and the Municipal Bond Income Strategy (as described above).
The amount allocated to each of the principal strategies may change depending on the Adviser’s assessment of market risk, security
valuations, market volatility, and the prospects for earning income and capital appreciation. See “Risks-Structural Risks-Multi-Manager
Risk.”
Tactical Municipal Closed-End
Fund Strategy. The Adviser considers a number of factors when selecting Underlying Funds, including fundamental and technical analysis
to assess the relative risk and reward potential throughout the financial markets. The term “tactical” is used to indicate
that the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to this strategy that invests in CEFs to take advantage of pricing discrepancies
in the CEF market.
In selecting CEFs, the Adviser
opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from the discount and
premium spreads associated with CEFs by identifying pricing aberrations. The Adviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach
in its selection of CEFs and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to trade CEFs. The Adviser’s mean reversion
investing looks to capitalize on changes within the pricing of a CEF and, based upon its research and analysis, a view that it will revert
to historical pricing. The Adviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
Statistical Analysis (Mean
Reversion)
| ● | Using proprietary quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify CEFs that are trading at compelling
absolute and/or relative discounts. |
| ● | The Adviser will attempt to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that the discount
widening is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations. |
Corporate Actions
| ● | The Adviser pursues investments in CEFs that have announced, or the Adviser believes are likely to announce,
certain corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders. |
| ● | The Adviser has developed trading strategies that focus on CEF tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder
distributions, open-endings and liquidations. |
Shareholder Activism
| ● | The Adviser assesses activism opportunities by determining a CEF’s susceptibility to dissident activity
and analyzing the composition of the fund’s shareholder register. The Fund, in seeking to achieve its investment objectives, will
not take activist positions in the Underlying Funds. |
In employing its trading strategies,
the Adviser conducts an extensive amount of due diligence on various fund sponsors, investment managers and funds, including actively
monitoring regulatory filings, analyzing a fund’s registration statements, financial statements and organizational documents, as
well as conducting proprietary research, such as speaking with fund sponsors, underwriters, sell-side brokers and investors.
Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
The Subadviser believes inefficiencies exist in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets. In order to capitalize on these
opportunities, the Subadviser applies both a top-down and bottom-up research investment process. The Subadviser’s top-down analysis
considers the economic, interest rate, inflation outlook and other economic variables to guide overall portfolio structure. The Subadviser
employs a value-oriented security selection process to invest in securities it believes to be mispriced which offer a yield advantage.
In choosing investments, the Subadviser analyzes the credit quality of issuers and considers the yields available on municipal bonds with
different maturities. In addition, the Subadviser reviews macroeconomic events, technical characteristics in the municipal bond market,
tax policies, as well as analyzing individual municipal securities and sectors. The Subadviser seeks to reduce volatility through its
disciplined investment process and investment risk management.
The Subadviser may sell a
security if it no longer believes the security will contribute to meeting the investment objectives of the Fund. In considering whether
to sell a security, the Subadviser may evaluate, among other things, the condition of the economy and meaningful changes in the issuer’s
financial condition.
|
|
Risk Factors [Table Text Block] |
RISKS
The information in “Risks” is set
forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR for
the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Updated Information Regarding the Fund – Risk Factors”,
which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
|
|
Effects of Leverage [Text Block] |
USE OF LEVERAGE
The information in “Use of Leverage”
is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on
Form N-CSR for the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Summary of Updated Information Regarding the Fund”, which
is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus. See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
|
|
Share Price [Table Text Block] |
MARKET AND NET
ASSET VALUE INFORMATION
The information in “Market and Net Asset
Value Information” is set forth in the Fund’s most recent annual report on Form N-CSR
for the year ended June 30, 2024 in the section entitled “Market and Net Asset Value Information”, which is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus, and in any future filings we may file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
See “Incorporation by Reference” below for more information.
|
|
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
|
|
Outstanding Securities [Table Text Block] |
The
following table provides information about the Fund’s outstanding securities as of August 31, 2024:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund or for its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common
Shares |
50,000,000 |
0 |
6,114,699 |
|
|
Business Contact [Member] |
|
|
Cover [Abstract] |
|
|
Entity Address, Address Line One |
360 South Rosemary Avenue
|
|
Entity Address, Address Line Two |
Suite 1420
|
|
Entity Address, City or Town |
West Palm Beach
|
|
Entity Address, State or Province |
FL
|
|
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code |
33401
|
|
Contact Personnel Name |
Marcus L. Collins, Esq.
|
|
Common Shares [Member] |
|
|
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
|
|
Capital Stock [Table Text Block] |
DESCRIPTION OF
THE FUND’S SECURITIES
The following summary of the
terms of the common shares of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits
to the Registration Statement.
The Fund’s authorized
capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, all of which is classified as common shares.
The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, but without any action by the shareholders of
the Fund, may amend the Fund’s Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the
Fund or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue.
In general, shareholders or
subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the Fund because of their status as
shareholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed consideration for the stock has not been
paid.
Common Stock
The Common Shares issued in
the offering are fully paid and non-assessable. The Common Shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights,
and each share has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights.
Common shareholders are entitled
to receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors declares dividends from funds legally available. Whenever Fund Preferred Shares
or borrowings are outstanding, common shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued
dividends on the Preferred Shares and interest and principal payments on borrowings have been paid, and unless the applicable asset coverage
requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution as described above.
In the event of the Fund’s
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, common shares would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Fund’s assets that are legally
available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of Preferred
Shares, if any Preferred Shares are outstanding at such time.
Common shareholders are entitled
to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of directors are noncumulative, which means that, assuming there are no Preferred
Shares outstanding, the holders of more than 50% of the common shares will elect 100% of the directors then nominated for election if
they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining common shares will not be able to elect any Directors.
The Fund’s Charter authorizes
the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to
issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set
the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions,
qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance
of shares of common stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a
change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s common shares or otherwise be in their best interest.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has no plans to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock.
The Fund’s currently
outstanding common shares are, and the Common Shares offered in this Prospectus will be, subject to notice of issuance, listed on the
NYSE under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.” Under the rules of the NYSE applicable to listed companies, the
Fund is required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders in each year.
The provisions of the 1940
Act generally require that the public offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common shares sold by a closed-end
investment company must equal or exceed the NAV of such company’s common shares (calculated within 48 hours of the pricing of such
offering), unless such a sale is made in connection with an offering to existing holders of shares of common stock or with the consent
of a majority of its common stockholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of common shareholders to permit the issuance
and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then-current NAV, subject to certain conditions. If such consent
is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event more than one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common
Shares at a price below NAV in accordance with any conditions adopted in connection with the giving of such consent. Additional information
regarding any consent of common shareholders obtained by the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the issuance and sale by the
Fund of Common Shares at a price below NAV will be disclosed in the prospectus supplement relating to any such offering of Common Shares
at a price below NAV. See also “-Subscription Rights” below.
|
|
Security Title [Text Block] |
Common Stock
|
|
Security Dividends [Text Block] |
Common shareholders are entitled
to receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors declares dividends from funds legally available.
|
|
Security Voting Rights [Text Block] |
Common shareholders are entitled
to one vote per share.
|
|
Security Liquidation Rights [Text Block] |
In the event of the Fund’s
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, common shares would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Fund’s assets that are legally
available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of Preferred
Shares, if any Preferred Shares are outstanding at such time.
|
|
Security Preemptive and Other Rights [Text Block] |
Prior to
issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set
the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions,
qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series.
|
|
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] |
|
Common
Shares
|
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] |
|
50,000,000
|
Outstanding Security, Held [Shares] |
|
0
|
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] |
|
6,114,699
|
Series A Preferred Stocks [Member] |
|
|
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
|
|
Capital Stock [Table Text Block] |
Preferred Stock
The Fund’s Charter authorizes
the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including Preferred
Shares, without the approval of common shareholders. Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Shares, the Board of Directors is required
by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board
of Directors could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for common shareholders or otherwise be in their
best interest. The prospectus supplement for any potential offering of preferred shares will describe the terms and conditions of those
shares, including information regarding the liquidation preference, distribution rate, any optional or mandatory redemption provisions
and whether the preferred shares are convertible into common shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not issued any Preferred
Shares.
Any issuance of Preferred
Shares must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Fund is not permitted under the 1940 Act to issue Preferred
Shares unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation
value of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Among other requirements, including other voting rights, the 1940 Act requires that the holders
of any Preferred Shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two directors at all times. In addition,
subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred
Shares would have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s directors at any time two years’ dividends on any Preferred
Shares are unpaid.
Preferred Shares of the Fund
would be senior to the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distributions of the assets of the Fund upon liquidation.
In addition, all Preferred Shares of the Fund would be pari passu (or on equal footing) with one another and junior to the Fund’s
senior securities representing indebtedness. See “Use of Leverage”.
The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth whether or not the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock offered in this Prospectus will be listed or traded
on any securities exchange. If the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock are not listed on a securities exchange, there may be no
active secondary trading market for such shares and an investment in such shares may be illiquid.
The terms, if any, on which
the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable, the conversion
or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period will also be set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
|
|
Security Title [Text Block] |
Preferred Stock
|
|
Security Preemptive and Other Rights [Text Block] |
Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Shares, the Board of Directors is required
by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for such shares.
|
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