SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
919 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK 10022-3897
_______
(212)735-3000
February 20, 1997
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Preliminary Proxy Materials for:
The BlackRock North American Government
Income Trust Inc. (the "Trust")
---------------------------------------
Dear Sir or Madam:
On behalf of the Trust, electronically transmitted
herewith, pursuant to Rule 14a-6 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules promulgat-
ed thereunder, please find the preliminary proxy state-
ment of the Trust, the form of proxy to be furnished to
the Trust's shareholders, and the Schedule 14A informa-
tion.
Should you have any questions or require addi-
tional information with respect to the foregoing, please
contact theundersigned at (212)735-3532 or Philip H.
Harris at (212)735-3805.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Alexander B. Johnson
Alexander B. Johnson
(not admitted to practice
in New York)
Attachments
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the registrant |X|
Filed by a party other than the registrant |_|
Check the appropriate box:
|X| Preliminary proxy statement
|_| Definitive proxy statement
|_| Definitive additional materials
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
The BlackRock North American Government Income Trust Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
|X| No fee required.
|_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-(i)(4) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:
36,207,093 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date filed:
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THE BLACKROCK INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC. ("BKN")
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC. ("BRM")
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC. ("BFC")
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST ("BRF")
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC. ("BLN")
THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. ("BCT")
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC. ("BKT")
THE BLACKROCK NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST INC. ("BNA")
THE BLACKROCK 1999 TERM TRUST INC. ("BNN")
THE BLACKROCK TARGET TERM TRUST INC. ("BTT")
THE BLACKROCK ADVANTAGE TERM TRUST INC. ("BAT")
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL TARGET TERM TRUST INC. ("BMN")
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC. ("RAA")
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST ("RFA")
THE BLACKROCK NEW JERSEY INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC. ("RNJ")
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC. ("RNY")
Gateway Center Three
100 Mulberry Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL TERM TRUST INC. ("BMT")
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC. ("BGT")
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
--------------
NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
--------------
To Be Held on April 15, 1997
To the Stockholders of BRM, BFC, BRF, BLN, BKN, BCT, BMN, BNN, BTT, BAT, RAA,
RFA, RNJ, RNY, BKT, BNA, BMT and BGT (collectively, the "Trusts"):
The Joint Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Trusts will be held at One
Seaport Plaza, New York, New York on April 15, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. (New York
Time) for the following purposes:
1. With respect to BMN, BKT, BNA and BMT to elect three Directors and with
respect to BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BKN, BNN, BTT, BCT, BAT, RAA, RFA, RNJ,
RNY and BGT, to elect four Directors, each to hold office for the term
indicated and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified;
2. To consider and act upon the ratification of the selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as independent auditors of each of the Trusts for the fiscal
year ending October 31, 1997 with respect to BKN, BCT, RAA, RFA, RNJ,
RNY, BKT and BNA and for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997 with
respect to BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BNN, BTT, BAT, BGT, BMN and BMT;
3. With respect to BAT, BGT and BTT, to consider and act upon a proposal to
approve a new investment advisory agreement with BlackRock Financial
Management, Inc. that modifies the investment advisory fee schedules; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors of each Trust recommends that you vote "For"
all the Proposals.
We encourage you to contact BlackRock at (800) 227-7BFM (7236) if you have
any questions.
The stock transfer books will not be closed, but in lieu thereof, the
respective Boards of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 28,
1997 as the record date for the determination of stock- holders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
By order of the respective Boards of Directors
Karen H. Sabath, Secretary
New York, New York
March 3, 1997
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IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING IN PERSON OR BY
PROXY; IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN
AND RETURN THE APPROPRIATE ENCLOSED PROXY OR PROXIES IN THE ACCOMPANYING
ENVELOPE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INSURED MUNICIPAL 2008 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
THE BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK 1999 TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK TARGET TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK ADVANTAGE TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL TARGET TERM TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK CALIFORNIA INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK FLORIDA INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
THE BLACKROCK NEW JERSEY INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC.
THE BLACKROCK NEW YORK INVESTMENT QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST INC.
Gateway Center Three
100 Mulberry Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
THE BLACKROCK INSURED MUNICIPAL TERM TRUST INC.
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
--------------------
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
--------------------
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 15, 1997
INTRODUCTION
This joint proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
by the respective Boards of Directors or Trustees, as the case may be (the
"Boards"), of each of the Trusts of proxies to be voted at the Joint Annual
Meeting of Stockholders or Shareholders, as the case may be, (the "Meeting") of
the Trusts to be held at One Seaport Plaza, New York, New York, on April 15,
1997 at 10:00 a.m. (New York Time), and at any adjournments thereof, for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present in person or by proxy to be voted at the Meeting.
The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of any such adjournment those
proxies which instruct them to vote in favor of any of the proposals.
Conversely, they will
1
vote against any such adjournment any proxies which instruct them to vote
against the proposals. As used in the Notice of Joint Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and as used herein, the term "Directors" shall include Trustees and
the term "Stockholders" shall include Shareholders where the use of the terms
"Trustees" or "Shareholders" would otherwise be appropriate.
The Meeting is scheduled as a joint meeting of the respective stockholders
of the Trusts because the stockholders of all the Trusts are expected to
consider and vote on similar matters. The Board of each Trust has determined
that the use of a joint Proxy Statement for the Meeting is in the best interest
of each of the Trusts' stockholders. In the event that any stockholder present
at the Meeting objects to the holding of a joint meeting and moves for an
adjournment of his Trust's meeting to a time immediately after the Meeting, so
that his Trust's meeting may be held separately, the persons named as proxies
will vote in favor of such adjournment. Stockholders of each Trust will vote
separately on each of the Proposals relating to their Trust, and an unfavorable
vote on a Proposal by the stockholders of one Trust will not affect the
implementation of such a Proposal by another Trust if the Proposal is approved
by the stockholders of that Trust.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by each of the Trusts in
proportion to the amount of proxies solicited on behalf of each Trust. In
addition, certain officers, directors and employees of each of the Trusts, Dean
Witter InterCapital Inc., Prudential Mutual Fund Management Inc., Princeton
Administrators L.P. (formerly Middlesex Administrators L.P.,), Mitchell Hutchins
Asset Management Inc. and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the "Adviser")
(none of whom will receive additional compensation therefor) may solicit proxies
in person or by telephone, telegraph, or mail. In addition, certain of the
Trusts may employ Shareholder Communications Corporation pursuant to its
standard contract as proxy solicitor, the cost of which will be borne
proportionately by each of the Trusts and is estimated to be approximately
$3,500 per Trust. The Adviser is located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10154.
All properly executed proxies received prior to the Meeting will be voted at
the Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereon or otherwise as
provided therein. Abstentions will be counted as present but not voting with
respect to those proposals from which a stockholder abstains. Broker non-votes
will be treated as shares that are not present. Unless instructions to the
contrary are marked, shares represented by all properly executed proxies will be
voted "FOR" all the Proposals. Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the
exercise thereof by submitting another proxy bearing a later date or by giving
written notice to the Secretary of the applicable Trusts at the applicable
address indicated above or by voting in person at the Meeting.
Some proposals require more votes than others to be approved. With respect
to each of the Trusts an affirmative vote of a simple majority of the shares
present and voting at the meeting is necessary to ratify the selection of
independent auditors. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present
is necessary to elect the director nominees. The lesser of (i) a majority of the
outstanding shares or (ii) 67% of the shares voting at the Meeting if a quorum
is present (a "Majority") is necessary to approve the new advisory agreement for
BAT, BGT and BTT.
The Board of each Trust knows of no business other than that specifically
mentioned in the Notice of Meeting which will be presented for consideration at
the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented, it is the intention of
the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote thereon in accordance with their
best judgment.
The Board of each Trust has fixed the close of business on February 28,
1997, as the record date for the determination of stockholders of each Trust
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment
2
thereof. Stockholders of each Trust on that date will be entitled to one vote on
each matter to be voted on by that Trust for each share held and a fractional
vote with respect to fractional shares with no cumulative voting rights.
The holders of any Trust's Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock will have
equal voting rights with the holders of that Trust's common stock (i.e., one
vote per share), and will vote together with the holders of common stock as a
single class on the proposals to elect Directors and ratify the independent
accountants, except that the holders of any Trust's Auction Rate Municipal
Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, will elect two Directors. The two
Directors that have been designated as representing the holders of each
respective Trust's Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock are Richard E.
Cavanagh and Frank J. Fabozzi (see "Proposal No. 3-Election of Directors,"
below).
Pursuant to the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
the following table sets forth the proposals to be voted on by each Trust with
auditors to be voted on by all Trusts.
------------------------------------------------
Vote on Vote on Directors of
Fund Proposal 3 Class Number
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BRM I
------------------------------------------------
BFC I
------------------------------------------------
BRF I
------------------------------------------------
BLN I
------------------------------------------------
BKN I
------------------------------------------------
BCT III
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BMN II
------------------------------------------------
BNN I
------------------------------------------------
BTT Y I
------------------------------------------------
BAT Y III
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RAA III
------------------------------------------------
RFA III
------------------------------------------------
RNJ III
------------------------------------------------
RNY III
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BKT II
------------------------------------------------
BNA II
------------------------------------------------
BMT II
------------------------------------------------
BGT Y III
------------------------------------------------
3
At the close of business on February 28, 1997, BRM had outstanding
27,207,093 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and 8,240 shares of
Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per
share, BLN had outstanding 11,257,093 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share and 3,420 shares of Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock,
liquidation preference $25,000 per share, BFC had outstanding 10,407,093 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and 3,120 shares of Auction Rate
Municipal Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, BRF had
outstanding 8,707,093 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per
share and 2,640 Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Shares of beneficial interest,
liquidation preference $25,000 per share, BKN had outstanding 16,707,093 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and 5,200 shares of Auction Rate
Municipal Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, BCT had
outstanding 2,957,093 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, BMN had
outstanding 45,410,639 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and
9,000 shares of Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock, liquidation preference
$25,000 per share, BNN had outstanding 21,610,583 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, BTT had outstanding 95,460,639 shares of Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share, BAT had outstanding 9,510,667 shares of Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share, RAA had outstanding 1,007,093 shares of Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share and 300 shares of Auction Rate Municipal Preferred
Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, RFA had outstanding 1,127,093
common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share and 340 Auction
Rate Municipal Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, liquidation preference
$25,000 per share, RNJ had outstanding 1,007,093 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share and 300 shares of Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock,
liquidation preference $25,000 per share, RNY had outstanding 1,307,093 shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and 392 shares of Auction Rate
Municipal Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, BMT had
outstanding 25,885,639 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and
5,200 shares of Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock, liquidation preference
$25,000 per share, BKT had outstanding 62,849,878 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, BNA had outstanding 36,207,093 shares of Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share. BGT had outstanding 57,510,639 shares of Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share. For each Trust, the class or classes of stock
listed above are the only authorized class or classes of stock.
The principal executive offices of BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BCT and BKN are
located at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, the principal
executive offices of BMN, BNN, BTT, BAT, RAA, RFA, RNJ, RNY, BKT and BNA are
located at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102,
the principal executive offices of BGT are located at Two World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048, and the principal executive offices of BMT are located
at 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019. The enclosed proxy or
proxies and this proxy statement are first being sent to the Trusts'
stockholders on or about March 3, 1997.
Each Trust will furnish, without charge, a copy of such Trust's most recent
Annual Report and the most recent Semi-Annual Report succeeding the Annual
Report, if any, to any stockholder upon request, provided such Annual or
Semi-Annual Report is not enclosed herein. Requests should be directed to 345
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154 (telephone number (800) 227-7BFM(7236)).
As of February 28, 1997, to the knowledge of each Trust, no person
beneficially owned more than 5% of any Trust, except that 242,400 of the
outstanding common shares of RAA (or 24.07% of the outstanding common shares)
are jointly held by M.H. Whittier Corporation, James E. Greene, Arlo G.
Sorensen, Michael J. Casey and Whittier Trust Company, all of whom are located
at 1600 Huntington Drive, South Pasadena, California 91030 and 3,526,800 of the
outstanding common shares of BGT (or 6.1% of the outstanding common shares) are
held by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which is located at 8200
Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 76102.
4
PROPOSAL NO. 1.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
With respect to BAT, BGT, BCT, RAA, RFA, RNJ and RNY, at the Meeting, Class
III Directors will be elected to serve for a term of three years and until their
successors are elected and qualified. With respect to BNN, BTT, BRM, BLN, BFC,
BRF and BKN, at the Meeting, Class I Directors will be elected to serve for a
term of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. With
respect to BMN, BMT, BKT and BNA, at the Meeting, Class II Directors will be
elected to serve for a term of three years and until their successors are
elected and qualified. In addition, all Trusts will vote on the election of
Walter F. Mondale as a Class II Director. There are only three nominees with
respect to BMN, BKT, BNA and BMT and only four nominees with respect to BNN,
BTT, BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BKN, BAT, BGT, BCT, RAA, RFA, RNJ and RNY because each
Trust's Board is classified into three classes and only one class is being
elected at the Meeting. The other classes will be elected at subsequent meetings
of stockholders. In addition, with respect to BNN, nominees elected as Directors
of BNN will be appointed by BNN to serve as Directors of its wholly-owned
subsidiary, BNN Subsidiary Inc. ("BNNS"), which has the identical investment
objectives and policies as BNN. For each of the Trusts, the affirmative vote of
a plurality of the shares present at the Meeting is required to elect the
nominees representing the common stock and for each Trust with a class of
Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of a plurality of
the Auction Rate Municipal Preferred Stock shares present at the Meeting is
required to elect any nominees representing the Auction Rate Municipal Preferred
Stock. It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote in
favor of the election of the persons listed below. The Board of Directors of
each Trust recommends that you vote "FOR" the nominees.
The respective Boards of Directors of the Trusts know of no reason why any
of the nominees listed below will be unable to serve, but in the event of any
such unavailability, the proxies received will be voted for such substitute
nominees as the respective Boards of Directors may recommend.
Certain information concerning the nominees for each of the Trusts is set
forth below. Except for Walter F. Mondale, who was previously a Director of each
of the Trusts from inception to August 12, 1993, all of the nominees are
currently Directors of each of the Trusts, including BNNS, and have served in
such capacity since each of the Trusts commenced their respective operations
except that Richard E. Cavanagh has served as Director since his appointment by
each of the Boards on August 11, 1994 to fill a vacancy and with respect to BNA,
BTT, BAT, BGT, BMN and BMT, James Clayburn La Force, Jr. has served as Director
since his election at the Trusts' annual meeting of stockholders on June 19,
1992. In addition to each of the directorships listed below, all of the current
Directors of the Trusts also serve as Directors of the BlackRock 1998 Term Trust
("BBT"), BBT Subsidiary Inc., the BlackRock Investment Quality Term Trust Inc.
and the BlackRock 2001 Term Trust Inc. ("BLK") and Messrs. Fink and Grosfeld
serve as directors of BlackRock Fund Investors I, BlackRock Fund Investors II,
BlackRock Fund Investors III and BlackRock Asset Investors (collectively,
"BAI"), Mr. Fink serves as a director of BlackRock MQE Investors and Messrs.
Dixon, Fabozzi and Grosfeld served as directors of BFM Institutional Trust
("BIT") during BIT's last fiscal year, until July, 1996 when BIT was merged into
the Compass Capital Funds. Except as indicated, each individual has held the
office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. The
"interested" Directors (as defined by Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) are
indicated by an asterisk(*). Unless specified otherwise below, the business
address of the Directors and officers of each of the Trusts and the Adviser is
345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154.
5
Trust % of
Principal Occupations or Shares Shares
Name and Age Employment in Past 5 Years Owned(*) Outstanding
- ------------ -------------------------- -------- -----------
Andrew F. Brimmer President of Brimmer & Company, Inc., a BKT 110 (1)
4400 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, D.C.-based economic and financial BTT 10
N.W. Suite 302 consulting firm. Formerly member of the Board BAT 10
Washington, DC 20007 of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. BGT 10
Age: 70 Director, Airbourne Express, BankAmerica BMN 10
Class III (**) Corporation (Bank of America), Carr America BNA 10
Realty Corporation, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & BMT 10
Company, Gannett Company (publishing), Navistar BRM 10
International Corporation (truck manufacturing) BNN 10
and PHH Corporation (car leasing). BKN 10
BCT 10
Richard E. Cavanagh President and Chief Executive Office of The BKN 500 (1)
845 Third Avenue Conference Board, Inc., a leading global BKT 500
New York, NY 10022 business membership organization. Former Execu- BTT 100
Age: 50 tive Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of BAT 100
Class I (**) Government at Harvard University from 1988-1995. BGT 100
Acting Director, Harvard Center for Business BMN 100
and Government (1991-1993). Formerly Partner BNA 100
(principal) of McKinsey & Company, Inc. 1980- BMT 100
1988). Former Executive Director of Federal BRM 100
Cash Management, White House Office of BLN 100
Management and Budget (1977-1979). Co-author, BNN 100
The Winning Performance (best selling manage- RNY 100
ment book published in 13 national editions.) BCT 100
Trustee, Wesleyan University, Director, Olin
Corp. (chemicals and metals) and Fremont Group
(investments).
6
Trust % of
Principal Occupations or Shares Shares
Name and Age Employment in Past 5 Years Owned(*) Outstanding
- ------------ -------------------------- -------- -----------
Kent Dixon Consultant/Investor. Former President and Chief BKT 24,000 (1)
9495 Blind Pass Road Executive Officer of Empire Federal Savings Bank BTT 1,000
Unit #602 of America and Banc PLUS Savings Association, BAT 100
St. Petersburg, FL 33706 former Chairman of the Board, President and BGT 100
Age: 59 Chief Executive Officer of Northeast Savings. BBN 100
Class III (**) Former Director of ISFA (the owner of INVEST, a BNA 100
national securities brokerage service designed BMT 100
for banks and thrift institutions). BRM 100
BRF 100
BNN 100
BKN 100
RFA 100
BCT 100
Frank J. Fabozzi Consultant. Editor of The Journal of Portfolio BKT 10 (1)
858 Tower View Circle Management and Adjunct Professor of Finance at BTT 10
New Hope, PA 18938 the School of Organization and Management at BAT 10
Age: 48 Yale University. Director, Guardian Mutual Funds BGT 10
Class II (**) Group. Author and editor of several books on BMN 10
fixed income portfolio management. Visiting BNA 10
Professor of Finance and Accounting at the Sloan BMT 10
School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of BRM 10
Technology from 1986 to August 1992. BNN 10
BKN 10
BCT 10
Laurence D. Fink* Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the BKT 16,680 (1)
Age: 44 Adviser. Formerly Managing Director of The First BTT 15,777
Class III (**) Boston Corporation, member of its Management BAT 10
Committee, co-head of its Taxable Fixed Income BGT 10
Department, and head of its Mortgage and Real BMN 10
Estate Products Group. Chairman of the Board of BNA 10
each of the Trusts. Trustee, New York University BMT 10
Medical Center, Dwight Englewood School, VIMRx BRM 10
Pharmaceuticals, National Outdoor Leadership BNN 10
School, Innouir Laboratories, Inc. BKT BKN 10
RNJ 10
BCT 10
7
Trust % of
Principal Occupations or Shares Shares
Name and Age Employment in Past 5 Years Owned(*) Outstanding
- ------------ -------------------------- -------- -----------
James Grosfeld Consultant/Investor. Formerly Chairman of the BKT 10 (1)
20500 Civic Center Drive Board and Chief Executive Officer of Pulte Corp- BTT 10
Suite 3000 oration (homebuilding and mortgage banking and BAT 10
Southfield, MI 48076 mortgage banking and finance) (May 1974-April BGT 10
Age: 59 1990). BMN 10
Class I (**) BNA 10
BMT 10
BRM 10
BNN 10
BKN 10
BCT 10
James Clayburn LaForce, Jr. Dean Emeritus of The John E. Anderson Graduate BKT 10 (1)
P.O. Box 1595 School of Management, University of California BTT 10
Pauma Valley, CA 92061 since July 1, 1993. Director, Eli Lilly and BAT 10
Age: 68 Company (pharmaceuticals), Imperial Credit BGT 10
Class I (**) Industries (mortgage banking), Jacobs BMN 10
Engineering Group, Inc., Rockwell International BNA 10
Corporation, Payden & Rygel Investment Trust BMT 10
(mutual fund), Provident Investment Counsel BRM 10
Funds (investment companies), Timken Company BFC 10
(roller bearing and steel). Acting Dean of The BNN 10
School of Business, Hong Kong University of RAA 10
Science and Technology 1990-1993. From 1978 to BCT 10
September 1993, Dean of The John E. Anderson
Graduate School of Management, University of
California.
Walter F. Mondale Partner, Dorsey & Whitney, a law firm (December (1)
220 South Sixth Street 1996-, September 1987-August 1993). Formerly,
Minneapolis, MN 55402 U.S. Ambassador to Japan (1993-1996). Formerly
Age: 69 Vice President of the United States, U.S.
Class II (**) Senator and Attorney General of the State of
Minnesota. 1984 Democratic Nominee for President
of the United States.
8
Trust % of
Principal Occupations or Shares Shares
Name and Age Employment in Past 5 Years Owned(*) Outstanding
- ------------ -------------------------- -------- -----------
Ralph L. Schlosstein* President of the Adviser. Formerly Managing BKT 6,000 (1)
Age: 46 Director of Lehman Brothers and co-head of its BNA 1,500
Class II (**) Mortgage and Savings Institutions Group. BTT 1,000
President of each of the Trusts. Trustee Denison BAT 100
University, Director of the Fund for New York BGT 100
City Public Education, Member Visiting Board of BNN 100
Overseers of the John F. Kennedy School of BMT 100
Government at Harvard University, Member Board BRM 100
of Children's Television Workshop, Member Board BLN 100
of Pulte Home Corporation. BNN 100
BKN 100
RNY 100
BCT 100
- -----------
(1) Less than 1%.
(*) If the Trust is not listed the Director does not own any shares of the
Trust.
(**) Except for Mr. Mondale, who is being elected as a Class II Director by
all the Trusts, only Class III Directors are being elected by BAT, BGT, BCT,
RAA, RFA, RNJ and RNY, only Class I Directors are being elected by BNN, BTT,
BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF and BKN and only Class II Directors are being elected by BMN,
BMT, BKT and BNA.
All Directors and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of
each of the Trusts as of February 28, 1997. Each Trust has an executive
committee composed of Messrs. Fink and Schlosstein.
None of the Trusts has a compensation or nominating committee of the Board
of Directors, or committees performing similar functions. Each of the Trusts has
an audit committee composed of all the Directors who are not interested persons
of such Trust or the Adviser (the "Independent Directors") which is charged with
recommending a firm of independent accountants to its respective Trust and
reviewing accounting matters with the accountants. With respect to BNN, BTT,
BAT, BGT, BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BMN and BMT, there was one meeting of the audit
committee held between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996. With respect to
BKT, BNA, BCT, BKN, RAA, RNJ, RNY and RFA, there were two meetings of the audit
committee held between November 1, 1995 and October 31, 1996. With respect to
each of the Trusts, all members except for Mr. Grosfeld attended at least 75% of
the meetings.
Seven meetings of the Board of Directors of BGT were held between January 1,
1996 and December 31, 1996. Six meetings of the Boards of Directors of BCT, RAA
and BNA were held between November 1, 1995 and October 31, 1996. Six meetings of
the Boards of Directors of BTT, BAT, BNN, BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BMN and BMT were
held between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1996. Five meetings of the Boards
of Directors of BKT, BKN, RFA, RNJ and RNY were held between November 1, 1995
and October 31, 1996. With respect to each of the Trusts, all Directors except
for Mr. Grosfeld attended at least 75% of the meetings.
In addition to Messrs. Fink and Schlosstein all the following executive
officers, except Messrs. Amero and Klingert, hold the same position with each of
the Trusts and have done so since that Trust's
9
commencement of operations (unless otherwise indicated). With respect to Mr.
Amero of the Trusts, he is an officer of BCT, BNN, BTT, BAT, BGT, BKT and BNA
only. With respect to Mr. Klingert, of the Trusts, he is an officer of BRM, BLN,
BFC, BRF, BKN, BMN, RAA, RFA, RNJ, RNY and BMT only.
Name and Age Title Other Principal Occupations in Past 5 Years
- ------------ ----- -------------------------------------------
Scott Amero Vice President Managing Director of the Adviser since February 1995.
Age: 33 From 1985 to 1990 Vice President at The First Boston
Corporation in the Fixed Income Research Department.
Keith T. Anderson Vice President Managing Director of the Adviser. From February 1987
Age: 37 to April 1988 Vice President at The First Boston
Corporation in the Fixed Income Research Department.
Previously Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager
at Criterion Investment Management Company.
Michael C. Huebsch Vice President Managing Director of the Adviser. From July 1985 to
Age: 38 January 1989 Vice President at The First Boston
Corporation in the Fixed Income Research Department.
Robert S. Kapito Vice President Managing Director and Vice Chairman of the Adviser.
Age: 40 Formerly Vice President at The First Boston
Corporation in the Mortgage Products Group.
Henry Gabbay Treasurer Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the
Age: 49 Adviser. From September 1984 to February 1989 Vice
President at The First Boston Corporation.
Kevin Klingert Vice President Managing Director of the Adviser. From March 1985 to
Age: 34 October 1991 Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith in the Unit Investment Trust
Department.
James Kong Assistant Treasurer Managing Director of the Adviser. From April 1987 to
Age: 36 April 1989 Assistant Vice President at the The First
Boston Corporation in the CMO/ABO Administration
Department. Previously affiliated with Deloitte,
Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche LLP).
10
Name and Age Title Other Principal Occupations in Past 5 Years
- ------------ ----- -------------------------------------------
Karen H. Sabath Secretary Managing Director of the Adviser. From June 1986 to
Age: 31 July 1988 Associate at The First Boston Corporation in
the Mortgage Finance Department. From August 1988 to
December 1992 Associate, Vice President of the Adviser.
Richard Shea, Esq. Vice President/Tax Principal of the Adviser. From December 1988 to
Age: 37 February 1993 Tax Counsel at Prudential Securities,
Inc. From August 1984 to December 1988 Senior Tax
Specialist at Lavanthol & Horwath.
REMUNERATION
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
compensation of the Fund's directors and officers.
Total Compensation
Aggregate Compensation from the Fund Complex
Name of Person and Position from the Trusts Paid to Directors and Officers*
- --------------------------- ---------------------- -------------------------------
Andrew R. Brimmer .................. $124,000 $160,000(21)
Richard E. Cavanagh ................ $124,000 $160,000(21)
Kent Dixon ......................... $124,000 $161,250(22)
Frank J. Fabozzi ................... $124,000 $161,250(22)
James Grosfeld ..................... $ 93,000 $146,658(26)
James Claybourne LaForce, Jr. ...... $124,000 $160,000(21)
<FN>
- ----------
*Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the calendar year
ended December 31, 1996 by investment companies (including the Trust) from which
such person receives compensation that are considered part of the same fund
complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment advisers.
The number in parentheses represents the number of such investment companies.
</FN>
The attendance fees of each Independent Director of the Trusts are reduced
proportionately, based on each respective Trust's net assets, so that the
aggregate per meeting fee for all meetings of the Trusts held on a single day
does not exceed $20,000 for any Director. The $6,000 per annum fee for serving
on each Board is also reduced proportionately, based on each respective Trust's
net assets. For BNN, BTT, BAT, BGT, BRM, BLN, BFC, BRF, BMN and BMT fees of
$37,607, $69,000, $17,031, $69,000, $69,000, $33,149, $29,505, $25,304, $69,000
and $54,771, respectively, were accrued by each Trust from January 1, 1996 to
December 31, 1996. For BCT, RAA, RFA, RNJ, RNY, BKN, BKT and BNA fees of
$11,250, $11,250, $11,250, $11,250, $11,250, $43,527, $67,000 and $67,500,
respectively, were accrued from November 1, 1995 to October 31, 1996. None of
the Directors received any pension or retirement benefits. None of the ten
officers of the Trusts received any compensation, including pension or
retirement benefits, from the Trusts for such period. Messrs. Fink, Schlosstein,
Amero, Anderson, Huebsch, Kapito, Gabbay, Klingert, Kong, Shea and
11
Ms. Sabath, officers and/or Directors of the Trusts, are also affiliated with
the Adviser. They receive compensation from the Adviser although under the terms
of the investment advisory agreements some portion of their compensation could
be reimbursable by a particular Trust to the extent such person's working time
is devoted to that particular Trust's operations.
The Board of Directors of each Trust recommends that you vote "FOR" the
nominees. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present is necessary
to elect the director nominees.
PROPOSAL NO. 2.
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP ("D&T") has been selected as the independent auditors
by a majority of each of the Trusts' Board of Directors, including a majority of
the Independent Directors, by vote cast in person subject to ratification by the
stockholders at the Meeting to audit the accounts of each of the Trusts for and
during each Trust's fiscal year ending in 1997. In addition, with respect to
BNN, ratification of the selection of D&T as independent auditors for BNN will
cause BNN to ratify the selection of D&T as the independent auditors of its
wholly-owned subsidiary BNNS. None of the Trusts know of any direct or indirect
financial interest of D&T in the Trusts.
Representatives of D&T will attend the Meeting, will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to answer
questions.
The affirmative vote of a simple majority of shares present and voting at
the meeting is required to ratify the selection of D&T.
The Board of Directors of each Trust recommends that you vote "FOR" the
ratification of the selection of independent auditors. An affirmative vote of a
simple majority of the shares present and voting is necessary to ratify the
selection of independent auditors.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
MODIFICATION OF ADVISORY FEE SCHEDULE
FOR BAT, BGT AND BTT
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. acts as investment adviser to each of
BAT, BGT and BTT (the "Term Trusts") pursuant to separate investment advisory
agreements with each Term Trust. As discussed in detail below, you are being
asked to approve a change in the schedule of fees paid to the Adviser. The
proposed fees are competitive relative to other fees prevailing in the industry
and are identical to the fees payable to the Adviser in 1996 and the new
advisory agreements are identical to the advisory agreements that were in place
in 1996 except for the proposed change to their fee schedules. The form of the
advisory agreement is attached as Appendix A. The Board of Directors of each
Term Trust recommends that you vote "FOR" this proposal.
The Adviser has been managing the Term Trusts to seek each Term Trust's
objective of returning $10 per share on or about each Term Trust's termination
date while providing high monthly income. The investment advisory fee schedule
for the Term Trusts was initially determined and predicated on an anticipated
reduction in the level of portfolio management activity and portfolio yield over
the life of the Term Trusts and thus
12
included a scheduled "step-down" in advisory fees. As a result of substantial
and fundamental changes in the Term Trusts' investment strategies, including a
shareholder approved migration from AAA securities, which required no credit
analysis, to investment grade securities, which require both credit and cash
flow analysis, the Adviser projects that the originally anticipated reduction in
investment advisory activity in the Term Trusts has been and will continue to be
replaced instead by at least equal, if not greater, investment advisory
responsibilities which will continue through the remaining term of the Term
Trusts. This increased investment management effort is credited with the
expectation of a higher than otherwise expected dividend over the remaining life
of the Term Trusts and, most importantly, a greater probability of meeting the
trusts' primary investment objective of returning the original offering price to
shareholders while providing a high current income. Accordingly, the Board of
Directors and the Adviser believe that the scheduled step-down in advisory fees
no longer makes sense in light of the increase in the Adviser's management
activities.
This proposal seeks approval from Shareholders, already granted by the Board
of Directors, to eliminate a scheduled reduction in fees payable to the Adviser
(or reinstatement of the recently revised fees in the case of BTT) and NOT to
seek an increase in such advisory fees. The Boards of Directors of the Term
Trusts believe this is appropriate in light of the changes in the way the Term
Trusts are managed and in light of the unanticipated increase in investment
advisory activities provided to the Term Trusts by the Adviser.
As compensation for the services rendered by the Adviser, each current
investment advisory agreement provides that each Term Trust shall pay to the
Adviser a monthly fee which is currently equal to the following annual
percentage of each Term Trust's weekly net investment assets: BAT, .50%, BGT,
.45% and BTT, .30%. Pursuant to each investment advisory agreement's current
advisory fee step-down schedule, the investment advisory fees for BTT were
automatically stepped-down on December 31, 1996 from .45% to .30%. With respect
to BGT and BAT, their current advisory fees of .45% and .50%, respectively, are
scheduled to step-down to .30% and .40% on December 31, 1998 and December 31,
2000, respectively.
The Adviser has requested, and the Board of Directors has approved as being
in the best interests of Shareholders, subject to Shareholder approval, amending
each Term Trust's current investment advisory agreement so that, with respect to
BGT and BAT, their current respective fees of .45%, and .50% would be continued
until each such Term Trust's termination date with no step-downs and, with
respect to BTT, the previous level of investment advisory fees of .45% would be
reinstated from April 15, 1997 to termination and a one-time payment from BTT to
the Adviser would be made of $404,371 on the effective date of the new
agreement. This payment from BTT equals the product of (i) the differential
between its December 31, 1996 fees and the fees currently in effect as a result
of the step-down, times (ii) its net assets on December 31, 1996 times .288,
which represents the part of the year between January 1, 1997 and April 15,
1997. It is this continuation of the fees prevailing in 1996 and the elimination
of step-downs that the Board of Directors is asking Shareholders to consider and
approve.
As the analysis below illustrates, the Boards of Directors of the Term
Trusts believe that the proposed fee schedules are appropriate by the level of
investment advisory activity of the Adviser and particularly because of their
fair level relative to other funds investing in similar securities.
Background
The first finite term closed-end fund managed by the Adviser was issued in
November 1988 and was followed with 7 additional taxable term trusts issued
through 1993, each with the primary investment
13
objective of paying high income and returning the original offering price at the
end of its respective term. As initially contemplated, the portfolio management
strategy for the first series of term trusts anticipated more than one
investment phase: (i) the earlier stages of a trust's term with active
management among all mortgage and Treasury sectors and (ii) the latter stages of
a trust's term with a more passive management style as primarily AAA securities
with defined cash flows, including zero coupon bonds and Treasury securities,
were intended to grow to the trust's maturity value. Advisory fee structures
were set reflecting this investment management plan and, accordingly, were set
to decline over the latter stages of a term, parallel to the anticipated
reduction in the level of portfolio management activity and relative portfolio
yield.
Since the first term trust, the original investment strategy has evolved to
reflect changes in the market. Originally, the first term trust portfolios were
required, in varying degrees, to invest in a sufficient amount of AAA securities
with defined cash flows, including zero coupon bonds and Treasury securities,
such that their maturing value would be at least equal to the terminal target
value of the trust. The most recent and most fundamental change to investment
strategy was approved in May 1995 when shareholders granted the Adviser
authority to buy investment grade bonds for certain trusts, specifically for
BBT, BNN, BTT, BLK, BGT and BAT. This change in investment guidelines, however,
has given the Adviser more flexibility with respect to the selection of
securities with well defined cash flows as each Term Trust approaches
termination and has had the effect of strengthening the Term Trusts' ability to
achieve their respective investment objectives.
Credit and Risk Management
The Term Trusts originally envisioned investing solely in AAA securities,
including zero coupon bonds and Treasury securities. In varying degrees, it was
anticipated that their investment style would evolve over time from an
aggressively and actively managed portfolio to a nearly totally passively
managed portfolio as the proportion of assets in AAA securities with defined
cash flows, including zero coupon bonds and Treasury securities, increased to
nearly 100% at each such trust's termination date.
Prior to 1995 when BBT, BNN, BTT, BLK, BGT and BAT received authority from
shareholders to invest in securities with BBB or greater ratings, those trusts
could only invest in AAA or government securities. This expanded investment
authority has permitted the trusts to respond to changing capital market
conditions as well as to reduce their cash flow risk as the Term Trusts come
closer to their termination date by expanding the types of securities they can
purchase that are higher yielding than certain AAA securities. This authority
has to date produced positive results for the shareholders in a period of low
and declining interest rates and, at the same time, has resulted in a material
change in the investment strategy originally envisioned when the Term Trusts
were created. Indeed, the proportion of non-AAA assets in the Term Trusts
continues to grow dramatically. Accordingly, the Adviser has had to
significantly increase its monitoring of credit, risk and portfolio capabilities
as a result of these expanded investment guidelines. These investment
responsibilities and effort were not anticipated in the original fee schedules.
Competitive Analysis
The proposed advisory fees for the Term Trusts are competitive relative to
their respective peer groups and are below the average for both the U.S.
Mortgage Term Trust category and the Investment Grade Bond Fund category in the
following table. The table provides a summary of the proposed fees for the Term
Trusts and the average current fees applicable to funds in each of those two
categories.
14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avg. Avg.
U.S. Mortgage Investment Grade
Trust BAT BGT BTT Term Trust2 Bond Fund3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisory Fee1 .50% .45% .45% .65% .56%
Total Expense Ratio4 .91% .74% .73% .91% .82%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Proposed advisory fees shown as a percentage of total net assets.
2 This category is comprised of the total number (32) of U.S. Mortgage Term
Trusts tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
3 This category is comprised of the total number (16) of Investment Grade
Bond Funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
4 Aggregate proposed fees applicable to the funds, inclusive of advisory,
administration and other operating expenses.
As the above table highlights, even with the maintenance of the fees
prevailing in 1996, the Adviser's investment advisory fees generally would be
below the levels of other funds in their peer groups. The Boards of Directors of
the Term Trusts believe that the proposed fees are not only justified by the
level of investment advisory activity by the Adviser, but are also fair relative
to the fees prevailing in the industry.
The following required table illustrates fees payable to the Adviser by
other trusts the Adviser manages having similar investment objectives to the
Term Trusts and also states the size of such other trusts:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust BNN BQT BLK BBT3 BCT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisory Fee1 .40% .60% .40% .30% .55%
Net Assets2 $206,004,373 $334,778,985 $1,265,055,428 $578,141,377 $39,758,630
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 As of April 15, 1997.
2 As of December 31, 1996.
3 The shareholders of BBT are being asked to approve a proposal to restore its
current advisory fees to their December 31, 1996 level of .40%.
The Current and Proposed Fee Schedules
The Boards of Directors of the Term Trusts recommend that the Shareholders
approve new advisory agreements between each Term Trust and the Adviser so as,
with respect to BGT and BAT, to eliminate the scheduled future reduction in
advisory fees and, with respect to BTT, to restore the advisory fees to those in
effect on December 31, 1996 and for BTT to make a one-time cash payment to the
Adviser in an amount equal to the fees that would have been paid from January 1,
1997 to April 15, 1997 had there been no step-down.
The following tables illustrate the current and proposed fee schedules:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Scheduled Scheduled Fees Proposed Proposed Cash
Advisory Step- After Step-Down Advisory Fees Payment to the
Trust Fees1 Down Date Adviser2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BTT .30% n/a .30% .45% $404,371
BGT .45% 12/31/98 .30% .45% n/a
BAT .50% 12/31/00 .40% .50% n/a
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Current Advisory Fees represent those in effect on April 15, 1997.
Accordingly, the fees for BTT were reduced on December 31, 1996 from its
then current fees of .45% to its current fees of .30%.
2 This amount is equal to the product of (i) the differential between the
December 31, 1996 fees of .45% for BTT and the fees currently in effect as a
result of the step-down, times (ii) its respective net assets on December
31, 1996 times .288, which represents the part of the year between January
1, 1997 and April 15, 1997.
The required table below shows the current fee arrangements applicable to
each of the Term Trusts and illustrates the pro forma effect on fees that the
proposed fee schedule would have had on fees payable by each
15
Trust during each Trust's last fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 if the
proposed fees were then in effect instead of the now current fees.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Operating Expenses Management Other Operat- Total Annual
(as a percentage of net assets) Fees ing Expenses1 Expenses1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BTT Current .30% .28% .58%
Pro Forma .45% .28% .73%
BGT Current .45% .29% .74%
Pro Forma .45% .29% .74%
BAT Current .50% .41% .91%
Pro Forma .50% .41% .91%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Actual amounts may be greater or less than those shown. There is no assurance
that the Term Trusts' actual expenses will be greater or less than their current
actual expense.
EXAMPLE
The following required example shows what you would pay on a $1,000 investment
over various time periods, assuming a 5% annual rate of return. This example is
based upon the Pro Forma expenses for each Trust as listed under "Total Annual
Expenses" above.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust1 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BTT $7 $23 $41 $ 91
BGT $8 $24 $41 $ 92
BAT $9 $29 $50 $112
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses and
actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, a Trust's
actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return
shown in this example. This example assumes that the percentage amounts listed
under "Total Annual Expenses" remain the same in each of the periods.
During the last fiscal year for each fund, BTT, BGT and BAT paid total fees
to the Adviser of $4,237,623, $2,366,077, and $478,360, respectively. Had the
proposed fee schedule been in effect for such period, the Adviser would have
received the same fees, representing a percentage change of zero percent. In
addition, the advisory contracts with the Adviser for BTT, BGT and BAT, each
dated February 28, 1995, were last submitted for a vote of the shareholders on
February 15, 1995 in order to approve new investment advisory agreements for
each Term Trust necessitated by the acquisition of the Adviser by PNC Bank, N.A.
As the above tables illustrate, this proposal does not seek to increase the
fee amounts payable to the Adviser from each Term Trust's last fiscal year.
Rather, it seeks, with respect to BGT and BAT, to eliminate a scheduled future
reduction in advisory fees and, with respect to BTT, to restore the advisory
fees to the level before the scheduled reduction took place on December 31,
1996, because the scheduled reduction is no longer appropriate in light of the
changes in the way that the Term Trusts are managed and the changes in
objectives, policies and market conditions.
Summary
In summary, in light of these changes in objectives, policies and market
conditions, the Adviser's scope of management activities and personnel committed
to the Term Trusts has expanded significantly. As
16
discussed above, to reflect these changes you are being asked to approve a
change in the schedule of fees payable to the Adviser. Such proposed fees are
competitive relative to other fees prevailing in the industry. Accordingly,
because the Adviser's activities have expanded, rather than diminished as
contemplated when the original fee schedules were created, the Boards of
Directors of the Term Trusts recommend amending each Term Trust's current
investment advisory agreement so that, with respect to BGT and BAT, their
current respective fees of .45% and .50% would be continued until each such Term
Trust's termination date with no step-downs and, with respect to BTT, the
previous level of investment advisory fees of .45% would be reinstated from
April 15, 1997 to termination and a one-time payment from BTT to the Adviser
would be made of $404,371 on the effective date of the new agreement. This
payment from BTT equals the product of (i) the differential between its December
31, 1996 fees and the fees currently in effect as a result of the step-down,
times (ii) its net assets on December 31, 1996 times .288, which represents the
part of the year between January 1, 1997 and April 15, 1997.
The Boards of Directors of the Term Trusts unanimously recommend that you
vote "FOR" this proposal to amend the Term Trusts' investment advisory
agreements to remove the scheduled step-down in advisory fees for BGT and BAT
and, with respect to BTT, to restore the fees to the level that existed on
December 31, 1996 and for BTT to compensate the Adviser for the fees it would
have received during the period from January 1, 1997 to April 15, 1997 had there
been no step-down. To pass, this proposal must be approved by the lesser of a
majority of the outstanding shares of each Term Trust or by 67% of the Shares of
each Term Trust voting at the meeting if a quorum is present. We encourage you
to contact BlackRock at (800) 227-7BFM (7236) if you have any questions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Adviser was founded in April 1988 by Laurence D. Fink and Ralph L.
Schlosstein. The Adviser is a subsidiary of PNC Asset Management Group,which is
a division of PNC Bank, the nation's eleventh largest banking organization. The
Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940.
The executive officers of the Adviser are:
Name Position
---- --------
Laurence D. Fink Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ralph L. Schlosstein President
Robert S. Kapito Vice Chairman
Henry Gabbay Chief Operating Officer
Messrs. Fink and Schlosstein are officers and Directors, and Messrs. Gabbay and
Kapito are officers of the Trusts.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Each Trust will furnish, without charge, a copy of such Trust's most recent
Annual Report and the most recent Semi-Annual Report succeeding the Annual
Report, if any, to any stockholder upon request, provided such Annual or
Semi-Annual Report is not enclosed herein. Requests should be directed to 345
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154 (telephone number (800) 227-7BFM(7236)).
17
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
the Stockholders of each of the Trusts must be received by October 15, 1997 to
be included in the proxy statement and the form of proxy relating to that
meeting as the Trust expects that the 1998 Annual Meeting will be held in May of
1998.
OTHER MATTERS
The management knows of no other matters which are to be brought before the
Meeting. However, if any other matters not now known or determined properly come
before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such
matters.
All proxies received will be voted in favor of all the proposals, unless
otherwise directed therein.
Very truly yours,
LAURENCE D. FINK
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
RALPH L. SCHLOSSTEIN
President
March 3, 1997
18
Appendix A
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated , 1997, between (the "Trust"), a
corporation, and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"), a
Delaware corporation.
In consideration of the mutual promises and agreement herein contained and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. In General
The Adviser agrees, all as more fully set forth herein, to act as investment
adviser to the Trust with respect to the investment of the Trust's assets and to
supervise and arrange the purchase of securities for and the sale of securities
held in the investment portfolio of the Trust.
2. Duties and obligations of the Adviser with respect to investments of
assets of the Trust
(a) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section and subject to
the direction and control of the Trust's Board of Directors, the Adviser
shall (i) act as investment adviser for and supervise and manage the
investment and reinvestment of the Trust's assets and in connection
therewith have complete discretion in purchasing and selling securities and
other assets for the Trust and in voting, exercising consents and exercising
all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf
of the Trust; (ii) supervise continuously the investment program of the
Trust and the composition of its investment portfolio; and (iii) arrange,
subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 hereof, for the purchase and sale
of securities and other assets held in the investment portfolio of the
Trust.
(b) In the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Adviser
shall at all times conform to, and act in accordance with, any requirements
imposed by (i) the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Act"), and of any rules or regulations in force thereunder; (ii) any other
applicable provision of law; (iii) the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws of the Trust, as such documents are amended from
time to time; (iv) the investment objective and policies of the Trust as set
forth in its Registration Statement on Form N-2; and (v) any policies and
determinations of the Board of Directors of the Trust.
(c) The Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its partners and
employees and any overhead incurred in connection with its duties hereunder
and shall bear the costs of any salaries or directors fees of any officers
or directors of the Trust who are affiliated persons (as defined in the Act)
of the Adviser except that the Board of Directors of the Trust may approve
reimbursement to the Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries,
bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment
costs for the time spent on Trust operations (other than the provisions of
investment advice) of all personnel employed by the Adviser who devote
substantial time to Trust operations or the operations of other investment
companies advised by the Adviser.
(d) The Adviser shall give the Trust the benefit of its best judgment and
effort in rendering services hereunder, but the Adviser shall not be liable
for any act or omission or for any loss sustained by the Trust in connection
with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting
from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement.
(e) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Adviser or any partner,
officer, employee or other affiliate thereof from acting as investment
adviser for any other person, firm or corporation, or from engaging in any
other
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lawful activity, and shall not in any way limit or restrict the
Adviser or any of its partners, officers, employees or agents from buying,
selling or trading any securities for its or their own accounts or for the
accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided, however that
the Adviser will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will
adversely affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
3. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
The Adviser is authorized, for the purchase and sale of the Trust's
portfolio securities, to employ such securities dealers as may, in the judgment
of the Adviser, implement the policy of the Trust to obtain the best net results
taking into account such factors as price, including dealer spread, the size,
type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm's general execution
and operational facilities and the firm's risk in positioning the securities
involved. Consistent with this policy, the Adviser is authorized to direct the
execution of the Trust's portfolio transactions to dealers and brokers
furnishing statistical information or research deemed by the Adviser to the
useful or valuable to the performance of its investment advisory functions for
the Trust.
4. Compensation of the Adviser
(a) The Trust agrees to pay to the Adviser and the Adviser agrees to
accept as full compensation for all services rendered by the Adviser as
such, a fee computed and payable monthly in an amount equal to [BAT: .50%,
BGT: .45%, BTT: .45%] of the Trust's average weekly net asset value on an
annualized basis until termination of the Trust pursuant to its Articles of
Incorporation. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement
is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which
such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may
be.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the net assets of the Trust shall be
calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the
Directors of the Trust for calculating the net asset value of the Trust's
shares or delegating such calculations to third parties.
5. Indemnity
(a) The Trust hereby agrees to indemnify the Adviser and each of the
Adviser's partners, officers, employees, agents, associates and controlling
persons and the partners, officers, employees and agents thereof (including
any individual who serves at the Advisers request as director, officer,
partner, trustee or the like of another corporation) (each such person being
an "indemnitee") against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts
paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties,
and counsel fees (all as provided in accordance with applicable corporate
law) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense
or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or
criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which
he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which he
may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth
above in this Section 5 or thereafter by reason of his having acted in any
such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have
been adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that his action was in the best interest of the Trust and furthermore, in
the case of any criminal proceeding, so long as he had no reasonable cause
to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that (1) no
indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to the Trust
or its shareholders or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of
(i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence or (iv)
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his position
(the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes
referred to herein as "disabling conduct"), (2) as to any matter disposed of
by settlement or a compromise payment by such indemnitee, pursuant to a
consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said
A-2
payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless there has been
a determination that such settlement or compromise is in the best interests
of the Trust and that such indemnitee appears to have acted in good faith in
the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust
and did not involve disabling conduct by such indemnitee and (3) with
respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by
any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the
prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was
authorized by a majority of the full Board of the Trust.
(b) The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses
of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be
sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation of the
indemnitee's good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the
Trust unless it is subsequently determined that he is entitled to such
indemnification and if the directors of the Trust determine that the facts
then known to them would not preclude indemnification. In addition, at least
one of the following conditions must be met: (A) the indemnitee shall
provide a security for his undertaking, (B) the Trust shall be insured
against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (C) a majority
of a quorum consisting of directors of the Trust who are neither "interested
persons" of the Trust (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act) nor
parties to the proceeding ("Disinterested Non-Party Directors") or an
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a
review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry),
that there is reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
(c) All determinations with respect to indemnification hereunder shall be
made (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before
whom the proceeding was brought that such indemnitee is not liable by reason
of disabling conduct or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i) a
majority vote of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-party Directors of the
Trust, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable or even, if obtainable, if
a majority vote of such quorum so directs, independent legal counsel in a
written opinion. All determinations that advance payments in connection with
the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized shall be made in
accordance with the immediately preceding clause (2) above.
The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not
exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.
6. Duration and Termination
This Agreement shall become effective on the date it is approved by the
stockholder of the Trust and shall continue in effect for a period of two years
and thereafter from year to year, but only so long as such continuation is
specifically approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of
the Act.
This Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser at any time without penalty
upon giving the Trust sixty days written notice (which notice may be waived by
the Trust) and may be terminated by the Trust at any time without penalty upon
giving the Adviser sixty days notice (which notice may be waived by the
Adviser), provided that such termination by the Trust shall be directed or
approved by the vote of a majority of the Directors of the Trust in office at
the time or by the vote of the holders of a "majority" (as defined in the Act)
of the voting securities of the Trust at the time outstanding and entitled to
vote. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as "assignment" is defined in the Act).
7. Notices
Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at
such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt
of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date
actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is
mailed first class postage pre-paid.
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8. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New York for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to
choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Act.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument
to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and the year
first above written.
THE BLACKROCK TRUSTS
By_______________________________________
Ralph L. Schlosstein,
President
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By_______________________________________
Laurence D. Fink,
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
A-4
PROXY
The BlackRock
North American Government Income Trust Inc.
Common Stock
This Proxy Is Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints Karen H. Sabath, Robert S. Kapito and Henry
Gabbay as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse hereof,
all the shares of common stock of The BlackRock North American Government Income
Trust Inc. (the "Trust") held of record by the undersigned on February 28, 1997
at the Annual Meeting of stockholders of the Trust to be held on April 15, 1997
or any adjournments therof.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be
voted For Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
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Please mark boxes in blue or black ink. Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly
using the Enclosed Postage Paid Envelope.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Left Col.
[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The BlackRock
North American Government Income Trust Inc.
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Common Stock
--------------------------
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy. Date
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- ----Shareholder sign here------------------------Co-owner sign here-------------
Right Col.
With- For All
For hold Execpt
1.) Election of Directors. [ ] [ ] [ ]
Frank J. Fabozzi, Ralph L. Schlosstein and Walter F. Mondale
Instruction: To withhold authority for any individual nominee, mark the "For
All Except" box and strike a line through the nominee's name in the list
above.
For Against Abstain
2.) To consider and act upon [ ] [ ] [ ]
the ratification of the
selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP, as auditors of
the Trust for the Trust's
fiscal year ended October
31, 1997.
For Against Abstain
3.) To transact such other [ ] [ ] [ ]
business as may properly
come before the meeting or
any adjournments thereof.
Mark box at right if comments or address change have [ ]
been noted on the reverse side of this card.
RECORD DATE SHARES: