0001174947-21-000301.txt : 20210325 0001174947-21-000301.hdr.sgml : 20210325 20210325163245 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001174947-21-000301 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20201231 0001040240 0001040240 FILED AS OF DATE: 20210325 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20210325 ABS ASSET CLASS: Debt Securities FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR INC PREFERREDPLUS TRUST SER CZN 1 CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001157987 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES [6189] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-16669 FILM NUMBER: 21772818 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER STREET 2: NORTH TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER STREET 2: NORTH TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281 10-K 1 form10k-25693_czn1.htm 10-K
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
     
For the fiscal year ended:   Commission file number:
December 31, 2020   001-16669
MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR, INC.
(ON BEHALF OF PREFERREDPLUS TRUST SERIES CZN-1)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
DELAWARE
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
  13-3891329
(I. R. S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
ONE BRYANT PARK, 4th FL
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
(Address of principal
executive offices)
  10036
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 855-6745
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Not Applicable.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Not Applicable.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes  o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o       Accelerated filer o       Non-accelerated filer þ       Smaller reporting company o     Emerging growth company o

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o No þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
Not Applicable.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding for each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Not Applicable.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
For information with respect to the underlying securities held by PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1, please refer to Frontier Communications Corporation’s (Commission file number 001-11001) periodic reports, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and other information on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You can read and copy these reports and other information at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1580, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of this material for a fee by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also access some of this information electronically by means of the SEC’s website on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that the underlying securities issuer has filed electronically with the SEC.
Although we have no reason to believe the information concerning the underlying securities or the underlying securities issuer contained in the underlying securities issuer’s Exchange Act reports is not reliable, neither the depositor nor the trustee participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the information provided therein. No investigation with respect to the underlying securities issuer (including, without limitation, no investigation as to its financial condition or creditworthiness) or of the underlying securities has been made. You should obtain and evaluate the same information concerning the underlying securities issuer as you would obtain and evaluate if your investment were directly in the underlying securities or in other securities issued by the underlying securities issuer. There can be no assurance that events affecting the underlying securities or the underlying securities issuer have not occurred or have not yet been publicly disclosed which would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above.
 
 

 


 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. RESERVED

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

SIGNATURES

EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION

EX-99.1: TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

EX-99.2: REPORT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

EX-99.3: REPORT OF KPMG LLP


 
 
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Not Applicable.

2


 
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES ISSUER HAS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. NO FURTHER PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE ON THE TRUST CERTIFICATES.

On April 14, 2020, Frontier Communications Corporation, the issuer of the Underlying Securities, and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed a Chapter 11 voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. This filing resulted in an acceleration of the Underlying Securities. As a result of such event, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee for the Trust was directed under Section 3.04 of the Standard Terms and the definition of Distribution Election under the Series Supplement to distribute the principal amount of Underlying Securities pro rata to the Certificateholders. On May 11, 2020, the Trustee began making distributions of the Underlying Securities upon presentation of the Certificates for cancellation. The Trust will terminate following the distribution of all Underlying Securities. As of this date, the distributions are still ongoing and the Trust has not yet been terminated. For more information regarding this matter or for how to surrender your Certificates, please see:

· Current report on Form 8-K filed by the Depositor with the SEC on April 1, 2020
· Current report on Form 8-K filed by the Depositor with the SEC on April 17, 2020
· Current report on Form 8-K filed by the Depositor with the SEC on May 7, 2020
· Notification filed by New York Stock Exchange LLC on Form 25 with the SEC to report the removal of the Trust Certificates from listing on May 15, 2020

3


 
 
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
None.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4. RESERVED
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Trust Certificates issued by PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 are represented by one or more physical certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the Depository Trust Company.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not Applicable.

4


 
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Not Applicable.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Registrant has procedures so as to provide reasonable assurance that its future Exchange Act filings will be filed within the applicable time periods.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Not Applicable.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Not Applicable.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
  (a)   Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans: None.
 
  (b)   Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners: None.
 
  (c)   Security Ownership Of Management: Not Applicable.
 
  (d)   Changes In Control: None.

5


 
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
None.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Not Applicable.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements: Not Applicable.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules: Not Applicable.
(a)(3) List of Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of, and incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
  4.1.   For a description of the securities of the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1, see Prospectus Supplement (To Prospectus dated September 9, 1999) dated as of August 24, 2001 filed by the Depositor with the SEC on August 28, 2001 and incorporated here by reference.
       
  31.1.   Certification of the President of Registrant dated March 25, 2021, pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
 
  99.1.   Trustee’s Annual Compliance Certificate dated February 18, 2021.
 
  99.2.   Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Accountants, dated March 15, 2021, Registrant’s Assertion on Compliance with PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards dated March 15, 2021 and PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards.
 
  99.3.   Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, dated March 4, 2021, The Bank of New York Mellon’s Assertion on Compliance with PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards dated March 4, 2021 and PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards.
       
  99.4   Press release issued by The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee for the Trust regarding the bankruptcy filing by Frontier Communications Corporation (the “Underlying Securities Issuer”) and the termination of the Trust, filed by the Depositor with the SEC on Form 8-K on May 7, 2020 and incorporated here by reference.
(b) Exhibits
The Registrant hereby files as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K the exhibits listed in Item 15(a)(3) set forth above.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
Not Applicable.

6


 
 
SIGNATURES
          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR, INC.
 
 
Date: March 25, 2021 By:   /s/ Matthew J. Nelson  
    Name:   Matthew J. Nelson  
    Title:   President  

 


EX-31.1 2 c25693ex31_1.htm EX-31.1
         
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, Matthew J. Nelson, certify that:
     1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K, and all reports on Form 8-K containing distribution or servicing reports filed in respect of periods included in the year covered by this annual report, of Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc., on behalf of PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1;
     2. Based on my knowledge, the information in these reports, taken as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading as of the last day of the period covered by this annual report;
     3. Based on my knowledge, the distribution or servicing information required to be provided to the depositor by the trustee under the pooling and servicing, or similar, agreement, for inclusion in these reports is included in these reports;
     4. I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the depositor and the trustee under the pooling and servicing, or similar, agreement and based upon my knowledge and the annual compliance review required under that agreement, and except as disclosed in the reports, the depositor and trustee have each fulfilled its obligations under that agreement; and
     5. The reports disclose all significant deficiencies relating to the compliance by the depositor or trustee with the minimum servicing or similar standards based upon the report provided by an independent public accountant, after conducting a review in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage Bankers or similar procedure, as set forth in the pooling or servicing, or similar, agreement, that is included in these reports.
In giving the certifications above, I have reasonably relied on information provided to me by the following unaffiliated parties: The Bank of New York Mellon and its officers and agents.
         
     
Date: March 25, 2021 /s/ Matthew J. Nelson  
  Matthew J. Nelson  
  President  

 


EX-99.1 3 c25693ex99_1.htm EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

Officer’s Certificate

February 18, 2021

MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR, INC.
One Bryant Park
4th Floor – Structured Credit Trading
New York, New York 10036

PREFERREDPLUS, PPLUS TRUST AND INDEXPLUS CERTIFICATE

The undersigned, Terrence White, Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly The Bank of New York), a New York corporation (the “Trustee”), hereby certifies in such capacity that, based on his knowledge, the Trustee has complied, in all material respects, with all conditions and covenants applicable to the Trustee under the Standard Terms for Trust Agreements dated February 20, 1998 between Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc. as depositor (the “Depositor”) and the Trustee, as successor to United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee and securities intermediary (the “Securities Intermediary”), in each case as amended by a series supplement between the Depositor, the Trustee and the Securities Intermediary for each trust series listed in the attached schedule.

    Very truly yours,
   
 

The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly
The Bank of New York), as Trustee

   
 

By: /s/ Terrence White


  Name: Terrence White
Title: Vice President


 

   

 
 

SCHEDULE

PPLUS Trust Series GSC-2
PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1
INDEXPLUS Trust Series 2003-1


   

EX-99.2 4 c25693ex99_2.htm EX-99.2

EXHIBIT 99.2
[PricewaterhouseCoopers Letterhead]

Report of Independent Accountants

 

To the Board of Directors and Management of Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc.:

 

We have examined the accompanying management assertion of Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc. (the “Company”), that the Company complied with the PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 as set forth in Appendix I as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company’s management is responsible for its assertion. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management's assertion about the Company’s compliance with the specified requirements based on our examination.

 

Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those standards require that we plan and perform the examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether management's assertion about compliance with the specified requirements is fairly stated, in all material respects. An examination involves performing procedures to obtain evidence about whether management’s assertion is fairly stated, in all material respects. The nature, timing and extent of the procedures selected depend on our judgment, including an assessment of the risks of material misstatement of management’s assertion, whether due to fraud or error. We believe that the evidence we obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Our examination does not provide a legal determination on the Company’s compliance with the specified requirements.

 

In our opinion, management’s assertion that the Company complied with the PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards with respect to PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 as set forth in Appendix I as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is fairly stated, in all material respects.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

New York, NY

March 15, 2021

 


 
 
Management’s Assertion on Compliance with PPLUS Minimum
Servicing Standards
March 15, 2021
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc. (the “Company”) has complied, in all material respects, with the Company’s established minimum servicing standards, as set forth in Appendix I, for servicing the securities in each of the Trust Series, as listed on Schedule A hereto, excluding those with respect to the Bank of New York Mellon as Trustee, Custodian, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent.
         
   
  By:   /s/ Matthew J. Nelson
    Matthew J. Nelson
    President
Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc. 
 
 
***************

 


 
 
SCHEDULE A
PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1
PPLUS Trust Series GSC-2
INDEXPLUS Trust Series 2003-1

 


 
 

Appendix I

 

PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards intended for use

in connection with the Annual Accountants Report ("AAR")

 

Below is Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc.'s ("the Depositor"), Merrill Lynch Structured Credit Derivatives ("SCD") and the Merrill Lynch Credit Derivatives Operations Group ("OG") (collectively Merrill Lynch) minimum servicing standards for the PreferredPlus Program ("PPlus").

The Bank of New York Mellon ("the Bank" or “the Trustee”) acting as Trustee, Custodian, Paying Agent, and Transfer Agent on behalf of the PPlus Program has agreed to comply with all of the following minimum servicing standards. Merrill Lynch has obtained a certification from the Bank that it has complied with these criteria for the period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

MINIMUM Servicing STANDARD Applicable
Servicing STANDARD
Reference Criteria Performed by the Depositor Performed by Bank/Trustee
CUSTODIAL BANK ACCOUNT RECONCILIATIONS
1 The Bank must reconcile all related custodial bank accounts.

  X
The Bank will include the Distribution report as Exhibit 99.1 in the Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC.    X
VERIFICATION OF INCOMING TRUST COLLATERAL INTEREST PAYMENTS
2 The Bank must have a tickler system in place so that they will be expecting and monitoring the custodial bank account for receipt of the collateral coupon interest.  Each of the tickler systems shall be updated on an on-going basis as each new trust series is created.   X
The Bank will ensure all interest payments are deposited into the custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts on the day the Bank is in receipt of the funds.   X
The Bank must prove the arithmetic accuracy of the amount of interest received by the Trust from the underlying securities and ensure that the face amount, description, coupon rate, and maturity date of the securities held in the Trust agree to the PPM Supplement   X

 

1
 

MINIMUM Servicing STANDARD Applicable
Servicing STANDARD
Reference Criteria Performed by the Depositor Performed by Bank/Trustee

TRUST DISBURSEMENTS
3 The Bank must prove the arithmetic accuracy of the amount of interest to be paid by the Trust to the Debt Unit holders by referring to the PPM Supplement.   X
The Bank will make all disbursements via wire transfer to The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") on the scheduled trust distribution date as soon as the amount of interest received from the underlying collateral into the custodial bank account has been received and verified for accuracy.   X
PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS
4 If there is a partial redemption of the trust certificates the Bank and the Depositor must ensure that the redemption proceeds received by the Trust and distributed by the Bank are in accordance with the series supplement. X X
DEFAULTS
5 If the Bank has actual knowledge of an event of default on the underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the Bank must distribute a formal notice of default to the Depositor, the certificateholders, the rating agencies and SCD/OG.   X
If the Bank has actual knowledge of an event of default on the underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the procedures for a vote or consent of the certificateholders as set forth in the Standard Terms and series Supplement must be complied with.   X
CALL WARRANT EXERCISES AND OPTIONAL EXCHANGES
6 If there is an exercise of call warrants or an optional exchange of trust certificates for underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the Bank must give the Depositor and the affected certificateholders notice of any exercise of call warrants or optional exchange.  Such notice must contain the amount of certificates to be purchased, the call price, and any other relevant information.   X

 

2
 

MINIMUM Servicing STANDARD Applicable
Servicing STANDARD
Reference Criteria Performed by the Depositor Performed by Bank/Trustee
  If there is an exercise of call warrants or an optional exchange of trust certificates for underlying securities that did not cause the trust to liquidate, the Bank must notify the rating agencies of the call exercise or optional exchange.   X
  If there is an exercise of call warrants or an optional exchange of trust certificates for underlying securities that did not cause the trust to liquidate, the Bank must give notice of exercise or optional exchange to the Depositor and certificate registrar of any certificates that were called.   X
COMMUNICATIONS WITH CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
7

If there was any occasion for the exercise of voting rights or giving consents by the certificateholders, the Bank must provide notice to the certificateholders within 5 business days of the Trust's receipt of notice of the occasion and the Bank must vote or give consents as directed by certificateholders.

  X
3

 

EX-99.3 5 c25693ex99_3.htm EX-99.3
EXHIBIT 99.3
[KPMG LLP Letterhead]

Independent Accountants’ Report

The Board of Directors
The Bank of New York Mellon:

We have examined the accompanying Management Assertion from The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Bank”) that the Bank complied with the PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards (“Servicing Standards”) for the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. With respect to Servicing Standards 3, 4, 6 and 7, the Management Assertion indicates that there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction. With respect to Servicing Standard 1, the Management Assertion indicates that there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction for the following portion of Servicing Standard 1: “The Bank will include the Distribution report as Exhibit 99.1 in the Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC.” With respect to Servicing Standard 2, the Management Assertion indicates that there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction for the following portions of Servicing Standard 2: “The Bank will ensure all interest payments are deposited into the custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts on the day the Bank is in receipt of the funds. The Bank must prove the arithmetic accuracy of the amount of interest received by the Trust from the underlying securities and ensure that the face amount, description, coupon rate, and maturity date of the securities held in the Trust agree to the PPM Supplement dated Date XX, 20XX.” With respect to Servicing Standard 5, the Management Assertion indicates that there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction for the following portion of Servicing Standard 5: “If the Bank has actual knowledge of an event of default on the underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the procedures for a vote or consent of the certificateholders as set forth in the Standard Terms and series Supplement must be complied with.” The Management Assertion indicates that there were no occurrences of events that would require the Bank to perform such activities for the Servicing Standards and portions of the Servicing Standards noted above that had no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction. The Bank’s management is responsible for its assertion. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Management Assertion about the Bank’s compliance with the specified requirements based on our examination.

Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those standards require that we plan and perform the examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Management Assertion about compliance with the specified requirements is fairly stated, in all material respects. An examination involves performing procedures to obtain evidence about whether the Management Assertion is fairly stated, in all material respects. The nature, timing, and extent of the procedures selected depend on our judgment, including an assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the Management Assertion, whether due to fraud or error. We believe that the evidence we obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Our examination does not provide a legal determination on the Bank’s compliance with specified requirements.

In our opinion, the Management Assertion that the Bank complied with the aforementioned PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards for the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is fairly stated, in all material respects.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 4, 2021


 
 

MANAGEMENT ASSERTION

The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly The Bank of New York) (the “Bank”) is responsible for complying with the requirements of the PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards (“Servicing Standards”) as they relate to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction. With respect to Servicing Standards 3, 4, 6 and 7, there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction. With respect to Servicing Standard 1, there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction for the following portion of Servicing Standard 1: “The Bank will include the Distribution report as Exhibit 99.l in the Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC.” With respect to Servicing Standard 2, there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction for the following portions of Servicing Standard 2: “The Bank will ensure all interest payments are deposited into the custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts on the day the Bank is in receipt of the funds. The Bank must prove the arithmetic accuracy of the amount of interest received by the Trust from the underlying securities and ensure that the face amount, description, coupon rate, and maturity date of the securities held in the Trust agree to the PPM Supplement dated Date XX, 20XX.” With respect to Servicing Standard 5, there were no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction for the following portion of Servicing Standard 5: “If the Bank has actual knowledge of an event of default on the underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the procedures for a vote or consent of the certificateholders as set forth in the Standard Terms and series Supplement must be complied with.” There were no occurrences of events that would require the Bank to perform such activities for the Servicing Standards and portions of the Servicing Standards noted above that had no activities performed as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to the PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 transaction. The Bank is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with the Servicing Standards. The Bank has performed an evaluation of its compliance with the requirements of the Servicing Standards as it relates to PreferredPLUS Trust Series CZN-1 as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation, the Bank asserts that as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, it has complied with the requirements of the PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards (attached).

/s/ Carlos Lima


The Bank of New York Mellon
Carlos Lima
Chief Operating Officer, Issuer Services

March 4, 2021

 


 
 

Appendix I

 

PPLUS Minimum Servicing Standards intended for use

in connection with the Annual Accountants Report ("AAR")

 

Below is Merrill Lynch Depositor, Inc.'s ("the Depositor"), Merrill Lynch Structured Credit Derivatives ("SCD") and the Merrill Lynch Credit Derivatives Operations Group ("OG") (collectively Merrill Lynch) minimum servicing standards for the PreferredPlus Program ("PPlus").

The Bank of New York Mellon ("the Bank" or “the Trustee”) acting as Trustee, Custodian, Paying Agent, and Transfer Agent on behalf of the PPlus Program has agreed to comply with all of the following minimum servicing standards. Merrill Lynch has obtained a certification from the Bank that it has complied with these criteria for the period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

MINIMUM Servicing STANDARD Applicable
Servicing STANDARD
Reference Criteria Performed by the Depositor Performed by Bank/Trustee
CUSTODIAL BANK ACCOUNT RECONCILIATIONS
1 The Bank must reconcile all related custodial bank accounts.

  X
The Bank will include the Distribution report as Exhibit 99.1 in the Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC.    X
VERIFICATION OF INCOMING TRUST COLLATERAL INTEREST PAYMENTS
2 The Bank must have a tickler system in place so that they will be expecting and monitoring the custodial bank account for receipt of the collateral coupon interest.  Each of the tickler systems shall be updated on an on-going basis as each new trust series is created.   X
The Bank will ensure all interest payments are deposited into the custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts on the day the Bank is in receipt of the funds.   X
The Bank must prove the arithmetic accuracy of the amount of interest received by the Trust from the underlying securities and ensure that the face amount, description, coupon rate, and maturity date of the securities held in the Trust agree to the PPM Supplement dated Date XX, 20XX   X

 

1
 

MINIMUM Servicing STANDARD Applicable
Servicing STANDARD
Reference Criteria Performed by the Depositor Performed by Bank/Trustee

TRUST DISBURSEMENTS
3 The Bank must prove the arithmetic accuracy of the amount of interest to be paid by the Trust to the Debt Unit holders by referring to the PPM Supplement dated Date XX, 20XX.   X
The Bank will make all disbursements via wire transfer to The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") on the scheduled trust distribution date as soon as the amount of interest received from the underlying collateral into the custodial bank account has been received and verified for accuracy.   X
PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS
4 If there is a partial redemption of the trust certificates the Bank and the Depositor must ensure that the redemption proceeds received by the Trust and distributed by the Bank are in accordance with the series supplement. X X
DEFAULTS
5 If the Bank has actual knowledge of an event of default on the underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the Bank must distribute a formal notice of default to the Depositor, the certificateholders, the rating agencies and SCD/OG.   X
If the Bank has actual knowledge of an event of default on the underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the procedures for a vote or consent of the certificateholders as set forth in the Standard Terms and series Supplement must be complied with.   X
CALL WARRANT EXERCISES AND OPTIONAL EXCHANGES
6 If there is an exercise of call warrants or an optional exchange of trust certificates for underlying securities that did not cause the Trust to liquidate, the Bank must give the Depositor and the affected certificateholders notice of any exercise of call warrants or optional exchange.  Such notice must contain the amount of certificates to be purchased, the call price, and any other relevant information.   X

 

2
 

MINIMUM Servicing STANDARD Applicable
Servicing STANDARD
Reference Criteria Performed by the Depositor Performed by Bank/Trustee
  If there is an exercise of call warrants or an optional exchange of trust certificates for underlying securities that did not cause the trust to liquidate, the Bank must notify the rating agencies of the call exercise or optional exchange.   X
  If there is an exercise of call warrants or an optional exchange of trust certificates for underlying securities that did not cause the trust to liquidate, the Bank must give notice of exercise or optional exchange to the Depositor and certificate registrar of any certificates that were called.   X
COMMUNICATIONS WITH CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
7

If there was any occasion for the exercise of voting rights or giving consents by the certificateholders, the Bank must provide notice to the certificateholders within 5 business days of the Trust's receipt of notice of the occasion and the Bank must vote or give consents as directed by certificateholders.

  X
3

 

GRAPHIC 6 mellon.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 mellon.jpg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