0001567619-18-008493.txt : 20181221 0001567619-18-008493.hdr.sgml : 20181221 20181221130417 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001567619-18-008493 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 FILED AS OF DATE: 20181221 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20181221 GROUP MEMBERS: BANC OF AMERICA PREFERRED FUNDING CORP GROUP MEMBERS: BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C. SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001162027 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-81421 FILM NUMBER: 181248669 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN LP STREET 2: 1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10105 BUSINESS PHONE: 2129692124 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN LP STREET 2: 1345 AVE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10105 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ALLIANCE NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20011108 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BANK OF AMERICA CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000070858 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 560906609 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATE CENTER STREET 2: 100 N TRYON ST CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28255 BUSINESS PHONE: 7043868486 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATE CENTER STREET 2: 100 N TRYON ST CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28255 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BANKAMERICA CORP/DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19981022 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NATIONSBANK CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NCNB CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920107 SC 13D/A 1 doc1.htm NONE Schedule 13D


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 01 )*

AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)


VARIABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED

(Title of Class of Securities)


01864U403, 01864U502

(CUSIP Number)


Bank of America Corporation,  Bank of America Corporate Center,  100 N. Tryon Street  Charlotte,  North Carolina  28255 

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)


December 19, 2018

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)



If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.    o

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 


1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
   
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
   
BANK OF AMERICA CORP /DE/
59-0906609
   
   
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)
o
 
(b)
x
   
3
SEC USE ONLY
   
     
   
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
   
WC
   
   
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(e) or 2(f)
 
x
 
   
   
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
Delaware
   
   
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
   
0
   
   
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
   
9,175
   
   
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
   
0
   
   
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
   
9,175
   
   
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
9,175
   
   
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
 
   
   
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
   
100%
   
   
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
HC
   
   
 
 
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
   
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
   
Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation
75-2939570
   
   
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)
o
 
(b)
x
   
3
SEC USE ONLY
   
     
   
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
   
WC
   
   
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(e) or 2(f)
 
o
 
   
   
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
Delaware
   
   
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
   
0
   
   
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
   
7,627
   
   
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
   
0
   
   
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
   
7,627
   
   
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
7,627
   
   
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
 
   
   
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
   
83.13%
   
   
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
CO
   
   
 
 
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
   
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
   
Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C.
56-1970824
   
   
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)
o
 
(b)
x
   
3
SEC USE ONLY
   
     
   
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
   
WC
   
   
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(e) or 2(f)
 
o
 
   
   
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
Delaware
   
   
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
   
0
   
   
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
   
1,548
   
   
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
   
0
   
   
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
   
1,548
   
   
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
1,548
   
   
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
 
   
   
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
   
16.87%
   
   
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
OO
   
   
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Security and Issuer
  
 
 
This Amendment No. 1 (this "Amendment") amends, as set forth below, the statement on Schedule 13D, dated September 1, 2015 and filed with the SEC on September 3, 2015 (the "Original Schedule 13D"), for Bank of America Corporation ("BAC"), Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation ("BAPFC"), and Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C. ("Blue Ridge") (collectively, the "Reporting Persons") with respect to the variable rate munifund term preferred shares ("VMTP Shares") of AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the "Issuer").

This Amendment is being filed as a result of the purchase of VMTP Shares described as the 2018 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (the “2018 VMTP Shares”) of the Issuer (CUSIP No. 01864U502) in the amount of (i) 1,983 shares purchased by BAPFC and (ii) 1,548 shares purchased by Blue Ridge. In addition to the 2018 VMTP Shares, BAPFC holds 5,644 VMTP Shares (CUSIP No. 01864U403).
 
Item 2.
Identity and Background
  
 
 
(a)
Item 2 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by:

(i) deleting Schedule I and Schedule II referenced therein and replacing them with Schedule I and Schedule II included with this Amendment; and

(ii) deleting the paragraphs related to the names and addresses of the Reporting Persons and replacing such paragraphs with the following:

“This Statement is being filed on behalf of each of the following persons (collectively, the "Reporting Persons"):

i. Bank of America Corporation ("BAC");
ii. Banc Of America Preferred Funding Corporation (“BAPFC”); and
iii. Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C (“Blue Ridge”).

This Statement relates to the VMTP Shares that were purchased for the account of BAPFC and Blue Ridge.

 
(b)
The address of the principal business office of BAC is:
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255

The address of the principal business office of BAPFC is:
214 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255

The address of the principal business office of Blue Ridge is:
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036

 
(c)

 
(d)

 
(e)

 
(f)
 
Item 3.
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
  
 
 
Item 3 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

"The Reporting Persons purchased 3,531 variable rate munifund term preferred shares (CUSIP No. 01864U502) from the Issuer (the "Purchase").

The aggregate amount of funds used by the Reporting Persons for the Purchase was approximately $88,275,000. The source of funds was the working capital of the Reporting Persons."
 
Item 4.
Purpose of Transaction
  
 
Item 4 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

"BAPFC and Blue Ridge made the Purchase for investment purposes. BAPFC and Blue Ridge acquired the 2018 VMTP Shares (CUSIP No. 01864U502) pursuant to a VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated December 19, 2018, between the Issuer, BAPFC, and Blue Ridge (the "Purchase Agreement") on their initial issuance for a purchase price of $88,275,000.

The Reporting Persons have not acquired the subject securities with any purpose, or with the effect of, changing or influencing control of the Issuer, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect."

 
(a)

 
(b)

 
(c)

 
(d)

 
(e)

 
(f)

 
(g)

 
(h)

 
(i)

 
(j)
 
Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer
  
 
(a)

 
(b)

 
(c)

 
 
Transaction Date Shares or Units Purchased (Sold) Price Per Share or Unit 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
(d)

 
(e)
 
Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
  
 
 
Item 6 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following at the end of the first paragraph thereof:

"The voting and consent rights on of the 3,531VMTP Shares acquired in the Purchase by BAPFC and Blue Ridge will be treated in the same manner as previously described in this Item 6."
 
Item 7.
Material to Be Filed as Exhibits
  
 
 
Item 7 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by deleting Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 thereto and the insertion of the following exhibits:

"Exhibit Description of Exhibit
99.1 Joint Filing Agreement
99.2 Power of Attorney
99.6 VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated December 19, 2018"
 

Signature
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
 
       
December 21, 2018
By:
/s/ Ronnie Ojera
 
   
Attorney-in-fact
 
       
 
BANC OF AMERICA PREFERRED FUNDING CORP
 
       
December 21, 2018
By:
/s/ Michael Jentis
 
   
Authorized Signatory
 
       
 
BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C
 
       
December 21, 2018
By:
/s/ James W. Brewer
 
   
Director
 
       
 
The original statement shall be signed by each person on whose behalf the statement is filed or his authorized representative. If the statement is signed on behalf of a person by his authorized representative (other than an executive officer or general partner of the filing person), evidence of the representative’s authority to sign on behalf of such person shall be filed with the statement: provided, however, that a power of attorney for this purpose which is already on file with the Commission may be incorporated by reference. The name and any title of each person who signs the statement shall be typed or printed beneath his signature.

Footnotes: 
 
Attention: Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001)
 
 


EX-1.1 2 scheduleI.htm EX-1.1

SCHEDULE I

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF
REPORTING PERSONS

The following sets forth the name and present principal occupation of each executive officer and director of Bank of America Corporation.  The business address of each of the executive officers and directors of Bank of America Corporation is Bank of America Corporate Center, 100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255.

Name
 
Position with Bank of America Corporation
 
Principal Occupation
Brian T. Moynihan
 
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
 
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Bank of America Corporation
Dean C. Athanasia
 
President,  Preferred and Small Business Banking and Co-Head Consumer Banking
 
President, Preferred and Small Business Banking, Co-Head Consumer Banking of Bank of America Corporation
Catherine P. Bessant
 
Chief Operations and Technology Officer
 
Chief Operations and Technology Officer of Bank of America Corporation
Paul M. Donofrio
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Chief Financial Officer of Bank of America Corporation
Geoffrey Greener
 
Chief Risk Officer
 
Chief Risk Officer of Bank of America Corporation
David Leitch
 
Global General Counsel
 
Global General Counsel of Bank of America Corporation
Thomas K. Montag
 
Chief Operating Officer
 
Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America Corporation
Thong M. Nguyen
 
President, Retail Banking and Co-Head, Consumer Banking
 
President, Retail Banking and Co-Head Consumer Banking of Bank of America Corporation
Andrea B. Smith
 
Chief Administrative Officer
 
Chief Administrative Officer of Bank of America Corporation
Sharon L. Allen
 
Director
 
Former Chairman of Deloitte LLP
Susan S. Bies
 
Director
 
Former Member, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Jack O. Bovender, Jr.
 
Lead Independent Director
 
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCA Inc.
Frank P. Bramble, Sr.
 
Director
 
Former Executive Vice Chairman, MBNA Corporation
Pierre de Weck1
 
Director
 
Former Chairman and Global Head of Private Wealth Management, Deutsche Bank AG
Arnold W. Donald
 
Director
 
President and Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc
Linda P. Hudson
 
Director
 
Executive Officer, The Cardea Group, LLC and Former President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.
Monica C. Lozano
 
Director
 
Chief Executive Officer, College Futures Foundation and Former Chairman, US Hispanic Media Inc.
Thomas J. May
 
Director
 
Chairman, Viacom Inc.; Former Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy
Lionel L. Nowell, III
 
Director
 
Former Senior Vice President and Treasurer,  PepsiCo Inc.
Clayton S. Rose
 
Director
 
President of Bowdoin College
Michael D. White
 
Director
 
Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of DIRECTV
Thomas D. Woods2
 
Director
 
Chairman, Hydro One Limited; Former Vice Chairman and Senior Vice President of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
R. David Yost
 
Director
 
Former Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen Corp.
Maria T. Zuber
 
Director
 
Vice President for Research and E.A., Griswold Professor of Geophysics, MIT





1 Mr. de Weck is a citizen of Switzerland.
2 Mr. Woods is a citizen of Canada.

The following sets forth the name and present principal occupation of each executive officer and director of Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation.  The business address of each of the executive officers and directors of Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation is 214 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255.

Name
 
Position with Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation
 
Principal Occupation
John J. Lawlor
 
Director and President
 
Managing Director, Municipal Markets and Public Sector Banking Executive of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
Edward H. Curland
 
Director and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Municipal Markets Executive for Trading of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
Michael I. Jentis
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Head of Sales – Public Finance of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
Mona Payton
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Municipal Markets Executive for Short-Term Trading of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
Edward J. Sisk
 
Director and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Public Finance Executive of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
John B. Sprung
 
Director
 
Corporate Director
David A. Stephens
 
Director and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Executive for Public Finance and Public Sector Credit Products of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association


The following sets forth the name and present principal occupation of each executive officer and director of Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C.  The business address of each of the executive officers and directors of Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C. is One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036.

Name
 
Position with Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C.
 
Principal Occupation
         
Lizbeth N. Applebaum
 
Manager, Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Senior Finance Manager Capital Markets of Bank of America, National Association
Lisle C. Brathwaite
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Compliance Executive of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
George C. Carp
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Capital Markets Finance Executive of Bank of America, National Association
Steve Chaiken
 
Managing Director
 
Associate General Counsel & Managing Director of Bank of America, National Association
Elizabeth Chen
 
Manager & Senior Vice President
 
Senior Vice President, Business Executive-Operations of Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.
Edward H. Curland
 
Manager, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director & President
 
Managing Director, Lead Trading Sector-Desk Manager of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
James J. Fabian
 
Senior Vice President
 
Senior Vice President, Senior Tax Specialist of Bank of America, National Association
Jason R. Hickey
 
Manager and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Global Markets Risk Executive of Bank of America, National Association
Erica R. Klinkowize
 
Manager
 
Managing Director, Initiative Portfolio Executive of Bank of America, National Association
Walter R. Louis
 
Treasurer & Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Senior Asset Liability Manager of Bank of America, National Association
Edward W. McLaren
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Compliance Executive of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Portia J. Poindexter
 
Managing Director
 
Associate General Counsel & Managing Director of Bank of America, National Association
Ana Vazquez
 
Senior Vice President
 
Senior Vice President, Senior Legal Entity Controller of Bank of America, National Association

EX-1.2 3 scheduleII.htm EX-1.2

SCHEDULE II
LITIGATION SCHEDULE

SEC IMG Order 8/20/2018

On August 20, 2018, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") entered into a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under which MLPF&S consented to the entry of an order (the "Order") that finds that MLPF&S willfully violated Sections 206(2) and 206(4) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act") and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder.  The Order finds that MLPF&S failed to disclose that the portfolio manager evaluation process employed in connection with a January 2013 termination recommendation for over fifteen hundred of its retail advisory accounts was exposed to a conflict of interest involving other business interests.  The Order finds that this undisclosed conflict of interest in MLPF&S's decision-making process violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act.  MLPF&S also violated 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 promulgated thereunder.  Solely for the purpose of settling these proceedings, MLPF&S admitted the SEC's jurisdiction and the subject matter of these proceedings and consented to the Order.  The Order requires MLPF&S to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Advisers Act Sections 206(2) and 206(4) and Rule 206(4)-7, be censured, and pay disgorgement of $4,032,871.89, prejudgment interest of $806,981.03, and a civil money penalty in the amount of $4,032,871.89.

SEC ATS Order 6/19/2018

On June 19, 2018, the SEC issued an administrative proceeding against MLPF&S concerning MLPF&S's sustained efforts to hide its practice of routing certain institutional customer orders to other broker-dealers (ELPs), including proprietary trading firms and wholesale market makers, for execution.  MLPF&S configured a number of internal/external trade reporting systems so that institutional customer orders that were executed at ELPs instead appeared to institutional customers to have been executed at MLPF&S.  MLPF&S similarly misreported ELP executions in reports provided to institutional customers and in billing invoices. When responding to institutional customer questionnaires and in other communications, MLPF&S specifically omitted ELPs from lists of venues to which institutional customer orders were routed.  MLPF&S referred to this practice internally as masking.  MLPF&S masked the ELP executions of MLPF&S's direct strategy access institutional customers, typically financial institutions such as asset managers, mutual fund investment advisers, and public pension funds.  As a result, these institutional customers' orders received unwanted executions against entities with which they believed their orders would not interact.  Because of masking, these institutional customers did not know that MLPF&S violated their instructions.  MLPF&S's efforts to mask the correct trading venues, including by altering trade reporting programs, operated as a fraud or deceit upon its institutional customers.  As a result, MLPF&S willfully violated Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act").   MLPF&S was censured and ordered to (i) cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act; and (ii) pay a civil money penalty in the amount of $42,000,000.



SEC Non-Agency RMBS Order 6/12/2018

On June 12, 2018, the SEC issued an administrative proceeding against MLPF&S finding that MLPF&S failed reasonably to supervise MLPF&S personnel so as to prevent and detect violations of antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with MLPF&S's secondary market purchases and sales of certain bonds known as non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS").  The trading took place from June 2009 through December 2012 ("Period") and involved intra-day purchases and sales of RMBS from and to MLPF&S's institutional customers.  During the Period, MLPF&S personnel who purchased and sold RMBS made false or misleading statements, directly and indirectly, to MLPF&S's institutional customers and/or charged MLPF&S's institutional customers undisclosed excessive mark-ups.  By engaging in this conduct, MLPF&S's personnel acted knowingly or recklessly.  MLPF&S had both policies that prohibited false or misleading statements and the means to monitor communications for such statements.  MLPF&S, however, failed reasonably to implement procedures to monitor for the types of false or misleading statements that were the subject of the Order.  MLPF&S also had policies that prohibited excessive mark-ups and procedures to monitor for excessive mark-ups on transactions in RMBS, but the policies and procedures were not reasonably designed and implemented.  Due to these deficiencies, MLPF&S failed reasonably to perform a meaningful review of potentially excessive mark-ups on certain RMBS transactions, including those that were the subject of the Order.  Under the circumstances described above, MLPF&S failed reasonably to supervise for violations of antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws within the meaning of Section 15(b)(4)(e) of the Exchange Act.  MLPF&S agreed to a censure, pay disgorgement and pre-judgment interest totaling $10,535,441, and pay a civil money penalty in the amount of $5,267,720.

State of Maine Office of Securities Consent Order 5/25/2018

On May 25, 2018, the State of Maine Office of Securities ("Maine Securities") issued a Consent Order ("Order") in connection with MLPF&S's activities as distribution agent of Maine's NextGen 529 College Investment Plan-Client Select Series ("NextGen") and the fees associated with the different classes of units available to NextGen investors (Class A units and Class C units).  The Order cited MLPF&S for (i) having violated 32 M.R.S. 16412(4)(M) and Maine Office of Securities Rule Chapter 504 Section 8(3) when its representatives recommended Class C units of NextGen to investors for whom Class A units likely would have been less expensive over the investors' investment horizon given the age of the investors' beneficiaries, and (ii)  having violated 32 M.R.S. 16412(4)(I)  and Maine Office of Securities Rule Chapter 504 Section 7(1)  by failing to (a) reasonably supervise its agents, and (b) establish and maintain policies and procedures, and effective monitoring or other controls reasonably designed to ensure that its agents properly considered the beneficiaries' age, investment time horizon, and relative expense of Class A and Class C units when representatives recommended NextGen.  The Order stated that MLPF&S has undertaken to make financial remediation payments to all Maine and non-Maine residents who purchased NextGen Class C units during a specified period ("Eligible Investors") through MLPF&S as distribution agent pursuant to a voluntary written plan submitted to the Maine Securities Administrator.  MLPF&S agreed to the entry of the Order without admitting or denying the findings of fact and conclusions of law of Maine Securities.

FINRA Reg NMS AWC 4/06/2018

On April 6, 2017, without admitting or denying the findings, MLPF&S consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that it failed to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that were reasonably designed to prevent trade-throughs of protected quotations in NMS stocks that do not fall within any applicable exception, and if relying on an exception, are reasonably designed to assure compliance with the terms of the exception.  The findings stated that MLPF&S failed to take reasonable steps to establish that the intermarket sweep orders it routed met the definitional requirements set forth in Rule 600(b)(30) of Regulation NMS.  MLPF&S experienced four systems issues that gave rise to certain of the above violations.  In connection with one of the systems issues, MLPF&S became aware in June 2007 that its smart order router would limit the total share quantity of its Regulation NMS sweep obligation to the share quantity of the relevant underlying customer facilitation trade.  Thus, in cases where the quantity of superior protected quotations in the market were greater than the quantity of shares in the underlying customer facilitation trade, MLPF&S's smart order router may not have routed intermarket sweep orders to all superior protected quotations in the market or to the full size of all superior protected quotations in the market resulting in trade-throughs of those protected quotations.  MLPF&S failed to recognize the scope of the issue and assigned it a low priority for later remediation.  MLPF&S did not remediate the issue until March 2014.  MLPF&S also reported certain trades with trade through exempt modifiers to the FINRA trade reporting facility when, in fact, the transactions were not exempt.  MLPF&S was censured and fined $115,000 and required to comply with an undertaking to revise its written supervisory procedures.

New York Attorney General Investor Protection Bureau Masking Settlement 3/22/2018

On March 22, 2018, the Attorney General of the State of New York Investor Protection Bureau ("NYAG") alleged that Bank of America Corporation ("BAC") and MLPF&S (1) concealed from its institutional clients that orders were routed to and executed by "electronic liquidity providers," (2) misstated the composition of orders and trades in its dark pool, and (3) did not accurately describe its use of a proprietary "venue ranking" analysis, in violation of the Martin Act and Executive Law § 63(12).  In connection with the agreement, BAC and MLPF&S agreed (1) not to engage, or attempt to engage, in conduct in violation of any applicable laws, including but not limited to the Martin Act and Executive Law § 63(12); (2) to pay a penalty in the amount of $42,000,000; and (3) provide the NYAG a summary of the review of its electronic trading policies and procedures.

MLPF&S BYX Exchange, Inc. ("BYX") AWC 3/09/2018

Without admitting or denying the findings, MLPF&S consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that MLPF&S failed to take reasonable steps to establish that the inter-market sweep orders it routed met the definitional requirements set forth in SEC Rule 600(b)(30) of Regulation NMS.  The findings stated that MPF&S failed to establish, maintain and enforce a supervisory system that was reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the applicable securities laws and regulations, and BYX rules, concerning compliance with Rule 611(c).  Specifically, MLPF&S's supervisory system did not include written supervisory procedures ("WSPs") that included an identification of the person(s) responsible for supervision with respect to applicable rules.  MLPF&S was censured and fined $57,500.  In addition, MLPF&S agreed to revise its WSPs with respect to the areas outlined in the AWC.

MLPF&S BZX Exchange, Inc. ("BZX") AWC 3/09/2018

Without admitting or denying the findings, MLPF&S consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that MLPF&S failed to take reasonable steps to establish that the inter-market sweep orders it routed met the definitional requirements set forth in SEC Rule 600(b)(30) of Regulation NMS.  The findings stated that MLPF&S failed to establish, maintain and enforce a supervisory system that was reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the applicable securities laws and regulations, and BZX rules, concerning compliance with Rule 611(c).  Specifically, MLPF&S's supervisory system did not include written supervisory procedures ("WSPs") that included an identification of the person(s) responsible for supervision with respect to applicable rules.  The findings also stated that MLPF&S failed to reasonably avoid displaying or engaging in a pattern or practice of displaying quotations that locked or crossed a protected quotation, or any manual quotations that locked or crossed a quotation previously disseminated pursuant to an effective national market system plan.  MLPF&S was censured and fined $77,500.  In addition, MLPF&S agreed to revise its WSPs with respect to the areas outlined in the AWC.

MLPF&S SEC Longtop Order 3/08/2018

On March 8, 2018, the SEC issued an administrative order against MLPF&S finding that MLPF&S, from January 24, 2011 to August 18, 2011, violated the registration provisions of the federal securities laws by effecting unregistered sales of almost 3 million shares of Longtop Financial Technologies Limited's securities for a customer that maintained an account at an MLPF&S branch office in Singapore.  In 2013, MLPF&S sold its Singapore branch office and the branch employees handling the account ceased their association with MLPF&S.  MLPF&S consented to the issuance of the administrative order without admitting or denying the SEC's findings.  The SEC found that, although in advance of the sales MLPF&S reviewed Longtop's public filings, gathered information from the Singapore branch concerning Longtop and the account, had discussions with Longtop's U.S.-based outside counsel who was not on a list of known securities law offenders, and consulted with in-house counsel, MLPF&S did not perform a reasonable inquiry into the facts surrounding the proposed sales to determine if there was an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and as a result MLPF&S was not entitled to rely on the brokers' transaction exemption in Section 4(a)(4) of the Securities Act.  The SEC found that the sales through the account, generated approximately $38 million in proceeds for the benefit of Longtop and its affiliates.  MLPF&S wired the proceeds from the nominee account to a Hong Kong bank account in the name of a different entity that was controlled by Longtop management.  Unknown to MLPF&S, the majority of the proceeds were then transferred from the Hong Kong bank account to one or more affiliates of Longtop.  MLPF&S received over $127,000 in commissions and fees during the relevant period.  As a result, the SEC found that MLPF&S willfully violated Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act.  MLPF&S was censured and ordered to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act.  MLPF&S was also ordered to pay disgorgement of $127,545 along with prejudgment interest of $27,340, and pay a civil money penalty in the amount of $1.25 million.

MLPF&S SEC AML Order 12/21/2017

The SEC deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted pursuant to Sections 15(b), and 21c of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Section 203(e) of the Advisers Act against MLPF&S.  MLPF&S, in addition to offering its customers the ability to buy and sell securities, offered its customers other services in brokerage accounts, such as ATM cash deposits, wires, journal-entry transfers, check writing, ATM withdrawals, cash advances, and ACH transfers. By offering these additional services, MLPF&S was susceptible to risks of money laundering and other illicit financial activity associated with these services.  During the relevant period, MLPF&S primarily used a system called "MANTAS" for the automated monitoring of retail brokerage accounts to detect potential money laundering activity related to money movements.  MANTAS alerted on transactions that fit within the parameters of specific scenarios selected by MLPF&S.  MLPF&S had other methods of detecting suspicious movements of funds in accounts, but those methods were primarily manual, or only alerted on certain types of activity.  MLPF&S also used a separate automated surveillance system to conduct trade surveillance and referred to the alerts produced by its anti-money laundering ("AML") detection channels as "events."  MLPF&S also used a system called "event processor," or "EP," which grouped MANTAS events and events produced by other firm detection channels and assigned points to the event groups.  From 2006 through May 2015, MLPF&S did not apply its MANTAS automated monitoring to certain accounts.  From about September 2011 through January 2012, MLPF&S did not investigate MANTAS events that were not grouped with an event from one of the other detection channels, such as an employee referral, a government subpoena, or an event related to a wire transfer or ATM transaction that had been routed through a consumer bank before being debited or credited to a firm customer's retail brokerage account. EP used a number of systems and techniques to group events arising from related retail brokerage accounts.  However, EP inadvertently did not link related accounts that involved customers who had both U.S. dollar-denominated and foreign currency-denominated accounts.  Accordingly, certain event groups did not meet the risk-based threshold and become an investigation for further review as rapidly as they otherwise would have, if at all. MLPF&S did not have adequate policies and procedures for filing what were commonly known as "continuing activity" or "ongoing activity" suspicious activity reports (SARS).  MLPF&S had AML policies and procedures that were not reasonably designed to account for the additional risk associated with the additional services offered by certain of its retail brokerage accounts. Once an AML case was opened, the platform used by the firm's AML investigators during part of the relevant period did not provide sufficient visibility into transactions occurring in an account, causing the investigators sometimes unduly to limit their review to the specific events that triggered the event and not to review the account more broadly to determine whether the risk associated with that event warranted additional investigation or reporting. Because of the deficiencies in its AML policies and procedures, MLPF&S failed to adequately monitor for, detect, and report certain suspicious activity related to transactions or patterns of transactions in its customers' accounts.  By failing to file SARS with financial crimes enforcement network (FINCEN) as required by the BSA with respect to certain of its customers' activity as described above, MLPF&S willfully violated Section 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 17a-8 thereunder.   MLPF&S was ordered to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Exchange Act Section 17(a) or Rule 17a-8 promulgated thereunder, censured, and fined $13,000,000.

MLPF&S FINRA AWC 12/19/2017

Without admitting or denying the findings, MLPF&S consented to the entry of the following findings by FINRA:  MLPF&S failed to identify and evaluate certain trades with extended settlement dates ("ES Trades") across its product lines and business units for margin and net capital purposes.  As a result, MPF&S for these trades failed to collect the requisite margin in violation of FINRA Rules 4210 and 2010; take the appropriate net capital deduction in violation of Section 15(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("SEA") and Rule 15c3-1(c) thereunder and FINRA Rule 2010; prevent extension of credit in cash accounts in violation of FINRA Rule 2010 by violating Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Reg T"); maintain accurate schedules to the general ledger in violation of Section 17(a) of the SEA and Rule 17a-3 thereunder and FINRA Rules 4511 and 2010; and file accurate Focus reports in violation of SEA Rule 17a-5 and FINRA Rule 2010.  MLPF&S also failed to establish, maintain and enforce a reasonable supervisory system, including written supervisory procedures ("WSPS"), designed to achieve compliance with applicable federal securities laws and regulations with respect to margin, net capital, books and records, and financial and operational combined uniform single ("FOCUS") reports in violation of FINRA Rule 3110, and its predecessor rule, NASD Rule 3010.  MLPF&S's supervisory system and written procedures failed to identify and consider ES Trades across its product lines and business units. Although MLPF&S was made aware of these supervisory deficiencies in April 2013 through findings made during a FINRA's Department of Member Regulation member regulation examination, MLPF&S failed to implement any remedial measures until mid-2014, and failed to implement a reasonable firm-wide supervisory system to identify and consider ES Trades until mid-2015.  MLPF&S was censured and fined $1,400,000.

MLPF&S SEC Market Access Rule Order 9/26/2016

On September 26, 2016, MLPF&S entered into a settlement with the SEC resulting in the SEC issuing an order.  MLPF&S consented to the entry of the order (the "Order") that finds that it violated Section 15(c)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 15c3-5 thereunder (the "Market Access Rule").  The Order finds that MLPF&S violated the Market Access Rule by failing to establish, document, and maintain a system of risk management controls and supervisory procedures reasonably designed to manage the financial, regulatory, and other risks of its market access activity.  In particular, MLPF&S failed to establish pre-trade risk management controls reasonably designed to prevent the entry of erroneous orders, to establish pre-trade risk management controls reasonably designed to prevent the entry of orders that would exceed pre-set credit or capital limits for several of its trading desks, to establish required controls and procedures for fixed income securities, to review adequately the effectiveness of its risk management controls and supervisory procedures required by the Market Access Rule, particularly for preventing the entry of erroneous orders, and to comply with the Rule's CEO certification requirements.  Solely for the purpose of settling these proceedings, MPF&S consented to the Order without admitting or denying the findings in the Order, except as to the SEC's jurisdiction over it and the subject matter.  The Order censures MLPF&S and directs it to cease-and-desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Exchange Act Section 15(c)(3) and Rule 15c3-5 thereunder. Additionally, the Order requires MLPF&S to pay a $12,500,000 civil money penalty.

MLPF&S SEC Structured Return Note Order 6/23/2016

On June 23, 2016, the SEC issued an administrative order in which it found that MLPF&S, without admitting or denying any allegations, violated Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act.  Specifically, the order found that MLPF&S failed to adequately disclose certain fixed costs in a proprietary volatility index linked to structured notes known as Strategic Return Notes ("SRNs") of Bank of America Corporation, which resulted in materially misleading disclosures in the offering materials of the fixed costs associated with the SRNs.  In the order, MLPF&S was ordered to (i) cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and (ii) to pay a civil monetary penalty of $10,000,000.
MLPF&S SEC 15c3-3 Order 6/23/2016

On June 23, 2016, the SEC issued an administrative order in which it found that MLPF&S and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. ("MLPro") had willfully violated Section 15(c)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 15c3-3 thereunder and Section 17(a)(1) of the Exchange Act and Rules 17a-3(a)(10) and 17a-5(a) thereunder, and that MLPF&S willfully violated Section 17(a)(1) of the Exchange Act and Rules 17a-5(d)(3) (as it existed prior to amendments to Rule 17a-5 in 2014), 17a-5(d)(2)(ii), 17a-5(d)(3) and 17a-11(e) thereunder, and Exchange Act Rule 21F-17.  Specifically, the order found that (i) MLPF&S and MLPro engaged in a series of complex trades that allowed it to use customer cash to finance firm inventory, (ii) MLPF&S allowed certain of its clearing banks to hold liens on customer securities, and (iii) MLPF&S used language in certain of its policies, procedures, and agreements with employees that unduly limited the disclosure of confidential information.  In determining to accept MLPF&S's and MLPro's offer, the SEC considered remedial acts promptly undertaken by MLPF&S and MLPro and substantial cooperation afforded the SEC staff during the course of its investigation.  In the order, (i) MLPF&S and MLPro were censured, (ii) MLPF&S was ordered to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Sections 15(c)(3) and 17(a)(1) of the Exchange Act and Rules 15c3-3, 17a-3(a)(10), 17a-5(a), 17a-5(d)(2)(ii), 17a-5(d)(3), 17a-11(e) and 21F-17 thereunder, (iii) MLPro was ordered to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Sections 15(c)(3) and 17(a)(1) of the Exchange Act and Rules 15c3-3, 17a-3(a)(10) and 17a-5(a) thereunder, (iv) MLPF&S and MLPro were ordered to pay disgorgement of $50,000,000 and prejudgment interest in the amount of $7,000,000, and (v) MLPF&S was ordered to pay a civil monetary penalty of $358,000,000.
MLPF&S FINRA AWC 12/16/2015

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") alleged that from January 2009 through October 28, 2013, MLPF&S did not conduct adequate background checks on approximately 4,500 non-registered associated persons, after its acquisition by Bank of America Corporation and the resulting organizational changes.  Of that total, approximately 3,145 were fingerprinted, but were screened under the standards applicable to banks and not to broker-dealers; approximately 1,115 were not fingerprinted; and approximately 240 were not fingerprinted until after they joined MLPF&S.  As a result, FINRA alleged individuals were not properly screened for statutory disqualifications under the Exchange Act (and one person subject to an Exchange Act statutory disqualification actually associated with MLPF&S); MLPF&S did not have adequate records and MLPF&S did not adequately supervise the fingerprinting process.  FINRA alleged violations of Section 17(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 17f-2 thereunder; Section 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Rules 17a-3(a)(12)(i)(G) and 17a-3(a)(13) thereunder; Article III, Section 3(b) of the FINRA By-Laws; NASD Rule 3010 and FINRA Rules 4511 and 2010.  MLPF&S accepted and consented to the entry of an AWC, without admitting or denying the findings.  MLPF&S consented to the imposition of the following sanctions:  (1) a censure, (2) a fine in the amount of $1,250,000, and (3) a certain undertaking.  In connection with the AWC, MLPF&S agreed to an undertaking to review its systems and procedures regarding the identification, fingerprinting, and screening of non-registered associated persons to ensure that current systems and procedures are reasonably designed to achieve compliance with all securities laws and regulations, including Section 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 17a-3 thereunder, Section 17(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 17f-2 thereunder, FINRA By-Laws Article III, Section 3(b), and FINRA Rule 4511.

MLPF&S SEC MCDC Order 6/18/2015

The SEC deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against MLPF&S. MLPF&S willfully violated section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act. MLPF&S, a registered broker-dealer, conducted inadequate due diligence in certain offerings and as a result, failed to form a reasonable basis for believing the truthfulness of the assertions by these issuers and/or obligors regarding their compliance with previous continuing disclosure undertakings pursuant to Rule 15c2-12.  This resulted in MLPF&S offering and selling municipal securities on the basis of materially misleading disclosure documents. The violations were self-reported by MLPF&S to the SEC pursuant to the Division of Enforcement's (the "Division") Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) initiative.  The MLPF&S shall cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act, pay a civil money penalty in the amount of $500,000 and comply with the undertakings enumerated in the offer of settlement.

MLPF&S Regulation SHO Settlement 6/01/2015

On June 1, 2015, MLPF&S and an affiliate (the "Firms") pursuant to an SEC administrative order (the "SHO Order"), were ordered to cease and desist from violations of Rule 203(b) of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act arising from practices related to execution of short sales. The Firms acknowledged that they violated Rule 203(b) of Regulation SHO in connection with their practices related to execution of short sales.  The Firms agreed in the SHO Order to (1) cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Rule 203(b) of Regulation SHO; (2) be censured; (3) pay disgorgement of $1,566,245.67 plus prejudgment interest; (4) pay a civil monetary penalty of $9 million; and (5) comply with certain undertakings, including retaining an independent consultant within thirty (30) days of entry of  the SHO Order to conduct a review of the Firms' policies, procedures and practices with respect to their acceptance of short sale orders for execution in reliance on the ETB List and procedures to monitor compliance therewith to satisfy certain of their obligations under Rule 203(b) of Regulation SHO.

BANA Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Settlement 5/29/2015

On May 29, 2015, the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") issued an Order to Cease and Desist and Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty (together, the "Orders") against Bank of America, N.A. ("BANA") relating to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ("SCRA") and BANA's sworn document and collections litigation practices.  In the Orders, the OCC identified (i) unsafe or unsound practices in connection with BANA's efforts to comply with the SCRA, (ii) SCRA violations, and (iii) unsafe or unsound practices in connection with BANA's sworn document and collections litigation practices.  Regarding the SCRA, the Orders stated BANA failed to have effective policies and procedures to ensure compliance with SCRA; failed to devote sufficient financial, staffing, and managerial resources to ensure proper administration of its SCRA compliance processes; failed to devote to its SCRA compliance processes adequate internal controls, compliance risk management, internal audit, third party management, and training; and engaged in violations of the SCRA.  Regarding the sworn document and collections litigation process, the Orders stated that BANA filed or caused to be filed in courts affidavits executed by its employees or employees of third party service providers making assertions that, in many cases, were not based on personal knowledge or review of relevant books and records; filed or caused to be filed in court affidavits when BANA did not follow proper notary procedures; failed to devote sufficient financial, staffing, and managerial resources to ensure proper administration of its sworn document and collections litigation processes; and failed to sufficiently oversee outside counsel and other third-party providers handling sworn document and collections litigation services.  In the Orders, BANA agreed to pay a civil money penalty in the total amount of $30 million, has begun corrective action, and is committed to taking all necessary and appropriate steps to remedy the deficiencies, unsafe or unsound practices, and violations of law identified by the OCC, and to enhance its SCRA compliance practices and sworn document and collections litigation practices.  Specifically, BANA agreed to: (a) appoint and maintain a compliance committee to monitor and oversee BANA's compliance with the Orders and to approve measures to ensure compliance; (b) submit an acceptable plan containing a complete description of the actions to achieve compliance with the Orders; (c) submit a written plan to effectively implement an enterprise-wide compliance risk management program regarding compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance; (d) conduct a written, comprehensive assessment of its risk in SCRA compliance operations, including but not limited to, operational, compliance, legal, and reputational risks; (e) submit acceptable written plans to ensure its compliance with the SCRA and with regard to collections litigation; (f) submit plans to conduct a SCRA review and a collections litigation review of accounts, SCRA and collections litigation remediation, and SCRA internal audit; (g) submit policies and procedures for SCRA third party management and improvements to its management information systems for SCRA compliance activities, and to provide certain reports to the compliance committee; (h) submit written plans, programs, policies, and procedures required by the Orders; and (i) submit a written progress report dealing the form and manner of all actions taken to secure compliance with the provision of the Orders and the results thereof.  In settlement of this matter, BANA consented and agreed to the issuance of the Orders, which the OCC has determined to accept and has issued.  BANA neither admits nor denies the findings in the Orders.

BAC Foreign Exchange Settlement 5/20/2015

On May 20, 2015, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB") issued an Order to Cease and Desist and Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty against Bank of America Corporation ("BAC") relating to its foreign exchange ("FX") activities ("Order") from 2008 through 2013.  The Order states that (a) BAC lacked adequate firm-wide governance, risk management, compliance and audit policies and procedures to ensure that certain of the firm's  FX activities complied with safe and sound banking practices, applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including policies and procedures to prevent potential violations of the U.S. commodities, antitrust and criminal fraud laws, and applicable internal policies; (b) BAC's deficient policies and procedures prevented BAC from detecting and addressing periodic conduct by Bank of America, N.A.'s traders relating to certain communications by these traders; and (c) as a result of deficient policies and procedures described above, BAC engaged in unsafe and unsound banking practices.  In the Order, BAC agreed to pay a civil money penalty in the total amount of $205 million and continue to implement additional improvements in its internal controls, compliance, risk management, and audit programs for the FX activities in order to comply with BAC policies, safe and sound banking practices, and applicable U.S. laws/regulation. Specifically, BAC agreed: (a) BAC shall submit a written plan to improve senior management's oversight of BAC's compliance with applicable U.S. laws/regulations and internal policies in connection with certain wholesale trading and sales activities; (b) BAC shall submit an enhanced written internal controls and compliance program to comply with applicable U.S. laws/regulations with respect to certain wholesale trading and sales activities; (c) BAC shall submit a written plan to improve its compliance risk management program with regard to compliance with applicable U.S. laws/regulations with respect to certain wholesale trading and sales activities; (d) BAC management shall annually conduct a review of compliance policies and procedures applicable to certain wholesale trading and sales activities and their implementation and an appropriate risk-focused sampling of other key controls for certain wholesale trading and sales activities; (e) BAC shall submit an enhanced written internal audit program with respect to compliance with U.S. laws/regulations in certain wholesale trading and sales activities; and (f) BAC shall not in the future directly or indirectly retain any individual as an officer, employee, agent, consultant, or contractor of BAC or of any subsidiary who, based on the investigative record compiled by U.S. authorities, participated in the misconduct underlying the Order, has been subject to formal disciplinary action as a result of BAC's internal disciplinary review or performance review in connection with the conduct, and has either separated from BAC or any subsidiary thereof or had his/her employment terminated in connection with the conduct.  In settlement of this matter, BAC consented and agreed to the issuance of the Order, which the FRB has determined to accept and has issued.



Massachusetts Securities Division Consent Order 3/23/2015

This Massachusetts Securities Division (the "Division") consent order addressed allegations that MLPF&S violated the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act (the "Act") and Code of Massachusetts Regulations (the "Regulations") resulting from its use of an unapproved internal presentation given to its financial advisors.  Without admitting or denying the allegations, MLPF&S agreed to cease and desist from conduct in violation of the Act and the Regulations, agreed to be censures by the Division, agreed to pay an administrative fine of $2,500,000, and agreed to conduct a review of MLPF&S's policies and procedures for the review and approval of internal-use materials, identify changes or enhancements that will be made to these MLPF&S policies and procedures, and provide a report to the Division.

MLPF&S New Hampshire Consent Order 12/29/2014

The New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation (the "Bureau") determined that, in violation of New Hampshire law, MLPF&S's agents licensed in New Hampshire placed telemarketing calls to New Hampshire residents who were not clients of MLPF&S at the time of the calls and whose numbers appeared on MLPF&S's internal do not call list or on the FTC's National Do Not Call Registry.  Further during the course of its investigation, the Bureau determined that MLPF&S did not reasonably supervise the telemarketing activities of its agents licensed in New Hampshire.  Without admitting or denying the facts or allegations, MLPF&S consented to the entry of the Consent Order and consented to (i) cease and desist from further violations of N.H. RSA 421-B, (ii) pay the Bureau's cost of investigation in the amount of $50,000, (iii) pay an administrative fine of $350,000, and (iv) comply with all other undertakings and sanctions.  Since the initiation of the Bureau's investigation, MLPF&S agreed to and completed enhancements and provided evidence to the Bureau of the completed enhancements to its telemarketing policies and procedures.

BOAMS Injunctive Action 11/25/2014

On November 25, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina issued a Final Judgment as to MLPF&S and other entities, including Bank of America, National Association ("BANA") (collectively the "Entities") (the "SEC Final Judgment") in the civil injunctive action for which a complaint was filed by the SEC on August 6, 2013 against the Entities (the "SEC Complaint").  The SEC Complaint alleged that the Entities made material misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the sale of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities ("RMBS").  Specifically, the SEC Complaint alleged that the Entities failed to disclose the disproportionate concentration of wholesale loans underlying the RMBS as compared to prior RMBS offerings.  The SEC Complaint also alleged that the concentration of wholesale loans in the RMBS included higher likelihood that the loans would be subject to material underwriting errors, become severely delinquent, fail early in the life of the loan, or prepay.  The SEC Complaint further alleged that the entities violated Regulation S-K and Subpart Regulation AB of the Securities Act by failing to disclose material characteristics of the pool of loans underlying the RMBS, that the Entities made material misrepresentations and omissions in their public files and in the loan tapes provided to investors and rating agencies, and that Entities not including BANA violated section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act by failing to file with the SEC certain loan tapes that were provided only to select investors. The Entities consented to the entry of the SEC Final Judgment without admitting or denying the allegations in the SEC Complaint.  The SEC Final Judgment states that the Entities are permanently restrained and enjoined from violating Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act, and jointly and severally liable for disgorgement of $109,220,000, prejudgment interest of $6,620,000 and a civil penalty of $109,220,000 (together the "Funds"); the District Court retained jurisdiction over the administration of any distribution of the Funds.

BANA OCC Foreign Exchange Settlement 11/11/2014

On November 11, 2014, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States of America ("OCC") issued a Consent Order and a Consent Order for the Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty against BANA related to its foreign exchange (FX) business ("Orders") from 2008 through 2013.  The OCC found, and BANA neither admitted nor denied, that BANA had deficiencies in its internal controls and had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices with respect to the oversight and governance of BANA's FX trading business such that the bank failed to detect and prevent certain conduct.  Specifically, the OCC found that: a)  BANA's compliance risk assessment lacked sufficient granularity and failed to identify the risks related to sales, trading and supervisory employees in that business ("Employee"); b) BANA's transaction monitoring and communications surveillance lacked an adequate analysis of risk-behavior related to Employee market conduct in its wholesale foreign exchange business where it is acting as principal ("FX Trading"); c) BANA's compliance testing procedures were inadequate to measure adherence to its standards of Employee conduct and firm policies applicable to Employee market conduct in FX Trading; and d) BANA's risk assessment and coverage of the FX trading business needed improvement to identify and mitigate compliance risks related to Employee market conduct; e) BANA's customer information controls were inadequate regarding the WM/Reuters order book to prevent the misuse of customer information; f) BANA's risk and profitability reporting was inadequate to identify potential Employee market misconduct in FX Trading; and g) BANA's FX business supervision routines were inadequate because they created "gaps" in the Employee market conduct supervisory framework. In the Orders, BANA agreed to make a payment of a civil money penalty in the total amount of $250 million.  Also, BANA committed (and had already begun) taking all necessary and appropriate steps to remedy the deficiencies and unsafe or unsound practices identified by the OCC and has begun implementing procedures to remediate the practices addressed in the Orders.  Specifically, BANA agreed to: a) maintain a board compliance committee responsible for monitoring and coordinating BANA's compliance with the provisions in the Orders; b) submit to the OCC an action plan describing the actions that are necessary and appropriate to achieve compliance with certain aspects of the Orders; c) submit an acceptable oversight and governance written plan to provide for certain management oversight and governance relating to Employee market conduct in FX Trading; d) submit an acceptable compliance risk assessment written plan to provide for a compliance risk assessment sufficiently granular to identify risks related to Employee market conduct in FX Trading; e) submit an acceptable monitoring and surveillance written plan to provide for appropriate monitoring and communications surveillance related to Employee market conduct in FX Trading;  f) submit an acceptable compliance testing written plan to provide for appropriate compliance testing related to Employee market conduct in FX Trading; g) submit an acceptable internal audit written plan for the internal audit program to adequately address Employee market conduct in FX Trading; and h) submit an acceptable other trading activities written plan to ensure that BANA proactively uses a risk-based approach to apply Employee market conduct remedial measures in the Orders to other wholesale trading as principal for the BANA and benchmark activities as appropriate and defined in the BANA's written plan.

BAC Regulatory Capital Overstatements 9/29/2014

The SEC alleged that BAC, as part of its regulatory capital calculations, failed to deduct certain realized losses on certain structured notes and other financial instruments (the "Notes") issued by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co.") that BAC assumed or acquired as part of its acquisition of ML&Co. and, therefore, BAC overstated its regulatory capital in its Form 10-Q filings from 2009-2014 and in its Form 10-K filings for financial years 2009-2013.  The SEC alleged that BAC violated Section 13(b)(2)(A) and (B) of the Exchange Act.  On September 19, 2014, BAC, without admitting or denying theSEC's findings, except as to the SEC's jurisdiction over it and the subject matter of the proceedings, agreed to (1) cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations for Sections 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act, and (2) pay a civil money penalty of $7,650,000.  The SEC noted that BAC self-identified and self-reported the overstatements and the SEC noted that BAC had provided substantial cooperation to the SEC staff.  The SEC also noted that BAC had voluntarily undertaken steps to remediate and address, among other things, the inadequate books and records and internal accounting control deficiencies that were the subject of the proceeding.

BAC Mortgage Obligations SEC Administrative Proceeding 8/21/2014

The SEC alleged that BAC failed to make required disclosures in the Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations ("MD&A") sections of periodic filings, related to known uncertainties as to whether certain costs related to loans BAC would ultimately be required to repurchase from certain insurers would have a material effect on BAC's future income from continuing operations.  The SEC alleged that BAC violated Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act and Rules 12b-20 and 13a-13 thereunder.  BAC agreed to (1) cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act and Rules 12b-20 and 13a-13 promulgated thereunder; and (2) pay a civil money penalty of $20 million.  In addition, BAC admitted to certain facts set out in an annex to the Administrative Order, acknowledged that its conduct set forth in the annex to the Administrative Order violated the federal securities law and admitted to the SEC's jurisdiction over it and the subject matter of the proceedings.

MLPF&S Blue Sheet AWC 6/04/2014

Without admitting or denying the findings, MLPF&S consented to a fine of $1,000,000, a censure, certain undertakings, and to the entry of findings that it submitted at least 5,323 inaccurate blue sheets to various securities regulators, including the SEC and FINRA.  The findings stated that the inaccurate blue sheets failed to include customer names and addresses for trades made on the day the customer opened a firm account.  Between 2008 and January 2014, a trade could occur in a new customer's account before the customer's name and address data was fully populated.  In such instances, MLPF&S listed "no name" on the blue sheets associated with such trades.  As a result of this problem, MLPF&S submitted at least 2,980 inaccurate blue sheets to the SEC; 1,538 inaccurate blue sheets to FINRA; 733 inaccurate blue sheets to NYSE; and 72 inaccurate blue sheets to other regulators.  The findings also stated that MLPF&S failed to have in place an audit system reasonably providing for accountability of its blue sheet submissions and designed to ensure compliance with federal securities laws.  MLPF&S agreed to conduct a review of its policies, systems, and procedures (written or otherwise) relating to its compilation and submission of blue sheet data and the audit deficiencies addressed in the Acceptance, Waiver & Consent ("AWC").

BANA/FIA CFPB Consent Order 4/7/2014

On April 7, 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") issued a Consent Order against Bank of America, National Association ("BANA") and FIA Card Services, National Association.  The Order identified deficiencies in connection with fulfillment of customer processing concerning the provision of identity theft protection products as well as vendor and risk management protocols concerning so-called "add-on" products.  In addition, the CFPB identified what it alleged were deceptive statements in connection with the marketing and sale of credit card debt cancellation products.  Without admitting or denying any findings of fact or violations of law or wrongdoing, BANA and FIA Card Services, National Association consented to a civil monetary penalty of $20,000,000 and to cease and desist from engaging in further violations of law in connection with the marketing and administration of credit protection products and the billing and administration of identity protection products.  Further, the Consent Order requires a restitution plan to be submitted to the CFPB and, following approval, the provision of restitution to borrowers.  In addition, the Consent Order requires the submission of enhanced vendor management policies; enhanced risk management policies and procedures; and enhanced internal audit reviews of add-on products to assess Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ("UDAAP") risk.

BANA/FIA OCC Consent Order 4/7/2014

On April 7, 2014, the OCC issued a Consent Order against BANA and FIA Card Services, National Association.  The Order identified deficiencies in connection with fulfillment of customer processing concerning the provision of identity theft protection products as well as vendor and risk management protocols concerning so-called "add-on" products.  Without admitting or denying the findings, BANA and FIA Card Services, National Association consented to a civil monetary penalty of $25,000,000.  Further, the Consent Order requires a restitution plan to be submitted to the OCC and, following approval, the provision of restitution to borrowers.  In addition, the Consent Order requires the submission of enhanced vendor management policies; enhanced risk management policies and procedures; and enhanced internal audit reviews of add-on products to assess Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ("UDAAP") risk.

BAC NYAG Settlement 3/25/2014

On February 4, 2010, the New York Attorney General filed a civil complaint in the Supreme Court of New York State, entitled People of the State of New York v. Bank of America, et al. The complaint named as defendants BAC and BAC's former chief executive and chief financial officers, Kenneth D. Lewis, and Joseph L. Price, and alleged violations of Sections 352, 352-c(1)(a), 352-c(1)(c), and 353 of the New York Martin Act, and Section 63(12) of the New York Executive Law.  The complaint attacked the sufficiency and accuracy of Bank of America's disclosures and its practices related to practices related to Bank of America's merger with Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Merger"), including: (i) the disclosure of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.'s financial condition and its interim and projected losses during the fourth quarter of 2008, (ii) BAC's contacts with federal government officials regarding the BAC's consideration of invoking the material adverse effect clause in the merger agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the possibility of obtaining additional government assistance, (iii) the disclosure of the payment and timing of year-end incentive compensation to Merrill Lynch &Co., Inc. employees, and (iv) public statements regarding the due diligence conducted in connection with the Merger and positive statements regarding the Merger.  The complaint sought an unspecified amount in disgorgement, penalties, restitution, and damages, costs and other equitable relief, although the NYAG withdrew its demand for damages.  On March 25, 2014, BAC entered into a settlement agreement terminating the New York Attorney General's lawsuit against BAC.  BAC agreed to pay the New York Attorney General $15,000,000 (as costs of investigation and subsequent litigation) as well as making several corporate governance changes.



NOTE:  In addition, Bank of America Corporation and certain of its affiliates, including MLPF&S and BANA, have been involved in a number of civil proceedings and regulatory actions which concern matters arising in connection with the conduct of its business.  Certain of such proceedings have resulted in findings of violations of federal or state securities laws.  Such proceedings are reported and summarized in the MLPF&S Form BD as filed with the SEC, which descriptions are hereby incorporated by reference.

EX-99.1 4 jfa.htm JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.1
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
Pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder, each party hereto hereby agrees to the joint filing, on behalf of each of them, of any filing required by such party under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation thereunder (including any amendment, restatement, supplement, and/or exhibit thereto) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (and, if such security is registered on a national securities exchange, also with the exchange), and further agrees to the filing, furnishing, and/or incorporation by reference of this agreement as an exhibit thereto. This agreement shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by any party hereto in a signed writing provided to each other party hereto, and then only with respect to such revoking party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto, being duly authorized, has caused this agreement to be executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
Date: December 21, 2018
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ronnie Ojera
Name: Ronnie Ojera
Title: Attorney-in-fact
BANC OF AMERICA PREFERRED FUNDING CORPORATION
By: /s/ Michael Jentis 
Name: Michael Jentis
Title: Authorized Signatory
BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C
By: /s/ James W. Brewer 
Name: James W. Brewer
Title: Director
EX-99.2 5 poa.htm POWER OF ATTORNEY

Exhibit 99.2
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby make, constitute, and appoint each of Kim Louise Oakley Heslop, Kelvin Kwok, Ronnie Ojera, Ally Pecarro, and Tolu Tade as an attorney-in-fact for the Corporation acting for the Corporation and in the Corporation's name, place and stead, for the Corporation's use and benefit, to bind the Corporation by their execution of those agreements, forms and documents related specifically to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and other large shareholder and short position regulatory reporting requirements in other jurisdictions.
Any documents executed by an attorney-in-fact in accordance with this Limited Power of Attorney shall fully bind and commit the Corporation and all other parties to such documents may rely upon the execution thereof by the attorney-in fact as if executed by the Corporation and as the true and lawful act of the Corporation.
This Limited Power of Attorney shall automatically terminate as to the authority of Kim Louise Oakley Heslop, Kelvin Kwok, Ronnie Ojera, Ally Pecarro, and Tolu Tade upon the earlier of the attorney-in-fact's resignation or termination from or transfer out of the Compliance Department; however; any such resignation, termination or transfer shall have no impact on any documents or instruments executed by any attorney-in-fact named above for the Corporation prior to such resignation, termination or transfer.
This Limited Power of Attorney shall revoke the Limited Power of Attorney executed by the Corporation on January 12, 2016; however such revocation shall have no impact on any actions taken pursuant to that Power of Attorney.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been executed and delivered by the Corporation to each Attorney-in-Fact on this 29th day of November, 2018.
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
By:  /s/ Allison L. Gilliam 
Name: Allison L. Gilliam
Title: Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
(Corporate Seal)
EX-99.6 6 purchaseagreement.htm PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.6


VMTP Purchase Agreement
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
as Issuer

and
Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation
as a Purchaser

and
Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C.
as a Purchaser

December 19, 2018

 
CONTENTS
 
SECTION
 
PAGE
     
ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS
 
1
1.1
Incorporation of Certain Definitions by Reference and Interpretation
6
ARTICLE II  EXCHANGE; CANCELLATION OF VTMP SHARES; EXPENSES; ADDITIONAL FEE
7
2.1
Purchase and transfer of 2018 VMTP Shares
6
2.2
Fees
8
2.3
Operating Expenses
9
2.4
Additional Fee for Failture to Comply with Reporting Requirement or Registration Rights Failure
9
     
ARTICLE III  CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVE DATE
10
ARTICLE IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER
11
4.1
Existence
11
4.2
Authorization; Contravention
11
4.3
Binding Effect
11
4.4
Financial Information
11
4.5
Litigation
12
4.6
Consents
12
4.7
Incorporation of Additional Representations and Warranties
12
4.8
Complete and Correct Information
12
4.9
Information Statement
13
4.10
1940 Act Registration
13
4.11
Effective Leverage Ratio; Asset Coverage
13
4.12
Credit Quality
13
4.13
Due Diligence
13
4.14
Certain Fees
14
4.15
Eligibility Assets
14
ARTICLE V  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
14
5.1
Existence
14
5.2
Authorization; Contravention
14
5.3
Binding Effect
14
5.4
Restricted Securities; Own Account
15
5.5
Litigation
15
5.6
Consents
15
5.7
Purchaser Status
15
5.8
Certain Transactions
15
5.9
Certain Fees
16
5.10
Experience of Purchaser
16
5.11
Due Diligence
16
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
16
6.1
Information
16
6.2
No Amendment or Certain Other Actions Without Consent of the Purchasers
19
6.3
Maintenance of Existence
19
6.4
Tax Status of the Issuer
19
6.5
Payment Obligations
19
6.6
Compliance With Law
19
6.7
Maintenance of Approvals: Filings, Etc.
20
6.8
Inspection Rights
20
6.9
Litigation, Etc.
20
6.10
1940 Act Registration
20
6.11
Credit Quality
20
6.12
Maintenance of Effective Leverage Ratio
21
6.13
Redemption and Paying Agent
21
6.14
Cooperation in the Sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares
21
6.15
Use of Proceeds
22
6.16
Securities Depository
22
6.17
Future Agreements
22
6.18
Eligible Assets
22
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS
22
7.1
Notices
22
7.2
No Waivers
24
7.3
Expenses and Indemnification
24
7.4
Amendments and Waivers
27
7.5
Successors and Assign
27
7.6
Term of this Agreement
27
7.7
Governing Law
27
7.8
Waiver of Jury Trial
28
7.9
Counterparts
28
7.10
Beneficiaries
28
7.11
Entire Agreement
28
7.12
Relationship to the Articles Supplementary
28
7.13
Confidentiality
28
7.14
Severability
29
7.15
Consent Rights of the Majority Participants to Certain Actions
29
SCHEDULE 1
 
Schedule 1-1
SCHEDULE 2
 
Schedule 2-1
EXHIBIT A
FORMS OF OPINIONS OF COUNSEL FOR THE ISSUER
A-1
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF CORPORATE AND 1940 ACT OPINION
A-1-1
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF TAX OPINION
A-2-1
EXHIBIT A-3
FORM OF LOCAL COUNSEL OPINION
A-3-1
EXHIBIT A-4
FORM OF NEGATIVE ASSURANCE LETTER
A-4-1
EXHIBIT B
ELIGIBLE ASSETS
B-1
EXHIBIT C
TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
C-1
EXHIBIT D
INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ISSUER
D-1
EXHIBIT E
ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
E-1


This VMTP PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of December 19, 2018, (this "Agreement") is by and between:
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC., a closed-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is organized as a Maryland corporation, as issuer (the "Fund" or the "Issuer"),
BANC OF AMERICA PREFERRED FUNDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, including its successors by merger or operation of law ("BAPFC"), as a Purchaser of the 2018 VMTP Shares (as defined below) pursuant to this Agreement, and
BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, including its successors by merger or operation of law ("Blue Ridge"), as a Purchaser of the 2018 VMTP Shares (as defined below) pursuant to this Agreement  (each of BAPFC and Blue Ridge, a "Purchaser" and together the "Purchasers").
WHEREAS, the Fund has authorized the issuance pursuant to the Articles Supplementary (as defined below) to the Purchasers of the 2018 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares issued by the Fund, as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, which are subject to this Agreement (the "2018 VMTP Shares");
WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Purchasers to purchase the 2018 VMTP Shares, the Issuer now desires to enter into this Agreement to set forth certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements regarding the Issuer and the 2018 VMTP Shares; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Issuer to issue and sell the 2018 VMTP Shares, the Purchasers desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements regarding the Purchasers and the 2018 VMTP Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
"2018 VMTP Shares" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
"Additional Amount Payment" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Agreement" means this VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2018, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
"AllianceBernstein Persons" means the Investment Adviser or any affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) of the Investment Adviser (other than the Issuer, in the case of a redemption or purchase of the 2018 VMTP Shares which are to be cancelled within 10 days of purchase by the Issuer).
"Applicable Sections" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.
"APS" means the Issuer's outstanding Auction Preferred Shares.
"Articles Supplementary" means the Articles Supplementary containing the terms of the 2018 VMTP Shares, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.
"Asset Coverage" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Banks" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.
"Board of Directors" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Business Day" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Bylaws" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Charter" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Code" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Common Shares" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Custodian" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Date of Original Issue", with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares, means the date on which the Issuer initially issued such 2018 VMTP Shares.
"Deposit Securities" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Derivative Contract" means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, repurchase transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement.
"Designated Owner" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Dividend Rate" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Due Diligence Request" means the due diligence request letter from Chapman and Cutler LLP, counsel to the Purchasers, dated December 3, 2018.
"Effective Date" means the Date of Original Issue of the 2018 VMTP Shares subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in Section 3.
"Effective Leverage Ratio" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Electronic Means" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Eligible Assets" means the instruments in which the Issuer may invest as described in Exhibit B to this Agreement, which may be amended from time to time with the prior written consent of the Purchasers.
"Failure" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
"Fee Rate" means initially 0.10% per annum, which shall be subject to increase by 0.10% per annum for each Week in respect of which any Failure has occurred and is continuing.
"Force Majeure Exception" means any failure or delay in the performance of the Issuer's reporting obligation pursuant to Section 2.4 arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God; earthquakes; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action. The Issuer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to commence performance of its obligations during any of the foregoing circumstances.
"Holder" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
The word "including" means "including without limitation."
"Indemnified Persons" means, each Purchaser and its affiliates and directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives and control persons, entitled to indemnification by the Issuer under Section 7.3.
"Information Statement" means the Information Statement of the Issuer relating to the offering and sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares dated December 19, 2018, as may be amended, revised or supplemented from time to time.
"Investment Adviser" means AllianceBernstein L.P., or any successor company or entity.
"Issuer" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
"Liquidation Preference", with respect to a given number of 2018 VMTP Shares, means $25,000 times that number.
"Majority Participants" means the Holder(s) of more than 50% of the Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares.
"Managed Assets" means the Issuer's net assets, including assets attributable to any principal amount of any borrowings (including the issuance of commercial paper or notes) or preferred stock outstanding.  For the avoidance of doubt, assets attributable to borrowings includes the portion of the Issuer's assets in a tender option bond trust of which the Issuer owns the residual interest (without regard to the value of the residual interest to avoid double counting).
"Market Value" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect upon (i) the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) the source for payment of the Liquidation Preference of, or dividends on, the 2018 VMTP Shares.
"NRSRO" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Optional Redemption Premium" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
The word "or" is used in its inclusive sense.
"Original VMTP Shares" means the Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, $0.001 par value per share, classified and designated pursuant to Articles Supplementary accepted for record by the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of Maryland on August 31, 2015.
"Other Rating Agency" means, at any time, each NRSRO, if any, other than S&P then providing a rating for the 2018 VMTP Shares pursuant to the request of the Issuer.
"Other Rating Agency Guidelines" means the guidelines provided by each Other Rating Agency, as may be amended from time to time, in connection with the Other Rating Agency's rating of the 2018 VMTP Shares.
"Outstanding" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Person" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Preferred Shares" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Purchase Price" means, in respect of the 3,531 2018 VMTP Shares sold to the Purchasers, U.S. $88,275,000.
"Purchaser" and "Purchasers" have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the Securities Act.
"Rate Period" has the meaning set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
"Rating Agency" means each of S&P (if S&P is then rating 2018 VMTP Shares), and any Other Rating Agency (if such Other Rating Agency is then rating 2018 VMTP Shares at the request of the Issuer).
"Rating Agency Guidelines" means the S&P Guidelines and any Other Rating Agency Guidelines as they exist from time to time.
"Redemption and Paying Agent" means Computershare, Inc., or with the prior written consent of the Purchasers (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), any successor Person, which has entered into an agreement with the Issuer to act in such capacity as the Issuer's tender agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent, paying agent and redemption price disbursing agent and calculation agent in connection with the payment of regularly scheduled dividends with respect to 2018 VMTP Shares.
"Registered Investment Company" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the registration rights agreement entered into between the Issuer and the Purchasers with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares.
"Registration Rights Failure" means any (i) failure by the Issuer to file a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to such of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, but excluding any that are properly excluded pursuant to Section 3.3(c) or (d) of the Registration Rights Agreement) which the Issuer has been properly requested to register under Section 3.1 of the Registration Rights Agreement within 30 calendar days (or, if the 30th calendar day shall not be a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of the later of (a) the date on which the holders of such Registrable Securities are required to give written notice to the Issuer of their intent to register such Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Registration Rights Agreement or (b) if properly exercised by the Issuer, the end of any deferral period specified in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2 of the Registration Rights Agreement, or (ii) failure by the Issuer to reply to any written comments on such Registration Statement received by the Issuer from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (it being understood that the reply referenced herein shall not require the Issuer to accept or agree with any comment, in whole or in part) within 30 calendar days (or, if the 30th calendar day shall not be a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of receipt thereof by the Issuer.
"Related Documents" means this Agreement, the Charter, the Articles Supplementary, the Registration Rights Agreement, the 2018 VMTP Shares and the Bylaws.
"Reporting Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(o).
"Reporting Failure" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
"S&P" means S&P Global Ratings, a Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC business, and any successor or successors thereto.
"S&P Guidelines" means the guidelines, as may be amended from time to time, in connection with S&P's ratings of the 2018 VMTP Shares, and includes the criteria described in Methodology And Assumptions for Market Value Securities published by S&P September 17, 2013, as may be amended at S&P's sole discretion, and any other guidelines deemed relevant by S&P.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
"Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, and any substitute for or successor to such securities depository that shall maintain a book-entry system with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares.
"Week" means a period of seven consecutive calendar days.
"written" or "in writing" means any form of written communication, including communication by means of facsimile, telex, telecopier or electronic mail.
1.1
Incorporation of Certain Definitions by Reference and Interpretation
Each capitalized term used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning provided therefor (including by incorporation by reference) in the Related Documents.
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND TRANSFERS, COSTS AND EXPENSES; ADDITIONAL FEE
2.1
Purchase and Transfer of the 2018 VMTP Shares
(a)
On the Effective Date BAPFC will acquire 1,983 2018 VMTP Shares and Blue Ridge will acquire 1,548 2018 VMTP Shares sold on initial issuance in a transaction (which, based upon the representations of the Issuer and the Purchasers herein, is exempt from registration under the Securities Act) by payment of the Purchase Price in the following amounts in immediately available funds to the Issuer through the account of its agent at the Securities Depository: $49,575,000 to be paid by BAPFC and $38,700,000 to be paid by Blue Ridge.
(b)
Each Purchaser agrees that it may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the 2018 VMTP Shares in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws only in whole shares and only (i)(1) to Persons that it reasonably believes are QIBs that are: (a) registered closed-end management investment companies, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange and registered open-end management investment companies, in each case, that (X) are either sponsored or managed by an entity listed on Schedule 2 of this Purchase Agreement or any other entity that is controlled by, controlling or under common control with an entity listed on Schedule 2 of this Purchase Agreement and (Y) invest primarily in municipal obligations (each, a "Registered Investment Company"); (b) banks or entities that are 100% direct or indirect subsidiaries of banks' publicly traded parent holding companies (collectively, "Banks"); or (c) insurance companies, in each case, pursuant to Rule 144A or another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, in a manner not involving any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, (2) to tender option bond trusts (or other similar investment vehicles) in which all investors are Persons that such Purchaser reasonably believes are QIBs that are Registered Investment Companies, Banks or insurance companies (or, in the case of a tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) in which the Holder or an affiliate of the Holder retains a residual interest), or (3) to other investors with the prior written consent of the Issuer and (ii) unless the prior written consent of each of the Issuer and the Majority Participants has been obtained, not to AllianceBernstein Persons if such AllianceBernstein Persons would, after such sale and transfer, own more than 20% of the Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares.  Any transfer in violation of the foregoing restrictions shall be void ab initio.  In connection with any transfer of the 2018 VMTP Shares, each transferee (including, in the case of a tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles), the depositor or trustee or other Person thereunder acting on behalf of such transferee) will be required to deliver to the Issuer a transferee certificate set forth as Exhibit C to this Agreement no later than the date of the transfer.  The foregoing restrictions on transfer shall not apply to any 2018 VMTP Shares registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or any subsequent transfer of such registered 2018 VMTP Shares thereafter.
(c)
In the event that a Purchaser transfers, in accordance with Section 2.1(b), 2018 VMTP Shares to a tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) in which such Purchaser retains a residual interest, for so long as no event has occurred that results in the termination of such tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles), for purposes of each of the Applicable Sections (as defined below) that requires, permits or provides for (i) notice or the delivery of information to or (ii) voting of the 2018 VMTP Shares or the giving of any consent by or (iii) payment of fees, in each case, to such Purchaser or the Majority Participants, such Purchaser, and not such tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles), shall be deemed to be the actual owner of such 2018 VMTP Shares.  For the avoidance of doubt, the deemed ownership provided for in this Section 2.1(c) shall be limited to the following sections of this Agreement:  2.1(b), 2.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.8, 6.9, 6.12, 6.14, 6.17, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.8, 7.10, 7.12 and 7.15 (collectively, the "Applicable Sections").  The deemed ownership provided for in this Section 2.1(c) shall last until the earliest of (A) the termination of such tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles); (B) the agreement by the Issuer and such Purchaser to terminate such deemed ownership; and (C) with respect to some or all of the Applicable Sections, the good-faith determination by such Purchaser that such deemed ownership has adverse tax, legal or other regulatory consequences or is otherwise no longer consistent with applicable law.
(d)
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, except with respect to the deemed ownership provided for above in respect of the Applicable Sections, the tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) to which 2018 VMTP Shares are transferred and each of the beneficial owners thereof shall retain all of its other rights in respect of the Issuer and the 2018 VMTP Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the Articles Supplementary or under law, including, for the avoidance of doubt, its rights under any of the Applicable Sections to the extent necessary for the protection or exercise of such other rights retained pursuant to this Section 2.1(d) or that are otherwise applicable as a result of the exercise of such other rights.
2.2
Fees
(a)
On the Effective Date, the Purchasers and Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Purchasers' single outside counsel in connection with (i) the negotiation and documentation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) the initial organization and set up of a voting trust to be formed with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares. Such payments shall be made by the Purchasers and Issuer in the following amounts: (i) the Purchasers will pay the first $20,000 of such fees and expenses and (ii) the Issuer shall pay any amount of fees and expenses that are in excess of $20,000.
(b)
The Issuer shall pay up to $10,500 of the fees and expenses incurred by the Purchasers in connection with the initial organization and set up of the voting trust to be formed with respect of the 2018 VMTP Shares.
(c)
With respect to the fees and expenses described in subsection (b) of this Section 2.2, the Issuer will pay such fees and expenses within thirty (30) days of receipt of the associated invoice. For avoidance of doubt, the Issuer's responsibilities with respect to the fees and expenses described in subsections (a)(ii) and (b) are exclusive of each other.
2.3
Operating Expenses
The Issuer shall pay amounts due to be paid by it hereunder (including any incidental expenses but not including redemption or dividend payments on the 2018 VMTP Shares) as operating expenses.

2.4
Additional Fee for Failure to Comply with Reporting Requirement or Registration Rights Failure
(a)
For so long as either Purchaser is a Holder or Designated Owner of any Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares, if the Issuer fails to comply with the reporting requirements set forth in Sections 6.1(o) and 6.1(p) (except as a result of a Force Majeure Exception) and such failure is not cured within five Business Days after written notification to the Issuer by either Purchaser of such failure (a "Reporting Failure") or a Registration Rights Failure occurs, and such failure is not cured within five Business Days after written notification to the Issuer by either Purchaser of such failure, the Issuer shall pay to each Purchaser on the Dividend Payment Date occurring in the month immediately following a month in which either such Reporting Failure or Registration Failure (either, a "Failure") continues a fee, calculated in respect of each Week (or portion thereof) during such month in respect of a Failure and beginning on the date of such Failure, equal to the product of (i) the Fee Rate, times (ii) the aggregate average daily Liquidation Preference of the 2018 VMTP Shares held by such Purchaser during such Week or portion thereof, times (iii) the quotient of the number of days in such Week or portion thereof divided by the number of calendar days in the year in which such Week or portion thereof occurs.  If such fee is an "other distribution" pursuant to the Articles Supplementary, such fee shall be paid pursuant to and in accordance with the Articles Supplementary, including Section 2.2(c) of the Articles Supplementary.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall (i) the fee payable pursuant to this Section 2.4 hereunder for any Week plus the Applicable Spread on the 2018 VMTP Shares for such Week exceed an amount (exclusive of any Additional Amount Payment) equal to the product of (x) 15%, times (y) the aggregate average daily Liquidation Preference of the 2018 VMTP Shares held by such Purchaser during such Week or portion thereof, times (z) the quotient of the number of days in such Week or portion thereof divided by the number of calendar days in the year in which such Week or portion thereof occurs; (ii) the fee payable pursuant to this Section 2.4 for any Week plus the amount of dividends payable at the Dividend Rate for the 2018 VMTP Shares for such Week exceed an amount equal to the product of (aa) 15%, times (bb) the aggregate average daily Liquidation Preference of the 2018 VMTP Shares held by such Purchaser during such Week or portion thereof, times (cc) the quotient of the number of days in such Week or portion thereof divided by the number of calendar days in the year in which such Week or portion thereof occurs; or (iii) the Issuer be required to calculate or pay a fee in respect of more than one Failure in any Week.
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall (i) the fee payable pursuant to this Section 2.4 for any day plus the Dividend Rate for the 2018 VMTP Shares for such day exceed 15%, (ii) the Issuer be required to calculate and pay a fee, in respect of more than one Reporting Failure in any week, or (iii) the fee payable pursuant to this Section 2.4 be payable with respect to any portion of a Week in which such Failure is not continuing.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVE DATE
It shall be a condition to the Effective Date that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived as of or on such date, and upon such satisfaction or waiver, this Agreement shall be effective:

(a)
this Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties hereto;
(b)
the 2018 VMTP Shares shall have a long-term issue credit rating of at least AA- (or its equivalent) from S&P on the Effective Date;
(c)
receipt by each Purchaser of executed originals, or copies certified by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer to be in full force and effect and not otherwise amended, of all Related Documents, as in effect on the Effective Date, and an incumbency certificate with respect to the authorized signatories thereto;
(d)
receipt by each Purchaser of opinions of counsel for the Issuer, substantially to the effect of Exhibit A;
(e)
except as disclosed in the Information Statement, there shall not be any pending or threatened material litigation (unless such pending or threatened litigation has been determined by the Purchasers to be acceptable);
(f)
the fees and expenses and all other amounts payable on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall have been paid;
(g)
each Purchaser, in its reasonable discretion, shall be satisfied that no change in law, rule or regulation (or their interpretation or administration), in each case, shall have occurred which will adversely affect the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement;
(h)
there shall have been delivered to each Purchaser any additional documentation and financial information, including satisfactory responses to the Due Diligence Request, as it deems relevant; and
(i)
there shall have been delivered to each Purchaser such information and copies of documents, approvals (if any) and records certified, where appropriate, of corporate proceedings as the Purchasers may have requested relating to the Issuer's entering into and performing this Agreement and the other Related Documents to which the Issuer is a party, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
The Issuer and each Purchaser agree that consummation of the purchase and sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute acknowledgment that the foregoing conditions have been satisfied or waived.

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER
The representations and warranties set out in this Article IV are given hereunder by the Issuer to each of the Purchasers as of the Effective Date.

4.1
Existence
The Issuer is validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, with full right and power to issue the 2018 VMTP Shares and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Related Document, except where the failure to have such right and power could not reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2
Authorization; Contravention
The execution, delivery and performance by the Issuer of this Agreement and each Related Document are within the Issuer's powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official except such as have been taken or made and do not violate or contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law, Charter, ordinance or regulation or of any material agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Issuer or cause the creation or imposition of any lien or encumbrance on any asset of the Issuer.
4.3
Binding Effect
Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and (ii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable or public policy principles of general applicability, it being understood that the enforceability of indemnification provisions may be subject to limitations imposed under applicable securities laws.  The 2018 VMTP Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon payment therefor by the Purchasers as contemplated by this Agreement, will be validly issued by the Issuer and fully paid and nonassessable.
4.4
Financial Information
The most recent publicly available financial statements of the Issuer, and the auditors' report with respect thereto, copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Purchaser, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Issuer, at such date and for such period, and were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, consistently applied (except as required or permitted and disclosed). Since the date of such financial statements, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Issuer that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as disclosed in the Information Statement, other than changes in the general economy or changes affecting the market for municipal securities or investment companies generally. Any financial, budget and other projections furnished to each Purchaser were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair and reasonable in light of conditions existing at the time of delivery of such financial, budget or other projections.
4.5
Litigation
Except as disclosed in the Information Statement or in a schedule delivered to each Purchaser prior to the Effective Date, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or (to the best knowledge of the Issuer) overtly threatened in writing against the Issuer in any court or before any governmental authority that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.6
Consents
All consents, licenses, approvals, validations and authorizations of, and registrations, validations or declarations by or with, any court or any governmental agency, bureau or agency required to be obtained by the Issuer in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the other Related Documents (including the 2018 VMTP Shares) by or against the Issuer have been obtained and are in full force and effect, except to the extent that the failure to make or obtain the same could not reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.
4.7
Incorporation of Additional Representations and Warranties
As of the Effective Date, the Issuer hereby makes to each of the Purchasers the representations and warranties included in Exhibit E hereto, which representations and warranties are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
4.8
Complete and Correct Information
All information, reports and other papers and data with respect to the Issuer furnished to each Purchaser by the Issuer (other than financial information, financial statements, budgets and projections, which are covered solely by Section 4.4 of this Agreement) were, at the time the same were so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects. No fact is known to the Issuer that materially and adversely affects or in the future may (so far as it can reasonably foresee) materially and adversely affect the 2018 VMTP Shares, or the Issuer's ability to repay when due its obligations under this Agreement, any of the 2018 VMTP Shares and the Related Documents that has not been set forth in the Information Statement or in the financial information and other documents referred to in Section 4.4 or this Section 4.8 or in such information, reports, papers and data otherwise made available or disclosed in writing to each Purchaser. Taken as a whole, the documents furnished and statements made by the Issuer in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement and the Related Documents do not contain untrue statements of material facts or omit to state material facts necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.9
Information Statement
The Information Statement, true copies of which have heretofore been delivered to each Purchaser, when considered together with this Agreement and the other information made available pursuant to the Due Diligence Request or disclosed in writing to each Purchaser prior to the Effective Date in connection with this Agreement, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and such Information Statement does not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.10
1940 Act Registration
The Issuer is duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and such registration is in full force and effect.
4.11
Effective Leverage Ratio; Asset Coverage
As of the Effective Date, the Issuer is in compliance with the Effective Leverage Ratio and the Asset Coverage as required by Section 2.4 of the Articles Supplementary.
In connection with calculating the Effective Leverage Ratio, the Issuer's total assets and accrued liabilities reflect the positive or negative net obligations of the Issuer under each Derivative Contract determined in accordance with the Issuer's valuation policies.
4.12
Credit Quality
As of the Effective Date, the Issuer (i) has invested at least 80% of its Managed Assets in investment grade quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one of the NRSROs rating such securities or were unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser; and (ii) has invested up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment were rated below investment grade or were unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser, provided that the Issuer has invested no more than 10% of the Issuer's Managed Assets in municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below B3/B- by an NRSRO or that were unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser.
4.13
Due Diligence
The Issuer understands that nothing in this Agreement, the Information Statement, or any other materials presented to the Issuer in connection with the purchase and sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares constitutes legal, tax or investment advice from either of the Purchasers.  The Issuer has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with its sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares.
4.14
Certain Fees
The Issuer acknowledges that, other than the fees and expenses payable pursuant to this Agreement, no brokerage or finder's fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Issuer or, to the Issuer's knowledge, by either Purchaser to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.15
Eligible Assets
As of the Effective Date, the Issuer owns only Eligible Assets, as described in Exhibit B to this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS
Each Purchaser severally represents and warrants with respect to itself, as of the date hereof and as of the Effective Date to the Issuer as follows:
5.1
Existence
The Purchaser is validly existing and in good standing as (a) with respect to BAPFC, a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware and (b) with respect to Blue Ridge, a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware, and the Purchaser has full right and power to purchase the 2018 VMTP Shares and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Related Document to which it is a party, except where the failure to have such right and power could not reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2
Authorization; Contravention
The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and each Related Document to which it is a party are within the Purchaser's powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official except such as have been taken or made,  and do not violate or contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law, charter, ordinance or regulation or of any material agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument, in each case applicable to or binding upon the Purchaser.
5.3
Binding Effect
Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and (ii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable or public policy principles of general applicability, it being understood that the enforceability of indemnification provisions may be subject to limitations imposed under applicable securities laws.
5.4
Restricted Securities; Own Account
The Purchaser understands that the 2018 VMTP Shares are "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws and are subject to restrictions on the sale and transferability applicable to restricted securities.  The Purchaser is acquiring the 2018 VMTP Shares as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for the purpose of distributing or reselling such securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such 2018 VMTP Shares in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such 2018 VMTP Shares in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting the Purchaser's right to register the 2018 VMTP Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise transfer the 2018 VMTP Shares in compliance with the transfer limitations of this Agreement in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws).
5.5
Litigation
Except as disclosed in a schedule delivered to the Issuer prior to the Effective Date, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or (to the best knowledge of the Purchaser) overtly threatened in writing against the Purchaser in any court or before any governmental authority in any way contesting or, if decided adversely, would affect the validity of this Agreement.
5.6
Consents
All consents, licenses, approvals, validations and authorizations of, and registrations, validations or declarations by or with, any court or any governmental agency, bureau or agency required to be obtained by the Purchaser in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement by or against the Purchaser and the purchase of the 2018 VMTP Shares have been obtained and are in full force and effect, except to the extent that the failure to make or obtain the same could not reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.
5.7
Purchaser Status
At the time the Purchaser was offered the 2018 VMTP Shares, it was, and as of the Effective Date it is:  (i) an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act and (ii) a QIB.
5.8
Certain Transactions
Other than consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Purchaser has not directly or indirectly executed, nor has any Person acting on behalf of the Purchaser, or pursuant to any understanding with the Purchaser executed, any other purchases of securities of the Issuer which may be integrated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.9
Certain Fees
The Purchaser acknowledges that, other than the fees and expenses payable pursuant to this Agreement, no brokerage or finder's fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Purchaser or, to the Purchaser's knowledge, by the Issuer to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.10
Experience of the Purchaser
The Purchaser has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the 2018 VMTP Shares, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment.  The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the 2018 VMTP Shares and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
5.11
Due Diligence
The Purchaser acknowledges that it has sole responsibility for its own due diligence investigation and its own investment decision relating to the 2018 VMTP Shares.  The Purchaser understands that nothing in this Agreement, the Information Statement, or any other materials presented to the Purchaser in connection with the purchase and sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares constitutes legal, tax or investment advice from the Issuer.  The Purchaser has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with its purchase of the 2018 VMTP Shares.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER
The Issuer agrees that, so long as there is any amount payable hereunder or either of the Purchasers owns any Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares:

6.1
Information
Without limitation of the other provisions of this Agreement, the Issuer will deliver, or direct the Redemption and Paying Agent to deliver, to the Purchasers:
(a)
as promptly as practicable after the preparation and filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission, each annual and semi-annual report prepared with respect to the Issuer, which delivery may be made by notice of the electronic availability of any such document on a public website;
(b)
notice of any change in (including being put on Credit Watch or Watchlist), or suspension or termination of, the ratings on the 2018 VMTP Shares by any Rating Agency (and any corresponding change in the Rating Agency Guidelines applicable to the 2018 VMTP Shares associated with any such change in the rating from any Rating Agency) or any change of a Rating Agency rating the 2018 VMTP Shares as promptly as practicable upon the occurrence thereof;
(c)
notice of any redemption or other repurchase of any or all of the 2018 VMTP Shares as provided in the Articles Supplementary;
(d)
notice of any proposed amendments to any of the Related Documents at such time as the amendments are sent to other parties whose approval is required for such amendment and in any event not less than 10 Business Days prior to any proposed amendment and copies of all actual amendments thereto within five Business Days of being signed or, in each case, as provided in the relevant document;
(e)
notice of any missed, reduced or deferred dividend payment on the 2018 VMTP Shares that remains uncured for more than three Business Days as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one Business Day after expiration of the foregoing grace period;
(f)
notice of the failure to make any deposit provided for under Section 2.5(d) of the Articles Supplementary in respect of a properly noticed redemption as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than two Business Days after discovery of such failure to make any such deposit;
(g)
notice of non-compliance with the Rating Agency Guidelines (if applicable) for more than five Business Days as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one Business Day after expiration of the foregoing grace period;
(h)
notice of the distribution of net capital gains or ordinary income one Business Day in advance of the Rate Period that such net capital gains or ordinary income will or may be distributed, simultaneously with the Redemption and Paying Agent providing such notice to Designated Owners or their Agent Members;
(i)
notice of any change to any investment adviser or sub-adviser of the Issuer within two Business Days after a resignation or a notice of removal has been sent by or to any investment adviser or sub-adviser;
(j)
notice of any proxy solicitation as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than five Business Days after mailing thereof;
(k)
notice one Business Day after the occurrence thereof of (i) the failure of the Issuer to pay the amount due on any "senior securities" (as defined under the 1940 Act) or other debt at the time outstanding after any period of grace or cure with respect thereto shall have expired; (ii) the failure of the Issuer to pay, or admitting in writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become due; or (iii) the failure of the Issuer to pay accumulated dividends on any additional preferred stock ranking pari passu with the 2018 VMTP Shares (including, but not limited to, the Original VMTP Shares), after any period of grace or cure with respect thereto shall have expired;
(l)
notice of a material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Issuer contained in this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or any violation of the terms of the Articles Supplementary, in each case, only if any officer of the Issuer has actual knowledge of such breach or violation as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than five days, after knowledge of any officer of the Issuer thereof;
(m)
notice of any litigation, administrative proceeding or business development which may reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the Issuer's business, properties or affairs or to impair the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations as set forth hereunder or under any of the Related Documents to which it is a party as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 10 days after knowledge of any officer of the Issuer thereof;
(n)
upon request of either Purchaser, copies of all certificates that the Issuer has delivered to each Rating Agency that are set forth in the respective Rating Agency Guidelines (if applicable) regarding Asset Coverage and all related calculations at such times and containing such information as set forth in the respective Rating Agency Guidelines as soon as reasonably practicable after such certificates have been sent;
(o)
on the 15th and last day of each month (each a "Reporting Date"), a report of portfolio holdings of the Issuer as of the end of the Business Day immediately preceding each such Reporting Date, prepared on a basis substantially consistent with the periodic reports of portfolio holdings of the Issuer prepared for financial reporting purposes;
(p)
on the 15th and last day of each month, the information set forth in Exhibit D to this Agreement and a calculation of the Effective Leverage Ratio and the Asset Coverage of the Issuer as of the close of business of each Business Day since the date of the last report issued pursuant to this Section 6.1(p); and upon the failure of the Issuer to maintain Asset Coverage as provided in Section 2.4(a) of the Articles Supplementary or the Effective Leverage Ratio as required by Section 2.4(c) of the Articles Supplementary, notice of such failure within one Business Day of the occurrence thereof; and
(q)
from time to time such additional information regarding the financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Issuer as either Purchaser may reasonably request including, without limitation, copies of all Information Statements or other offering material with respect to the sale of any securities of the Issuer as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 10 days after a request.
All information, reports and other papers, documentation and data with respect to the Issuer furnished to either Purchaser pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall be, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects and, when considered with all other material delivered to either Purchaser under this Agreement or made available pursuant to the Due Diligence Request, will not contain untrue statements of material facts or omit to state material facts necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  For purposes of Sections 6.1(o) and (p), references to any day that is not a Business Day shall mean the next preceding Business Day.

6.2
No Amendment or Certain Other Actions Without Consent of the Purchasers
To the extent that, collectively, the Purchasers are Holders or Designated Owners of 75% of the 2018 VMTP Shares then outstanding, without the prior written consent of the Purchasers, the Issuer will not agree to, consent to or permit any amendment, supplement, modification or repeal of the Articles Supplementary or any provision therein, nor waive any provision thereof.
6.3
Maintenance of Existence
The Issuer shall continue to maintain its existence as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, with full right and power to issue the 2018 VMTP Shares and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Related Document.
6.4
Tax Status of the Issuer
The Issuer will qualify as a "regulated investment company" within the meaning of Section 851(a) of the Code and the dividends made with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares will qualify as "exempt interest dividends" to the extent they are reported as such by the Issuer and permitted by Section 852(b)(5)(A) of the Code.
6.5
Payment Obligations
The Issuer shall promptly pay or cause to be paid all amounts payable by it hereunder and under the Related Documents, according to the terms hereof and thereof, shall take such actions as may be necessary to include all payments hereunder and thereunder which are subject to appropriation in its budget and make full appropriations related thereto, and shall duly perform each of its obligations under this Agreement and the Related Documents.  All payments of any sums due hereunder shall be made in the amounts required hereunder without any reduction or setoff, notwithstanding the assertion of any right of recoupment or setoff or of any counterclaim by the Issuer.
6.6
Compliance With Law
The Issuer shall comply with all laws, ordinances, orders, rules and regulations that may be applicable to it if the failure to comply could have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.7
Maintenance of Approvals: Filings, Etc.
The Issuer shall at all times maintain in effect, renew and comply with all the terms and conditions of all consents, filings, licenses, approvals and authorizations as may be necessary under any applicable law or regulation for its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Related Documents to which it is a party.
6.8
Inspection Rights
The Issuer shall, at any reasonable time and from time to time, upon reasonable notice, permit the Purchasers or any agents or representatives thereof, at the Issuer's expense, to examine and make copies of the records and books of account related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to visit its properties and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers and independent accountants, to the extent permitted by law, provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to pay for more than one inspection per fiscal year. The Issuer will not unreasonably withhold its authorization for its independent accountants to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with either Purchaser.
All information, reports and other papers, documentation and data with respect to the Issuer furnished to either Purchaser pursuant to this Section 6.8 shall be, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects and, when considered with all other material delivered to such Purchaser under this Agreement or made available pursuant to the Due Diligence Request, will not contain untrue statements of material facts or omit to state material facts necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
6.9
Litigation, Etc.
The Issuer shall give prompt notice in writing to each Purchaser of any litigation, administrative proceeding or business development which is reasonably expected to materially adversely affect its business, properties or affairs or to impair the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations as set forth hereunder or under any of the Related Documents.
6.10
1940 Act Registration
The Issuer shall maintain its valid registration as a registered closed-end company under the 1940 Act in full force and effect.
6.11
Credit Quality
As of the Effective Date, the Issuer (i) has invested at least 80% of its Managed Assets in investment grade quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one of the NRSROs rating such securities or were unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser; and (ii) has invested up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment were rated below investment grade or were unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser, provided that the Issuer has invested no more than 10% of the Issuer's Managed Assets in municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below B3/B- by an NRSRO or that were unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser.
6.12
Maintenance of Effective Leverage Ratio
For so long as the Issuer fails to provide the information required under Sections 6.1(o) and 6.1(p), the Purchasers shall calculate, for purposes of Section 2.5(b)(ii)(A)(y) of the Articles Supplementary, the Effective Leverage Ratio using the most recently received information required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1(o) and 6.1(p) and the market values of securities determined by the third-party pricing service which provided the market values to the Issuer on the most recent date that information was properly provided by the Issuer pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.1(o) and 6.1(p). The Effective Leverage Ratio as calculated by BAPFC so long as BAPFC holds 2018 VMTP Shares, and otherwise, as calculated by Blue Ridge so long as Blue Ridge holds 2018 VMTP Shares, in such instances shall be binding on the Issuer. If required, the Issuer shall restore the Effective Leverage Ratio as provided in the Articles Supplementary.
In connection with calculating the Effective Leverage Ratio, the Issuer's total assets and accrued liabilities shall reflect the positive or negative net obligations of the Issuer under each Derivative Contract determined in accordance with the Issuer's valuation policies.
6.13
Redemption and Paying Agent
The Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to engage at all times a Redemption and Paying Agent to perform the duties to be performed by the Redemption and Paying Agent specified herein and in the Articles Supplementary.
6.14
Cooperation in the Sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares
The Issuer will comply with reasonable due diligence requests from either Purchaser in connection with any proposed sale by such Purchaser of the 2018 VMTP Shares in a transaction exempt from registration and otherwise permitted by this Agreement, provided that the Issuer need not comply with more than two of any such requests in any period of twelve consecutive months and any prospective purchaser of the 2018 VMTP Shares from either Purchaser shall execute a confidentiality agreement substantially to the effect of Section 7.13 hereof prior to receiving any due diligence materials provided pursuant to such due diligence request.
All information, reports and other papers, documentation and data with respect to the Issuer furnished to either Purchaser pursuant to this Section 6.14 shall be, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects and, when considered with all other material delivered to such Purchaser under this Agreement or made available pursuant to the Due Diligence Request, will not contain untrue statements of material facts or omit to state material facts necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
6.15
Use of Proceeds
The Issuer shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares to purchase all or a portion of its APS accepted by the Issuer pursuant to a tender offer to purchase such shares within 15 days of the Effective Date.
6.16
Securities Depository
The Issuer agrees to maintain settlement of the 2018 VMTP Shares in global book entry form through the Securities Depository or such other clearance system acceptable to the Purchasers.

6.17
Future Agreements
The Issuer shall promptly, at the request of either Purchaser, enter into an agreement, on terms mutually satisfactory to the Issuer and such Purchaser, of the type specified in Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the 1940 Act, so as to permit such Purchaser or any transferee satisfying the requirements set forth in Section 2.1 to rely on the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the 1940 Act.
6.18
Eligible Assets
The Issuer shall only make investments in the Eligible Assets described in Exhibit B to this Agreement, as amended from time to time with the prior written consent of the Purchasers, in accordance with the Issuer's investment objectives and the investment policies set forth in the Information Statement, as such investment objectives and investment policies may be modified in accordance with the 1940 Act and applicable law.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1
Notices
All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy, electronic mail or similar writing), except in the case of notices and other communications permitted to be given by telephone, and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopy number or email address set forth below or such other address or telecopy number or email address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified in this Section. Except as otherwise specified, notices under Section 6.1 may be given by telephone to the Purchasers at the telephone numbers listed below (or such other telephone numbers as may be designated by either Purchaser, by written notice to the Issuer, to receive such notice), immediately confirmed in writing, including by fax or electronic mail. The notice address for each party is specified below:
(a)
if to the Issuer:
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
c/o AllianceBernstein L.P.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Attention: Terry Hults
Telephone:  (212) 969-6453
Email:  terry.hults@abglobal.com
(b)
if to BAPFC:
Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation
One Bryant Park
1111 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Attention:   Thomas J. Visone
          Jason Strand
          Todd Blasiak
          Michael Jentis
          Lisa Irizarry
Telephone: (212) 449-7358 (Visone, Blasiak, Irizarry)
      (980) 386-4161 (Strand)
Email:   thomas.visone@baml.com
       jason.strand@bankofamerica.com
       todd.blasiak@baml.com
       lisa.m.irizarry@baml.com
       michael.jentis@baml.com

(c) if to Blue Ridge:

Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C.
One Bryant Park
1111 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Thomas J. Visone
     Jason Strand
     Todd Blasiak
     Michael Jentis
     Lisa Irizarry
Telephone: (212) 449-7358 (Visone, Blasiak, Irizarry)
      (980) 386-4161 (Strand)
Email:  thomas.visone@baml.com
    jason.strand@bankofamerica.com
    todd.blasiak@baml.com
    lisa.m.irizarry@baml.com
    michael.jentis@baml.com


7.2
No Waivers
(a)
The obligations of the Issuer hereunder shall not in any way be modified or limited by reference to any other document, instrument or agreement (including, without limitation, the 2018 VMTP Shares or any other Related Document).  The rights of each Purchaser hereunder are separate from and in addition to any rights that any Holder or Designated Owner of any 2018 VMTP Share may have under the terms of such 2018 VMTP Share or any Related Document or otherwise.
(b)
No failure or delay by the Issuer or either Purchaser in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the 2018 VMTP Shares shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  No failure or delay by the Issuer or either Purchaser in exercising any right, power or privilege under or in respect of the 2018 VMTP Shares or any other Related Document shall affect the rights, powers or privileges of the Issuer or either Purchaser hereunder or shall operate as a limitation or waiver thereof.  The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
7.3
Expenses and Indemnification
(a)
The Issuer shall upon demand either, as each Purchaser may require, pay in the first instance or reimburse such Purchaser (to the extent that payments for the following items are not made under the other provisions hereof) for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and costs of outside counsel, and reasonable consulting, accounting, appraisal, investment banking, and similar professional fees and charges) incurred by such Purchaser in connection with the enforcement of or preservation of rights under this Agreement. The Issuer shall not be responsible under this Section 7.3(a) for the fees and costs of more than one law firm in any one jurisdiction with respect to any one proceeding or set of related proceedings for such Purchaser, unless such Purchaser shall have reasonably concluded that there are legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Issuer.
(b)
The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser and each other Indemnified Person of such Purchaser from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel) that are related to or arise out of (i) any material misstatements or any material statements omitted to be made in the Information Statement (including any documents incorporated by reference therein) or (ii) any claim by any third party relating to the offering or sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares by the Issuer or the holding of the 2018 VMTP Shares by such Purchaser (A) that such Purchaser aided and abetted a breach of a fiduciary duty by the Issuer or any director or officer of the Issuer or (B) arising from any act by the Issuer or any director or officer of the Issuer (excluding in any such case clauses (i) or (ii), claims, losses, liabilities or expenses arising out of or resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Person as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, and any consequential, special or punitive damages or losses consisting of trading losses, speculative losses, loss of profit or loss of business opportunity).
(c)
The indemnifying party also agrees that if any indemnification sought by an Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement is unavailable or insufficient, for any reason, to hold harmless the Indemnified Persons of such other party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), then the indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, liabilities, damages and expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Issuer on the one hand and the Purchasers on the other hand from the actual or proposed transactions giving rise to or contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Issuer on the one hand and the Purchasers on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that in any event the aggregate contribution of each Purchaser and their Indemnified Persons to all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses with respect to which contributions are available hereunder will not exceed the amount of dividends actually received by such Purchaser from the Issuer pursuant to the proposed transactions giving rise to this Agreement. For purposes of determining the relative benefits to the Issuer on the one hand, and the Purchasers on the other, under the proposed transactions giving rise to or contemplated by this Agreement, such benefits shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (i) the total value received or proposed to be received by the Issuer pursuant to the transactions, whether or not consummated bears to (ii) the dividends and Optional Redemption Premium paid by the Issuer to such Purchaser in connection with the proposed transactions giving rise to or contemplated by this Agreement.  The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the actions taken or omitted to be taken in connection with the proposed transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any misstatement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact) relates to information supplied by the Issuer on the one hand, or the Purchasers on the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, misstatement or alleged omission, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances. No person found liable for a fraudulent misrepresentation shall be entitled to contribution from any person who is not also found liable for such fraudulent misrepresentation. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations under this Agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Person may have at common law or otherwise.
(d)
If any action, suit, proceeding or investigation is commenced, as to which an Indemnified Person proposes to demand indemnification, it shall notify the indemnifying party with reasonable promptness; provided, however, that any failure by such Indemnified Person to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from its obligations hereunder (except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to promptly notify). The indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. The Indemnified Person shall have the right to counsel of its own choice to represent it, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the indemnifying party has failed promptly to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person in accordance with the preceding sentence or (ii) the Indemnified Person shall have been advised by counsel that there exist actual or potential conflicting interests between the indemnifying party and such Indemnified Person, including situations in which one or more legal defenses may be available to such Indemnified Person that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar actions or proceedings arising out of the same general allegations be liable for fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all Indemnified Persons of such other party; and such counsel shall, to the extent consistent with its professional responsibilities, cooperate with the indemnifying party and any counsel designated by the indemnifying party.
Each party further agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the other parties (the consent of a party shall not be required to the extent such party is neither requesting indemnification nor being requested to provide indemnification), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Person is an actual or potential party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each other Indemnified Person from all liability and obligations arising therefrom.  The Issuer further agrees that neither of the Purchasers, nor any of their affiliates, nor any directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives or control persons of either Purchaser or any of its affiliates shall have any liability to the Issuer arising out of or in connection with the proposed transactions giving rise to or contemplated by this Agreement except for such liability for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to the extent they have resulted from the  Purchasers' or their affiliates' gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Indemnified Person shall be responsible or liable to the indemnifying party or any other person for consequential, special or punitive damages which may be alleged as a result of this Agreement.

(e)
Nothing in this Section 7.3 is intended to limit any party's obligations contained in other parts of this Agreement or the 2018 VMTP Shares.
7.4
Amendments and Waivers
Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Issuer and the Purchasers; provided, that the Issuer shall not make or agree to any amendment or waiver to the Charter or the Articles Supplementary that affects any preference, right or power of the 2018 VMTP Shares or the Holders or Designated Owners thereof except as permitted under the Charter or the Articles Supplementary.
7.5
Successors and Assigns
The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Neither the Issuer nor either Purchaser may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party (other than by operation of law), except that (i) any transferee satisfying the requirements set forth in Section 2.1 and which has executed and delivered to the Issuer the transferee certificate attached as Exhibit C shall, prior to registration of any 2018 VMTP Shares under the Securities Act, have the rights set forth in Section 6.17 and Section 7.15 and shall, so long as such transferee has provided a means for the Issuer to transmit such information electronically to it, be entitled to receive the information delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1(o) and 6.1(p) and such transferees shall be deemed a party to this Agreement for purposes of Sections 6.1(o), 6.1(p) and the confidentiality provisions herein as specified in the transferee certificate and (ii) each Purchaser may assign its rights or obligations to any affiliate of such Purchaser or any tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) in which such Purchaser or an affiliate of such Purchaser retains the entire residual interest.  Any assignment without such prior written consent shall be void.
7.6
Term of this Agreement
This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the registration of any Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares under the Securities Act and (ii) payment in full of all amounts then due and owing to either Purchaser hereunder and under the 2018 VMTP Shares; and notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, Section 7.3, Section 7.7, Section 7.8, Section 7.10, Section 7.11, the second sentence of Section 7.12, and Section 7.13 (for a period of two years after the termination of this Agreement) shall remain in full force and effect.
7.7
Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the domestic law of the State of New York.

THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE COURTS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISPUTE RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
7.8
Waiver of Jury Trial
The Issuer and each Purchaser hereby waive trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the parties hereto against any other on any matters whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement.
7.9
Counterparts
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Any counterpart or other signature delivered by facsimile or by electronic mail shall be deemed for all purposes as being a good and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement by that party.
7.10
Beneficiaries
This Agreement is not intended and shall not be construed to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies hereunder.
7.11
Entire Agreement
Except as set forth in Section 7.5, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the matters set forth herein and shall supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
7.12
Relationship to the Articles Supplementary
The Issuer and each Purchaser agree that the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement are in addition to the terms and provisions set forth in the Articles Supplementary. As between the Issuer and each Purchaser, the Issuer and each Purchaser agree that Section 2.10(d) of the Articles Supplementary shall have no effect for so long as none of the 2018 VMTP Shares have been registered under the Securities Act.

7.13
Confidentiality
Any information delivered by a party to this Agreement to any other party pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the case of the Issuer (collectively, the "Information"), shall not be disclosed by such other party (or its employees, representatives or agents) to any person or entity (except as required by law or to such of its agents and advisors as need to know and agree to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph) or used by such other party for any purpose other than as contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of the party delivering the Information.

The obligations of confidentiality set out in the preceding paragraph do not extend to Information that is or becomes available to the public or is or becomes available to the party receiving the Information on a non-confidential basis or is disclosed to Holders or Designated Owners or potential Holders or Designated Owners, in each case in their capacity as such, in the offering documents of the Issuer, in notices to Holders or Designated Owners pursuant to one or more of the Related Documents or pursuant to the Issuer's or each Purchaser's informational obligations under Rule 144A(d)(4) or other reporting obligation of the Securities and Exchange Commission; or is required or requested to be disclosed (i) by a regulatory agency or in connection with an examination of either party or its representatives by regulatory authorities, (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other court process, (iii) at the express direction of any other authorized government agency, (iv) to its independent attorneys or auditors, (v) as required by any NRSRO, (vi) as otherwise required by law or regulation, (vii) otherwise in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, (viii) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or in any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the enforcement of rights hereunder, (ix) by a prospective purchaser of the 2018 VMTP Shares that is (a) a transferee that would be permitted pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement and (b) aware of the confidentiality provisions of this Section 7.13 and is subject to an agreement with the transferor containing provisions substantially similar thereto and that states that the Issuer is an express third party beneficiary thereof, (x) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially similar to those of this Section 7.13, or (xi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially similar to those of this Section 7.13 and with the prior written consent of the other party to this Agreement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, to any actual or prospective counterparty in any swap or derivative transactions.  For the avoidance of doubt, references in this Section 7.13 to "regulatory agency," "regulatory authorities," "government agency" and "law or regulation" shall be deemed to include the Internal Revenue Service and state taxation authorities.

7.14
Severability
In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby so long as the intent of the Parties to this Agreement shall be preserved.
7.15
Consent Rights of the Majority Participants to Certain Actions.
For so long as none of the 2018 VMTP Shares have been registered under the Securities Act, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Majority Participants, neither the Issuer nor the Board of Directors will take or authorize the taking of any of the actions set forth under clauses (a) through (e) of this Section 7.15:
(a)
The termination by the Issuer of any Rating Agency or the selection of any Other Rating Agency, either in replacement for a Rating Agency or as an additional Rating Agency with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares.
(b)
The Issuer issuing or suffering to exist any "senior security" (as defined in the 1940 Act as of the date hereof, but not including a Derivative Contract, or, in the event such definition shall be amended, with such changes to the definition thereof as consented to by the Majority Participants) other than the 2018 VMTP Shares issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement or indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuer, except (i) borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not to exceed 5% of the assets of the Issuer, which borrowings are repaid within 60 days, (ii) the issuance of senior securities or the incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money, the proceeds of which will be used for the redemption or repurchase of the 2018 VMTP Shares and costs incurred in connection therewith, (iii) the Issuer's previously issued and outstanding APS and Original VMTP Shares, and (iv) as may be otherwise approved or consented to by the Majority Participants, provided that if any such "senior security" is created or incurred by the Issuer it shall not require the approval of the Majority Participants if the Issuer redeems, retires or terminates such "senior security" or otherwise cures such non-compliance within five Business Days of receiving notice of the existence thereof.
(c)
The Issuer (i) creating or incurring or suffering to be incurred or to exist any lien on any other funds, accounts or other property held under the Charter or the Articles Supplementary, except as permitted by the Charter or the Articles Supplementary or (ii) except for any lien for the benefit of the Custodian of the Issuer on the assets of the Issuer held by such Custodian, pledging any portfolio security to secure any senior securities or other liabilities to be incurred by the Issuer (including under any tender option bond trust of which the residual floating rate trust certificates will be owned by the Issuer) unless the securities pledged pursuant to all such pledges or other security arrangements are valued for purposes of such security arrangements in an aggregate amount not less than 70% of their aggregate market value (determined by an independent third party pricing service) for purposes of determining the value of the collateral required to be posted or otherwise provided under all such security arrangements; provided, that the required collateral value under such security arrangements shall not exceed the market value of the exposure of each secured party to the credit of the Issuer; and provided further, that it shall not require the approval of the Majority Participants if any pledge or security interest in violation of the preceding sentence is created or incurred by the Issuer and the Issuer cures such violation within five Business Days of receiving notice of the existence thereof.
(d)
Approval of any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Charter or the Articles Supplementary, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, that would affect any preference, right or power of the 2018 VMTP Shares differentially from the rights of the holders of the Common Shares; or
(e)
Approval of any action to be taken pursuant to Sections 2.5(g) of the Articles Supplementary (other than the issuance of additional series of Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares or other Preferred Shares, the proceeds of which will be used for the redemption or repurchase of the 2018 VMTP Shares and costs incurred in connection therewith).
In addition, if the Board of Directors shall designate a replacement to the S&P Weekly High Grade Municipal Index pursuant to the definition of SIFMA Municipal Swap Index contained in the Articles Supplementary, the Issuer shall notify the Holders of the 2018 VMTP Shares within five Business Days of such designation, and if within 30 days of such notice the Majority Participants shall have objected in writing to the designated replacement, the Board of Directors shall designate a replacement to such index as agreed to between the Issuer and the Majority Participants. In such event, the replacement index initially approved by the Board of Directors shall be the index in effect for purposes of the Articles Supplementary until a new index has been approved by the Issuer and the Majority Participants.

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN NATIONAL MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.
By: /s/ Robert M. Keith
Name: Robert M. Keith
Title: President

BANC OF AMERICA PREFERRED FUNDING CORPORATION
By: /s/ Michael Jentis
Name: Michael Jentis
Title: Managing Director

BLUE RIDGE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.
By: /s/ James W. Brewer
Name: James W. Brewer
Title: Director
 


SCHEDULE 1
Description of 2018 VMTP Shares:
3,531 AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc. 2018 VMTP Shares with a Liquidation Preference of $25,000 per share.

SCHEDULE 2
1. Aberdeen Investment Management Inc.
2. American Century Investment Management, Inc.
3. BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Inc.
4. The Dreyfus Corporation
5. BlackRock Advisors, LLC
6. Capital Research and Management Company
7. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
8. Columbia Management Investment Advisors, LLC
9. Cutwater Asset Management Corp.
10. Delaware Management Business Trust
11. Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
12. Eaton Vance Management
13. Federated Investment Management Company
14. Fidelity Management & Research Company
15. First Investors Management Company, Inc.
16. Franklin Advisers, Inc.
17. GE Asset Management Incorporated
18. Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
19. Invesco Advisers Inc.
20. John Hancock Advisers, LLC
21. J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
22. Lord Abbett & Co. LLC
23. MacKay Shields LLC
24. Massachusetts Financial Services Company
25. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
26. McDonnell Investment Management, LLC
27. Northern Trust Investments, Inc.
28. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC
29. OFI Global Asset Management, Inc.
30. Payden & Rygel
31. Pacific Investment Management Company LLC
32. Principal Management Corporation
33. Prudential Investment Management, Inc.
34. Putnam Investment Management, LLC
35. Silvercrest Asset Management Group, LLC
36. Sit Investment Associates, Inc.
37. T Rowe Price Associate, Inc.
38. UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc.
39. The Vanguard Group, Inc.
40. Waddell & Reed, Inc.
41. Western Asset Management Company
42. Wells Capital Management Incorporated

EXHIBIT A

FORMS OF OPINIONS OF COUNSEL FOR THE ISSUER


EXHIBIT A-1


FORM OF CORPORATE AND 1940 ACT OPINION
[ON FILE]


EXHIBIT A-2


FORM OF TAX OPINION
[ON FILE]


EXHIBIT A-3


FORM OF LOCAL COUNSEL OPINION
[ON FILE]

EXHIBIT A-4


FORM OF NEGATIVE ASSURANCE LETTER
[ON FILE]


EXHIBIT B
ELIGIBLE ASSETS

On the Effective Date and at all times thereafter:
1. All assets in the Issuer consist of "Eligible Assets", defined to consist only of the following as of the time of investment:
A. Debt obligations
i.
"Municipal securities", defined as obligations of a State, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or a political subdivision thereof and including general obligations, limited obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and obligations that satisfy the requirements of section 142(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 issued by or on behalf of any State, the District of Columbia, any U.S. territory or any political subdivision thereof, including any municipal corporate instrumentality of 1 or more States, or any public agency or authority of any State, the District of Columbia, any U.S. territory or any political subdivision thereof. The purchase of any municipal security will be based upon the Investment Adviser's assessment of an asset's relative value in terms of current yield, price, credit quality, and future prospects; and the Investment Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the Issuer's portfolio investments and analyze economic, political and demographic trends affecting the markets for such assets.  Eligible Assets shall include any municipal securities that at the time of purchase are paying scheduled principal and interest or if at the time of purchase are in payment default, then in the sole judgment of the Investment Adviser are expected to produce payments of principal and interest whose present value exceeds the purchase price.
ii.
Debt obligations of the United States.
iii.
Debt obligations issued, insured, or guaranteed by a department or an agency of the U.S. Government, if the obligation, insurance, or guarantee commits the full faith and credit of the United States for the repayment of the obligation.
iv.
Debt obligations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority guaranteed by the Secretary of Transportation under Section 9 of the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969.
v.
Debt obligations of the Federal Home Loan Banks.
vi.
Debt obligations, participations or other instruments of or issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Government National Mortgage Association.
vii.
Debt obligations which are or ever have been sold by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation pursuant to sections 305 or 306 of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act.
viii.
Debt obligations of any agency named in 12 U.S.C. § 24(Seventh) as eligible to issue obligations that a national bank may underwrite, deal in, purchase and sell for the bank's own account, including qualified Canadian government obligations.
ix.
Debt obligations of issuers other than those specified in (i) through (viii) above that are "investment grade" and that are "marketable."  For these purposes, an obligation is:
 (aa) "marketable" if:
it is registered under the Securities Act;
it is offered and sold pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144A; 17 CFR 230.144A; or
it can be sold with reasonable promptness at a price that corresponds reasonably to its fair value; and
(bb) "investment grade" if:
the obligor had adequate capacity to meet financial commitments under the security for the projected life of the asset or exposure, which capacity is presumed if the risk of default by the obligor is low and the full and timely repayment of principal and interest is expected.
x.
Certificates or other securities evidencing ownership interests in a municipal bond trust structure (generally referred to as a tender option bond structure) that invests in (a) debt obligations of the types described in (i) above or (b) depository receipts reflecting ownership interests in accounts holding debt obligations of the types described in (i) above.
xi.
The bonds, notes and other debt securities referenced in (A) above shall be defined as Eligible Assets.  An asset shall not lose its status as an Eligible Asset solely by virtue of the fact that:
it provides for repayment of principal and interest in any form including fixed and floating rate, zero interest, capital appreciation, discount, leases, and payment in kind; or
it is for long-term or short-term financing purposes.
B. Derivatives
i.
Interest rate derivatives;
ii.
Swaps, futures, forwards, structured notes, options and swaptions related to Eligible Assets or on an index related to Eligible Assets; or
iii.
Credit default swaps.
C. Other Assets
i.
Shares of other investment companies (open- or closed-end funds and ETFs) the assets of which consist entirely of Eligible Assets based on the Investment Adviser's assessment of the assets of each such investment company taking into account the investment company's most recent publicly available schedule of investments and publicly disclosed investment policies.
ii.
Cash.
iii.
Repurchase agreements on assets described in A above.
iv.
Taxable fixed-income securities, for the purpose of acquiring control of an issuer whose municipal bonds (a) the Issuer already owns and (b) have deteriorated or are expected shortly to deteriorate that such investment should enable the Issuer to better maximize its existing investment in such issuer, provided that the Issuer may invest no more than 0.5% of its total assets in such securities.
D. Other assets, upon written agreement of all Holders of the 2018 VMTP Shares ("Holders") that such assets are eligible for purchase by the Holder.
2. The Investment Adviser has instituted policies and procedures that it believes are sufficient to ensure that the Issuer and it comply with the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Exhibit to the Agreement.
3. The Issuer will, upon request, provide each Holder and their internal and external auditors and inspectors as such Holder may from time to time designate, with all reasonable assistance and access to information and records of the Issuer relevant to the Issuer's compliance with and performance of the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Exhibit to the Agreement, but only for the purposes of internal and external audit.




EXHIBIT C


TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Attention:  Stephen Laffey
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is hereby made to the Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"), dated as of December 19, 2018, between AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc., a closed-end fund organized as a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation ("BAPFC") , a Delaware corporation, including its successors by merger or operation of law, and Blue Ridge Investments, L.L.C. ("Blue Ridge"), a Delaware limited liability company, including its successors by merger or operation of law. [BAPFC]/[Blue Ridge] is referred to as the "Transferor" in this certificate.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Purchase Agreement.

In connection with the proposed sale by the Transferor of _______________ 2018 VMTP Shares (the "Transferred Shares") to the undersigned transferee (the "Transferee"), the undersigned agrees and acknowledges, on its own behalf, and makes the representations and warranties, on its own behalf, as set forth in this certificate (this "Transferee Certificate") to the Fund and the Transferor:

1. The Transferee certifies to one of the following (check a box):

q  it is a "qualified institutional buyer" (a "QIB") (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any successor provision) ("Rule 144A") that is (a) a registered closed-end management investment company, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange, or registered open-end management investment company, in either case, that (X) is either sponsored or managed by an entity listed on Schedule 2 to the Purchase Agreement or any other entity that is controlled by, controlling or under common control with an entity listed on Schedule 2 to the Purchase Agreement and (Y) invests primarily in municipal obligations (each, a "Registered Investment Company"); (b) bank or entity that is a 100% direct or indirect subsidiary of a bank's publicly traded parent holding company (collectively, "Banks"); or (c) an insurance company, in each case, pursuant to Rule 144A or another available exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in a manner not involving any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act;
q  it is a tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) in which all investors are QIBs that are Registered Investment Companies, Banks or insurance companies (or, in the case of a tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) in which the Holder or an affiliate of the Holder retains a residual interest); or
q  is a person which the Fund has consented in writing to permit to be the holder of the Transferred Shares.

2. The Transferee certifies that it (check a box):

q  is not an AllianceBernstein Person that after such sale and transfer, would own more than 20% of the Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares; or

q  is an AllianceBernstein Person that after such sale and transfer, would own more than 20% of the Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares and it has received the prior written consent of each of the Fund and the holder(s) of more than 50% of the outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares to invest in those shares.

3. The Transferee understands and acknowledges that the Transferred Shares are "restricted securities" and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, are being offered for sale pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act or another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, in a manner not involving any public offering with the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto and in each case in compliance with the conditions for transfer set forth in this Transferee Certificate.
4. The Transferee is purchasing the Transferred Shares for its own account for investment, and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, subject to any requirements of law that the disposition of its property be at all times within its or their control and subject to its or their ability to resell such securities pursuant to Rule 144A or any exemption from registration available under the Securities Act.
5. The Transferee agrees on its own behalf and on behalf of each subsequent holder or owner of the Transferred Shares by its acceptance thereof will agree to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Transferred Shares only in whole shares and only to (1)(i) to Persons that it reasonably believes are QIBs that are (a) registered closed-end management investment companies, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange, and registered open-end management investment companies, in each case, that (X) are either sponsored or managed by an entity listed on Schedule 2 to the Purchase Agreement or any other entity that is controlled by, controlling or under common control with an entity listed on Schedule 2 to the Purchase Agreement and (Y) invest primarily in municipal obligations (each, a "Registered Investment Company"); (b) banks or entities that are 100% direct or indirect subsidiaries of banks' publicly traded parent holding companies (collectively, "Banks"); or (c) insurance companies, in each case, pursuant to Rule 144A or another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, in a manner not involving any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, (ii) to tender option bond trusts (or other similar investment vehicles) in which all investors are Persons that the Transferor reasonably believes are QIBs that are Registered Investment Companies, Banks or insurance companies (or, in the case of a tender option bond trust (or other similar investment vehicles) in which the Holder or an affiliate of the Holder retains a residual interest), or (iii) to other investors with the prior written consent of the Issuer and (2) unless the prior written consent of each of the Issuer and the Majority Participants has been obtained, not to AllianceBernstein Persons if such AllianceBernstein Persons would, after such sale and transfer, own more than 20% of the Outstanding 2018 VMTP Shares.

6. The Transferee acknowledges that the 2018 VMTP Shares were issued in book-entry form and are represented by one global certificate and that the global certificate representing the 2018 VMTP Shares (unless sold to the public in an underwritten offering of the 2018 VMTP Shares pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act) contains a legend substantially to the following effect:

THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO SELL, TRANSFER OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF SUCH SECURITY ONLY IN WHOLE SHARES AND ONLY (1)(I) TO PERSONS THAT IT REASONABLY BELIEVES ARE QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS ("QIBS") THAT ARE (A) REGISTERED CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THE SHARES OF WHICH ARE TRADED ON A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE, AND REGISTERED OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES, IN EACH CASE, THAT (X) ARE EITHER SPONSORED OR MANAGED BY AN ENTITY LISTED ON SCHEDULE 2 TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER ENTITY THAT IS CONTROLLED BY, CONTROLLING OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH AN ENTITY LISTED ON SCHEDULE 2 TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND (Y) INVEST PRIMARILY IN MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS (EACH, A "REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY"); (B) BANKS OR ENTITIES THAT ARE 100% DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES OF BANKS' PUBLICLY TRADED PARENT HOLDING COMPANIES (COLLECTIVELY, "BANKS"); OR (C) INSURANCE COMPANIES, IN EACH CASE, PURSUANT TO RULE 144A OR ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN A MANNER NOT INVOLVING ANY PUBLIC OFFERING WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 4(a)(2) OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (II) TO TENDER OPTION BOND TRUSTS (OR OTHER SIMILAR INVESTMENT VEHICLES) IN WHICH ALL INVESTORS ARE PERSONS THAT THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES ARE QIBS THAT ARE REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES, BANKS OR INSURANCE COMPANIES (OR, IN THE CASE OF A TENDER OPTION BOND TRUST (OR OTHER SIMILAR INVESTMENT VEHICLES) IN WHICH THE HOLDER OR AN AFFILIATE OF THE HOLDER RETAINS A RESIDUAL INTEREST), OR (III) TO OTHER INVESTORS WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE FUND AND (2) UNLESS THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF EACH OF THE FUND AND THE MAJORITY PARTICIPANTS HAS BEEN OBTAINED, NOT TO ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN PERSONS IF SUCH ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN PERSONS WOULD, AFTER SUCH SALE AND TRANSFER, OWN MORE THAN 20% OF THE OUTSTANDING 2018 VMTP SHARES.
ANY TRANSFER IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS WILL BE VOID AB INITIO AND ANY TRANSFEREE OF 2018 VMTP SHARES TRANSFERRED IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE DEEMED TO AGREE TO HOLD ALL PAYMENTS IT RECEIVED ON ANY IMPROPERLY TRANSFERRED 2018 VMTP SHARES IN TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TRANSFEROR OF SUCH 2018 VMTP SHARES.
7. The Transferee has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Transferred Shares, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment.  The Transferee is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Transferred Shares and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

8. The Transferee is not purchasing the Transferred Shares as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Transferred Shares published in, nor was it offered the Transferred Shares by, any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or, to its knowledge, any other general solicitation or general advertisement.

9. Other than consummating the purchase of the Transferred Shares, the Transferee has not directly or indirectly, nor has any person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with the Transferee, executed any other purchases of securities of the Fund which may be integrated with the proposed purchase of the Transferred Shares by the Transferee.

10. The Transferee acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Purchase Agreement and Appendices thereto and agrees to abide by any obligations therein binding on a transferee of the 2018 VMTP Shares and the confidentiality obligations therein with respect to information relating to the Fund as if it were the Transferor.

11. The Transferee acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Registration Rights Agreement and agrees to abide by any obligations therein binding on a transferee of the 2018 VMTP Shares.

12. The Transferee acknowledges that it has been given the opportunity to obtain from the Fund the information referred to in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, and has either declined such opportunity or has received such information and has had access to and has reviewed all information, documents and records that it has deemed necessary in order to make an informed investment decision with respect to an investment in the Transferred Shares and that the Transferee understands the risk and other considerations relating to such investment.
13. The Transferee acknowledges that it has sole responsibility for its own due diligence investigation and its own investment decision relating to the Transferred Shares.  The Transferee understands that any materials presented to the Transferee in connection with the purchase and sale of the Transferred Shares does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice from the Fund.  The Transferee has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with the purchase of the Transferred Shares.

14. The Transferee acknowledges that each of the Transferor and the Fund and their respective affiliates and others will rely on the acknowledgments, representations and warranties contained in this Transferee's Certificate as a basis for exemption of the sale of the Transferred Shares under the Securities Act, under the securities laws of all applicable states, and for other purposes. The Transferee agrees to promptly notify the Fund and the Transferor if any of the acknowledgments, representations or warranties set forth herein are no longer accurate.

15. This Transferee's Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

16. The Transferee agrees to provide, together with this completed and signed Transferee's Certificate, a completed and signed IRS Form W-9, Form W-8 or successor form, as applicable.
[Signature Page Follows.]

The undersigned has provided a completed and signed IRS Form W-9, Form W-8 or successor form, as applicable, and has caused this Transferee's Certificate to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date set forth below.
Date: ______________________
Name of Transferee (use exact name in which Transferred Shares are to be registered):
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Authorized Signature
__________________________________________
Print Name and Title
Address of Transferee for Registration of Transferred Shares:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

Transferee's taxpayer identification number:
__________________________________________


EXHIBIT D


INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ISSUER
Reporting as of:____________
TOB Floaters: $____________
CUSIP
Portfolio Name
Description
Market Value
Par Value
Rating
State
[l]
[l]
[l]
[l]
[l]
[l]
[l]


EXHIBIT E


ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
(Given only as of the Effective Date)
1. Assuming compliance by each Purchaser of its representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement, no registration of the 2018 VMTP Shares under the Securities Act is required.
2. As of the Effective Date, the 2018 VMTP Shares will satisfy the eligibility requirements of Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act, and no securities of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act) as the 2018 VMTP Shares are listed on any national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.
3. The Issuer will take all reasonable measures to ensure that any Bloomberg screen containing information about the 2018 VMTP Shares includes the following (or similar) language:
 the "Note Box" on the bottom of the "Security Display" page describing the 2018 VMTP Shares will state: "Iss'd Under 144A."
 the "Security Display" page will have flashing a red indicator "See Other Available Information."
 the indicator will link to the "Additional Security Information" page, which will state that the securities "are being offered in reliance on the exemption from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act to persons who are qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act)."
4. The Issuer will instruct The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to take these or similar steps with respect to the 2018 VMTP Shares:
 the DTC 20-character security descriptor and 48-character additional descriptor will indicate that sales are limited to QIBs.
5. The Issuer has confirmed that CUSIP has established a "fixed field" attached to the CUSIP number for the 2018 VMTP Shares containing the "144A" indicator.
6. The Issuer has made in the past five (5) years all the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it is required to make under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "1940 Act Rules and Regulations") (each such filing, a "1940 Act Document") and each 1940 Act Document complied at the time of filing in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations.
7. Other than the pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, no holders of the 2018 VMTP Shares have rights to the registration of such 2018 VMTP Shares.
8. The Issuer is not in violation or default of any provision of its Charter or the Articles Supplementary, or in material violation of (i) the terms of any material indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject or (ii) any material statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties, except to the extent that the same could not be reasonably expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.
9. The Issuer has not distributed and, prior to the Effective Date, will not distribute any written material in connection with the offer of the 2018 VMTP Shares other than the Information Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and copies of the Articles Supplementary, the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
10. The Issuer has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Issuer to facilitate the sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares, and the Issuer is not aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Issuer.
11. Each of the Advisory Agreement, dated January 28, 2002, between the Issuer and the Investment Adviser, the Custody Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2002, among various registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser and State Street Bank and Trust Company; and the Amendment dated December 19, 2018 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated November 1, 2005, between the Issuer and Computershare, Inc. complies in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations and the Advisory Agreement has been approved in accordance with Sections 15(a) and (c) of the 1940 Act.
12. Other than those taxes and fees that customary in connection with the sale of securities, there are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the Issuer of the 2018 VMTP Shares.
13. The Issuer has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Issuer, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance by each investment adviser and transfer agent of the Issuer.
14. Assuming compliance by each Purchaser of its representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement, the offer and sale of the 2018 VMTP Shares has been conducted in a manner by the Issuer and its agents so as not to violate any applicable federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations, or any applicable state laws.