0001193125-21-129115.txt : 20210423 0001193125-21-129115.hdr.sgml : 20210423 20210423164459 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-21-129115 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 FILED AS OF DATE: 20210423 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20210423 GROUP MEMBERS: WELLS FARGO MUNICIPAL CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001258943 IRS NUMBER: 810634319 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-84492 FILM NUMBER: 21850433 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 60 STATE STREET CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02109 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PIONEER MUNICIPAL ADVANTAGE TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030807 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY/MN CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000072971 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 410449260 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 420 MONTGOMERY STREET CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94163 BUSINESS PHONE: 6126671234 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 420 MONTGOMERY STREET CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94163 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WELLS FARGO & CO/MN DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19981103 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORWEST CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWEST BANCORPORATION DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830516 SC 13D/A 1 d139973dsc13da.htm SC 13D/A SC 13D/A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 2)*

 

 

PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND, INC.

(Name of Issuer)

VARIABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED SHARES

(Title of Class of Securities)

723762407

(CUSIP Number)

Mary E. Schaffner

Senior Vice President and Senior Company Counsel

Wells Fargo & Company

90 South 7th Street

MAC N9305-176

Minneapolis, MN 55402

612-667-2367

With a copy to:

Patrick Quill

Chapman and Cutler LLP

1270 Avenue of the Americas 30th Floor

New York, NY 10020

(212) 655-2506

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

April 21, 2021

(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 which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box  ☐.

 

*

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 in 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).

 

 

 


SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 723762407

 

  1.    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Wells Fargo & Company

  41-0449260

  2.  

  Check the Appropriate Box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

  a.  ☐        b.  ☒

 

  3.  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions):

 

  WC

  5.  

  Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e).

 

  ☒

  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:

 

  1,800

   9.   

  Sole Dispositive Power:

 

  0

   10.   

  Shared Dispositive Power:

 

  1,800

  11.    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:

 

  1,800

12.  

  Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13.  

  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):

 

  100%

14.  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  HC


SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 723762407

 

  1.    

  Names of Reporting Persons

 

  Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC

  45-2541449

  2.  

  Check the Appropriate Box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

  a.  ☐        b.  ☒

 

  3.  

  SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

  Source of Funds (See Instructions):

 

  WC

  5.  

  Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e).

 

  ☒

  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:

 

  1,800

   9.   

  Sole Dispositive Power:

 

  0

   10.   

  Shared Dispositive Power:

 

  1,800

  11.    

  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:

 

  1,800

12.  

  Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

  ☐

13.  

  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11):

 

  100%

14.  

  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

  OO


Item 1

Security and Issuer

This Amendment No. 2 (this “Amendment”) amends, as set forth below, the statement on Schedule 13D, dated February 16, 2018 and filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018 (the “Original Schedule 13D”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated February 16, 2021 and filed with the SEC on February 18, 2021 (“Amendment No. 1”), for Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”) and Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC (“Capital Strategies”) (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) with respect to the Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2021 (the “VMTP Shares”) of Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc. (the “Issuer”) successor by merger to Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust.

This Amendment is being filed as a result of the Issuer being reincorporated, by way of merger, as a Maryland corporation and in connection therewith changed its name from Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust to Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc. (the “Reincorporation”).

 

Item 2

Identity and Background

Item 2 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by deleting Schedule I and Schedule II referenced therein and replacing them with Schedule I and Schedule II included with this Amendment.

The fifth paragraph is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

“Wells Fargo provides a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through its four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.”

 

Item 4

Purpose of the Transaction

Item 4 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

“As a result of the Reincorporation, certain agreements have been amended and restated to reflect the Reincorporation.”

 

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 inserting the following exhibits in their place:

 

“Exhibit    Description of Exhibit
99.1    Joint Filing Agreement
99.2    Limited Power of Attorney
99.8    Second Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021
99.9    Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021”


SIGNATURES

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.

Date: April 23, 2021

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Patricia Arce

Name:   Patricia Arce
Title:   Designated Signer
WELLS FARGO MUNICIPAL CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Alejandro Piekarewicz

Name:   Alejandro Piekarewicz
Title:   Vice President


LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit    Description of Exhibit
99.1    Joint Filing Agreement
99.2    Limited Power of Attorney
99.8    Second Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021
99.9    Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021


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 Wells Fargo & Company. The business address of each of the executive officers and directors of Wells Fargo & Company is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.

 

Name

  

Position with Wells Fargo &

Company

  

Principal Occupation

Charles W. Scharf    Chief Executive Officer and President; Director    Chief Executive Officer of Wells Fargo & Company
Muneera S. Carr    Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller    Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of Wells Fargo & Company
William M. Daley    Vice Chairman of Public Affairs    Vice Chairman of Public Affairs of Wells Fargo & Company
Derek A. Flowers    Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Strategic Execution and Operations    Head of Strategic Execution and Operations of Wells Fargo & Company
Mary T. Mack    Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Consumer & Small Business Banking    CEO of Consumer & Small Business Banking of Wells Fargo & Company
Amanda G. Norton    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer    Chief Risk Officer of Wells Fargo & Company
Lester J. Owens    Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Operations    Head of Operations of Wells Fargo & Company
Ellen R. Patterson    Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel    General Counsel of Wells Fargo & Company
Perry G. Pelos    Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Commercial Banking    CEO of Commercial Banking of Wells Fargo & Company
Scott E. Powell    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer    Chief Operating Officer of Wells Fargo & Company
Michael P. Santomassimo    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    Chief Financial Officer of Wells Fargo & Company
Kleber R. Santos    Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Diverse Segments, Representation & Inclusion    Head of Diverse Segments, Representation & Inclusion of Wells Fargo & Company
Barry Sommers    Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Wealth & Investment Management    CEO of Wealth & Investment Management of Wells Fargo & Company
Saul Van Beurden    Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Technology    Head of Technology of Wells Fargo & Company


Michael S. Weinbach    Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Consumer Lending    CEO of Consumer Lending of Wells Fargo & Company
Jonathan G. Weiss    Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of Corporate & Investment Banking    CEO of Corporate & Investment Banking of Wells Fargo & Company
Ather Williams III    Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Strategy, Digital Platform, and Innovation    Head of Strategy, Digital Platform, and Innovation of Wells Fargo & Company
Steven D. Black    Director    Co-CEO, Bregal Investments, Inc.
Mark A. Chancy    Director    Retired Vice Chairman and Co-Chief Operating Officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Celeste A. Clark    Director    Principal, Abraham Clark Consulting, LLC, and Retired Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy and External Relations and Chief Sustainability Officer, Kellogg Company
Theodore F. Craver, Jr.    Director    Retired Chairman, President and CEO, Edison International
Wayne M. Hewett    Director    Senior Advisor of Permira and Chairman of DiversiTech Corporation
Donald M. James    Director    Retired Chairman and CEO of Vulcan Materials Company
Maria R. Morris    Director    Retired Executive Vice President and Head of Global Employee Benefits, MetLife, Inc.
Charles H. Noski    Chairman, Director    Retired Vice Chairman and Former Chief Financial Officer, Bank of America Corporation
Richard B. Payne, Jr.    Director    Retired Vice Chairman, Wholesale Banking, U.S. Bancorp
Juan A. Pujadas    Director    Retired Principal, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, and former Vice Chairman, Global Advisory Services, PwC International
Ronald L. Sargent    Director    Retired Chairman, CEO of Staples, Inc.
Suzanne M. Vautrinot    Director    President of Kilovolt Consulting Inc. and Major General and Commander, United States Air Force (retired)


The following sets forth the name, business address, and present principal occupation of each executive officer and director of Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC.

 

Name

  

Position with Wells

Fargo Municipal

Capital Strategies, LLC

  

Business Address

  

Principal Occupation

Matthew Antunes    Vice President    550 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202    Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Kristina Eng    President    30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001    Managing Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Daniel George    Senior Vice President    30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001    Managing Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Bernardo Ramos    Senior Vice President; Manager    4 Tower Pl, Albany, NY 12203    Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Al Piekarewicz    Vice President    30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001    Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Phillip Smith    Executive Vice President; Manager    301 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202    Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Charles Peck    Manager    1700 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203    Managing Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Jody Anderson    Treasurer    11625 N. Community House Rd, 6th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28277    Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Mark Freedman    Manager   

550 S Tryon St,

Charlotte, NC 28202

   Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Bruce Mattaway    Manager    30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001    Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Karl Pfeil    Manager    303 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701    Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Richard Reid    Manager   

550 S Tryon St,

Charlotte, NC 28202

   Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Clara S. Blanding    Secretary    301 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28282    Paralegal at Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Yohann Sidhwa    Vice President    30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001    Director at Wells Fargo Bank, NA


SCHEDULE II

LITIGATION SCHEDULE

FINRA/EXCHANGE REPORTING SETTLEMENTS From time to time Wells Fargo broker-dealers resolve technical trade reporting issues relating to timing and other data elements with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and exchanges involving small numbers of trades processed by the firms. Resolutions of this type during the relevant period typically included fines of less than $100,000 each.

LARGE OPTION POSITION REPORTING On October 13, 2016, First Clearing, LLC entered into settlement agreements with NYSE Arca, Inc. and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc., without admitting or denying the allegations that it inaccurately reported position effective dates and customer name and address information for its introducing firms and failed to provide introducing firms with reasonable systems and processes for identifying accounts acting in concert. First Clearing agreed to pay a $375,000 fine to each exchange ($750,000 total).

POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS On November 22, 2016 First Clearing LLC entered into a settlement agreement with FINRA without admitting or denying the allegations that the firm failed to collect no-lien letters from investment sponsors, reconcile customer positions and afford the proper regulatory accounting treatment for positions held at the sponsor in First Clearing IRA accounts. First Clearing agreed to pay a fine of $750,000.

CONSOLIDATED REPORTS On December 5, 2016 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (formerly Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC) entered into a settlement agreement with FINRA without admitting or denying the allegations that the Firm failed to establish, maintain and enforce a reasonable supervisory system for the use of consolidated reports generated by financial advisors. Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC agreed to pay a fine of $1,000,000.

BOOKS & RECORDS RETENTION On December 21, 2016, FINRA announced a settlement with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, First Clearing, LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Prime Services LLC for alleged violations of certain record retention and supervisory provisions by failing to maintain electronically stored required records in a non-erasable and non-rewritable format. The firms neither admitted nor denied FINRA’s findings and consented to a censure and the payment of a $1.5 million fine by the first three firms above (jointly), and a $4 million fine by the final two firms above (jointly). The fines have been paid. The firms also agreed to an undertaking to review, adopt and implement policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with books and records rules.

STATE OF MISSOURI SETTLEMENT On February 16, 2017, A.G. Edwards (k/n/a Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC) entered into a Consent Order with the State of Missouri. The action involved a Missouri Resident’s claim that his ex-wife misappropriated over $300,000 out of his IRA account during the period between August 2001 and July 2007, and the State of Missouri alleged a failure by the firm to supervise the completeness and accuracy of the early IRA distribution forms associated with the withdrawals. Without admitting or denying liability, the firm consented to a censure and agreed to pay $25,672.17 to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Investor Education Fund to fully resolve the matter.

FINRA SETTLEMENT On May 16, 2017, FINRA announced a settlement with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC concerning unsuitable recommendations and supervisory failures in relation to sales of certain non-traditional exchange traded products (“ETPs”) in violation of FINRA and NASD rules for the period July 1, 2010 to May 1, 2012. Without admitting or denying the findings, the firms accepted a censure and agreed to pay restitution to certain clients totaling $3,411,478.78.

FINRA SETTLEMENT On June 21, 2017, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC entered into a settlement agreement with FINRA without admitting or denying the allegations of improper reporting of conventional over-the-counter option positions under FINRA large option position reporting rules. The firm consented to a censure, payment of a $3.25 million fine, and an undertaking to review its supervisory systems related to large options position reporting.


SEC ORDER On November 13, 2017, the SEC announced that Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC agreed to settle charges that it violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 17a-8 by failing to file and timely file Suspicious Activity Reports between approximately March 2012 and June 2013. Without admitting or denying the allegations, the firm agreed to a cease and desist order, a censure, and a civil penalty of $3,500,000. Wells Fargo Advisors also agreed to voluntarily undertake a review and update of its policies and procedures and develop and conduct additional training.

STATE OF ILLINOIS SETTLEMENT On December 21, 2017, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (k/n/a Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC) entered into a Consent Order with the State of Illinois regarding allegations that it received, reviewed and/or analyzed documents and information provided by a financial advisory firm concerning certain money manager strategies that contained false and misleading information. The findings stated that the firm included the financial advisory firm’s money manager strategies in certain of its separately managed account programs, but that the firm did not utilize inaccurate historical performance data in connection with its decision to onboard the money manager strategies and the firm did not incorporate inaccurate performance data in its advertisements or program marketing materials. Without admitting or denying the findings, the Firm agreed to a total monetary payment of $270,000.

NYSE SETTLEMENT On February 2, 2018, Wells Fargo Prime Services, LLC (“WFPS”) and NYSE Arca, Inc. entered into an Offer of Settlement and Consent without admitting or denying any allegations to settle charges of violations of Securities Exchange Act Rule 15c3-5 and NYSE Arca Rule 11.18. The settlement related to an erroneous trade WFPS entered on July 29, 2016. WFPS consented to a fine of $10,000.

STATE OF NEVADA SECURITIES DIVISION RESIDENTIAL OFFICE INVESTIGATION On April 13, 2018, the Nevada Securities Division and Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“WFCS”) entered into an Administrative Consent Order wherein WFCS admitted to failing to register the residential offices of three Financial Advisors who were working from home. Nevada’s definition of “branch office” includes a personal residence where securities business is transacted, even if the residence is not held out to the public or used for client meetings. WFCS agreed to pay an $8,000 fine and $1,446.13 for the costs of the examinations conducted by the Nevada Securities Division.

SEC SETTLEMENT On June 25, 2018, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC (“WFA”), entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC wherein, without admitting or denying liability, it settled charges of violations of Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act. The settlement related to certain registered representatives soliciting customers to redeem, and short-term trading of, market-linked investments prematurely without adequate analysis or consideration of the substantial costs associated with the transactions. As part of the settlement, the firm consented to a censure and a payment of $5,108,441.27 representing disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty. WFA also lost its Well Known Seasoned Issuer status as a collateral consequence of the settlement.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SECURITIES DIVISION SETTLEMENT On August 26, 2018, the Massachusetts Securities Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“WFCS”) entered into a Consent Order regarding allegations that certain WFCS supervisors and agents had a lapse in required Massachusetts registration for some period during the relevant time period of January 1, 2016 to June 28, 2018. Without admitting or denying the facts or conclusions of law, WFCS agreed to certain undertakings including payment of an administrative fine of $450,000.

SEC SETTLEMENT On March 11, 2019, the SEC announced that Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (collectively “Wells Fargo”) agreed to settle charges, without admitting or denying liability, that Wells Fargo violated Section 203(e) and 203(k) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The settlement relates to Wells Fargo’s voluntary participation in the SEC’s Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative wherein investment advisers were encouraged to self-report the failure to adequately disclose conflicts of interest associated with the recommendation or selection of a mutual fund share class that charged distribution fees (“12b-1 Fees”) when a lower-cost share class of the same fund existed. The settlement requires Wells Fargo to adhere to a cease-and-desist order and to disgorge $17,363,847.29 in 12b-1 fees through a restitution program. The settlement did not require Wells Fargo to pay any additional fines or penalties given its voluntary participation in the program.


SEC SETTLEMENT On March 20, 2019, the SEC announced that Wells Fargo Securities, LLC had consented to a judgment entered by the federal district court in Rhode Island resolving a 2016 SEC civil action against multiple parties. The matter had arisen out of the firm’s role as placement agent in a $75 million bond offering by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation in November 2010 for the purpose of loaning the proceeds to 38 Studios, LLC, an early-stage, pre-revenue videogame development company that was ultimately unable to meet its obligations under the loan. The SEC had alleged that the firm and other defendants had made two material omissions in the bond placement materials. Without admitting or denying liability, the firm consented to injunctions and a penalty of $812,500.

FINRA SETTLEMENT On January 29, 2020, FINRA announced a settlement with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“WFCS”) concerning allegations that WFCS violated NASD Rule 3010(a) (for conduct prior to December 1, 2014) and FINRA Rule 3110(a) (for conduct on or after December 1, 2014) by failing to reasonably supervise a former registered representative who excessively traded equity positions in three accounts belonging to an elderly customer during the period from March 2012 to March 2016. Without admitting or denying the findings, Wells Fargo accepted a censure and agreed to pay a fine of $175,000.

SALES PRACTICES SETTLEMENTS On February 21, 2020, Wells Fargo & Company (“WFC”) entered into settlement agreements with the SEC and the DOJ to resolve those agencies’ investigations into WFC’s historical Community Bank sales practices and related disclosures. With respect to the SEC, WFC consented to the entry into of a cease and desist order, which found that WFC violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500 million. With respect to the DOJ, WFC entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Central District of California and the Western District of North Carolina and a settlement agreement with the Civil Division of the DOJ and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California related to the sales practices conduct and agreed to pay a monetary penalty of $2.5 billion. WFC accepted and acknowledged responsibility for facts and conduct described in the deferred prosecution agreement, and no charges will be filed against WFC provided that WFC abides by all the terms of the agreement.

SEC SETTLEMENT On February 27, 2020, the SEC announced that Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (collectively “Wells Fargo”) agreed to settle allegations that, in connection with Wells Fargo’s recommendation that many retail investment advisory clients and brokerage customers buy and hold single-inverse exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) without having adequate compliance policies and procedures and without providing financial advisors proper training and supervision of single-inverse ETFs, it willfully violated Section 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder, failed reasonably to fulfill its supervisory responsibilities within the meaning of Section 203(e)(6) of the Advisers Act and failed reasonably to fulfill its supervisory responsibilities within the meaning of Section 15(b)(4)(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Wells Fargo agreed to consent to: (a) cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act and Rule 206(4)-7 thereunder, (b) be censured, and (c) pay a civil monetary penalty in the amount of $35,000,000. The penalty amount was paid into escrow for disbursement to certain Wells Fargo clients who sustained investment losses in single-inverse ETFs.

STATE OF MARYLAND SETTLEMENT On June 15, 2020, Wells Fargo & Company entered into a Consent Order with the Attorney General of the State of Maryland, pursuant to which it agreed to pay $20 million in remediation to resolve claims relating to certain prior residential mortgage-backed securities activities from 2005 to 2009.

FINRA SETTLEMENT On August 28, 2020, FINRA announced a settlement with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“WFCS”) concerning allegations that WFCS failed to reasonably supervise the activities of two former financial advisors in violation of FINRA rules between November 2012 and October 2015. Without admitting or denying the findings, WFCS Fargo accepted a censure and agreed to pay a fine of $350,000 and restitution to three clients totaling $201,498.


FINRA SETTLEMENT On September 1, 2020, FINRA announced a settlement with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (collectively “Wells Fargo”) concerning allegations that Wells Fargo failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system and failed to enforce written supervisory procedures that were reasonably designed to achieve compliance with FINRA’s suitability rule as it pertained to switches from variable annuities to investment company products during the period January 2011 to August 2016. Without admitting or denying the findings, Wells Fargo accepted a censure and agreed to pay fines totaling $675,000 and restitution to clients totaling $1,445,167.50.

FINRA SETTLEMENT On November 4, 2020, FINRA announced a settlement with First Clearing LLC, n/k/a Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) concerning allegations that Wells Fargo distributed 6,851 account statements to customers containing valuation information for one or more Direct Participation Programs or Real Estate Investment Trusts that did not comply with NASD Rule 2340(c) during the period April 2016 through October 2016. Without admitting or denying the findings, Wells Fargo accepted a censure and agreed to pay a fine of $300,000.

FINRA SETTLEMENT On November 25, 2020, FINRA announced a settlement with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“WFCS”) concerning allegations that WFCS (i) failed to make accurate order memoranda in violation of Rule 17a-3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and FINRA Rules 4511 and 2010, and (ii) transmitted inaccurate reports to the Order Audit Trail System in violation of FINRA Rules 7450 and 2010 during the period October 1, 2016 to June 12, 2018. Without admitting or denying the findings, WFCS accepted a censure and agreed to pay a fine of $75,000.

NOTE: In addition to the above matters, certain of Wells Fargo & Company’s affiliates, including Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (formerly Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC and First Clearing, LLC, 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 each entity’s Form BD as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other regulatory reports, which descriptions are hereby incorporated by reference.

EX-99.1 2 d139973dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

This Statement is filed by Wells Fargo & Company on its own behalf and on behalf of Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC. Aggregate beneficial ownership reported by Wells Fargo & Company under Item 11 on page 2 is on a consolidated basis and includes any beneficial ownership separately reported herein by Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC.

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 that the Statement to which this agreement is attached shall be filed by Wells Fargo & Company on its own behalf and on behalf of Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC (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: April 23, 2021     WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ Patricia Arce

    Name:   Patricia Arce
    Title:   Designated Signer
    WELLS FARGO MUNICIPAL CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC
    By:  

/s/ Alejandro Piekarewicz

    Name:   Alejandro Piekarewicz
    Title:   Vice President
EX-99.2 3 d139973dex992.htm EX-99.2 EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know all by these present, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Debra Cho, Patricia Arce and Stacy Otieno, acting alone, the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:

(1) complete and sign, for and on behalf of the undersigned, all reports and filings required by Sections 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act Reports”);

(2) do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to file any such Exchange Act Reports, or any amendment thereto, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other authority; and

(3) take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of or legally required of the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in her discretion.

The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present and acting, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or her substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming any of the responsibilities of the undersigned to comply with Sections 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

This Power of Attorney shall not revoke any previous Power of Attorney granted by the undersigned with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Exchange Act Reports, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a subsequently executed Power of Attorney or a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 4th day of September, 2019.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Anthony R. Augliera

  Anthony R. Augliera
  Executive Vice President and Secretary

 

EX-99.8 4 d139973dex998.htm EX-99.8 EX-99.8

Exhibit 99.8

Second Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement

Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.

and

Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC

April 21, 2021


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2  

1.1

   Incorporation of Certain Definitions by Reference      8  

ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND TRANSFERS, COSTS AND EXPENSES; ADDITIONAL FEE

     8  

2.1

   Purchase and Transfer of VMTP Shares      8  

2.2

   Operating Expenses; Fees      9  

2.3

   Additional Fee for Failure to Comply with Reporting Requirement or Registration Rights Failure      10  

ARTICLE III CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVE DATE

     10  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND

     11  

4.1

   Existence      11  

4.2

   Authorization; Contravention      11  

4.3

   Binding Effect      11  

4.4

   Financial Information      12  

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

   Offering Memorandum      13  

4.10

   1940 Act Registration      13  

4.11

   Effective Leverage Ratio; Asset Coverage      13  

4.12

   Investment Policies      13  

4.13

   Credit Quality      13  

4.14

   Due Diligence      14  

4.15

   Capital Structure      14  

4.16

   Certain Fees      14  

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CLOSING DATE PURCHASER

     14  

5.1

   Existence      14  

5.2

   Authorization; Contravention      14  

5.3

   Binding Effect      15  

5.4

   Own Account      15  

5.5

   Litigation      15  

5.6

   Consents      15  

5.7

   Closing Date Purchaser Status      15  

5.8

   Experience of the Closing Date Purchaser          16  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

5.9

   Access to Information      16  

5.10

   Certain Transactions      16  

5.11

   Due Diligence      16  

5.12

   Certain Fees      16  

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF THE FUND

     17  

6.1

   Information      17  

6.2

   No Amendment or Certain Other Actions Without Consent of Wells Fargo      19  

6.3

   Maintenance of Existence      19  

6.4

   Tax Status of the Fund      19  

6.5

   Payment Obligations      19  

6.6

   Compliance With Law      19  

6.7

   Maintenance of Approvals: Filings, Etc.      19  

6.8

   Inspection Rights      19  

6.9

   Litigation, Etc.      20  

6.10

   1940 Act Registration      20  

6.11

   Eligible Assets      20  

6.12

   Credit Quality      20  

6.13

   Maintenance of Effective Leverage Ratio      21  

6.14

   Redemption and Paying Agent      21  

6.15

   Cooperation in the Sale of VMTP Shares      21  

6.16

   Rating Agencies      21  

6.17

   Securities Depository      22  

6.18

   Future Agreements      22  

6.19

   Use of Proceeds      22  

6.20

   Tax Opinion in Connection with Extension of Term Redemption Date      22  

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

     22  

7.1

   Notices      22  

7.2

   No Waivers      23  

7.3

   Expenses and Indemnification      24  

7.4

   Amendments and Waivers      26  

7.5

   Successors and Assigns      26  

7.6

   Term of this Agreement      26  

7.7

   Governing Law      26  

7.8

   Waiver of Jury Trial      27  

7.9

   Counterparts and Electronic Signatures      27  

7.10

   Beneficiaries      27  

7.11

   Entire Agreement      27  

7.12

   Relationship to the Articles      27  

7.13

   Confidentiality      27  

7.14

   Severability      28  

7.15

   Consent Rights of the Majority Participants to Certain Actions          28  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SCHEDULE 1    Schedule-1
EXHIBIT A:    FORMS OF OPINIONS AND LETTERS OF COUNSEL FOR THE FUND    A
EXHIBIT A-1:    FORM OF CORPORATE AND 1940 ACT OPINION    A-1
EXHIBIT A-2:    FORM OF TAX OPINION    A-2
EXHIBIT A-3    FORM OF NEGATIVE ASSURANCE LETTER    A-3
EXHIBIT B:    ELIGIBLE ASSETS    B
EXHIBIT C:    TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE    C
EXHIBIT D:    INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE FUND    D
EXHIBIT E:    CAPITALIZATION    E
ANNEX A    ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    Annex

iii


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED VMTP PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of April 21, 2021 (the “Agreement”) between PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. (formerly, Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust), a closed-end fund organized as a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”) and WELLS FARGO MUNICIPAL CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, including its successors by merger or operation of law (“Wells Fargo” or the “Closing Date Purchaser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund, Wells Fargo, and WFC Holdings LLC were parties to that certain VMTP Purchase Agreement dated as of February 16, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Original VMTP Purchase Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Fund and Wells Fargo, being the 100% holder of the VMTP Shares having acquired any interest in the shares originally held by WFC Holdings LLC, entered into an amended and restated VMTP Purchase Agreement dated as of February 16, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement”);

WHEREAS, prior to April 21, 2021, the Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust and on April 21, 2021, the Fund reincorporated as a Maryland corporation and in connection therewith changed its name from Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust to Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.;

WHEREAS, the Fund and Wells Fargo desire to amend and restate in its entirety the First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement to reflect the Fund’s reincorporation as a Maryland corporation;

WHEREAS, (i) the Fund issued and sold to the Closing Date Purchasers (as defined in the Original VMTP Purchase Agreement), in exchange for the Purchase Price (as defined therein) 1,600 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2021, par value $0.01 per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (the “Initial VMTP Shares” and, collectively, together with the Additional VMTP Shares, the “VMTP Shares”), to be conducted on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (ii) the Fund issued and sold to Wells Fargo, in exchange for the Additional Purchase Price (as defined in the First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement) 200 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2021, par value $0.01 per share and liquidation preference $100,000 per share (the “Additional VMTP Shares”), to be conducted on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Wells Fargo agreed to accept the Purchase of the Additional VMTP Shares in connection with the First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement and the Initial VMTP Shares issued in connection with the Original VMTP Purchase Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Purchase Price (as defined in the Original VMTP Purchase Agreement) was applied to refinance and redeem up to all of the Fund’s previously issued auction preferred shares and for general business purposes, including the purchase of investment securities and the Additional Purchase Price (as in the First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement) was applied for general business purposes, including the purchase of investment securities;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Purchase in the Original VMTP Purchase Agreement, Wells Fargo, together with its affiliate (WFC Holdings LLC) delivered a payment of $160,000,000 to the Fund in exchange for 1,600 VMTP Shares and in connection with the Additional Purchase Wells Fargo delivered a payment of $20,000,000 to the Fund in exchange for the 200 Additional VMTP Shares;

 

1


WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Closing Date Purchaser to purchase the VMTP Shares, the Fund now desires to enter into this Agreement to set forth certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements regarding the Fund and the VMTP Shares;

WHEREAS, as an inducement to the Fund to issue and sell the VMTP Shares, the Closing Date Purchaser desires to enter into this Agreement to set forth certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements regarding the Closing Date Purchaser and the 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:

Additional Amount Payment” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Additional VMTP Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Agent Member” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Agreement” means this Second Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, which amends and restates that certain VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2018, and that certain First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2021.

“Amundi US Persons” means the Investment Adviser or any affiliated person of the Investment Adviser (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) (other than the Fund, in the case of a redemption or purchase of the VMTP Shares which are to be cancelled within ten (10) days of purchase by the Fund).

Applicable Spread” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Articles” means the Articles Supplementary of the Fund with respect to the Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, effective as of April 21, 2021, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Asset Coverage” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Below Investment Grade” means any obligation, the highest rating for which from any of Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and, in their absence, any other NRSRO is:

(a) lower than Baa3 or its equivalent (or unrated or with rating withdrawn), in the case of Moody’s;

(b) lower than BBB- or its equivalent (or unrated or with rating withdrawn), in the case of S&P;

 

2


(c) lower than BBB- or its equivalent (or unrated or with rating withdrawn), in the case of Fitch; and

(d) in the event that none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch is then rating such obligation, lower than an equivalent long-term credit rating to those set forth in clauses (a) – (c), in the case of any other NRSRO; provided that any obligation that is unrated or has had its rating withdrawn by all of Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and any other NRSRO shall also be “Below Investment Grade.”

Board of Directors” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Business Day” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

By-Laws” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Charter” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Closed-End Funds” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.

Closing Date Purchaser” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Code” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Common Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Custodian” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Date of Original Issue”, with respect to the VMTP Shares, means the date on which the Fund initially issued such VMTP Shares.

Defeased Securities” means a security for which cash, cash equivalents or other eligible property has been pledged in an amount sufficient to make all required payments on such security to and including maturity (including any accelerated maturity pursuant to a permitted redemption), in accordance with the instrument governing the issuance of such security.

Deposit Securities” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

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.

 

3


Designated Owner” means a Person in whose name VMTP Shares of any Series are recorded as beneficial owner of such VMTP Shares by the Securities Depository, an Agent Member or other securities intermediary on the records of such Securities Depository, Agent Member or securities intermediary, as the case may be.

Dividend Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Dividend Rate” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Due Diligence Request” means the due diligence request letter from Chapman & Cutler LLP dated January 5, 2018, as brought down in a due diligence call conducted between the parties in preparation for the entrance into this Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement.

Effective Date” means the date on which the Purchase is effected subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in Article III.

Effective Leverage Ratio” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Electronic Means” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Eligible Assets” means the instruments listed in Exhibit B to this Agreement, which may be amended from time to time with the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, in which the Fund may invest.

Failure” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

Fee Rate” means initially 0.25% per annum, which shall be subject to increase by 0.25% per annum for each Week in respect of which any Failure has occurred and is continuing.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group, or any successor or successors thereto.

Fitch Guidelines” means the guidelines, as may be amended from time to time, in connection with Fitch’s ratings of the VMTP Shares.

Force Majeure Exception” means any failure or delay in the performance of the Fund’s reporting obligation pursuant to Section 2.3 arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, 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 Fund shall use commercially reasonable efforts to commence performance of its obligations during any of the foregoing circumstances.

Fund” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Holder” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

The word “including” means “including without limitation.”

Indemnified Persons” means, Wells Fargo and their respective affiliates and directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives and control persons, entitled to indemnification by the Fund under Section 7.3.

 

4


Investment Adviser” means Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (“Amundi US”) (formerly, Amundi Pioneer Asset Management, Inc.), or any successor company or entity.

Investment Grade” means:

(A) any obligation (other than the VMTP Shares), the highest rating for which from any of Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and, in their absence, any other NRSRO is:

(a) higher than Ba1 or its equivalent, in the case of Moody’s;

(b) higher than BB+ or its equivalent, in the case of S&P;

(c) higher than BB+ or its equivalent, in the case of Fitch; and

(d) in the event that none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch is then rating such obligation, higher than an equivalent long-term credit rating to those set forth in clauses (a) – (c), in the case of any other NRSRO; and

(B) in respect of the VMTP Shares, the rating from Fitch, that is higher than BB+ or its equivalent.

Liquidation Preference” means, with respect to a given number of VMTP Shares, $100,000 times that number.

Low Investment Grade” means any obligation, the highest rating for which from any of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and, in their absence, any other NRSRO is:

(e) lower than A2 but higher than Ba1 or its equivalent, in the case of Moody’s;

(f) lower than A but higher than BB+ or its equivalent, in the case of S&P;

(g) lower than A but higher than BB+ or its equivalent, in the case of Fitch; and

(h) in the event that none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch is then rating such obligation, lower than an equivalent long-term credit rating to those set forth in clauses (a) – (c), in the case of any other NRSRO.

Majority Participants” means the Holder(s) of more than 50% of the Outstanding VMTP Shares.

Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to leverage that may be outstanding), minus the sum of accrued liabilities (including liabilities representing financial leverage (including without limitation, tender option bond floaters and preferred stock)).

Market Value” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto.

1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

NRSRO” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

 

5


Offering Memorandum” means the Amended and Restated Offering Memorandum of the Fund relating to the offering and sale of the VMTP Shares, dated on or about April 21, 2021, as the same may be amended, revised or supplemented from time to time.

Optional Redemption Premium” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

The word “or” is used in its inclusive sense.

Original VMTP Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Other Rating Agency” means each NRSRO, if any, other than Fitch then providing a rating for the VMTP Shares pursuant to the request of the Fund.

Other Rating Agency Guidelines” means the guidelines, if any, 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 VMTP Shares.

Outstanding” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Overconcentration Amount” means as of any date of calculation of the Effective Leverage Ratio for the Fund, an amount equal to the sum of (without duplication):

(a) for investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund rated below BBB- (or the equivalent): the Market Value of such investments in excess of 20.0%;

(b) for investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund that are unrated by any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P: the Market Value of such investments in excess of 10.0%;

(c) for investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund that are obligations of a single issuer and that are rated at least BBB- (or the equivalent): the Market Value of such investments in excess of 12.0%;

(d) for investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund that are obligations of a single issuer and that are rated below BBB- (or the equivalent): the Market Value of such investments in excess of 4.0%;

(e) for investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund that constitute exempt interest obligations backed primarily by payments from tobacco companies: the Market Value of such investments in excess of 10.0%;

(f) for investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund in a single state or territory: the Market Value of such investments in excess of 25.0%; and

(g) investments (excluding pre-refunded securities) of the Fund rated Low Investment Grade: the Market Value of such investments in excess of 50% of the Market Value of the Fund’s total assets;

in each case, as a percentage of the Market Value of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

 

6


The rating of any investment (e.g., AA (or the equivalent)) used in determining the Overconcentration Amount shall be (a) the rating assigned to such investment if rated by only one of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P, (b) the higher of the ratings assigned to such investment if rated by any two of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P, (c) the highest rating assigned to such investment if rated by all three of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P, or (d) the equivalent rating based on the Fund’s internal credit due diligence, if not rated by any of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P.

Person” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Preferred Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Purchase” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Purchase Price means, with respect to the Additional VMTP Shares U.S.$20,000,000.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Rate Period” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Rating Agency” means Fitch (if Fitch is then rating the VMTP Shares), and any Other Rating Agency.

Rating Agency Guidelines” means the Fitch Guidelines, and any Other Rating Agency Guidelines as they exist from time to time.

Redemption and Paying Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, or with the prior written consent of Wells Fargo (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), any successor Person, which has entered into an agreement with the Fund to act in such capacity as the Fund’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 VMTP Shares.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the amended and restated registration rights agreement entered into between the Fund and Wells Fargo with respect to the VMTP Shares.

Registration Rights Failure” means any (i) failure by the Fund 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 Fund has been properly requested to register under Section 3.1 of the Registration Rights Agreement as soon as practicable using commercially reasonable efforts but in any event within forty-five (45) calendar days (or, if the forty-fifth 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 Fund 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 Fund, 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 Fund to reply to any written comments on such Registration Statement received by the Fund from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (it being understood that the reply referenced herein shall not require the Fund to accept or agree with any comment, in whole or in part) within forty-five (45) calendar days (or, if the forty-fifth (45th) calendar day shall not be a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of receipt thereof by the Fund.

 

7


Related Documents” means this Agreement, the Articles, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the VMTP Shares.

Reporting Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(o).

Reporting Failure” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor or successors thereto.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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 VMTP Shares.

Series” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Term Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

VMTP Shares” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Voting Trust” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Week” means a period of seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

Wells Fargo” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Withdrawing Rating Agency” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.16 of this Agreement.

written” or “in writing” means any form of written communication, including communication by means of telex, telecopier or electronic mail.

 

  1.1

Incorporation of Certain Definitions by Reference

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 VMTP Shares

(a) The Fund has previously issued and sold to the Closing Date Purchaser (together with its affiliate, WFC Holdings LLC), 1,800 VMTP Shares.

 

8


(b) Wells Fargo agrees that it may make offers and sales of the VMTP Shares in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws only to (1)(i) Persons that it reasonably believes are QIBs that are registered closed-end management investment companies, the common shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange (“Closed-End Funds”), banks (or affiliates of banks), insurance companies or registered open-end management investment 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) tender option bond trusts or similar vehicle in which all investors are Persons that Wells Fargo reasonably believes are QIBs that are Closed-End Funds, banks (or affiliates of banks), insurance companies or registered open-end management investment companies or (iii) other investors with the prior written consent of the Fund and (2) unless the prior written consent of the Fund and the Majority Participants has been obtained, not Amundi US Persons if such Amundi US Persons would, after such sale and transfer, own more than 20% of the Outstanding VMTP Shares. Any transfer in violation of the foregoing restrictions shall be void ab initio. In connection with any transfer of the VMTP Shares, each transferee (including, in the case of a tender option bond trust, the depositor or trustee or other fiduciary thereunder acting on behalf of such transferee) will be required to deliver to the Fund a transferee certificate set forth as Exhibit C. The foregoing restrictions on transfer shall not apply to any VMTP Shares registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or any subsequent transfer of such VMTP Shares thereafter.

 

  2.2

Operating Expenses; Fees

(a) The Fund shall pay amounts due to be paid by it hereunder (including any incidental expenses but not including redemption or dividend payments on the VMTP Shares) as operating expenses.

(b) On or before the Effective Date with respect to any issuance of VMTP Shares, the Fund shall pay the fees and expenses of the Closing Date Purchaser’s 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 VMTP Shares (the “Voting Trust”) and any amendments or modifications required in connection with the issuance of the Additional VMTP Shares.

(c) The Fund shall pay up to $13,500 annually, beginning with the calendar year ended December 31, 2018, of the fees and expenses incurred by Wells Fargo in connection with ongoing maintenance and operation of the Voting Trust, until the earliest to occur of (1) the termination of the Voting Trust; (2) Wells Fargo’s transfer or sale of all of the VMTP Shares; (3) the Term Redemption Date; and (4) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof.

(d) With respect to the fees and expenses described in subsection (c) of this Section 2.2, the Fund will pay such fees and expenses within thirty (30) days of receipt of the associated invoice. For avoidance of doubt, the Fund’s responsibilities with respect to the fees and expenses described in subsections (b) (ii) and (c) are exclusive of each other.

 

9


  2.3

Additional Fee for Failure to Comply with Reporting Requirement or Registration Rights Failure

For so long as Wells Fargo is a Holder or Designated Owner of any Outstanding VMTP Shares, if the Fund 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 three (3) Business Days after written notification to the Fund by Wells Fargo of such failure (a “Reporting Failure”) or a Registration Rights Failure occurs, the Fund shall pay to Wells Fargo on the Dividend Payment Date occurring in the month immediately following a month in which either such Reporting Failure or Registration Rights 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 (a) the Fee Rate, times (b) the aggregate average daily Liquidation Preference of the VMTP Shares held by Wells Fargo during such Week or portion thereof, times (c) 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall (i) the fee payable pursuant to this Section 2.3 hereunder for any Week plus the Applicable Spread on the VMTP Shares for such Week exceed an amount (exclusive of any Additional Amount Payment) equal to the product of (x) 5.95%, times (y) the aggregate average daily Liquidation Preference of the VMTP Shares held by Wells Fargo 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 2.3 for any Week plus the amount of dividends payable at the Dividend Rate for the 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 VMTP Shares held by Wells Fargo 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 Fund be required to calculate or pay a fee in respect of more than one Failure in any Week.

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 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 VMTP Shares shall have a long-term issue credit rating of AA (or its equivalent) from Fitch on the Effective Date;

(c) receipt by the Closing Date Purchaser of executed originals, or copies certified by a duly authorized officer of the Fund to be in full force and effect and not otherwise amended, of all Related Documents, the Charter and the By-Laws, as in effect on the Effective Date, and an incumbency certificate with respect to the authorized signatories with respect to the Related Documents;

(d) receipt by the Closing Date Purchaser of opinions of counsel for the Fund and a negative assurance letter, substantially to the effect of Exhibit A;

(e) except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum or in a schedule delivered to the Closing Date Purchaser prior to the Effective Date, there shall not be any action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or (to the best knowledge of the Fund) overtly threatened in writing against the Fund in any court or before any governmental authority (i) in any way contesting or that, if decided adversely, would affect the validity of any Related Document including this Agreement; or (ii) in which a final adverse decision would materially adversely affect provisions for or materially adversely affect the sources for payment of the Liquidation Preference of or dividends on the VMTP Shares;

(f) the fees and expenses and all other amounts payable on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof shall have been paid, upon receipt of an invoice;

(g) the Closing Date 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 transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(h) there shall have been delivered to the Closing Date Purchaser any additional documentation and financial information, including satisfactory responses to its due diligence inquiries, as it reasonably deems relevant; and

(i) there shall have been delivered to the Closing Date Purchaser such information and copies of documents, approvals (if any) and records certified, where appropriate, of trust proceedings as the Closing Date Purchaser may have reasonably requested relating to the Fund’s entering into and performing this Agreement and the other Related Documents to which it is a party, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

The Fund and the Closing Date Purchaser agree that consummation of the Purchase pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute acknowledgment that the foregoing conditions have been satisfied or waived.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND

The representations and warranties set out in this Article IV are given hereunder by the Fund to the Closing Date Purchaser as of the Effective Date.

 

  4.1

Existence

The Fund is existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, with full right and power to issue the VMTP Shares, and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Related Document.

 

  4.2

Authorization; Contravention

The execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Agreement and each Related Document are within the Fund’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 Fund or result in the creation or imposition of any lien or encumbrance on any asset of the Fund.

 

  4.3

Binding Effect

Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Fund, 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 VMTP Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued in the Purchase as contemplated by this Agreement, will be validly issued by the Fund and are fully paid and, except as described in the Offering Memorandum, nonassessable, and are free of any pre-emptive or similar rights.

 

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  4.4

Financial Information

The financial statements of the Fund as of its most recent fiscal year-end, and the auditors’ report with respect thereto, copies of which have heretofore been furnished to Wells Fargo, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Fund, 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 most recent fiscal year-end of the Fund, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Fund, except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, 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 Wells Fargo 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, and represented, and as of the date of this representation, represent, the Fund’s reasonable best estimate of the Fund’s future financial performance.

 

  4.5

Litigation

Except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum or in a schedule delivered to the Closing Date Purchaser prior to the Effective Date, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or (to the best knowledge of the Fund) overtly threatened in writing against the Fund in any court or before any governmental authority (i) in any way contesting or that, if decided adversely, would affect the validity of any Related Document including this Agreement; or (ii) in which a final adverse decision would materially adversely affect provisions for or materially adversely affect the sources for payment of the Liquidation Preference of or dividends on the VMTP Shares.

 

  4.6

Consents

All consents, licenses, approvals, validations and authorizations of, and registrations, validations or declarations by or with, any shareholder, court or any governmental agency, bureau or agency required to be obtained in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the other Related Documents (including the VMTP Shares) by or against the Fund have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

  4.7

Incorporation of Additional Representations and Warranties

As of the Effective Date, the Fund hereby makes to the Closing Date Purchaser the representations and warranties included in Annex A hereto which representations and warranties are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

  4.8

Complete and Correct Information

All information, reports and other papers and data with respect to the Fund furnished to the Closing Date Purchaser (other than financial information and financial statements, 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 Fund that materially and adversely affects or in the future may (so far as it can reasonably foresee) materially and adversely affect the VMTP Shares, or the Fund’s ability to pay or otherwise perform when due its obligations under this Agreement, any of the VMTP Shares and the Related Documents that has not been set forth in the Offering Memorandum 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 or otherwise made available or disclosed in writing to the Closing Date Purchaser. Taken as a whole, the documents furnished and statements made by the Fund 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.

 

12


  4.9

Offering Memorandum

The Offering Memorandum, true copies of which have heretofore been delivered to the Closing Date Purchaser, when considered together with this Agreement and any information made available pursuant to the Due Diligence Request or disclosed in writing to the Closing Date Purchaser prior to the Effective Date in connection with this Agreement, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and such Offering Memorandum 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 Fund 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 Fund is in compliance with the Effective Leverage Ratio and the Asset Coverage as required by Section 2.4 of the Articles.

In connection with calculating the Effective Leverage Ratio, the Fund’s total assets and accrued liabilities reflect the positive or negative net obligations of the Fund under each Derivative Contract determined in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies.

For purposes of calculating the Effective Leverage Ratio for purposes of the representation contained in the second preceding paragraph, any Overconcentration Amount has been subtracted from the sum determined pursuant to sub-section (ii) of the definition of Effective Leverage Ratio, set out in Section 2.4(d) of the Articles.

 

  4.12

Investment Policies

As of the Effective Date, the Fund owns only Eligible Assets, as described in Exhibit B to this Agreement.

 

  4.13

Credit Quality

As of the Effective Date, the Fund (1) has invested at least 40% of the Fund’s portfolio of municipal securities in Investment Grade securities that, at the time of investment, were rated within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one NRSRO or, if unrated, were determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality; (2) has invested not more than 60% of the Fund’s portfolio of municipal securities in 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 Fund has invested no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets in municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below both B3 and B- or, if unrated, were determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality; and (3) has invested not more than 10% of the Fund’s portfolio of municipal securities in securities that were rated at the time of acquisition B or lower by Moody’s and S&P or, if unrated, were determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality.

 

13


  4.14

Due Diligence

The Fund understands that nothing in this Agreement, the Offering Memorandum, or any other materials presented to the Fund in connection with the Purchase constitutes legal, tax or investment advice from the Closing Date Purchaser. The Fund has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with the Purchase.

 

  4.15

Capital Structure

As of the Effective Date, after giving effect to the issuance of VMTP Shares pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund has a capital structure as set forth in Exhibit E hereto.

 

  4.16

Certain Fees

The Fund 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 Fund or, to the Fund’s knowledge, by the Closing Date 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.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

OF THE CLOSING DATE PURCHASER

The representations and warranties set out in this Article V are given hereunder by Wells Fargo to the Fund as of the Effective Date.

 

  5.1

Existence

Wells Fargo is validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware and Wells Fargo has full right and power to effect the Purchase and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Related Document to which it is a party.

 

  5.2

Authorization; Contravention

The execution, delivery and performance by the Closing Date Purchaser of this Agreement and each Related Document to which it is a party are within the Closing Date 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 binding upon the Closing Date Purchaser.

 

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  5.3

Binding Effect

Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Closing Date 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

Own Account

The Closing Date Purchaser (i) understands that the VMTP Shares are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws and (ii) is acquiring the 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 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 VMTP Shares in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting Wells Fargo’s right to register the VMTP Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise transfer the 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 Fund prior to the Effective Date, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or (to the best knowledge of the Closing Date Purchaser) overtly threatened in writing against the Closing Date 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 Closing Date Purchaser in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the Purchase have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

  5.7

Closing Date Purchaser Status

At the time the Closing Date Purchaser was offered the 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 or (ii) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.

 

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  5.8

Experience of the Closing Date Purchaser

The Closing Date 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 Purchase, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Wells Fargo is able to bear the economic risk of the Purchase and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

 

  5.9

Access to Information

The Closing Date Purchaser acknowledges that it has had access to and has reviewed all information, documents and records that the Closing Date Purchaser has deemed necessary in order to make an informed investment decision with respect to the Purchase and an investment in the VMTP Shares. The Closing Date Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask representatives of the Fund certain questions and request certain additional information regarding the terms and conditions of the Purchase and such investment and the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Fund and has had any and all such questions and requests answered to the Closing Date Purchaser’s satisfaction; and the Closing Date Purchaser understands the risks and other considerations relating to such investment.

 

  5.10

Certain Transactions

Other than consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Closing Date Purchaser has not directly or indirectly executed, nor has any Person acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with the Closing Date Purchaser executed, any other purchases of securities of the Fund which may be integrated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  5.11

Due Diligence

The Closing Date Purchaser understands that nothing in this Agreement, the Offering Memorandum, or any other materials presented to the Closing Date Purchaser in connection with the Purchase constitutes legal, tax or investment advice from the Fund. The Closing Date Purchaser has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with the Purchase.

 

  5.12

Certain Fees

The Closing Date 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 Closing Date 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.

 

  5.13

Closing Date Purchaser Ownership of VMTP Shares

The Closing Date Purchaser represents and acknowledges that it is the Designated Owner of 100% the VMTP Shares, having acquired from its affiliate, WFC Holdings LLC, all interests in the VMTP Shares that WFC Holdings LLC purchased from the Fund pursuant to the Original VMTP Purchase Agreement.

 

16


ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF THE FUND

The Fund agrees that, so long as there is any amount payable hereunder or the Closing Date Purchaser or its affiliates own any Outstanding VMTP Shares:

 

  6.1

Information

Without limitation of the other provisions of this Agreement, the Fund will deliver, or direct the Redemption and Paying Agent to deliver, to Wells Fargo:

(a) as promptly as practicable after the preparation and filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), each annual and semi-annual report prepared with respect to the Fund, which delivery may be made by the electronic availability of any such document on the SEC’s website or another 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 VMTP Shares by any Rating Agency (and any corresponding change in the Rating Agency Guidelines applicable to the VMTP Shares associated with any such change in the rating from any Rating Agency) or any change of a Rating Agency rating the VMTP Shares as promptly as practicable upon the occurrence thereof;

(c) notice of any redemption or other repurchase of any or all of the VMTP Shares as provided in the Articles;

(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 ten (10) Business Days prior to the effectiveness of any proposed amendment and copies of all actual amendments thereto within five (5) 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 VMTP Shares that remains uncured for more than three (3) Business Days as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one (1) Business Day after expiration of the foregoing grace period;

(f) notice of the failure to make any deposit provided for under Section 2.6(d) of the Articles in respect of a properly noticed redemption as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than two (2) 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 (5) Business Days as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one (1) Business Day after expiration of the foregoing grace period;

(h) notice of the distribution of net capital gains or ordinary income one (1) 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 Fund within two (2) Business Days after a resignation or a notice of removal has been sent by or to any such investment adviser or sub-adviser;

(j) notice of any proxy solicitation as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after mailing thereof;

 

17


(k) notice one (1) Business Day after the occurrence thereof of (i) the failure of the Fund to pay the amount due on any “senior securities” (as defined under the 1940 Act) or other debt at the time outstanding, and any period of grace or cure with respect thereto shall have expired; (ii) the failure of the Fund to pay, or admitting in writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become due; or (iii) the failure of the Fund to pay accumulated dividends on any Preferred Shares ranking pari passu with the VMTP Shares, and 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 Fund contained in this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or the Articles, in each case, only if any officer of the Fund has actual knowledge of such breach as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than five (5) days after actual knowledge of any officer of the Fund or the Investment Adviser thereof;

(m) notice of any litigation, administrative proceeding or business development which may reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the Fund’s business, properties or affairs or the ability of the Fund 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 ten (10) days after actual knowledge of any officer of the Fund or the Investment Adviser thereof;

(n) upon request of Wells Fargo, copies of any material that the Fund has delivered to each Rating Agency which is then rating VMTP Shares at such times and containing such information as set forth in the respective Rating Agency Guidelines as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such request;

(o) within five (5) Business Days after the fifteenth (15th) and last days of each month (each a “Reporting Date”), a report of portfolio holdings of the Fund as of each such Reporting Date, prepared on a basis substantially consistent with the periodic reports of portfolio holdings of the Fund prepared for financial reporting purposes;

(p) within five (5) Business Days after the fifteenth (15th) and last days 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 Fund 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 Fund to maintain Asset Coverage as provided in Section 2.4(a) of the Articles or the Effective Leverage Ratio as required by Section 2.4(c) of the Articles, notice of such failure within one (1) 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 Fund as Wells Fargo may reasonably request including, without limitation, copies of all offering memoranda or other offering material with respect to the sale of any securities of the Fund as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than ten (10) days after a request.

All information, reports and other papers, documentation and data with respect to the Fund furnished to Wells Fargo 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 Wells Fargo 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 6.1(p), references to any day that is not a Business Day shall mean the next Business Day.

 

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  6.2

No Amendment or Certain Other Actions Without Consent of Wells Fargo

To the extent that Wells Fargo is the Holder or Designated Owner of at least 66 2/3% of the VMTP Shares then outstanding (or holds such percentage in combination with the VMTP Shares held by its affiliates), without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, the Fund will not agree to, consent to or permit any amendment, supplement, modification or repeal of the Articles or any provision therein, nor waive any provision thereof.

 

  6.3

Maintenance of Existence

The Fund 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 VMTP Shares and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Related Document.

 

  6.4

Tax Status of the Fund

The Fund 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 VMTP Shares will qualify as “exempt interest dividends” to the extent they are reported as such by the Fund and are permitted to be treated as such by Section 852(b)(5)(A) of the Code.

 

  6.5

Payment Obligations

The Fund 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, 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 Fund.

 

  6.6

Compliance With Law

The Fund 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 on the Fund’s ability to pay or otherwise perform when due its obligations under this Agreement, any of the VMTP Shares, or any of the other Related Documents.

 

  6.7

Maintenance of Approvals: Filings, Etc.

The Fund 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 Fund shall, at any reasonable time and from time to time, upon reasonable notice, permit Wells Fargo or any agents or representatives thereof, at the Fund’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 Fund shall not be required to pay for more than one inspection per fiscal year. The Fund will not unreasonably withhold its authorization for its independent accountants to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with Wells Fargo.

 

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All information, reports and other papers, documentation and data with respect to the Fund furnished to Wells Fargo 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 Wells Fargo 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 Fund shall give prompt notice in writing to Wells Fargo 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 Fund to perform its obligations as set forth hereunder or under any of the Related Documents.

All information, reports and other papers, documentation and data with respect to the Fund furnished to Wells Fargo pursuant to this Section 6.9 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 Wells Fargo 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.

 

  6.10

1940 Act Registration

The Fund shall maintain its valid registration as a registered closed-end company under the 1940 Act in full force and effect.

 

  6.11

Eligible Assets

The Fund shall only make investments in the Eligible Assets as described on Exhibit B, as amended from time to time with the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and the investment policies set forth in the Offering Memorandum, as such investment objectives and investment policies may be modified in accordance with the 1940 Act and applicable law and, if applicable, the Related Documents.

 

  6.12

Credit Quality

Unless the Fund receives the prior written consent of Wells Fargo (such consent to be determined in Wells Fargo’s good faith discretion), the Fund (1) will invest at least 40% of the Fund’s portfolio of municipal securities in Investment Grade securities that, at the time of investment, were rated within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better) by at least one NRSRO or, if unrated, were determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality; (2) will invest not more than 60% of the Fund’s portfolio of municipal securities in 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 Fund will invest no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets in municipal securities that, at the time of investment, were rated below both B3 and B- or, if unrated, were determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality; and (3) will invest not more than 10% of the Fund’s portfolio of municipal securities in securities that were rated at the time of acquisition B or lower by Moody’s and S&P or, if unrated, were determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality.

 

20


  6.13

Maintenance of Effective Leverage Ratio

For so long as the Fund fails to provide the information required under Sections 6.1(o) and 6.1(p), Wells Fargo shall calculate, for purposes of Section 2.6(b)(ii)(A)(2) of the Articles, 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 Fund on the most recent date that information was properly provided by the Fund pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.1(o) and 6.1(p). The Effective Leverage Ratio as calculated by Wells Fargo in such instances shall be binding on the Fund. If required, the Fund shall restore the Effective Leverage Ratio as provided in the Articles. For purposes of calculating the Effective Leverage Ratio, any Overconcentration Amount shall be subtracted from the sum determined pursuant to sub-section (ii) of the definition of Effective Leverage Ratio, set out in Section 2.4(d) of the Articles.

In connection with calculating the Effective Leverage Ratio, the Fund’s total assets and accrued liabilities shall reflect the positive or negative net obligations of the Fund under each Derivative Contract determined in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies.

 

  6.14

Redemption and Paying Agent

The Fund 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.

 

  6.15

Cooperation in the Sale of VMTP Shares

The Fund will comply with reasonable due diligence requests from the Closing Date Purchaser in connection with any proposed sale by the Closing Date Purchaser of the VMTP Shares in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act and otherwise permitted by this Agreement, provided that the Fund need not comply with any such request more than twice in any period of twelve consecutive months and any prospective purchaser of the VMTP Shares from the Closing Date 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 Fund furnished to Wells Fargo pursuant to this Section 6.15 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 Wells Fargo 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.

 

  6.16

Rating Agencies

In the event that the VMTP Shares are rated by a single Rating Agency and such Rating Agency withdraws the credit rating (the “Withdrawing Rating Agency”) required to be maintained with respect to the VMTP Shares pursuant to Section 2.8 of the Articles due to the Withdrawing Rating Agency’s ceasing to rate tax-exempt closed-end management investment companies generally and such withdrawal is continuing:

 

  (a)

the Fund shall use commercially reasonable efforts to secure a rating with respect to the VMTP Shares from an Other Rating Agency;

 

21


  (b)

the Applicable Spread will be calculated using the Applicable Percentage corresponding to the latest Withdrawing Rating Agency’s rating with respect to the VMTP Shares; and

 

  (c)

in the event that the Fund is unable to secure another rating on the VMTP Shares from an Other Rating Agency, the Applicable Spread will be calculated in accordance with Section 6.16(b) above.

 

  6.17

Securities Depository

The Fund agrees to maintain settlement of the VMTP Shares in global book entry form through the Securities Depository or such other clearance system acceptable to Wells Fargo.

 

  6.18

Future Agreements

The Fund shall promptly, at the request of the Closing Date Purchaser, enter into an agreement, on terms mutually satisfactory to the Fund and Wells Fargo, of the type specified in Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the 1940 Act, so as to permit Wells Fargo 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.

 

  6.19

Use of Proceeds

The Fund shall use the net proceeds from the sale of VMTP Shares to refinance and redeem up to all of the Fund’s previously issued auction preferred shares and for general business purposes, including the purchase of investment securities.

 

  6.20

Tax Opinion in Connection with Extension of Term Redemption Date

In the event that the Term Redemption Date of the VMTP Shares is extended pursuant to Section 2.6(a)(ii) of the Articles, the Fund shall cause to be delivered to the Closing Date Purchaser, prior to the closing of such extension, an opinion of counsel for the Fund, to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, following such extension (i) the VMTP Shares will qualify as equity in and not indebtedness of the Fund and (ii) the distributions made with respect to the VMTP Shares will qualify as exempt-interest dividends to the extent they are reported as such by the Fund and are permitted to be treated as such by Section 852(b)(5)(A) of the Code.

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; provided that notices to Wells Fargo under Section 6.1 shall not be effective until received in writing; except as otherwise specified, notices under Section 6.1 may be given by telephone to Wells Fargo at the telephone number listed below (or such other telephone numbers as may be designated by Wells Fargo, by written notice to the Fund, to receive such notice), immediately confirmed in writing, including by fax or electronic mail. The notice address for each party is specified below:

 

22


  (a)

if to the Fund:

Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.

60 State Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Attention: Terrence J. Cullen, Esq.

Telephone: (617) 742-7825

Facsimile: (617) 528-6479

Email: terrence.cullen@amundipioneer.com

 

  (b)

if to Wells Fargo:

Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC

c/o Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

30 Hudson Yards

500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Alejandro Piekarewicz

Telephone: (212)-214-5517

Facsimile: (212) 214-8971

Email: alejandro.piekarewicz@wellsfargo.com

Wire Instructions:

Bank Routing Number: 121000248

Bank Name: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Account Number: 00029162812407

Attention: ATTN Tim Hyre - ARS Dividend

 

  7.2

No Waivers

(a) The obligations of the Fund hereunder shall not in any way be modified or limited by reference to any other document, instrument or agreement (including, without limitation, the VMTP Shares or any other Related Document). The rights of the Closing Date Purchaser hereunder are separate from and in addition to any rights that any Holder or Designated Owner of any VMTP Share may have under the terms of such VMTP Share or any Related Document or otherwise.

(b) No failure or delay by the Fund or the Closing Date Purchaser in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the 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 Fund or the Closing Date Purchaser in exercising any right, power or privilege under or in respect of the VMTP Shares or any other Related Document shall affect the rights, powers or privileges of the Fund or the Closing Date 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.

 

23


  7.3

Expenses and Indemnification

(a) The Fund shall upon demand either, as the Closing Date Purchaser may require, pay in the first instance or reimburse the Closing Date 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 the Closing Date Purchaser in connection with the enforcement of or preservation of rights under this Agreement. The Fund 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 the Closing Date Purchaser, unless the Closing Date Purchaser shall have reasonably concluded that there are legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Fund.

(b) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Closing Date Purchaser and each other Indemnified Person of the Closing Date 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) which are related to or arise out of (A) any material misstatements or any material statements omitted to be made in the Offering Memorandum (including any documents incorporated by reference therein), except to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding the Closing Date Purchaser or its Affiliates furnished in writing to the Fund by the Closing Date Purchaser expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to the Closing Date Purchaser or its Affiliates and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by the Closing Date Purchaser expressly for use in the Offering Memorandum or (B) any claim by any third party relating to the Purchase of VMTP Shares pursuant to Section 2.1(a) hereof, or the offering or sale of the VMTP Shares by the Closing Date Purchaser (x) that the Closing Date Purchaser aided and abetted a breach of a fiduciary duty by the Fund or any director or officer of the Fund or (y) arising from any act by the Fund or any director or officer of the Fund (excluding in any such case clauses (A) or (B), claims, losses, liabilities or expenses arising out of or resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Party as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction).

(c) The indemnifying party also agrees that if indemnification sought by an Indemnified Person pursuant to Section 7.3(b) of this Agreement is determined to be void as against public policy in the applicable jurisdiction, 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 Fund on the one hand and the Closing Date Purchaser 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 Fund on the one hand and the Closing Date Purchaser 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 the Closing Date Purchaser and its 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 the Closing Date Purchaser from the Fund pursuant to the proposed transactions giving rise to this Agreement. For purposes of determining the relative benefits to the Fund on the one hand, and the Closing Date Purchaser 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 Fund pursuant to the transactions, whether or not consummated bears to (ii) the dividends and Optional Redemption Premium paid by the Fund to the Closing Date 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 Fund on the one hand, or the Closing Date Purchaser 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. For avoidance of doubt, an indemnifying party shall not be responsible for making any contribution to an Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 7.3(c) of this Agreement if an Indemnified Person is able to seek indemnification from an indemnifying party pursuant to Section 7.3(b) of this Agreement.

 

24


(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 party (the consent of the other party shall not be required to the extent that the first 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 Fund further agrees that none of the Closing Date Purchaser, nor any of the Closing Date Purchaser’s affiliates, nor any directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives or control persons of the Closing Date Purchaser or any of the Closing Date Purchaser’s affiliates shall have any liability to the Fund 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 gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Closing Date Purchaser or its affiliates. No party shall be responsible or liable to the other party or any other person for consequential, special or punitive damages which may be alleged as a result of this Agreement.

 

25


(e) Nothing in this Section 7.3 is intended to limit either party’s obligations contained in other parts of this Agreement or the 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 Fund and Wells Fargo; provided, that the Fund shall not make or agree to any amendment or waiver that affects any preference, right or power of the VMTP Shares or the Holders or Designated Owners thereof except as permitted under the Charter or the Articles.

 

  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 Fund nor the Closing Date 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 any transferee satisfying the requirements set forth in Section 2.1 and which has executed and delivered to the Fund the transferee certificate attached as Exhibit C shall, prior to registration of any VMTP Shares under the Securities Act, have the rights set forth in Section 7.15 and shall, so long as such transferee has provided a means for the Fund 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) and 6.1(p) and the confidentiality provisions herein as specified in the transferee certificate. Any assignment without such prior written consent shall be void.

 

  7.6

Term of this Agreement

This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (x) the registration of any Outstanding VMTP Shares under the Securities Act, (y) the redemption, repurchase or exchange of all Outstanding VMTP Shares by the Fund and payment in full of all amounts then due and owing to the Closing Date Purchaser hereunder and in respect of the VMTP Shares pursuant to the terms of the Articles; 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 (2) 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.

 

26


  7.8

Waiver of Jury Trial

THE FUND AND THE CLOSING DATE PURCHASER HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER ON ANY MATTERS WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

  7.9

Counterparts and Electronic Signatures

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. Moreover, the parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement may be signed and/or transmitted by e-mail or a .pdf document or using electronic signature technology (e.g., via DocuSign, Adobesign, or other electronic signature technology), and that such signed electronic record shall be valid and as effective to bind the party so signing as a paper copy bearing such party’s handwritten signature. The parties further consent and agree that (i) to the extent a party signs this Agreement using electronic signature technology, by clicking “SIGN”, such party is signing this Agreement electronically; and (ii) the electronic signatures appearing on this Agreement shall be treated, for purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility, the same as handwritten signatures.

 

  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

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

The Fund and the Closing Date 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. As between the Fund and the Closing Date Purchaser, the Fund and the Closing Date Purchaser agree that Section 2.11(d) of the Articles shall have no effect for so long as none of the 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 Fund (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) without the prior written consent of the party delivering the Information.

 

27


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 Fund, in notices to Holders or Designated Owners pursuant to one or more of the Related Documents or pursuant to the Fund’s or the Closing Date Purchaser’s informational obligations under Rule 144A(d)(4) or other reporting obligation of the SEC; 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) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially similar to those of this Section 7.13, (x) by a prospective purchaser of the 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 Fund is an express third party beneficiary thereof, and (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.    

 

  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 VMTP Shares have been registered under the Securities Act, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Majority Participants, neither the Fund 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 Fund 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 VMTP Shares.

(b) The Fund issuing or suffering to exist any “senior security” (as defined in the 1940 Act as of the date hereof 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 (i) the VMTP Shares issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not to exceed 5% of the assets of the Fund, which borrowings are repaid within sixty (60) days of the incurrence thereof; (iv) the issuance of senior securities or the incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money, the proceeds of which will be used for the exchange, retirement, redemption or repurchase of the VMTP Shares and costs incurred in connection therewith; and (v) 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 Fund it shall not require the approval of the Majority Participants if the Fund exchanges, redeems, retires or terminates such “senior security” or otherwise cures such non-compliance within five (5) Business Days of receiving notice of the existence thereof.

 

28


(c) The Fund (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, except as permitted by the Charter or (ii) except for any lien for the benefit of the Custodian of the Fund on the assets of the Fund held by such Custodian, pledging any portfolio security to secure any senior securities or other liabilities to be incurred by the Fund (including under any tender option bond trust or similar vehicle of which the residual floating rate trust certificates will be owned by the Fund) unless the aggregate securities pledged pursuant to all such pledges or 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 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 Fund and the Fund 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, whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, that would affect any preference, right or power of the VMTP Shares differentially from the rights of the holders of the Common Shares.

(e) Approval of any action to be taken pursuant to Sections 2.6(g) and 2.16 of the Articles (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 exchange, retirement, redemption or repurchase of the VMTP Shares and costs incurred in connection therewith).

(f) In addition, the designation by the Fund of a replacement (the “Replacement”) to the Benchmark from One-Month LIBOR in the Articles, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election (each as defined in the Articles), as applicable, shall be governed by the terms and conditions as set forth in Section 2.20 of the Articles, unless the Fund and the Majority Beneficial Owners agree in writing to implementation of the Replacement pursuant to other provisions of the Articles.

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

 

29


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

 

PIONEER MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME ADVANTAGE FUND, INC.
By:  

/s/ Mark E. Bradley

  Name: Mark E. Bradley
  Title: Treasurer
WELLS FARGO MUNICIPAL CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Alejandro Piekarewicz

  Name: Alejandro Piekarewicz
  Title: Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to VMTP Purchase Agreement]


SCHEDULE 1

 

Description of Shares:    1,800 Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2021, with a Liquidation Preference of $100,000 per share, of which 1,600 were issued on February 16, 2018 on exchange for $160,000,000 in immediately available funds and 200 were issued on February 16, 2021 on exchange for $20,000,000 in immediately available funds.

 

1


EXHIBIT A

FORMS OF OPINIONS AND LETTERS OF COUNSEL FOR THE FUND

 

1


EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CORPORATE AND 1940 ACT OPINION

[ON FILE]

 

1


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF TAX OPINION

[ON FILE]

 

1


EXHIBIT A-3

FORM OF NEGATIVE ASSURANCE LETTER

[ON FILE]

 

1


EXHIBIT B

ELIGIBLE ASSETS

On the Effective Date and at all times thereafter:

1. All assets in the Fund 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, as amended, 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, including obligations of any of the foregoing types related to financing a 501(c)(3) organization. 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 Fund’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.

 

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        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.

 

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        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 Fund already owns and (b) have deteriorated or are expected shortly to deteriorate that such investment should enable the Fund to better maximize its existing investment in such issuer, provided that the Fund 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 VMTP Shares (“Holders”) that such assets are eligible for purchase by the Holders.

2. The Investment Adviser has instituted policies and procedures that it believes are sufficient to ensure that the Fund and it comply with the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Exhibit B to the Agreement.

3. The Fund will, upon request, provide the Holder(s) and their internal and external auditors and inspectors as the Holder(s) may from time to time designate, with all reasonable assistance and access to information and records of the Fund relevant to the Fund’s compliance with and performance of the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Exhibit B to the Agreement, but only for the purposes of internal and external audit.

 

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EXHIBIT C

TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE

Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.

60 State Street

Boston, Massachusetts, 02109

Attention: Terrence J. Cullen, Esq.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Second Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated as of April 21, 2021, between Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc. (formerly, Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust), a closed-end fund organized as a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”) and Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, including its successors by merger or operation (“Wells Fargo”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Purchase Agreement.

In connection with the proposed sale by Wells Fargo (the “Transferor”) of _____________ 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):

☐ 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 registered closed-end management investment company the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange (a “Closed End Fund”), a bank (or affiliates of banks), insurance company or registered open-end management investment company, in each case, to which any offer and sale is being made 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;

☐ it is a tender option bond trust or similar vehicle in which all investors are QIBs that are Closed-End Funds, banks (or affiliates of banks), insurance companies, or registered open-end management investment companies; or

☐ 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):

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

☐ has received the prior written consent of the Fund and the holder(s) of more than 50% of the outstanding VMTP Shares.

☐ neither of the above.

 

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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 offer, sell or otherwise transfer the Transferred Shares only to (A)(i) Persons such Transferee reasonably believes are QIBs that are registered closed-end management investment companies, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange, banks (or affiliates of banks), insurance companies or registered open-end management investment 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) tender option bond trusts or similar vehicle in which it reasonably believes all investors are Persons such Transferee reasonably believes are QIBs that are registered closed-end management investment companies, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange, banks (or affiliates of banks), insurance companies, or registered open-end management investment companies, or (iii) other investors which the Fund has consented in writing to permit to be a holder of the Transferred Shares and (B) unless the prior written consent of the Fund and the holder(s) of more than 50% of the outstanding VMTP Shares has been obtained, is not an Amundi US Person, if such Amundi US Person would, after such sale and transfer, own more than 20% of the Outstanding VMTP Shares.

6. The Transferee acknowledges that the VMTP Shares were issued in book-entry form and are represented by one global certificate and that the global certificate representing the VMTP Shares (unless sold to the public in an underwritten offering of the 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.

 

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THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY ONLY TO (l)(A) A PERSON THAT THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” THAT IS A REGISTERED CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY, THE SHARES OF WHICH ARE TRADED ON A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE, BANKS (OR AFFILIATES OF BANKS), INSURANCE COMPANIES OR REGISTERED OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES, IN EACH CASE, IN AN OFFER AND SALE MADE 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; (B) A TENDER OPTION BOND TRUST OR SIMILAR VEHICLE IN WHICH ALL INVESTORS ARE PERSONS THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES ARE QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS THAT ARE REGISTERED CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THE SHARES OF WHICH ARE TRADED ON A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE, BANKS (OR AFFILIATES OF BANKS), INSURANCE COMPANIES, OR REGISTERED OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES; OR (C) A PERSON THAT THE ISSUER OF THE SECURITY HAS APPROVED IN WRITING TO BE THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY AND (2) UNLESS THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER OF THE SECURITY AND HOLDERS OF MORE THAN 50% OF THE OUTSTANDING VMTP SHARES IS OBTAINED, NOT AN AMUNDI US PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED VMTP PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED APRIL 21, 2021 BETWEEN THE ISSUER OF THE SECURITY AND WELLS FARGO MUNICIPAL CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC), IF SUCH AMUNDI US PERSON WOULD, AFTER SUCH SALE AND TRANSFER, OWN MORE THAN 20% OF THE OUTSTANDING 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. 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.

9. 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 VMTP Shares and the confidentiality obligations therein with respect to information relating to the Fund as if it were the Transferor.

10. 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 VMTP Shares.

11. 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.

12. 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.

 

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13. The Transferee acknowledges that each of 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.

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

15. 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.]

 

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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:
   

 

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EXHIBIT D

INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE FUND

Reporting as of:                                 

TOB Floaters: $                                 

 

CUSIP  

Portfolio

Name

  Description    Market Value    Par Value    Rating    State
[]   []   []    []    []    []    []

 

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EXHIBIT E

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth the Preferred Shares Capitalization of the Fund as of April 21, 2021 after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Preferred Shares

  Number of Shares
Authorized
    Number of Shares
Outstanding
    Amount Outstanding  

Series 2021 VMTP Shares, $100,000 stated value per share, at liquidation value

    1,800       1,800     $ 180,000,000  


ANNEX A

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

(Given only as of the Effective Time of this Agreement)

 

1.

The Series 2021 VMTP Shares conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Offering Memorandum.

 

2.

As of the Date of Original Issue, the Series 2021 VMTP Shares satisfied 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 Series 2021 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 Fund has reasonable belief that any transfers of the Series 2021 VMTP Shares will be limited to persons who are QIBs.

 

4.

Neither the Fund, nor any person acting on its behalf, has, directly or indirectly, made offers or sales of any security (as defined in the Securities Act), or solicited offers to buy any security, nor will it, directly or indirectly, make offers or sales of any security or solicit offers to buy any security under circumstances that would require the registration of the Series 2021 VMTP Shares under the Securities Act.

 

5.

The Fund has ensured or will ensure that any Bloomberg screen containing information about the Series 2021 VMTP Shares includes the following (or similar) language:

 

 

the “Note Box” on the bottom of the “Security Display” page describing the Series 2021 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).”

 

6.

The Fund has instructed or will instruct The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to take these or similar steps with respect to the Series 2021 VMTP Shares:

 

 

the DTC 20-character security descriptor and 48-character additional descriptor will indicate that sales are limited to QIBs.

 

7.

The Fund has confirmed that CUSIP has established a “fixed field” attached to the CUSIP number for the Series 2021 VMTP Shares containing the “144A” indicator.

 

8.

The Fund’s authorized equity capitalization is as set forth, or incorporated by reference, in the Offering Memorandum; the equity capital of the Fund conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained, or incorporated by reference, in the Offering Memorandum; all outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and, except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Fund are outstanding.


9.

The statements in the Offering Memorandum under the headings “Description of VMTP Shares,” “Plan of Offering,” “Certain Provisions in the Charter and By-Laws” and “Tax Matters” insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.

 

10.

Each of the filings with the SEC 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”) complies in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, and each 1940 Act Document did not at the time of filing with the SEC include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

11.

No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required by the Fund in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement, the Articles and the Offering Agreement (collectively, the “Fund Agreements”), except such as have been made or obtained under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and the New York Stock Exchange.

 

12.

None of the execution, delivery or performance of any of the Fund Agreements, nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof, conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or require or result in imposition of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Fund pursuant to, (i) the Charter or the Articles, or (ii) 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 the Fund is a party or by which it is bound or to which its property is subject, or materially violates or will materially violate any material statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Fund of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Fund or any of its properties.

 

13.

No holders of the Series 2021 VMTP Shares have rights to the registration of such VMTP Shares.

 

14.

The Fund is not in violation or default of any provision of its Charter or the Articles, 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 Fund or any of its properties.

 

15.

Since the date as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum, except as otherwise stated therein, (i) no transaction or event has occurred and no change has occurred in the condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Fund that would materially and adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Related Documents to which it is a party or by which it is bound and (ii) there have been no transactions entered into by the Fund which are material to the Fund other than those in the ordinary course of its business or as described or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum (and any amendment or supplement thereto).


16.

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has been engaged to conduct the audit of the Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended 2018 to 2020 and previously audited the Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended 2013. For the fiscal years ended 2014 through 2017, the Fund’s financial statements were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund’s previous independent registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP have delivered their respective reports with respect to the audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum.

 

17.

The Fund’s directors and officers errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations are in full force and effect; the Fund is in compliance with the terms of such policy and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Fund under any such policy or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Fund has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Fund has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage and fidelity bond as and when such coverage and fidelity bond expires or to obtain similar coverage and fidelity bond from similar insurers as maybe necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business prospects, earnings, business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Fund (other than as a result of a change in the financial markets generally), whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

 

18.

The Fund possesses all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business, and the Fund has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Fund (other than as a result of a change in the financial markets generally), whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum.

 

19.

The Fund maintains and will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund and the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations and the Code; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, to calculate net asset value, to maintain accountability for assets and to maintain material compliance with the books and records requirements under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Fund employs “internal controls over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the 1940 Act) and such internal controls over financial reporting are effective as required the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations. The Fund is not aware of any material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting.


20.

The Fund maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the 1940 Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective as required under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations.

 

21.

The Fund 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 a violation of federal securities laws or in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Fund to facilitate the resale of the Series 2021 VMTP Shares, and the Fund is not aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Fund.

 

22.

Each of the Custodian Agreement between the Fund and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. dated as of July 1, 2001, as amended, the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser dated as of July 3, 2017, as amended (the “Management Agreement”), the Redemption and Paying Agent Agreement between the Fund and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of February 16, 2018 (as amended or modified from time to time) and the Fund Agreements complies in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Advisers Act Rules and Regulations”) and the Fund’s directors and the Fund’s shareholders have approved the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement in accordance with Sections 15 (a) and (c), respectively, of the 1940 Act.

 

23.

Except as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum, no director of the Fund is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

24.

The conduct by the Fund of its business (as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum) does not require it to be the owner, possessor or licensee of any patents, patent licenses, trademarks, service marks or trade names which it does not own, possess or license.

 

25.

The Fund has filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed or has properly requested extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure so to file would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Fund (other than as a result of a change in the financial markets generally), whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth or incorporated by reference in or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum) and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith or as would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Fund (other than as a result of a change in the financial markets generally), whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth or incorporated by reference in or contemplated in the Offering Memorandum; and the Fund has been and is currently in compliance with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code.

 

26.

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.


27.

There is and has been no failure on the part of the Fund and any of the Fund’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.

 

28.

The Fund 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 Fund, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance by each investment adviser and transfer agent of the Fund.

 

29.

The Offering of the Series 2021 VMTP Shares in the manner contemplated by the Offering Memorandum has been conducted in a manner by the Fund 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.

EX-99.9 5 d139973dex999.htm EX-99.9 EX-99.9

Exhibit 99.9

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), executed as of April 21, 2021, is made among (i) Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc. (formerly, Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust), a closed-end fund organized as a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”) and (ii) Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, including its successors by merger or operation of law (referred to herein as “Wells Fargo” or the “Shareholder”).

RECITALS

A. The Fund, Wells Fargo, and WFC Holdings LLC were parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 16, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Original Registration Rights Agreement”);

B. The Fund and Wells Fargo, being the 100% holder of the VMTP Shares having acquired any interest in the shares originally held by WFC Holdings LLC, entered into an amended and restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 16, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “First Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement”);

C. Prior to April 21, 2021, the Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust and on April 21, 2021, the Fund reincorporated as a Maryland corporation and in connection therewith changed its name from Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Trust to Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.;

D. The Fund and Wells Fargo desire to amend and restate in its entirety the First Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement to reflect the Fund’s reincorporation as a Maryland corporation;

E. As of the date hereof, Wells Fargo holds 1,800 Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2021 issued by the Fund, comprising all of the Series 2021 VMTP Shares issued by the Fund; and

F. The Fund and Wells Fargo have entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement dated as of April 21, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”), regarding the sale of the VMTP Shares (as defined therein) for cash and certain other rights and obligations of the parties thereto as set forth therein, which Purchase Agreement amended and restated that certain VMTP Purchase Agreement dated as of February 16, 2018 by and among the Fund, Wells Fargo, and WFC Holdings LLC (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) and that certain amended and restated VMTP Purchase Agreement dated as of February 16, 2021 (the “First Amended and Restated VMTP Purchase Agreement”).

 

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NOW THEREFORE, the Parties are entering into this Agreement to provide for certain registration rights as follows:

1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following respective meanings:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person (including any Subsidiary) and “Affiliates” shall have correlative meaning. For the purpose of this definition, the term “Control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “Controlling”, “Controlled by” and “under common Control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Amundi US Persons” means the Investment Adviser and affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act).

Articles” means the Articles Supplementary of the Fund with respect to the Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, effective as of April 21, 2021, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

“Blue Sky” means the statutes of any state regulating the sale of corporate securities within that state.

Board” means the board of directors of the Fund or any duly authorized committee thereof.

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

Designated Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(j)(v) of this Agreement.

Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement.

FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or any successor.

Form N-2” means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the Commission.

Fund” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Fund Indemnified Persons” means, the Fund and its affiliates and directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives and control persons, entitled to indemnification by the Holders under Section 7.

 

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Holder” means the Shareholder and any Permitted Transferees of the Shareholder entitled to the rights, and bound by the obligations under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 8.11.

“Holder Indemnified Persons” means, with respect to each Holder, such Holder and its affiliates and directors, officers, partners, trustees employees, agents, representatives and control persons, entitled to indemnification by the Fund under Section 7.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 of this Agreement.

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 of this Agreement.

Initiating Holder(s)” means the Shareholder; provided, however, that if the Shareholder shall have transferred any of the VMTP Shares that it has purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or the Original Purchase Agreement, then the Shareholder shall cease to be an Initiating Holder; and provided further, that if the Shareholder shall have transferred any of the VMTP Shares purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or the Original Purchase Agreement, then “Initiating Holder(s)” shall mean the Majority Holders.

Investment Adviser” means Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. (“Amundi US”) (formerly, Amundi Pioneer Asset Management, Inc.), or any successor company or entity thereto, and any successor investment adviser to the Fund.

Majority Holders” means the Holder(s) of more than 50% of the Outstanding VMTP Shares.

1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Outstanding” has the meaning set forth in the Articles.

Original Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Parties” means collectively the Fund, the Shareholder and any Permitted Transferee who becomes a party to this Agreement. Each of the Parties shall be referred to as a “Party.”

Permitted Transferee” means, on any date prior to the VMTP Shares having been registered under the Securities Act, any Person permitted to be a transferee of VMTP Shares pursuant to Section 2.19 of the Articles to which VMTP Shares are transferred in compliance with Section 8.11.

Person” means and includes an individual, a partnership, a trust, a corporation, a limited liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, any prospectus filed by the Fund under Rule 430A or Rule 497 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act in connection therewith, and any advertising or sales material prepared by the Fund and filed under Rule 482 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act in connection therewith, including in each such case all amendments and supplements to any such prospectus, advertising or sales material, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

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Public Offering” means an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Registration” means a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement and the charter or ordering of the effectiveness of that Registration Statement, and the terms “Register” and “Registered” have meanings correlative with the foregoing.

Registrable Securities” means (i) VMTP Shares sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or the Original Purchase Agreement and owned by the Shareholder or any Permitted Transferee, and (ii) VMTP Shares or any other securities of the Fund issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for, or in replacement of, the VMTP Shares referred to in clause (i).

Registration Expenses” means all expenses incurred by the Fund in complying with Section 3 of this Agreement, including all Registration, qualification, and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Fund, reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for all Holders (selected by Wells Fargo so long as it is a Holder; otherwise selected by the Majority Holders) up to an amount not to exceed U.S. $25,000, Blue Sky-related fees and expenses, the expense of any reasonably necessary special audits or comfort letters incident to or required by a Registration and the reasonable costs and expenses of attending domestic road show presentations. Registration Expenses do not include any underwriting discounts or commissions or any fees or expenses of counsel to the Holders in excess of such $25,000 amount referenced above.

Registration Statement” means a registration statement prepared on Form N-2 under the Securities Act including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses.

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as from time to time in effect.

Shareholder” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Underwriters’ Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b) of this Agreement.

U.S.$” or “USD” means United States dollars.

VMTP Shares” means the variable rate munifund term preferred shares, Series 2021, of the Fund, with par value of U.S. $.01 per share and a liquidation preference of U.S. $100,000 per share.

 

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2. Registration Rights; Applicability of Rights. The Holders shall be entitled to the rights with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities set forth in this Agreement.

3. Demand Registration.

3.1 Request for Registration. If the Fund receives from an Initiating Holder a request in writing that the Fund effect any Registration with respect to the Registrable Securities, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Fund shall (i) within 10 days of receipt of such written request, give written notice of the proposed Registration to all other Holders, and (ii) as soon as practicable, but, in any event, within forty-five (45) days following receipt of such written request, use its commercially reasonable best efforts to effect Registration of those Registrable Securities (“Demand Registration”) which the Fund has been so requested to register, together with all other Registrable Securities which the Fund has been requested to register by Holders thereof by written request given to the Fund within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice from the Fund, subject to the limitations of this Section 3. The Fund shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any Registration pursuant to this Section 3.1 after the Fund has effected one Registration pursuant to this Section 3.1 and such Registration has been declared or ordered effective (and has not been subject to a “stop order” of the Commission). The substantive provisions of Section 3.3 shall be applicable to any Registration initiated under this Section 3.1.

3.2 Right of Deferral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund shall not be obligated to file a Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 3 if the Fund furnishes to those Holders requesting Registration of Registrable Securities a certificate signed by the chief executive officer or chairman of the board of the Fund stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Fund or its shareholders for a Registration Statement to be filed in the near future. In such event, the Fund’s obligation to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to file a Registration Statement shall be deferred for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the receipt of the request to file the registration by the Initiating Holder(s); provided, that the Fund shall not exercise the right to delay a request contained in this Section 3.2 more than once in any 12 month period, and provided further, that during such deferral period, the Fund shall not file a Registration Statement with respect to any preferred shares of the Fund.

3.3 Underwriting in Demand Registration.

(a) Notice of Underwriting. If the Initiating Holder(s) intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Fund as a part of their request made pursuant to this Section 3, and the Fund shall include that information in the written notice referred to in Section 3.1 of this Agreement. The right of any Holder to Registration pursuant to this Section 3 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s agreement to participate in the underwriting and the inclusion of that Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein.

(b) Selection of Underwriter in Demand Registration. The Fund shall (together with all Holders proposing to distribute their securities through the underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form for an underwritten offering made solely by selling shareholders with the underwriter or, if more than one, the lead underwriter acting as the representative of the underwriters (the “Underwriters’ Representative”) selected for the underwriting by the Initiating Holder(s) with the consent of the Fund, not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

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(c) Marketing Limitation in Demand Registration. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3, in the event the Underwriters’ Representative advises the Fund in writing that market factors (including the aggregate number of VMTP Shares requested to be Registered, the general condition of the market, and the status of the Persons proposing to sell securities pursuant to the Registration) require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Fund shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the Registration and underwriting shall be allocated among all Holders of such Registrable Securities on a pro rata basis based on the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Registration by all such selling Holders (including the Initiating Holder(s)); provided, however, that the number of Registrable Securities to be included in any such underwriting held by Holders shall not be reduced unless all other securities of the Fund, its Affiliates and Amundi US Persons are first entirely excluded from the underwriting. Unless the prior written consent of the Majority Holders has been obtained, the number of Registrable Securities included in any such underwriting shall not be reduced to less than ninety percent 90% of the number of the Registrable Securities requested to be included. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded from the underwriting by reason of this Section 3.3(c) shall be withdrawn from the Registration. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with the foregoing, the Fund or the underwriters may round the number of shares allocated to any Holder to the nearest one share.

(d) Right of Withdrawal in Demand Registration. If any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than the Initiating Holder(s)) disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriters’ Representative proposing to distribute their securities through the underwriting, delivered at least twenty (20) days prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement. The securities so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from the Registration Statement.

4. Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any Registration pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be borne by the Fund.

5. Assignability of Registration Rights; Termination of Registration Rights; Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights

5.1 Assignability of Registration Rights. Except as provided in Section 8.11, no Party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written consent of the other Party to this Agreement.

5.2 Termination of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Fund to register Registrable Securities granted under Section 3 of this Agreement and to receive notices pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, shall terminate on the earliest of (i) nine months prior to the then current Term Redemption Date (subject to extension in accordance with the terms of the Articles), (ii) a notice of redemption having been issued by the Fund under the Articles for the redemption of all of the Registrable Securities unless a Redemption Default (as defined in the Articles) has occurred, or the repurchase by the Fund (including by exchange of securities) of and cancellation of all of the Registrable Securities or (iii) the date a Demand Registration has been effected and the Registrable Securities have been sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the plan of distribution set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus relating thereto, subject to Section 3.3(d) or all Holders have withdrawn from the Demand Registration.

 

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6. Registration Procedures and Obligations. Whenever required under this Agreement to effect the Registration of any Registrable Securities, the Fund shall, as expeditiously as commercially reasonably possible:

(a) (i) prepare and file a Registration Statement with the Commission which (x) shall be on Form N-2, if available, (y) shall be available for the sale or exchange of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof, and (z) shall comply as to form with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith and all other information reasonably requested by the Underwriters’ Representative to be included therein relating to the underwriters and plan of distribution for the Registrable Securities, (ii) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for up to ninety (90) days or, if earlier, until the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution thereto or withdrawn from such plan of distribution, (iii) cause each Registration Statement, as of the effective date of such Registration Statement, (x) to comply in all material respects with any requirements of the Securities Act and (y) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iv) cause each Prospectus, as of the date thereof, (x) to comply in all material respects with any requirements of the Securities Act and (y) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(b) subject to Section 6(a), prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period; cause each such Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to applicable rules under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the selling Holders thereof, as set forth in such registration statement;

(c) furnish to each Holder for which the Registrable Securities are being registered and to each underwriter of an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto and such other documents as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; the Fund hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus including each preliminary Prospectus, by each Holder for which the Registrable Securities are being registered and each underwriter of an underwritten Public Offering of the Registrable Securities, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the Prospectus or the preliminary Prospectus, as applicable;

(d) (i) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities, no later than the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, under all applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws of such United States jurisdictions as the Underwriters’ Representative, if any, or any Holder having Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, shall reasonably request; (ii) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to keep each such registration or qualification effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective; and (iii) do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each underwriter, if any, and any such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities the registration of which such Holder is requesting; provided, however, that the Fund shall not be obligated to qualify to do business or to a file a general consent to service of process in any such state or jurisdiction, unless the Fund is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;

 

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(e) notify each Holder for which the Registrable Securities are being registered promptly, and, if requested by such Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (i) when such Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission or any state securities authority of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if, between the effective date of such Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby pursuant to any agreement to which the Fund is a party relating to such sale, the representations and warranties of the Fund contained in such agreement cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Fund receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, and (iv) of the happening of any event during the period such Registration Statement is effective as a result of which such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(f) furnish a designated single counsel for each of the underwriters, if any, and for the Holders for which the Registrable Securities are being registered, copies of any request by the Commission or any state securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information;

(g) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible time;

(h) upon request, furnish to the Underwriters’ Representative of an underwritten Public Offering of the Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, at least one signed copy of such Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits; and furnish to each Holder for which the Registrable Securities are being registered, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

(i) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by clause(iv) of Section 6(e), use commercially reasonable best efforts to prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus, or any document incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

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(j) enter into customary agreements (including, in the case of an underwritten Public Offering, underwriting agreements in customary form for sales only by selling shareholders, and including provisions with respect to indemnification and contribution in customary form and consistent with the provisions relating to indemnification and contribution contained herein) and take all other customary and appropriate actions that are commercially reasonable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the plan of distribution set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and in connection therewith:

(i) in the case of any underwritten Public Offering, make such representations and warranties to (x) the underwriters and (y) insofar as they relate to the nature and the validity of the offering, the selling Holders of such Registrable Securities, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters and, as applicable, selling shareholders in similar underwritten offerings;

(ii) in the case of any underwritten Public Offering, obtain opinions of counsel to the Fund and updates thereof addressed to (x) the underwriters and (y) insofar as they relate to the nature and the validity of the offering, each selling Holder, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in similar underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by underwriters and such Holders (and which opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters’ Representative, if any, and, where relevant, the Majority Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold);

(iii) in the case of any underwritten Public Offering, obtain “comfort” letters or “agreed-upon procedures” letters and updates thereof from the Fund’s independent certified public accountants addressed to the selling Holders of the Registrable Securities, if permissible, and underwriters, which letters shall be customary in form and shall cover matters of the type customarily covered in such letters to underwriters and such Holders in connection with firm commitment underwritten offerings;

(iv) to the extent requested and customary for the relevant transaction, enter into a securities sales agreement with the selling Holders providing for, among other things, the appointment of such representative as agent for the selling Holders for the purpose of soliciting purchases of the Registrable Securities, which agreement shall be customary in form, substance and scope and shall contain customary representations, warranties and covenants relating to the nature and validity of the offering; and

(v) deliver such customary documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by a designated representative of the Majority Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold (the “Designated Representative”) or by the Underwriters’ Representative, if any;

 

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(k) make available for inspection by the Designated Representative and by any underwriters participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and a single counsel or accountant retained by such Holders or by counsel to such underwriters, all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Fund and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Fund to supply all information reasonably requested by such Designated Representative, underwriter, counsel or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement;

(l) within a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to a Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the selling Holders of the Registrable Securities and to counsel to such Holders and to the underwriter or underwriters of a underwritten Public Offering of the Registrable Securities, if any; fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such document prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the Holders or the underwriter or the underwriters may request and not file any such document in a form to which the Majority Holders of the Registrable Securities being registered or any Underwriters’ Representative shall reasonably object unless required by law; and make such of the representatives of the Fund as shall be reasonably requested by the Designated Representative or the Underwriters’ Representative available for discussion of such document;

(m) otherwise use its commercially reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, including making available to its security holders an earnings statement covering at least twelve (12) months which shall satisfy the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules thereunder;

(n) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter in an underwritten offering; and

(o) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to facilitate the distribution and sale of any Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to this Agreement, including by participating in domestic road show presentations, holding meetings with potential investors and taking such other actions as shall be reasonably requested by the Designated Representative or the lead managing underwriter of an underwritten offering.

Each selling Holder of the Registrable Securities as to which any Registration is being effected pursuant to this Agreement agrees, as a condition to the Registration obligations with respect to such Holder provided herein, to furnish to the Fund such information regarding such Holder required to be included in the Registration Statement, the ownership of the Registrable Securities by such Holder (including information on the Persons having voting and dispositive control thereof) and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Fund may from time to time reasonably request in writing. Each selling Holder of the Registrable Securities as to which any Registration is being effected pursuant to this Agreement also agrees, as a condition to the Registration obligations with respect to such Holder provided herein, to suspend use of any Prospectus if it has received the notification contemplated by Section 6(e)(iv) until such time as the Fund notifies such Holder that it has complied with Section 6(i) above.

 

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7. Indemnification.

7.1 Fund’s Indemnification of Holders. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and each other Holder Indemnified Person from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by them (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel) which are related to or arise out of any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or relate to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder or its Affiliates furnished in writing to the Fund by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or its Affiliates, or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in clause (iv) of Section 6(e), the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Fund has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the notice contemplated by the last sentence of Section 6 above.

7.2 Holders’ Indemnification of Fund. Each Holder, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each other Fund Indemnified Person from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by them (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel) which are related to or arise out of any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or relate to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder or its Affiliates furnished in writing to the Fund by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or its Affiliates or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or (B) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in clause (iv) of Section 6(e), the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Fund has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the notice contemplated by the last sentence of Section 6 above. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder under this Section 7.2 be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct.

 

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7.3 Indemnification Procedure. If any action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (the “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing with reasonable promptness; provided, however, that any failure by an Indemnified Party 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 Party. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to separate counsel of its own choice to represent it, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has failed promptly to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in accordance with the preceding sentence or (ii) the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there exist actual or potential conflicting interests between the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Party, including situations in which one or more legal defenses may be available to such Indemnified Party 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 Parties of the 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.

The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. No Indemnifying Party will, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation in respect of which indemnification may be sought by the Indemnified Party hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liability and obligations arising therefrom.

7.4 Contribution. Each Indemnifying Party also agrees that if any indemnification sought by an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement is unavailable or insufficient, for any reason, to hold harmless the Indemnified 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 the relative fault of the Fund on the one hand and the Holders 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. 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 Fund on the one hand, or the Holders 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. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder under this Section 7.4 be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations under this Agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at common law or otherwise.

 

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7.5 No Limitations. Nothing in this Section 7 is intended to limit any Party’s obligations contained in other parts of this Agreement or any other agreements or instruments with respect to the VMTP Shares, provided that no amount shall be reimbursed twice in any event.

7.6 Conflicts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.

8. Miscellaneous.

8.1 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.

8.2 No Waivers.

(a) The obligations of the Fund and the Shareholder and its Permitted Transferees hereunder shall not in any way be modified or limited by reference to any other document, instrument or agreement (including the VMTP Shares). The rights of the Shareholder hereunder are separate from and in addition to any rights that any holder of any VMTP Share may have under the terms of such VMTP Share or otherwise.

(b) No failure or delay by the Fund or the Shareholder in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the 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 Fund or the Shareholder in exercising any right, power or privilege under or in respect of the VMTP Shares shall affect the rights, powers or privileges of the Fund or the Shareholder 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.

8.3 Specific Performance. Each Party hereby acknowledges that the remedies at law of the other Parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any Party, without posting any bond, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to seek equitable relief in the form of specific performance, injunctions or any other equitable remedy.

8.4 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE FUND AND THE SHAREHOLDER HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER ON ANY MATTERS WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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8.5 7.9 Counterparts and Electronic Signatures. 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. Moreover, the parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement may be signed and/or transmitted by e-mail or a .pdf document or using electronic signature technology (e.g., via DocuSign, Adobesign, or other electronic signature technology), and that such signed electronic record shall be valid and as effective to bind the Party so signing as a paper copy bearing such Party’s handwritten signature. The parties further consent and agree that (i) to the extent a Party signs this Agreement using electronic signature technology, by clicking “SIGN”, such Party is signing this Agreement electronically; and (ii) the electronic signatures appearing on this Agreement shall be treated, for purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility, the same as handwritten signatures.

8.6 Interpretation. The headings preceding the text of Sections included in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the masculine, feminine or neuter gender or the singular or plural form of words herein shall not limit any provision of this Agreement. The use of the terms “including” or “include” shall in all cases herein mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation,” respectively. Reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent such successors and assigns are permitted by the terms of any applicable agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually. Reference to any agreement (including this Agreement), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof. Underscored references to Sections shall refer to those portions of this Agreement. The use of the terms “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or clause of this Agreement.

8.7 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy, electronic mail or similar writing), 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. The notice address for each party is specified below:

If to the Fund, to:

Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.

60 State Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Attention: Terrence J. Cullen, Esq.

Telephone: (617) 742-7825

Facsimile: (617) 528-6479

Email: terrence.cullen@amundipioneer.com

If to Wells Fargo, to:

Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC

c/o Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

30 Hudson Yards

500 West 33rd Street, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10001

 

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Attention: Alejandro Piekarewicz

Telephone: (212)-214-5517

Facsimile: (212) 214-8971

Email: alejandro.piekarewicz@wellsfargo.com

8.8 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 Fund and the Holders of not less than a majority of the Registrable Securities.

8.9 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 be preserved.

8.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Purchase 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.

8.11 Successors and Assigns; Assignment. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns by merger or the operation of law. Neither the Fund nor the Shareholder 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 merger or operation of law), except that prior to the VMTP Shares being registered under the Securities Act, any transferee of VMTP Shares satisfying the requirements set forth in Section 2.1(b) of the Purchase Agreement shall have the rights of a Holder hereunder so long as it has executed a Transferee Letter in the form contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and otherwise agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. Any assignment without such prior written consent shall be void.

8.12 Transfers to TOBs. In the event that the Shareholder transfers, in accordance with Section 2.1(b) of the Purchase Agreement, VMTP Shares to a tender option bond trust in which the Shareholder retains a residual interest, for so long as no event has occurred that results in the termination of such tender option bond trust, for purposes of the rights granted to Holders under this Agreement, the Shareholder, and not such tender option bond trust, shall be deemed to be the actual owner of such VMTP Shares.

8.13 Effectiveness of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and the rights and obligations of the Parties contained herein in each case shall be binding as of the Effective Date.

8.14 Preservation of Rights. The Fund shall not grant any registration rights to third parties which are more favorable than or inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities set forth in this Agreement.

[Signatures follow on the next page.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.

 

THE FUND:
Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Mark E. Bradley

Name:   Mark E. Bradley
Title:   Treasurer
THE SHAREHOLDER:
Wells Fargo Municipal Capital Strategies, LLC
By:  

/s/ Alejandro Piekarewicz

Name:   Alejandro Piekarewicz
Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated VMTP Registration Rights Agreement]