N-CSR 1 c89541nvcsr.txt ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-CSR CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES Investment Company Act file number 811-6472 Van Kampen Trust For Insured Municipals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald Robison 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000 Date of fiscal year end: 10/31 Date of reporting period: 10/31/04 Item 1. Report to Shareholders The Trust's annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows: Welcome, Shareholder In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen Trust for Insured Municipals performed during the annual period. The portfolio management team will provide an overview of the market conditions and discuss some of the factors that affected investment performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the trust's financial statements and a list of trust investments as of October 31, 2004. MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE TRUST WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. TRUSTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISK, WHICH IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE MARKET VALUES OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE TRUST WILL DECLINE AND THAT THE VALUE OF TRUST SHARES MAY THEREFORE BE LESS THAN WHAT YOU PAID FOR THEM. ACCORDINGLY, YOU CAN LOSE MONEY INVESTING IN THIS TRUST. INCOME MAY SUBJECT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO THE FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX (AMT).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOT FDIC INSURED OFFER NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOT A DEPOSIT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Summary as of 10/31/04
TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS SYMBOL: VIM --------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL BASED ON BASED ON TOTAL RETURNS NAV MARKET PRICE Since Inception (1/24/92) 8.02% 7.32% 10-year 8.52 8.67 5-year 9.34 8.76 1-year 8.45 -2.23 ---------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE DATA QUOTED REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE, WHICH IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS, AND CURRENT PERFORMANCE MAY BE LOWER OR HIGHER THAN THE FIGURES SHOWN. FOR THE MOST RECENT MONTH-END PERFORMANCE FIGURES, PLEASE VISIT VANKAMPEN.COM OR SPEAK WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR. INVESTMENT RETURNS, NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) AND COMMON SHARE MARKET PRICE WILL FLUCTUATE AND TRUST SHARES, WHEN SOLD, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THEIR ORIGINAL COST. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the trust at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions. Total return assumes an investment at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the end of the period. The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad-based statistical composite of municipal bonds. The index does not include any expenses, fees or sales charges, which would lower performance. The index is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. 1 Trust Report FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004 Van Kampen Trust for Insured Municipals is managed by the Adviser's Municipal Fixed Income team.(1) Current members include Joseph Piraro, Vice President; Robert Wimmel, Vice President; and John Reynoldson, Executive Director. MARKET CONDITIONS The interest-rate environment of the 12 months ended October 31, 2004 was marked by two periods of steadily declining yields, with a significant sell-off in the middle. Yields fell steadily through the first half of the period, approaching the historical lows of 2003. This trend persisted until March, at which point yields reversed direction and began an upward march as prices fell. These losses were steepest in April, as a surprisingly strong employment report and signals from members of the Federal Open Market Committee (the Fed) caused investors to expect a near-term rate increase. Rates went on to decline from May through the end of the period as the market digested the Fed's newly hawkish rate stance. Investors were further comforted when, after the Fed raised rates at its June 30, 2004 meeting, its members indicated that the path of future rate increases would be measured. Unusually, longer-maturity securities largely outperformed in this period of Fed tightening. Historically, the typical pattern in periods of tightening policy has seen yields rise across all maturities. During the review period, however, yields of shorter maturity bonds rose while those of bonds with longer maturities declined slightly. Issuance for the first 10 months of 2004 (the final 10 months of the review period) was roughly six percent lower than in the same period in 2003. That said, 2003 was a record year, and at the current pace of issuance, 2004 could well be one of the largest years in recent memory. The strong supply met with faltering demand from mutual funds, as fund investors withdrew over $15 billion in net cash during the period. This faltering demand was largely offset by increased participation in the market by insurance companies and individual investors. (1)Team members may change without notice at any time. 2 PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS The trust's return can be calculated based upon either the market price or the net asset value (NAV) of its shares. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding, while market price reflects the supply and demand for the shares. As a result, the two returns can differ significantly, as they did during the reporting period. On an NAV basis, the trust outperformed its benchmark index, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. (See table below.) The trust uses leverage to enhance its dividend to common shareholders. The trust borrows money at short-term rates through the issuance of preferred shares. The proceeds are reinvested in longer-term securities, taking advantage of the difference between short- and longer-term rates. The Fed's policy of raising interest rates in the final months of the period made the trust's borrowing activity more expensive. These expenses, however, were more than offset by the strong performance of the bonds we invested in, leading to the trust's outperformance versus its benchmark, which is unleveraged. One of our primary strategies in managing the trust during the period was to reduce its interest-rate sensitivity below that of the market in order to limit the potential damage from rising interest rates. We did this by keeping the portfolio's duration (a measure of interest-rate sensitivity) shorter than the benchmark duration. With interest rates at such low levels for much of the period, the trust experienced some call activity by issuers seeking to refinance their debt at more attractive rates. Most of these bonds were in the housing sector, which was particularly hard hit by this activity. We reinvested the proceeds into securities that we believed had more attractive total-return potential. Many of these were in the 18- to 22-year portion of the market, which our analysis indicated were especially attractive due to their premium income and moderate vulnerability to shifting rates. The trust remained well-diversified across the major sectors of the municipal market. That said, we focused our purchase activity in bonds backed by revenue TOTAL RETURN FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------- BASED ON BASED ON LEHMAN BROTHERS MUNICIPAL NAV MARKET PRICE BOND INDEX 8.45% -2.23% 6.03% ---------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE DATA QUOTED REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE, WHICH IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS, AND CURRENT PERFORMANCE MAY BE LOWER OR HIGHER THAN THE FIGURES SHOWN. INVESTMENT RETURN, NET ASSET VALUE AND COMMON SHARE MARKET PRICE WILL FLUCTUATE AND TRUST SHARES, WHEN SOLD, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THEIR ORIGINAL COST. SEE PERFORMANCE SUMMARY FOR ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND INDEX DEFINITION. 3 from essential services rather than general revenues in order to limit the impact of potential economic weakness. We also avoided bonds from sectors such as housing and health care which were marked by structural or credit problems. While it is impossible to predict the exact turning point when interest rates will move decisively higher, we believe the trust remains well positioned for the near future. We will continue to comb the municipal bond markets for interesting opportunities. There is no guarantee that any securities will continue to perform well or be held by the trust in the future. 4
RATINGS ALLOCATION AS OF 10/31/04 AAA/Aaa 100.0% TOP 5 SECTORS AS OF 10/31/04 Airport 19.0% General Purpose 15.4 Public Building 14.9 Public Education 8.8 Higher Education 8.2 SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS BY STATE CLASSIFICATION AS OF 10/31/04 Illinois 13.8% Texas 10.5 Washington 6.6 Pennsylvania 4.7 New York 4.5 California 4.4 Ohio 4.1 Georgia 3.9 Florida 3.4 Michigan 3.4 Louisiana 3.4 Arizona 2.7 Tennessee 2.6 Puerto Rico 2.5 Oregon 2.5 Indiana 2.4 Colorado 2.1 Alabama 1.7 Nevada 1.6 New Jersey 1.6 South Carolina 1.6 Hawaii 1.4 Rhode Island 1.4 District of Columbia 1.4 Missouri 1.2 Mississippi 1.2 North Carolina 1.1 South Dakota 1.1 Alaska 1.0 Kansas 0.9 Massachusetts 0.9 Connecticut 0.9 Wisconsin 0.7 Utah 0.7 Virginia 0.6 (continued on next page)
5
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS BY STATE CLASSIFICATION AS OF 10/31/04 (continued from previous page) Oklahoma 0.6 Kentucky 0.4 Nebraska 0.4 New Mexico 0.1 ----- Total Investments 100.0%
Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or securities in the sectors shown above. Ratings and summary of investments by state classification are as a percentage of total investments. Sectors are as a percentage of long-term investments. Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries. Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global securities firm which is engaged in a wide range of financial services including, for example, securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor's and Moody's, respectively. 6 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS Each Van Kampen trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the trust's second and fourth fiscal quarters by filing the schedule electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The semiannual reports are filed on Form N-CSRS and the annual reports are filed on Form N-CSR. Van Kampen also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to trust shareholders, and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.vankampen.com. In addition to the semiannual and annual reports that Van Kampen delivers to shareholders and makes available through the Van Kampen public web site, each trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the trust's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Van Kampen does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Van Kampen public web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102. In addition to filing a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC each fiscal quarter, each Van Kampen trust makes portfolio holdings information available by periodically providing the information on its public web site, www.vankampen.com. Each Van Kampen trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on the public web site on a calendar-quarter basis approximately 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter. Van Kampen closed-end funds do not presently provide partial lists of their portfolio holdings on a monthly basis, but may do so in the future. You may obtain copies of a trust's fiscal quarter filings, or its monthly or calendar-quarter web site postings, by contacting Van Kampen Client Relations at 1-800-847-2424. PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND PROXY VOTING RECORD The trust's policies and procedures with respect to the voting of proxies relating to the trust's portfolio securities and information on how the trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-847-2424 or by visiting our web site at www.vankampen.com. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov. 7 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUNICIPAL BONDS 152.8% ALABAMA 2.6% $ 915 Alabama Drinking Wtr Fin Auth Revolving Fd Ln Ser A (AMBAC Insd).............................. 5.125% 08/15/16 $ 994,898 1,380 Alabama Drinking Wtr Fin Auth Revolving Fd Ln Ser A (AMBAC Insd).............................. 5.250 08/15/18 1,535,429 1,480 Dothan-Houston Cnty, AL Arpt Auth Arpt Rev (AMT) (MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.600 12/01/20 1,608,893 ------------ 4,139,220 ------------ ALASKA 1.5% 2,110 Alaska St Intl Arpt Rev Ser B (AMBAC Insd)...... 5.750 10/01/18 2,431,205 ------------ ARIZONA 4.2% 1,765 Arizona Sch Facs Brd Ctf Part Ser B (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.250 09/01/18 1,963,404 2,000 Phoenix, AZ Civic Impt Corp Arpt Rev Jr Lien (AMT) (FGIC Insd)............................... 5.375 07/01/29 2,034,140 1,355 Pima Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Indl Rev Lease Oblig Irvington Proj Tucson Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd) (a)............................................. 7.250 07/15/10 1,431,286 1,150 Tucson, AZ Wtr Rev Rfdg (FGIC Insd)............. 5.500 07/01/17 1,310,689 ------------ 6,739,519 ------------ CALIFORNIA 6.9% 1,960 California St Pub Wks Brd Dept Corrections Ser E (XLCA Insd)..................................... 5.000 06/01/17 2,149,944 2,000 California Stwide Cmnty Pooled Fin Pgm Ser S (FSA Insd)...................................... 5.250 10/01/19 2,219,920 1,750 Huntington Pk, CA Pub Fin Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.250 09/01/18 1,976,887 1,340 Jurupa, CA Uni Sch Dist Election 2001 (FGIC Insd) (e)................................. 5.000 08/01/22 1,425,345 3,000 Los Angeles, CA Cmnty College Dist Ser A (MBIA Insd)........................................... 5.500 08/01/17 3,375,300 ------------ 11,147,396 ------------ COLORADO 3.2% 1,255 Colorado Ed & Cultural Fac Auth Rev Charter Sch Aurora Academy Proj (XLCA Insd) (e)............. 5.250 02/15/24 1,343,979 1,000 Sand Creek Metro Dist CO Impt Rfdg (XLCA Insd)........................................... 5.000 12/01/17 1,080,680 2,425 Weld Cnty, CO Sch Dist No 006 (FSA Insd) (b).... 5.500 12/01/19 2,738,431 ------------ 5,163,090 ------------ CONNECTICUT 1.4% 1,000 Connecticut St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Kent Sch Ser D (MBIA Insd)............................... 5.000 07/01/19 1,089,390 1,000 New Haven, CT Ser B Rfdg (FGIC Insd)............ 5.250 11/01/14 1,129,360 ------------ 2,218,750 ------------
8 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 2.1% $2,035 District of Columbia Tax Increment Rev Gallery Place Proj (FSA Insd) (e)....................... 5.500% 07/01/14 $ 2,287,727 1,000 District of Columbia Tax Increment Rev Gallery Place Proj (FSA Insd)........................... 5.500 07/01/15 1,128,480 ------------ 3,416,207 ------------ FLORIDA 5.2% 2,000 Escambia Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev (AMBAC Insd).................................... 5.950 07/01/20 2,054,520 1,445 Hillsborough Cnty, FL Aviation Tampa Intl Arpt Ser A (AMT) (MBIA Insd)......................... 5.375 10/01/16 1,588,835 2,000 Miami-Dade Cnty, FL Aviation Miami Intl Arpt (AMT) (FGIC Insd)............................... 5.375 10/01/27 2,093,480 475 Orange Cnty, FL Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Mtg Rev Ser A (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized)........... 6.200 10/01/16 494,318 2,000 Pasco Cnty, FL Solid Waste Disp & Res Recovery Sys Rev (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)...................... 6.000 04/01/11 2,256,480 ------------ 8,487,633 ------------ GEORGIA 6.0% 3,145 Atlanta, GA Dev Auth Rev Yamacraw Design Ctr Proj Ser A (MBIA Insd).......................... 5.375 01/01/17 3,522,369 3,620 Atlanta, GA Dev Auth Rev Yamacraw Design Ctr Proj Ser A (MBIA Insd) (e)...................... 5.375 01/01/18 4,054,364 1,860 George L Smith ll GA Wrld Congress Ctr Auth Rev Domed Stad Proj Rfdg (AMT) (MBIA Insd).......... 6.000 07/01/10 2,125,515 ------------ 9,702,248 ------------ HAWAII 2.3% 2,000 Hawaii St Dept Budget & Fin Spl Purp Rev Hawaiian Elec Co Proj Ser C (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 6.200 11/01/29 2,265,440 1,250 Hawaii St Dept Budget & Fin Spl Purp Rev Hawaiian Elec Co Ser D Rfdg (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 6.150 01/01/20 1,394,175 ------------ 3,659,615 ------------ ILLINOIS 21.3% 2,000 Bolingbrook, IL Cap Apprec Ser B (MBIA Insd).... * 01/01/32 453,980 2,000 Chicago, IL Cap Apprec City Colleges (FGIC Insd)........................................... * 01/01/29 563,200 2,000 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Second Lien Ser A (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)................... 5.500 01/01/16 2,121,480 2,705 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien Ser E Rfdg (CIFG Insd) (e)................. 5.250 01/01/20 2,939,578
See Notes to Financial Statements 9 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ILLINOIS (CONTINUED) $5,000 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Rev RR II (Variable Rate Coupon) (AMT) (Acquired 08/18/03, Cost $5,299,942) (FSA Insd) (c)(e)................... 9.604% 01/01/22 $ 6,029,050 1,000 Chicago, IL Pk Dist Ltd Tax Ser A (FGIC Insd)... 5.500 01/01/18 1,113,040 5,000 Chicago, IL Proj & Rfdg (FGIC Insd)............. 5.250 01/01/28 5,231,400 3,000 Chicago, IL Proj Ser C Rfdg (FGIC Insd)......... 5.500 01/01/40 3,250,140 1,770 Glenwood, IL (FSA Insd) (e)..................... 5.375 12/01/30 1,908,626 1,000 Illinois Ed Fac Auth Rev Robert Morris College (MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.800 06/01/30 1,084,630 3,000 Illinois St First Ser (FGIC Insd)............... 5.500 02/01/16 3,387,510 1,500 Illinois St First Ser (FGIC Insd)............... 5.500 02/01/17 1,693,755 2,000 Illinois St First Ser (FGIC Insd)............... 5.500 02/01/18 2,258,340 1,260 Kendall, Kane & Will Cntys, IL (FGIC Insd)...... 5.500 10/01/12 1,433,439 1,050 Kendall, Kane & Will Cntys, IL Ser B (FGIC Insd)........................................... 5.000 10/01/22 1,106,438 ------------ 34,574,606 ------------ INDIANA 3.7% 1,000 Baugo, IN Sch Bldg Corp First Mtg Ser B (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 5.125 01/15/25 1,043,000 1,085 Indiana St Recreational Dev Cmnty Rev (AMBAC Insd) (e)....................................... 5.000 07/01/18 1,176,249 1,140 Indiana St Recreational Dev Cmnty Rev (AMBAC Insd) (e)....................................... 5.000 07/01/19 1,229,205 1,235 Indianapolis, IN Loc Pub Impt Ser D (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 5.500 02/01/21 1,373,542 1,195 Saint Joseph Cnty, IN Econ Dev Saint Mary's College Proj (MBIA Insd)........................ 5.125 04/01/28 1,238,594 ------------ 6,060,590 ------------ KANSAS 1.5% 2,095 Kansas St Dev Fin Auth Lease Juvenile Justice Auth Ser D (MBIA Insd).......................... 5.250 05/01/15 2,316,923 40 Olathe Labette Cnty, KS Single Family Mtg Rev Coll Ser A-I Rfdg (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized) (a)............................................. 8.100 08/01/23 42,078 ------------ 2,359,001 ------------ KENTUCKY 0.7% 1,000 Louisville & Jefferson Cnty, KY Ser C (AMT) (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.250 07/01/22 1,055,870 ------------ LOUISIANA 5.2% 3,145 Calcasieu Parish, LA Mem Hosp Svc Dist Hosp Rev Lake Charles Mem Hosp Proj Ser A (Connie Lee Insd)........................................... 6.650 12/01/21 3,203,906
10 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOUISIANA (CONTINUED) $ 805 Greater New Orleans Expwy Impt Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 5.000% 11/01/18 $ 875,848 590 Greater New Orleans Expwy Impt Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 5.000 11/01/19 638,657 1,000 Louisiana Hsg Fin Agy Mtg Rev Coll Mtg Malta Square Proj (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized)......... 6.450 09/01/27 1,061,430 1,000 Louisiana Hsg Fin Agy Rev Azalea Estates Ser A Rfdg (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized)................ 5.375 10/20/39 1,015,880 1,465 New Orleans, LA Audubon Commn Aquarium Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)................................. 5.000 10/01/12 1,640,595 ------------ 8,436,316 ------------ MASSACHUSETTS 1.4% 2,000 Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Semass Sys Ser A (MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.625 01/01/15 2,248,460 ------------ MICHIGAN 5.2% 1,000 Detroit, MI Ser A (XLCA Insd)................... 5.250 04/01/23 1,061,780 1,335 Ludington, MI Area Sch Dist (MBIA Insd)(e)...... 5.250 05/01/21 1,457,513 4,250 Michigan St Ctf Part (AMBAC Insd)............... 5.500 06/01/27 4,618,603 1,000 Monroe Cnty, MI Econ Dev Corp Ltd Oblig Rev Coll Detroit Edison Co Ser AA Rfdg (FGIC Insd)....... 6.950 09/01/22 1,329,030 ------------ 8,466,926 ------------ MISSISSIPPI 1.8% 253 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Mtg Access Pgm Ser D (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized).... 8.100 12/01/24 265,827 140 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Mtg Access Pgm Ser E (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized).... 8.100 12/01/25 147,085 2,500 Mississippi Hosp Equip & Fac Auth Rev Rush Med Fndtn Proj (Connie Lee Insd).................... 6.700 01/01/18 2,509,525 ------------ 2,922,437 ------------ MISSOURI 1.9% 1,050 Grandview, MO Ctf Part (FGIC Insd).............. 5.250 01/01/18 1,153,331 1,000 Missouri St Hsg Dev Commn Multi-Family Hsg Brookstone Ser A (AMT) (FSA Insd)............... 6.000 12/01/16 1,048,480 900 Missouri St Hsg Dev Commn Multi-Family Hsg Truman Farm Ser A (Variable Rate Coupon) (AMT) (FSA Insd)...................................... 5.750 10/01/11 942,084 ------------ 3,143,895 ------------ NEBRASKA 0.6% 985 Nebraska Invt Fin Auth Multi-Family Rev Hsg Summit Club Apt Proj (AMT) (FSA Insd)........... 5.700 10/01/12 1,026,321 ------------
See Notes to Financial Statements 11 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEVADA 2.5% $4,000 Clark Cnty, NV Indl Dev Rev Southwest Gas Corp Proj Ser A (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)................... 5.250% 07/01/34 $ 4,128,000 ------------ NEW JERSEY 2.5% 1,250 Casino Reinvestment Dev Auth NJ Hotel Room Fee Rev (AMBAC Insd)................................ 5.250 01/01/24 1,365,888 2,510 Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Arpt Rev Cnty Gtd Rfdg (AMT) (MBIA Insd)............................... 5.125 10/01/21 2,637,433 ------------ 4,003,321 ------------ NEW MEXICO 0.2% 355 New Mexico Mtg Fin Auth Single Family Mtg Pgm A2 (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized)..................... 6.050 07/01/16 361,894 ------------ NEW YORK 5.9% 1,000 Buffalo, NY Sch Ser B (MBIA Insd)............... 5.375 11/15/18 1,111,560 1,800 New York City Transitional Future Tax Secd Ser D (MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.250 02/01/18 1,988,046 3,000 New York St Twy Auth Hwy & Brdg Tr Fd Ser A (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.250 04/01/18 3,286,050 3,000 Port Auth NY & NJ Spl Oblig Rev Spl Proj JFK Intl Arpt Terminal 6 (AMT) (MBIA Insd).......... 5.750 12/01/25 3,210,870 ------------ 9,596,526 ------------ NORTH CAROLINA 1.7% 1,585 Brunswick Cnty, NC Enterprise Ser A (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.250 04/01/24 1,716,555 1,000 Iredell Cnty, NC Ctf Part Pub Fac Proj (AMBAC Insd).................................... 5.250 10/01/20 1,091,810 ------------ 2,808,365 ------------ OHIO 5.6% 2,500 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Ser 1 (FGIC Insd)............ 5.250 12/01/17 2,754,525 1,820 Garfield Heights, OH City Sch Dist Sch Impt (MBIA Insd)(e).................................. 5.500 12/15/19 2,056,363 1,000 New Albany, OH Cmnty Auth Cmnty Fac Rev Ser B (AMBAC Insd).................................... 5.500 10/01/17 1,131,800 1,200 Ohio Hsg Fin Agy Mtg Rev Residential Mtg Bkd Sec Ser C (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized)............... 4.900 03/01/11 1,266,216 1,715 Ohio St Bldg Auth St Fac Admin Bldg Fd Proj Ser A (FSA Insd).................................... 5.500 04/01/18 1,938,636 ------------ 9,147,540 ------------
12 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OKLAHOMA 0.9% $1,250 Tulsa, OK Arpt Impt Tr Gen Rev Ser A (AMT) (FGIC Insd)........................................... 6.000% 06/01/20 $ 1,490,638 ------------ OREGON 3.8% 1,740 Linn Cnty, OR Sch Dist No 055 Sweet Home (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.500 06/15/20 1,951,845 2,150 Oregon St Bd Bk Rev OR Econ Cmnty Dev Dept Ser A (MBIA Insd)(e).................................. 5.500 01/01/16 2,373,686 1,715 Oregon St Dept Admin Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd)..... 5.250 11/01/18 1,902,758 ------------ 6,228,289 ------------ PENNSYLVANIA 7.3% 2,000 Allegheny Cnty, PA Hosp Dev Auth Rev Pittsburgh Mercy Hlth Sys Inc (Escrowed to Maturity) (AMBAC Insd)........................................... 5.625 08/15/26 2,135,200 5,000 Philadelphia, PA Auth Indl Dev Lease Rev Ser B (FSA Insd)...................................... 5.500 10/01/15 5,669,000 1,400 Philadelphia, PA Gas Wks Rev Eighteenth Ser (AGC Insd)........................................... 5.250 08/01/16 1,549,058 2,300 Philadelphia, PA Redev Auth Rev Neighborhood Transformation Ser A (FGIC Insd)................ 5.500 04/15/22 2,567,421 ------------ 11,920,679 ------------ RHODE ISLAND 2.1% 1,500 Rhode Island Port Auth & Econ Dev Corp Arpt Rev Ser A (AMT) (FSA Insd).......................... 7.000 07/01/14 1,810,605 1,545 Rhode Island St Econ Dev Ser A Rfdg (AMT) (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.000 07/01/21 1,611,729 ------------ 3,422,334 ------------ SOUTH CAROLINA 2.4% 3,750 South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Indl Rev Elec & Gas Co Proj Ser B (AMT) (AMBAC Insd).......... 5.450 11/01/32 3,942,975 ------------ SOUTH DAKOTA 1.7% 1,475 Minnehaha Cnty, SD Ctfs Ltd Tax (FSA Insd) (d)(e).......................................... 5.000 12/01/17 1,609,314 990 South Dakota St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Vocational Ed Pgm Ser A (AMBAC Insd).......................... 5.400 08/01/13 1,089,465 ------------ 2,698,779 ------------ TENNESSEE 4.0% 1,410 Harpeth VY Util Dist TN Davidson & Williamson Cntys Rev Util Impt (MBIA Insd)................. 5.000 09/01/29 1,458,095 4,315 Metropolitan Nashville Arpt Auth TN Arpt Rev Impt Ser A Rfdg (FGIC Insd)..................... 6.600 07/01/15 5,056,058 ------------ 6,514,153 ------------
See Notes to Financial Statements 13 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEXAS 16.3% $ 500 Austin, TX Cmnty College Dist (AMBAC Insd)...... 5.000% 08/01/17 $ 542,945 1,085 Brazos River Auth, TX Johnson Cnty Surface Rfdg (AMT) (AMBAC Insd).............................. 5.800 09/01/11 1,144,664 2,675 Dallas Cnty, TX Cmnty College Fin Sys (AMBAC Insd) (e)....................................... 5.375 02/15/18 2,939,076 2,000 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Impt Jt Ser A (AMT) (MBIA Insd)............................. 5.500 11/01/33 2,112,620 2,000 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Impt Jt Ser A Rfdg (AMT) (FGIC Insd)........................ 5.875 11/01/17 2,253,800 1,500 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Impt Jt Ser A Rfdg (AMT) (FGIC Insd)........................ 5.875 11/01/18 1,690,350 5,000 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Impt Jt Ser A Rfdg (AMT) (FGIC Insd)........................ 5.500 11/01/31 5,231,850 1,820 Galveston Cnty, TX Ctf Oblig Ser C (AMBAC Insd) (e)............................................. 5.250 02/01/20 1,977,830 1,800 Midland, TX Ctf Oblig Arpt Sub Lien (AMT) (FSA Insd)........................................... 5.850 03/01/13 1,876,536 5,000 Texas St Tpk Auth Cent TX Tpk First Tier Ser A (AMBAC Insd).................................... 5.500 08/15/39 5,404,450 1,150 Wichita Falls, TX Wtr & Swr Rev Priority Lien (AMBAC Insd).................................... 5.375 08/01/17 1,280,123 ------------ 26,454,244 ------------ UTAH 1.1% 1,675 Washington, UT Elec Rev (XLCA Insd) (e)......... 5.000 09/01/24 1,751,062 ------------ VIRGINIA 1.0% 1,495 Harrisonburg, VA Redev & Hsg Auth Multi-Family Hsg Rev (AMT) (FSA Insd)........................ 6.200 04/01/17 1,569,511 ------------ WASHINGTON 10.1% 2,000 Chelan Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No. 001 Cons Rev Chelan Hydro Ser A (AMT) (MBIA Insd)............ 5.600 01/01/36 2,121,560 1,855 Grant Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 2 Priest Rapids Hydro Elec Rev Second Ser D (AMT) (AMBAC Insd) (e)............................................. 6.000 01/01/13 1,996,833 1,460 Grant Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 2 Priest Rapids Hydro Elec Rev Second Ser D (AMT) (AMBAC Insd) (e)............................................. 6.250 01/01/17 1,578,946 2,235 Grant Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 2 Wanapum Hydro Elec Rev Second Ser D (AMT) (AMBAC Insd) (e).... 6.000 01/01/13 2,405,888 1,770 Grant Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 2 Wanapum Hydro Elec Rev Second Ser D (AMT) (AMBAC Insd) (e).... 6.250 01/01/17 1,914,202
14 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CONTINUED) $1,155 Pierce Cnty, WA (AMBAC Insd).................... 5.750% 08/01/13 $ 1,315,152 2,760 Spokane Cnty, WA Sch Dist No 363 (FGIC Insd).... 5.250 12/01/21 3,006,026 1,940 Thurston & Pierce Cntys, WA (FSA Insd).......... 5.250 12/01/18 2,128,781 ------------ 16,467,388 ------------ WISCONSIN 1.1% 1,610 Wisconsin St Ser 3 Rfdg (FGIC Insd)............. 5.250 05/01/22 1,753,886 ------------ PUERTO RICO 3.9% 5,000 Puerto Rico Comwlth Hwy & Tran Auth Hwy Rev Ser Y Rfdg (FSA Insd) (a)........................... 6.250 07/01/21 6,341,300 ------------ TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 152.8% (Cost $230,916,230)....................................................... 248,000,189 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 1.7% (Cost $2,800,000)......................................................... 2,800,000 ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS 154.5% (Cost $233,716,230)....................................................... 250,800,189 OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES 1.0%................................. 1,596,729 PREFERRED SHARES (INCLUDING ACCRUED DISTRIBUTIONS) (55.5%)................. (90,086,059) ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES 100.0%.............................. $162,310,859 ============
Percentages are calculated as a percentage of net assets applicable to common shares. * Zero coupon bond (a) Security converts to a fixed coupon rate at a predetermined date. (b) All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts. (c) These securities are restricted and may be resold only in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. Restricted securities comprise 3.71% of net assets applicable to common shares. (d) Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. (e) The Trust owns 100% of the bond issuance. See Notes to Financial Statements 15 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued AGC--AGC Insured Custody Certificates AMBAC--AMBAC Indemnity Corp. AMT--Alternative Minimum Tax CIFG--CDC IXIS Financial Guaranty Connie Lee--Connie Lee Insurance Co. FGIC--Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. FSA--Financial Security Assurance Inc. GNMA--Government National Mortgage Association MBIA--Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp. XLCA--XL Capital Assurance Inc. 16 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities October 31, 2004 ASSETS: Total Investments (Cost $233,716,230)....................... $250,800,189 Cash........................................................ 116,419 Receivables: Interest.................................................. 3,668,759 Investments Sold.......................................... 2,029,698 Other....................................................... 4,273 ------------ Total Assets............................................ 256,619,338 ------------ LIABILITIES: Payables: Investments Purchased..................................... 3,608,899 Investment Advisory Fee................................... 117,195 Variation Margin on Futures............................... 112,344 Income Distributions--Common Shares....................... 37,756 Other Affiliates.......................................... 11,280 Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 236,318 Accrued Expenses............................................ 98,628 ------------ Total Liabilities....................................... 4,222,420 Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions).......... 90,086,059 ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $162,310,859 ============ NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($162,310,859 divided by 9,808,246 shares outstanding)............................. $ 16.55 ============ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Common Shares ($.01 par value with an unlimited number of shares authorized, 9,808,246 shares issued and outstanding).............................................. $ 98,082 Paid in Surplus............................................. 144,784,532 Net Unrealized Appreciation................................. 16,744,311 Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. 648,078 Accumulated Net Realized Gain............................... 35,856 ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $162,310,859 ============ PREFERRED SHARES ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, 3,600 issued with liquidation preference of $25,000 per share)........................................ $ 90,000,000 ============ NET ASSETS INCLUDING PREFERRED SHARES....................... $252,310,859 ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 17 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statement of Operations For the Year Ended October 31, 2004 INVESTMENT INCOME: Interest.................................................... $12,112,709 ----------- EXPENSES: Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 1,377,164 Preferred Share Maintenance................................. 253,859 Trustees' Fees and Related Expenses......................... 75,369 Administrative Fee.......................................... 73,152 Legal....................................................... 32,822 Custody..................................................... 15,172 Other....................................................... 194,988 ----------- Total Expenses.......................................... 2,022,526 ----------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $10,090,183 =========== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS: Realized Gain/Loss: Investments............................................... $ 1,321,844 Futures................................................... (2,758,032) ----------- Net Realized Loss........................................... (1,436,188) ----------- Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation: Beginning of the Period................................... 11,810,764 ----------- End of the Period: Investments............................................. 17,083,959 Futures................................................. (339,648) ----------- 16,744,311 ----------- Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period............... 4,933,547 ----------- NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN............................ $ 3,497,359 =========== DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS..................... $(1,035,403) =========== NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM OPERATIONS................................................ $12,552,139 ===========
18 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FOR THE FOR THE YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004 OCTOBER 31, 2003 ------------------------------------ FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: Operations: Net Investment Income................................... $ 10,090,183 $ 10,452,471 Net Realized Gain/Loss.................................. (1,436,188) 3,008,368 Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation During the Period................................................ 4,933,547 (2,994,172) Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................. (906,621) (820,906) Net Realized Gain..................................... (128,782) (161,564) ------------ ------------ Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations............................................ 12,552,139 9,484,197 Distributions to Common Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................. (9,334,506) (10,549,447) Net Realized Gain..................................... (1,517,433) (3,797,757) ------------ ------------ NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES............................ 1,700,200 (4,863,007) FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS: Value of Common Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment.......................................... 262,343 699,445 ------------ ------------ TOTAL INCREASE/DECREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES......................................... 1,962,543 (4,163,562) NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES: Beginning of the Period................................. 160,348,316 164,511,878 ------------ ------------ End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $648,078 and $830,424, respectively)......................................... $162,310,859 $160,348,316 ============ ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 19 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE COMMON SHARE OF THE TRUST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED.
------------------------------ 2004 2003 2002 (a) ------------------------------ NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD.................... $ 16.37 $ 16.87 $ 17.00 ------- ------- ------- Net Investment Income..................................... 1.02 1.07 1.11 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss..................... .36 -0-(f) .33 Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to Preferred Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................... (.09) (.08) (.05) Net Realized Gain....................................... (.01) (.02) (.12) ------- ------- ------- Total from Investment Operations............................ 1.28 .97 1.27 Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................... (.95) (1.08) (1.01) Net Realized Gain....................................... (.15) (.39) (.39) ------- ------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD.......................... $ 16.55 $ 16.37 $ 16.87 ======= ======= ======= Common Share Market Price at End of the Period.............. $ 15.22 $ 16.70 $ 16.12 Total Return (b)............................................ -2.23% 13.12% 17.34% Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the Period (In millions)............................................. $ 162.3 $ 160.3 $ 164.5 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)................................................ 1.26% 1.25% 1.40% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)........................... 6.29% 6.44% 6.73% Portfolio Turnover.......................................... 25% 39% 50% SUPPLEMENTAL RATIOS: Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Including Preferred Shares (c)................................................ .81% .81% .90% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (d)........................... 5.73% 5.94% 6.46% SENIOR SECURITIES: Total Preferred Shares Outstanding.......................... 3,600 3,600 3,600 Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e)...................... $70,110 $69,554 $70,721 Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred Share...... $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 Average Market Value Per Preferred Share.................... $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
(a)As required, effective November 1, 2001, the Trust has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began accreting market discount on fixed income securities. The effect of this change for the year ended October 31, 2002 was to increase net investment income per share by less than $.01, decrease net realized and unrealized gains and losses per share by less than $.01, and increase the ratio of net investment income to average net assets applicable to common shares by .01%. Per share, ratios and supplemental data for periods prior to October 31, 2002 have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. (b)Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the closing common share market price at the end of the period indicated. (c)Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders. (d)Ratios reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders. (e)Calculated by subtracting the Trust's total liabilities (not including the preferred shares) from the Trust's total assets and dividing this by the number of preferred shares outstanding. (f)Amount is less than $.01. 20
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 15.88 $ 15.35 $ 17.43 $ 17.01 $ 16.69 $ 16.69 $ 14.88 ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 1.21 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.30 1.32 1.34 1.11 .61 (1.87) .59 .58 .06 1.88 (.29) (.38) (.28) (.31) (.29) (.33) (.36) (.02) -0- (.05) (.03) (.06) -0- -0- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 2.01 1.49 (.93) 1.53 1.53 1.05 2.86 (.83) (.96) (.99) (1.00) (1.05) (1.05) (1.05) (.06) -0- (.16) (.11) (.16) -0- -0- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $ 17.00 $ 15.88 $ 15.35 $ 17.43 $ 17.01 $ 16.69 $ 16.69 ======= ======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== $ 14.98 $14.3125 $ 14.50 $ 17.75 $ 17.25 $ 16.125 $ 15.75 11.18% 5.45% -12.42% 9.77% 15.04% 9.19% 24.96% $ 165.6 $ 154.7 $ 149.6 $ 169.1 $ 164.5 $ 161.0 $ 160.6 1.49% 1.61% 1.56% 1.56% 1.57% 1.60% 1.63% 7.34% 8.16% 7.62% 7.44% 7.81% 8.00% 8.45% 53% 41% 53% 66% 36% 35% 28% .95% 1.01% 1.00% 1.01% 1.01% 1.02% 1.03% 5.58% 5.72% 5.97% 5.65% 6.05% 5.99% 6.16% 3,600 3,600 3,600 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800 $70,990 $ 67,981 $66,543 $143,952 $141,362 $139,456 $139,209 $25,000 $ 25,000 $25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $25,000 $ 25,000 $25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000
See Notes to Financial Statements 21 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Van Kampen Trust for Insured Municipals (the "Trust") is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trust's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. In normal market conditions, the Trust intends to invest substantially all of its assets in municipal securities which are covered by insurance with respect to the timely payment of principal and interest. The Trust commenced investment operations on January 24, 1992. Effective November 30, 2003, the Trust's investment adviser, Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp., merged into its affiliate, Van Kampen Asset Management (the "Adviser"). The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A. SECURITY VALUATION Municipal bonds are valued by independent pricing services or dealers using the mean of the bid and asked prices or, in the absence of market quotations, at fair value based upon yield data relating to municipal bonds with similar characteristics and general market conditions. Securities which are not valued by independent pricing services or dealers are valued at fair value using procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Future contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS Security transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The Trust may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis with settlement to occur at a later date. The value of the security so purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Trust will segregate assets with its custodian having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments until payment is made. At October 31, 2004, there were $1,596,879 of when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments. C. INVESTMENT INCOME Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond premium is amortized and discount is accreted over the expected life of each applicable security. D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES It is the Trust's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the year of the loss and offset such losses against any future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2004, the Trust had an 22 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued accumulated capital loss carryforward for tax purposes of $303,797, which will expire on October 31, 2012. At October 31, 2004, the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation are as follows: Cost of investments for tax purposes........................ $233,683,427 ============ Gross tax unrealized appreciation........................... $ 17,138,246 Gross tax unrealized depreciation........................... (21,484) ------------ Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments.............. $ 17,116,762 ============
E. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS The Trust declares and pays monthly dividends from net investment income to common shareholders. Net realized gains, if any, are distributed annually on a pro rata basis to common and preferred shareholders. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains and a portion of futures gains, which are included as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2004 and 2003 was as follows:
2004 2003 Distributions paid from: Ordinary income........................................... $ 6,491 $ 820,909 Long-term capital gain.................................... 1,646,215 3,171,517 ---------- ---------- $1,652,706 $3,992,426 ========== ==========
Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gains/ losses under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and for federal income tax purposes, permanent differences between book and tax basis reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. A permanent book to tax difference relating to book to tax accretion differences totaling $31,424 was reclassified from accumulated undistributed net investment income to accumulated net realized gain. Additionally, a permanent difference relating to excise taxes paid which are not deductible for tax purposes totaling $22 was reclassified from accumulated undistributed net investment income to paid in surplus. Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial and tax reporting purposes primarily as a result of gains or losses recognized for tax purposes on open futures contracts on October 31, 2004. F. INSURANCE EXPENSE The Trust typically invests in insured bonds. Any portfolio securities not specifically covered by a primary insurance policy are insured either through secondary market insurance or portfolio insurance. The insurance policies guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on the securities in the Trust's portfolio. 2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advice and facilities to the Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .55% of the 23 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued average daily net assets of the Trust. In addition, the Trust paid a monthly administrative fee to Van Kampen Investments Inc. or its affiliates (collectively "Van Kampen"), the Trust's Administrator, at an annual rate of .05% of the average daily net assets of the Trust. Effective June 1, 2004, the administrative fee was reduced from .05% to .00%. For the year ended October 31, 2004, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $17,200 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to the Trust, of which a trustee of the Trust is a partner who provides legal services to the Trust, and is therefore an affiliated person. Under separate Accounting Services and Legal Services agreements, the Adviser provides accounting and legal services to the Trust. The Adviser allocates the cost of such services to each trust. For the year ended October 31, 2004, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $33,700 representing Van Kampen's cost of providing accounting and legal services to the Trust, which are reported as part of "Other" and "Legal" expenses, respectively, on the Statement of Operations. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are also officers of Van Kampen. The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a ten-year period and are based upon each trustee's years of service to the Trust. The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500. 3. CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS At October 31, 2004 and 2003, paid in surplus related to common shares aggregated $144,784,532 and $144,522,369, respectively. Transactions in common shares were as follows:
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004 OCTOBER 31, 2003 Beginning Shares........................................ 9,792,432 9,750,338 Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment............. 15,814 42,094 --------- --------- Ending Shares........................................... 9,808,246 9,792,432 ========= =========
4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $61,053,667 and $60,889,637, respectively. 5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS A derivative financial instrument in very general terms refers to a security whose value is "derived" from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index. In order to seek to manage the interest rate exposure of the Trust's portfolio in a changing interest rate environment, the Trust may purchase or sell financial futures contracts or engage in transactions involving interest rate swaps, caps, floors or collars. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily as a hedge against anticipated interest rate or fixed income market changes, for duration management or for risk management purposes, 24 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued but may also enter into these transactions to generate additional income. All of the Trust's portfolio holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized accordingly, except when taking delivery of a security underlying a futures contract. In this instance, the recognition of gain or loss is postponed until the disposal of the security underlying the futures contract. During the period, the Trust invested in futures contracts, a type of derivative. A futures contract is an arrangement involving the delivery of a particular asset on a specified future date at an agreed upon price. The Trust generally invests in exchange traded futures on U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes and typically closes the contract prior to the delivery date. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Trust maintains an amount of cash or liquid securities with a value equal to a percentage of the contract amount with either a futures commission merchant pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or with its custodian in an account in the broker's name. This amount is known as initial margin. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). The risk of loss associated with a futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Transaction in futures contracts for the year ended October 31, 2004, were as follows:
CONTRACTS Outstanding at October 31, 2003............................. 596 Futures Opened.............................................. 1,697 Futures Closed.............................................. (1,838) ------ Outstanding at October 31, 2004............................. 455 ======
The futures contracts outstanding as of October 31, 2004, and the description and unrealized appreciation/depreciation are as follows:
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/ CONTRACTS DEPRECIATION SHORT CONTRACTS: 10-Year U.S. Treasury Notes Futures December 2004 (Current Notional Value of $113,563 per contract).................. 82 $ (93,859) 5-Year U.S. Treasury Notes Futures December 2004 (Current Notional Value of $111,375 per contract).................. 373 (245,789) --- --------- 455 $(339,648) === =========
6. PREFERRED SHARES The Trust has outstanding 3,600 Auction Preferred Shares ("APS") in two series of 1,800 shares each. Dividends are cumulative and the dividend rate is generally reset every 28 days for both series through an auction process. The average rate in effect on October 31, 2004 was 1.425%. During the year ended October 31, 2004, the rates ranged from 0.850% to 1.450%. 25 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- OCTOBER 31, 2004 continued The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred auctions. These fees are included as a component of "Preferred Share Maintenance" expense in the Statement of Operations. The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Trust is subject to certain asset coverage tests and the APS are subject to mandatory redemption if the tests are not met. 7. INDEMNIFICATIONS The Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote. 26 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Van Kampen Trust for Insured Municipals: We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Van Kampen Trust for Insured Municipals (the "Trust"), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2004, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The Trust's financial highlights for the periods ended prior to October 31, 2000 were audited by other auditors whose report, dated December 6, 1999, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights. We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2004, by correspondence with the Trust's custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Van Kampen Trust for Insured Municipals as of October 31, 2004, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Chicago, Illinois December 10, 2004 27 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN The Trust offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which Common Shareholders may elect to have dividends and capital gains distributions reinvested in Common Shares of the Trust. The Trust declares dividends out of net investment income, and will distribute annually net realized capital gains, if any. Common Shareholders may join or withdraw from the Plan at any time. If you decide to participate in the Plan, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as your Plan Agent, will automatically invest your dividends and capital gains distributions in Common Shares of the Trust for your account. HOW TO PARTICIPATE If you wish to participate and your shares are held in your own name, call 1-800-341-2929 for more information and a Plan brochure. If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it would participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank or nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you should request that your shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan. HOW THE PLAN WORKS Participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares valued on the valuation date, generally at the lower of market price or net asset value, except as specified below. The valuation date will be the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a trading day on the national securities exchange or market system on which the Common Shares are listed for trading, the next preceding trading day. If the market price per Common Share on the valuation date equals or exceeds net asset value per Common Share on that date, the Trust will issue new Common Shares to participants valued at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price on the valuation date. In the foregoing situation, the Trust will not issue Common Shares under the Plan below net asset value. If net asset value per Common Share on the valuation date exceeds the market price per Common Share on that date, or if the Board of Trustees should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable to the Common Shareholders only in cash, participants in the Plan will be deemed to have elected to receive Common Shares from the Trust valued at the market price on that date. Accordingly, in this circumstance, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy the Trust's Common Shares in the open market for the participants' accounts on or shortly after the payment date. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Shares, the average per 28 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN continued share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Trust's Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Trust. All reinvestments are in full and fractional Common Shares and are carried to three decimal places. Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the changes sent to all Common Shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days written notice to all Common Shareholders of the Trust. COSTS OF THE PLAN The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. No other charges will be made to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gains distributions, except for certain brokerage commissions, as described above. TAX IMPLICATIONS You will receive tax information annually for your personal records and to help you prepare your federal income tax return. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions does not relieve you of any income tax which may be payable on dividends or distributions. RIGHT TO WITHDRAW Plan participants may withdraw at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or by writing State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8200, Boston, MA 02266-8200. If you withdraw, you will receive, without charge, a share certificate issued in your name for all full Common Shares credited to your account under the Plan and a cash payment will be made for any fractional Common Share credited to your account under the Plan. You may again elect to participate in the Plan at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or writing to the Trust at: Van Kampen Funds Inc. Attn: Closed-End Funds 2800 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056 29 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES BOARD OF TRUSTEES DAVID C. ARCH J. MILES BRANAGAN JERRY D. CHOATE ROD DAMMEYER LINDA HUTTON HEAGY R. CRAIG KENNEDY HOWARD J KERR MITCHELL M. MERIN* JACK E. NELSON RICHARD F. POWERS, III* HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN WAYNE W. WHALEN* - Chairman SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY INVESTMENT ADVISER VAN KAMPEN ASSET MANAGEMENT 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY c/o EquiServe P.O. Box 43011 Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011 LEGAL COUNSEL SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 180 North Stetson Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60601 For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Trust during its taxable year ended October 31, 2004. The Trust designated 99.9% of the income distributions as a tax-exempt income distribution. Additionally, during the period the Trust designated and paid $1,646,215 as a long-term capital gain distribution. In January, the Trust provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year. * "Interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 30 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER VOTES The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Trust was held on June 23, 2004, where shareholders voted on the election of trustees. 1) With regard to the election of the following trustees by common shareholders of the Trust:
# OF SHARES ----------------------------- IN FAVOR WITHHELD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ R. Craig Kennedy........................................... 8,948,876 83,125 Jack E. Nelson............................................. 8,947,691 84,310 Richard F. Powers, III..................................... 8,955,421 76,580
2) With regard to the election of the following trustee by the preferred shareholders of the Trust:
# OF SHARES ---------------------------- IN FAVOR WITHHELD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hugo F. Sonnenschein........................................ 3,150 26
The other trustees of the Trust whose terms did not expire in 2004 are David C. Arch, J. Miles Branagan, Jerry D. Choate, Rod Dammeyer, Linda Hutton Heagy, Howard J Kerr, Mitchell M. Merin, Wayne W. Whalen and Suzanne H. Woolsey. 31 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees and the Trust's officers appointed by the Board of Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupations during the last five years, other directorships held by trustees and their affiliations, if any, with Van Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), Van Kampen Asset Management (the "Adviser"), Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the "Distributor"), Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp. and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. ("Investor Services"). The term "Fund Complex" includes each of the investment companies advised by the Adviser or its affiliates as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Trustees serve until reaching their retirement age or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually elected by the trustees. INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE David C. Arch (59) Trustee Trustee Chairman and Chief 85 Trustee/Director/Managing Blistex Inc. since 1991 Executive Officer of General Partner of funds 1800 Swift Drive Blistex Inc., a consumer in the Fund Complex. Oak Brook, IL 60523 health care products manufacturer. Director of the Heartland Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving human needs based in Chicago. Director of St. Vincent de Paul Center, a Chicago based day care facility serving the children of low income families. Board member of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. J. Miles Branagan (72) Trustee Trustee Private investor. 83 Trustee/Director/Managing 1632 Morning Mountain Road since 2003 Co-founder, and prior to General Partner of funds Raleigh, NC 27614 August 1996, Chairman, in the Fund Complex. Chief Executive Officer and President, MDT Corporation (now known as Getinge/Castle, Inc., a subsidiary of Getinge Industrier AB), a company which develops, manufactures, markets and services medical and scientific equipment.
32
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Jerry D. Choate (66) Trustee Trustee Prior to January 1999, 83 Trustee/Director/Managing 33971 Selva Road since 2003 Chairman and Chief General Partner of funds Suite 130 Executive Officer of the in the Fund Complex. Dana Point, CA 92629 Allstate Corporation Director of Amgen Inc., a ("Allstate") and Allstate biotechnological company, Insurance Company. Prior and Director of Valero to January 1995, Energy Corporation, an President and Chief independent refining Executive Officer of company. Allstate. Prior to August 1994, various management positions at Allstate.
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VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Rod Dammeyer (64) Trustee Trustee President of CAC, L.L.C., 85 Trustee/Director/Managing CAC, L.L.C. since 1991 a private company General Partner of funds 4350 LaJolla Village Drive offering capital in the Fund Complex. Suite 980 investment and management Director of Stericycle, San Diego, CA 92122-6223 advisory services. Prior Inc., Ventana Medical to February 2001, Vice Systems, Inc., and GATX Chairman and Director of Corporation, and Trustee Anixter International, of The Scripps Research Inc., a global Institute and the distributor of wire, University of Chicago cable and communications Hospitals and Health connectivity products. Systems. Prior to January Prior to July 2000, 2004, Director of Managing Partner of TeleTech Holdings Inc. Equity Group Corporate and Arris Group, Inc. Investment (EGI), a Prior to May 2002, company that makes Director of Peregrine private investments in Systems Inc. Prior to other companies. February 2001, Director of IMC Global Inc. Prior to July 2000, Director of Allied Riser Communications Corp., Matria Healthcare Inc., Transmedia Networks, Inc., CNA Surety, Corp. and Grupo Azcarero Mexico (GAM).
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VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Linda Hutton Heagy (56) Trustee Trustee Managing Partner of 83 Trustee/Director/Managing Heidrick & Struggles since 2003 Heidrick & Struggles, an General Partner of funds 233 South Wacker Drive executive search firm. in the Fund Complex. Suite 7000 Trustee on the University Chicago, IL 60606 of Chicago Hospitals Board, Vice Chair of the Board of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and a member of the Women's Board of the University of Chicago. Prior to 1997, Partner of Ray & Berndtson, Inc., an executive recruiting firm. Prior to 1996, Trustee of The International House Board, a fellowship and housing organization for international graduate students. Prior to 1995, Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO, N.A., a bank holding company. Prior to 1992, Executive Vice President of La Salle National Bank. R. Craig Kennedy (52) Trustee Trustee Director and President of 83 Trustee/Director/Managing 1744 R Street, NW since 2003 the German Marshall Fund General Partner of funds Washington, DC 20009 of the United States, an in the Fund Complex. independent U.S. foundation created to deepen understanding, promote collaboration and stimulate exchanges of practical experience between Americans and Europeans. Formerly, advisor to the Dennis Trading Group Inc., a managed futures and option company that invests money for individuals and institutions. Prior to 1992, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director and member of the Investment Committee of the Joyce Foundation, a private foundation. Howard J Kerr (69) Trustee Trustee Prior to 1998, President 85 Trustee/Director/Managing 736 North Western Avenue since 1992 and Chief Executive General Partner of funds P.O. Box 317 Officer of Pocklington in the Fund Complex. Lake Forest, IL 60045 Corporation, Inc., an Director of the Lake investment holding Forest Bank & Trust. company. Director of the Marrow Foundation.
35
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Jack E. Nelson (68) Trustee Trustee President of Nelson 83 Trustee/Director/Managing 423 Country Club Drive since 2003 Investment Planning General Partner of funds Winter Park, FL 32789 Services, Inc., a in the Fund Complex. financial planning company and registered investment adviser in the State of Florida. President of Nelson Ivest Brokerage Services Inc., a member of the NASD, Securities Investors Protection Corp. and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. President of Nelson Sales and Services Corporation, a marketing and services company to support affiliated companies. Hugo F. Sonnenschein (64) Trustee Trustee President Emeritus and 85 Trustee/Director/Managing 1126 E. 59th Street since 1994 Honorary Trustee of the General Partner of funds Chicago, IL 60637 University of Chicago and in the Fund Complex. the Adam Smith Director of Winston Distinguished Service Laboratories, Inc. Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago. Prior to July 2000, President of the University of Chicago. Trustee of the University of Rochester and a member of its investment committee. Member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Suzanne H. Woolsey, Ph.D. Trustee Trustee Chief Communications 83 Trustee/Director/Managing (62) since 2003 Officer of the National General Partner of funds 815 Cumberstone Road Academy of in the Fund Complex. Harwood, MD 20776 Sciences/National Director of Fluor Corp., Research Council, an an engineering, independent, federally procurement and chartered policy construction institution, from 2001 to organization, since November 2003 and Chief January 2004 and Director Operating Officer from of Neurogen Corporation, 1993 to 2001. Director of a pharmaceutical company, the Institute for Defense since January 1998. Analyses, a federally funded research and development center, Director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute and Trustee of Colorado College. Prior to 1993, Executive Director of the Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education at the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. From 1980 through 1989, Partner of Coopers & Lybrand.
36 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued INTERESTED TRUSTEES:*
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Mitchell M. Merin* (51) Trustee, Trustee President and Chief 83 Trustee/Director/Managing 1221 Avenue of the Americas President since Executive Officer of General Partner of funds New York, NY 10020 and Chief 2003; funds in the Fund in the Fund Complex. Executive President Complex. Chairman, Officer and Chief President, Chief Executive Executive Officer and Officer Director of the Adviser since 2002 and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. since December 2002. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Kampen Investments since December 2002. Director of Van Kampen Investments since December 1999. Chairman and Director of Van Kampen Funds Inc. since December 2002. President, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management since December 1998. President and Director since April 1997 and Chief Executive Officer since June 1998 of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. since June 1998. Chairman since June 1998, and Director since January 1998 of Morgan Stanley Trust. Director of various Morgan Stanley subsidiaries. President of the Morgan Stanley Funds since May 1999. Previously Chief Executive Officer of Van Kampen Funds Inc. from December 2002 to July 2003, Chief Strategic Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. and Executive Vice President of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. from April 1997 to June 1998. Chief Executive Officer from September 2002 to April 2003 and Vice President from May 1997 to April 1999 of the Morgan Stanley Funds.
37
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Richard F. Powers, III* (58) Trustee Trustee Advisory Director of 85 Trustee/Director/Managing 1 Parkview Plaza since 1999 Morgan Stanley. Prior to General Partner of funds P.O. Box 5555 December 2002, Chairman, in the Fund Complex. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Director, President, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Van Kampen Investments and its investment advisory, distribution and other subsidiaries. Prior to December 2002, President and Chief Executive Officer of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to May 1998, Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing at Morgan Stanley and Director of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. and Dean Witter Realty. Prior to 1996, Director of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. Wayne W. Whalen* (65) Trustee Trustee Partner in the law firm 85 Trustee/Director/Managing 333 West Wacker Drive since 1991 of Skadden, Arps, Slate, General Partner of funds Chicago, IL 60606 Meagher & Flom LLP, legal in the Fund Complex. counsel to funds in the Fund Complex.
* Such Trustee is an "interested person" (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act). Mr. Whalen is an interested person of certain funds in the Fund Complex by reason of his firm currently acting as legal counsel to such funds in the Fund Complex. Messrs. Merin and Powers are interested persons of funds in the Fund Complex and the Adviser by reason of their current or former positions with Morgan Stanley or its affiliates. 38 VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued OFFICERS:
TERM OF OFFICE AND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS Stefanie V. Chang (38) Vice President Officer Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management. 1221 Avenue of the Americas and Secretary since 2003 Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex. New York, NY 10020 Amy R. Doberman (42) Vice President Officer Managing Director and General Counsel, U.S. Investment 1221 Avenue of the Americas since 2004 Management; Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment New York, NY 10020 Management, Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Advisers Inc. and the Adviser. Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Institutional and Retail Funds since July 2004 and Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex as of August 2004. Previously, Managing Director and General Counsel of Americas, UBS Global Asset Management from July 2000 to July 2004 and General Counsel of Aeitus Investment Management, Inc. from January 1997 to July 2000. James M. Dykas (38) Chief Financial Officer Executive Director of Van Kampen Asset Management and Morgan 1 Parkview Plaza Officer and since 1999 Stanley Investment Management. Chief Financial Officer and Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Treasurer Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to August 2004, Assistant Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex. Joseph J. McAlinden (61) Executive Vice Officer Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Morgan 1221 Avenue of the Americas President and since 2002 Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., and Morgan Stanley New York, NY 10020 Chief Investment Investment Management Inc. and Director of Morgan Stanley Officer Trust for over 5 years. Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of funds in the Fund Complex. Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. since December 2002. Ronald E. Robison (65) Executive Vice Officer Principal Executive Officer of the Funds since May 2003. 1221 Avenue of the Americas President and since 2003 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Investor Services. New York, NY 10020 Principal Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of Executive funds in the Fund Complex. Managing Director of Morgan Officer Stanley. Chief Administrative Officer, Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. and Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Trust. Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of the Institutional and Retail Morgan Stanley Funds; Director of Morgan Stanley SICAV; previously Chief Global Operations Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
39
VAN KAMPEN TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION continued TERM OF OFFICE AND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS John L. Sullivan (49) Chief Compliance Officer Chief Compliance Officer of funds in the Fund Complex since 1 Parkview Plaza Officer since 1998 August 2004. Director and Managing Director of Van Kampen Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Investments, the Adviser, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Prior August 2004, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex and head of Fund Accounting for Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Prior to December 2002, Executive Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser and Van Kampen Advisors Inc.
40 VAN KAMPEN AN IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING OUR U.S. PRIVACY POLICY We are required by federal law to provide you with a copy of our Privacy Policy annually. The following Policy applies to current and former individual clients of Van Kampen Investments Inc., Van Kampen Asset Management, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp., as well as current and former individual investors in Van Kampen mutual funds, unit investment trusts, and related companies. This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, 529 Educational Savings Accounts, accounts subject to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, or similar accounts. Please note that we may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to this Policy as required by law. WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we help you achieve your financial objectives. This Policy describes what non-public personal information we collect about you, why we collect it, and when we may share it with others. We hope this Policy will help you understand how we collect and share non-public personal information that we gather about you. Throughout this Policy, we refer to the non-public information that personally identifies you or your accounts as "personal information." 1. WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? To serve you better and manage our business, it is important that we collect and maintain accurate information about you. We may obtain this information from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our Web sites and from third parties and other sources. For example: -- We may collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through applications and other forms you submit to us. -- We may obtain information about account balances, your use of account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other sources. -- We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit history from consumer reporting agencies. -- We may collect background information from and through third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with various regulatory requirements. -- If you interact with us through our public and private Web sites, we may collect information that you provide directly through online communications (such as an e-mail address). We may also collect information about your Internet service provider, your domain name, your computer's operating system and Web browser, (continued on back) VAN KAMPEN AN IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING OUR U.S. PRIVACY POLICY continued your use of our Web sites and your product and service preferences, through the use of "cookies." "Cookies" recognize your computer each time you return to one of our sites, and help to improve our sites' content and personalize your experience on our sites by, for example, suggesting offerings that may interest you. Please consult the Terms of Use of these sites for more details on our use of cookies. 2. WHEN DO WE DISCLOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? To provide you with the products and services you request, to serve you better and to manage our business, we may disclose personal information we collect about you to our affiliated companies and to non-affiliated third parties as required or permitted by law. A. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE TO OUR AFFILIATED COMPANIES. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to our affiliated companies except to enable them to provide services on our behalf or as otherwise required or permitted by law. B. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE TO THIRD PARTIES. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated third parties except to enable them to provide services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, or as otherwise required or permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose information about you to non-affiliated third parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to offer our own products and services, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information with these companies, they are required to limit their use of personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose. 3. HOW DO WE PROTECT THE SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality standards with respect to such information. Van Kampen Funds Inc. 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 www.vankampen.com (VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO) Copyright (C)2004 Van Kampen Funds Inc. All rights reserved. Member NASD/SIPC. VIM ANR 12/04 RN04-02817P-Y10/04 Item 2. Code of Ethics. (a) The Trust has adopted a code of ethics (the "Code of Ethics") that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Trust or a third party. (b) No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph. (c) The Trust has amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto to delete from the end of the following paragraph on page 2 of the Code the phrase "to the detriment of the Fund.": "Each Covered Officer must not use his personal influence or personal relationship improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally (directly or indirectly)." Further, due to personnel changes at the Adviser, the list of Covered Officers set forth in Exhibit B and the General Counsel designee to whom questions about the application of the Code should be referred in Exhibit C have been amended. (d) Not applicable. (e) Not applicable. (f) (1) The Trust's Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 11A. (2) Not applicable. (3) Not applicable. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Trust's Board of Trustees has determined that it has three "audit committee financial experts" serving on its audit committee, each of whom are "independent" Trustees : J. Miles Branagan, Jerry Choate and R. Craig Kennedy. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an "expert" for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. (a)(b)(c)(d) and (g). Based on fees billed for the periods shown: 2004
REGISTRANT COVERED ENTITIES(1) ---------- ------------------- AUDIT FEES ................... $ 29,480 N/A NON-AUDIT FEES AUDIT-RELATED FEES.. $ 370(2) $198,000(3) TAX FEES ........... $ 1,550(4) $ 0 ALL OTHER FEES ..... $ 0 $ 0 TOTAL NON-AUDIT FEES ......... $ 1,920 $198,000 TOTAL ........................ $ 31,400 $198,000
2003
REGISTRANT COVERED ENTITIES(1) ------------ ------------------- AUDIT FEES ................... $ 27,574 N/A NON-AUDIT FEES AUDIT-RELATED FEES.. $ 370(2) $230,000(3) TAX FEES ........... $ 1,500(4) $ 0 ALL OTHER FEES ..... $ 0 $ 0 TOTAL NON-AUDIT FEES ......... $ 1,870 $230,000 TOTAL ........................ $ 29,444 $230,000
N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4. (1) Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant. (2) Audit-Related Fees represent agreed upon procedures provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Registrant. (3) Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities' and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically attestation services provided in connection with a SAS 70 Report. (4) Tax Fees represent tax advice and compliance services provided in connection with the review of the Registrant's tax. (e)(1) The audit committee's pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows: JOINT AUDIT COMMITTEE AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES OF THE VAN KAMPEN FUNDS AS ADOPTED JULY 23, 2003 AND AMENDED MAY 26, 2004(1) 1. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor's independence from the Fund.(2) The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee's administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. The SEC's rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee ("general pre-approval"); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee ("specific pre-approval"). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated) if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will also consider whether the Independent Auditors are best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient services, for reasons such as its familiarity with the Fund's business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and other factors, and whether the service might enhance the Fund's ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality. All such factors will be considered as a whole, and no one factor should necessarily be determinative. The Audit Committee is also mindful of the relationship between fees for audit and non-audit services in deciding whether to pre-approve any such services and may determine for each fiscal year, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit, Audit-related and Tax services for the Fund (including any Audit-related or Tax service fees for Covered Entities that were subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services for the Fund (including any such services for Covered Entities subject to pre-approval). The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers and provides a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the Independent Auditors without obtaining specific pre-approval ------------------------- (1) This Joint Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the "Policy"), amended as of the date above, supercedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been amended from time to time. (2) Terms used in this Policy and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings as defined in the Joint Audit Committee Charter. from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the policy and procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee's responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors to management. The Fund's Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors' independence. 2. DELEGATION As provided in the Act and the SEC's rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. 3. AUDIT SERVICES The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund's financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit. The Audit Committee will monitor the Audit services engagement as necessary, but no less than on a quarterly basis, and will also approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items. In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other Audit services, which are those services that only the Independent Auditors reasonably can provide. Other Audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings. The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1. All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated). 4. AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund's financial statements or, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities' financial statements, or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as "Audit services"; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR. The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B.2. All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B.2 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated). 5. TAX SERVICES The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor's independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services. Hence, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those Tax services that have historically been provided by the Independent Auditors, that the Audit Committee has reviewed and believes would not impair the independence of the Independent Auditors, and that are consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the Independent Auditors in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the Independent Auditors, the sole business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee will consult with Director of Tax or outside counsel to determine that the tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this policy. Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix B.3. All Tax services involving large and complex transactions not listed in Appendix B.3 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated), including tax services proposed to be provided by the Independent Auditors to any executive officer or trustee/director/managing general partner of the Fund, in his or her individual capacity, where such services are paid for by the Fund (generally applicable only to internally managed investment companies). 6. ALL OTHER SERVICES The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC's rules prohibiting the Independent Auditors from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix B.4. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix B.4 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated). A list of the SEC's prohibited non-audit services is attached to this policy as Appendix B.5. The SEC's rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions. 7. PRE-APPROVAL FEE LEVELS OR BUDGETED AMOUNTS Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services. For each fiscal year, the Audit Committee may determine the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit, Audit-related, and Tax services for the Fund (including any Audit-related or Tax services fees for Covered Entities subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services for the Fund (including any such services for Covered Entities subject to pre-approval). 8. PROCEDURES All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund's Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Fund's Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors. Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund's Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee has designated the Fund's Chief Financial Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Fund's Chief Financial Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. A sample report is included as Appendix B.7. Both the Fund's Chief Financial Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund's Chief Financial Officer or any member of management. 9. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor's independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence. 10. COVERED ENTITIES Covered Entities include the Fund's investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund's investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s). Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund's audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. This list of Covered Entities would include: - Van Kampen Investments Inc. - Van Kampen Asset Management - Van Kampen Advisors Inc. - Van Kampen Funds Inc. - Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. - Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. - Morgan Stanley Trust Company - Morgan Stanley Investment Management Ltd. - Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company - Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Company Ltd. (e)(2) Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee's pre-approval policies and procedures (included herein). (f) Not applicable. (g) See table above. (h) The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors' independence in performing audit services. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. (a) The Trust has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are: Craig Kennedy, Jerry Choate and Rod Dammeyer. (b) Not applicable. Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Please refer to Item #1. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. The Trust invests in exclusively non-voting securities and therefore this item is not applicable to the Trust. Item 8. Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. Not Applicable. Item 9. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. Not Applicable. Item 10. Controls and Procedures (a) The Trust's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, based upon such officers' evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report. (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 11. Exhibits. (a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto. (b)(1) A certification for the Principal Executive Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. (b)(2) A certification for the Principal Financial Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. (Registrant) Van Kampen Trust For Insured Municipals By: /s/ Ronald E. Robison --------------------- Name: Ronald E. Robison Title: Principal Executive Officer Date: December 14, 2004 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: /s/ Ronald E. Robison --------------------- Name: Ronald E. Robison Title: Principal Executive Officer Date: December 14, 2004 By: /s/ James M. Dykas ------------------ Name: James M. Dykas Title: Principal Financial Officer Date: December 14, 2004