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EXHIBIT (h)(2)
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
between
IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY
and
[NAME OF BROKER-DEALER]
Dated as of , 1999
Relating to
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK(R)
("AMPS"(R)),
Series A and B
of
MUNIHOLDINGS NEW YORK INSURED FUND IV, INC.
(R) Registered trademark of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
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BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT dated as of __________ __, 1999, between IBJ
WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation (the "Auction
Agent") (not in its individual capacity, but solely as agent of MuniHoldings New
York Insured Fund IV, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to
authority granted to it in the Auction Agent Agreement dated as of ___________
__, 1999, between the Company and the Auction Agent (the "Auction Agent
Agreement")), and [NAME OF BROKER-DEALER] (together with its successors and
assigns, "BD").
The Company proposes to duly authorize and issue _______ shares of
Auction Market Preferred Stock(R), Series A ("Series A AMPS"), and _______
shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock(R), Series B ("Series B AMPS"), each
with a par value of $.10 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per
share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared),
each pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The
Series A AMPS and Series B AMPS are sometimes herein referred to together as the
"AMPS."
The Company's Articles Supplementary provide that the dividend rate on
each series of AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the Initial Dividend
Period shall be the Applicable Rate therefor, which in each case, in general
shall be the rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company or other
financial institution appointed by the Company advises results from
implementation of the Auction Procedures (as defined below). The Board of
Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing IBJ Whitehall Bank
& Trust Company as Auction Agent for purposes of the Auction Procedures, and
pursuant to Section 2.5(d) of the Auction Agent Agreement, the Company has
requested and directed the Auction Agent to execute and deliver this Agreement.
The Auction Procedures require the participation of one or more
Broker-Dealers.
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(R) Registered trademark of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained
herein, the Auction Agent and BD agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1. Terms Defined by Reference to the Articles Supplementary.
Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Articles Supplementary of the Company.
1.2. Terms Defined Herein. As used herein and in the Settlement
Procedures (as defined below), the following terms shall have the following
meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles
Supplementary, as amended, of the Company, establishing the powers, preferences
and rights of the AMPS filed on _____________ ___, 1999 with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
(b) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1
hereof.
(c) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures
that are set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary.
(d) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Senior Vice
President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, Assistant
Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent assigned to its Corporate
Trust and Agency Group and every other officer or employee of the Auction Agent
designated as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes of this Agreement in a
communication to BD.
(e) "BD Officer" shall mean each officer or employee of BD
designated as a "BD Officer" for purposes of this Agreement in a communication
to the Auction Agent.
(f) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and
any substantially similar agreement between the Auction Agent and a
Broker-Dealer.
(g) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement
Procedures attached hereto as Exhibit A.
1.3. Rules of Construction. Unless the context or use indicates another
or different meaning or intent, the following rules shall apply to the
construction of this Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the
plural number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for
convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor
shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
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(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be
to New York City time.
II. NOTIFICATION OF DIVIDEND PERIOD AND ADVANCE NOTICE OF ALLOCATION OF
TAXABLE INCOME.
2.1. The provisions contained in paragraph 2 of the Articles
Supplementary concerning the notification of a Special Dividend Period will be
followed by the Auction Agent and BD, and the provisions contained therein are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth
fully herein.
2.2. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2(f) of the Articles
Supplementary, whenever the Company intends to include any net capital gains or
other income subject to regular Federal income tax in any dividend on shares of
any series of AMPS, the Company will notify the Auction Agent of the amount to
be so included at least five Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which
the Applicable Rate for such dividend is to be established. Whenever the Auction
Agent receives such notice from the Company, in turn it will notify BD, who, on
or prior to such Auction Date, will notify its Beneficial Owners and Potential
Beneficial Owners believed to be interested in submitting an Order in the
Auction to be held on such Auction Date. Whenever the Company intends to include
any additional amounts in a dividend as provided in paragraph 2(f) of the
Articles Supplementary, the Company will notify the Auction Agent of such
additional amounts to be so included in such dividend at least five Business
Days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. Whenever the Auction Agent
receives such notice from the Company, in turn it will notify the Securities
Depository and BD, who, on or prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date,
will notify its Beneficial Owners.
III. THE AUCTION.
3.1. Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and
Settlement Procedures.
(a) On each Auction Date, the provisions of the Auction
Procedures will be followed by the Auction Agent for the purpose of determining
the Applicable Rate for each series of AMPS, for the next Dividend Period
therefor. Each periodic operation of such procedures is hereinafter referred to
as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures
and the Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent
as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
(c) BD agrees to act as, and assumes the obligations of and
limitations and restrictions placed upon, a Broker-Dealer under this Agreement.
BD understands that other Persons meeting the requirements specified in the
definition of "Broker-Dealer" contained in
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Paragraph 1 of the Articles Supplementary may execute a Broker-Dealer Agreement
and participate as Broker-Dealers in Auctions.
(d) BD and other Broker-Dealers may participate in Auctions
for their own accounts. However, the Company, by notice to BD and all other
Broker Dealers, may prohibit all Broker-Dealers from submitting Bids in Auctions
for their own accounts, provided that Broker-Dealers may continue to submit Hold
Orders and Sell Orders.
3.2. Preparation for Each Auction.
(a) Not later than 9:30 A.M. on each Auction Date for the
AMPS, the Auction Agent shall advise BD by telephone of the Reference Rate and
the Maximum Applicable Rate in effect on such Auction Date.
(b) In the event that the Auction Date for any Auction shall
be changed after the Auction Agent has given the notice referred to in clause
(vii) of paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures, the Auction Agent, by such
means as the Auction Agent deems practicable, shall give notice of such change
to BD not later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new Auction Date or 9:15
A.M. on the old Auction Date. Thereafter, BD promptly shall notify customers of
BD that BD believes are Beneficial Owners of shares of AMPS of such change in
the Auction Date.
(c) The Auction Agent from time to time may request BD to
provide it with a list of the respective customers BD believes are Beneficial
Owners of shares of each series of AMPS. BD shall comply with any such request,
and the Auction Agent shall keep confidential any such information, including
information received as to the identity of Bidders in any Auction, and shall not
disclose any such information so provided to any Person other than the Company;
and such information shall not be used by the Auction Agent or its officers,
employees, agents or representatives for any purpose other than such purposes as
are described herein. The Auction Agent shall transmit any list of customers BD
believes are Beneficial Owners of shares of each series of AMPS and information
related thereto only to its officers, employees, agents or representatives in
the Corporate Trust and Agency Group who need to know such information for the
purposes of acting in accordance with this Agreement, and the Auction Agent
shall prevent the transmission of such information to others and shall cause its
officers, employees, agents and representatives to abide by the foregoing
confidentiality restrictions; provided, however, that the Auction Agent shall
have no responsibility or liability for the actions of any of its officers,
employees, agents or representatives after they have left the employ of the
Auction Agent.
3.3. Auction Schedule; Method of Submission of Orders.
(a) The Company and the Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions
for each series of AMPS in accordance with the schedule set forth below. Such
schedule may be changed at any time by the Auction Agent with the consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The Auction Agent
shall give notice of any such change to BD. Such notice shall be received prior
to the first Auction Date on which any such change shall be effective.
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Time Event
By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the Company and
Broker-Dealers of the Reference Rate and the
Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth in Section
3.2(a) hereof.
9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent assembles information communicated
to it by Broker- Dealers as provided in Paragraph
10(c)(i) of the Articles Supplementary.
Submission Deadline is 1:00 P.M.
Not earlier than 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent makes determinations pursuant to
Paragraph 10(d)(i) of the Articles Supplementary.
By approximately 3:00 P.M. Auction Agent advises the Company of the results
of the Auction as provided in Paragraph 10(d)(ii)
of the Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders are
accepted and rejected in whole or in part and
shares of AMPS are allocated as provided in
Paragraph 10(e) of the Articles Supplementary.
Auction Agent gives notice of the Auction results
as set forth in Section 3.4(a) hereof.
(b) BD agrees to maintain a list of Potential Beneficial
Owners and to contact the Potential Beneficial Owners on such list on or prior
to each Auction Date for the purposes set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles
Supplementary.
(c) BD shall submit Orders to the Auction Agent in writing in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. BD shall submit separate
Orders to the Auction Agent for each Potential Beneficial Owner or Beneficial
Owner on whose behalf BD is submitting an Order and shall not net or aggregate
the Orders of Potential Beneficial Owners or Beneficial Owners on whose behalf
BD is submitting Orders.
(d) BD shall deliver to the Auction Agent (i) a written
notice, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, of transfers of
shares of any series of AMPS, made through BD by an Existing Holder to another
Person other than pursuant to an Auction, and (ii) a written notice,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, of the failure of shares
of any series of any series of AMPS to be transferred to or by any Person that
purchased or sold shares of any series of AMPS through BD pursuant to an
Auction. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any notice delivered
pursuant to the terms of the foregoing sentence with respect to an Auction
unless it is received by the Auction Agent by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next
preceding the applicable Auction Date.
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3.4. Notice of Auction Results.
(a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify BD by
telephone as set forth in paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures. On the
Business Day next succeeding such Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify
BD in writing of the disposition of all Orders submitted by BD in the Auction
held on such Auction Date.
(b) BD shall notify each Beneficial Owner, Potential
Beneficial Owner, Existing Holder or Potential Holder on whose behalf BD has
submitted an Order as set forth in paragraph (b) of the Settlement Procedures,
and take such other action as is required of BD pursuant to the Settlement
Procedures.
If any Beneficial Owner or Existing Holder selling shares of AMPS in an
Auction fails to deliver such shares, the BD of any Person that was to have
purchased shares of such series of AMPS in such Auction may deliver to such
Person a number of whole shares of such series of AMPS that is less than the
number of shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such Person. In such
event, the number of shares of such series of AMPS to be so delivered shall be
determined by such BD. Delivery of such lesser number of shares shall constitute
good delivery. Upon the occurrence of any such failure to deliver shares, such
BD shall deliver to the Auction Agent the notice required by Section 3.3(d)(ii)
hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of this Section 3.4(b), any delivery
or non-delivery of shares of any series of AMPS which represents any departure
from the results of an Auction, as determined by the Auction Agent, shall be of
no effect unless and until the Auction Agent shall have been notified of such
delivery or non-delivery in accordance with the terms of Section 3.3(d) hereof.
The Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with respect to enforcement of
this Section 3.4(b).
3.5. Service Charge to Be Paid to BD. On the Business Day next
succeeding each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall pay to BD from moneys
received from the Company an amount equal to: (a) in the case of any Auction
Date immediately preceding a 7-Day Dividend Period or 28-Day Dividend Period,
the product of (i) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in
such Dividend Period (calculated by counting the first day of such Dividend
Period but excluding the last day thereof) and the denominator of which is 360,
times (ii) 1/4 of 1%, times (iii) $25,000, times (iv) the sum of (A) the
aggregate number of AMPS placed by BD in the applicable Auction that were (x)
the subject of a Submitted Bid of a Beneficial Owner submitted by BD and
continued to be held as a result of such submission and (y) the subject of a
Submitted Bid of a Potential Beneficial Owner submitted by BD and were purchased
as a result of such submission plus (B) the aggregate number of AMPS subject to
valid Hold Orders (determined in accordance with Paragraph 10 of the Articles
Supplementary) submitted to the Auction Agent by BD plus (C) the number of AMPS
deemed to be subject to Hold Orders by Beneficial Owners pursuant to Paragraph
10 of the Articles Supplementary that were acquired by such Beneficial Owners
through BD; and (b) in the case of any Auction Date immediately preceding a
Special Dividend Period, that amount as mutually agreed upon by the Company and
BD, based on the selling concession that would be applicable to an underwriting
of fixed or variable rate preferred shares with a similar final maturity or
variable rate dividend period, at the commencement of such Special Dividend
Period.
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For purposes of subclause (a)(iv)(C) of the foregoing sentence, if any
Beneficial Owner who acquired shares of any series of AMPS through BD transfers
those shares to another Person other than pursuant to an Auction, then the
Broker-Dealer for the shares so transferred shall continue to be BD, provided,
however, that if the transfer was effected by, or if the transferee is, a
Broker-Dealer other than BD, then such Broker-Dealer shall be the Broker-Dealer
for such shares.
IV. THE AUCTION AGENT.
4.1. Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the
Company hereunder and owes no fiduciary duties to any other Person by reason of
this Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and
only such duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Auction
Agent.
(c) In the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the
Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by
it, or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties
under this Agreement. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been negligent
in ascertaining (or failing to ascertain) the pertinent facts.
4.2. Rights of the Auction Agent.
(a) The Auction Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in
acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized by this
Agreement and any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent,
report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document
believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for acting
upon any telephone communication authorized by this Agreement which the Auction
Agent believes in good faith to have been given by the Company or by BD. The
Auction Agent may record telephone communications with BD.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its own
choice, and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial
liability in the performance of its duties hereunder.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its
rights hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.
4.3. Auction Agent's Disclaimer. The Auction Agent makes no
representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Agreement or the AMPS.
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V. MISCELLANEOUS.
5.1. Termination. Any party may terminate this Agreement at any time
upon five days' prior written notice to the other party; provided, however, that
if BD is Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated, neither BD nor the
Auction Agent may terminate this Agreement without first obtaining the prior
written consent of the Company to such termination, which consent shall not be
withheld unreasonably.
5.2. Participant in Securities Depository; Payment of Dividends in
Same-Day Funds.
(a) BD is, and shall remain for the term of this Agreement, a
member of, or a participant in, the Securities Depository (or an affiliate of
such a member or participant).
(b) BD represents that it (or if BD does not act as Agent
Member, one of its affiliates) shall make all dividend payments on the AMPS
available in same-day funds on each Dividend Payment Date to customers that use
BD (or its affiliate) as Agent Member.
5.3. Agent Member. At the date hereof, BD is a participant of the
Securities Depository.
5.4. Communications. Except for (i) communications authorized to be
made by telephone pursuant to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii)
communications in connection with the Auctions (other than those expressly
required to be in writing), all notices, requests and other communications to
any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar writing)
and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopier number set forth
below:
If to BD, addressed to:
Attention:
Telecopier No.:
Telephone No.:
If to the Auction Agent, addressed to: IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Company
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Auction Window
Subcellar 1
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
or such other address or telecopier number as such party hereafter may specify
for such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein.
Communications shall be given on behalf of BD by a
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BD Officer and on behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer. BD may
record telephone communications with the Auction Agent.
5.5. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and there are no
other representations, endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings,
oral, written or inferred, between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof.
5.6. Benefits. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall
give to any person, other than the Company, the Auction Agent and BD and their
respective successors and assigns, any benefit of any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under this Agreement.
5.7. Amendment; Waiver.
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be
modified, amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by
a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to
be charged.
(b) Failure of either party to this Agreement to exercise any
right or remedy hereunder in the event of a breach of this Agreement by the
other party shall not constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with
respect to any subsequent breach.
5.8. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the respective successors and
permitted assigns of each of BD and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be
assigned by either party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other
party;
provided, however, that this Agreement may be assigned by the Auction Agent to a
successor Auction Agent selected by the Company without the consent of BD.
5.9. Severability. If any clause, provision or section of this
Agreement shall be ruled invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction, the invalidity or unenforceability of such clause, provision or
section shall not affect any remaining clause, provision or section hereof.
5.10. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
5.11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements
made and to be performed in said State.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.
IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By:
Title:
[NAME OF BROKER-DEALER]
By:
Title:
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EXHIBIT A
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
[From Prospectus]
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EXHIBIT B
IBJ WHITEHALL BANK & TRUST COMPANY
AUCTION BID FORM
Submit To: IBJ Whitehall Bank & Trust Co. Issue: MuniHoldings New York
Securities Transfer Department Insured Fund IV, Inc.
One State Street Series: _______________________
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 Auction Date:__________________
Attention: Auction Window
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
The undersigned Broker-Dealer submits the following Order on behalf of the
Bidder listed below:
Name of Bidder: _______________________________
BENEFICIAL OWNER
Shares now held: _______________________________ HOLD _____________________
BID at rate of ___________
SELL _____________________
POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL OWNER
# of shares bid __________
BID at rate of ___________
Notes:
(1) If submitting more than one Bid for one Bidder, use additional Auction
Bid Forms.
(2) If one or more Bids covering in the aggregate more than the number of
outstanding shares held by any Beneficial Owner are submitted, such bid
shall be considered valid in the order of priority set forth in the
Auction Procedures on the above issue.
(3) A Hold or Sell Order may be placed only by a Beneficial Owner covering
a number of shares not greater than the number of shares currently
held.
(4) Potential Beneficial Owners may make only Bids, each of which must
specify a rate. If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any
Potential Beneficial Owner, each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid
with the rate specified.
(5) Bids may contain no more than three figures to the right of the decimal
point (.001 of 1%). Fractions will not be accepted.
NAME OF BROKER-DEALER _____________________________________________
Authorized Signature _____________________________________________
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EXHIBIT C
(Note: To be used only for transfers made
other than pursuant to an Auction)
TRANSFER FORM
Re: MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund IV, Inc.
Auction Market Preferred Stock(R),
Series [A][B] ("AMPS"(R))
We are (check one):
|_| the Existing Holder named below;
|_| the Broker-Dealer for such Existing Holder; or
|_| the Agent Member for such Existing Holder.
We hereby notify you that such Beneficial Owner has transferred ____________
shares of AMPS to __________________.
______________________________
(Name of Existing Holder)
______________________________
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
______________________________
(Name of Agent Member)
By _________________________
Printed Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT D
(Note: To be used only for failures to deliver
AMPS sold pursuant to an Auction)
NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO DELIVER
Complete either I or II
I. We are a Broker-Dealer for ____________ (the "Purchaser"), which
purchased ___________ shares of AMPS, Series [A][B], of MuniHoldings
New York Insured Fund IV, Inc. in the Auction held on ____________ from
the seller of such shares.
II. We are a Broker-Dealer for ____________ (the "Seller"), which sold
_______ shares of AMPS, Series [A][B], of MuniHoldings New York Insured
Fund IV, Inc. in the Auction held on ____________ to the Purchaser of
such shares.
We hereby notify you that (check one):
____________ the Seller failed to deliver such shares to the Purchaser
____________ the Purchaser failed to make payment to the Seller upon delivery
of such shares
Name: ______________________________
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
By:_________________________________
Printed Name:
Title: