EXHIBIT (3)
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
between
IBJ XXXXXXXX BANK & TRUST COMPANY
and
[NAME OF BROKER-DEALER]
Dated as of ____ __, 1998
Relating to
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED SHARES(R)
("AMPS"(R)),
Series A and B
of
MUNIHOLDINGS FLORIDA INSURED FUND III
/(R)/ Registered trademark of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT dated as of ____ __, 1998, between IBJ XXXXXXXX
BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation (the "Auction Agent") (not
in its individual capacity, but solely as agent of MuniHoldings Florida Insured
Fund III, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), pursuant to authority
granted to it in the Auction Agent Agreement dated as of ____ __, 1998, between
the Fund and the Auction Agent (the "Auction Agent Agreement")) and [NAME OF
BROKER-DEALER] (together with its successors and assigns, "BD").
The Fund proposes to duly authorize and issue ____ Auction Market Preferred
Shares(R), Series A ("Series A AMPS"), and ____ Auction Market Preferred
Shares(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 Fund's
Certificate of Designation (as defined below). The Series A AMPS and Series B
AMPS are sometimes herein referred to together as the "AMPS."
The Fund's Certificate of Designation provides 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 Fund advises results from implementation
of the Auction Procedures (as defined below). The Board of Trustees of the Fund
has adopted a resolution appointing IBJ Xxxxxxxx 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 Fund 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
the Auction Agent and BD agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
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1.1. Terms Defined by Reference to the Certificate of Designation.
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Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Certificate of Designation of the Fund.
1.2. Terms Defined Herein. As used herein and in the Settlement
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Procedures (as defined below), the following terms shall have the following
meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1 hereof.
(b) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are set
forth in Paragraph __ of the Certificate of Designation.
(c) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Senior Vice President, Vice
President, Assistant Vice President, Fund 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.
(d) "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.
(e) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and any
substantially similar agreement between the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer.
(f) "Certificate of Designation" shall mean the Certificate of
Designation, as amended, of the Fund, establishing the powers, preferences and
rights of the AMPS filed on _____ __, 1998 in the office of the Secretary of
State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(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
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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.
(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.
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(R) Registered trademark of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc.
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II. NOTIFICATION OF DIVIDEND PERIOD AND ADVANCE NOTICE OF
ALLOCATION OF TAXABLE INCOME.
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2.1. The provisions contained in paragraph __ of the Certificate of
Designation 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 ___ of the Certificate of
Designation, whenever the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund, 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 Fund intends to include
any additional amounts in a dividend as provided in paragraph 2(f) of the
Certificate of Designation, the Fund 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 Fund, 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.
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3.1. Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and
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Settlement Procedures.
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(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 Paragraph _ of the Certificate of
Designation may execute a Broker-Dealer Agreement and participate as Broker-
Dealers in Auctions.
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(d) BD and other Broker-Dealers may participate in Auctions for
their own accounts. However, the Fund, 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.
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(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 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 Fund; 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.
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(a) The Fund 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 Fund,
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
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By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the Fund 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 _____ of the Certificate
of Designation. Submission Deadline is 1:00
P.M.
Not earlier than Auction Agent makes determinations pursuant
1:00 P.M. to Paragraph _______ of the Certificate of
Designation.
By approximately 3:00P.M. Auction Agent advises the Fund of the results
of the Auction as provided in Paragraph
_______ of the Certificate of Designation.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders are
accepted and rejected in whole or in part and
AMPS are allocated as provided in Paragraph
_____ of the Certificate of Designation.
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 __ of the Certificate of
Designation.
(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
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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.
3.4. Notice of Auction Results.
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(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 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
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succeeding each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall pay to BD from moneys
received from the Fund 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 __ of the Certificate of
Designation) 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
__ of the Certificate of Designation that were acquired by such Beneficial
Owners through BD; and (b) in the case of any Auction Date immediately
6
preceding a Special Dividend Period, that amount as mutually agreed upon by the
Fund 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.
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.
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4.1. Duties and Responsibilities.
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(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Fund
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.
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(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 Fund 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.
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(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
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representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Agreement or the AMPS.
V. MISCELLANEOUS.
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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 Fund to such termination, which consent shall not be
withheld unreasonably.
5.2. Participant in Securities Depository; Payment of Dividends in
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Same-Day Funds.
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(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
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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:_________________
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Telecopier No.:___________
Telephone No.:____________
If to the Auction IBJ Xxxxxxxx Bank & Trust Company
Agent, addressed to: 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 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 Fund, 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.
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(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 Fund
without the consent of BD.
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5.9. Severability. If any clause, provision or section of
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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
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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
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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 XXXXXXXX BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By:_________________________________
Title:
[NAME OF BROKER-DEALER]
By:_________________________________
Title:
11
EXHIBIT A
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SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
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[From Prospectus]
A-1
EXHIBIT B
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IBJ XXXXXXXX BANK & TRUST COMPANY
AUCTION BID FORM
---------------------------------
Submit To: IBJ Xxxxxxxx Bank & Trust Co. Issue: MuniHoldings Florida
Securities Transfer Department Insured Fund III
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 ______________________
B-1
EXHIBIT C
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(Note: To be used only for transfers made
other than pursuant to an Auction)
TRANSFER FORM
-------------
Re: MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund III
Auction Market Preferred Shares(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 _____ AMPS to ______________.
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(Name of Existing Holder)
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(Name of Broker-Dealer)
-----------------------------
(Name of Agent Member)
By: _____________________________
Printed Name:
Title:
C-1
EXHIBIT D
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(Note: To be used only for failures to deliver
AMPS sold pursuant to an Auction)
NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO DELIVER
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Complete either I or II
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I. We are a Broker-Dealer for ____________________ (the "Purchaser"),
which purchased _____ AMPS, Series [A][B], of MuniHoldings Florida
Insured Fund III in the Auction held on ______________________ from
the seller of such shares.
II. We are a Broker-Dealer for _____________________ (the "Seller"), which
sold ____ AMPS, Series [A][B], of MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund
III 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:
D-1
