NBH Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2023

1933 Act Registration No. 333-271308

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

    Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]      X  Post-Effective Amendment No.   1

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

c/o Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104-0002

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 476-8800

Joseph V. Amato

Chief Executive Officer and President

Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc.

c/o Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104-0002

 (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

With copies to:

Lori L. Schneider, Esq.

K&L Gates LLP

1601 K Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006-1600

(Names and Addresses of Agents for Service of Process)

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, each in the form filed on June 1, 2023 on Form N-14 (File No. 333-271308) (Accession No. 0000898432-23-000360), are incorporated herein by reference.

This amendment is being filed in order to file, as Exhibits 4(a), 4(b) and 12 to this Registration Statement, the Agreements and Plans of Reorganization and the tax opinion of K&L Gates LLP.

 

Article Twelfth of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation and Article IX of the Registrant’s Bylaws provide that the Fund shall indemnify its present and past directors, officers, employees and agents, and persons who are serving or have served at the Fund’s request in similar capacities for other entities to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law (including Maryland law and the 1940 Act), provided, however, that a transfer agent is not entitled to such indemnification unless specifically approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Section 2-418(b) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“Maryland Code”) permits the Registrant to indemnify its directors unless it is proved that the act or omission of the director was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding, and (a) the act or omission was committed in bad faith or was the result of active or deliberate dishonesty or (b) the director actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the director had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful. Indemnification may be made against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding, in accordance with the Maryland Code. Pursuant to Section 2-418(j)(1) and Section 4-418(j)(2) of the Maryland Code, the Registrant is permitted to indemnify its officers, employees and agents to the same extent. The provisions set forth above apply insofar as consistent with Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), which prohibits indemnification of any director or officer of the Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such director or officer otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of the Management Agreement between Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“NBIA”) and the Registrant provide that neither NBIA nor any director, officer or employee of NBIA performing services for the Registrant at the direction or request of NBIA in connection with NBIA’s discharge of its obligations under the Management Agreement shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Registrant in connection with any matter to which the Management Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect NBIA against any liability to the Registrant or its Stockholders to which NBIA would otherwise be subject by reason of NBIA’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of NBIA’s duties, or by reason of NBIA’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement (“disabling conduct”), or (ii) to protect any director, officer or employee of NBIA who is or was a Director or officer of the Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or its Stockholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office with the Registrant. The Registrant will indemnify NBIA against, and hold it harmless from, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred investigating or defending against claims for losses or liabilities described above not resulting from negligence, disregard of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement or disabling conduct by NBIA. Indemnification shall be made only following: (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that NBIA was not liable by reason of negligence, disregard of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement or disabling conduct or (ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that NBIA

was not liable by reason of negligence, disregard of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement or disabling conduct by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors of the Registrant who are neither “interested persons” of the Registrant nor parties to the proceeding (“disinterested non-party directors”) or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. NBIA shall be entitled to advances from the Registrant for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by it in connection with the matter as to which it is seeking indemnification under the Management Agreement in the manner and to the fullest extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law. NBIA shall provide to the Registrant a written affirmation of its good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Registrant has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. In addition, at least one of the following additional conditions shall be met: (a) NBIA shall provide security in form and amount acceptable to the Registrant for its undertaking; (b) the Registrant is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance; or (c) a majority of a quorum of the full Board of Directors of the Registrant, the members of which majority are disinterested non-party directors, or independent legal counsel, in a written opinion, shall have determined, based on a review of facts readily available to the Registrant at the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that NBIA will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification under the Management Agreement.

Sections 11.1 and 11.2 of the Administration Agreement between the Registrant and NBIA provide that neither NBIA nor any director, officer or employee of NBIA performing services for the Registrant at the direction or request of NBIA in connection with NBIA’s discharge of its obligations under the Administration Agreement shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Registrant in connection with any matter to which the Administration Agreement relates; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect NBIA against any liability to the Registrant or its Stockholders to which NBIA would otherwise be subject by reason of NBIA’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of NBIA’s duties, or by reason of NBIA’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement (“disabling conduct”), or (ii) to protect any director, officer or employee of NBIA who is or was a Director or officer of the Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or its Stockholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office with the Registrant. The Registrant will indemnify NBIA against, and hold it harmless from, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred investigating or defending against claims for losses or liabilities described above not resulting from negligence, disregard of its obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement or disabling conduct by NBIA. Indemnification shall be made only following: (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that NBIA was not liable by reason of negligence, disregard of its obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement or disabling conduct or (ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that NBIA was not liable by reason of negligence, disregard of its obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement or disabling conduct by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors of the Registrant who are neither “interested persons” of the Registrant nor parties to the proceeding (“disinterested non-party directors”) or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. NBIA shall be entitled to advances from the Registrant for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by it in connection with the matter as to which it is seeking indemnification under the Administration Agreement in the manner and to the fullest extent permissible under the Maryland General Corporation Law. NBIA shall provide to the Registrant a written affirmation of its good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Registrant has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. In addition, at least one of the following additional conditions shall be met: (a) NBIA shall provide security in form and amount acceptable to the Registrant for its undertaking; (b) the Registrant is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance; or (c) a majority of a quorum of the full Board of Directors of the Registrant, the members of which majority are disinterested non-party directors, or independent legal counsel, in a written opinion, shall have determined, based on a review of facts readily available to the Registrant at the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that NBIA will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification under the Administration Agreement.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), may be provided to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant, pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding or payment pursuant to any insurance policy) is asserted against the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The Fund also maintains Directors and Officers Insurance.

Item 16. Exhibits.

(1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.145c], the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

(2) The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

(3) The undersigned Registrant undertakes to file an opinion of counsel supporting the tax consequences to stockholders discussed in the joint proxy statement and prospectus within a reasonable time after the receipt of such opinion in a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement.

SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), this registration statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the City and State of New York on the 13th day of November, 2023.

	NEUBERGER BERMAN MUNICIPAL FUND INC.
	By:	/s/ Joseph V. Amato
	Name:	Joseph V. Amato
	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer

As required by the 1933 Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

*Signatures affixed by Jennifer R. Gonzalez on November 13, 2023, pursuant to a power of attorney filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14, File No. 333-271308, on April 18, 2023.

NEUBERGER BERMAN MUNICIPAL FUND INC.

Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation and a closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Fund”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”) that:

FIRST: The Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board of Directors” which term as used herein shall include any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors) has, by resolution, reclassified from the unissued common stock of the Fund and authorized the issuance of 822 Series A Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, liquidation preference $100,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) (the “Additional Series A Shares”).

SECOND: Except as set forth in Article THIRD hereto, the Additional Series A Shares shall have the same preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, and other rights and limitations as set forth in the Articles of Second Amendment and Restatement of Articles Supplementary Creating and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Series A Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares accepted for record by SDAT on December 16, 2021 (the “Series A Shares Articles Supplementary”).

THIRD: The “Date of Original Issue” (as that term is defined in the Series A Shares Articles Supplementary) of any Additional Series A Shares issued on or after the date these Articles Supplementary are accepted for record by SDAT shall be the date such shares are issued from time to time by the Fund.

FOURTH: Following the aforesaid reclassification of shares of capital stock as set forth in Article FIRST hereto, the Fund will be authorized to issue nine hundred ninety nine million nine hundred eighty nine thousand three hundred eighty four (999,989,384) shares of common stock, four thousand (4,000) Series A Auction Market Preferred Shares, four thousand (4,000) Series B Auction Market Preferred Shares and two thousand six hundred sixteen (2,616) Series A Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares (including the Additional Series A Shares, the “Series A Shares”). No other class or series of preferred stock of the Fund is affected by these Articles Supplementary.

FIFTH: The Additional Series A Shares have been reclassified by the Board of Directors pursuant to the authority contained in the Articles of Incorporation, as modified or amended from time to time, including by the Series A Shares Articles Supplementary.

SIXTH: Pursuant to Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, these Articles Supplementary shall become effective on October 20, 2023.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc. has caused these presents to be signed on October 18, 2023 in its name and on its behalf by its President or a Vice President and witnessed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

	Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc.
	By:	/s/ Brian Kerrane
		Name:	Brian Kerrane
		Title:	Vice President

Witness:

By:	/s/ Claudia A. Brandon
	Name:	Claudia A. Brandon
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Secretary

The undersigned President or a Vice President of Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc., who executed on behalf of the Fund the foregoing Articles Supplementary of which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges in the name and on behalf of said Fund the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Fund, and states under penalties of perjury that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material respects.

	By:	/s/ Brian Kerrane
		Name:	Brian Kerrane
		Title:	Vice President

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (“Agreement”) is made as of October 20, 2023, between NEUBERGER BERMAN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FUND INC., a Maryland corporation (“Acquired Fund”), and NEUBERGER BERMAN MUNICIPAL FUND INC., also a Maryland corporation (“Acquiring Fund”) (each, a “Fund”).

The Funds wish to effect a reorganization described in section 368(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), and intend this Agreement to be, and adopt it as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of the regulations under the Code (“Regulations”).  The reorganization will consist of (1) the transfer of Acquired Fund’s assets to Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for the issuance to Acquired Fund of shares of Acquiring Fund’s common and preferred stock (and, under certain circumstances, Acquiring Fund’s delivery to Acquired Fund of cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock) and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of Acquired Fund’s liabilities, (2) the distribution of such shares (and cash, if applicable) to Acquired Fund’s stockholders in liquidation thereof, and (3) Acquired Fund’s dissolution, all on the terms and conditions set forth herein (collectively, the “Reorganization”).

The Acquiring Fund may also enter into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization with Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Other Acquired Fund”), containing substantially the same terms as herein, regarding the reorganization of that entity with and into the Acquiring Fund (“Other Reorganization”).  The consummation of the Reorganization is not contingent on the consummation of the Other Reorganization.

Each Fund’s Board of Directors (each, a “Board”), including all the members thereof who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)) thereof, (1) has duly adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (2) has determined that participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of its Fund and that the interests of the existing stockholders thereof will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.

Acquired Fund’s capital stock is divided into one class of common stock (“Acquired Fund Common Stock”) and one series of variable rate municipal term preferred shares, designated Series A (“Acquired Fund Preferred Stock,”) (collectively, “Acquired Fund Stock”).  Acquiring Fund’s capital stock is divided into one class of common stock (“Acquiring Fund Common Stock”) and one series of variable rate municipal term preferred shares (“VMTPS”), also designated Series A.  If the Reorganization is approved by the Funds’ stockholders, Acquiring Fund shall, effective no later than the Effective Time (as defined in paragraph 3.1), issue additional Series A VMTPS or an additional class of VMTPS, designated Series B (together, the “Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock”) (collectively, “Acquiring Fund Stock”).

In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1.	PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

(a)  issue and deliver to Acquired Fund the number of full and, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 1.7, fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock, rounded to the third decimal place (or cash in lieu thereof), determined by dividing Acquired Fund’s net value (computed as set forth in paragraph 2.1) attributable to the Acquired Fund Common Stock by the net asset value (“NAV”) (computed as set forth in paragraph 2.2) of a share of Acquiring Fund Common Stock,

(b)  issue and deliver to Acquired Fund the number of full shares of (1) Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock equal to the number of full shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock then outstanding, and

(c)  assume all of Acquired Fund’s liabilities described in paragraph 1.3 (“Liabilities”).

Such transactions shall take place at the Closing (as defined in paragraph 3.1).

2.

VALUATION

3.	CLOSING AND EFFECTIVE TIME

4.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1.1.  Acquired Fund (a) is a corporation that is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and (b) has the power to own all its properties and assets and to carry on its business as described in documents filed with the Commission; and its Articles of Incorporation, as amended (“Charter”), are on file with the Department;

4.1.2.  Acquired Fund is duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, such registration is in full force and effect, and no proceeding has been instituted to suspend such registration;

4.1.3.  At the Effective Time, Acquired Fund will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver the Assets free of any liens or other encumbrances (except securities that are subject to “securities loans,” as referred to in section 851(b)(2) of the Code, or that are restricted to resale by their terms), and on delivery and payment for the Assets, Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, including restrictions that might arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund;

4.1.4.  Acquired Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof have been in compliance in all material respects with the investment policies and

4.1.5.  Acquired Fund is not currently engaged in, and its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Reorganization will not result in, (1) a material violation of any provision of Maryland law, its Charter or By-Laws, or any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking (each, an “Undertaking”) to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (2) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any Undertaking, judgment, or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound;

4.1.6.  All material contracts and other commitments of or applicable to Acquired Fund (other than this Agreement and certain investment contracts, including options, futures, and forward contracts) will terminate, or provision for discharge of any liabilities of Acquired Fund thereunder will be made, at or before the Effective Time, without either Fund’s incurring any liability or penalty with respect thereto and without diminishing or releasing any rights Acquired Fund may have had with respect to actions taken or omitted or to be taken by any other party thereto before the Closing;

4.1.7.  Except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund, (a) no litigation, administrative proceeding, action, or investigation of or before any court, governmental body, or arbitrator is presently pending or, to Acquired Fund’s knowledge, threatened against Acquired Fund or any of its properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business, and (b) Acquired Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of any such litigation, proceeding, or investigation and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially or adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

4.1.8.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized at the date hereof by all necessary action on the part of Acquired Fund’s Board, which has made the determinations required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act; and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity;

4.1.9.  No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations, or filings are required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the 1940 Act (collectively, “Federal Securities Laws”) or state securities laws, and no authorizations, consents, or orders of any court are required, for Acquired Fund’s execution or performance of this Agreement, except for (a) Acquiring Fund’s filing with the Commission of a registration statement on Form N-14 relating to the Acquiring Fund Stock issuable hereunder, and any supplement or amendment thereto (“Registration Statement”), including therein a prospectus and proxy statement (“Prospectus/Proxy

4.1.10.  On the effective date of the Registration Statement, at the time of the Stockholders Meeting (as defined in paragraph 6.1), and at the Effective Time, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will (a) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Federal Securities Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and (b) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Prospectus/Proxy Statement made in reliance on and in conformity with information furnished by Acquiring Fund for use therein;

4.1.11.  Acquired Fund incurred the Liabilities in the ordinary course of its business; and there are no Liabilities other than those disclosed or provided for in Acquired Fund’s financial statements referred to in paragraph 4.1.19 and Liabilities incurred by Acquired Fund in the ordinary course of its business subsequent to October 31, 2022, none of which has been materially adverse to the business, assets, or results of its operations;

4.1.12.  For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending at the Effective Time), Acquired Fund has met (or for its current taxable year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code (“Subchapter M”) for qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and has been (or for such year will be) eligible to and has computed (or for such year will compute) its federal income tax under section 852 of the Code; from the time Acquired Fund’s Board approved the transactions contemplated hereby (“Approval Time”) through the Effective Time, Acquired Fund has invested and will invest its assets in a manner that ensures its compliance with the foregoing and paragraph 4.1.13; from the time it commenced operations through the Effective Time, Acquired Fund has conducted and will conduct its “historic business” (within the meaning of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations) in a substantially unchanged manner; from the Approval Time through the Effective Time, Acquired Fund (1) has not disposed of and/or acquired, and will not dispose of and/or acquire, any assets (a) for the purpose of satisfying Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives or policies or (b) for any other reason except in the ordinary course of its business as a RIC and (2) has not otherwise changed, and will not otherwise change, its historic investment policies; Acquired Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M did not apply to it; and Acquired Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for, and is not now liable for, any material tax pursuant to sections 852 or 4982 of the Code, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund;

4.1.13.  Acquired Fund is in the same line of business as Acquiring Fund is in, for purposes of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations, and did not enter into such line of business as part of the plan of reorganization;

4.1.14.  At the Effective Time, at least 33⅓% of Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets will meet Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, and restrictions, and Acquired Fund did not alter and will not alter its portfolio in connection with the Reorganization to meet such 33⅓% threshold;

4.1.15.  To the best of Acquired Fund’s management’s knowledge, at the record date for Acquired Fund’s stockholders entitled to vote on approval of this Agreement, there was no plan or intention by its stockholders to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of a number of shares of Acquired Fund Stock (or Acquiring Fund Stock to be received in the Reorganization), in connection with the Reorganization, that would reduce their ownership of the Acquired Fund Stock (or the equivalent Acquiring Fund Stock) to a number of shares that was less than 50% of the number of shares of Acquired Fund Stock at such date;

4.1.16.  Acquired Fund is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a “title 11 or similar case” (as defined in section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code);

4.1.17.  During the five-year period ending at the Effective Time, (a) neither Acquired Fund nor any person “related” (as defined in section 1.368-1(e)(3) of the Regulations) (“Related”) to it will have acquired Acquired Fund Stock, either directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person, with consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock or Acquired Fund Stock, and (b) no distributions will have been made with respect to Acquired Fund Stock, other than normal, regular dividend distributions made pursuant to Acquired Fund’s historic dividend-paying practice and other distributions that qualify for the deduction for dividends paid (within the meaning of section 561 of the Code) referred to in sections 852(a)(1) and 4982(c)(1)(A) of the Code;

4.1.18.  By the Effective Time, Acquired Fund shall have duly and timely filed all federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns required by law to have been filed by such date (giving effect to properly and timely filed extensions of time to file); Acquired Fund has timely paid all taxes payable pursuant to such filed returns except for amounts that alone or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect; and Acquired Fund is in compliance in all material respects with applicable Regulations pertaining to the reporting of, and withholding in respect of, distributions on its stock and is not liable for any material penalties that could be imposed thereunder;

4.1.19.  The financial statements (collectively, “Statements”) of Acquired Fund at and for the fiscal year (in the case of the last Statement of Changes in Net Assets, for the two fiscal years) ended October 31, 2022, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm (“E&Y”), and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and copies thereof have been delivered to Acquiring Fund; to Acquired Fund’s management’s best knowledge and belief, there are no known contingent liabilities of Acquired Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP consistently applied at such date that are not disclosed therein; and such Statements present fairly, in all material respects, Acquired Fund’s financial condition at such date in accordance with

4.1.20.  Since October 31, 2022, there has not been any material adverse change in Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by Acquired Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund; for purposes of this representation, a decline in NAV per share of Acquired Fund Stock due to declines in market values of securities Acquired Fund holds or the discharge of its liabilities shall not constitute a material adverse change;

4.1.21.  All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Stock is, and at the Effective Time will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, and non-assessable by Acquired Fund and has been offered and sold in every state and the District of Columbia, as applicable, in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws; all issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Stock will, at the Effective Time, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth on Acquired Fund’s stockholder records, as provided in paragraph 3.3; and Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquired Fund Stock, nor are there outstanding any securities convertible into any Acquired Fund Stock;

4.1.22.  Not more than 25% of the value of Acquired Fund’s total assets (excluding cash, cash items, and U.S. government securities) is invested in the stock and securities of any one issuer, and not more than 50% of the value of such assets is invested in the stock and securities of five or fewer issuers; and

4.1.23.  No registration of any Asset under the 1933 Act or any state securities or blue sky laws would be required if it was, at the Effective Time, the subject of a public distribution by either Fund, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund.

4.2.1.  Acquiring Fund (a) is a corporation that is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and (b) has the power to own all its properties and assets and to carry on its business as described in documents filed with the Commission; and its Charter is on file with the Department;

4.2.2.  Acquiring Fund is duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, such registration is in full force and effect, and no proceeding has been instituted to suspend such registration;

4.2.3.  No consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of the Liabilities) will be issued in exchange for the Assets in the Reorganization;

4.2.4.  The Acquiring Fund Stock to be issued and delivered to Acquired Fund hereunder will, at the Effective Time, have been duly authorized by Acquiring Fund and, when issued and delivered as provided herein (including the receipt of consideration in exchange therefor not less than its par value), will be duly and validly issued and outstanding stock of Acquiring Fund, fully paid and non-assessable by Acquiring Fund;

4.2.5.  Acquiring Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof have been in compliance in all material respects with the investment policies and restrictions set forth in documents filed with the Commission, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund;

4.2.6.  Acquiring Fund is not currently engaged in, and its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will not result in, (1) a material violation of any provision of Maryland law, its Charter or By-Laws, or any Undertaking to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (2) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any Undertaking, judgment, or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound;

4.2.7.  Except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund, (a) no litigation, administrative proceeding, action, or investigation of or before any court, governmental body, or arbitrator is presently pending or, to Acquiring Fund’s knowledge, threatened against it or any of its properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business, and (b) Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of any such litigation, proceeding, or investigation and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially or adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

4.2.8.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized at the date hereof by all necessary action on the part of Acquiring Fund’s Board, which has made the determinations required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act; and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity;

4.2.9.  No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations, or filings are required under the Federal Securities Laws or state securities laws, and no authorizations, consents, or orders of any court are required, for Acquiring Fund’s execution or performance of this Agreement, except for (a) the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission and (b) such consents, approvals, authorizations, and filings as have been made or received or as may be required subsequent to the Effective Time;

4.2.10.  On the effective date of the Registration Statement, at the time of the Stockholders Meeting, and at the Effective Time, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will (a) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Federal Securities Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and (b) not contain any untrue statement of

4.2.11.  For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year in which the Effective Time occurs), Acquiring Fund has met (or for its current taxable year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M for qualification as a RIC and has been (or for such year will be) eligible to and has computed (or for such year will compute) its federal income tax under section 852 of the Code; Acquiring Fund intends to continue to meet all such requirements for the next taxable year; Acquiring Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M did not apply to it; and Acquiring Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for, and is not now liable for, any material tax pursuant to sections 852 or 4982 of the Code, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund;

4.2.12.  Following the Reorganization, Acquiring Fund (a) will continue Acquired Fund’s “historic business” (within the meaning of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations) and (b) will use a significant portion of Acquired Fund’s “historic business assets” (within the meaning of section 1.368-1(d)(3) of the Regulations) in a business; moreover, Acquiring Fund (c) has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Assets, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of such business and dispositions necessary to maintain its status as a RIC, and (d) expects to retain substantially all the Assets in the same form as it receives them in the Reorganization, unless and until subsequent investment circumstances suggest the desirability of change or it becomes necessary to make dispositions thereof to maintain such status;

4.2.13.  Acquiring Fund is in the same line of business as Acquired Fund was in preceding the Reorganization, for purposes of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations, and did not enter into such line of business as part of the plan of reorganization; following the Reorganization, Acquiring Fund will continue, and has no intention to change, such line of business; and at the Effective Time, (1) at least 33⅓% of Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets will meet Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, and restrictions and (2)  Acquiring Fund has no plan or intention to change any of its investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, or restrictions after the Reorganization;

4.2.14.  There is no plan or intention for Acquiring Fund to be dissolved or merged into another corporation or a business or statutory trust or any “fund” thereof (as defined in section 851(g)(2) of the Code) following the Reorganization;

4.2.15.  During the five-year period ending at the Effective Time, neither Acquiring Fund nor any person Related to it will have acquired Acquired Fund Stock with consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock;

4.2.16.  By the Effective Time, Acquiring Fund shall have duly and timely filed all federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns required by law to have been filed by such date

4.2.17.  Acquiring Fund’s Statements at and for the fiscal year (in the case of its Statement of Changes in Net Assets, for the two fiscal years) ended October 31, 2022, have been audited by E&Y, and copies thereof have been delivered to Acquired Fund; to Acquiring Fund’s management’s best knowledge and belief, there are no known contingent liabilities of Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP consistently applied at such date that are not disclosed therein; and such Statements present fairly, in all material respects, Acquiring Fund’s financial condition at such date in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and the results of its operations and changes in its net assets for the period then ended;

4.2.18.  Since October 31, 2022, there has not been any material adverse change in Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by Acquiring Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund; for purposes of this representation, a decline in NAV per share of Acquiring Fund Stock due to declines in market values of securities Acquiring Fund holds or the discharge of its liabilities shall not constitute a material adverse change;

4.2.19.  Assuming the truthfulness and correctness of Acquired Fund’s representation and warranty in paragraph 4.1.22, immediately after the Reorganization, (a) not more than 25% of the value of Acquiring Fund’s total assets (excluding cash, cash items, and U.S. government securities) will be invested in the stock and securities of any one issuer and (b) not more than 50% of the value of such assets will be invested in the stock and securities of five or fewer issuers;

4.2.20.  Acquiring Fund does not directly or indirectly own, nor at the Effective Time will it directly or indirectly own, nor has it directly or indirectly owned at any time during the past five years, any Acquired Fund Stock;

4.2.21.  Acquiring Fund has no plan or intention to issue additional Acquiring Fund Stock following the Reorganization except to the agent for its distribution reinvestment plan and in connection with the Other Reorganization; nor does Acquiring Fund, or any person Related to it, have any plan or intention to acquire ‑‑ during the five-year period beginning at the Effective Time, either directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person ‑‑ with consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock, any Acquiring Fund Stock issued to the Stockholders pursuant to the Reorganization; and

4.2.22.  All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Stock is, and at the Effective Time will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, and non-assessable by

4.3.1.  The fair market value of the Acquiring Fund Stock each Stockholder receives (together with cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares, if any) will be approximately equal to the fair market value of its Acquired Fund Stock it actually or constructively surrenders in exchange therefor;

4.3.2.  Its management (a) is unaware of any plan or intention of Stockholders to sell or otherwise dispose of (1) any portion of their Acquired Fund Stock before the Reorganization to any person Related to either Fund or (2) any portion of the Acquiring Fund Stock they receive in the Reorganization to any person Related to Acquiring Fund, (b) does not anticipate dispositions of such Acquiring Fund Stock at the time of or soon after the Reorganization to exceed the usual rate and frequency of dispositions of shares of Acquired Fund Stock, and (c) expects that the percentage of stockholder interests, if any, that will be disposed of as a result of or at the time of the Reorganization will be de minimis;

4.3.3.  The Stockholders will pay their own expenses (such as fees of personal investment or tax advisers for advice concerning the Reorganization), if any, incurred in connection with the Reorganization;

4.3.4.  The fair market value of the Assets on a going concern basis will equal or exceed the Liabilities to be assumed by Acquiring Fund and those to which the Assets are subject;

4.3.5.  There is no intercompany indebtedness between the Funds that was issued or acquired, or will be settled, at a discount;

4.3.6.  Pursuant to the Reorganization, Acquired Fund will transfer to Acquiring Fund, and Acquiring Fund will acquire, at least 90% of the fair market value of the net assets, and at least 70% of the fair market value of the gross assets, Acquired Fund held immediately before the Reorganization; for the purposes of this representation, any amounts Acquired Fund uses to pay its Reorganization expenses and to make redemptions and distributions immediately before the Reorganization (except regular, normal dividend distributions (a) made to conform to its policy of distributing all or substantially all of its income and gains to avoid the obligation to pay federal income tax and/or the excise tax under section 4982 of the Code and (b) on its preferred stock) will be included as assets it held immediately before the Reorganization;

4.3.7.  None of the compensation received by any Stockholder who or that is an employee of or service provider to Acquired Fund will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of the Acquired Fund Stock such Stockholder held; none of the Acquiring

4.3.8.  Immediately after the Reorganization, the Stockholders will own stock constituting “control” (as defined in section 304(c) of the Code) of Acquiring Fund;

4.3.9.  The Acquired Fund will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the Reorganization, and no expenses will be paid or assumed by Acquiring Fund, Adviser, or any third party, unless such expenses are solely and directly related to the Reorganization (determined in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Rev. Rul. 73-54, 1973-1 C.B. 187) (“Reorganization Expenses”), and no cash or property other than Acquiring Fund Stock will be transferred to Acquired Fund or any of its stockholders with the intention that such cash or property be used to pay any expenses (even Reorganization Expenses) thereof; and

4.3.10.  The aggregate value of the acquisitions and distributions limited by paragraphs 4.1.17, 4.2.15, and 4.2.21 will not exceed 50% of the value (without giving effect to such acquisitions and distributions) of the proprietary interest in Acquired Fund at the Effective Time.

5.

COVENANTS

(a)  such ordinary course will include declaring and paying customary dividends and other distributions and changes in operations contemplated by each Fund’s normal business activities; and

(b)  each Fund will retain exclusive control of the composition of its portfolio until the Closing; provided that Acquired Fund shall not dispose of more than an insignificant portion of its historic business assets (as defined in paragraph 4.2.12) during such period without Acquiring Fund’s prior consent, and the Funds shall coordinate their respective portfolios so that the transfer of the Assets to Acquiring Fund will not cause it to fail to be in compliance with all of its investment policies and restrictions immediately after the Closing.

6.	CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Each Fund’s obligations hereunder shall be subject to (a) performance by the other Fund of all its obligations to be performed hereunder at or before the Effective Time, (b) all representations and warranties of the other Fund contained herein being true and correct in all material respects at the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated hereby, at the Effective Time, with the same force and effect as if made at the Effective Time, and (c) the following further conditions that, at or before the Effective Time:

6.4.1.  Acquiring Fund’s acquisition of the Assets in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares) and its assumption of the Liabilities, followed by Acquired Fund’s distribution of such stock pro rata to the Stockholders (and the distribution of any such cash to the Stockholders entitled thereto) actually or constructively in exchange for their Acquired Fund Stock, in complete liquidation of Acquired Fund, will qualify as a “reorganization” (as defined in section 368(a)(1) of the Code), and each Fund will be “a party to a reorganization” (within the meaning of section 368(b) of the Code);

6.4.2.  Acquired Fund will recognize no gain or loss on the transfer of the Assets to Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares) and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of the Liabilities or on the subsequent distribution of such stock (and cash) to the Stockholders in exchange for their Acquired Fund Stock;

6.4.3.  Acquiring Fund will recognize no gain or loss on its receipt of the Assets in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares) and its assumption of the Liabilities;

6.4.4.  Acquiring Fund’s basis in each Asset will be the same as Acquired Fund’s basis therein immediately before the Reorganization, and Acquiring Fund’s holding period for each Asset will include Acquired Fund’s holding period therefor (except where Acquiring Fund’s investment activities have the effect of reducing or eliminating an Asset’s holding period);

6.4.5.  A Stockholder will recognize no gain or loss on the exchange of all its Acquired Fund Stock solely for Acquiring Fund Stock pursuant to the Reorganization, except to the extent the Stockholder receives cash in lieu of a Non-deliverable Fractional Share pursuant thereto; and

6.4.6.  A Stockholder’s aggregate basis in the Acquiring Fund Stock it receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis in its Acquired Fund Stock it actually or constructively surrenders in exchange for such Acquiring Fund Stock less the basis in any fractional share of Acquired Fund Stock for which the Stockholder receives cash pursuant to the Reorganization; and its holding period for such Acquiring Fund Stock will include, in each instance, its holding period for such Acquired Fund Stock, provided the Stockholder holds such Acquired Fund Stock as a capital asset at the Effective Time.

Notwithstanding subparagraphs of this Section 6.4, including subparagraphs 6.4.2 and 6.4.4, the Tax Opinion may state that no opinion is expressed as to the effect of the Reorganization on the Funds or any Stockholder with respect to any Asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for federal income tax purposes at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting and may assume that the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to be issued in the Reorganization will constitute equity of Acquiring Fund.

7.	BROKERS AND EXPENSES

8.	ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO SURVIVAL

Neither Fund has made any representation, warranty, or covenant not set forth herein, and this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.  The representations, warranties, and covenants contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall not survive the Closing.

9.	TERMINATION

This Agreement may be terminated at any time at or before the Effective Time:

In the event of termination under paragraphs 9.1(c) or 9.2, neither Fund (nor its directors, officers, or stockholders) shall have any liability to the other Fund.

10.

AMENDMENT

This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented at any time in any manner mutually agreed on in writing by the Funds, notwithstanding Acquired Fund’s stockholders’ approval thereof; provided that, following such approval no such amendment, modification, or supplement shall have a material adverse effect on the Stockholders’ interests.

11.	MISCELLANEOUS

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (“Agreement”) is made as of October 20, 2023, between NEUBERGER BERMAN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL FUND INC., a Maryland corporation (“Acquired Fund”), and NEUBERGER BERMAN MUNICIPAL FUND INC., also a Maryland corporation (“Acquiring Fund”) (each, a “Fund”).

The Funds wish to effect a reorganization described in section 368(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), and intend this Agreement to be, and adopt it as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of the regulations under the Code (“Regulations”).  The reorganization will consist of (1) the transfer of Acquired Fund’s assets to Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for the issuance to Acquired Fund of shares of Acquiring Fund’s common and preferred stock (and, under certain circumstances, Acquiring Fund’s delivery to Acquired Fund of cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock) and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of Acquired Fund’s liabilities, (2) the distribution of such shares (and cash, if applicable) to Acquired Fund’s stockholders in liquidation thereof, and (3) Acquired Fund’s dissolution, all on the terms and conditions set forth herein (collectively, the “Reorganization”).

The Acquiring Fund may also enter into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization with Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Other Acquired Fund”), containing substantially the same terms as herein, regarding the reorganization of that entity with and into the Acquiring Fund (“Other Reorganization”).  The consummation of the Reorganization is not contingent on the consummation of the Other Reorganization.

Each Fund’s Board of Directors (each, a “Board”), including all the members thereof who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)) thereof, (1) has duly adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (2) has determined that participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of its Fund and that the interests of the existing stockholders thereof will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.

Acquired Fund’s capital stock is divided into one class of common stock (“Acquired Fund Common Stock”) and one series of variable rate municipal term preferred shares, designated Series A (“Acquired Fund Preferred Stock,”) (collectively, “Acquired Fund Stock”).  Acquiring Fund’s capital stock is divided into one class of common stock (“Acquiring Fund Common Stock”) and one series of variable rate municipal term preferred shares (“VMTPS”), also designated Series A.  If the Reorganization is approved by the Funds’ stockholders, Acquiring Fund shall, effective no later than the Effective Time (as defined in paragraph 3.1), issue additional Series A VMTPS or an additional class of VMTPS, designated Series B (together, the “Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock”) (collectively, “Acquiring Fund Stock”).

In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1.	PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

(b)  issue and deliver to Acquired Fund the number of full shares of (1) Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock equal to the number of full shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock then outstanding, and

(c)  assume all of Acquired Fund’s liabilities described in paragraph 1.3 (“Liabilities”).

Such transactions shall take place at the Closing (as defined in paragraph 3.1).

2.

VALUATION

3.	CLOSING AND EFFECTIVE TIME

4.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1.1.  Acquired Fund (a) is a corporation that is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and (b) has the power to own all its properties and assets and to carry on its business as described in documents filed with the Commission; and its Articles of Incorporation, as amended (“Charter”), are on file with the Department;

4.1.2.  Acquired Fund is duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, such registration is in full force and effect, and no proceeding has been instituted to suspend such registration;

4.1.3.  At the Effective Time, Acquired Fund will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver the Assets free of any liens or other encumbrances (except securities that are subject to “securities loans,” as referred to in section 851(b)(2) of the Code, or that are restricted to resale by their terms), and on delivery and payment for the Assets, Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, including restrictions that might arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund;

.	4.1.4  Acquired Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof have been in compliance in all material respects with the investment policies and

4.1.5.  Acquired Fund is not currently engaged in, and its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Reorganization will not result in, (1) a material violation of any provision of Maryland law, its Charter or By-Laws, or any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking (each, an “Undertaking”) to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (2) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any Undertaking, judgment, or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound;

4.1.6.  All material contracts and other commitments of or applicable to Acquired Fund (other than this Agreement and certain investment contracts, including options, futures, and forward contracts) will terminate, or provision for discharge of any liabilities of Acquired Fund thereunder will be made, at or before the Effective Time, without either Fund’s incurring any liability or penalty with respect thereto and without diminishing or releasing any rights Acquired Fund may have had with respect to actions taken or omitted or to be taken by any other party thereto before the Closing;

4.1.7.  Except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund, (a) no litigation, administrative proceeding, action, or investigation of or before any court, governmental body, or arbitrator is presently pending or, to Acquired Fund’s knowledge, threatened against Acquired Fund or any of its properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business, and (b) Acquired Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of any such litigation, proceeding, or investigation and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially or adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

4.1.8.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized at the date hereof by all necessary action on the part of Acquired Fund’s Board, which has made the determinations required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act; and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity;

4.1.9.  No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations, or filings are required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the 1940 Act (collectively, “Federal Securities Laws”) or state securities laws, and no authorizations, consents, or orders of any court are required, for Acquired Fund’s execution or performance of this Agreement, except for (a) Acquiring Fund’s filing with the Commission of a registration statement on Form N-14 relating to the Acquiring Fund Stock issuable hereunder, and any supplement or amendment thereto (“Registration Statement”), including therein a prospectus and proxy statement (“Prospectus/Proxy

.

4.1.10  On the effective date of the Registration Statement, at the time of the Stockholders Meeting (as defined in paragraph 6.1), and at the Effective Time, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will (a) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Federal Securities Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and (b) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Prospectus/Proxy Statement made in reliance on and in conformity with information furnished by Acquiring Fund for use therein;

4.1.11.  Acquired Fund incurred the Liabilities in the ordinary course of its business; and there are no Liabilities other than those disclosed or provided for in Acquired Fund’s financial statements referred to in paragraph 4.1.19 and Liabilities incurred by Acquired Fund in the ordinary course of its business subsequent to October 31, 2022, none of which has been materially adverse to the business, assets, or results of its operations;

4.1.12.  For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending at the Effective Time), Acquired Fund has met (or for its current taxable year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code (“Subchapter M”) for qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and has been (or for such year will be) eligible to and has computed (or for such year will compute) its federal income tax under section 852 of the Code; from the time Acquired Fund’s Board approved the transactions contemplated hereby (“Approval Time”) through the Effective Time, Acquired Fund has invested and will invest its assets in a manner that ensures its compliance with the foregoing and paragraph 4.1.13; from the time it commenced operations through the Effective Time, Acquired Fund has conducted and will conduct its “historic business” (within the meaning of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations) in a substantially unchanged manner; from the Approval Time through the Effective Time, Acquired Fund (1) has not disposed of and/or acquired, and will not dispose of and/or acquire, any assets (a) for the purpose of satisfying Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives or policies or (b) for any other reason except in the ordinary course of its business as a RIC and (2) has not otherwise changed, and will not otherwise change, its historic investment policies; Acquired Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M did not apply to it; and Acquired Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for, and is not now liable for, any material tax pursuant to sections 852 or 4982 of the Code, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund;

4.1.13.  Acquired Fund is in the same line of business as Acquiring Fund is in, for purposes of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations, and did not enter into such line of business as part of the plan of reorganization;

4.1.14.  At the Effective Time, at least 33⅓% of Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets will meet Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, and restrictions, and Acquired Fund did not alter and will not alter its portfolio in connection with the Reorganization to meet such 33⅓% threshold;

4.1.15.  To the best of Acquired Fund’s management’s knowledge, at the record date for Acquired Fund’s stockholders entitled to vote on approval of this Agreement, there was no plan or intention by its stockholders to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of a number of shares of Acquired Fund Stock (or Acquiring Fund Stock to be received in the Reorganization), in connection with the Reorganization, that would reduce their ownership of the Acquired Fund Stock (or the equivalent Acquiring Fund Stock) to a number of shares that was less than 50% of the number of shares of Acquired Fund Stock at such date;

4.1.16.  Acquired Fund is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a “title 11 or similar case” (as defined in section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code);

4.1.17.   During the five-year period ending at the Effective Time, (a) neither Acquired Fund nor any person “related” (as defined in section 1.368-1(e)(3) of the Regulations) (“Related”) to it will have acquired Acquired Fund Stock, either directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person, with consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock or Acquired Fund Stock, and (b) no distributions will have been made with respect to Acquired Fund Stock, other than normal, regular dividend distributions made pursuant to Acquired Fund’s historic dividend-paying practice and other distributions that qualify for the deduction for dividends paid (within the meaning of section 561 of the Code) referred to in sections 852(a)(1) and 4982(c)(1)(A) of the Code;

4.1.18.  By the Effective Time, Acquired Fund shall have duly and timely filed all federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns required by law to have been filed by such date (giving effect to properly and timely filed extensions of time to file); Acquired Fund has timely paid all taxes payable pursuant to such filed returns except for amounts that alone or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect; and Acquired Fund is in compliance in all material respects with applicable Regulations pertaining to the reporting of, and withholding in respect of, distributions on its stock and is not liable for any material penalties that could be imposed thereunder;

4.1.19.  The financial statements (collectively, “Statements”) of Acquired Fund at and for the fiscal year (in the case of the last Statement of Changes in Net Assets, for the two fiscal years) ended October 31, 2022, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm (“E&Y”), and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and copies thereof have been delivered to Acquiring Fund; to Acquired Fund’s management’s best knowledge and belief, there are no known contingent liabilities of Acquired Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP consistently applied at such date that are not disclosed therein; and such Statements present fairly, in all material respects, Acquired Fund’s financial condition at such date in accordance with

4.1.20.  Since October 31, 2022, there has not been any material adverse change in Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by Acquired Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund; for purposes of this representation, a decline in NAV per share of Acquired Fund Stock due to declines in market values of securities Acquired Fund holds or the discharge of its liabilities shall not constitute a material adverse change;

4.1.21.  All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Stock is, and at the Effective Time will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, and non-assessable by Acquired Fund and has been offered and sold in every state and the District of Columbia, as applicable, in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws; all issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Stock will, at the Effective Time, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth on Acquired Fund’s stockholder records, as provided in paragraph 3.3; and Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquired Fund Stock, nor are there outstanding any securities convertible into any Acquired Fund Stock;

4.1.22.  Not more than 25% of the value of Acquired Fund’s total assets (excluding cash, cash items, and U.S. government securities) is invested in the stock and securities of any one issuer, and not more than 50% of the value of such assets is invested in the stock and securities of five or fewer issuers; and

4.1.23.  No registration of any Asset under the 1933 Act or any state securities or blue sky laws would be required if it was, at the Effective Time, the subject of a public distribution by either Fund, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquiring Fund.

4.2.1.  Acquiring Fund (a) is a corporation that is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and (b) has the power to own all its properties and assets and to carry on its business as described in documents filed with the Commission; and its Charter is on file with the Department;

4.2.2.  Acquiring Fund is duly registered as a closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, such registration is in full force and effect, and no proceeding has been instituted to suspend such registration;

4.2.3.  No consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of the Liabilities) will be issued in exchange for the Assets in the Reorganization;

4.2.4. The Acquiring Fund Stock to be issued and delivered to Acquired Fund hereunder will, at the Effective Time, have been duly authorized by Acquiring Fund and, when issued and delivered as provided herein (including the receipt of consideration in exchange therefor not less than its par value), will be duly and validly issued and outstanding stock of Acquiring Fund, fully paid and non-assessable by Acquiring Fund;

4.2.5. Acquiring Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof have been in compliance in all material respects with the investment policies and restrictions set forth in documents filed with the Commission, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund;

4.2.6.  Acquiring Fund is not currently engaged in, and its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will not result in, (1) a material violation of any provision of Maryland law, its Charter or By-Laws, or any Undertaking to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (2) the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any Undertaking, judgment, or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound;

4.2.7.  Except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund, (a) no litigation, administrative proceeding, action, or investigation of or before any court, governmental body, or arbitrator is presently pending or, to Acquiring Fund’s knowledge, threatened against it or any of its properties or assets that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business, and (b) Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of any such litigation, proceeding, or investigation and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially or adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

4.2.8.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized at the date hereof by all necessary action on the part of Acquiring Fund’s Board, which has made the determinations required by Rule 17a-8(a) under the 1940 Act; and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity;

4.2.9.  No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations, or filings are required under the Federal Securities Laws or state securities laws, and no authorizations, consents, or orders of any court are required, for Acquiring Fund’s execution or performance of this Agreement, except for (a) the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission and (b) such consents, approvals, authorizations, and filings as have been made or received or as may be required subsequent to the Effective Time;

4.2.10.  On the effective date of the Registration Statement, at the time of the Stockholders Meeting, and at the Effective Time, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement will (a) comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Federal Securities Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and (b) not contain any untrue statement of

4.2.11.  For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year in which the Effective Time occurs), Acquiring Fund has met (or for its current taxable year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M for qualification as a RIC and has been (or for such year will be) eligible to and has computed (or for such year will compute) its federal income tax under section 852 of the Code; Acquiring Fund intends to continue to meet all such requirements for the next taxable year; Acquiring Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M did not apply to it; and Acquiring Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for, and is not now liable for, any material tax pursuant to sections 852 or 4982 of the Code, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund;

4.2.12.  Following the Reorganization, Acquiring Fund (a) will continue Acquired Fund’s “historic business” (within the meaning of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations) and (b) will use a significant portion of Acquired Fund’s “historic business assets” (within the meaning of section 1.368-1(d)(3) of the Regulations) in a business; moreover, Acquiring Fund (c) has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Assets, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of such business and dispositions necessary to maintain its status as a RIC, and (d) expects to retain substantially all the Assets in the same form as it receives them in the Reorganization, unless and until subsequent investment circumstances suggest the desirability of change or it becomes necessary to make dispositions thereof to maintain such status;

4.2.13.  Acquiring Fund is in the same line of business as Acquired Fund was in preceding the Reorganization, for purposes of section 1.368-1(d)(2) of the Regulations, and did not enter into such line of business as part of the plan of reorganization; following the Reorganization, Acquiring Fund will continue, and has no intention to change, such line of business; and at the Effective Time, (1) at least 33⅓% of Acquired Fund’s portfolio assets will meet Acquiring Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, and restrictions and (2)  Acquiring Fund has no plan or intention to change any of its investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, or restrictions after the Reorganization;

4.2.14.  There is no plan or intention for Acquiring Fund to be dissolved or merged into another corporation or a business or statutory trust or any “fund” thereof (as defined in section 851(g)(2) of the Code) following the Reorganization;

4.2.15.  During the five-year period ending at the Effective Time, neither Acquiring Fund nor any person Related to it will have acquired Acquired Fund Stock with consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock;

4.2.16.  By the Effective Time, Acquiring Fund shall have duly and timely filed all federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns required by law to have been filed by such date

4.2.17.  Acquiring Fund’s Statements at and for the fiscal year (in the case of its Statement of Changes in Net Assets, for the two fiscal years) ended October 31, 2022, have been audited by E&Y, and copies thereof have been delivered to Acquired Fund; to Acquiring Fund’s management’s best knowledge and belief, there are no known contingent liabilities of Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP consistently applied at such date that are not disclosed therein; and such Statements present fairly, in all material respects, Acquiring Fund’s financial condition at such date in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and the results of its operations and changes in its net assets for the period then ended;

4.2.18.  Since October 31, 2022, there has not been any material adverse change in Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by Acquiring Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as previously disclosed in writing to and accepted by Acquired Fund; for purposes of this representation, a decline in NAV per share of Acquiring Fund Stock due to declines in market values of securities Acquiring Fund holds or the discharge of its liabilities shall not constitute a material adverse change;

4.2.19.  Assuming the truthfulness and correctness of Acquired Fund’s representation and warranty in paragraph 4.1.22, immediately after the Reorganization, (a) not more than 25% of the value of Acquiring Fund’s total assets (excluding cash, cash items, and U.S. government securities) will be invested in the stock and securities of any one issuer and (b) not more than 50% of the value of such assets will be invested in the stock and securities of five or fewer issuers;

4.2.20.  Acquiring Fund does not directly or indirectly own, nor at the Effective Time will it directly or indirectly own, nor has it directly or indirectly owned at any time during the past five years, any Acquired Fund Stock;

4.2.21.  Acquiring Fund has no plan or intention to issue additional Acquiring Fund Stock following the Reorganization except to the agent for its distribution reinvestment plan and in connection with the Other Reorganization; nor does Acquiring Fund, or any person Related to it, have any plan or intention to acquire ‑‑ during the five-year period beginning at the Effective Time, either directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person ‑‑ with consideration other than Acquiring Fund Stock, any Acquiring Fund Stock issued to the Stockholders pursuant to the Reorganization; and

4.2.22.  All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Stock is, and at the Effective Time will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, and non-assessable by

4.3.1.  The fair market value of the Acquiring Fund Stock each Stockholder receives (together with cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares, if any) will be approximately equal to the fair market value of its Acquired Fund Stock it actually or constructively surrenders in exchange therefor;

4.3.2.  Its management (a) is unaware of any plan or intention of Stockholders to sell or otherwise dispose of (1) any portion of their Acquired Fund Stock before the Reorganization to any person Related to either Fund or (2) any portion of the Acquiring Fund Stock they receive in the Reorganization to any person Related to Acquiring Fund, (b) does not anticipate dispositions of such Acquiring Fund Stock at the time of or soon after the Reorganization to exceed the usual rate and frequency of dispositions of shares of Acquired Fund Stock, and (c) expects that the percentage of stockholder interests, if any, that will be disposed of as a result of or at the time of the Reorganization will be de minimis;

4.3.3.  The Stockholders will pay their own expenses (such as fees of personal investment or tax advisers for advice concerning the Reorganization), if any, incurred in connection with the Reorganization;

4.3.4.  The fair market value of the Assets on a going concern basis will equal or exceed the Liabilities to be assumed by Acquiring Fund and those to which the Assets are subject;

4.3.5.  There is no intercompany indebtedness between the Funds that was issued or acquired, or will be settled, at a discount;

4.3.6.  Pursuant to the Reorganization, Acquired Fund will transfer to Acquiring Fund, and Acquiring Fund will acquire, at least 90% of the fair market value of the net assets, and at least 70% of the fair market value of the gross assets, Acquired Fund held immediately before the Reorganization; for the purposes of this representation, any amounts Acquired Fund uses to pay its Reorganization expenses and to make redemptions and distributions immediately before the Reorganization (except regular, normal dividend distributions (a) made to conform to its policy of distributing all or substantially all of its income and gains to avoid the obligation to pay federal income tax and/or the excise tax under section 4982 of the Code and (b) on its preferred stock) will be included as assets it held immediately before the Reorganization;

4.3.7.  None of the compensation received by any Stockholder who or that is an employee of or service provider to Acquired Fund will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of the Acquired Fund Stock such Stockholder held; none of the Acquiring

4.3.8.  Immediately after the Reorganization, the Stockholders will own stock constituting “control” (as defined in section 304(c) of the Code) of Acquiring Fund;

4.3.9.  The Acquired Fund will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the Reorganization, and no expenses will be paid or assumed by Acquiring Fund, Adviser, or any third party, unless such expenses are solely and directly related to the Reorganization (determined in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Rev. Rul. 73-54, 1973-1 C.B. 187) (“Reorganization Expenses”), and no cash or property other than Acquiring Fund Stock will be transferred to Acquired Fund or any of its stockholders with the intention that such cash or property be used to pay any expenses (even Reorganization Expenses) thereof; and

4.3.10.  The aggregate value of the acquisitions and distributions limited by paragraphs 4.1.17, 4.2.15, and 4.2.21 will not exceed 50% of the value (without giving effect to such acquisitions and distributions) of the proprietary interest in Acquired Fund at the Effective Time.

5.

COVENANTS

(a)  such ordinary course will include declaring and paying customary dividends and other distributions and changes in operations contemplated by each Fund’s normal business activities; and

(b)  each Fund will retain exclusive control of the composition of its portfolio until the Closing; provided that Acquired Fund shall not dispose of more than an insignificant portion of its historic business assets (as defined in paragraph 4.2.12) during such period without Acquiring Fund’s prior consent, and the Funds shall coordinate their respective portfolios so that the transfer of the Assets to Acquiring Fund will not cause it to fail to be in compliance with all of its investment policies and restrictions immediately after the Closing.

6.	CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Each Fund’s obligations hereunder shall be subject to (a) performance by the other Fund of all its obligations to be performed hereunder at or before the Effective Time, (b) all representations and warranties of the other Fund contained herein being true and correct in all material respects at the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated hereby, at the Effective Time, with the same force and effect as if made at the Effective Time, and (c) the following further conditions that, at or before the Effective Time:

6.4.1.  Acquiring Fund’s acquisition of the Assets in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares) and its assumption of the Liabilities, followed by Acquired Fund’s distribution of such stock pro rata to the Stockholders (and the distribution of any such cash to the Stockholders entitled thereto) actually or constructively in exchange for their Acquired Fund Stock, in complete liquidation of Acquired Fund, will qualify as a “reorganization” (as defined in section 368(a)(1) of the Code), and each Fund will be “a party to a reorganization” (within the meaning of section 368(b) of the Code);

6.4.2. Acquired Fund will recognize no gain or loss on the transfer of the Assets to Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares) and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of the Liabilities or on the subsequent distribution of such stock (and cash) to the Stockholders in exchange for their Acquired Fund Stock;

6.4.3.  Acquiring Fund will recognize no gain or loss on its receipt of the Assets in exchange solely for Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of Non-deliverable Fractional Shares) and its assumption of the Liabilities;

6.4.4.  Acquiring Fund’s basis in each Asset will be the same as Acquired Fund’s basis therein immediately before the Reorganization, and Acquiring Fund’s holding period for each Asset will include Acquired Fund’s holding period therefor (except where Acquiring Fund’s investment activities have the effect of reducing or eliminating an Asset’s holding period);

6.4.5.  A Stockholder will recognize no gain or loss on the exchange of all its Acquired Fund Stock solely for Acquiring Fund Stock pursuant to the Reorganization, except to the extent the Stockholder receives cash in lieu of a Non-deliverable Fractional Share pursuant thereto; and

6.4.6.  A Stockholder’s aggregate basis in the Acquiring Fund Stock it receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis in its Acquired Fund Stock it actually or constructively surrenders in exchange for such Acquiring Fund Stock less the basis in any fractional share of Acquired Fund Stock for which the Stockholder receives cash pursuant to the Reorganization; and its holding period for such Acquiring Fund Stock will include, in each instance, its holding period for such Acquired Fund Stock, provided the Stockholder holds such Acquired Fund Stock as a capital asset at the Effective Time.

Notwithstanding subparagraphs of this Section 6.4, including subparagraphs 6.4.2 and 6.4.4, the Tax Opinion may state that no opinion is expressed as to the effect of the Reorganization on the Funds or any Stockholder with respect to any Asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for federal income tax purposes at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting and may assume that the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to be issued in the Reorganization will constitute equity of Acquiring Fund.

7.	BROKERS AND EXPENSES

8.	ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO SURVIVAL

Neither Fund has made any representation, warranty, or covenant not set forth herein, and this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.  The representations, warranties, and covenants contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall not survive the Closing.

9.	TERMINATION

This Agreement may be terminated at any time at or before the Effective Time:

In the event of termination under paragraphs 9.1(c) or 9.2, neither Fund (nor its directors, officers, or stockholders) shall have any liability to the other Fund.

10.

AMENDMENT

This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented at any time in any manner mutually agreed on in writing by the Funds, notwithstanding Acquired Fund’s stockholders’ approval thereof; provided that, following such approval no such amendment, modification, or supplement shall have a material adverse effect on the Stockholders’ interests.

11.	MISCELLANEOUS

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

EXHIBIT (12)

October 20, 2023

Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc.

Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc.

Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc.

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York  10104

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (“California Municipal”), and Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (“New York Municipal” and, together with California Municipal, the “Acquired Funds” and each, a “Acquired Fund”) and Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Acquiring Fund”)¹ ‑‑ have requested our opinion as to certain federal income tax consequences of Acquiring Fund’s proposed acquisition of each Acquired Fund pursuant to Agreements and Plans of Reorganization, each dated October 20, 2023 that were approved and adopted by the Boards of Directors of the applicable Funds (each, a “Agreement” and, together, the “Agreements”).  Each Agreement contemplates Acquiring Fund’s acquisition of all the Assets² of the participating Acquired Fund in exchange solely for shares of Acquiring Fund Stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and Acquiring Fund’s assumption of all Liabilities of the Acquired Fund, followed by the Acquired Fund’s distribution of those shares pro rata to its Stockholders in liquidation thereof (all the foregoing transactions involving Acquiring Fund and an Acquired Fund are referred to herein collectively as a “Reorganization”).³

In rendering this opinion, we have examined (1) the Agreements, (2) the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated May 31, 2023, regarding the Reorganizations that was furnished to the Stockholders of the Funds (“Proxy Statement”), (3) the letter addressed to those Stockholders dated May 31, 2023, that accompanied the Proxy Statement, and (4) other

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documents we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes hereof (collectively, “Documents”).  We have assumed, for those purposes, the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in all the Documents.  As to various matters of fact material to this opinion, we have relied, exclusively and without independent verification (with your permission), on the representations and warranties made in each Agreement (as contemplated in Section 6.4 thereof, which provides, among other things, that we may treat them as representations and warranties the Funds made to us) (each, a “Representation”).  We have assumed that any Representation made “to the knowledge and belief” (or similar qualification) of any person or entity is, and as of the Effective Time will be, correct without that qualification.  We have also assumed that as to all matters for which a person or entity has represented that he, she, or it is not a party to, does not have, or is not aware of any plan, intention, understanding, or agreement, there is and was no such plan, intention, understanding, or agreement.  Finally, we have assumed that the Documents and the Representations present all the material and relevant facts relating to the Reorganizations.

With respect to each Reorganization, the Acquired Fund participating therein, its Stockholders, and Acquiring Fund, it is our opinion that, based solely on the facts set forth in the Documents and the assumptions described above, and conditioned on all the Representations’ being true and complete at the Effective Time and the Reorganization’s being consummated in accordance with the applicable Agreement (without the waiver or modification of any terms or conditions thereof and without taking into account any amendment thereof that we have not approved), for federal income tax purposes:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, we express no opinion as to the effect of a Reorganization on Acquiring Fund, the Acquired Fund participating therein, or any Stockholder thereof with respect to any Asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for federal income tax purposes at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting.

Our opinion is based on, and is conditioned on the continued applicability of, the provisions of the Code and the Regulations, judicial decisions, and rulings and other pronouncements of the IRS in existence at the Effective Time.  All the foregoing authorities are subject to change or modification that can be applied retroactively and thus also could affect the conclusions expressed herein; we assume no responsibility to update our opinion after the Effective Time with respect to any such change or modification.  Our opinion represents our best judgment regarding how a court would decide the issues addressed herein and is not binding on the IRS or any court.  Moreover, our opinion does not provide any assurance that a position taken in reliance thereon will not be challenged by the IRS, and although we believe that our opinion would be sustained by a court if challenged, there can be no assurances to that effect.

Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc.

	Very truly yours,
	/s/ K&L Gates LLP

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