Sec Form 13D Filing - BANK OF AMERICA CORP (BAC) filing for PIMCO Flexible Municipal Income Fund (PMFAX) - 2021-12-08

Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership

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  • Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 13D
 
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
(Amendment No. 3)
 
PIMCO FLEXIBLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
(Name of Issuer)
 
VARIABLE RATE MUNIFUND TERM PREFERRED
(Title of Class of Securities)
 
72203E400
72203E509
72203E707
(CUSIP Number)
 
Bank of America Corporation
Bank of America Corporate Center
100 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
 
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
 
December 6, 2021
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box ☐.
 
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
 
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 


SCHEDULE 13D
 
CUSIP No. 72203E400, 72203E509, 72203E707

1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
 
Bank of America Corporation 
56-0906609
 
 
 
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)

(b)
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 

 
 
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
WC
 
 
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(D) OR 2(E)
 

 
 
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
 
Delaware
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 

 
 
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
 
57.14%
 
 
 
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
HC
 
 
 
 


SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No. 72203E400, 72203E509, 72203E707

1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
 
 
Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation   
75-2939570
 
 
 
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
(a)

(b)
 
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 

 
 
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
WC
 
 
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(D) OR 2(E)
 

 
 
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
 
Delaware
 
 
 
 
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
0
 
 
 
 
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 

 
 
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
 
57.14%
 
 
 
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
 
 
CO
 
 
 
 


This Amendment No. 3 (this “Amendment”) amends, as set forth below, the statement on Schedule 13D, dated June 17, 2019 and filed with the SEC on June 27, 2019 (the “Original Schedule 13D”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated November 18, 2019 and filed with the SEC on November 20, 2019 (“Amendment No. 1”), as further amended by Amendment No. 2 dated April 20, 2020 and filed with the SEC on April 22, 2020 (“Amendment No. 2”), for Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) and Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation (“BAPFC”) (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) with respect to the remarketable variable rate munifund term preferred shares (“RVMTP Shares”) of PIMCO Flexible Municipal Income Fund (the “Issuer”).
 
This Amendment is being filed as a result of (i) the entry into the Amended and Restated RVMTP Purchase Agreement by and between the Issuer and BAPFC, dated December 6, 2021 (the “Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement”), amending and restating that certain VMTP Purchase Agreement dated as of June 17, 2019 (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) and (ii) the entry into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Issuer and BAPFC, dated December 6, 2021, amending and restating that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 17, 2019, each with respect to the RVMTP Shares described as the Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares, Series 2051-A (the “2051-A RVMTP Shares”) of the Issuer (CUSIP No. 72203E400) in the amount of 500 shares purchased by BAPFC.   In addition to such 2051-A RVMTP Shares, BAPFC holds 250 2049-A RVMTP Shares (CUSIP No. 72203E509) and 250 2050-A RVMTP Shares  (CUSIP No. 72203E707).
 
Item 2
Identity and Background
 
Item 2 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by:
 
deleting Schedule I and Schedule II referenced therein and replacing them with Schedule I and Schedule II included with this Amendment.
 
Item 3
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
 
Item 3 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:
 
“As described in the Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement, BAPFC’s holdings of 250  variable rate munifund term preferred shares of the Issuer, Series 2022 purchased pursuant to the Original Purchase Agreement, were redesignated by the Fund as 2051-A RVMTP Shares, and, concurrently, BAPFC purchased an additional 250 2051-A RVMTP Shares (CUSIP No. 72203E400) from the Issuer (the “Series 2051-A Purchase”).
 
The aggregate amount of funds used by the Reporting Persons for the Series 2051-A Purchase was approximately $25,000,000. The source of funds was the working capital of the Reporting Persons.”
 
Item 4
Purpose of Transaction
 

Item 4 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:
 
“BAPFC made the Series 2051-A Purchase for investment purposes.  BAPFC acquired the 250 additional 2051-A RVMTP Shares (CUSIP No. 72203E400) pursuant to an Amended and Restated RVMTP Purchase Agreement, dated December 6, 2021, between the Issuer, BAPFC, and BofA Securities, Inc., as DTC Agent, on their initial issuance for a purchase price of $25,000,000.
 
The Reporting Persons have not acquired the subject securities with any purpose, or with the effect of, changing or influencing control of the Issuer, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.”
 
Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
 
Item 6 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by adding the following at the end of the first paragraph thereof:
 
“The voting and consent rights of the additional 250 2051-A RVMTP Shares acquired in the Series 2051-A Purchase by BAPFC will be treated in the same manner as previously described in this Item 6.”
 
Item 7
Material to be Filed as Exhibits
 
Item 7 of the Original Schedule 13D is hereby amended by deleting Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 thereto and the insertion of the following exhibits:
 
“Exhibit
Description of Exhibit
   
99.1
Joint Filing Agreement
   
99.2
Power of Attorney
   
99.10
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 6, 2021
   
99.11
Amended and Restated RVMTP Purchase Agreement, dated December 6, 2021”


SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Date:  December 8, 2021
 
 
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael Jentis  
 
Name:
Michael Jentis
 
Title:
Attorney-in-fact
     
 
BANC OF AMERICA PREFERRED FUNDING CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael Jentis  
 
Name:
Michael Jentis
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory


LIST OF EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit
Description of Exhibit
   
Joint Filing Agreement
   
Power of Attorney
   
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 6, 2021
   
Amended and Restated RVMTP Purchase Agreement, dated December 6, 2021”


SCHE DULE I

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF
REPORTING PERSONS

The following sets forth the name and present principal occupation of each executive officer and director of Bank of America Corporation.  The business address of each of the executive officers and directors of Bank of America Corporation is Bank of America Corporate Center, 100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255.

Name

Position with Bank of
America Corporation

Principal Occupation
         
Brian T. Moynihan
 
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
 
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Bank of America Corporation
         
 Holly O’Neill
 
President,  Retail Banking
 
President, Retail Banking of Bank of America Corporation
         
Aditya Bhasin
 
Chief  Technology and Information Officer
 
Chief Technology and Information Officer of Bank of America Corporation
         
Sheri Bronstein
 
Chief Human Resources Officer
 
Chief Human Resources Officer of Bank of America Corporation
         
Alastair Borthwick
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Chief Financial Officer of Bank of America Corporation
         
Geoffrey Greener
 
Chief Risk Officer
 
Chief Risk Officer of Bank of America Corporation
         
Kathleen A. Knox
 
President, Private Bank
 
President, Private Bank of Bank of America Corporation
         
Lauren Anne Mogensen
 
Global General Counsel
 
Global General Counsel of Bank of America Corporation
         
Thomas K. Montag
 
Chief Operating Officer
 
Chief Operating Officer of Bank of America Corporation
         
Anne Finucane
 
Vice Chairman
 
Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation
         
Andrew M. Sieg
 
President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
 
President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
         
Andrea B. Smith
 
Chief Administrative Officer
 
Chief Administrative Officer of Bank of America Corporation
         
Sharon L. Allen
 
Director
 
Former Chairman of Deloitte LLP
         
Susan S. Bies
 
Director
 
Former Member, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
         
Lionel L. Nowell, III
 
Lead Independent Director
 
Former Senior Vice President and Treasurer, PepsiCo Inc.
         
Frank P. Bramble, Sr.
 
Director
 
Former Executive Vice Chairman, MBNA Corporation


Pierre de Weck1
 
Director
 
Former Chairman and Global Head of Private Wealth Management, Deutsche Bank AG
         
Arnold W. Donald
 
Director
 
President and Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Corporation & Carnival plc
         
Linda P. Hudson
 
Director
 
Former Executive Officer, The Cardea Group, LLC and Former President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.
         
Monica C. Lozano
 
Director
 
Chief Executive Officer, College Futures Foundation and Former Chairman, US Hispanic Media Inc.
         
Thomas J. May
 
Director
 
Former Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy
         
Lionel L. Nowell, III
 
Director
 
Former Senior Vice President and Treasurer,  PepsiCo Inc.
         
Denise L. Ramos
 
Director
 
Former Chief Executive Officer and President of ITT Inc.
         
Clayton S. Rose
 
Director
 
President of Bowdoin College
Michael D. White
 
Director
 
Lead Director of Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Former Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of DIRECTV
         
Thomas D. Woods2
 
Director
 
Former Vice Chairman and Senior Executive Vice President of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Former Chairman, Hydro One Limited
         
R. David Yost
 
Director
 
Former Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen Corp.
         
Maria T. Zuber
 
Director
 
Vice President for Research and E.A., Griswold Professor of Geophysics, MIT



1 Mr. de Weck is a citizen of Switzerland.

2 Mr. Woods is a citizen of Canada.


The following sets forth the name and present principal occupation of each executive officer and director of Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation.  The business address of each of the executive officers and directors of Banc of America Preferred Funding Corporation is 214 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255.

Name
 
Position with Banc of
America Preferred
Funding Corporation
 
Principal Occupation
         
John J. Lawlor
 
Director and President
 
Managing Director, Municipal Markets and Public Sector Banking Executive of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
         
Edward H. Curland
 
Director and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Municipal Markets Executive for Trading of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
         
James Duffy
 
Managing Director
 
Director; MBAM BFO, The CFO Group of  Bank of America, National Association
         
Michael I. Jentis
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Head of Sales – Public Finance of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
         
Mona Payton
 
Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Municipal Markets Executive for Short-Term Trading of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
         
Edward J. Sisk
 
Director and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Public Finance Executive of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association
         
John B. Sprung
 
Director
 
Corporate Director
         
David A. Stephens
 
Director and Managing Director
 
Managing Director, Executive for Public Finance and Public Sector Credit Products of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Bank of America, National Association


SCHEDULE II
 
LITIGATION SCHEDULE
 
New York Attorney General Investor Protection Bureau Masking Settlement 3/22/2018

On March 22, 2018, the Attorney General of the State of New York Investor Protection Bureau (“NYAG”) alleged that Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) (1) concealed from its institutional clients that orders were routed to and executed by “electronic liquidity providers,” (2) misstated the composition of orders and trades in its dark pool, and (3) did not accurately describe its use of a proprietary “venue ranking” analysis, in violation of the Martin Act and Executive Law § 63(12).  In connection with the agreement, BAC and MLPF&S agreed (1) not to engage, or attempt to engage, in conduct in violation of any applicable laws, including but not limited to the Martin Act and Executive Law § 63(12); (2) to pay a penalty in the amount of $42,000,000; and (3) provide the NYAG a summary of the review of its electronic trading policies and procedures.

NOTE:  In addition, Bank of America Corporation and certain of its affiliates, including MLPF&S and BANA, have been involved in a number of civil proceedings and regulatory actions which concern matters arising in connection with the conduct of its business.  Certain of such proceedings have resulted in findings of violations of federal or state securities laws.  Such proceedings are reported and summarized in the MLPF&S Form BD as filed with the SEC, which descriptions are hereby incorporated by reference.