Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Sets Trustee Election for Oct. 8 Annual Meeting
Ticker: EVF · Form: DEF 14A · Filed: Aug 22, 2025 · CIK: 1070732
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) |
| Form Type | DEF 14A |
| Filed Date | Aug 22, 2025 |
| Risk Level | low |
| Pages | 15 |
| Reading Time | 18 min |
| Key Dollar Amounts | $0.01, $10,001, $50,000, $100,000, $100,000 K |
| Sentiment | neutral |
Sentiment: neutral
Topics: Closed-End Fund, Proxy Statement, Board Election, Shareholder Meeting, Corporate Governance, Eaton Vance, Trustee Nominees
Related Tickers: EVF
TL;DR
**EVF shareholders, get ready to vote on your Trustees; the Board recommends FOR all nominees, but keep an eye on the new Acting Chairperson after a leadership change.**
AI Summary
Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) is holding its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on October 8, 2025, at One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts. The primary purpose of the meeting is the election of Trustees. Shareholders will vote on the election of three Class III Trustees—Alan C. Bowser, George J. Gorman, and Marcus L. Smith—by holders of Common Shares and Auction Preferred Shares (APS) voting together. Additionally, one Class III Trustee, Nancy Wiser Stefani, will be elected by holders of APS voting separately. As of the record date, July 29, 2025, there were 18,170,289 Common Shares and 752 APS outstanding. The Board of Trustees, currently comprising nine noninterested Trustees, recommends voting FOR all nominees. The filing also notes the unexpected passing of former Chairperson Mark R. Fetting on August 9, 2025, with Susan J. Sutherland now serving as Acting Chairperson. Several Trustees, including Alan C. Bowser, Cynthia E. Frost, George J. Gorman, Valerie A. Mosley, Keith Quinton, Marcus L. Smith, Nancy Wiser Stefani, Susan J. Sutherland, and Scott E. Wennerholm, beneficially own over $100,000 in equity securities across the Eaton Vance family of funds.
Why It Matters
This DEF 14A filing outlines the upcoming Annual Meeting for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust, primarily focusing on the election of its Board of Trustees. For investors, the composition of the Board is crucial as these individuals oversee the fund's strategy, risk management, and overall governance, directly impacting investment performance and shareholder value. The unexpected passing of former Chairperson Mark R. Fetting and the appointment of an Acting Chairperson introduce a leadership transition that investors should monitor for potential strategic shifts. In the competitive closed-end fund market, strong, experienced governance is a key differentiator, influencing investor confidence and the fund's ability to navigate market challenges.
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: low — The risk level is low as this filing is a routine Definitive Proxy Statement (DEF 14A) for an annual meeting, primarily concerning the election of Trustees. There are no proposals indicating significant changes to the fund's investment strategy, structure, or fees. The primary 'risk' noted is the unexpected passing of former Chairperson Mark R. Fetting, which has been addressed by appointing an Acting Chairperson, Susan J. Sutherland, ensuring continuity.
Analyst Insight
Investors should review the qualifications of the nominated Trustees, particularly the Class III nominees Alan C. Bowser, George J. Gorman, Marcus L. Smith, and Nancy Wiser Stefani, to ensure they align with the fund's long-term interests. While the Board recommends voting FOR all nominees, shareholders should exercise their right to vote promptly by October 8, 2025, to ensure their voice is heard in the fund's governance.
Key Numbers
- October 8, 2025 — Annual Meeting Date (Date shareholders will vote on Trustees)
- 11:30 a.m. — Annual Meeting Time (Eastern Time for the Annual Meeting)
- July 29, 2025 — Record Date (Date for determining shareholders entitled to vote)
- 18,170,289 — Common Shares Outstanding (As of July 29, 2025)
- 752 — Auction Preferred Shares Outstanding (As of July 29, 2025)
- $25,000 — Liquidation Preference per APS (Value per Auction Preferred Share)
- 9 — Number of Trustees (Fixed number of Trustees on the Board)
- 3 — Number of Class III Trustees (Common/APS) (Nominated for election by Common and APS holders)
- 1 — Number of Class III Trustees (APS only) (Nominated for election by APS holders only)
- $100,000 — Minimum Equity Owned by Trustees (Aggregate dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by most noninterested Trustees in the Eaton Vance family of funds)
Key Players & Entities
- Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (company) — Registrant
- Kenneth A. Topping (person) — President of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust
- Nicholas S. Di Lorenzo (person) — Secretary of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust
- Alan C. Bowser (person) — Nominee for Class III Trustee
- George J. Gorman (person) — Nominee for Class III Trustee
- Marcus L. Smith (person) — Nominee for Class III Trustee
- Nancy Wiser Stefani (person) — Nominee for Class III Trustee (APS-elected)
- Susan J. Sutherland (person) — Acting Chairperson of the Board and Trustee
- Mark R. Fetting (person) — Former Chairperson of the Board (deceased)
- SEC (regulator) — Securities and Exchange Commission
FAQ
When is the Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Annual Meeting of Shareholders?
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, at the fund's principal office in Boston, Massachusetts.
What is the primary purpose of the EVF Annual Meeting?
The primary purpose of the Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Annual Meeting is to consider the election of Trustees. Specifically, three Class III Trustees will be elected by Common and Auction Preferred Shares (APS) holders, and one Class III Trustee by APS holders separately.
Who are the Class III Trustee nominees for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust?
The Class III Trustee nominees are Alan C. Bowser, George J. Gorman, and Marcus L. Smith, to be elected by Common and APS holders, and Nancy Wiser Stefani, to be elected by APS holders separately.
What was the record date for voting at the EVF Annual Meeting?
The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Annual Meeting was the close of business on July 29, 2025.
How many shares of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust were outstanding on the record date?
As of July 29, 2025, there were 18,170,289 common shares of beneficial interest and 752 Auction Preferred Shares outstanding for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust.
What is the Board of Trustees' recommendation for the Trustee elections?
The Board of Trustees of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of all the Trustee nominees of the Fund.
Who is the Acting Chairperson of the Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Board?
Susan J. Sutherland is serving as the Acting Chairperson of the Board of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust, following the unexpected passing of former Chairperson Mark R. Fetting on August 9, 2025.
Do Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Trustees own shares in the fund complex?
Yes, most noninterested Trustees, including Alan C. Bowser, Cynthia E. Frost, George J. Gorman, Valerie A. Mosley, Keith Quinton, Marcus L. Smith, Nancy Wiser Stefani, Susan J. Sutherland, and Scott E. Wennerholm, beneficially owned over $100,000 in equity securities across the Eaton Vance family of funds as of July 29, 2025.
What happens if a shareholder does not provide voting instructions for their EVF proxy?
If no instruction is given on an executed proxy, it will authorize the named proxies to vote FOR the election of each Trustee nominee for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust.
Where can I find the proxy materials for the Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust Annual Meeting?
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card(s), and Shareholder Report for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust are available on the Eaton Vance website at https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php.
Industry Context
Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust operates within the closed-end fund industry, which provides investors with access to diversified portfolios, often with a focus on income generation. The competitive landscape includes other closed-end funds, open-end mutual funds, and ETFs, all vying for investor capital. Industry trends include a continued demand for income-producing assets, but also scrutiny regarding fees, leverage, and performance relative to benchmarks.
Regulatory Implications
As a registered investment company, Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust is subject to extensive regulation by the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Key regulatory considerations include disclosure requirements, governance standards, and rules regarding fund operations and shareholder communications, as exemplified by this DEF 14A filing.
What Investors Should Do
- Vote for the election of Trustees
- Return your proxy card promptly
- Verify your ability to vote APS separately
Key Dates
- 2025-10-08: Annual Meeting of Shareholders — Shareholders will vote on the election of Trustees.
- 2025-07-29: Record Date — Determines which shareholders are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
- 2025-08-22: Proxy Statement Distribution Date — Indicates when shareholders received the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting.
Glossary
- DEF 14A
- A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that provides detailed information to shareholders about matters to be voted on at an annual meeting, including the election of directors. (This document is the DEF 14A for Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust, outlining the agenda and details for their Annual Meeting.)
- Auction Preferred Shares (APS)
- A class of preferred stock that is periodically remarketed through an auction process. Holders can choose to sell their shares in the auction or retain them. (APS holders have separate voting rights for electing one Trustee, distinct from Common Share holders.)
- Class III Trustee
- A category of Trustee whose term expires at the third annual meeting following their election, typically serving a three-year term. (The election of Class III Trustees is the primary purpose of the Annual Meeting.)
- Liquidation Preference
- The amount that preferred shareholders are entitled to receive upon the liquidation of the company, before common shareholders receive anything. (Each APS has a liquidation preference of $25,000, indicating a significant value associated with these shares.)
- Proxy
- A document that authorizes another person to act on behalf of a shareholder, typically to vote their shares at a meeting. (Shareholders are urged to return signed proxies to ensure their votes are counted, even if they cannot attend the meeting.)
Year-Over-Year Comparison
This filing pertains to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on October 8, 2025. As this is a proxy statement for an upcoming meeting, a direct comparison of financial metrics to a previous year's filing is not applicable within this document. However, the context of the meeting includes the election of Trustees and the number of outstanding shares (18,170,289 Common Shares and 752 APS as of July 29, 2025), which would be compared to prior periods in a shareholder report or annual report.
Filing Stats: 4,612 words · 18 min read · ~15 pages · Grade level 12.5 · Accepted 2025-08-22 11:14:11
Key Financial Figures
- $0.01 — 9 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share ("Common Shares"),
- $10,001 — 9, 2025, Mr. Quinton beneficially owned $10,001-$50,000 of the Fund's equity securities
- $50,000 — Mr. Quinton beneficially owned $10,001-$50,000 of the Fund's equity securities. No oth
- $100,000 — erested Trustees Alan C. Bowser Over $100,000 Cynthia E. Frost Over $100,000 Geo
- $100,000 K — Over $100,000 Valerie A. Mosley Over $100,000 Keith Quinton Over $100,000 Marcus L.
- $100,000 M — ey Over $100,000 Keith Quinton Over $100,000 Marcus L. Smith Over $100,000 Nancy Wi
- $100,000 B — ly of Funds Scott E. Wennerholm Over $100,000 Board Meetings and Committees The Board
Filing Documents
- eaton4522751-def14a.htm (DEF 14A) — 275KB
- eaton4522751-proxy1x1x1.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 140KB
- eaton4522751-proxy1x2x2.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 12KB
- eaton4522751-proxy1x2x3.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 12KB
- eaton4522751-proxy1x2x4.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 13KB
- eaton4522751-proxy1x1x2.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 141KB
- 0001145443-25-000243.txt ( ) — 1422KB
- evf-20250822.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 4KB
- evf-20250822_pre.xml (EX-101.PRE) — 23KB
- evf-20250822_lab.xml (EX-101.LAB) — 2KB
- evf-20250822_def.xml (EX-101.DEF) — 3KB
- eaton4522751-def14a_htm.xml (XML) — 13KB
From the Filing
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 SCHEDULE 14A (Rule 14a-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant Filed by a Party other than the Registrant Check the appropriate box: Preliminary Proxy Statement Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) Definitive Proxy Statement Definitive Additional Materials Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply): No fee required Fee paid previously with preliminary materials Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11 Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust August 22, 2025 Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust One Post Office Square Boston, Massachusetts 02109 August 22, 2025 Dear Shareholder: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (the "Fund"), which will be held at the principal office of the Fund, One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider the election of Trustees of the Fund. The enclosed proxy statement contains additional information. I hope that you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that your shares be represented. I urge you to complete, sign and date the applicable enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope as soon as possible to ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. Sincerely, /s/ Kenneth A. Topping Kenneth A. Topping President YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT - PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY. It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend, you are requested to complete, date, sign and return the applicable enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. You may withdraw your proxy if you attend the Annual Meeting and desire to vote at the Annual Meeting. Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025: The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card(s) and Shareholder Report are available on the Eaton Vance website at https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php. The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), will be held at the principal office of the Fund, One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) (the "Annual Meeting"), for the following purposes: (1) To elect Trustees of the Fund as outlined below: a. three Class III Trustees, Alan C. Bowser, George J. Gorman, and Marcus L. Smith, to be elected by the holders of the Fund's Common Shares and Auction Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. b. one Class III Trustee, Nancy Wiser Stefani, to be elected by the holders of the Fund's Auction Preferred Shares, voting separately as a single class. (2) To consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjourned or postponed session thereof. Any such vote FOR or AGAINST the proposal will also authorize the persons named as proxies to vote accordingly FOR or AGAINST any such adjournment of the Annual Meeting. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has fixed the close of business on July 29, 2025 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders of the Fund entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. By Order of the Board of Trustees of the Fund /s/ Nicholas S. Di Lorenzo Nicholas S. Di Lorenzo Secretary August 22, 2025 Boston, Massachusetts IMPORTANT Shareholders can help avoid the necessity and additional expense to the Fund(s) of further solicitations by promptly returning the enclosed proxy. The enclosed addressed envelope requires no postage if mailed in the United States and is intended for your convenience. Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust One Post Office Square Boston, Massachusetts 02109 PROXY This proxy proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday,