SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / /
--
Pre-Effective Amendment No. / /
Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 /X/
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 / /
Amendment No. 26 /X /
------- --
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
AmeriPrime Funds - File Nos. 33-96826 and 811-9096
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) Zip Code
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (817) 431-2197
Kenneth Trumpfheller, 1793 Kingswood Dr., Suite 200, Southlake, TX 76092
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With copy to:
Donald S. Mendelsohn, Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.
3500 Carew Tower, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / on February 13, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/X/ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
/ / this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
<PAGE>
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
PROSPECTUS ____________, 1999
LEADER MUTUAL BANK FUND
121 S.W. Morrison St., Suite 425
Portland, Oregon 97204
For Information, Shareholder Services and Requests:
(800) ____________
The investment objective of the Leader Mutual Bank Fund (the "Fund") is
to provide long term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective by investing primarily in equity securities of mutual banks that have
converted to public stock ownership.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED
OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION (FDIC), THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY,
ENTITY, OR PERSON. THE PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
The Fund is "no-load," which means that investors incur no sales
charge, commissions or deferred sales charges on the purchase or redemption of
their shares. The Fund is one of the mutual funds comprising AmeriPrime Funds,
an open-end management investment company, distributed by AmeriPrime Financial
Securities, Inc.
This Prospectus provides the information a prospective investor ought
to know before investing and should be retained for future reference. A
Statement of Additional Information dated _____________, 1999 has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), is incorporated herein
by reference, and can be obtained without charge by calling the Fund at the
phone number listed above. The SEC maintains a Web Site (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains the Statement of Additional Information, material incorporated by
reference, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the SEC.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The tables below are provided to assist an investor in understanding
the direct and indirect expenses that an investor may incur as a shareholder in
the Fund. The expense information is based on estimated amounts for the current
fiscal year. The expenses are expressed as a percentage of average net assets.
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE FUND PERFORMANCE
OR EXPENSES, BOTH OF WHICH MAY VARY.
Shareholders should be aware that the Fund is a no-load fund and,
accordingly, a shareholder does not pay any sales charge or commission upon
purchase or redemption of shares of the Fund. Unlike most other mutual funds,
the Fund does not pay directly for transfer agency, pricing, custodial, auditing
or legal services, nor does it pay directly any general administrative or other
significant operating expenses. The Advisor pays all of the operating expenses
of the Fund except 12b-1 fees, brokerage, taxes, borrowing costs, fees and
expenses of non-interested person trustees and extraordinary expenses.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases NONE
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends NONE
Deferred Sales Load NONE
Redemption Fees NONE
Exchange Fees NONE
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (as a percentage of average net assets)1
Management Fees 1.70%
12b-1 Fees 0.25%
Other Expenses2 0.00%
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.95%
1 The Fund's total operating expenses are equal to the management fee paid
to the Advisor because the Advisor pays all of the Fund's operating expenses
(except as described above).
2 The Fund estimates that other expenses (fees and expenses of the trustees
who are not "interested persons" as defined in the Investment Company Act)
will be less than 0.004% of average net assets for the first fiscal year.
The tables above are provided to assist an investor in understanding
the direct and indirect expenses that an investor may incur as a shareholder in
the Fund.
Example
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS
$20 $61
<PAGE>
THE FUND
The Leader Mutual Bank Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a
non-diversified series of AmeriPrime Funds, an Ohio business trust (the "Trust")
on ____________, 1999. This prospectus offers shares of the Fund and each share
represents an undivided, proportionate interest in the Fund. The investment
advisor to the Fund is Leader Capital Corp (the "Advisor").
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long term capital
appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in
mutual banks that have converted to public stock ownership (converted mutual
banks). A mutual bank is a type of thrift (defined below) that is owned by its
depositors and does not issue stock. Many thrifts were originally organized as
mutual banks and in recent years converted to public stock ownership. Under
normal circumstances, at least 65% of the Fund's portfolio will be invested in
equity securities of converted mutual banks, and the holding and parent
companies of converted mutual banks, with assets of $600 million or more. The
Fund may also invest in savings accounts of mutual banks, which may entitle the
Fund to participate in the thrift's initial public offering upon conversion.
While the Advisor intends the Fund to be fully invested in mutual
banks, the Fund may also invest in the equity securities of other thrift
institutions. Thrifts include savings and loan associations, savings banks,
building and loan associations, cooperative banks, homestead associations, and
similar institutions. The principal business of thrifts has traditionally
consisted of originating or purchasing mortgage loans secured by liens on
residential real estate and attracting deposits from the general public. Thrifts
now also participate in other areas, including consumer and commercial loans,
and construction loans on both residential and commercial real estate
developments. The Fund may also invest in community banks and mutual insurance
companies.
The Advisor selects thrifts which the Advisor believes are able to
produce predictable earnings. The Advisor evaluates thrifts based on several
factors that may affect the value of thrift stocks, and seeks to select thrifts
which exhibit some or all of the following:
o In a regional economy experiencing economic growth
o Experienced and pro-active management team
o Strong franchise and deposit base, making the thrift an attractive
acquisition target for other financial institutions
o Acting as acquirer, selecting acquisition targets that strategically
expand its banking market and that should increase earnings in a
reasonable amount of time
o Using technology effectively to expand services, attain efficiencies,
increase productivity and improve profitability
o Developing new sources of revenue through fee-based business and other
services.
o Managing assets effectively to avoid volatility in interest rates o
Adapting effectively to regulatory changes
o Capturing new markets and competing effectively as thrift bank
regulations change
o Attracting savings of an aging population
THE CONCENTRATION OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS IN THE THRIFT BANKING
SECTOR WILL SUBJECT THE FUND TO RISKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE THAT APPLY TO THE
GENERAL EQUITY MARKET. The thrifts in which the Fund invests may share common
characteristics and are likely to react similarly to market, regulatory or
economic developments. Given this concentration, an investment in the Fund's
shares cannot be considered a complete investing program. Investors in the Fund
should consider the following risk factors:
o The Fund may invest in thrift banks in regions of the United States that
may suffer from adverse economic conditions.
o Thrift banks are primarily small and sub-small capitalization companies,
which will not be as liquid as other types of securities.
o Thrifts are subject to extensive governmental regulations, Changes or
proposed changes in these regulations may adversely impact the
industry. For example, regulatory changes may make the industry more
competitive and some thrift banks may be negatively affected.
o Technology may create a competitive advantage for other financial
institutions that compete with thrift banks.
o Thrift banks may be adversely affected by changes in the value of real
estate, which is the primary collateral of thrift bank loan portfolios.
o A thrift bank's profitability is largely dependent on interest rates.
Thrift banks must obtain funds at a lower rate than they lend out
to customers. Changes in the interest rate environment may have a
negative effect on thrift banks.
To the extent the Fund invests in small and sub-small capitalization
companies, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with such companies.
Smaller capitalization companies may experience higher growth rates and higher
failure rates than do larger capitalization companies. Companies in which the
Fund is likely to invest may have limited markets or financial resources and may
lack management depth. The trading volume of securities of smaller
capitalization companies is normally less than that of larger capitalization
companies, and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price,
tending to make them rise more in response to buying demand and fall more in
response to selling pressure than is the case with larger capitalization
companies.
For temporary defensive purposes under abnormal market or economic
conditions, the Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in money market
instruments, securities of other no-load registered investment companies or U.S.
government repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest in such instruments
at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in
accordance with its policies. If the Fund acquires securities of another
investment company, the shareholders of the Fund will be subject to additional
management fees.
As all investment securities are subject to inherent market risks and
fluctuations in value due to earnings, economic and political conditions and
other factors, the Fund cannot give any assurance that its investment objective
will be achieved. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund's portfolio may at times
focus on a limited number of companies and will be subject to substantially more
investment risk and potential for volatility than a diversified fund. See
"Investment Policies and Techniques and Risk Considerations" for information
regarding the risks associated with non-diversification. In addition, it should
be noted that the Advisor is a recently formed business that has not previously
managed assets organized as a mutual fund and that the Fund has no operating
history. Rates of total return quoted by the Fund may be higher or lower than
past quotations, and there can be no assurance that any rate of total return
will be maintained. See "Investment Policies and Techniques and Risk
Considerations" for a more detailed discussion of the Fund's investment
practices.
<PAGE>
PAST PERFORMANCE OF THRIFTS
The following graph and accompanying data illustrates the past
performance of the SNL All Thrift Index (the "Thrift Index") compared to the S&P
500 Index. It is presented to give you an idea of how the Thrift industry as a
whole has performed over the past ten years. THE PERFORMANCE OF THE THRIFT INDEX
DOES NOT REPRESENT THE HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND, AND SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND. The Fund is not an
"index" fund, and it will not attempt to replicate the performance of the Thrift
Index. The Fund will own only a small percentage of the securities comprising
the Thrift Index.
[Graph plot points]
S&P 500 SNL ALL THRIFT
DATE TOTAL RETURN INDEX TOTAL RETURN
12/29/89 0.000 0.000
03/30/90 -3.008 -7.776
06/29/90 3.093 -9.213
09/28/90 -11.075 -36.583
12/31/90 -3.104 -36.119
03/28/91 10.971 -14.858
06/28/91 10.716 -12.363
09/30/91 16.637 -2.446
12/31/91 26.416 -0.314
03/31/92 23.223 7.762
06/30/92 25.566 19.805
09/30/92 29.525 15.712
12/31/92 36.048 40.355
03/31/93 41.989 60.650
06/30/93 42.680 55.060
09/30/93 46.367 79.952
12/31/93 49.760 76.151
03/31/94 44.080 68.548
06/30/94 44.687 88.972
09/30/94 51.761 97.336
12/30/94 51.737 74.078
03/31/95 66.512 96.726
06/30/95 82.407 123.002
09/29/95 96.903 158.422
12/29/95 108.757 171.105
03/29/96 119.960 176.039
06/28/96 129.810 182.904
09/30/96 136.923 212.120
12/31/96 156.481 253.240
03/31/97 163.356 285.189
06/30/97 209.335 357.905
09/30/97 232.501 442.345
12/31/97 242.075 501.062
03/31/98 289.792 544.431
06/30/98 302.664 520.071
09/30/98 262.617 386.228
12/31/98 339.826 428.643
03/31/99 361.700 432.310
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SNL All Thrift Index
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Relevant Data
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3/31/99
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3-Year 5-Year
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Beta 1 vs S&P 500 0.69 0.67
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R-Squared 2 vs S&P 500 0.51 0.48
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% New York Stock Exchange 3.33
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% American Stock Exchange 8.61
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% NASDAQ 88.06
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Median Weighted
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Price/Quarterly Earnings Per Share 14.73 25.40
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Price/Last Twelve Month Earnings Per Share 15.26 18.61
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Price/Book Value 1.92 1.91
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Last Twelve Month Return on Average Assets 3 (%) 0.89 0.94
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Most Recent Quarter Return on Average Assets 3 (%) 0.87 0.63
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Five Year Earnings Per Share Growth Rate 9.26 8.89
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Source:SNL Securities LC
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(C)1999
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The S&P 500 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of market
activity based upon the aggregate performance of a selected portfolio of
publicly traded common stocks, including monthly adjustments to reflect the
reinvestment of dividends and other distributions. The S&P 500 Index reflects
the total return of securities comprising the Index, including changes in market
prices as well as accrued investment income, which is presumed to be reinvested.
Performance figures for the S&P 500 Index do not reflect deduction of
transaction costs or expenses, including management fees.
The SNL All Thrift Index is an unmanaged index composed of all thrifts
that trade on the NASDAQ, New York, or American Stock Exchange. The Thrift Index
reflects the total return of the securities comprising the index, including
adjustments for dividends, stock splits and stock dividends. The Thrift Index
does not reflect transaction costs or expenses including management fees. The
Thrift Index is maintained by SNL Securities LC, a Charlottesville,
Virginia-based research and publishing firm. As of March 15, 1999, the Index
consisted of 360 thrifts of which 83.6% are mutual banks. The information
provided has been gathered by SNL Securities LC ("SNL") from sources believed by
SNL to be reliable and is believed by SNL to be true and accurate in both form
and content. However, although SNL makes every effort to ensure data accuracy,
SNL does not guarantee or warrant the correctness, completeness, merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose of the information supplied. The information
provided was prepared by SNL for Leader Capital Corp. and SNL reserves all
copyright rights in the information.
1 Beta measures the volatility of the SNL All Thrift Index compared to the
S&P 500 Index. The beta for the S&P 500 is 1, which is widely considered
market risk. A beta less than one means that volatility is less than the
S&P 500 and a beta greater than 1 suggest volatility is greater than the
S&P 500.
2 R-Squared is the coefficient of determination and ranges from 0 to 1. It
measures what percentage of the volatility in the SNL All Thrift Index can
be explained by volatility in the S&P 500.
3 Return on assets measures the profitability after taxes and debt service.
The number is based on total assets.
HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND
The Fund is "no-load" and shares of the Fund are sold directly to
investors on a continuous basis, subject to a minimum initial investment of
$2,500 and minimum subsequent investments of $100. These minimums may be waived
by the Advisor for accounts participating in an automatic investment program.
Investors choosing to purchase or redeem their shares through a broker/dealer or
other institution may be charged a fee by that institution. Investors choosing
to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund will not incur charges on
purchases or redemptions. To the extent investments of individual investors are
aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment adviser, broker
or other intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus account, not to
the account of the individual investor.
INITIAL PURCHASE
BY MAIL - You may purchase shares of the Fund by completing and signing
the investment application form which accompanies this Prospectus and mailing
it, in proper form, together with a check (subject to the above minimum amounts)
made payable to the Leader Mutual Bank Fund, and sent to the P.O. Box listed
below. If you prefer overnight delivery, use the overnight address listed below.
U.S. Mail: Overnight:
Leader Mutual Bank Fund Leader Mutual Bank Fund
c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc. c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6110 431 North Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Your purchase of shares of the Fund will be effected at the next share
price calculated after receipt of your investment.
BY WIRE - You may also purchase shares of the Fund by wiring federal
funds from your bank, which may charge you a fee for doing so. If money is to be
wired, you must call the Transfer Agent at 800-___-____ to set up your account
and obtain an account number. You should be prepared at that time to provide the
information on the application. Then, you should provide your bank with the
following information for purposes of wiring your investment:
Firstar Bank, N.A.
ABA #0420-0001-3
Attn: Leader Mutual Bank Fund
D.D.A. # __________
Account Name _________________ (write in shareholder name) For
the Account # ______________ (write in account number)
You are required to mail a signed application to Firstar Bank, N.A.
(the "Custodian") at the above address in order to complete your initial wire
purchase. Wire orders will be accepted only on a day on which the Fund,
Custodian and Transfer Agent are open for business. A wire purchase will not be
considered made until the wired money is received and the purchase is accepted
by the Fund. Any delays which may occur in wiring money, including delays which
may occur in processing by the banks, are not the responsibility of the Fund or
the Transfer Agent. There is presently no fee for the receipt of wired funds,
but the right to charge shareholders for this service is reserved by the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
You may purchase additional shares of the Fund at any time (subject to
minimum investment requirements) by mail, wire, or automatic investment. Each
additional mail purchase request must contain your name, the name of your
account(s), your account number(s), and the name of the Fund. Checks should be
made payable to the Leader Mutual Bank Fund and should be sent to the address
listed above. A bank wire should be sent as outlined above.
[AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
You may make regular investments in the Fund with an Automatic
Investment Plan by completing the appropriate section of the account application
and attaching a voided personal check. Investments may be made monthly to allow
dollar-cost averaging by automatically deducting $100 or more from your bank
checking account. You may change the amount of your monthly purchase at any
time.]
TAX SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS
Since the Fund is oriented to longer term investments, shares of the
Fund may be an appropriate investment medium for tax sheltered retirement plans,
including: individual retirement plans (IRAs); simplified employee pensions
(SEPs); SIMPLE plans; 401(k) plans; qualified corporate pension and profit
sharing plans (for employees); tax deferred investment plans (for employees of
public school systems and certain types of charitable organizations); and other
qualified retirement plans. You should contact the Transfer Agent for the
procedure to open an IRA or SEP plan, as well as more specific information
regarding these retirement plan options. Consultation with an attorney or tax
advisor regarding these plans is advisable. Custodial fees for an IRA will be
paid by the shareholder by redemption of sufficient shares of the Fund from the
IRA unless the fees are paid directly to the IRA custodian. You can obtain
information about the IRA custodial fees from the Transfer Agent.
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
Dividends begin to accrue after you become a shareholder. The Fund does
not issue share certificates. All shares are held in non-certificate form
registered on the books of the Fund and the Fund's Transfer Agent for the
account of the shareholder. The rights to limit the amount of purchases and to
refuse to sell to any person are reserved by the Fund. If your check or wire
does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Fund. If
you are already a shareholder, the Fund can redeem shares from any identically
registered account in the Fund as reimbursement for any loss incurred. You may
be prohibited or restricted from making future purchases in the Fund.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
All redemptions will be made at the net asset value determined after
the redemption request has been received by the Transfer Agent in proper order.
Shareholders may receive redemption payments in the form of a check or federal
wire transfer. The proceeds of the redemption may be more or less than the
purchase price of your shares, depending on the market value of the Fund's
securities at the time of your redemption. Presently there is no charge for wire
redemptions; however, the Fund reserves the right to charge for this service.
Any charges for wire redemptions will be deducted from the shareholder's Fund
account by redemption of shares. Investors choosing to purchase or redeem their
shares through a broker/dealer or other institution may be charged a fee by that
institution.
BY MAIL - You may redeem any part of your account in the Fund at no charge
by mail. Your request should be addressed to:
Leader Mutual Bank Fund
c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6110
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110
"Proper order" means your request for a redemption must include your
letter of instruction, including the Fund name, account number, account name(s),
the address and the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem. This
request must be signed by all registered share owner(s) in the exact name(s) and
any special capacity in which they are registered. [For all redemptions, the
Fund requires that signatures be guaranteed by a bank or member firm of a
national securities exchange.] Signature guarantees are for the protection of
shareholders. At the discretion of the Fund or Unified Fund Services, Inc., a
shareholder, prior to redemption, may be required to furnish additional legal
documents to insure proper authorization.
BY TELEPHONE - You may redeem any part of your account in the Fund by
calling the Transfer Agent at (800) ___-____. You must first complete the
Optional Telephone Redemption and Exchange section of the investment application
to institute this option. The Fund, the Transfer Agent and the Custodian are not
liable for following redemption or exchange instructions communicated by
telephone that they reasonably believe to be genuine. However, if they do not
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine,
they may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. Procedures employed may include recording telephone instructions
and requiring a form of personal identification from the caller.
The telephone redemption and exchange procedures may be terminated at
any time by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. During periods of extreme market
activity it is possible that shareholders may encounter some difficulty in
telephoning the Fund, although neither the Fund nor the Transfer Agent has ever
experienced difficulties in receiving and in a timely fashion responding to
telephone requests for redemptions or exchanges. If you are unable to reach the
Fund by telephone, you may request a redemption or exchange by mail.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - If you are not certain of the requirements for
a redemption please call the Transfer Agent at (800) ___-____. Redemptions
specifying a certain date or share price cannot be accepted and will be
returned. You will be mailed the proceeds on or before the fifth business day
following the redemption. However, payment for redemption made against shares
purchased by check will be made only after the check has been collected, which
normally may take up to fifteen days. Also, when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its customary
weekend or holiday closing or under any emergency circumstances, as determined
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may suspend redemptions or
postpone payment dates.
Because the Fund incurs certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder
accounts, the Fund reserves the right to require any shareholder to redeem all
of his or her shares in the Fund on 30 days' written notice if the value of his
or her shares in the Fund is less than $2,500 due to redemption, or such other
minimum amount as the Fund may determine from time to time. An involuntary
redemption constitutes a sale. You should consult your tax advisor concerning
the tax consequences of involuntary redemptions. A shareholder may increase the
value of his or her shares in the Fund to the minimum amount within the 30 day
period. Each share of the Fund is subject to redemption at anytime if the Board
of Trustees determines in its sole discretion that failure to so redeem may have
materially adverse consequences to all or any of the shareholders of the Fund.
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION
The value of an individual share in the Fund (the net asset value) is calculated
by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets
(including accrued income), less any liabilities (including estimated accrued
expenses), by the number of shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Net
asset value per share is determined as of the close of the New York Stock
Exchange (4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the exchange is open for
business, and on any other day on which there is sufficient trading in the
Fund's securities to materially affect the net asset value. The net asset value
per share of the Fund will fluctuate.
Securities which are traded on any exchange or on the NASDAQ
over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted sale price. Lacking a last
sale price, a security is valued at its last bid price except when, in the
Advisor's opinion, the last bid price does not accurately reflect the current
value of the security. All other securities for which over-the-counter market
quotations are readily available are valued at their last bid price. When market
quotations are not readily available, when the Advisor determines the last bid
price does not accurately reflect the current value or when restricted
securities are being valued, such securities are valued as determined in good
faith by the Advisor, subject to review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
Fixed income securities generally are valued by using market
quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing
service when the Advisor believes such prices accurately reflect the fair market
value of such securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing
techniques based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar
characteristics to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units
of debt securities without regard to sale or bid prices. When prices are not
readily available from a pricing service, or when restricted or illiquid
securities are being valued, securities are valued at fair value as determined
in good faith by the Advisor, subject to review of the Board of Trustees. Short
term investments in fixed income securities with maturities of less than 60 days
when acquired, or which subsequently are within 60 days of maturity, are valued
by using the amortized cost method of valuation, which the Board has determined
will represent fair value.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment
income as dividends to its shareholders on an annual basis, and intends to
distribute its net long term capital gains and its net short term capital gains
at least once a year.
Income dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares at the net asset value per share on the
distribution date. An election to receive a cash payment of dividends and/or
capital gain distributions may be made in the application to purchase shares or
by separate written notice to the Transfer Agent. Shareholders will receive a
confirmation statement reflecting the payment and reinvestment of dividends and
summarizing all other transactions. If cash payment is requested, a check
normally will be mailed within five business days after the payable date. If you
withdraw your entire account, all dividends accrued to the time of withdrawal,
including the day of withdrawal, will be paid at that time. You may elect to
have distributions on shares held in IRAs and 403(b) plans paid in cash only if
you are 59 1/2 years old or permanently and totally disabled or if you otherwise
qualify under the applicable plan.
TAXES
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By so qualifying,
the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent that it
distributes substantially all of its net investment income and any realized
capital gains.
For federal income tax purposes, dividends paid by the Fund from
ordinary income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, but may be
eligible in part for the dividends received deduction for corporations. Pursuant
to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (the "Tax Reform Act"), all distributions of net
short term capital gains to individuals are taxed at the same rate as ordinary
income. All distributions of net capital gains to corporations are taxed at
regular corporate rates. Any distributions designated as being made from net
realized long term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as long term
capital gains regardless of the holding period of the shareholder.
The Fund will mail to each shareholder after the close of the calendar
year a statement setting forth the federal income tax status of distributions
made during the year. Dividends and capital gains distributions may also be
subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisors regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes
and the tax effect of distributions and withdrawals from the Fund.
On the application or other appropriate form, the Fund will request the
shareholder's certified taxpayer identification number (social security number
for individuals) and a certification that the shareholder is not subject to
backup withholding. Unless the shareholder provides this information, the Fund
will be required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the
dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to the shareholder.
Shareholders should be aware that, under regulations promulgated by the Internal
Revenue Service, the Fund may be fined $50 annually for each account for which a
certified taxpayer identification number is not provided. In the event that such
a fine is imposed with respect to a specific account in any year, the Fund may
make a corresponding charge against the account.
OPERATION OF THE FUND
The Fund is a non-diversified series of AmeriPrime Funds, an open-end
management investment company organized as an Ohio business trust on August 8,
1995. The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Fund. Like
other mutual funds, the Fund retains various organizations to perform
specialized services. The Fund retains Leader Capital Corp, 121 S.W. Morrison
St., Suite 425, Portland Oregon, 97204 (the "Advisor"), to manage the assets of
the Fund. The Advisor determines the securities to be held or sold by the Fund,
and the portion of the Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to
the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and subject further
to such policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees may establish. The
Advisor, an Oregon corporation, is a private investment management company
controlled by John Lekas. The Advisor's clients are typically high net worth
individuals with an average account size of $800,000. The Advisor was formed in
October 1997 and currently has $15 million in fee-based assets under management.
The Advisor oversees an additional $75,000,000 in brokerage accounts for clients
of Advisor as of March 31, 1999.
Mr. Lekas is the President of the Advisor and is responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. He has also been a registered
representative with First Allied Securities, Inc. since 1997. Prior to founding
the Advisor, Mr. Lekas was a registered representative with Smith Barney from
1993 to 1997 and completed Smith Barney's highly-rated Investment Advisory
Program for Portfolio Managers. He has been licensed as a registered
representative since 1985.
The Fund is authorized to pay the Advisor a fee equal to an annual
average rate of 1.70% of its average daily net assets. The Advisor pays all of
the operating expenses of the Fund except 12b-1 fees, brokerage, taxes,
borrowing costs, fees and expenses of non-interested person trustees and
extraordinary expenses. In this regard, it should be noted that most investment
companies pay their own operating expenses directly, while the Fund's expenses,
except those specified above, are paid by the Advisor.
The Fund retains AmeriPrime Financial Services, Inc. (the
"Administrator") to manage the Fund's business affairs and provide the Fund with
administrative services, including all regulatory reporting and necessary office
equipment, personnel and facilities. The Administrator receives a monthly fee
from the Advisor equal to an annual average rate of 0.10% of the Fund's average
daily net assets up to fifty million dollars, 0.075% of the Fund's average daily
net assets from fifty to one hundred million dollars and 0.050% of the Fund's
average daily net assets over one hundred million dollars (subject to a minimum
annual payment of $30,000). The Fund retains Unified Fund Services, Inc., 431
North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 (the "Transfer Agent") to
serve as transfer agent, dividend paying agent and shareholder service agent.
The Trust retains AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., 1793 Kingswood Drive,
Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092 (the "Distributor") to act as the principal
distributor of the Fund's shares. The services of the Administrator, Transfer
Agent and Distributor are operating expenses paid by the Advisor.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to its obligation of seeking best
qualitative execution, the Advisor may give consideration to sales of shares of
the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute
portfolio transactions. The Advisor (not the Fund) may pay certain financial
institutions (which may include banks, brokers, securities dealers and other
industry professionals) a fee for providing distribution related services and/or
for performing certain administrative servicing functions for Fund shareholders
to the extent these institutions are allowed to do so by applicable statute,
rule or regulation.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a plan, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Plan"), under which the Fund pays the
Advisor a fee of 0.25% of the Fund's average net assets for certain distribution
and promotion activities related to the Fund. Payments received by the Advisor
pursuant to the Plan are in addition to fees paid by the Fund pursuant to the
Management Agreement. Expenditures pursuant to the Plan and related agreements
will reduce current yield after expenses.
Under the Plan, the Fund may, directly or indirectly, engage in any
activities related to the distribution of shares of the Fund ("Shares"),
including without limitation the following: (a) payments, including incentive
compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial
institutions, investment advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of
Shares, or that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the
purchase, sale or retention of Shares; (b) expenses of maintaining personnel
(including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered into
agreements related to the Plans) who engage in or support distribution of
Shares; (c) costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and
statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients
other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) costs of formulating and
implementing marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited
to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper,
magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) costs of preparing, printing and
distributing sales literature; (f) costs of obtaining such information, analyses
and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust
may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) costs of implementing and
operating the Plan.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
This section contains general information about various types
of securities and investment techniques that the Fund may purchase or employ.
The Statement of Additional Information provides more information.
EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities consist of common stock, preferred
stock, convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds, rights and warrants.
Common stocks, the most familiar type, represent an equity (ownership) interest
in a corporation. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a
specified price for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but
normally have a short duration and are distributed by the issuer to its
shareholders. Although equity securities have a history of long-term growth in
value, their prices fluctuate based on changes in a company's financial
condition and on overall market and economic conditions. The Fund will not
invest more than 5% of its net assets in each of the following: preferred stock,
convertible preferred stock and convertible bonds.
Investments in equity securities are subject to inherent market risks
and fluctuations in value due to earnings, economic conditions and other factors
beyond the control of the Adviser. As a result, the return and net asset value
of the Fund will fluctuate. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may not increase
as much as the market as a whole and some undervalued securities may continue to
be undervalued for long periods of time. Although profits in some Fund holdings
may be realized quickly, it is not expected that most investments will
appreciate rapidly.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements
fully collateralized by U.S. Government obligations. A repurchase agreement is a
short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership
of a U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency obligation (which may be of any
maturity) and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time at
a set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser's holding period
(usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase). Any repurchase
transaction in which the Fund engages will require full collateralization of the
seller's obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the
event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Fund could experience
both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value. However,
the Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with Firstar Bank,
N.A. (the Fund's Custodian), other banks with assets of $1 billion or more and
registered securities dealers determined by the Advisor (subject to review by
the Board of Trustees) to be creditworthy. The Advisor monitors the
creditworthiness of the banks and securities dealers with which the Fund engages
in repurchase transactions.
SECURITIES LENDING. The Fund may lend securities to broker-dealers and
other institutions as a means of earning additional income. Under the lending
policy authorized by the Board of Trustees and implemented by the Advisor in
response to requests of broker-dealers or institutional investors which the
Advisor deems qualified, the borrower must agree to maintain collateral, in the
form of cash or U.S. government obligations, with the Fund at least equal to
100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The Fund will
continue to receive dividends or interest on the loaned securities and may
terminate such loans at any time or reacquire such securities in time to vote on
any matter when the Board of Trustees determines voting to be in the Fund's
interest. If the borrower becomes bankrupt or otherwise defaults on its
obligations, the Fund could experience delays in recovering its securities. To
the extent that, in the meantime, the value of securities loaned had increased,
the Fund could experience a loss if the borrower had not maintained sufficient
collateral.
NON-DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT COMPANY. The Fund is classified as a
"non-diversified" investment company and, as such, may invest a greater
proportion of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers and
therefore will be subject to greater market and credit risk than a more broadly
diversified fund. As the Fund intends to comply with Subchapter M of the Code,
the Fund may invest up to 50% of its assets at the end of each quarter of its
fiscal year in as few as two issuers, provided that no more than 25% of the
assets are invested in one issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of its
assets at the end of each quarter, it may invest no more than 5% in one issuer.
GENERAL. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
The Fund may borrow amounts up to 5% of its net assets to meet redemption
requests.
GENERAL INFORMATION
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES. The investment limitations set forth in the
Statement of Additional Information as fundamental policies may not be changed
without the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of the
Fund. The investment objective of the Fund may be changed without the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any such
change may result in the Fund having an investment objective different from the
objective which the shareholders considered appropriate at the time of
investment in the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The Fund does not intend to purchase or sell
securities for short term trading purposes. However, if the objectives of the
Fund would be better served, short-term profits or losses may be realized from
time to time. It is anticipated that portfolio turnover of the Fund will not
exceed 100%.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. Any Trustee of the Trust may be removed by vote of
the shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
the Trust. The Trust does not hold an annual meeting of shareholders. When
matters are submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled
to one vote for each whole share he owns and fractional votes for fractional
shares he owns. All shares of the Fund have equal voting rights and liquidation
rights. Prior to the public offering of the Fund, _____________________________
purchased for investment all of the outstanding shares of the Fund and may be
deemed to control the Fund.
Shareholder inquiries should be made by telephone to 800-___-____, or
by mail, c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc., to P.O. Box 6110, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46204-6110.
YEAR 2000 ISSUE (Y2K). Like other mutual funds, financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the Advisor, Administrator or other
service providers to the Fund do not properly process and calculate date-related
information and data from and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as
the "Year 2000 Issue." The Advisor and Administrator have taken steps that they
believe are reasonably designed to address the Year 2000 Issue with respect to
computer systems that are used and to obtain reasonable assurances that
comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's major service providers. At this
time, however, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to
avoid any adverse impact on the Fund. In addition, the Advisor cannot make any
assurances that the Year 2000 Issue will not affect the companies in which the
Fund invests or worldwide markets and economies.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund may periodically advertise "average annual total return." The
"average annual total return" of the Fund refers to the average annual
compounded rate of return over the stated period that would equate an initial
amount invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable
value of the investment. The calculation of "average annual total return"
assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
The Fund may also advertise performance information (a
"non-standardized quotation") which is calculated differently from "average
annual total return." A non-standardized quotation of total return may be a
cumulative return which measures the percentage change in the value of an
account between the beginning and end of a period, assuming no activity in the
account other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. A
non-standardized quotation may also be an average annual compounded rate of
return over a specified period, which may be a period different from those
specified for "average annual total return." In addition, a non-standardized
quotation may be an indication of the value of a $10,000 investment (made on the
date of the initial public offering of the Fund's shares) as of the end of a
specified period. A non-standardized quotation will always be accompanied by the
Fund's "average annual total return" as described above.
The Fund may also include in advertisements data comparing performance
with other mutual funds as reported in non-related investment media, published
editorial comments and performance rankings compiled by independent
organizations and publications that monitor the performance of mutual funds
(such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Fortune or
Barron's). Performance information may be quoted numerically or may be presented
in a table, graph or other illustration. In addition, Fund performance may be
compared to the SNL Securities [Thrift] Index and to well-known indices of
market performance including the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index and the Dow
Jones Industrial Average.
<PAGE>
THE ADVERTISED PERFORMANCE DATA OF THE FUND IS BASED ON HISTORICAL
PERFORMANCE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE FUTURE PERFORMANCE. RATES OF TOTAL
RETURN QUOTED BY THE FUND MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN PAST QUOTATIONS, AND THERE
CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY RATE OF TOTAL RETURN WILL BE MAINTAINED. THE
PRINCIPAL VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND WILL FLUCTUATE SO THAT A
SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES, WHEN REDEEMED, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THE
SHAREHOLDER'S ORIGINAL INVESTMENT.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Leader Capital Corp., Inc.
121 S.W. Morrison St., Suite 425
Portland, Oregon 97204
CUSTODIAN ADMINISTRATOR
Firstar Bank, N.A. AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc.
425 Walnut Street, M.L. 6118 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Southlake, Texas 76092
TRANSFER AGENT (ALL PURCHASES AND DISTRIBUTOR
ALL REDEMPTION REQUESTS) AmeriPrime Financial Services, Inc.
Unified Fund Services, Inc. 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200
431 North Pennsylvania Street Southlake, Texas 76092
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
LEGAL COUNSEL INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A. McCurdy & Associates CPA's, Inc.
3500 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street 27955 Clemens Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Westlake, Ohio 44145
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations, other than those contained in this Prospectus, in connection
with the offering contained in this Prospectus, and if given or made, such
information or representations must not be relied upon as being authorized by
the Fund. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer by the Fund to sell its
shares in any state to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in
such state.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S PAST PERFORMANCE
HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND
INITIAL PURCHASE
BY MAIL
BY WIRE
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
TAX SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
BY MAIL
BY TELEPHONE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
TAXES
OPERATION OF THE FUND
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
EQUITY SECURITIES
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
SECURITIES LENDING
GENERAL
GENERAL INFORMATION
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIEs
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
<PAGE>
LEADER MUTUAL BANK FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
________________, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of Leader Mutual Bank Fund
dated ________, 1999. A copy of the Prospectus can be obtained by writing the
Transfer Agent at 431 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or by
calling 1-800-___-____.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
Description Of The Trust.......................................................1
Additional Information About Fund Investments And Risk Considerations..........1
Investment Limitations.........................................................4
The Investment Adviser.........................................................6
Trustees And Officers..........................................................7
Portfolio Transactions And Brokerage...........................................7
Determination Of Share Price...................................................8
Investment Performance.........................................................9
Custodian.....................................................................10
Transfer Agent................................................................10
Accountants...................................................................10
Distributor...................................................................10
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Leader Mutual Bank Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a series of
AmeriPrime Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is an open-end investment company
established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust
dated August 8, 1995 (the "Trust Agreement"). The Trust Agreement permits the
Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds
currently authorized by the Trustees.
Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in
the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of
that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income
belonging to the series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have
cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the
Trustees have the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of
any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as
the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that series and
the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. In case of any
liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated
will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of
the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series
are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily
identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the
direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair
and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the
Trust without his or her express consent.
For information concerning the purchase and redemption of shares of the
Fund, see "How to Invest in the Fund" and "How to Redeem Shares" in the Fund's
Prospectus. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price
and value of the Fund's assets, see "Share Price Calculation" in the Fund's
Prospectus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
This section contains a more detailed discussion of some of the
investments the Fund may make and some of the techniques it may use, as
described in the Prospectus (see "Investment Objectives and Strategies" and
"Investment Policies and Techniques and Risk Considerations").
A........Illiquid Securities. The portfolio of the Fund may contain
illiquid securities. Illiquid securities generally include securities which
cannot be disposed of promptly and in the ordinary course of business without
taking a reduced price. Securities may be illiquid due to contractual or legal
restrictions on resale or lack of a ready market. The following securities are
considered to be illiquid: repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven
days, nonpublicly offered securities and restricted securities. Restricted
securities are securities the resale of which is subject to legal or contractual
restrictions. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated
transactions, in a public offering with respect to which a registration
statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to Rule 144
or Rule 144A promulgated under such Act. Where registration is required, the
Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense, and a
considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the
time such security may be sold under an effective registration statement. If
during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might
obtain a less favorable price than the price it could have obtained when it
decided to sell.
B........Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond or
preferred stock that may be converted at a stated price within a specific period
of time into a specified number of shares of common stock of the same or
different issuer. Convertible securities are senior to common stock in a
corporation's capital structure, but usually are subordinated to non-convertible
debt securities. While providing a fixed income stream generally higher in yield
than in the income derived from a common stock but lower than that afforded by a
non-convertible debt security, a convertible security also affords an investor
the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital
appreciation of common stock into which it is convertible. The Advisor expects
that generally the convertible securities in which the Fund will invest will be
rated at least B by S&P or Moody's or, it unrated, of comparable quality in the
opinion of the Advisor.
In general, the market value of a convertible security is the higher of
its investment value (its value as a fixed income security) or its conversion
value (the value of the underlying shares of common stock if the security is
converted). As a fixed income security, the market value of a convertible
security generally increases when interest rates decline and generally decreases
when interest rates rise. However, the price of a convertible security generally
increases as the market value of the underlying stock increases, and generally
decreases as the market value of the underlying stock declines. Investments in
convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in the common
stock of the same issuer.
C. Preferred Stock. Preferred stock has a preference in liquidation (and,
generally dividends) over common stock but is subordinated in liquidation to
debt. As a general rule the market value of preferred stocks with fixed dividend
rates and no conversion rights varies inversely with interest rates and
perceived credit risk, with the price determined by the dividend rate. Some
preferred stocks are convertible into other securities, for example common
stock, at a fixed price and ratio or upon the occurrence of certain events. The
market price of convertible preferred stocks generally reflects an element of
conversion value. Because many preferred stocks lack a fixed maturity date,
these securities generally fluctuate substantially in value when interest rates
change; such fluctuations often exceed those of long-term bonds of the same
issuer. Some preferred stocks pay an adjustable dividend that may be based on an
index, formula, auction procedure or other dividend rate reset mechanism. In the
absence of credit deterioration, adjustable rate preferred stocks tend to have
more stable market values than fixed rate preferred stocks. All preferred stocks
are also subject to the same types of credit risks of the issuer as corporate
bonds. In addition, because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and
other obligations of an issuer, deterioration in the credit rating of the issuer
will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more
senior debt security with similar yield characteristics. Preferred stocks may be
rated by S&P and Moody's although there is no minimum rating which a preferred
stock must have (and a preferred stock may not be rated) to be an eligible
investment for the Fund. The Advisor expects, however, that generally the
preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be rated at least B by S&P or
Mooy's or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of the Advisor.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been
adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental
("Fundamental"), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and
the Statement of Additional Information, the term "majority" of the outstanding
shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares
of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment
practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of
shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory
policy are considered non-fundamental ("Non-Fundamental").
1........Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except (a)
from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset
coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other
persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are
in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets at the time when the
borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into
reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of
300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to
reverse repurchase transactions.
2........Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities.
This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve
the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's
engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff.
3........Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter of
securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the
extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities
(including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under
certain federal securities laws.
4........Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate.
This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which
are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not
preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in
companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion
of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).
5........Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities
unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments.
This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or
futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by
commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities
business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.
6........Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except
(a) by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements,
or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this
limitation, the term "loans" shall not include the purchase of a portion of an
issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.
7........Concentration. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its
total assets in a particular industry other than the thrift industry. This
limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase
agreements with respect thereto.
With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum
limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the
fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the
excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or
the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set
forth in paragraph 1 above.
<PAGE>
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment
company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal
holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust,
provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an
investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the
Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger,
consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so
acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein
within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of
consummation.
Non-Fundamental. The following limitations have been adopted by the
Trust with respect to the Fund and are Non-Fundamental (see "Investment
Restrictions" above).
i........Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or
in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund
except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation
(1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral
arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts,
short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be
a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.
ii.......Borrowing. The Fund will generally borrow only for liquidity
purposes. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings (including
reverse repurchase agreements) representing more than 5% of its total assets are
outstanding. The Fund will not enter into reverse repurchase agreements.
iii......Margin Purchases. The Fund will not purchase securities or
evidences of interest thereon on "margin." This limitation is not applicable to
short term credit obtained by the Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales
or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions
involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted
investments and techniques.
iv.......Short Sales. The Fund will not effect short sales of
securities. -----------
v........Options. The Fund will not purchase or sell puts, calls,
options or straddles, except as described in the Prospectus and the Statement of
Additional Information.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Fund's investment advisor is Leader Capital Corp., 121 S.W.
Morrison Street, Suite 450, Portland, OR 97204.
Under the terms of the management agreement (the "Agreement"), the
Advisor manages the Fund's investments subject to approval of the Board of
Trustees and pays all of the expenses of the Fund except brokerage, taxes,
borrowing costs, expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to the
Distribution Plan, fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees and
extraordinary expenses. As compensation for its management services and
agreement to pay the Fund's expenses, the Fund is obligated to pay the Advisor a
fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.70% of
the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Advisor may waive all or part of
its fee, at any time, and at its sole discretion, but such action shall not
obligate the Advisor to waive any fees in the future.
The Advisor retains the right to use the name "Leader" or any variation
thereof in connection with another investment company or business enterprise
with which the Advisor is or may become associated. The Trust's right to use the
name "Leader" or any variation thereof automatically ceases ninety days after
termination of the Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Advisor on ninety days
written notice.
The Advisor may make payments to banks or other financial institutions
that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. The
Glass-Steagall Act prohibits banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of this
prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly defined by the
courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, management of the Fund believes that
the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from providing such services.
However, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations
of federal law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be
required to register as dealers pursuant to state law. If a bank were prohibited
from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the
Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or its
shareholders. Banks may charge their customers fees for offering these services
to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall
return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be
lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time
purchase securities issued by banks which provide such services; however, in
selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such
securities.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act (the "Plan"). The Plan permits the Fund to compensate the Advisor
for distribution expenses in an amount equal to 0.25% of the average daily net
assets of the Fund. The Trustees expect that the Plan will significantly enhance
the Fund's ability to distribute its shares. For a description of the Plan, see
"Distribution Plan" in the Fund's Prospectus. The Plan has been approved by the
Fund's Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the Plan or any related agreement, by a vote cast in person.
Continuation of the Plan and the related agreements must be approved by the
Trustees annually, in the same manner, and the Plan or any related agreement may
be terminated at any time without penalty by a majority of such independent
Trustees or by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any amendment
increasing the maximum percentage payable under the Plan must be approved by a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and all other material
amendments to the Plan or any related agreement must be approved by a majority
of the independent Trustees.
<PAGE>
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The names of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are shown
below. Each Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, is indicated by an asterisk.
<TABLE>
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS POSITION PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
*Kenneth D. Trumpfheller President and President, Treasurer and Secretary of AmeriPrime Financial Services,
Age: 40 Trustee Inc., the Fund's administrator, and AmeriPrime Financial Securities,
1793 Kingswood Drive Inc., the Fund's distributor, since 1994. Prior to December, 1994,
Suite 200 a senior client executive with SEI Financial Services.
Southlake, Texas 76092
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
Paul S. Bellany Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of AmeriPrime
Age: 39 Treasurer Financial Services, Inc. and AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc.;
1793 Kingswood Drive various positions with Fidelity Investments from 1987 to 1998,
Suite 200 including Fund Reporting Unit Manager from 1991 to 1998.
Southlake, Texas 76092
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
Steve L. Cobb Trustee President of Chandler Engineering Company, L.L.C., oil and gas
Age: 41 services company; various positions with Carbo Ceramics, Inc., oil
2001 Indianwood Avenue field manufacturing/supply company, from 1984 to 1997, including
Broken Arrow, OK 74012 Vice President of Marketing from 1995 to 1997 and International
Marketing Manager from
late 1980 until 1995.
==================================== ================ ======================================================================
Gary E. Hippenstiel Trustee Director, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Legacy
Age: 51 Trust Company since 1992; President and Director of Heritage Trust
600 Jefferson Street Company from 1994-1996; Vice President and Manager of Investments of
Suite 350 Kanaly Trust Company from 1988 to 1992.
Houston, TX 77063
==================================== ================ ======================================================================
</TABLE>
The compensation paid to the Trustees of the Trust for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998 is set forth in the following table. Trustee fees are
Trust expenses and each series of the Trust pays a portion of the Trustee fees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================== ----------------------- ==================================
AGGREGATE TOTAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST (THE TRUST IS
NAME FROM TRUST NOT IN A FUND COMPLEX)
==================================== ----------------------- ==================================
<S> <C> <C>
Kenneth D. Trumpfheller 0 0
==================================== ----------------------- ==================================
Steve L. Cobb $4,000 $4,000
==================================== ======================= ==================================
Gary E. Hippenstiel $4,000 $4,000
==================================== ======================= ==================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
the Advisor is responsible for the Fund's portfolio decisions and the placing of
the Fund's portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the
Advisor seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account
such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness
of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer. The Advisor generally seeks favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.
The Advisor is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who
also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other
accounts over which the Advisor exercises investment discretion and to pay such
brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or
dealer would charge if the Advisor determines in good faith that the commission
is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction
or the Advisor's overall responsibilities with respect to the Trust and to other
accounts over which it exercises investment discretion.
Research services include supplemental research, securities and
economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses
of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other
information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities
transactions may also be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts.
Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other
clients may be useful to the Advisor in connection with its services to the
Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Fund
and the Advisor, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and
other information received. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and the
Advisor that the review and study of the research and other information will not
reduce the overall cost to the Advisor of performing its duties to the Fund
under the Agreement.
Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with
principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price,
including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are
normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker.
Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the
purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and
asked prices.
The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the
execution of its transactions. However, it is contemplated that First Allied
Securities, Inc. ("FAS'), in its capacity as a registered broker-dealer, will
effect securities transactions which are executed on a national securities
exchange and over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis.
Such transactions will be executed at competitive commission rates through Bear
Stearns.
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, persons affiliated with an
affiliate of the Adviser (such as FAS ) may be prohibited from dealing with the
Fund as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities. Therefore, FAS will
not serve as the Fund's dealer in connection with over-the-counter transactions.
However FAS may serve as the Fund's broker in over-the-counter transactions
conducted on an agency basis and will receive brokerage commissions in
connection with such transactions. Such agency transactions will be executed
through Bear Stearns.
The Fund will not effect any brokerage transactions in its portfolio
securities with FAS if such transactions would be unfair or unreasonable to Fund
shareholders, and the commissions will be paid solely for the execution of
trades and not for any other services. The Agreement provides that affiliates of
affiliates of the Adviser may receive brokerage commissions in connection with
effecting such transactions for the Fund. In determining the commissions to be
paid to FAS, it is the policy of the Fund that such commissions will, in the
judgement of the Trust's Board of Trustees, be (a) at least as favorable to the
Fund as those which would be charged by other qualified brokers having
comparable execution capability and (b) at least as favorable to the Fund as
commissions contemporaneously charged by FAS on comparable transactions for its
most favored unaffiliated customers, except for customers of FAS considered by a
majority of the Trust's disinterested Trustees not to be comparable to the Fund.
The disinterested Trustees from time to time review, among other things,
information relating to the commissions charged by FAS to the Fund and its other
customers, and rates and other information concerning the commissions charged by
other qualified brokers.
While the Fund contemplates no ongoing arrangements with any other
brokerage firms, brokerage business may be given from time to time to other
firms. FAS will not receive reciprocal brokerage business as a result of the
brokerage business placed by the Fund with others.
[To the extent that the Trust and another of the Advisor's clients seek
to acquire the same security at about the same time, the Trust may not be able
to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to
pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Trust may not be able to
obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any
particular portfolio security if the other client desires to sell the same
portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities
are bought or sold at the same time by more than one client, the resulting
participation in volume transactions could produce better executions for the
Trust. In the event that more than one client wants to purchase or sell the same
security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made by
random client selection.]
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
The price (net asset value) of the shares of the Fund is determined as
of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each day the Trust is open for business and on any
other day on which there is sufficient trading in the Fund's securities to
materially affect the net asset value. The Trust is open for business on every
day except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a description of the methods
used to determine the net asset value (share price), see "Share Price
Calculation" in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
"Average annual total return," as defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, is computed by finding the average annual compounded rates
of return for the period indicated that would equate the initial amount invested
to the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n=ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical $1,000 initial investment
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the
applicable period of the hypothetical $1,000
investment made at the beginning of the
applicable period.
The computation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at
the net asset value on the reinvestment dates and that a complete redemption
occurs at the end of the applicable period.
The Fund's investment performance will vary depending upon market
conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and operating expenses of
the Fund. These factors and possible differences in the methods and time periods
used in calculating non-standardized investment performance should be considered
when comparing the Fund's performance to those of other investment companies or
investment vehicles. The risks associated with the Fund's investment objective,
policies and techniques should also be considered. At any time in the future,
investment performance may be higher or lower than past performance, and there
can be no assurance that any performance will continue.
From time to time, in advertisements, sales literature and information
furnished to present or prospective shareholders, the performance of the Fund
may be compared to indices of broad groups of unmanaged securities considered to
be representative of or similar to the portfolio holdings of the Fund or
considered to be representative of the stock market in general. The Fund may use
the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index or the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
In addition, the performance of the Fund may be compared to other
groups of mutual funds tracked by any widely used independent research firm
which ranks mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives and
assets, such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or Morningstar, Inc. The
objectives, policies, limitations and expenses of other mutual funds in a group
may not be the same as those of the Fund. Performance rankings and ratings
reported periodically in national financial publications such as Barron's and
Fortune also may be used.
CUSTODIAN
Firstar Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is
Custodian of the Fund's investments. The Custodian acts as the Fund's
depository, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other
payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Fund's request and
maintains records in connection with its duties.
TRANSFER AGENT
Unified Fund Services, Inc. ("Unified"), 431 North Pennsylvania Street,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, acts as the Fund's transfer agent and, in such
capacity, maintains the records of each shareholder's account, answers
shareholders' Inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and
redemptions of the Fund's shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing
agent and performs other accounting and shareholder service functions. In
addition, Unified provides the Fund with fund accounting services, which
includes certain monthly reports, record-keeping and other management-related
services. For its services as fund accountant, Unified receives an annual fee
from the Advisor equal to 0.0275% of the Fund's assets up to $100 million
(subject to various monthly minimum fees, the maximum being $2,000 per month for
assets of $20 to $100 million).
ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of McCurdy & Associates, CPA's, 27955 Clemens Road, Westlake,
Ohio 44145, has been selected as independent public accountants for the Trust
for the fiscal year ending ___________, 1999. McCurdy & Associates performs an
annual audit of the Funds' financial statements and provides financial, tax and
accounting consulting services as requested.
DISTRIBUTOR
AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200,
Southlake, Texas 76092, is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the
Fund. The Distributor is obligated to sell the shares of the Fund on a best
efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Fund
are offered to the public on a continuous basis.
8163 4/1/99
<PAGE>
AMERIPRIME FUNDS
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) Articles of Incorporation.
(i) Copy of Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(ii) Copy of Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(iii) Copy of Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(iv) Copy of Amendment No. 3 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(v) Copy of Amendment No. 4 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(vi) Copy of Amendment No. 5 and Amendment No. 6 to Registrant's Declaration of
Trust, which were filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment
No. 8, are hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Copy of Amendment No. 7 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(ix) Copy of Amendment No. 8 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(x) Copy of Amendment No. 9 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust which was filed
as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 15, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xi) Copy of Amendment No. 10 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 16, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xii) Copy of Amendment No. 11 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Copy of Amendment No. 12 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Copy of Amendment No. 13 to Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(b) By-Laws. Copy of Registrant's By-Laws, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. - None other than in the
Declaration of Trust, as amended, and By-Laws of the Registrant.
(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.
(i) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Carl Domino Associates, L.P.,
Adviser to Carl Domino Equity Income Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(ii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Jenswold, King & Associates,
Adviser to Fountainhead Special Value Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(iii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Advanced Investment
Technology, Inc., Adviser to AIT Vision U.S. Equity Portfolio, which was filed
as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(iv) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with GLOBALT, Inc., Adviser to
GLOBALT Growth Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Newport Investment Advisors,
Inc., Adviser to the MAXIM Contrarian Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 2, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(vi) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with IMS Capital Management,
Inc., Adviser to the IMS Capital Value Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 2, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(vii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Commonwealth Advisors,
Inc., Adviser to Florida Street Bond Fund and Florida Street Growth Fund, which
was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, is
hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Corbin & Company, Adviser
to Corbin Small-Cap Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Copy of Registrant's proposed Management Agreement with Vuong Asset
Management Company, LLC, Adviser to MAI Enhanced Index Fund, MAI Growth & Income
Fund, MAI Aggressive Growth Fund, MAI High-Yield Income Fund, MAI Capital
Appreciation Fund and MAI Global Equity Fund (the "MAI Family of Funds"), which
was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12, is
hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Copy of Registrant's proposed Management Agreement with CWH Associates,
Inc., Advisor to Worthington Theme Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xi) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Burroughs & Hutchinson,
Inc., Advisor to the Marathon Value Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 15, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with The Jumper Group, Inc.,
Adviser to the Jumper Strategic Advantage Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xiii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Appalachian Asset
Management, Inc., Advisor to the AAM Equity Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit
to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xiv) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Martin Capital Advisors,
L.L.P., Advisor to the Austin Opportunity Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xv) Copy of Registrant's proposed Management Agreement with Paul B. Martin, Jr.
d/b/a Martin Capital Advisors, Advisor to the Texas Opportunity Fund, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xvi) Copy of Registrant's proposed Management Agreement with Paul B. Martin,
Jr. d/b/a Martin Capital Advisors, Advisor to the U.S. Opportunity Fund, which
was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, is
hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Gamble, Jones, Morphy &
Bent, Advisor to the GJMB Growth Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xviii) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Cornerstone
Investment Management, Advisor to the Cornerstone MVP Fund, which was filed as
an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.18, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xix) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Carl Domino Associates,
L.P., Advisor to the Carl Domino Growth Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xx) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Carl Domino Associates,
L.P., Advisor to the Carl Domino Global Equity Income Fund, which was filed as
an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with Dobson Capital Management,
Inc,. Advisor to the Dobson Covered Call Fund, is filed herewith.
(xxii) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Auxier Asset
Management, LLC, Advisor to the Auxier Focus Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit
to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 19, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xxiii) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Cornerstone
Capital Management, Inc., Advisor to the Shepherd Values Market Neutral Fund,
which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 19,
is hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Cornerstone
Capital Management, Inc., Advisor to the Shepherd Values Growth Fund, which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 19, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Monument
Investments, Inc., Advisor to the 10K Smart Trust, which was filed as an Exhibit
to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 19, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(xxvi) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Columbia
Partners, L.L.C., Investment Management, Advisor to the Columbia Partners Equity
Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
20, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Legacy
Investment Group, LLC, d/b/a Cash Management Systems ("CMS"), Adviser to The
Cash Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 22, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxviii) Sub-Advisory Agreement for The Cash Fund [to be supplied].
(xxix) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Ariston Capital
Management Corporation, Advisor to the Ariston Convertible Securities Fund,
which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 24,
is hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxx) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Management Agreement with Leader Capital
Corp., Advisor to the Leader Mutual Bank Fund, is filed herewith.
(e) Underwriting Contracts.
(i) Copy of Registrant's Amended and Restated Underwriting Agreement with
AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(ii) Copy of Registrant's proposed Underwriting Agreement with AmeriPrime
Financial Securities, Inc. and OMNI Financial Group, LLC, which was filed as an
Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12, is hereby incorporated
by reference.
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts.- None.
(g) Custodial Agreements.
(i) Copy of Registrant's Agreement with the Custodian, Firstar Bank, N.A.
(formerly Star Bank), which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Copy of Registrant's Appendix B to the Agreement with the Custodian, Star
Bank, N.A., which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 8, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Agreement with UMB Bank, N.A., Custodian to
the Dobson Covered Call Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(h) Other Material Contracts. Copy of Registrant's Agreement with the
Administrator, AmeriPrime Financial Services, Inc., which was filed as an
Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is hereby incorporated
by reference.
(i) Legal Opinion. Opinion of Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A., which was
filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 9, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(ii) Consent of Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A is filed herewith.
(j) Other Opinions. Consent of Accountant is filed herewith.
(k) Omitted Financial Statements.- None.
(l) Initial Capital Agreements. Copy of Letter of Initial Stockholders, which
was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, is
hereby incorporated by reference.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan.
(i) Copy of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for The MAXIM Contrarian
Fund (now the NewCap Contrarian Fund), which was filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, is hereby incorporated by
reference.
(ii) Form of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Service Agreement which was filed as an
Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, is hereby incorporated
by reference.
(iii) Copy of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Austin
Opportunity Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 17, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Copy of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Texas Opportunity
Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
17, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Copy of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the U.S. Opportunity
Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
17, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the 10K
Smart Trust, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 19, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Copy of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Jumper Strategic
Advantage Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 24, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Copy of Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Dobson Covered
Call Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 24, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Ariston
Convertible Securities Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Copy of Registrant's Proposed Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Leader
Mutual Bank Fund is filed herewith.
(n) Financial Data Schedule - None.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan.
(i) Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Carl Domino Equity Income Fund, which was filed as
an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 16, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(ii) Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Jumper Strategic Advantage Fund, which was filed as
an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 21, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(p)Power of Attorney.
(i) Power of Attorney for Registrant and Certificate with respect thereto, which
were filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, are
hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Powers of Attorney for Trustees and Officers which were filed as an Exhibit
to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, are hereby incorporated by
reference.
(iii) Power of Attorney for the Treasurer of the Trust, which was filed as an
Exhibit to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, is hereby incorporated
by reference.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant (As
of January 31, 1999)
(a) U.S. Trust Company of Florida, as Trustee of the Killian Charitable
Remainder Unitrust, may be deemed to control the AIT Vision U.S. Equity
Portfolio as a result of its beneficial ownership of the Portfolio. The
Registrant is unaware of any person under common control with the
Portfolio.
(b) Cheryl and Kenneth Holeski may be deemed to control The NewCap Contrarian
Fund as a result of their beneficial ownership of the Fund. The Fund and
the Fund's adviser, Newport Investment Advisors, Inc., may be under common
control.
(c) Sun Trust Bank, as custodian, may be deemed to control the Jumper Strategic
Advantage Fund as a result of its beneficial ownership of the Fund. The
Registrant is unaware of any person under common control with the Fund.
Item 25. Indemnification
(a) Article VI of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides for
indemnification of officers and Trustees as follows:
Section 6.4 Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc. Subject to and
except as otherwise provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
1940 Act, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including
persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of
another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder,
creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") against
all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including
reasonable accountants' and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or
legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved
as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been
threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been
such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered
Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its
Shareholders to which such Covered 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 Covered Person's office.
Section 6.5 Advances of Expenses. The Trust shall advance attorneys'
fees or other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a proceeding to
the full extent permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 1940
Act, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1707, as amended. In the event any of these
laws conflict with Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13(E), as amended, these laws,
and not Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13(E), shall govern.
Section 6.6 Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc. The right of
indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect
any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in
this Article VI, "Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors
and administrators. Nothing contained in this article shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and
officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law,
nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on
behalf of any such person.
The Registrant may not pay for insurance which protects the Trustees
and officers against liabilities rising from action involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of their offices.
(b) The Registrant may maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory
professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy, if
maintained, would provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers,
and could cover its Advisers, among others. Coverage under the policy would
include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading
statement, neglect or breach of duty.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law and the Agreement and
Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the 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 trustee, officer or controlling
person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such trustee, 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 Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
A. Carl Domino Associates, L.P., 580 Village Boulevard, Suite 225, West Palm
Beach, Florida 33409, ("CDA"), adviser to the Carl Domino Equity Income Fund,
the Carl Domino Growth Fund and the Carl Domino International Global Equity
Income Fund, is a registered investment adviser.
(1) CDA has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
partners and officers of CDA during the past two years.
(a) Lawrence Katz, a partner in CDA, is an orthopedic surgeon in private
practice.
(b) Saltzman Partners, a partner in CDA, is a limited partnership that invests
in companies and businesses.
(c) Cango Inversiones, SA, a partner in CDA, is a foreign business entity that
invests in U.S. companies and businesses.
B. King Investment Advisors Inc., 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 2400, Houston,
Texas 77056-3898 ("King King"), adviser to the Fountainhead Special Value Fund,
is a registered investment adviser.
(1) King has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of King during the past two years.
(a) John Servis, a director of JKA King, is a licensed real estate broker.
C. Advanced Investment Technology, Inc., 311 Park Place Boulevard, Suite 250,
Clearwater, Florida 34619 ("AIT"), adviser to AIT Vision U.S. Equity Portfolio,
is a registered investment adviser.
(1) AIT has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of AIT during the past two fiscal years.
(a) Dean S. Barr, director and the CEO of AIT, was has been the managing
director LBS Capital Management, Inc., 311 Park Place Blvd., Clearwater, Florida
from 1989 1996, head of research at State Street Global Advisors in Boston,
Massachasetts since October 1997.
(b) Nicholas Lopardo, a director of AIT, is the Investment Advisor CEO of State
Street Global Advisors, Bank and Trust in Boston, Massachusetts.
(c) Bryan Stypul, CFO & Treasure of AIT, was the comptroller for Terra
Communications, Clearwater, Florida in 1996, and prior to that, the CEO of
Beacong Advisors, Treasure Island, Florida
(d) Raymond L. Killian, a director of AIT, is the Chairman of the Board of
Investment Technology Group, Inc., 900 3rd Avenue, New York, New York.
(e) Marc Simmons, a director of AIT, is a principal of State Street Global
Advisors.
(f) Alan Brown, a director of AIT, is the CEO of State Street Global Advisors.,
28 King Street, London, England.
(g) John Snow, a director of AIT, is the managing director of State Street
Global Advisors. Prior to 1997, he was the president of NatWest Investment
Advisers, Boston Massachusetts.
D. GLOBALT, Inc., 3060 Peachtree Road, N.W., One Buckhead Plaza, Suite 225,
Atlanta, Georgia 30305 ("GLOBALT"), adviser to GLOBALT Growth Fund, is a
registered investment adviser.
(1) GLOBALT has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
officers and directors of GLOBALT during the past two years.
(a) Gregory S. Paulette, an officer of GLOBALT, is the president of GLOBALT
Capital Management, a division of GLOBALT.
E. Newport Investment Advisors, Inc., 20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 1020,
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 ("Newport"), adviser to The NewCap Contrarian Fund,
is a registered investment adviser.
(1) Newport has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
officers and directors of Newport during the past two years.
(a) Kenneth Holeski, president of Newport, is the vice president of Newport
Evaluation Services, Inc., a fiduciary consulting business at 20600 Chagrin
Boulevard, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122, and a registered representative of WRP
Investments, Inc., 4407 Belmont Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44505, a registered
broker/dealer.
(b) Donn M. Goodman, vice president of Newport, is the president of Newport
Evaluation Services, Inc.
F. IMS Capital Management, Inc., 10159 S.E. Sunnyside Road, Suite 330, Portland,
Oregon 97015, ("IMS"), Adviser to the IMS Capital Value Fund, is a registered
investment adviser.
(1) IMS has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of IMS during the past two years - None.
G. CommonWealth Advisors, Inc., 929 Government Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70802, ("CommonWealth"), Adviser to the Florida Street Bond Fund and the Florida
Street Growth Fund, is a registered investment adviser.
(1) CommonWealth has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal
years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of CommonWealth during the past two years.
(a) Walter A. Morales, President/Chief Investment Officer of CommonWealth was
the Director of an insurance/broadcasting corporation, Guaranty Corporation, 929
Government Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 from August 1994 to February
1996. From September 1994 through the present, a registered representative of a
Broker/Dealer company, Securities Service Network, 2225 Peters Road, Knoxville,
Tennessee 37923. Beginning August 1995 through the present, an instructor at the
University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana.
H. Corbin & Company, 1320 S. University Drive, Suite 406, Fort Worth, Texas
76107, ("Corbin"), Adviser to the Corbin Small-Cap Value Fund, is a registered
investment adviser.
(1) Corbin has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Corbin during the past two years - None.
I. Vuong Asset Management Company, LLC, 6575 West Loop South, Suite 110,
Houston, Texas 77401, ("VAMCO"), Adviser to the MAI Family of Funds, is a
registered investment adviser.
(1) VAMCO has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of VAMCO during the past two years.
(a) Qui Tu Vuong, the Chief Investment Officer and head of Equity Asset
Management of VAMCO, is the Chief Executive Officer of Vuong & Co., LLC, a
holding company at 6575 West Loop South #110, Bellaire, Texas 77401; and Sales
Manager/Equities Regulation Representative of Omni Financial Group, LLC, a
securities brokerage company at 6575 West Loop South #110, Bellaire, Texas
77401; and President of Oishiicorp, Inc., an investment advising corporation at
6575 West Loop South #110, Bellaire, Texas 77401; and Managing General Partner
of Sigma Delta Capital Appreciation Funds, LP, an investment company at 6575
West Loop South #110, Bellaire, Texas 77401; and President of Premier Capital
Management and Consulting Group, Inc., a financial consulting corporation at
6575 West Loop South #170, Bellaire, Texas 77401; and from August, 1992 through
February, 1996, he was a registered representative of Securities America, Inc.,
a securities brokerage corporation at 6575 West Loop South #170, Bellaire, Texas
77401.
(b) Quyen Ngoc Vuong, President, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of VAMCO,
is the Manager of Vuong & Company, LLC, and Manager of Omni Financial Group,
LLC.
(c) Can Viet Le, Manager of VAMCO, is the Manager of Vuong and Company, LLC, and
was Co Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Tribe Computer Works, a
manufacturing network in Alameda, California from April 1990 through January,
1996.
J. CWH Associates, Inc., 200 Park Avenue, Suite 3900, New York, New York 10166,
("CWH"), Advisor to the Worthington Theme Fund, is a registered investment
Advisor.
(1) CWH has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of CWH during the past two years.
Andrew M. Abrams, the Chief Operating Officer of CWH, is a General Partner of
Abrams Investment Partners, L.P., an investment limited partnership at 200 Park
Avenue, Suite 3900, New York, New York 10166.
K. Burroughs & Hutchinson, Inc., 702 West Idaho Street, Suite 810, Boise, Idaho
("B&H"), advisor to Marathon Value Fund, is a registered investment adviser.
(1) B&H has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of B&H during the past two years.
Mark R. Matskoo, Vice President and Director of B&H, was broker with D.A.
Davidson & Co., a broker/dealer in Boise, Idaho, from 1994 to 1996.
L. The Jumper Group, Inc., 1 Union Square, Suite 505, Chattanooga, Tennessee
37402, ("Jumper"), Advisor to the Jumper Strategic Advantage Fund, is a
registered investment advisor.
(1) Jumper has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list set forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Jumper during the past two years - None.
M. Appalachian Asset Management, Inc., 1018 Kanawha Blvd., East, Suite 209,
Charleston, WV 25301 ("AAM"), advisor to AAM Equity Fund, is a registered
investment advisor.
(1) AAM has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of AAM during the past two years - None.
N. Martin Capital Advisors, L.L.P. ("Martin"), 816 Congress Ave., Suite 1540,
Austin, TX 78701 ("Martin"), advisor to Austin Opportunity Fund, Texas
Opportunity Fund, and U.S. Opportunity Fund, is a registered investment advisor.
(1) Martin has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of GJMB during the past two years - None.
O. Gamble, Jones, Morphy & Bent, Inc., 301 East Colorado Boulevard, Suite 802,
Pasadena, California 91101 ("GJMB"), Advisor to the GJMB Fund, is a registered
investment advisor.
(1) GJMB has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of GJMB during the past two years - None.
P. Cornerstone Investment Management, L.L.C. 132 West Main Street, Aspen,
Colorado 81611 ("Cornerstone"), Advisor to the Cornerstone MVP Fund, is a
registered investment advisor.
(1) Cornerstone has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal
years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Cornerstone during the past two years:
Christopher Shawn Ryan, managing member of Cornerstone, was Vice
President-Portfolio Manager at NationsBank in Dallas, Texas from January 1994 to
October 1997.
Q. Dobson Capital Management, Inc., 1422 Van Ness Street., Santa Ana, CA 92707
("Dobson"), Advisor to the Dobson Covered Call Fund, is a registered investment
advisor.
(1) Dobson has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Dobson during the past two years: Charles L. Dobson,
President of Dobson, was the Director of Trading with Analytic/TSA Global Asset
Management, 700 S.
Flower Street, Suite 2400, Los Angeles CA, from 1996 to 1998.
R. Auxier Asset Management, LLC, 8050 S.W. Warm Springs, Suite 130, Tualatin, OR
97062 ("Auxier"), Advisor to the Auxier Focus Fund, is registered investment
advisor.
(1) Auxier has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Auxier during the past two years: Jeffrey Auxier,
Managing Member of Auxier, was a Senior Portfolio Management Director with Smith
Barney, Inc. until 1998.
S. Cornerstone Capital Management, Inc., 6760 Corporate Drive, Suite 230,
Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ("CCM"), Adviser to the Shepherd Value Market Fund
and the Shepherd Value Growth Fund, is a registered investment advisor.
(1) CCM has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of CCM during the past two years:
a) Ted M. Ehrlichman, Director of CCM, was a principal with SunTek, Inc.,
Colorado Springs, CO, a pension consulting firm, from 1995 to 1997.
b) Frank Franiak, Director of CCM, is the President of Monroe Capital, Inc.,
Chicago, IL, a consulting firm, and a registered representative of March
Capital, Inc., Chicago, IL, a broker-dealer.
c) Jason D. Huntley, Director of CCM, was Director of Institutional Services
with First Affirmative/Walnut Street Advisers, Colorado Springs, CO, an
investment advisory firm, from 1996 to 1997.
d) Craig D. Van Hulzen, Director of CCM, was Director of Research with First
Affirmative/Walnut Street Advisers, and a registered representative of Walnut
Street Securities, Colorado Springs, CO, a broker-dealer, from 1995 to 1997.
T. Monument Investments, Inc., 5952 Royal Lane, Suite 270, Dallas, TX 85230
("Monument"), Advisor to the 10K Smart Trust, is a registered investment
advisor.
(1) Monument has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Monument during the past two years:
Gerald R. James, Jr. a director of Monument, has been a Vice President/Bank
Manager at First State Bank of North Texas in Dallas, Texas since February 1998.
From February 1996 to February 1998, Mr. James served as Vice President of
Fidelity Bank in Dallas, Texas.
Robert W. Manry, a director of Monument, has been an Account Executive at Global
Dallas (a trucking company) in Irving, Texas since 1987.
U. Columbia Partners, L.L.C., Investment Management, 1775 Pennsylvania Avenue,
N.W., Washington, DC 20006 ("Columbia"), Advisor to the Columbia Partners Equity
Fund, is a registered investment advisor.
(1) Columbia has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
(2) The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Columbia during the past two years:
Rhys H. Williams, a principal of Columbia, has been a portfolio manager at
Columbia since late 1997. Prior to that time, Mr. Williams was the Senior Vice
President at Prudential Securities in Philadelphia, PA since 1987.
V. Legacy Investment Group, LLC, d/b/a Cash Management Systems, 290 Turnpike
Road, #338, Westborogh, Massachusetts ("CMS), Advisor to The Cash Fund, is a
registered investment advisor.
1. CMS has engaged in no other business during the past two years.
2. The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of
the directors and officers of CMS during the past two years:
David W. Reavill, Member of CMS, was a Vice President with Fixed Income Discount
Advisory Corp., Shrewsbury, MA, a money market firm, from 1997 to 1998 and a
Vice President of Reich & Tang, LLC, Westlake Village, CA, a money market firm,
from 1996 to 1997.
W. Ariston Capital Management Corporation, 40 Lake Bellevue Drive, Suite 220,
Bellevue, Washington 98005 ("Ariston"), Advisor to the Ariston Convertible
Securities Fund, is a registered investment advisor.
1. Ariston has engaged in no other business during the past two years.
2. The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Ariston during the past two years: None.
X. Leader Capital Corp., 121 S.W. Morrison St., Ste. 450, Portland, OR 97204
("Leader"), Adviser to the Leader Mutual Bank Fund, is a registered investment
advisor.
1. Leader has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal years.
2. The following list sets forth other substantial business activities of the
directors and officers of Leader during the past two years:
(a) John Lekas, President of Leader, was a registered representative with Smith
Barney from July 1993 to November 1997.
(b) Jason McMillen, Vice President of Leader, was a research assistant with
Smith Barney from December 1996 to December 1997.
(c) Carey Guenther, Secretary of Leader, was a customer account representative
with Columbia Funds from July 1997 to January, 1998.
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
A. AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., is the Registrant's principal
underwriter. Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200,
Southlake, Texas 76092, is the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the
underwriter and the President and a Trustee of the Registrant. It is also the
underwriter for the AmeriPrime Insurance Trust, the Kenwood Funds, the Rockland
Funds Trust, the TANKA Funds, Inc. and the Grand Prix Fund.
B. Omni Financial Group, LLC ("OMNI") acts as co-distributor, along with
AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., of the MAI Family of Funds. Qui T. Vuong,
Quyen N. Vuong and Diep N. Vuong, each of whose principal business address is
6575 West Loop South, Suite 125, Bellaire, Texas 77401, are the managers of
OMNI, and they hold no offices or position with the Registrant.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
Accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated
thereunder will be maintained by the Registrant at 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite
200, Southlake, Texas 76092 and/or by the Registrant's Custodian, Star Bank,
N.A., 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, and/or transfer and shareholder
service agents, American Data Services, Inc., Hauppauge Corporate Center, 150
Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York 11760 and Unified Fund Services, Inc., 431
Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Item 29. Management Services Not Discussed in Parts A or B
None.
Item 30. Undertakings
None.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the
City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, on the 23 day of April, 1999.
AmeriPrime Funds
By:_____/s/______________________________
Donald S. Mendelsohn,
Attorney-in-Fact
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Kenneth D. Trumpfheller,
President and Trustee
By:________/s/_______________________
Donald S. Mendelsohn,
Gary E. Hippensteil, Trustee Attorney-in-Fact
Steve L. Cobb, Trustee April 23, 1999
Paul S. Bellany, Treasurer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
1. Proposed Management Agreement with Leader Capital Corp. .........EX-99.B5.1
2 Management Agreement with Dobson Capital Management..............EX-99.B5.2
3 Consent of Counsel................................................EX-99.B10
4 Consent of Accountant.............................................EX-99.B11
5 Proposed Distribution Plan for the Leader Mutual Bank Fund........EX-99.B15
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: Leader Capital Corp.
121 S.W. Morrison Street, Suite 450
Portland, OR 97204
Dear Sirs:
AmeriPrime Funds (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement with
you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is Leader Mutual Bank Fund (the "Fund").
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this
Agreement.
1........ADVISORY SERVICES
.........You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment
advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous
investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund,
the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board may from time to time establish. You will advise and assist the officers
of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding
the conduct of the business of the Fund.
2........ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
.........You will pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the
compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons
rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff
salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by
the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations;
legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under
federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in
connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund;
insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator,
accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses,
including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares
of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to
shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of
additional information for delivery to the Fund's current and prospective
shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other
documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders'
meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses
incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of
the Fund's shares (excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (the"1940 Act")
as amended); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the
Fund.
<PAGE>
.........The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes,
borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expense on securities
sold short), fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees and such
extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to
which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's trustees and
officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses which it is
authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. You may obtain
reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine in your
sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund is
obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of
your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.
3........COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER
.........For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be
made as provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month,
the Fund will pay you a fee at the annual rate of 1.70% of the average value of
its daily net assets.
.........The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
4........EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
.........In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities
for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the
placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the
account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this
selection by the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the
negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In
the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are
directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution,
taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage
commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility
and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker or dealer.
.........You should generally seek favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best
qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also
provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts
over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a
broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission
for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.
.........Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative
execution as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of
the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund
portfolio transactions.
.........Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, and other
applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates
may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund's portfolio
transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion
should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the
shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client
and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to
this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that
you may render investment advice, management and other services to others,
including other registered investment companies.
5........LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
.........You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be
accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or
the rules thereunder, neither you nor your shareholders, members, officers,
directors, employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall
be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by
the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or
omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or
payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this
Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties
under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons
of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
.........Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee,
member, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become an officer, director,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer,
employee, member, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or
direction, even though paid by you.
6........DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
.........This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a
majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by
a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such
approval.
.........If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement
in the manner set forth above, upon request of the Board, you will continue to
serve or act in such capacity for the Fund for the period of time pending
required approval of the Agreement, of a new agreement with you or a different
adviser or other definitive action; provided that the compensation to be paid by
the Fund to you for your services to and payments on behalf of the Fund will be
equal to the lesser of your actual costs incurred in furnishing such services
and payments or the amount you would have received under this Agreement for
furnishing such services and payments.
.........This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be
terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate
in the event of its assignment.
7........USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name
"Leader" or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
the use of the name "Leader" shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day
following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be
withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days'
written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or
diminish in any respect, your right to use the name "Leader" in the name of, or
in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may
become associated.
There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
8. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the series to which the amendment relates.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term "AmeriPrime Funds" means and refers to the Trustees
from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the same may
subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
10. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of
this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms "majority of
the outstanding voting securities," "control" and "interested person" shall have
their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations
thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act; and the term "brokerage
and research services" shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court,
by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this
Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed
to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
12. NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092, and your address for
this purpose shall be 121 S.W. Morrison Street, Suite 450, Portland, Oregon
97204.
13. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
14. BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that
he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the
party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated
to the foregoing terms.
15. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the
form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return
such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding
contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
ATTEST:
AMERIPRIME FUNDS
By: __________________________________ By:________________________________
Name/Title: ___________________________ Kenneth Trumpfheller, President
Dated: ___________, 1999
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
ATTEST:
LEADER CAPITAL CORP.
By: __________________________________ By: _______________________________
Name/Title: ___________________________ John Lekas, President
Dated: ___________, 1999
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: Dobson Capital Management, Inc.
1422 S. Van Ness Street
Santa Ana, California 92707
Dear Sirs:
AmeriPrime Funds (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement with
you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is the Dobson Covered Call Fund (the "Fund").
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this
Agreement.
1. ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment
advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous
investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund,
the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board may from time to time establish. You will advise and assist the officers
of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding
the conduct of the business of the Fund.
2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay the compensation and expenses of any persons
rendering any services to the Fund who are officers, directors, stockholders or
employees of your corporation and will make available, without expense to the
Fund, the services of such of your employees as may duly be elected officers or
trustees of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law. The compensation and expenses of any officers,
trustees and employees of the Trust who are not officers, directors, employees
or stockholders of your corporation will be paid by the Fund. You will pay all
expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the organization and initial
registration of shares of the Fund.
The Fund will be responsible for the payment of all operating
expenses of the Fund, including fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in
connection with membership in investment company organizations; brokerage fees
and commissions; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; non-organizational
expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws;
insurance expenses; taxes or governmental fees; fees and expenses of the
custodian, transfer agent, shareholder service agent, dividend disbursing agent,
plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and distributor
of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption
or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the fees and expenses of trustees of the
Trust who are not affiliated with you; the cost of preparing and distributing
reports and notices to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's
shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other
documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders'
meetings and proxy solicitations; such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses
as may arise, including litigation to which the Trust may be a party and
indemnification for the Trust's officers and trustees with respect thereto; or
any other expense not specifically described above incurred in the performance
of the Fund's obligations. All other expenses not assumed by you herein incurred
by the Fund in connection with the organization, registration of shares and
operations of the Fund will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will also pay
expenses which it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or
times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses
advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement
shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this
Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER
For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made
as provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the
Fund will pay you a fee at the annual rate of 0.80% of the average value of its
daily net assets, less the amount total operating expenses, including the
management fee, exceed 1.50% of the average value of its daily net assets.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
4. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities
for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the
placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the
account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this
selection by the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the
negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In
the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are
directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution,
taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage
commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility
and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best
qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also
provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts
over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a
broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission
for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative
execution as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of
the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund
portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, and other
applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates
may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund's portfolio
transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion
should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the
shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client
and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to
this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that
you may render investment advice, management and other services to others,
including other registered investment companies.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be
accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or
the rules thereunder, neither you nor your shareholders, members, officers,
directors, employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall
be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by
the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or
omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or
payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this
Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties
under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons
of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee,
member, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become an officer, director,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer,
employee, member, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or
direction, even though paid by you.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a
majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by
a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such
approval.
If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement
in the manner set forth above, upon request of the Board, you will continue to
serve or act in such capacity for the Fund for the period of time pending
required approval of the Agreement, of a new agreement with you or a different
adviser or other definitive action; provided that the compensation to be paid by
the Fund to you for your services to and payments on behalf of the Fund will be
equal to the lesser of your actual costs incurred in furnishing such services
and payments or the amount you would have received under this Agreement for
furnishing such services and payments.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated with
respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the
Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.
7. USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name
"Dobson" or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
the use of the name "Dobson" shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day
following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be
withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days'
written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or
diminish in any respect, your right to use the name "Dobson" in the name of, or
in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may
become associated.
There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
8. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the series to which the amendment relates.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term "AmeriPrime Funds" means and refers to the Trustees
from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the same may
subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
10. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of
this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms "majority of
the outstanding voting securities," "control" and "interested person" shall have
their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations
thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act; and the term "brokerage
and research services" shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court,
by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this
Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed
to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
12. NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092 and your address for
this purpose shall be 1422 S. Van Ness Street, Santa Ana, California 92707.
13. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
14. BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that
he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the
party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated
to the foregoing terms.
15. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the
form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return
such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding
contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
ATTEST:
AmeriPrime Funds
By:
By:_/s/________________________
Name/Title: Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, President
Dated: March 15, 1999
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
ATTEST:
Dobson Capital Management, Inc.
By: By:_/s/___________________________
Name/Title: Name/TitleCharles L. Dobson, President
Dated: March 15, 1999
BROWN, CUMMINS & BROWN CO., L.P.A.
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
3500 CAREW TOWER
J. W. BROWN (1911-1995) 441 VINE STREET JOANN M. STRASSER
JAMES R. CUMMINS CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 PAMELA L. KOGUT
ROBERT S BROWN TELEPHONE (513) 381-2121 AARON A. VANDERLAAN
DONALD S. MENDELSOHN TELECOPIER (513) 381-2125
LYNNE SKILKEN OF COUNSEL
AMY G. APPLEGATE GILBERT BETTMAN
KATHRYN KNUE PRZYWARA
MELANIE S. CORWIN
......... April 23, 1999
AmeriPrime Funds
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200
Southlake, Texas 76092
Gentlemen:
A legal opinion that we prepared was filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 to your Registration Statement (the "Legal Opinion"). We hereby
give you our consent to incorporate by reference the Legal Opinion into
Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to your Registration Statement (the
"Amendment"), and consent to all references to us in the Amendment.
......... Very truly yours,
/s/
......... Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.
BCB/jlm
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to all references made to us in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 25
to AmeriPrime Fund's Registration Statement on Form N1-A.
________/s/____________________
McCurdy & Associates CPA's, Inc.
Westlake, Ohio 44145
April 23, 1999
LEADER MUTUAL BANK FUND
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
WHEREAS, AmeriPrime Funds, an Ohio business trust (the "Trust"),
engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is
registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided
into one or more series of Shares ("Series"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust currently offers several Series, one of which is
Leader Mutual Bank Fund (the "Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any
agreement relating hereto (the "Qualified Trustees"), having determined, in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a
reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders,
have approved this Plan by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting hereon and on any agreements related hereto;
NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Fund in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and
conditions:
1. Distribution Activities. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the
Trust, the Trust may, directly or ------------------------- indirectly,
engage in any activities related to the distribution of Shares of the Fund,
which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: (a)
payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other
financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisors and
others that are engaged in the sale of Shares, or that may be advising
shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase, sale or retention of
Shares; (b) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities
dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions,
investment advisors and others that hold Shares for shareholders in omnibus
accounts or as shareholders of record or provide shareholder support or
administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders; (c) expenses of
maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the
Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or
support distribution of Shares or who render shareholder support services,
including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and
equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries
regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, and providing
such other shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably request; (d)
costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements
of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than
existing shareholders of the Fund; (e) costs of formulating and
implementing marketing and promotional activities, including, but not
limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (f) costs of
preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (g) costs of
obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing
and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem
advisable; and (h) costs of implementing and operating this Plan. The Trust
is authorized to engage in the activities listed above, and in any other
activities related to the distribution of Shares, either directly or
through other persons with which the Trust has entered into agreements
related to this Plan.
2. Annual Fee. The Fund will pay the Fund's investment advisor ("the Advisor")
an annual fee for the Advisor's services in connection with the sales and
promotion of the Fund, including its expenses in connection therewith
(collectively, "Distribution Expenses"). The annual fee paid to the Advisor
under this Plan will be calculated daily and paid monthly by the Fund on
the first day of each month at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of the Fund. Payments received by the Advisor pursuant to this
Plan are in addition to fees paid by the Fund pursuant to the Management
Agreement.
3. Term and Termination.
(a) This Plan shall become effective the day before the first issuance of Fund
Shares.
(b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect
for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for
successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such
continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both (i) the
Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(c) This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the
Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. If this Plan is
terminated, the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses
incurred after the date of termination.
4. Amendments. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in the
manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof. In
addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of
expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is
approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act).
5. Selection and Nomination of Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the
selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion
of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.
6. Quarterly Reports. The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees
and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the
amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the
purposes for which such expenditures were made.
7. Recordkeeping. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related
agreement and all reports made pursuant Section 6 hereof, for a period of
not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such
reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible
place.
8. Limitation of Liability. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
of the Trust, as amended, is on file with the Secretary of the State of
Ohio and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the
Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the
obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees, the
shareholders of the Trust individually or the assets or property of any
other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and
property of the Fund.
