<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 19, 1995.
File Nos. 33-
and 811-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X
Pre-Effective Amendment No. --- ---
Post-Effective Amendment No --- ---
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 X
Amendment No. --- ---
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 338-3200
Rosemary D. Van Antwerp, Esq., 200 Berkeley Street,
Boston, MA 02116-5034
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Registrant declares that it hereby elects pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to register by this Registration
Statement an indefinite number or amount of its securities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as possible after the effective date of
Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
- --- immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
- --- on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
X 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485 on (date)
- --- pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
CONTENTS OF
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Registration Statement consists of the
following pages, items of information and documents:
The Facing Sheet
The Contents Page
The Cross-Reference Sheet
PART A
Prospectus
PART B
Statement of Additional Information
PART C
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION - ITEMS 24 (a) and (b)
Financial Statements
Report of Independent Auditors
Exhibit Listing
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION - ITEMS 25-32- AND SIGNATURE PAGES
Number of Holders of Securities
Indemnification
Business and Other Connections
Principal Underwriter
Location of Accounts and Records
Undertakings
Signatures
Exhibits (including Powers of Attorney)
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
Cross-Reference Sheet pursuant to Rule 495 under the Securities Act of 1933.
Items in
Part A of
Form N-1A Prospectus Caption
- --------- ------------------
1 Cover Page
2 Fee Table
3 Performance Data
4 Cover Page
The Fund
Investment Objective and Strategies
Investment Restrictions
Risk Factors
5 Fund Management and Expenses
6 The Fund
Dividends and Taxes
Fund Shares
Shareholder Services
Pricing Shares
7 How to Buy Shares
Pricing Shares
Shareholder Services
8 How to Redeem Shares
9 Not Applicable
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
Cross-Reference Sheet continued.
Items in
Part B of
Form N-1A Statement of Additional Information Caption
- --------- -------------------------------------------
10 Cover Page
11 Table of Contents
12 Not applicable
13 Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Restrictions
Valuation of Securities
Appendix
14 Fundees and Officers
15 Additional Information
16 Investment Manager and Adviser
Principal Underwriter
Additional Information
17 Brokerage
18 Declaration of Fund
19 Valuation of Securities
20 Distributions and Taxes
21 Principal Underwriter
22 Standardized Total Return and Yield Quotations
23 Financial Statements (to be filed by amendment)
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
PART A
PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
PROSPECTUS FEBRUARY , 1996
Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund whose goal is
long-term growth of capital.
Generally, the Fund offers three classes of shares. Information on share
classes and their fee and sales charge structures may be found in the Fund's
fee table, "Alternative Sales Options," "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and
Waiver of Sales Charges," "Distribution Plans" and "Fund Shares."
This prospectus concisely states information about the Fund that you should
know before investing. Please read it and retain it for future
reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in a statement of
additional information dated February , 1996, which has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. For a free copy, or for other information about the Fund, write to
the address or call the telephone number provided on this page.
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK
200 BERKELEY STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116-5034
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-343-2898
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Fee Table 2
The Fund 3
Investment Objective and Policies 3
Investment Restrictions 4
Risk Factors 4
Pricing Shares 5
Dividends and Taxes 6
Fund Management and Expenses 6
How to Buy Shares 8
Alternative Sales Options 8
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and
Waiver of Sales Charges 12
Distribution Plans 13
How to Redeem Shares 14
Shareholder Services 16
Performance Data 18
Fund Shares 18
Additional Information 19
Additional Investment Information (i)
Exhibit A A-1
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>
FEE TABLE
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
The purpose of this fee table is to assist investors in understanding the
costs and expenses that an investor in each class will bear directly or
indirectly. For more complete descriptions of the various costs and expenses,
see the following sections of this prospectus: "Fund Management and Expenses";
"How to Buy Shares"; "Distribution Plans" and "Shareholder Services."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
FRONT END BACK END LEVEL LOAD
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES LOAD OPTION LOAD OPTION<F1> OPTION<F2>
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Sales Charge ...................................... 5.75%<F3> None None
(as a percentage of offering price)
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge .................. 0.00%<F4> 5.00% in the first year 1.00% in the first
(as a percentage of the lesser of cost or market declining to 1.00% in year and 0.00%
value of shares redeemed) the sixth year and thereafter
0.00% thereafter
Exchange Fee (per exchange)<F5> ................... $10.00 $10.00 $10.00
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES6
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees ................................... % % %
12b-1 Fees ........................................ % %<F7> %<F7>
Other Expenses .................................... % % %
- ----- ----- -----
Total Fund Operating Expenses ..................... % % %
===== ===== =====
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES<F8> 1 YEAR 3 YEARS
------ -------
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return
and (2) redemption at the end of each period:
<S> <C> <C>
Class A ............................................................................... $ $
Class B ............................................................................... $ $
Class C ............................................................................... $ $
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no redemption at the
end of each period:
Class A ............................................................................... $ $
Class B ............................................................................... $ $
Class C ............................................................................... $ $
AMOUNTS SHOWN IN THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST
OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
- ----------
<FN>
<F1> Class B shares convert tax free to Class A shares after eight years. See "Class B shares" for more information.
<F2> Class C shares are available only through dealers who have entered into special distribution agreements with Keystone
Investment Distributors Company, the Fund's principal underwriter.
<F3> The sales charge applied to purchases of Class A shares declines as the amount invested increases. See "Class A Shares."
<F4> Purchases of Class A shares in the amount of $1,000,000 or more and/or purchases made by certain qualifying retirement or
other plans are not subject to a sales charge, but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for the 24 month
period following the date of purchase. See the "Class A Shares" and "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Waiver of Sales
Charges" sections of this prospectus for an explanation of the charge.
<F5> There is no fee for exchange orders received by the Fund directly from a shareholder over the Keystone Automated Response
Line ("KARL"). (For a description of KARL, see "Shareholder Services.")
<F6> Expense ratios are estimated for the Fund's fiscal period ending May 31, 1996.
<F7> Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front end sales charges permitted by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").
<F8> The Securities and Exchange Commission requires use of a 5% annual return figure for purposes of this example. Actual return
for the Fund may be greater or less than 5%.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
THE FUND
The Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company, commonly
known as a mutual fund. The Fund was formed as a Massachusetts business trust
on December , 1995. The Fund is one of 32 funds advised by Keystone
Investment Management Company (formerly named Keystone Custodian Funds, Inc.)
("Keystone"), the Fund's investment adviser.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with long-term
growth of capital. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65%
of its total assets in equity securities of companies with small market
capitalizations. For this purpose, companies with small market capitalizations
are generally those with market capitalization of less than $1 billion at the
time of the Fund's investment. Companies whose capitalization falls outside
this range after the purchase continue to be considered small cap for this
purpose.
While the Fund focuses on small cap stocks, it may also invest in other
types of securities, including other common stocks, debt securities
convertible into common stocks or having common stock characteristics, and
rights and warrants to purchase common stocks. In addition to its other
investment options, the Fund may invest in limited partnerships, including
master limited partnerships, and up to 25% of its assets in foreign
securities. The Fund does not currently intend to invest more than 5% of its
assets in foreign securities.
When market conditions warrant, the Fund may adopt a defensive position to
preserve shareholders' capital by investing in money market instruments. Such
instruments, which must mature within one year of their purchase, consist of
United States ("U.S.") government securities; instruments, including
certificates of deposit, demand and time deposits and bankers' acceptances, of
banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and have
at least $1 billion in assets as of the date of their most recently published
financial statements, including U.S. branches of foreign banks and foreign
branches of U.S. banks; and prime commercial paper, including master demand
notes.
The Fund intends to follow policies of the Securities and Exchange
Commission as they are adopted from time to time with respect to illiquid
securities, including, at this time, (1) treating as illiquid, securities
which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within
seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the
investment on its books and (2) limiting its holdings of such securities to
15% of net assets.
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including securities eligible
for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933
Act"). Generally, Rule 144A establishes a safe harbor from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act for resales by large institutional investors of
securities not publicly traded in the U.S. The Fund may purchase Rule 144A
securities when such securities present an attractive investment opportunity
and otherwise meet the Fund's selection criteria. The Board of Trustees has
adopted guidelines and procedures pursuant to which Keystone determines the
liquidity of the Fund's Rule 144A securities. The Board monitors Keystone's
implementation of such guidelines and procedures.
At the present time, the Fund cannot accurately predict exactly how the
market for Rule 144A securities will develop. A Rule 144A security that was
readily marketable upon purchase may subsequently become illiquid. In such an
event, the Board of Trustees will consider what action, if any, is
appropriate.
The Fund may enter into repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements,
purchase and sell securities and currencies on a when issued and delayed
delivery basis and purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis,
write covered call and put options and purchase call and put options to close
out existing positions and may employ new investment techniques with respect
to such options. The Fund may also enter into currency and other financial
futures contracts and related options transactions for hedging purposes and
not for speculation, and may employ new investment techniques with respect to
such futures contracts and related options.
For further information about the types of investments and investment
techniques available to the Fund, and the risks associated therewith, see the
"Risk Factors" and "Additional Investment Information" sections of this
prospectus and the statement of additional information.
Of course, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective since there is uncertainty in every investment.
The investment objective of the Fund cannot be changed without a vote of the
holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940
Act")) of the Fund's outstanding shares.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the fundamental investment restrictions set forth
below, which may not be changed without the vote of a majority (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Fund's outstanding shares. These restrictions and certain
other fundamental restrictions are set forth in the statement of additional
information.
The Fund may not do the following: (1) invest more than 5% of its total
assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government
securities), except that up to 25% of its total assets may be invested without
regard to this limit; and (2) borrow, except that the Portfolio may borrow
from banks for temporary or emergency purposes in aggregate amounts up to one-
third of the value of the Fund's net assets and/or enter into reverse
repurchase agreements.
RISK FACTORS
Like any investment, your investment in the Fund involves some degree of
risk. Before you buy shares of the Fund, you should carefully evaluate your
ability to assume the risks your investment in the Fund poses. YOU CAN LOSE
MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. YOUR INVESTMENT IS NOT GUARANTEED. A DECREASE
IN THE VALUE OF THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO SECURITIES CAN RESULT IN A DECREASE IN
THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT.
The Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital by investing
principally in equity securities of companies with small market
capitalizations. The Fund is best suited to patient investors who can afford
to maintain their investment over a relatively long period of time, and who
are seeking a fund which is aggressive and has the potential for high returns.
The Fund involves a high degree of risk and is not an appropriate investment
for conservative investors who are seeking preservation of capital and/or
income.
Certain risks related to the Fund are discussed below. To the extent not
discussed in this section, specific risks attendant to individual securities
or investment practices are discussed in "Additional Investment Information".
FUND RISKS. Investing in companies with small market capitalizations
involves greater risk than investing in larger companies. Their stock prices
can rise very quickly and drop dramatically in a short period of time. This
volatility results from a number of factors, including reliance by these
companies on limited product lines, markets and financial and management
resources. These and other factors may make small cap companies more
susceptible to setbacks or downturns. These companies may experience higher
rates of bankruptcy or other failures than larger companies. They may be more
likely to be negatively affected by changes in management. In addition, the
stock of small cap companies may be thinly traded.
A need for cash due to large liquidations from the Fund when the prices of
small cap stocks are declining could result in losses to the Fund.
Investing in the Fund involves the risk common to investing in any security,
that is that the value of the securities held by the Fund will fluctuate in
response to changes in economic conditions or public expectations about those
securities. The net asset value of the Fund's shares will change accordingly.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. The Fund, which normally invests at least 65% of its
assets in small cap stocks does not, by itself, constitute a balanced
investment plan. The Fund may be appropriate as part of an overall investment
program. Investors may wish to consult their financial advisers when
considering what portion of their total assets to invest in small cap stocks.
Past performance should not be considered representative of results for any
future period of time.
PRICING SHARES
The net asset value of a Portfolio share is computed each day on which the
New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open as of the close of trading on
the Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. eastern time for purposes of pricing Fund
shares) except on days when changes in the value of the Portfolio's securities
do not affect the current net asset value of its shares. The Exchange
currently is closed on weekends, New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The net asset value per share of the Portfolio is arrived at by determining
the value of the Portfolio's assets, subtracting its liabilities and dividing
the result by the number of its shares outstanding.
Current values for the Fund's securities are generally determined as
follows:
1. securities that are traded on a national securities exchange or on the
over-the-counter National Market System ("NMS") are valued on the basis of
the last sales price on the exchange where primarily traded or NMS prior to
the time of the valuation, provided that a sale has occurred and that this
price reflects current market value according to procedures established by
the Board of Trustees;
2. securities traded in the over-the-counter market, other than NMS, for
which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the mean of the
bid and asked prices at the time of valuation;
3. instruments having maturities of more than sixty days for which market
quotations are readily available are valued at current market value; where
market quotations are not available, such instruments are valued at fair
value as determined by the Board of Trustees;
4. instruments that are purchased with maturities of sixty days or less
(including all master demand notes) are valued at amortized cost (original
purchase cost as adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of
discount), which, when combined with accrued interest, approximates market;
instruments maturing in more than sixty days when purchased that are held on
the sixtieth day prior to maturity are valued at amortized cost (market
value on the sixtieth day adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion
of discount), which, when combined with accrued interest, approximates
market; and which, in either case, reflects fair value as determined by the
Fund's Board of Trustees; and
5. the following securities are valued at prices deemed in good faith to
be fair under procedures established by the Board of Trustees: (a)
securities, including restricted securities, for which complete quotations
are not readily available; (b) listed securities or those on NMS if, in the
Fund's opinion, the last sales price does not reflect a current market value
or if no sale occurred; and (c) other assets.
Foreign securities for which market quotations are not readily available are
valued on the basis of valuations provided by a pricing service, approved by
the Fund's Board of Trustees, which uses information with respect to
transactions in such securities, quotations from broker-dealers, market
transactions in comparable securities and various relationships between
securities and yield to maturity in determining value.
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES
The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify in the future as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The Fund
qualifies if, among other things, it distributes to its shareholders at least
90% of its net investment income for its fiscal year. The Fund also intends to
make timely distributions, if necessary, sufficient in amount to avoid the
nondeductible 4% excise tax imposed on a regulated investment company to the
extent that it fails to distribute, with respect to each calendar year, at
least 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year and 98% of its net
capital gains for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar
year. Any taxable dividend declared in October, November or December to
shareholders of record in such a month and paid by the following January 31
will be includable in the taxable income of the shareholder as if paid on
December 31 of the year in which such dividend was declared. If the Fund
qualifies and if it distributes all of its net investment income and net
capital gains, if any, to shareholders, it will be relieved of any federal
income tax liability. The Fund will make distributions from its net investment
income and net capital gains, if any, annually. Because Class A shares bear
most of the costs of distribution of such shares through payment of a front
end sales charge while Class B and Class C shares bear such expenses through a
higher annual distribution fee, expenses attributable to Class B shares and
Class C shares will generally be higher, and income distributions paid by the
Portfolio with respect to Class A shares will generally be greater than those
paid with respect to Class B and Class C shares.
Shareholders receive Fund distributions in the form of additional shares of
that class of shares upon which the distribution is based or, at the
shareholder's option, in cash. Fund distributions in the form of additional
shares are made at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge.
Dividends and distributions are taxable whether they are received in cash or
in shares. Income dividends and net short-term gains dividends are taxable as
ordinary income, and net long-term gains dividends are taxable as capital
gains regardless of how long the Fund's shares are held. If Fund shares held
for less than six months are sold at a loss, however, such loss will be
treated for tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any
long-term capital gains dividends received. The Fund advises its shareholders
annually as to the federal tax status of all distributions made during the
year.
FUND MANAGEMENT AND EXPENSES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Under Massachusetts law, the Fund's Board of Trustees has absolute and
exclusive control over the management and disposition of all assets of the
Fund. Subject to the authority of the Fund's Board of Trustees, Keystone, the
Fund's investment adviser, provides investment advice, management and
administrative services to the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Keystone, located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034,
has provided investment advisory and management services to investment
companies and private accounts since it was organized in 1932. Keystone is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone Investments, Inc. ("Keystone
Investments"), located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-
5034.
Keystone Investments is a corporation privately owned by current and former
members of management and certain employees of Keystone and its affiliates.
The shares of Keystone Investments common stock beneficially owned by
management are held in a number of voting trusts, the trustees of which are
George S. Bissell, Albert H. Elfner, III, Edward F. Godfrey and Ralph J.
Spuehler, Jr. Keystone Investments provides accounting, bookkeeping, legal,
personnel and general corporate services to Keystone Management, Inc.,
Keystone, their affiliates and the Keystone Investments Family of Funds.
Pursuant to its Investment Advisory and Management Agreement (the "Advisory
Agreement") with the Fund, Keystone provides investment advisory and
management services to the Fund. Keystone manages the investment and
reinvestment of the Fund's assets, supervises the operation of the Fund,
provides all necessary office space, facilities, equipment and personnel and
arranges, at the request of the Fund, for its employees to serve as officers
or agents of the Fund.
The Fund pays Keystone a fee for its services at the annual rate set forth
below:
AGGREGATE NET ASSET VALUE
MANAGEMENT OF THE SHARES
FEE OF THE FUND
0.70% of the first $ 100,000,000, plus
0.65% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.60% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.55% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.50% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.45% of the next $ 500,000,000, plus
0.40% of the next $ 500,000,000, plus
0.35% of amounts over $1,500,000,000.
Keystone's fee is computed as of the close of business each business day and
payable daily.
The Advisory Agreement continues in effect from year to year only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. In
either case, the terms of the Advisory Agreement and continuance thereof must
be approved by the vote of a majority of Independent Trustees in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory
Agreement may be terminated, without penalty, on 60 days' written notice by
the Fund or Keystone or may be terminated by a vote of shareholders of the
Fund. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically upon its
assignment.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Keystone's Small Cap Growth Team has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since
its inception. Members of the team are Christopher R. Ely, Philip C. Fine and
David L. Smith. Mr. Ely is a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager
and has more than 15 years' investment experience. Mr. Fine is a Vice President
and Portfolio Manager and has more than 7 years' investment experience. Mr.
Smith is a Keystone Vice President and Portfolio Manager and has more than 10
years' investment experience. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
FUND EXPENSES
The Fund will pay all of its expenses. In addition to the investment
management and distribution plan fees discussed herein, the principal expenses
that the Fund is expected to pay include, but are not limited to, expenses of
certain of its Trustees; transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder
servicing agent expenses; custodian expenses; fees of its independent auditors
and legal counsel to its Trustees; fees payable to government agencies,
including registration and qualification fees attributable to the Fund and its
shares under federal and state securities laws; and certain extraordinary
expenses. In addition, each class will pay all of the expenses attributable to
it. Such expenses are currently limited to Distribution Plan expenses. The
Fund also pays its brokerage commissions, interest charges and taxes.
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
Under policies established by the Board of Trustees, Keystone selects
broker-dealers to execute transactions subject to the receipt of best
execution. When selecting broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for
the Fund, Keystone may follow a policy of considering as a factor the number
of shares of the Fund sold by such broker-dealer. In addition, broker-dealers
executing portfolio transactions may, from time to time, be affiliated with
the Fund, Keystone, the Fund's principal underwriter, or their affiliates.
The Fund may pay higher commissions to broker-dealers that provide research
services. Keystone may use these services in advising the Fund as well as in
advising its other clients.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
High portfolio turnover may involve correspondingly greater brokerage
commissions and other transaction costs, which would be borne directly by the
Fund, as well as additional realized gains and/or losses to shareholders. For
further information about brokerage and distributions, see the statement of
additional information.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase shares of the Fund from any broker-dealer that has a
selling agreement with Keystone Investment Distributors Company (formerly
named Keystone Distributors, Inc.) (the "Principal Underwriter"), the Fund's
principal underwriter. The Principal Underwriter, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Keystone, is located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034.
In addition, you may open an account for the purchase of shares of the Fund
by mailing to the Fund c/o Keystone Investor Resource Center, Inc., P.O. Box
2121, Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2121, a completed account application and a
check payable to the Fund, or you may telephone 1-800-343-2898 to obtain the
number of an account to which you can wire or electronically transfer funds
and then send in a completed account application. Subsequent investments in
any amount may be made by check, by wiring Federal funds or by an electronic
funds transfer ("EFT").
Orders for the purchase of shares of the Fund will be confirmed at an
offering price equal to the net asset value per share next determined after
receipt of the order in proper form by the Principal Underwriter (generally as
of the close of the Exchange on that day) plus, in the case of Class A shares,
the front end sales charge. Orders received by dealers or other firms prior to
the close of the Exchange and received by the Principal Underwriter prior to
the close of its business day will be confirmed at the offering price
effective as of the close of the Exchange on that day. The Fund reserves the
right to determine the net asset value more frequently than once a day if
deemed desirable. Dealers and other financial services firms are obligated to
transmit orders promptly.
Orders for shares received by broker-dealers prior to that day's close of
trading on the Exchange and transmitted to the Fund prior to its close of
business that day will receive the offering price equal to the net asset value
per share computed at the close of trading on the Exchange on the same day
plus, in the case of Class A shares, the front end sales charge. Orders
received by broker-dealers after that day's close of trading on the Exchange
and transmitted to the Fund prior to the close of business on the next
business day will receive the next business day's offering price.
Orders for shares received directly by the Fund from you will receive the
offering price equal to the net asset value per share next computed after the
Fund receives the purchase order plus, in the case of Class A shares, the
front end sales charge.
The initial purchase must be at least $1,000. There is no minimum amount for
subsequent purchases.
The Fund reserves the right to withdraw all or any part of the offering made
by this prospectus and to reject purchase orders.
Shareholder inquiries should be directed to KIRC by calling toll free 1-800-
343-2898 or writing to KIRC or to the firm from which you received this
prospectus.
ALTERNATIVE SALES OPTIONS
Generally, the Fund offers three classes of shares:
CLASS A SHARES -- FRONT END LOAD OPTION
Class A shares are sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase. Class A
shares are not subject to a deferred sales charge when they are redeemed
except as follows: Class A shares purchased (1) in an amount equal to or
exceeding $1,000,000 or (2) by a corporate qualified retirement plan or a non-
qualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by a corporation having 100 or
more eligible employees (a "Qualifying Plan"), in either case without a front
end sales charge, will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge for
the 24 month period following the date of purchase.
CLASS B SHARES -- BACK END LOAD OPTION
Class B shares are sold without a sales charge at the time of purchase, but
are, with certain exceptions, subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if
redeemed during the 72 month period commencing with and including the month of
purchase. Class B shares that have been outstanding for eight years from and
including the month of purchase will automatically convert to Class A shares
without the imposition of a front-end sales charge or exchange fee.
CLASS C SHARES -- LEVEL LOAD OPTION
Class C shares are sold without a sales charge at the time of purchase, but
are subject to a deferred sales charge if they are redeemed within one year
after the date of purchase. Class C shares are available only through dealers
who have entered into special distribution agreements with the Principal
Underwriter.
Each class of shares, pursuant to its Distribution Plan or other plan, pays
an annual service fee of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to that class. In addition to the 0.25% service fee, the Class B
and C Distribution Plans provide for the payment of an annual distribution fee
of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to their
respective classes. As a result, income distributions paid by the Fund with
respect to Class B and Class C shares will generally be less than those paid
with respect to Class A shares.
Investors who would rather pay the entire cost of distribution at the time
of investment, rather than spreading such cost over time, might consider Class
A shares. Other investors might consider Class B or Class C shares, in which
case 100% of the purchase price is invested immediately, depending on the
amount of the purchase and the intended length of investment.
The Fund will not normally accept any purchase of Class B shares in the
amount of $250,000 or more and will not normally accept any purchase of Class
C shares in the amount of $1,000,000 or more.
----------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES
Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS A % OF CONCESSION TO
AS A % OF NET AMOUNT DEALERS AS A % OF
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE OFFERING PRICE INVESTED<F1> OFFERING PRICE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 ............................... 5.75% 6.10% 5.25%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 .................. 4.75% 4.99% 4.25%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 ................. 3.75% 3.90% 3.25%
$250,000 but less than $500,000 ................. 2.50% 2.56% 2.25%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 ............... 1.50% 1.52% 1.50%
- ----------
<FN>
<F1> Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
</TABLE>
----------------------------------------------
Purchases of the Fund's Class A shares in the amount of $1 million or more
and/or purchases of Class A shares made by a Qualifying Plan or a tax
sheltered annuity plan sponsored by a public educational entity having 5,000
or more eligible employees (a "TSA Plan") will be at net asset value without
the imposition of a front-end sales charge (each such purchase, an "NAV
Purchase").
With respect to NAV Purchases, the Principal Underwriter will pay broker/
dealers or others concessions based on (1) the investor's cumulative purchases
during the one-year period beginning with the date of the initial NAV Purchase
and (2) the investor's cumulative purchases during each subsequent one-year
period beginning with the first NAV Purchase following the end of the prior
period. For such purchases, concessions will be paid at the following rate:
1.00% of the investment amount up to $2,999,999; plus 0.50% of the investment
amount between $3,000,000 and $4,999,999; plus 0.25% of the investment amount
over $4,999,999.
With the exception of Class A shares acquired by a TSA Plan, Class A shares
acquired in an NAV Purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
of 1.00% upon redemption during the 24 month period commencing on the date the
shares were originally purchased. Class A shares acquired by a TSA Plan in an
NAV Purchase are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
The sales charge is paid to the Principal Underwriter, which in turn
normally reallows a portion to your broker-dealer. In addition, your broker-
dealer currently will be paid periodic service fees at an annual rate of up to
0.25% of the average daily net asset value of Class A shares maintained by
such recipient outstanding on the books of the Fund for specified periods.
Upon written notice to dealers with whom it has dealer agreements, the
Principal Underwriter may reallow up to the full applicable sales charge.
Initial sales charges may be eliminated for persons purchasing Class A
shares which are included in a broker-dealer or investment adviser managed fee
based program (a "wrap account") with broker dealers or investment advisers
who have entered into special agreements with the Principal Underwriter.
Initial sales charges may be reduced or eliminated for persons or
organizations purchasing Class A shares of the Fund alone or in combination
with Class A shares of other Keystone America Funds. See Exhibit A to this
prospectus.
Upon prior notification to the Principal Underwriter, Class A shares may be
purchased at net asset value by clients of registered representatives within
six months after a change in the registered representative's employment, where
the amount invested represents redemption proceeds from a registered open-end
management investment company not distributed or managed by Keystone or its
affiliates; and the shareholder either (1) paid a front end sales charge, or
(2) was at some time subject to, but did not actually pay, a contingent
deferred sales charge with respect to the redemption proceeds.
CLASS A DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to its Class A shares
(the "Class A Distribution Plan") that provides for expenditures by the Fund
currently limited to 0.25% annually of the average daily net asset value of
Class A shares, in connection with the distribution of Class A shares. Payments
under the Class A Distribution Plan are currently made to the Principal
Underwriter (which may reallow all or part to others, such as dealers), as
service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset
value of Class A shares maintained by the recipients outstanding on the books of
the Fund for specified periods.
CLASS B SHARES
Class B shares are offered at net asset value, without an initial sales
charge.
The Fund, with certain exceptions, imposes a deferred sales charge on Class
B shares in accordance with the following schedule:
DEFERRED
SALES
CHARGE
REDEMPTION TIMING IMPOSED
- ----------------- -------
First twelve month period ................... 5.00%
Second twelve month period .................. 4.00%
Third twelve month period ................... 3.00%
Fourth twelve month period .................. 3.00%
Fifth twelve month period ................... 2.00%
Sixth twelve month period ................... 1.00%
No deferred sales charge is imposed on amounts redeemed thereafter.
When imposed, the deferred sales charge is deducted from the redemption
proceeds otherwise payable to you. The deferred sales charge is retained by
the Principal Underwriter. Amounts received by the Principal Underwriter under
the Class B Distribution Plans are reduced by deferred sales charges retained
by the Principal Underwriter. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charges and
Waiver of Sales Charges" below.
Class B shares that have been outstanding for eight years from and including
the month of purchase will automatically convert to Class A shares (which are
subject to a lower Distribution Plan charge) without imposition of a front-end
sales charge or exchange fee. (Conversion of Class B shares represented by
stock certificates will require the return of the stock certificates to KIRC.)
Under current law, it is the Fund's opinion that such a conversion will not
constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law. In the event that
this ceases to be the case, the Board of Trustees will consider what action,
if any, is appropriate and in the best interests of such Class B shareholders.
The Class B shares so converted or exchanged will no longer be subject to
the higher distribution expenses and other expenses, if any, borne by Class B
shares. Because the net asset value per share of Class A shares may be higher
or lower than that of the Class B shares at the time of conversion or
exchange, although the dollar value will be the same, a shareholder may
receive more or fewer Class A shares than the number of Class B shares
converted or exchanged.
For more information on current exchange privileges, see "Exchanges."
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to its Class B shares
(the "Class B Distribution Plan") that provide for expenditures by the Fund at
an annual rate of up to 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class B
shares to pay expenses of the distribution of Class B shares. Payments under
the Class B Distribution Plan are currently made to the Principal Underwriter
(which may reallow all or part to others, such as dealers) (1) as commissions
for Class B shares sold and (2) as shareholder service fees. Amounts paid or
accrued to the Principal Underwriter under (1) and (2) in the aggregate may
not exceed the annual limitation referred to above.
The Principal Underwriter generally reallows to brokers or others a
commission equal to 4.00% of the price paid for each Class B share sold plus
the first year's service fee in advance in the amount of 0.25% of the price
paid for each Class B share sold. Beginning approximately 12 months after the
purchase of a Class B share, the broker or other party will receive service
fees at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of such
Class B share maintained by the recipient outstanding on the books of the Fund
for specified periods. See "Distribution Plans" below.
CLASS C SHARES
Class C shares are offered only through dealers who have special
distribution agreements with the Principal Underwriter. Class C shares are
offered at net asset value, without an initial sales charge. With certain
exceptions, the Fund imposes a deferred sales charge of 1.00% on shares
redeemed within one year after the date of purchase. No deferred sales charge
is imposed on amounts redeemed thereafter. If imposed, the deferred sales
charge is deducted from the redemption proceeds otherwise payable to you. The
deferred sales charge is retained by the Principal Underwriter. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charges and Waiver of Sales Charges" below.
CLASS C DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to Class C shares (the
"Class C Distribution Plan") that provides for expenditures by the Fund at an
annual rate of up to 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class C
shares to pay expenses of the distribution of Class C shares. Payments under
the Class C Distribution Plan are currently made to the Principal Underwriter
(which may reallow all or part to others, such as dealers) (1) as commissions
for Class C shares sold and (2) as shareholder service fees. Amounts paid or
accrued to the Principal Underwriter under (1) and (2) in the aggregate may
not exceed the annual limitation referred to above.
The Principal Underwriter generally reallows to brokers or others a
commission in the amount of 0.75% of the price paid for each Class C share
sold, plus the first year's service fee in advance in the amount of 0.25% of
the price paid for each Class C share sold, and, beginning approximately
fifteen months after purchase, a commission at an annual rate of 0.75%
(subject to NASD rules -- see "Distribution Plans") plus service fees which
are paid at the annual rate of 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net
asset value of each Class C share maintained by the recipients outstanding on
the books of the Fund for specified periods. See "Distribution Plans" below.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE AND WAIVER OF SALES CHARGES
Any contingent deferred sales charge imposed upon the redemption of Class A,
Class B or Class C shares is a percentage of the lesser of (1) the net asset
value of the shares redeemed or (2) the net asset value at the time of
purchase of such shares.
No contingent deferred sales charge is imposed when you redeem amounts
derived from (1) increases in the value of your account above the net cost of
such shares due to increases in the net asset value per share of such shares;
(2) certain shares with respect to which the Fund did not pay a commission on
issuance, including shares acquired through reinvestment of dividend income
and capital gains distributions; (3) certain Class A shares held for more than
one or two years, as the case may be, from the date of purchase; (4) Class B
shares held for more than 72 months after purchase, as the case may be; or (5)
Class C shares held for more than one year from the date of purchase. Upon
request for redemption, shares not subject to the contingent deferred sales
charge will be redeemed first. Thereafter, shares held the longest will be the
first to be redeemed.
With respect to Class A shares purchased by a Qualifying Plan at net asset
value or Class C shares purchased by a Qualifying Plan, no contingent deferred
sales charge will be imposed on any redemptions made specifically by an
individual participant in the Qualifying Plan. This waiver is not available in
the event a Qualifying Plan (as a whole) redeems substantially all of its
assets.
In addition, no contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on a redemption
of shares of the Fund in the event of (1) death or disability of the
shareholder; (2) a lump-sum distribution from a 401(k) plan or other benefit
plan qualified under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
("ERISA"); (3) automatic withdrawals from ERISA plans if the shareholder is at
least 59 1/2 years old; (4) involuntary redemptions of accounts having an
aggregate net asset value of less than $1,000; (5) automatic withdrawals under
an automatic withdrawal plan of up to 1 1/2% per month of the shareholder's
initial account balance; (6) withdrawals consisting of loan proceeds to a
retirement plan participant; (7) financial hardship withdrawals made by a
retirement plan participant; or (8) withdrawals consisting of returns of
excess contributions or excess deferral amounts made to a retirement plan
participant.
The Fund may also sell Class A, Class B or Class C shares at net asset value
without any initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge to
certain Directors, Trustees, officers and employees of the Fund and Keystone
and certain of their affiliates, to registered representatives of firms with
dealer agreements with the Principal Underwriter and to a bank or trust
company acting as a trustee for a single account.
ARRANGEMENTS WITH BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHERS
The Principal Underwriter may, from time to time, provide promotional
incentives, including reallowance of up to the entire sales charge, to certain
dealers whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant
amounts of Fund shares. In addition, dealers may, from time to time, receive
additional cash payments. The Principal Underwriter may also provide written
information to dealers with whom it has dealer agreements that relates to
sales incentive campaigns conducted by such dealers for their representatives
as well as financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars,
conferences and advertising. No such programs or additional compensation will
be offered to the extent they are prohibited by the laws of any state or any
self-regulatory agency such as the NASD. Dealers to whom substantially the
entire sales charge on Class A shares is reallowed may be deemed to be
underwriters as that term is defined under the 1933 Act.
The Principal Underwriter may, at its own expense, pay concessions in
addition to those described above to dealers which satisfy certain criteria
established from time to time by the Principal Underwriter. These conditions
relate to increasing sales of shares of the Keystone funds over specified
periods and certain other factors. Such payments may, depending on the
dealer's satisfaction of the required conditions, be periodic and may be up to
0.25% of the value of shares sold by such dealer.
The Principal Underwriter may also pay a transaction fee (up to the level of
payments allowed to dealers for the sale of shares, as described above) to
banks and other financial services firms that facilitate transactions in
shares of the Fund for their clients.
The Glass-Steagall Act currently limits the ability of a depository
institution (such as a commercial bank or a savings and loan association) to
become an underwriter or distributor of securities. In the event the Glass-
Steagall Act is deemed to prohibit depository institutions from accepting
payments under the arrangement described above, or should Congress relax
current restrictions on depository institutions, the Board of Trustees will
consider what action, if any, is appropriate.
In addition, 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.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
As discussed above, the Fund bears some of the costs of selling its shares
under Distribution Plans adopted with respect to its Class A, Class B and
Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The NASD limits the amount that a Fund may pay annually in distribution
costs for the sale of its shares and shareholder service fees. The NASD limits
annual expenditures to 1% of the aggregate average daily net asset value of
its shares, of which 0.75% may be used to pay such distribution costs and
0.25% may be used to pay shareholder service fees. The NASD also limits the
aggregate amount that the Fund may pay for such distribution costs to 6.25% of
gross share sales since the inception of the 12b-1 Distribution Plan, plus
interest at the prime rate plus 1% on such amounts (less any deferred sales
charges paid by shareholders to the Principal Underwriter), remaining unpaid
from time to time.
The Principal Underwriter intends, but is not obligated, to continue to pay
or accrue distribution charges incurred in connection with the Class B
Distribution Plans that exceed current annual payments permitted to be
received by the Principal Underwriter from the Fund. The Principal Underwriter
intends to seek full payment of such charges from the Fund (together with
annual interest thereon at the prime rate plus one percent) at such time in
the future as, and to the extent that, payment thereof by the Fund would be
within the permitted limits.
If the Fund's Independent Trustees authorize such payments, the effect would
be to extend the period of time during which the Fund incurs the maximum
amount of costs allowed by a Distribution Plan. If a Distribution Plan is
terminated, the Principal Underwriter will ask the Independent Trustees to
take whatever action they deem appropriate under the circumstances with
respect to payment of such amounts.
In connection with financing its distribution costs, including commission
advances to dealers and others, the Principal Underwriter has sold to a
financial institution substantially all of its 12b-1 fee collection rights and
contingent deferred sales charge collection rights in respect of Class B
shares sold during the two-year period commencing approximately June 1, 1995.
The Fund has agreed not to reduce the rate of payment of 12b-1 fees in respect
of such Class B shares, unless it terminates such shares' Distribution Plan
completely. If it terminates such Distribution Plan, the Fund may be subject
to possible adverse distribution consequences.
Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of the
Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares
of the respective class.
The Fund makes no payments in connection with the sale of its shares other
than the fee paid to the Fund's Principal Underwriter.
Dealers or others may receive different levels of compensation depending on
which class of shares they sell. Payments pursuant to a Distribution Plan are
included in the operating expenses of the class.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
You may redeem Fund shares for cash at their net asset value upon written
order to the Fund c/o KIRC, and presentation to the Fund of a properly
endorsed share certificate (if certificates have been issued). Your signature
(s) on the written order and certificates must be guaranteed as described
below. In order to redeem by telephone or to engage in telephone transactions
generally, you must complete the authorization in your account application.
Proceeds for shares redeemed on telephonic order will be deposited by wire or
EFT only to the bank account designated in your account application.
The redemption value equals the net asset value per share then determined
and may be more or less than your cost depending upon changes in the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities between purchase and redemption.
If imposed, the deferred sales charge is deducted from the redemption
proceeds otherwise payable to you.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES IN GENERAL
At various times, the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it
has not yet received good payment. In such a case, the Fund will mail the
redemption proceeds upon clearance of the purchase check, which may take 15
days or more. Any delay may be avoided by purchasing shares either with a
certified check or by Federal Reserve or bank wire of funds or by EFT.
Although the mailing of a redemption check or the wiring or EFT of redemption
proceeds may be delayed, the redemption value will be determined and the
redemption processed in the ordinary course of business upon receipt of proper
documentation. In such a case, after the redemption and prior to the release
of the proceeds, no appreciation or depreciation will occur in the value of
the redeemed shares, and no interest will be paid on the redemption proceeds.
If the payment of a redemption has been delayed, the check will be mailed or
the proceeds wired or sent EFT promptly after good payment has been collected.
The Fund computes the amount due you at the close of the Exchange at the end
of the day on which it has received all proper documentation from you. Payment
of the amount due on redemption, less any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge (as described above), will be made within seven days thereafter except
as discussed herein.
You may also redeem your shares through broker-dealers. The Principal
Underwriter, acting as agent for the Fund, stands ready to repurchase Fund
shares upon orders from dealers and will calculate the net asset value on the
same terms as those orders for the purchase of shares received from broker-
dealers and described under "How to Buy Shares." If the Principal Underwriter
has received proper documentation, it will pay the redemption proceeds, less
any applicable deferred sales charge, to the broker-dealer placing the order
within seven days thereafter. The Principal Underwriter charges no fee for
this service. Your broker-dealer, however, may charge a service fee.
For your protection, SIGNATURES ON CERTIFICATES, STOCK POWERS AND ALL
WRITTEN ORDERS OR AUTHORIZATIONS MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A U.S. STOCK EXCHANGE
MEMBER, A BANK OR OTHER PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND KIRC'S POLICIES. The Fund or KIRC may
waive this requirement, but also may require additional documents in certain
cases. Currently, the requirement for a signature guarantee has been waived on
redemptions of $50,000 or less when the account address of record has been the
same for a minimum period of 30 days. The Fund and KIRC reserve the right to
withdraw this waiver at any time.
If the Fund receives a redemption order, but you have not clearly indicated
the amount of money or number of shares involved, the Fund cannot execute the
order. In such cases, the Fund will request the missing information from you
and process the order on the day such information is received.
TELEPHONE
Under ordinary circumstances, you may redeem up to $50,000 from your account
by telephone by calling toll free 1-800-343-2898. You must complete the
Telephone Redemptions section of the application to enjoy telephone redemption
privileges.
In order to insure that instructions received by KIRC are genuine when you
initiate a telephone transaction, you will be asked to verify certain criteria
specific to your account. At the conclusion of the transaction, you will be
given a transaction number confirming your request, and written confirmation
of your transaction will be mailed the next business day. Your telephone
instructions will be recorded. Redemptions by telephone are allowed only if
the address and bank account of record have been the same for a minimum period
of 30 days.
If the redemption proceeds are less than $2,500, they will be mailed by
check. If they are $2,500 or more, they will be mailed, wired or sent by EFT
to your previously designated bank account as you direct. If you do not
specify how you wish your redemption proceeds to be sent, they will be mailed
by check.
If you cannot reach the Fund by telephone, you should follow the procedures
for redeeming by mail or through a broker as set forth herein.
SMALL ACCOUNTS
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Fund reserves the
right to redeem your account if its value has fallen below $1,000, the current
minimum investment level, as a result of your redemptions (but not as a result
of market action). You will be notified in writing and allowed 60 days to
increase the value of your account to the minimum investment level. No
deferred sales charges are applied to such redemptions.
REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
If conditions arise that would make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for
all redemptions in cash, the Fund may authorize payment to be made in
portfolio securities or other property. The Fund has obligated itself,
however, under the 1940 Act to redeem for cash all shares presented for
redemption by any one shareholder up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the
Fund's net assets in any 90-day period. Securities delivered in payment of
redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing
the net asset value per share and would, to the extent permitted by law, be
readily marketable. Shareholders receiving such securities would incur
brokerage costs upon the securities' sale.
GENERAL
The Fund reserves the right at any time to terminate, suspend or change the
terms of any redemption method described in this prospectus, except redemption
by mail, and to impose fees.
Except as otherwise noted, neither the Fund, KIRC nor the Principal
Underwriter assumes responsibility for the authenticity of any instructions
received by any of them from a shareholder in writing, over the Keystone
Automated Response Line ("KARL") or by telephone. KIRC will employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that instructions received over KARL or by telephone are
genuine. Neither the Fund, KIRC nor the Principal Underwriter will be liable
when following instructions received over KARL or by telephone that KIRC
reasonably believes to be genuine.
The Fund may temporarily suspend the right to redeem its shares when (1) the
Exchange is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (2)
trading on the Exchange is restricted; (3) an emergency exists and the Fund
cannot dispose of its investments or fairly determine their value; or (4) the
Securities and Exchange Commission so orders.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Details on all shareholder services may be obtained from KIRC by writing or
by calling toll free 1-800-343-2898.
KEYSTONE AUTOMATED RESPONSE LINE
KARL offers you specific fund account information and price and yield
quotations as well as the ability to do account transactions, including
investments, exchanges and redemptions. You may access KARL by dialing toll
free 1-800-346-3858 on any touch-tone telephone, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.
EXCHANGES
A shareholder who has obtained the appropriate prospectus may exchange
shares of the Fund for shares of certain other Keystone America Funds and
Keystone Liquid Trust ("KLT") as follows:
Class A shares may be exchanged for Class A shares of other Keystone
America Funds and Class A shares of KLT;
Class B shares, except as noted below, may be exchanged for the same type
of Class B shares of other Keystone America Funds and the same type of Class
B shares of KLT; and
Class C shares may be exchanged for Class C shares of other Keystone
America Funds and Class C shares of KLT.
Class B shares cannot be exchanged for Class B shares of Keystone Capital
Preservation and Income Fund during the 24 month period commencing with and
including the month of original purchase.
The exchange of Class B shares and Class C shares will not be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge. However, if the shares being tendered for
exchange are
(i) Class A shares acquired in an NAV Purchase or otherwise without a front
end sales charge,
(ii) Class B shares that have been held for less than 72 months or four
years, as the case may
be, or
(iii) Class C shares that have been held for less than one year,
and are still subject to a deferred sales charge, such charge will carry over
to the shares being acquired in the exchange transaction.
You may exchange shares for another Keystone fund for a $10 fee by calling
or writing to Keystone. The exchange fee is waived for individual investors
who make an exchange using KARL. Shares purchased by check are eligible for
exchange after 15 days. If the shares being tendered for exchange are still
subject to a deferred sales charge, such charge will carry over to the shares
being acquired in the exchange transaction. The Fund reserves the right, after
providing the required notice to shareholders, to terminate this exchange
offer or to change its terms, including the right to change the fee for any
exchange.
Orders to exchange a certain class of shares of the Fund for the
corresponding class of shares of KLT will be executed by redeeming the shares
of the Fund and purchasing the corresponding class of shares of KLT at the net
asset value of such shares next determined after the proceeds from such
redemption become available, which may be up to seven days after such
redemption. In all other cases, orders for exchanges received by the Fund
prior to 4:00 p.m. eastern time on any day the Fund is open for business will
be executed at the respective net asset values determined as of the close of
business that day. Orders for exchanges received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time
on any business day will be executed at the respective net asset values
determined at the close of the next business day.
An excessive number of exchanges may be disadvantageous to the Fund.
Therefore, the Fund, in addition to its right to reject any exchange, reserves
the right to terminate the exchange privilege of any shareholder who makes
more than five exchanges of shares of the funds in a year or three in a
calendar quarter.
An exchange order must comply with the requirements for a redemption or
repurchase order and must specify the dollar value or number of shares to be
exchanged. Exchanges are subject to the minimum initial purchase requirements
of the fund being acquired. An exchange constitutes a sale for federal income
tax purposes.
The exchange privilege is available only in states where shares of the fund
being acquired may legally be sold.
KEYSTONE AMERICA MONEY LINE
Keystone America Money Line eliminates the delay of mailing a check or the
expense of wiring funds. You must request the service on your application.
Keystone America Money Line allows you to authorize electronic transfers of
money to purchase shares in any amount and to redeem up to $50,000 worth of
shares. You can use Keystone America Money Line like an "electronic check" to
move money between your bank account and your account in the Fund with one
telephone call. You must allow two business days after the call for the
transfer to take place. For money recently invested, you must allow normal
check clearing time before redemption proceeds are sent to your bank.
You may also arrange for systematic monthly or quarterly investments in your
Keystone America account. Once proper authorization is given, your bank
account will be debited to purchase shares in the Fund. You will receive
confirmation from the Principal Underwriter for every transaction.
To change the amount of a Keystone America Money Line or to terminate the
service (which could take up to 30 days), you must write to KIRC and include
account numbers.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund has various retirement plans available to investors, including
Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"); Rollover IRAs; Simplified Employee
Pension Plans ("SEPs"); Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans ("TSAs"), 403(b) Plans;
401(k) Plans; Keogh Plans; Corporate Profit-Sharing Plans; and Money Purchase
Plans. For details, including fees and application forms, call toll free 1-
800-247-4075 or write to KIRC.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
Under an Automatic Withdrawal Plan, if your account has a value of at least
$10,000, you may arrange for regular monthly or quarterly fixed withdrawal
payments. Each payment must be at least $100 and may be as much as 1.5% per
month or 4.5% per quarter of the total net asset value of the Fund shares in
your account when the Automatic Withdrawal Plan is opened. Fixed withdrawal
payments are not subject to a deferred sales charge. Excessive withdrawals may
decrease or deplete the value of your account. Moreover, because of the effect
of the applicable sales charge, a Class A investor should not make continuous
purchases of the Fund's shares while participating in the Automatic Withdrawal
Plan.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Through dollar cost averaging you can invest a fixed dollar amount each
month or each quarter in any Keystone America Fund. This results in more
shares being purchased when the selected fund's net asset value is relatively
low and fewer shares being purchased when the fund's net asset value is
relatively high and may result in a lower average cost per share than a less
systematic investment approach.
Prior to participating in dollar cost averaging, you must establish an
account in a Keystone America Fund or a money market fund managed or advised
by Keystone. You should designate on the application (1) the dollar amount of
each monthly or quarterly investment (minimum $100) you wish to make and (2)
the fund in which the investment is to be made. Thereafter, on the first day
of the designated month, an amount equal to the specified monthly or quarterly
investment will automatically be redeemed from your initial account and
invested in shares of the designated fund. If you are a Class A investor and
paid a sales charge on your initial purchase, the shares purchased will be
eligible for Rights of Accumulation and the sales charge applicable to the
purchase will be determined accordingly. In addition, the value of shares
purchased will be included in the total amount required to fulfill a Letter of
Intent. If a sales charge was not paid on the initial purchase, a sales charge
will be imposed at the time of subsequent purchases, and the value of shares
purchased will become eligible for Rights of Accumulation and Letters of
Intent.
TWO DIMENSIONAL INVESTING
You may elect to have income and capital gains distributions from any class
Keystone America Fund shares you may own automatically invested to purchase
the same class of shares of any other Keystone America Fund. You may select
this service on your application and indicate the Keystone America Fund(s)
into which distributions are to be invested. The value of shares purchased
will be ineligible for Rights of Accumulation and Letters of Intent.
OTHER SERVICES
Under certain circumstances, you may, within 30 days after a redemption,
reinstate your account in the same class of shares that you redeemed at
current net asset value.
PERFORMANCE DATA
From time to time the Fund may advertise "total return" and "current yield".
ALL DATA IS BASED ON HISTORICAL EARNINGS AND IS NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE
FUTURE PERFORMANCE. Total return and current yield are computed separately
for each class of shares of the Fund. Total return refers to average annual
compounded rates of return over specified periods determined by comparing the
initial amount invested in a particular class to the ending redeemable value
of that amount. The resulting equation assumes reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions and deduction of the maximum sales charge or applicable
contingent deferred sales charge and all recurring charges, if any, applicable
to all shareholder accounts. The exchange fee is not included in the
calculation.
Current yield quotations represent the yield on an investment for a stated
30-day period computed by dividing net investment income earned per share
during the base period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day
of the base period.
The Fund may also include comparative performance data for each class of
shares in advertising or marketing the Fund's shares, such as data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Standard & Poor's Corporation,
Ibbotson Associates or other industry publications.
FUND SHARES
The Fund currently issues one series of shares, which offers three classes
of shares that participate proportionately based on their relative net asset
values in dividends and distributions and have equal voting, liquidation and
other rights except that (1) expenses related to the distribution of each
series or class of shares or other ex-
penses that the Board of Trustees may designate as class expenses from time to
time, are borne solely by each series or class; (2) each series or class of
shares has exclusive voting rights with respect to its Distribution Plan; (3)
each series or class has different exchange privileges; and (4) each series or
class generally has a different designation. When issued and paid for, the
shares will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Fund. Shares may be
exchanged as explained under "Shareholder Services", but will have no other
preference, conversion, exchange or preemptive rights. Shares are redeemable,
transferable and freely assignable as collateral. The Fund is authorized to
issue additional series or classes of shares.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share owned and
fractional votes for fractional shares. Shares of the Fund vote together
except when required by law to vote separately by series or class. The Fund
does not have annual meetings. The Fund will have special meetings, from time
to time, as required under its Declaration of Trust and under the 1940 Act. As
provided in the Fund's Declaration of Trust, shareholders have the right to
remove Trustees by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding
shares. A special meeting of the shareholders will be held when 10% of the
outstanding shares request a meeting for the purpose of removing a Trustee.
The Fund is prepared to assist shareholders in communications with one another
for the purpose of convening such a meeting as prescribed by Section 16(c) of
the 1940 Act.
Under Massachusetts law, it is possible that a Fund shareholder may be held
personally liable for the Fund's obligations. The Fund's Declaration of Trust
provides, however, that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal
liability for the Fund's obligations and provides indemnification from Fund
assets for any shareholder held personally liable for the Fund's obligations.
Disclaimers of such liability are included in each Fund agreement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIRC, located at 101 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1519, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone, serves as the Fund's transfer agent and
dividend disbursing agent.
When the Fund determines from its records that more than one account in the
Fund is registered in the name of a shareholder or shareholders having the
same address, upon notice to those shareholders, the Fund intends, when an
annual report or a semi-annual report of the Fund is required to be furnished,
to mail one copy of such report to that address.
Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus or required by law, the Fund
reserves the right to change the terms of the offer stated in this prospectus
without shareholder approval, including the right to impose or change fees for
services provided.
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
The Fund may engage in the following investment practices to the extent
described in the prospectus and the statement of additional information.
OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN BRANCHES OF UNITED STATES BANKS
The obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be general obligations
of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the
terms of a specific obligation and by government regulation. Payment of
interest and principal upon these obligations may also be affected by
governmental action in the country of domicile of the branch (generally
referred to as sovereign risk). In addition, evidences of ownership of such
securities may be held outside the U.S., and the Fund may be subject to the
risks associated with the holding of such property overseas. Examples of
governmental actions would be the imposition of currency controls, interest
limitations, withholding taxes, seizure of assets or the declaration of a
moratorium. Various provisions of federal law governing domestic branches do
not apply to foreign branches of domestic banks.
OBLIGATIONS OF UNITED STATES BRANCHES OF FOREIGN BANKS
Obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of
the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the
terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state regulation as well as
by governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head
office. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a
U.S. branch of a foreign bank than about a domestic bank.
MASTER DEMAND NOTES
Master demand notes are unsecured obligations that permit the investment of
fluctuating amounts by the Fund at varying rates of interest pursuant to
direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the issuer, as borrower.
Master demand notes may permit daily fluctuations in the interest rate and
daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right to increase the
amount under the note at any time up to the full amount provided by the note
agreement or to decrease the amount. The borrower may repay up to the full
amount of the note without penalty. Notes purchased by the Fund permit the
Fund to demand payment of principal and accrued interest at any time (on not
more than seven days notice) and to resell the note at any time to a third
party. Notes acquired by the Fund may have maturities of more than one year,
provided that (1) the Fund is entitled to payment of principal and accrued
interest upon not more than seven days notice, and (2) the rate of interest on
such notes is adjusted automatically at periodic intervals, which normally
will not exceed 31 days, but may extend up to one year. The notes are deemed
to have a maturity equal to the longer of the period remaining to the next
interest rate adjustment or the demand notice period. Because these types of
notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower, such
instruments are not normally traded and there is no secondary market for these
notes, although they are redeemable and thus repayable by the borrower at face
value plus accrued interest at any time. Accordingly, the Fund's right to
redeem is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and
interest on demand. In connection with master demand note arrangements,
Keystone considers, under standards established by the Board of Trustees,
earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the borrower and will
monitor the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand.
These notes are not typically rated by credit rating agencies. Unless rated,
the Fund will invest in them only if, at the time of investment, the issuer
meets the criteria established for commercial paper.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with member banks of the
Federal Reserve System having at least $1 billion in assets, primary dealers
in U.S. government securities or other financial institutions believed by
Keystone to be creditworthy. Such persons must be registered as U.S.
government securities dealers with an appropriate regulatory organization.
Under such agreements, the bank, primary dealer or other financial institution
agrees upon entering into the contract to repurchase the security at a
mutually agreed upon date and price, thereby determining the yield during the
term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from
market fluctuations during such period. Under a repurchase agreement, the
seller must maintain the value of the securities subject to the agreement at
not less than the repurchase price, such value being determined on a daily
basis by marking the underlying securities to their market value. Although the
securities subject to the repurchase agreement might bear maturities exceeding
a year, the Fund intends only to enter into repurchase agreements that provide
for settlement within a year and usually within seven days. Securities subject
to repurchase agreements will be held by the Fund's custodian or in the
Federal Reserve book entry system. The Fund does not bear the risk of a
decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults
under its repurchase obligation. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default
of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays
in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including (1) possible
declines in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the
Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (2) possible subnormal levels of
income and lack of access to income during this period; and (3) expenses of
enforcing its rights. The Board of Trustees has established procedures to
evaluate the creditworthiness of each party with whom the Fund enters into
repurchase agreements by setting guidelines and standards of review for
Keystone and monitoring Keystone's actions with regard to repurchase
agreements.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund would sell securities and
agree to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The Fund
intends to enter into reverse repurchase agreements to avoid otherwise having
to sell securities during unfavorable market conditions in order to meet
redemptions. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement,
it will establish a segregated account with the Fund's custodian containing
liquid assets such as U.S. government securities or other high grade debt
securities having a value not less than the repurchase price (including
accrued interest) and will subsequently monitor the account to ensure such
value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the
market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase may
decline below the repurchase price. Borrowing and reverse repurchase
agreements magnify the potential for gain or loss on the portfolio securities
of the Fund and, therefore, increase the possibility of fluctuation in the
Fund's net asset value. Such practices may constitute leveraging. In the event
the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for
bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may
receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund's
obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund's use of the proceeds of
the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such
determination. The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken
the position that reverse repurchase agreements are subject to the percentage
limit on borrowings imposed under the 1940 Act.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities principally traded
in securities markets outside the United States. At the time the Fund does not
intend to invest more than 5% of its assets in foreign securities. While
investment in foreign securities is intended to reduce risk by providing
further diversification, such investments involve sovereign risk in addition
to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities.
Foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in
currency rates and exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly
available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and
foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
companies. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid or more
volatile than securities of U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage commissions
and custodian fees are generally higher than in the United States. Investments
in foreign securities may also be subject to other risks different than those
affecting U.S. investments, including local political or economic
developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, imposition of
withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments and currency blockage
(which would prevent cash from being brought back to the United States).
In addition, investing in securities of foreign issuers generally involves
more risk than investing in securities of domestic issuers for the following
reasons: (1) there may be less public information available about foreign
companies than is available about U.S. companies; (2) foreign companies are
not generally subject to the uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards and practices applicable to U.S. companies; (3) foreign
stock markets have less volume than the U.S. market, and the securities of
some foreign companies are much less liquid and much more volatile than the
securities of comparable U.S. companies; (4) foreign securities transactions
may involve higher brokerage commissions; (5) there may be less government
regulation of stock markets, brokers, listed companies and banks in foreign
countries than in the U.S.; (6) the Fund may incur fees on currency exchanges
when it changes investments from one country to another; (7) the Fund's
foreign investments could be affected by expropriation, confiscatory taxation,
nationalization, establishment of currency exchange controls, political or
social instability or diplomatic developments; (8) fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates will affect the value of the Fund's investments, the value of
dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of
securities, net investment income and unrealized appreciation or depreciation
of investments; and (9) interest and dividends on foreign securities may be
subject to withholding taxes in a foreign country that could result in a
reduction of net investment income available for distribution.
Investing in securities of issuers in emerging market countries involves
exposure to economic systems that are generally less mature and political
systems that are generally less stable than those of developed countries. In
addition, investing in companies in emerging market countries may also involve
exposure to national policies that may restrict investment by foreigners and
undeveloped legal systems governing private and foreign investments and
private property. The typically small size of the markets for securities
issued by companies in emerging markets countries and the possibility of a low
or nonexistent volume of trading in those securities may also result in a lack
of liquidity and in price volatility of those securities. Furthermore,
investing in securities of companies in the formerly communist countries of
Eastern Europe and the People's Republic of China involves additional risks to
those associated with investments in companies in non-formerly communist
emerging markets countries. Specifically, those countries could convert back
to a single economic system, and the claims of property owners prior to the
expropriation by the communist regime could be settled in favor of the former
property owners, in which case the Fund could lose its entire investment in
those countries. These risks are carefully considered by Keystone prior to the
purchase of these securities.
"WHEN ISSUED" SECURITIES
The Fund may also purchase and sell securities and currencies on a when
issued and delayed delivery basis. When issued or delayed delivery
transactions arise when securities or currencies are purchased or sold by the
Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure
what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the
time of entering into the transaction. When the Fund engages in when issued
and delayed delivery transactions, the Fund relies on the buyer or seller, as
the case may be, to consummate the sale. Failure to do so may result in the
Fund missing the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be
advantageous. When issued and delayed delivery transactions may be expected to
occur a month or more before delivery is due. No payment or delivery is made
by the Fund however, until it receives payment or delivery from the other
party to the transaction. A separate account of liquid assets equal to the
value of such purchase commitments will be maintained until payment is made.
When issued and delayed delivery agreements are subject to risks from changes
in value based upon changes in the level of interest rates, currency rates and
other market factors, both before and after delivery. The Fund does not accrue
any income on such securities or currencies prior to their delivery. To the
extent the Fund engages in when issued and delayed delivery transactions, it
will do so consistent with its investment objective and policies and not for
the purpose of investment leverage. The Fund currently does not intend to
invest more than 5% of its assets in when issued or delayed delivery
transactions.
LOANS OF SECURITIES TO BROKER-DEALERS
The Fund may lend securities to brokers and dealers pursuant to agreements
requiring that the loans be continuously secured by cash or securities of the
U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or any combination of cash
and such securities, as collateral equal at all times in value to at least the
market value of the securities loaned. Such securities loans will not be made
with respect to the Fund if, as a result, the aggregate of all outstanding
securities loans exceeds 15% of the value of the Fund's total assets taken at
their current value. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on
the securities loaned and simultaneously earns interest on the investment of
the cash loan collateral in U.S. Treasury notes, certificates of deposit,
other high-grade, short-term obligations or interest bearing cash equivalents.
Although voting rights attendant to securities loaned pass to the borrower,
such loans may be called at any time and will be called so that the securities
may be voted by the Fund if, in the opinion of the Fund, a material event
affecting the investment is to occur. There may be risks of delay in receiving
additional collateral or in recovering the securities loaned or even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. Loans may only be made to borrowers deemed to be of good
standing, under standards approved by the Board of Trustees, when the income
to be earned from the loan justifies the attendant risks.
DERIVATIVES
The Fund may use derivatives in furtherance of its investment objective.
Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived
from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These assets,
rates, and indices may include bonds, stocks, mortgages, commodities, interest
rates, currency exchange rates, bond indices and stock indices. Derivatives
can be used to earn income or protect against risk, or both. For example, one
party with unwanted risk may agree to pass that risk to another party who is
willing to accept the risk, the second party being motivated, for example, by
the desire either to earn income in the form of a fee or premium from the
first party, or to reduce its own unwanted risk by attempting to pass all or
part of that risk to the first party.
Derivatives can be used by investors such as the Fund to earn income and
enhance returns, to hedge or adjust the risk profile of the portfolio, and
either in place of more traditional direct investments or to obtain exposure
to otherwise inaccessible markets. The Fund is permitted to use derivatives
for one or more of these purposes, although the Fund generally uses
derivatives primarily as direct investments in order to enhance yields and
broaden portfolio diversification. Each of these uses entails greater risk
than if derivatives were used solely for hedging purposes. The Fund uses
futures contracts and related options for hedging purposes. Derivatives are a
valuable tool which, when used properly, can provide significant benefit to
Fund shareholders. Keystone is not an aggressive user of derivatives with
respect to the Fund. However, the Fund may take positions in those derivatives
that are within its investment policies if, in Keystone's judgement, this
represents an effective response to current or anticipated market conditions.
Keystone's use of derivatives is subject to continuous risk assessment and
control from the standpoint of the Fund's investment objective and policies.
Derivatives may be (1) standardized, exchange-traded contracts or (2)
customized, privately negotiated contracts. Exchange-traded derivatives tend
to be more liquid and subject to less credit risk than those that are
privately negotiated.
There are four principal types of derivative instruments -- options,
futures, forwards and swaps -- from which virtually any type of derivative
transaction can be created. Further information regarding options and futures,
is provided later in this section and is provided in the Fund's statement of
additional information. The Fund does not presently engage in the use of
swaps.
While the judicious use of derivatives by experienced investment managers
such as Keystone can be beneficial, derivatives also involve risks different
from, and, in certain cases, greater than, the risks presented by more
traditional investments. Following is a general discussion of important risk
factors and issues concerning the use of derivatives that investors should
understand before investing in the Fund.
* Market Risk -- This is the general risk attendant to all investments that the
value of a particular investment will decline or otherwise change in a way
detrimental to the Fund's interest.
* Management Risk -- Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that
require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated
with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative requires an understanding not
only of the underlying instrument, but also of the derivative itself, without
the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible
market conditions. In particular, the use and complexity of derivatives require
the maintenance of adequate controls to monitor the transactions entered into,
the ability to assess the risk that a derivative adds to the Fund's portfolio
and the ability to forecast price, interest rate or currency exchange rate
movements correctly.
* Credit Risk -- This is the risk that a loss may be sustained by the Fund as a
result of the failure of another party to a derivative (usually referred to as a
"counterparty") to comply with the terms of the derivative contract. The credit
risk for exchange traded derivatives is generally less than for privately
negotiated derivatives, since the clearing house, which is the issuer or
counterparty to each exchange-traded derivative, provides a guarantee of
performance. This guarantee is supported by a daily payment system (i.e., margin
requirements) operated by the clearing house in order to reduce overall credit
risk. For privately negotiated derivatives, there is no similar clearing agency
guarantee. Therefore, the Fund considers the creditworthiness of each
counterparty to a privately negotiated derivative in evaluating potential credit
risk.
* Liquidity Risk -- Liquidity risk exists when a particular instrument is
difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large
or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many privately
negotiated derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or
liquidate a position at an advantageous price.
* Leverage Risk -- Since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, rate or index can result
in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative
itself. In the case of swaps, the risk of loss generally is related to a
notional principal amount, even if the parties have not made any initial
investment. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss,
regardless of the size of the initial investment.
* Other Risks -- Other risks in using derivatives include the risk of mispricing
or improper valuation and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly
with underlying assets, rates and indices. Many derivatives, in particular
privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively.
Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to
counterparties or a loss of value to a Fund. Derivatives do not always perfectly
or even highly correlate or track the value of the assets, rates or indices they
are designed to closely track. Consequently, the Fund's use of derivatives may
not always be an effective means of, and sometimes could be counterproductive
to, furthering the Fund's investment objective.
OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
WRITING COVERED OPTIONS. The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered call and
put options. By writing a call option, the Fund becomes obligated during the
term of the option to deliver the securities underlying the option upon
payment of the exercise price. By writing a put option, the Fund becomes
obligated during the term of the option to purchase the securities underlying
the option at the exercise price if the option is exercised. The Fund also may
write straddles (combinations of covered puts and calls on the same underlying
security).
The Fund may only write "covered" options. This means that so long as the
Fund is obligated as the writer of a call option it will own the underlying
securities subject to the option or, in the case of call options on U.S.
Treasury bills, the Fund might own substantially similar U.S. Treasury bills.
If the Fund has written options against all of its securities that are
available for writing options, the Fund may be unable to write additional
options unless it sells a portion of its portfolio holdings to obtain new
securities against which it can write options. If this were to occur, higher
portfolio turnover and correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other
transaction costs may result. The Fund does not expect, however, that this
will occur.
The Fund will be considered "covered" with respect to a put option it writes
if, so long as it is obligated as the writer of the put option, it deposits
and maintains with its custodian in a segregated account liquid assets having
a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option.
The principal reason for writing call or put options is to obtain, through a
receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the
underlying securities alone. The Fund receives a premium from writing a call
or put option, which it retains whether or not the option is exercised. By
writing a call option, the Fund might lose the potential for gain on the
underlying security while the option is open, and, by writing a put option,
the Fund might become obligated to purchase the underlying security for more
than its current market price upon exercise.
PURCHASING OPTIONS. The Fund may purchase put or call options, including
purchasing put or call options for the purpose of offsetting previously
written put or call options of the same series.
If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect
to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the
underlying securities or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until
the options expire or are exercised.
An option position may be closed out only in a secondary market for an
option of the same series. Although the Fund generally will write only those
options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option
at any particular time, and, for some options, no secondary market may exist.
In such event, it might not be possible to effect a closing transaction in a
particular option.
Options on some securities are relatively new, and it is impossible to
predict the amount of trading interest that will exist in such options. There
can be no assurance that viable markets will develop or continue. The failure
of such markets to develop or continue could significantly impair the Fund's
ability to use such options to achieve its investment objective.
OPTIONS TRADING MARKETS. Options in which the Fund will trade are generally
listed on national securities exchanges. Exchanges on which such options
currently are traded include the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the New
York, American, Pacific and Philadelphia Stock Exchanges. Options on some
securities may not be listed on any exchange, but traded in the over-the-
counter market. Options traded in the over-the-counter market involve the
additional risk that securities dealers participating in such transactions
could fail to meet their obligations to the Fund. The use of options traded in
the over-the-counter market may be subject to limitations imposed by certain
state securities authorities. In addition to the limits on its use of options
discussed herein, the Fund is subject to the investment restrictions described
in this prospectus and in the statement of additional information.
The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission is of the view that the
premiums that the Fund pays for the purchase of unlisted options and the value
of securities used to cover unlisted options written by the Fund are
considered to be invested in illiquid securities or assets for the purpose of
calculating whether the Fund is in compliance with its policies on illiquid
securities.
FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may enter into currency and other financial futures contracts and
write options on such contracts. The Fund intends to enter into such contracts
and related options for hedging purposes. The Fund will enter into securities,
currency or index based futures contracts in order to hedge against changes in
interest or exchange rates or securities prices. A futures contract on
securities or currencies is an agreement to buy or sell securities or
currencies at a specified price during a designated month. A futures contract
on a securities index does not involve the actual delivery of securities, but
merely requires the payment of a cash settlement based on changes in the
securities index. The Fund does not make payment or deliver securities upon
entering into a futures contract. Instead, it puts down a margin deposit,
which is adjusted to reflect changes in the value of the contract and which
continues until the contract is terminated.
The Fund may sell or purchase futures contracts. When a futures contract is
sold by the Fund, the value of the Fund's contract will tend to rise when the
value of the underlying securities or currencies declines and to fall when the
value of such securities or currencies increases. Thus, the Fund sells futures
contracts in order to offset a possible decline in the value of its securities
or currencies. If a futures contract is purchased by the Fund, the value of
the contract will tend to rise when the value of the underlying securities or
currencies increases and to fall when the value of such securities or
currencies declines. The Fund intends to purchase futures contracts in order
to establish what is believed by Keystone to be a favorable price and rate of
return for securities or favorable exchange rate for currencies the Fund
intends to purchase.
The Fund also intends to purchase put and call options on futures contracts
for hedging purposes. A put option purchased by the Fund would give it the
right to assume a position as the seller of a futures contract. A call option
purchased by the Fund would give it the right to assume a position as the
purchaser of a futures contract. The purchase of an option on a futures
contract requires the Fund to pay a premium. In exchange for the premium, the
Fund becomes entitled to exercise the benefits, if any, provided by the
futures contract, but is not required to take any action under the contract.
If the option cannot be exercised profitably before it expires, the Fund's
loss will be limited to the amount of the premium and any transaction costs.
The Fund may enter into closing purchase and sale transactions in order to
terminate a futures contract and may sell put and call options for the purpose
of closing out its options positions. The Fund's ability to enter into closing
transactions depends on the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary
market. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
any particular contract or at any particular time. As a result, there can be
no assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting
transaction with respect to a particular contract at a particular time. If the
Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will
continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the contract and to
complete the contract according to its terms, in which case, it would continue
to bear market risk on the transaction.
Although futures and related options transactions are intended to enable the
Fund to manage market, interest rate or exchange rate risk, unanticipated
changes in interest rates, exchange rates or market prices could result in
poorer performance than if it had not entered into these transactions. Even if
Keystone correctly predicts interest or exchange rate movements, a hedge could
be unsuccessful if changes in the value of the Fund's futures position did not
correspond to changes in the value of its investments. This lack of
correlation between the Fund's futures and securities or currencies positions
may be caused by differences between the futures and securities or currencies
markets or by differences between the securities or currencies underlying the
Fund's futures position and the securities or currencies held by or to be
purchased for the Fund. Keystone will attempt to minimize these risks through
careful selection and monitoring of the Fund's futures and options positions.
The Fund does not intend to use futures transactions for speculation or
leverage. The Fund has the ability to write options on futures, but intends to
write such options only to close out options purchased by the Fund. The Fund
will not change these policies without supplementing the information in its
prospectus and statement of additional information.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
As discussed above, the Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers.
When the Fund invests in foreign securities, they usually will be denominated
in foreign currencies, and the Fund temporarily may hold funds in foreign
currencies. Thus, the value of Fund shares will be affected by changes in
exchange rates.
As one way of managing exchange rate risk, in addition to entering into
currency futures contracts, the Fund may enter into forward currency exchange
contracts (agreements to purchase or sell currencies at a specified price and
date). The exchange rate for the transaction (the amount of currency the Fund
will deliver or receive when the contract is completed) is fixed when the Fund
enters into the contract. The Fund usually will enter into these contracts to
stabilize the U.S. dollar value of a security it has agreed to buy or sell.
The Fund intends to use these contracts to hedge the U.S. dollar value of a
security it already owns, particularly if the Fund expects a decrease in the
value of the currency in which the foreign security is denominated. Although
the Fund will attempt to benefit from using forward contracts, the success of
its hedging strategy will depend on Keystone's ability to accurately predict
the future exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. The
value of the Fund's investments denominated in foreign currencies will depend
on the relative strength of those currencies and the U.S. dollar, and the Fund
may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the exchange rates or
exchange control regulations between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates also may affect the value of
dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of
securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to
shareholders by the Fund. Although the Fund does not currently intend to do
so, the Fund may also purchase and sell options related to foreign currencies.
The Fund does not intend to enter into foreign currency transactions for
speculation or leverage.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
Initial sales charges may be reduced or eliminated for persons or
organizations purchasing Class A shares of the Fund alone or in combination
with Class A shares of other Keystone America Funds. Only Class A shares
subject to an initial or deferred sales charge are eligible for inclusion in
reduced sales charge programs.
For purposes of qualifying for reduced sales charges on purchases made
pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent, the term "Purchaser"
includes the following persons: an individual; an individual, his or her
spouse and children under the age of 21; a trustee or other fiduciary of a
single trust estate or single fiduciary account established for their benefit;
an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) or
(13) of the Internal Revenue Code; a pension, profit-sharing or other employee
benefit plan whether or not qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code; or other organized groups of persons, whether incorporated or
not, provided the organization has been in existence for at least six months
and has some purpose other than the purchase of redeemable securities of a
registered investment company at a discount. In order to qualify for a lower
sales charge, all orders from an organized group will have to be placed
through a single investment dealer or other firm and identified as originating
from a qualifying purchaser.
CONCURRENT PURCHASES
For purposes of qualifying for a reduced sales charge, a Purchaser may
combine concurrent direct purchases of Class A shares of two or more of the
"Eligible Funds," as defined below. For example, if a Purchaser concurrently
invested $75,000 in one of the other "Eligible Funds" and $75,000 in the Fund,
the sales charge would be that applicable to a $150,000 purchase, i.e., 3.75%
of the offering price, as indicated in the Sales Charge Schedule in the
prospectus.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION
In calculating the sales charge applicable to current purchases of the
Fund's Class A shares, a Purchaser is entitled to accumulate current purchases
with the current value of previously purchased Class A shares of the Fund and
Class A shares of certain other eligible funds that are still held in (or
exchanged for shares of and are still held in) the same or another eligible
fund ("Eligible Fund(s)"). The Eligible Funds are the Keystone America Funds
and Keystone Liquid Trust.
For example, if a Purchaser held shares valued at $99,999 and purchased an
additional $5,000, the sales charge for the $5,000 purchase would be at the
next lower sales charge of 3.75% of the offering price as indicated in the
Sales Charge schedule. KIRC must be notified at the time of purchase that the
Purchaser is entitled to a reduced sales charge, which reduction will be
granted subject to confirmation of the Purchaser's holdings. The Right of
Accumulation may be modified or discontinued at any time.
LETTER OF INTENT
A Purchaser may qualify for a reduced sales charge on a purchase of Class A
shares of the Fund alone or in combination with purchases of Class A shares of
any of the other Eligible Funds by completing the Letter of Intent section of
the application. By so doing, the Purchaser agrees to invest within a
thirteen-month period a specified amount which, if invested at one time, would
qualify for a reduced sales charge. Each purchase will be made at a public
offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount
specified on the application, as described in this prospectus. The Letter of
Intent does not obligate the Purchaser to purchase, nor the Fund to sell, the
amount indicated.
After the Letter of Intent is received by KIRC, each investment made will be
entitled to the sales charge applicable to the level of investment indicated
on the application. The Letter of Intent may be back-dated up to ninety days
so that any investments made in any of the Eligible Funds during the preceding
ninety-day period, valued at the Purchaser's cost, can be applied toward
fulfillment of the Letter of Intent. However, there will be no refund of sales
charges already paid during the ninety-day period. No retroactive adjustment
will be made if purchases exceed the amount specified in the Letter of Intent.
Income and capital gains distributions taken in additional shares will not
apply toward completion of the Letter of Intent.
If total purchases made pursuant to the Letter of Intent are less than the
amount specified, the Purchaser will be required to remit an amount equal to
the difference between the sales charge paid and the sales charge applicable
to purchases actually made. Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent
purchases, if necessary) 5% of the dollar amount specified on the application
will be held in escrow by KIRC in the form of shares registered in the
Purchaser's name. The escrowed shares will not be available for redemption,
transfer or encumbrance by the Purchaser until the Letter of Intent is
completed or the higher sales charge paid. All income and capital gains
distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the Purchaser or his order.
When the minimum investment specified in the Letter of Intent is completed
(either prior to or by the end of the thirteen-month period), the Purchaser
will be notified and the escrowed shares will be released. If the intended
investment is not completed, the Purchaser will be asked to remit to the
Principal Underwriter any difference between the sales charge on the amount
specified and on the amount actually attained. If the Purchaser does not
within 20 days after written request by the Principal Underwriter or his
dealer pay such difference in sales charge, KIRC will redeem an appropriate
number of the escrowed shares in order to realize such difference. Shares
remaining after any such redemption will be released by KIRC. Any redemptions
made by the Purchaser during the thirteen-month period will be subtracted from
the amount of the purchases for purposes of determining whether the Letter of
Intent has been completed. In the event of a total redemption of the account
prior to completion of the Letter of Intent, the additional sales charge due
will be deducted from the proceeds of the redemption and the balance will be
forwarded to the Purchaser.
By signing the application, the Purchaser irrevocably constitutes and
appoints KIRC his attorney to surrender for redemption any or all escrowed
shares with full power of substitution.
The Purchaser or his dealer must inform the Principal Underwriter or KIRC
that a Letter of Intent is in effect each time a purchase is made.
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE AMERICA
FUND FAMILY
O
Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Government Securities Fund
Intermediate Term Bond Fund
Strategic Income Fund
World Bond Fund
Tax Free Income Fund
California Insured Tax Free Fund
Florida Tax Free Fund
Massachusetts Tax Free Fund
Missouri Tax Free Fund
New York Insured Tax Free Fund
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund
Texas Tax Free Fund
Fund for Total Return
Global Opportunities Fund
Hartwell Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.
Hartwell Growth Fund
Omega Fund
Fund of the Americas
Strategic Development Fund
Small Cap Stock Fund
[logo] KEYSTONE
INVESTMENTS
Keystone Investment Distributors Company
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
[recycle logo]
KEYSTONE
SMALL CAP STOCK
FUND
[logo]
PROSPECTUS AND
APPLICATION
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FEBRUARY __, 1996
This statement of additional information is not a prospectus, but
relates to, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus of Keystone
Small Cap Stock Fund (the "Fund") dated February __, 1996. A copy of the
prospectus may be obtained from Keystone Investment Distributors Company
(formerly named Keystone Distributors, Inc.) (the "Principal Underwriter"), the
Fund's principal underwriter, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02116-5034.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
The Fund 2
Investment Objective and Policies 2
Investment Restrictions 3
Distributions and Taxes 6
Valuation of Securities 7
Brokerage 8
Sales Charges 10
Distribution Plans 13
Trustees and Officers 17
Investment Adviser 21
Principal Underwriter 24
Declaration of Trust 25
Standardized Total Return and Yield Quotations 27
Additional Information 28
Appendix A-1
Financial Statements F-1
Independent Auditors' Report F-17
#10160695
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company. The
Fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with long-term growth of
capital. It is the Fund's policy to invest its assets as fully as practicable.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with
long-term growth of capital. It is expected that under ordinary circumstances at
least 65% of its total assets will be invested in equity securities of companies
with small market capitalization. For this purpose, companies with small market
capitalizations are generally those with market capitalization of less than $1
billion at the time of the Fund's investment. Companies whose capitalization
falls outside this range after the purchase continue to be considered small cap
for this purpose.
FUNDAMENTAL NATURE OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is fundamental and may not be
changed without approval of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940 ("1940 Act")) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares (which means the
lesser of (1) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50%
of the outstanding shares are represented or (2) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the fundamental investment restrictions set forth
below, which may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise stated, all references to Fund
assets are in terms of current market value.
The Fund may not do the following:
(1) with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of the
value of its total assets, determined at market or other fair value at the time
of purchase, in the securities of any one issuer, or invest in more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, all as determined
immediately after such investment; provided that these limitations do not apply
to investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the United States ("U.S.")
government or its agencies or instrumentalities;
(2) concentrate its investments in the securities of issuers in any one
industry other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities;
(3) borrow money, except that the Fund may (a) borrow from any bank,
provided that, immediately after any such borrowing there is asset coverage of
at least 300% for all borrowings; (b) borrow for temporary purposes only and in
an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, computed at
the time of borrowing; or (c) enter into reverse repurchase agreements, provided
that, immediately after entering into any such agreements, there is asset
coverage of at least 300% of all bank borrowings and reverse repurchase
agreements;
(4) issue senior securities, except that the Fund may (a) make
permitted borrowings of money; (b) enter into firm commitment agreements and
collateral arrangements with respect to the writing of options on securities and
engage in permitted transactions in futures and options thereon and forward
contracts; and (c) issue shares of any additional permitted classes or series;
(5) invest in real estate or commodities, except that the Fund may (a)
invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate and interests
therein and securities of companies that invest in real estate and interests
therein, including mortgages and other liens; and (b) enter into financial
futures contracts and options thereon for hedging purposes and enter into
forward contracts; or
(6) make loans, except that the Fund may make, purchase, or hold
publicly and nonpublicly offered debt securities (including convertible
securities) and other debt investments, including loans, consistent with its
investment objective; (b) lend its portfolio securities to broker-dealers; and
(c) enter into repurchase agreements.
OTHER FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund
may invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management
investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment
objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the non-fundamental policies set forth below,
which may be changed without shareholder approval.
The Fund may not do the following:
(1) borrow money except for temporary or emergency purposes (not for
leveraging or investment), and it will not purchase any security while
borrowings representing more than 5% of its total assets are outstanding;
(2) (a) sell securities short (except by selling futures contracts or
writing covered options), unless it owns, or by virtue of ownership of other
securities has the right to obtain without additional consideration securities
identical in kind and amount to the securities sold short; or (b) purchase
securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as are necessary for
the clearance of transactions, and provided that the Fund may make initial and
variation so-called "margin" payments in connection with purchases or sales of
futures contracts or of options on futures contracts or forwards or other
similar instruments;
(3) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate its assets, except that the Fund
may pledge not more than one-third of its total assets (taken at current value)
to secure borrowings made in accordance with its investment restrictions on
borrowings, and provided that the Fund may make initial and variation margin
payments in connection with purchases or sales of futures contracts or of
options on futures contracts or forwards or other similar instruments;
(4) purchase the securities of any other investment company, except by
purchase in the open market subject only to customary broker's commissions and
provided that any such purchase will not result in duplication of sales charges
or management fees, and except in connection with any merger, consolidation, or
reorganization;
(5) invest in oil, gas, or other mineral leases or development programs
(except the Fund may invest in companies that own or invest in such interests);
or
(6) invest in real estate limited partnerships.
(7) (a) write covered options, unless the securities underlying such
options are listed on a national securities exchange and the options are issued
by the Options Clearing Corporation; provided, however, that the securities
underlying such options may be traded on an automated quotations system
("NASDAQ") of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") if
and to the extent permitted by applicable state regulations; or (b) purchase
warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, in excess of 5% of the value of
the Fund's net assets; included within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the
value of the Fund's net assets, may be warrants that are not listed on the New
York or American Stock Exchanges; warrants acquired by the Fund at any time in
units or attached to securities are not subject to this restriction.
OTHER NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
It is the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission that investment (including holdings of debt securities) of more than
25% of the value of the Fund's assets in any one industry or group of industries
represents concentration, it being understood that securities issued by the U.S.
government or state governments or political subdivisions thereof are excluded
from the calculation because these issuers are not considered by the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission to be members of any industry.
The Fund intends to follow the policies of the Securities and Exchange
Commission as they are adopted from time to time with respect to illiquid
securities, including (1) treating as illiquid securities that may not be
disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at
approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment on its
books; and (2) limiting its holdings of such securities to 15% of its net
assets. The purchase of restricted securities is not to be deemed engaging in
underwriting.
In order to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states or foreign
countries, the Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the investment
restrictions described above. Should the Fund determine that any such commitment
is no longer in the best interests of the Fund, it may revoke the commitment by
terminating sales of its shares in the state or country involved.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund distributes to its shareholders dividends from net investment
income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains annually in
shares or, at the option of the shareholder, in cash. (Distributions of ordinary
income maybe eligible in whole or in part for the corporate 70% dividends
received deduction.) Shareholders who have not opted, prior to the record date
for any distribution, to receive cash will have the number of distributed shares
determined on the basis of the Fund's net asset value per share computed at the
end of the day on the record date after adjustment for the distribution. Net
asset value is used in computing the number of shares in both gains and income
distribution reinvestments. Account statements and/or checks as appropriate will
be mailed to shareholders by the 15th of the appropriate month. Unless the Fund
receives instructions to the contrary from a shareholder before the record date,
it will assume that the shareholder wishes to receive that distribution and
future gains and income distributions in shares. Instructions continue in effect
until changed in writing.
Distributed long-term capital gains are taxable as such to the
shareholder regardless of the period of time Fund shares have been held by the
shareholder. However, if such shares are held less than six months and redeemed
at a loss, the shareholder will recognize a long-term capital loss on such
shares to the extent of the long-term capital gain distribution received in
connection with such shares. If the net asset value of the Fund's shares is
reduced below a shareholder's cost by a capital gains distribution, such
distribution, to the extent of the reduction, would be a return of investment
though taxable as stated above. Since distributions of capital gains depend upon
profits actually realized from the sale of securities by the Fund, they may or
may not occur. The foregoing comments relating to the taxation of dividends and
distributions paid on the Fund's shares relate solely to federal income
taxation. Such dividends and distributions may also be subject to state and
local taxes.
When the Fund makes a distribution, it intends to distribute only the
Fund's net capital gains and such income as has been predetermined to the best
of the Fund's ability to be taxable as ordinary income. Shareholders of the Fund
will be advised annually of the federal income tax status of distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VALUATION OF SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current values for the Fund's securities are generally determined as
follows:
(1) securities that are traded on a national securities exchange or the
over-the-counter National Market System ("NMS") are valued on the basis of the
last sales price on the exchange where primarily traded or NMS prior to the time
of the valuation, provided that a sale has occurred and that this price reflects
current market value according to procedures established by the Board of
Trustees;
(2) securities traded in the over-the-counter market, other than on
NMS, for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the mean
of the bid and asked prices at the time of valuation;
(3) instruments having maturities of more than sixty day for which
market quotations are readily available, are valued at current market value;
where market quotations are not available, such instruments are valued at fair
value as determined by the Board of Trustees;
(4) instruments purchased with maturities of sixty days or less
(including all master demand notes) are valued at amortized cost (original
purchase cost as adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount),
which, when combined with accrued interest, approximates market; instruments
maturing in more than sixty days when purchased that are held on the sixtieth
day prior to maturity are valued at amortized cost (market value on the sixtieth
day adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount), which, when
combined with accrued interest, approximates market; and which, in either case,
reflects fair value as determined by the Board of Trustees; and
(5) the following securities are valued at prices deemed in good faith
to be fair under procedures established by the Board of Trustees: (a)
securities, including restricted securities, for which complete quotations are
not readily available; (b) listed securities or those on NMS if, in the Fund's
opinion, the last sales price does not reflect a current market value or if no
sale occurred; and (c) other assets.
Foreign securities for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued on the basis of valuations provided by a pricing service,
approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees, which uses information with respect to
transactions in such securities, quotations from broker-dealers, market
transactions in comparable securities and various relationships between
securities and yield to maturity in determining value.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BROKERAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is the policy of the Fund, in effecting transactions in portfolio
securities, to seek best execution of orders at the most favorable prices. The
determination of what may constitute best execution and price in the execution
of a securities transaction by a broker involves a number of considerations,
including, without limitation, the overall direct net economic result to the
Fund, involving both price paid or received and any commissions and other costs
paid, the efficiency with which the transaction is effected, the ability to
effect the transaction at all where a large block is involved, the availability
of the broker to stand ready to execute potentially difficult transactions in
the future and the financial strength and stability of the broker. Such
considerations are judgmental and are weighed by management in determining the
overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid.
Subject to the foregoing, a factor in the selection of brokers is the
receipt of research services, such as analyses and reports concerning issuers,
industries, securities, economic factors and trends and other statistical and
factual information. Any such research and other statistical and factual
information provided by brokers to the Fund or Keystone is considered to be in
addition to and not in lieu of services required to be performed by Keystone
under its Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with the Fund. The cost,
value and specific application of such information are indeterminable and cannot
practicably allocated among the Fund and other clients of Keystone who may
indirectly benefit from the availability of such information. Similarly, the
Fund may indirectly benefit from information made available as a result of
transactions effected for such other clients. Under the Investment Advisory and
Management Agreement, Keystone is permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions
for brokerage and research services in accordance with Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In the event Keystone does follow such a
practice, they will do so on a basis which is fair and equitable to the Fund.
The Fund expects that purchases and sales of securities usually will be
effected through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable.
Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or
concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a
dealer's mark up or reflect a dealer's mark down. Where transactions are made in
the over-the-counter market, the Fund will deal with primary market makers
unless more favorable prices are otherwise obtainable.
The Fund may participate, if and when practicable, in group bidding for
the direct purchase from an issuer of certain securities for the Fund in order
to take advantage of the lower purchase price available to members of such a
group.
Neither Keystone nor the Fund intend to place securities transactions
with any particular broker-dealer or group thereof. The Fund's Board of
Trustees, however, has determined that the Fund may follow a policy of
considering sales of shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to
execute portfolio transactions, subject to the requirements of best execution,
including best price, described above.
The policy of the Fund with respect to brokerage is and will be
reviewed by the Fund's Board of Trustees from time to time. Because of the
possibility of further regulatory developments affecting the securities
exchanges and brokerage practices generally, the foregoing practices may be
changed, modified or eliminated.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently by Keystone
from those of the other funds and investment accounts managed by Keystone. It
may frequently develop that the same investment decision is made for more than
one fund. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when the same security is
suitable for the investment objective of more than one account. When two or more
funds or accounts are engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the
transactions are allocated as to amount in accordance with a formula which is
equitable to each fund or account. It is recognized that in some cases this
system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as
far as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the
ability of the Fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better
executions for the Fund.
In no instance are portfolio securities purchased from or sold to
Keystone, the Principal Underwriter or any of their affiliated persons, as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and rules and
regulations issued thereunder.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES CHARGES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL
Generally, the Fund offers three classes of shares. Class A shares are
offered with a maximum sales charge of 5.75% payable at the time of purchase
("Front End Load Option"). Class B shares are subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge payable upon redemption during the 72 month period following the
month of purchase. ("Back End Load Option"). Class B shares that have been
outstanding eight years from and including the month of purchase will
automatically convert to Class A shares without imposition of a front end sales
charge or exchange fee. (Conversion of Class B shares represented by stock
certificates will require the return of the stock certificates to Keystone
Investor Resource Center, Inc, the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent
("KIRC").) Class C shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
payable upon redemption within one year after purchase ("Level Load Option").
Class C shares are available only through dealers who have entered into special
distribution agreements with the Principal Underwriter. The prospectus contains
a general description of how investors may buy shares of the Funds as well as a
table of applicable sales charges for Class A shares; a discussion of reduced
sales charges that may apply to subsequent purchases; and a description of
applicable contingent deferred sales charges.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
In order to reimburse the Fund for certain expenses relating to the
sale of its shares (see "Distribution Plan"), a contingent deferred sales charge
may be imposed at the time of redemption of certain Fund shares, as follows:
CLASS A SHARES
With certain exceptions, purchases of Class A shares (1) in an amount
equal to or exceeding $1,000,000, and/or (2) purchased by a corporate qualified
retirement plan or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by a
corporation having 100 or more eligible employees (a "Qualifying Plan"), in
either case without a front-end sales charge, will be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge of 1.00% during the 24 month period following the date of
purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge will be retained by the Principal
Underwriter. See "Calculation of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below.
CLASS B SHARES
The Fund, with certain exceptions, will impose a deferred sales charge
as a percentage of net asset value or net cost of Class B shares redeemed during
succeeding twelve-month periods following the month of purchase as follows: 5%
during the first period; 4% during the second period; 3% during the third
period; 3% during the fourth period; 2% during the fifth period, and 1% during
the sixth period. No deferred sales charge is imposed on amounts redeemed
thereafter.
If imposed, the deferred sales charge is deducted from the redemption
proceeds otherwise payable to you. The deferred sales charge is retained by the
Principal Underwriter. Amounts received by the Principal Underwriter under the
Class B Distribution Plan are reduced by deferred sales charges retained by the
Principal Underwriter. See "Calculation of Contingent Deferred Sales charges and
Waiver of Sales Charges" below.
CLASS C SHARES
With certain exceptions, the Fund will impose a deferred sales charge
of 1% on shares redeemed within one year after the date of purchase. No deferred
sales charge is imposed on amounts redeemed thereafter. If imposed, the deferred
sales charge is deducted from the redemption proceeds otherwise payable to you.
The deferred sales charge is retained by the Principal Underwriter. See
"Calculation of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below.
CALCULATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
Any contingent deferred sales charge imposed upon the redemption of
Class A, Class B or Class C shares is a percentage of the lesser of (1) the net
asset value of the shares redeemed or (2) the net cost of such shares.
No contingent deferred sales charge is imposed when you redeem amounts
derived from (1) increases in the value of your account above the net cost of
such shares due to increases in the net asset value per share due to increases
in the net asset value per share of such shares; (2) certain shares with respect
to which the Fund did not pay a commission on issuance, including shares
acquired through reinvestment of dividend income and capital gains
distributions; (3) certain Class A shares held for more than one or two years,
as the case may be, from the date of purchase; (4) Class B shares held more than
72 months after the month of purchase; or (5) Class C shares held for more than
one year from the date of purchase.
Upon request for redemption, shares not subject to the contingent
deferred sales charge will be redeemed first. Thereafter, shares held the
longest will be the first to be redeemed. There is no contingent deferred sales
charge when the shares of a class are exchanged for the shares of the same class
of another Keystone America Fund. Moreover, when shares of one such class of a
fund have been exchanged for shares of another such class of a fund, the
calendar year of the purchase of the shares of the fund exchanged into is
assumed to be the year shares tendered for exchange were originally purchased.
WAIVER OF SALES CHARGES
Shares of the Fund also may be sold, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, regulations, interpretations or exemptions, at net asset value
without the imposition of an initial sales charge to (1) certain Directors,
Trustees, officers, full-time employees or sales representatives of the Fund,
Keystone, Keystone Investments, Inc. (formerly named Keystone Group, Inc.)
("Keystone Investments"), Keystone Management, certain of their subsidiaries and
affiliates or the Principal Underwriter and who have been such for not less than
ninety days; (2) a pension and profit-sharing plan established by such
companies, their subsidiaries and affiliates, for the benefit of their
Directors, Trustees, officers, full-time employees and sales representatives; or
(3) a registered representative of a firm with a dealer agreement with the
Principal Underwriter; provided, however, that all such sales are made upon the
written assurance that the purchase is made for investment purposes and that the
securities will not be resold except through redemption by the Fund.
No initial sales charge is charged on purchases of shares of the Fund
by a bank or trust company in a single account in the name of such bank or trust
company as trustee, if the initial investment in shares of the Fund or any Fund
in the Keystone Investments Family of Funds, purchased pursuant to this waiver
is at least $500,000 and any commission paid at the time of such purchase is not
more than 1% of the amount invested.
With respect to Class A shares purchased by a Qualifying Plan at net
asset value or Class C shares purchased by a Qualifying Plan, no contingent
deferred sales charge will be imposed on any redemptions made specifically by an
individual participant in the Qualifying Plan. This waiver is not available in
the event a Qualifying Plan, as a whole, redeems substantially all of its
assets.
In addition, no contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on a
redemption of shares of the Fund in the event of (1) death or disability of the
shareholder; (2) a lump-sum distribution from a benefit plan qualified under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"); (3) automatic
withdrawals from ERISA plans if the shareholder is at least 59 1/2 years old;
(4) involuntary redemptions of an account having an aggregate net asset value of
less than $1,000; or (5) automatic withdrawals under an automatic withdrawal
plan of up to 1 1/2% per month of the shareholder's initial account balance; (6)
withdrawals consisting of loan proceeds to a retirement plan participant; (7)
financial hardship withdrawals made by a retirement plan participant; or (8)
withdrawals consisting of returns of excess contributions or excess deferral
amounts made to a retirement plan participant.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Fund has obligated itself under the 1940 Act to redeem for cash all
shares presented for redemption by any one shareholder up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of the Fund's assets in any 90 day period.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act permits investment companies, such as the
Fund, to use their assets to bear expenses of distributing their shares if they
comply with various conditions, including adoption of a distribution plan
containing certain provisions set forth in Rule 12b-1.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS IN GENERAL
The NASD limits the amount that the Fund may pay annually in
distribution costs for sale of its shares and shareholder service fees. The NASD
limits annual expenditures to 1% of the aggregate average daily net asset value
of its shares, of which 0.75% may be used to pay such distribution costs and
0.25% may be used to pay shareholder service fees. The NASD also limits the
aggregate amount that the Fund may pay for such distribution costs to 6.25% of
gross share sales since the inception of the 12b-1 Plan, plus interest at the
prime rate plus 1% on such amounts (less any contingent deferred sales charges
paid by shareholders to the Principal Underwriter).
CLASS A DISTRIBUTION PLAN. The Class A Distribution Plan provides that the Fund
may expend daily amounts at an annual rate, which is currently limited to 0.25%
of the Fund's average daily net asset value attributable to Class A shares, to
finance any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of Class
A shares, including, without limitation, expenditures consisting of payments to
the principal underwriter of the Fund (currently the Principal Underwriter) to
enable the Principal Underwriter to pay or to have paid to others (dealers) who
sell Class A shares a service or other fee, at such intervals as the Principal
Underwriter may determine, in respect of Class A shares maintained by any such
recipients and outstanding on the books of the Fund for specified periods.
Amounts paid by the Fund under the Class A Distribution Plan are
currently used to pay others, such as dealers, service fees at an annual rate of
up to 0.25% of the average net asset value of Class A shares maintained by such
others outstanding on the books of the Fund for specified periods.
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLANS. The Class B Distribution Plan provides that the Fund
may expend daily amounts at an annual rate of up to 1.00% of the Fund's average
daily net asset value attributable to Class B shares to finance any activity
which is primarily intended to result in the sale of Class B shares, including,
without limitation, expenditures consisting of payments to the principal
underwriter of the Fund (currently the Principal Underwriter) (1) to enable the
Principal Underwriter to pay to others (dealers) commissions in respect of Class
B shares sold since inception of the Distribution Plan; and (2) to enable the
Principal Underwriter to pay or to have paid to others a service fee, at such
intervals as the Principal Underwriter may determine, in respect of Class B
shares maintained by any such recipients and outstanding on the books of the
Fund for specified periods.
The Principal Underwriter generally reallows to brokers or others a
commission equal to 4.00% of the price paid for each Class B share sold plus the
first year's service fee in advance in the amount of 0.25% of the price paid for
each Class B share sold. Beginning approximately 12 months after the purchase of
a Class B share, the broker or other party receives service fees at an annual
rate of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of such Class B share
maintained by the recipient outstanding on the books of the Fund for specified
periods.
The Principal Underwriter intends, but its not obligated, to continue
to pay or accrue distribution charges incurred in connection with its Class B
Distribution Plan that exceed current annual payments permitted to be received
by the Principal Underwriter from the Fund. The Principal Underwriter intends to
seek full payment of such charges from the Fund (together with annual interest
thereon at the prime rate plus 1%) at such time in the future as, and to the
extent that, payment thereof by the Fund would be within the permitted limits.
If the Fund's Independent Trustees authorize such payments, the effect
would be to extend the period of time during which the Fund incurs the maximum
amount of costs allowed by the Class B Distribution Plan. If the Class B
Distribution Plan is terminated, the Principal Underwriter will ask the
Independent Trustees to take whatever action they deem appropriate under the
circumstances with respect to payment of such amounts.
In connection with financing its distribution costs, including
commission advances to dealers and others, the Principal Underwriter has sold to
a financial institution substantially all of its 12b-1 fee collection rights and
contingent deferred sales charge collection rights in respect of Class B shares
sold during a two-year period ending approximately May 31, 1997. The Fund has
agreed not to reduce the rate of payment of 12b-1 fees in respect of such Class
B shares unless it terminates such shares' Distribution Plan completely. If it
terminates such Distribution Plan, the Fund may be subject to possible adverse
distribution consequences.
CLASS C DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Class C Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may expend daily
amounts at an annual rate of up to 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net asset
value attributable to Class C shares to finance any activity that is primarily
intended to result in the sale of Class C shares, including, without limitation,
expenditures consisting of payments to the principal underwriter of the Fund
(currently the Principal Underwriter) (1) to enable the Principal Underwriter to
pay to others (dealers) commissions in respect of Class C shares sold since
inception of the Distribution Plan; and (2) to enable the Principal Underwriter
to pay or to have paid to others a service fee, at such intervals as the
Principal Underwriter may determine, in respect of Class C shares maintained by
any such recipients and outstanding on the books of the Fund for specified
periods.
The Principal Underwriter generally reallows to brokers or others a
commission in the amount of 0.75% of the price paid for each Class C share sold
plus the first year's service fee in advance in the amount of 0.25% of the price
paid for each Class C share sold. Beginning approximately fifteen months after
purchase, brokers or others receive a commission at an annual rate of 0.75%
(subject to NASD rules) plus service fees at the annual rate of 0.25% of the
average daily net asset value of each Class C share maintained by the recipients
outstanding on the books of the Fund for specified periods.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS - GENERAL
Whether any expenditure under a Distribution Plan is subject to a state
expense limit will depend upon the nature of the expenditure and the terms of
the state law, regulation or order imposing the limit. A portion of the Fund's
Distribution Plan expenses may be includable in the Fund's total operating
expenses for purposes of determining compliance with state expense limits.
Each of the Distribution Plans may be terminated at any time by a vote
of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or may be terminated with respect to the Fund by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the respective class of
the Fund.
Any change in a Distribution Plan that would materially increase the
distribution expenses of the Fund provided for in a Distribution Plan requires
shareholder approval. Otherwise, a Distribution Plan may be amended by the
Trustees, including the Rule 12b-1 Trustees.
While a Distribution Plan is in effect, the Fund will be required to
commit the selection and nomination of candidates for Independent Trustees to
the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
The total amounts paid by the Fund under the foregoing arrangements may
not exceed the maximum Distribution Plan limits specified above. The amounts and
purposes of expenditures under a Distribution Plan must be reported to the Rule
12b-1 Trustees quarterly. The Rule 12b-1 Trustees may require or approve changes
in the implementation or operation of a Distribution Plan, and may also require
that total expenditures by the Fund under a Distribution Plan be kept within
limits lower than the maximum amount permitted by the Distribution Plan as
stated above.
The Independent Trustees of the Fund have determined that the sales of
the Fund's shares resulting from payments under the Distribution Plans have
benefited the Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustees and officers of the Fund, their principal occupations and some
of their affiliations over the last five years are as follows:
*ALBERT H. ELFNER, III: President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the
Fund; Chairman of the Board, President, Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Keystone Investments, Inc. ("Keystone Investments");
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee or Director of all 30
Funds in the Keystone Investments Family of Funds; Director and
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of
Keystone Investment Management Company ("Keystone"); Chairman of the
Board and Director of Keystone Institutional Company, Inc. ("Keystone
Institutional") (formerly named Keystone Investment Management
Corporation), and Keystone Fixed Income Advisors ("KFIA"); Director,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of
Keystone Management, Inc. ("Keystone Management"), Keystone Software
Inc. ("Keystone Software"); Director and President of Keystone Asset
Corporation, Keystone Capital Corporation, and Keystone Trust Company;
Director of Keystone Investment Distributors Company ("the Principal
Underwriter"), Keystone Investor Resource Center, Inc. ("KIRC"), and
Fiduciary Investment Company, Inc. ("FICO"); Director of Boston
Children's Services Association; Trustee of Anatolia College, Middlesex
School, and Middlebury College; Member, Board of Governors, New England
Medical Center; former Trustee of Neworld Bank; former Director and
President of Hartwell Keystone Advisers, Inc. ("Hartwell Keystone");
and former Director and Vice President of Robert Van Partners, Inc.
FREDERICK AMLING: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other Keystone
Investments Funds; Professor, Finance Department, George Washington
University; President, Amling & Company (investment advice); Member,
Board of Advisers, Credito Emilano (banking); and former Economics and
Financial Consultant, Riggs National Bank.
CHARLES A. AUSTIN III: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other
Keystone Investments Funds; Investment Counselor to Appleton Partners,
Inc.; former Managing Director, Seaward Management Corporation
(investment advice) and former Director, Executive Vice President and
Treasurer, State Street Research & Management Company (investment
advice).
*GEORGE S. BISSELL: Chairman of the Board and Trustee of the Fund; Director of
Keystone Investments; Chairman of the Board and Trustee or Director of
all other Keystone Investments Funds; Director and Chairman of the
Board of Hartwell Keystone; Chairman of the Board and Trustee of
Anatolia College; Trustee of University Hospital (and Chairman of its
Investment Committee); former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Keystone Investments; and former Chief Executive Officer of
the Fund.
EDWIN D. CAMPBELL: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other
Keystone Investments Funds; Executive Director, Coalition of Essential
Schools, Brown University; Director and former Executive Vice
President, National Alliance of Business; former Vice President,
Educational Testing Services; and former Dean, School of Business,
Adelphi University.
CHARLES F. CHAPIN: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other
Keystone Investments Funds; former Group Vice President, Textron Corp.;
and former Director, Peoples Bank (Charlotte, N.C).
LEROY KEITH, JR.: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other Keystone
Investments Funds; Director of Phoenix Total Return Fund and Equifax,
Inc.; Trustee of Phoenix Series Fund, Phoenix Multi-Fund Fund and The
Phoenix Big Edge Series Fund; and former President, Morehouse College.
K. DUN GIFFORD: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other Keystone
Investments Funds; Chairman of the Board, Director and Executive Vice
President, The London Harness Company; Managing Partner, Roscommon
Capital Corp.; Trustee, Cambridge College; Chairman Emeritus and
Director, American Institute of Food and Wine; Chief Executive Officer,
Gifford Gifts of Fine Foods; Chairman, Gifford, Drescher & Associates
(environmental consulting); President, Oldways Preservation and
Exchange Trust (education); and former Director, Keystone Investments
and Keystone.
F. RAY KEYSER, JR.: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other
Keystone Investments Funds; Of Counsel, Keyser, Crowley & Meub, P.C.;
Member, Governor's (VT) Council of Economic Advisers; Chairman of the
Board and Director, Central Vermont Public Service Corporation and
Hitchcock Clinic; Director, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation,
Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc., Grand Trunk Corporation, Central
Vermont Railway, Inc., S.K.I. Ltd., Sherburne Corporation, Union Mutual
Fire Insurance Company, New England Guaranty Insurance Company, Inc.
and the Investment Company Institute; former Governor of Vermont;
former Director and President, Associated Industries of Vermont; former
Chairman and President, Vermont Marble Company; former Director of
Keystone; and former Director and Chairman of the Board, Green Mountain
Bank.
DAVID M. RICHARDSON: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other
Keystone Investments Funds; Executive Vice President, DHR
International, Inc. (executive recruitment); former Senior Vice
President, Boyden International Inc. (executive recruitment); and
Director, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, 411
International, Inc. and J & M Cumming Paper Co.
RICHARD J. SHIMA: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other Keystone
Investments Funds; Chairman, Environmental Warranty, Inc., and
Consultant, Drake Beam Morin, Inc. (executive outplacement); Director
of Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, Trust Company of Connecticut,
Hartford Hospital, Old State House Association and Enhanced Financial
Services, Inc.; Member, Georgetown College Board of Advisors; Chairman,
Board of Trustees, Hartford Graduate Center; Trustee, Kingswood-Oxford
School and Greater Hartford YMCA; former Director, Executive Vice
President and Vice Chairman of The Travelers Corporation; and former
Managing Director of Russell Miller, Inc.
ANDREW J. SIMONS: Trustee of the Fund; Trustee or Director of all other Keystone
Investments Funds; Partner, Farrell, Fritz, Caemmerer, Cleary, Barnosky
& Armentano, P.C.; former President, Nassau County Bar Association;
former Associate Dean and Professor of Law, St. John's University
School of Law.
EDWARD F. GODFREY: Senior Vice President of the Fund; Senior Vice President of
all other Keystone Investments Funds; Director, Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Keystone Investments, the
Principal Underwriter, Keystone Asset Corporation, Keystone Capital
Corporation, Keystone Trust Company; Treasurer of Keystone
Institutional and FICO; Treasurer and Director of Keystone Management
and Keystone Software; Vice President and Treasurer of KFIA; Director
of KIRC; former Treasurer of Robert Van Partners, Inc.; and former
Treasurer and Director of Hartwell Keystone.
JAMES R. McCALL: Senior Vice President of the Fund; Senior Vice President of all
other Keystone Investments Funds; and President of Keystone.
J. KEVIN KENELY: Treasurer of the Fund; Treasurer of all other Keystone
Investments Funds; Vice President of Keystone Investments and certain
of its affiliated operating companies; [Assistant Treasurer of FICO and
Keystone;] and former Controller of Keystone Investments and certain of
its affiliated operating companies.
ROSEMARY D. VAN ANTWERP: Senior Vice President and Secretary of the Fund; Senior
Vice President and Secretary of all other Keystone Investments Funds;
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Keystone;
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director of the
Principal Underwriter, Keystone Management and Keystone Software;
Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Keystone Institutional;
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Director of FICO and KIRC;
Vice President and Secretary of KFIA; Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of Keystone Investments, Keystone Asset
Corporation, Keystone Capital Corporation and Keystone Trust Company;
and former Senior Vice President and Secretary of Hartwell Keystone and
Robert Van Partners, Inc.
* This Trustee may be considered an "interested person" within the meaning of
the 1940 Act.
Mr. Elfner and Mr. Bissell are "interested persons" by virtue of their
positions as officers and/or Directors of Keystone Investments and several of
its affiliates including Keystone, the Principal Underwriter and KIRC. Mr.
Elfner and Mr. Bissell own shares of Keystone Investments. Mr. Elfner is
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Keystone
Investments. Mr. Bissell is a Director of Keystone Investments.
Annual retainers and meeting fees paid by all funds in the Keystone
Investments Family of Funds (which includes 32 mutual funds) for the period year
ended November 30, 1995, totalled approximately $420,052. As of November 30,
1995, the Trustees and officers beneficially owned less than 1.0% the Fund's
then outstanding Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
The address of the Fund's Trustees and officers and the address of the
Fund is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees,
Keystone, located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034,
provides investment advice, management and administrative services to the Fund.
Keystone, organized in 1932, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone
Investments, located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034.
Keystone Investments is a corporation privately owned by current and
former members of management and certain employees of Keystone and its
affiliates. The shares of Keystone Investments common stock beneficially owned
by management are held in a number of voting trusts, the trustees of which are
George S. Bissell, Albert H. Elfner, III, Edward F. Godfrey and Ralph J.
Spuehler, Jr. Keystone Investments provides accounting, bookkeeping, legal,
personnel and general corporate services to Keystone, its affiliates and the
Keystone Investments Family of Funds.
Except as otherwise noted below, pursuant to an Investment Advisory and
Management Agreement with the Fund (the "Advisory Agreement"), and subject to
the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, Keystone manages and
administers the Fund's operation and manages the investment and reinvestment of
the Fund's assets in conformity with the Fund's investment objective and
restrictions. The Advisory Agreement stipulates that Keystone shall provide
office space, all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel in
connection with its services under the Advisory Agreement and pay or reimburse
the Fund for the compensation of officers and trustees of the Fund who are
affiliated with the investment adviser as well as pay all expenses of Keystone
incurred in connection with the provision of its services. All charges and
expenses, other than those specifically referred to as being borne by Keystone,
will be paid by the Fund, including, but not limited to, custodian charges and
expenses; bookkeeping and auditors' charges and expenses; transfer agent charges
and expenses; fees of Independent Trustees; brokerage commissions; brokers' fees
and expenses; issue and transfer taxes; costs and expenses under the
Distribution Plans; taxes and trust fees payable to governmental agencies; the
cost of share certificates; fees and expenses of the registration and
qualification of the Fund and its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (sometimes referred herein as the "SEC" or the "Commission") or under
state or other securities laws, expenses of preparing, printing and mailing
prospectuses, statements of additional information, notices, reports and proxy
materials to shareholders of the Fund; expenses of shareholders' and Trustees'
meetings; charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Fund and for the
Trustees of the Fund on matters relating to the Fund; charges and expenses of
filing annual and other reports with the SEC and other authorities; and all
extraordinary charges and expenses of the Fund.
The Fund pays Keystone a fee for its services at the annual rate set
forth below:
Aggregate Net Asset Value
Annual Management Fee of the shares of the Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.70% of the first $ 100,000,000, plus
0.65% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.60% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.55% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.50% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.45% of the next $ 500,000,000, plus
0.40% of the next $ 500,000,000, plus
0.35% of amounts over $1,500,000,000.
Keystone's fee is computed as of the close of business each business day and
payable daily.
As a continuing condition of registration of shares in a state,
Keystone has agreed to reimburse the Fund annually for certain operating
expenses incurred by the Fund in excess of certain percentages of the Fund's
average daily net assets. However, Keystone is not required to make such
reimbursements to an extent which would result in the Fund's inability to
qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code. This condition may be modified or eliminated in the future.
The Fund is subject to certain annual state expense limitations imposed
on each of its Funds, the most restrictive of which is currently:
2.50% of the first $30 million of a Fund's average net assets;
2.00% of the next $70 million of a Fund's average net assets;
and 1.50% of a Fund's average net assets over $100 million.
Under the Advisory Agreement any liability of Keystone in connection
with rendering services thereunder is limited to situations involving its
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its
duties.
The Advisory Agreement continues in effect only if approved at least
annually by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares, and such renewal has been approved by the vote of a majority
of the Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated, without
penalty on 60 days' written notice by the Fund's Board of Trustees or by a vote
of a majority of outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement will terminate
automatically upon its "assignment" as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund has entered into a Principal Underwriting Agreement (the
"Underwriting Agreements") with Keystone Investment Distributors Company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone.
The Principal Underwriter, located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02116-5034, is a Delaware corporation. The Principal Underwriter,
as agent, currently has the right to obtain subscriptions for and to sell shares
of the Fund to the public. In so doing, the Principal Underwriter may retain and
employ representatives to promote distribution of the shares and may obtain
orders from brokers, dealers and others, acting as principals, for sales of
shares. No such representative, dealer or broker has any authority to act as
agent for the Fund. The Principal Underwriter has not undertaken to buy or to
find purchasers for any specific number of shares. The Principal Underwriter may
receive payments from the Fund pursuant to the Fund's Distribution Plans.
All subscriptions and sales of shares by the Principal Underwriter are
at the offering price of the shares, such price being in accordance with the
provisions of the Fund's Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, current prospectus, and
statement of additional information. All orders are subject to acceptance by the
Fund and the Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any
order received. Under the Underwriting Agreement, the Fund is not liable to
anyone for failure to accept any order.
The Fund has agreed under the Underwriting Agreements to pay all
expenses in connection with registration of its shares with the Commission and
auditing and filing fees in connection with registration of its shares under the
various state "blue-sky" laws.
The Principal Underwriter has agreed to reimburse certain expenses
incurred by Mariner Financial Services, Inc. in connection with its sales of the
Fund's shares.
From time to time, if in the Principal Underwriter's judgment it could
benefit the sales of Fund shares, the Principal Underwriter may use its
discretion in providing to selected dealers promotional materials and selling
aids, including, but not limited to, personal computers, related software and
Fund data files.
The Principal Underwriter has agreed that it will, in all respects,
duly conform with all state and federal laws applicable to the sale of the
shares and will indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each person who has
been, is or may be a Trustee or officer of the Fund against expenses reasonably
incurred by any of them in connection with any claim or in connection with any
action, suit or proceeding to which any of them may be a party that arises out
of or is alleged to arise out of any misrepresentation or omission to state a
material act on the part of the Principal Underwriter or any other person for
whose acts the Principal Underwriter is responsible or is alleged to be
responsible, unless such misrepresentation or omission was made in reliance upon
written information furnished by the Fund.
The Underwriting Agreements will remain in effect as long as their
terms and continuance are approved by a majority of the Fund's Independent
Trustees at least annually at a meeting called for that purpose, and if their
continuance is approved annually by vote of a majority of Trustees, or by vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares.
The Underwriting Agreements may be terminated, without penalty, on 60
days' written notice by the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of
outstanding shares. The Underwriting Agreements will terminate automatically
upon their "assignment" as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECLARATION OF TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST
The Fund is a Massachusetts business trust established under a
Declaration of Trust dated December 13, 1995. The Fund is similar in most
respects to a business corporation. The principal distinction between the Fund
and a corporation relates to the shareholder liability described below. A copy
of the Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust") is filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this statement of additional information
is a part. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Declaration of Trust.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number
of shares of beneficial interest of classes of shares. Each share of the Fund
represents an equal proportionate interest with each other share of that class.
Upon liquidation, shares are entitled to a pro rata share of the Fund based on
the relative net assets of each class. Shareholders have no preemptive or
conversion rights. Shares are redeemable and transferable. The Fund is
authorized to issue additional classes or series of shares. Generally, the Fund
currently issues three classes of shares, but may issue additional classes or
series of shares.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
Pursuant to certain decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of
Massachusetts, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
trust. If the Fund were held to be a partnership, the possibility of the
shareholders' incurring financial loss for that reason appears remote because
(1) the Fund's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of
such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered
into or executed by the Fund or the Trustees; and (2) because the Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of the Fund's property for any
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund.
VOTING RIGHTS
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Fund does not hold annual meetings.
At meetings called for the initial election of Trustees or to consider other
matters, shares are entitled to one vote per share. Shares generally vote
together as one class on all matters. Classes of shares of the Fund have equal
voting rights except that each class of shares has exclusive voting rights with
respect to its respective Distribution Plan. No amendment may be made to the
Declaration of Trust which adversely affects any class of shares without the
approval of a majority of the shares of that class. Shares have non-cumulative
voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares
voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees to be elected
at a meeting and, in such event, the holders of the remaining 50% or less of the
shares voting will not be able to elect any Trustees.
After an initial meeting as described above, no further meetings of
shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees will be held, unless required
by law, unless and until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees
holding office have been elected by Shareholders at which time the Trustees then
in office will call a shareholders meeting for election of Trustees.
Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue to hold office
indefinitely, unless otherwise required by law, and may appoint successor
Trustees. A Trustee may be removed from or cease to hold office (as the case may
be) (1) at any time by two-thirds vote of the remaining Trustees; (2) when such
Trustee becomes mentally or physically incapacitated; or (3) at a special
meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding shares. Any
Trustee may voluntarily resign from office.
LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY
The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee will not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of
Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of his office.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURN AND YIELD QUOTATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total return quotations for a class of shares of the Fund as they may
appear from time to time in advertisements are calculated by finding the average
annual compounded rates of return over one, five and ten years periods, or the
time periods for which such class of shares has been effective, whichever is
relevant, on a hypothetical $1,000 investment that would equate the initial
amount invested in the class to the ending redeemable value. To the initial
investment all dividends and distributions are added and the maximum sales
charge and all recurring fees charged to all shareholder accounts are deducted.
The ending redeemable value assumes a complete redemption at the end of the
relevant periods.
Current yield quotations as they may appear from time to time in
advertisements will consist of a quotation based on a 30-day period ended on the
date of the most recent balance sheet of the Fund computed by dividing the net
investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering
price per share on the last day of the base period. The Fund does not presently
intend to advertise current yield.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, is custodian of all securities and cash of the Fund (the
"Custodian"). The Custodian performs no investment management functions for the
Fund but, in addition to its custodial services, is responsible for accounting
and related recordkeeping on behalf of the Fund.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, 99 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
Certified Public Accountants, are the Independent Auditors of the Fund.
KIRC, located at 101 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1519,
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keystone Custodian Funds, Inc. and acts as
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.
As of _______________, 199__, Keystone Investment Management Company
owned of record 100% of the outstanding Class A shares of the Fund.
As of _______________, 199__, Keystone Investment Management Company
owned of record 100% of the outstanding Class B shares of the Fund.
As of _______________, 199__, Keystone Investment Management Company
owned of record 100% of the outstanding Class C shares of the Fund.
Except as otherwise stated in its prospectus or required by law, the
Fund reserves the right to change the terms of the offer stated in its
prospectus without shareholder approval, including the right to impose or change
fees for services provided.
No dealer, salesman or other person is authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in the Fund's
prospectus, statement of additional information or in supplemental sales
literature issued by the Fund or the Principal Underwriter, and no person is
entitled to rely on any information or representation not contained therein.
The Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information omit
certain information contained in the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be obtained from the Securities
and Exchange Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of
the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
The Fund is one of 16 different investment companies in the Keystone
America Fund Family, which offers a range of choices to serve shareholder needs.
The Keystone America Fund Family consists of the following Funds having the
various investment objectives described below:
KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION AND INCOME FUND - Seeks high current income,
consistent with low volatility of principal, by investing in adjustable rate
securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
KEYSTONE FUND FOR TOTAL RETURN - Seeks total return from a combination of
capital growth and income from dividend paying common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible bonds, other fixed-income securities and foreign securities (up to
50%).
KEYSTONE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND - Seeks long-term capital growth from foreign
and domestic securities.
KEYSTONE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND - Seeks income and capital preservation from
U.S. government securities.
KEYSTONE AMERICA HARTWELL EMERGING GROWTH FUND, INC. - Seeks capital
appreciation by investment primarily in small and medium-sized companies in a
relatively early stage of development that are principally traded in the
over-the-counter market.
KEYSTONE HARTWELL GROWTH FUND - Seeks capital appreciation by investment in
securities selected for their long-term growth prospects.
KEYSTONE INTERMEDIATE TERM BOND FUND - Seeks income, capital preservation and
price appreciation potential from investment grade corporate bonds.
KEYSTONE OMEGA FUND - Seeks maximum capital growth from common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks.
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - A mutual fund consisting of five separate series
of shares investing in different portfolio securities which seeks the highest
possible current income, exempt from federal income taxes and applicable state
taxes.
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES II - A mutual fund consisting of two
separate series of shares investing in different portfolio securities which
seeks the highest possible current income, exempt from federal income taxes and
applicable state taxes.
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC INCOME FUND - Seeks high yield and capital appreciation
potential from corporate bonds, discount bonds, convertible bonds, preferred
stock and foreign bonds (up to 25%).
KEYSTONE TAX FREE INCOME FUND - Seeks income exempt from federal income taxes
and capital preservation from the four highest grades of municipal bonds.
KEYSTONE WORLD BOND FUND - Seeks total return from interest income, capital
gains and losses and currency exchange gains and losses from investment in debt
securities denominated in U.S. and foreign currencies.
KEYSTONE FUND OF THE AMERICAS - Seeks long-term growth of capital through
investments in equity and debt securities in North America (the United States
and Canada), and Latin America (Mexico and countries in South and Central
America).
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND - Seeks long-term capital growth by
investing primarily in equity securities.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
S&P'S EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND RANKINGS FOR COMMON STOCKS
Because the investment process involves assessment of various factors,
such as product and industry position, corporate resources and financial policy,
with results that make some common stocks more highly esteemed than others,
Standard & Poor's Corporation (S&P) believes that earnings and dividend
performance is the end result of the interplay of these factors and that, over
the long run, the record of this performance has a considerable bearing on
relative quality. S&P rankings, however, do not reflect all of the factors,
tangible or intangible, that bear on stock quality.
Growth and stability of earnings and dividends are deemed key elements
in establishing S&P earnings and dividend rankings for common stocks, which
capsulize the nature of this record in a single symbol.
S&P has established a computerized scoring system based on per share
earnings and dividend records of the most recent ten years, a period deemed long
enough to measure a company's performance under varying economic conditions. S&P
measures growth, stability within the trend line and cyclicity. The ranking
system also makes allowances for company size, since large companies have
certain inherent advantages over small ones. From these, scores for earnings and
dividends are determined.
The final score for each stock is measured against a scoring matrix
determined by analysis of the scores of a large and representative sample which
is reviewed and sometimes modified with the following ladder of rankings:
A+ Highest B+ Average C Lowest
A High B Below Average D In Reorganization
A- Above Average B- Lower
S&P believes its rankings are not a forecast of future market price
performance, but are basically an appraisal of past performance of earnings and
dividends, and relative current standing.
MOODY'S COMMON STOCK RANKINGS
Moody's presents a concise statement of the important characteristics
of a company and an evaluation of the grade (quality) of its common stock. Data
presented includes: (a) capsule stock information which reveals short and
long-term growth and yield afforded by the indicated dividend, based on a recent
price; (b) a long-term price chart which shows patterns of monthly stock price
movements and monthly trading volumes; (c) a breakdown of a company's capital
account which aids in determining the degree of conservatism or financial
leverage in a company's balance sheet; (d) interim earnings for the current year
to date, plus three previous years; (e) dividend information; (f) company
background; (g) recent corporate developments; (h) prospects for a company in
the immediate future and the next few years; and (i) a ten year comparative
statistical analysis.
This information provides investors with information on what a company
does, how it has performed in the past, how it is performing currently and what
its future performance prospects appear to be.
These characteristics are then evaluated and result in a grading, or
indication of quality. The grade is based on an analysis of each company's
financial strength, stability of earnings and record of dividend payments. Other
considerations include conservativeness of capitalization, depth and caliber of
management, accounting practices, technological capabilities and industry
position. Evaluation is represented by the following grades:
(1) High Grade
(2) Investment Grade
(3) Medium Grade
(4) Speculative Grade
MOODY'S PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
Preferred stock ratings and their definitions are as follows:
1. aaa: An issue which is rated "aaa" is considered to be a top-quality
preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk
of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.
2. aa: An issue which is rated "aa" is considered a high-grade
preferred stock. This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance that
earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the
foreseeable future.
3. a: An issue which is rated "a" is considered to be an upper-medium
grade preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater then in the
"aaa" and "aa" classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless,
expected to be maintained at adequate levels.
4. baa: An issue which is rated "baa" is considered to be a
medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable
over any great length of time.
5. ba: An issue which is rated "ba" is considered to have speculative
elements and its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset
protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.
Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.
6. b: An issue which is rated "b" generally lacks the characteristics
of a desirable investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of
other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.
7. caa: An issue which is rated "caa" is likely to be in arrears on
dividend payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the
future status of payments.
8. ca: An issue which is rated "ca" is speculative in a high degree and
is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual
payments.
9. c: This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.
Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.
Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating
classification: the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking
and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its
generic rating category.
CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
S&P CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
An S&P corporate bond rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor, including obligors outside the United States,
with respect to a specific obligation. This assessment may take into
consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers, or lessees. Ratings of
foreign obligors do not take into account currency exchange and related
uncertainties. The ratings are based on current information furnished by the
issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:
a. Likelihood of default - capacity and willingness of the obligor as
to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation;
b. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
c. Protection afforded by and relative position of the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): To provide more detailed indications of credit
quality, ratings from "AA" to "A" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Bond ratings are as follows:
1. AAA - Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
2. AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
3. A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated
categories.
4. BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to
pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal
for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
5. BB, B, CCC, CC AND C - Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC AND C is regarded,
on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB
indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of
speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.
MOODY'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Moody's ratings are as follows:
1. Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt-edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
2. aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by
all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally
known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large as in AAA securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
3. A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements
may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future.
4. Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
5. Ba - Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements. Their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby
not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty
of position characterizes bonds in this class.
6. B - Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be
small.
Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
The Fund's investments in commercial paper are limited to those rated
A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation, PRIME-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
or F-1 by Fitch Investors Service, Inc. These ratings and other money market
instruments are described as follows:
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's has the following
characteristics: Liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements. The
issuer's long-term senior debt is rated "A" or better, although in some cases
"BBB" credits may be allowed. The issuer has access to at least two additional
channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with
allowance made for unusual circumstances. Typically, the issuer's industry is
well established and the issuer has a strong position within the industry.
The rating PRIME-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by
Moody's. Among the factors considered by Moody's in assigning ratings are the
following: (1) evaluation of the management of the issuer; (2) economic
evaluation of the issuer's industry or industries and an appraisal of
speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas; (3) evaluation of
the issuer's products in relation to competition and customer acceptance; (4)
liquidity; (5) amount and quality of long-term debt; (6) trend of earnings over
a period of ten years; (7) financial strength of a parent company and the
relationships which exist with the issuer; and (8) recognition by the management
of obligations which may be present or may arise as a result of public
preparations to meet such obligations. Relative strength or weakness of the
above factors determines how the issuer's commercial paper is rated within
various categories.
The rating F-1 is the highest rating assigned by Fitch. Among the
factors considered by Fitch in assigning this rating are: (1) the issuer's
liquidity; (2) its standing in the industry; (3) the size of its debt; (4) its
ability to service its debt; (5) its profitability; (6) its return on equity;
(7) its alternative sources of financing; and (8) its ability to access the
capital markets. Analysis of the relative strength or weakness of these factors
and others determines whether an issuer's commercial paper is rated F-1.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government include
a variety of Treasury securities that differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and dates of issuance. Treasury bills have maturities of one year or
less. Treasury notes have maturities of one to ten years and Treasury bonds
generally have maturities of greater than ten years at the date of issuance.
Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities include direct obligations of the United States
Treasury and securities issued or guaranteed by the Federal Housing
Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association,
General Services Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home
Loan Banks, Federal Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Intermediate Credit
Banks, Federal Land Banks, Maritime Administration, The Tennessee Valley
Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board and Federal National Mortgage
Association.
Some obligations of United States Government agencies and
instrumentalities, such as Treasury bills and Government National Mortgage
Association pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and
credit of the United States; others, such as securities of Federal Home Loan
Banks, by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; still others,
such as bonds issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, a private
corporation, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Because
the United States Government is not obligated by law to provide support to an
instrumentality it sponsors, the Fund will invest in the securities issued by
such an instrumentality only when Keystone determines that the credit risk with
respect to the instrumentality does not make its securities unsuitable
investments. United States Government securities will not include international
agencies or instrumental-ities in which the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities participate, such as the World Bank, the Asian
Development Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank, or issues insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Fund is authorized to write (i.e., sell) covered call options and
to purchase call options to close out covered call options previously written. A
call option obligates a writer to sell, and gives a purchaser the right to buy,
the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time until the
stated expiration date.
The Fund will only write call options which are covered, which means
that the Fund will own the underlying security (or other securities, such as
convertible securities, which are acceptable for escrow) when it writes the call
option and until the Fund's obligation to sell the underlying security is
extinguished by exercise or expiration of the call option or the purchase of a
call option covering the same underlying security and having the same exercise
price and expiration date. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a call
option, but will give up, until the expiration date, the opportunity to profit
from an increase in the underlying security's price above the exercise price.
The Fund will retain the risk of loss from a decrease in the price of the
underlying security. The writing of covered call options is a conservative
investment technique believed to involve relatively little risk (in contrast to
the writing of naked options which the Fund will not do) but capable of
enhancing the Fund's total returns.
The premium received by the Fund for writing a covered call option will
be recorded as a liability in the Fund's statement of assets and liabilities.
This liability will be adjusted daily to the option's current market value,
which will be the latest sale price at the time as of which the net asset value
per share of the Fund is computed (the close of the New York Stock Exchange),
or, in the absence of such sale, at the latest bid quotation. The liability will
be extinguished upon expiration of the option, the purchase of an identical
option in a closing transaction or delivery of the underlying security upon
exercise of the option.
Many options are traded on registered securities exchanges. Options
traded on such exchanges are issued by the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC),a
clearing corporation which assumes responsibility for the completion of options
transactions.
The Fund will purchase call options only to close out a covered call
option it has written. When it appears that a covered call option written by the
Fund is likely to be exercised, the Fund may consider it appropriate to avoid
having to sell the underlying security. Or, the Fund may wish to extinguish a
covered call option which it has written in order to be free to sell the
underlying security to realize a profit on the previously written call option or
to write another covered call option on the underlying security. In all such
instances, the Fund can close out the previously written call option by
purchasing a call option on the same underlying security with the same exercise
price and expiration date. (The Fund may, under certain circumstances, also be
able to transfer a previously written call option.) The Fund will realize a
short-term capital gain if the amount paid to purchase the call option plus
transaction costs is less than the premium received for writing the covered call
option. The Fund will realize a short-term capital loss if the amount paid to
purchase the call option plus transaction costs is greater than the premium
received for writing the covered call option.
A previously written call option can be closed out by purchasing an
identical call option only in a secondary market for the call option. Although
the Fund will generally write only those options for which there appears to be
an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
will exist for any particular option at any particular time, and for some
options no secondary market may exist. In such event it might not be possible to
effect a closing transaction in a particular option. If the Fund as a covered
call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will
not be able to sell the underlying securities until the option expires or it
delivers the underlying securities upon exercise.
If a substantial number of the call options written by the Fund are
exercised, the Fund's rate of portfolio turnover may exceed historical levels.
This would result in higher transaction costs, including brokerage commissions.
The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the writing of
covered call options and the purchase of call options to close out previously
written options. Such brokerage commissions are normally higher than those
applicable to purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
In the past the Fund has qualified for, and elected to receive, the
special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies under Subchapter M
of the Internal Revenue Code. Although the Fund intends to continue to qualify
for such tax treatment, in order to do so it must, among other things, derive
less than 30% of its gross income from gains from the sale or other disposition
of securities held for less than three months. Because of this, the Fund may be
restricted in the writing of call options where the underlying securities have
been held less than three months, in the writing of covered call options which
expire in less than three months, and in effecting closing purchases with
respect to options which were written less than three months earlier. As a
result, the Fund may elect to forego otherwise favorable investment
opportunities and may elect to avoid or delay effecting closing purchases or
selling portfolio securities, with the risk that a potential loss may be
increased or a potential gain may be reduced or turned into a loss.
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, gain or loss
attributable to a closing transaction and premiums received by the Fund for
writing a covered call option which is not exercised may constitute short-term
capital gain or loss. Under provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, effective
for taxable years beginning after October 22, 1986, a gain on an option
transaction which qualifies as a "designated hedge" transaction under Treasury
regulations may be offset by realized or unrealized losses on such designated
transaction. The netting of gain against such losses could result in a reduction
in gross income from options transactions for purposes of the 30 percent test.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Fund intends to enter into currency and other financial futures
contracts as a hedge against changes in prevailing levels of interest or
currency exchange rates to seek relative stability of principal and to establish
more definitely the effective return on securities held or intended to be
acquired by the Fund or as a hedge against changes in the prices of securities
or currencies held by the Fund or to be acquired by the Fund. The Fund's hedging
may include sales of futures as an offset against the effect of expected
increases in interest or currency exchange rates or securities prices and
purchases of futures as an offset against the effect of expected declines in
interest or currency exchange rates.
For example, when the Fund anticipates a significant market or market
sector advance, it will purchase a stock index futures contract as a hedge
against not participating in such advance at a time when the Fund is not fully
invested. The purchase of a futures contract serves as a temporary substitute
for the purchase of individual securities which may then be purchased in an
orderly fashion. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of index based
futures contracts would be terminated by offsetting sales. In contrast, the Fund
would sell stock index futures contracts in anticipation of or in a general
market or market sector decline that may adversely affect the market value of
the Fund's portfolio. To the extent that the Fund's portfolio changes in value
in correlation with a given index, the sale of futures contracts on that index
would substantially reduce the risk to the portfolio of a market decline or
change in interest rates, and, by doing so, provide an alternative to the
liquidation of the Fund's securities positions and the resulting transaction
costs.
The Fund intends to engage in options transactions which are related to
currency or other financial futures contracts for the hedging purposes and in
connection with the hedging strategies described above.
Although techniques other than sales and purchases of futures contracts
and related options transactions could be used to reduce the Fund's exposure to
interest rate and/or market fluctuations, the Fund may be able to hedge its
exposure more effectively and perhaps at a lower cost through using futures
contracts and related options transactions. While the Fund does not intend to
take delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it holds, the Fund
does not intend to engage in such futures contracts for speculation.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
Futures contracts are transactions in the commodities markets rather
than in the securities markets. A futures contract creates an obligation by the
seller to deliver to the buyer the commodity specified in the contract at a
specified future time for a specified price. The futures contract creates an
obligation by the buyer to accept delivery from the seller of the commodity
specified at the specified future time for the specified price. In contrast, a
spot transaction creates an immediate obligation for the seller to deliver and
the buyer to accept delivery of and pay for an identified commodity. In general,
futures contracts involve transactions in fungible goods such as wheat, coffee
and soybeans. However, in the last decade an increasing number of futures
contracts have been developed which specify currencies, financial instruments or
financially based indexes as the underlying commodity.
U.S. futures contracts are traded only on national futures exchanges
and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument.
The principal financial futures exchanges in the United States are The Board of
Trade of the City of Chicago, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the International
Monetary Market (a division of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange), the New York
Futures Exchange and the Kansas City Board of Trade. Each exchange guarantees
performance under contract provisions through a clearing corporation, a
nonprofit organization managed by the exchange membership, which is also
responsible for handling daily accounting of deposits or withdrawals of margin.
A futures commission merchant (Broker) effects each transaction in connection
with futures contracts for a commission. Futures exchanges and trading are
regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) and National Futures Association (NFA).
INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS
The sale of an interest rate futures contract creates an obligation by
the Fund, as seller, to deliver the type of financial instrument specified in
the contract at a specified future time for a specified price. The purchase of
an interest rate futures contract creates an obligation by the Fund, as
purchaser, to accept delivery of the type of financial instrument specified at a
specified future time for a specified price. The specific securities delivered
or accepted, respectively, at settlement date, are not determined until at or
near that date. The determination is in accordance with the rules of the
exchange on which the futures contract sale or purchase was made.
Currently, interest rate futures contracts can be purchased or sold on
90-day U.S. Treasury bills, U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes with
maturities between 6 1/2 and 10 years, Government National Mortgage Association
(GNMA) certificates, 90-day domestic bank certificates of deposit, 90-day
commercial paper, and 90-day Eurodollar certificates of deposit. It is expected
that futures contracts trading in additional financial instruments will be
authorized. The standard contract size is $100,000 for futures contracts in U.S.
Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes and GNMA certificates, and $1,000,000 for
the other designated contracts. While U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury bills
and U.S. Treasury notes are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government and GNMA certificates are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency, the
futures contracts in U.S. government securities are not obligations of the U.S.
Treasury.
INDEX BASED FUTURES CONTRACTS
A. STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
A stock index assigns relative values to the common stocks included in
the index. The index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the common
stocks so included. A stock index futures contract is a bilateral agreement by
which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a
specified dollar amount times the difference between the closing value of the
stock index on the expiration date of the contract and the price at which the
futures contract is originally made. No physical delivery of the underlying
stocks in the index is made.
Currently, stock index futures contracts can be purchased or sold on
the Standard and Poor's Corporation (S&P) Index of 500 Stocks, the S&P Index of
100 Stocks, the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, the Value Line Index
and the Major Market Index. It is expected that futures contracts trading in
additional stock indices will be authorized. The standard contract size is $500
times the value of the index.
The Fund does not believe that differences between existing stock
indices will create any differences in the price movements of the stock index
futures contracts in relation to the movements in such indices. However, such
differences in the indices may result in differences in correlation of the
futures with movements in the value of the securities being hedged.
B. OTHER INDEX BASED FUTURES CONTRACTS
It is expected that bond index and other financially based index
futures contracts will be developed in the future. It is anticipated that such
index based futures contracts will be structured in the same way as stock index
futures contracts but will be measured by changes in interest rates, related
indexes or other measures, such as the consumer price index. In the event that
such futures contracts are developed the Fund will sell interest rate index and
other index based futures contracts to hedge against changes which are expected
to affect the Fund's portfolio.
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or
sale of a security, in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, to
initiate trading an amount of cash, cash equivalents, money market instruments,
or U.S. Treasury bills equal to approximately 1 1/2% (up to 5%) of the contract
amount must be deposited by the Fund with the Broker. This amount is known as
initial margin. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is
different from that of margin in security transactions. Futures contract margin
does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the
transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond
or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon
termination of the futures contract assuming all contractual obligations have
been satisfied. The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by
the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified
from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract.
Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to the Broker and from
the Broker, are made on a daily basis as the value of the underlying instrument
or index fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract
more or less valuable, a process known as mark-to-market. For example, when the
Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the underlying financial
instrument or index has risen, that position will have increased in value and
the Fund will receive from the Broker a variation margin payment equal to that
increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract
and the price of the underlying financial instrument or index has declined, the
position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a
variation margin payment to the Broker. At any time prior to expiration of the
futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position. A final
determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to
be paid to or released by the Broker, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.
The Fund intends to enter into arrangements with its custodian and with
Brokers to enable its initial margin and any variation margin to be held in a
segregated account by its custodian on behalf of the Broker.
Although interest rate futures contracts by their terms call for actual
delivery or acceptance of financial instruments and index based futures
contracts call for the delivery of cash equal to the difference between the
closing value of the index on the expiration date of the contract and the price
at which the futures contract is originally made, in most cases such futures
contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking
of delivery. Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by an offsetting
transaction in which the Fund enters into a futures contract purchase for the
same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or index and
same delivery date. If the price in the sale exceeds the price in the offsetting
purchase, the Fund is paid the difference and thus realizes a gain. If the
offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Fund pays the difference
and realizes a loss. Similarly, the closing out of a futures contract purchase
is effected by an offsetting transaction in which the Fund enters into a futures
contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the Fund
realizes a gain. If the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price the
Fund realizes a loss. The amount of the Fund's gain or loss on any transaction
is reduced or increased, respectively, by the amount of any transaction costs
incurred by the Fund.
As an example of an offsetting transaction, the contractual obligations
arising from the sale of one contract of September U.S. Treasury bills on an
exchange may be fulfilled at any time before delivery of the contract is
required (i.e. on a specified date in September, the "delivery month") by the
purchase of one contract of September U.S. Treasury bills on the same exchange.
In such instance the difference between the price at which the futures contract
was sold and the price paid for the offsetting purchase after allowance for
transaction costs, represents the profit or loss to the Fund.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter
into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular contract at a
particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting
transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin
deposits on the contract and to complete the contract according to its terms.
OPTIONS ON CURRENCY AND OTHER FINANCIAL FUTURES
The Fund intends to purchase call and put options on currency and other
financial futures contracts and sell such options to terminate an existing
position. Options on currency or other financial futures contracts are similar
to options on stocks except that an option on a currency financial futures
contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to
assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call
and a short position if the option is a put) rather than to purchase or sell
currency or other instruments making up a financial futures index, at a
specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon
exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of
the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account. This amount
represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at
exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put,
the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. If an option is
exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option,
the settlement will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the
exercise price of the option and value of the futures contract.
The Fund intends to use options on currency or other financial futures
contracts in connection with hedging strategies. In the future the Fund may use
such options for other purposes.
PURCHASE OF PUT OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
The purchase of protective put options on currency or other
financial futures contracts is analagous to the purchase of protective puts on
individual stocks, where an absolute level of protection is sought below which
no additional economic loss would be incurred by the Fund. Put options may be
purchased to hedge a portfolio of stocks or debt instruments or a position in
the futures contract upon which the put option is based.
PURCHASE OF CALL OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
The purchase of a call option on a currency or other financial futures
contract represents a means of obtaining temporary exposure to market
appreciation at limited risk. It is analogous to the purchase of a call option
on an individual stock, which can be used as a substitute for a position in the
stock itself. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the
futures contract upon which it is based, or upon the price of the underlying
financial instrument or index itself, purchase of a call option may be less
risky than the ownership of the interest rate or index based futures contract or
the underlying securities. Call options on futures contracts may be purchased to
hedge against an interest rate increase or a market advance when the Fund is not
fully invested.
USE OF NEW INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES INVOLVING CURRENCY AND OTHER FINANCIAL FUTURES
CONTRACTS OR RELATED OPTIONS
The Fund may employ new investment techniques involving currency and
other financial futures contracts and related options. The Fund intends to take
advantage of new techniques in these areas which may be developed from time to
time and which are consistent with the Fund's investment objective. The Fund
believes that no additional techniques have been identified for employment by
the Fund in the foreseeable future other than those described herein.
LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS ON
SUCH FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund will not enter into a futures contract if, as a result
thereof, more than 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at market value at the
time of entering into the contract) would be committed to margin deposits on
such futures contracts.
The Fund intends that its futures contracts and related options
transactions will be entered into for traditional hedging purposes. That is,
futures contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of
securities that the Fund owns, or futures contracts will be purchased to protect
the Fund against an increase in the price of securities it intends to purchase.
The Fund does not intend to enter into futures contracts for speculation.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
As discussed above, the Fund may invest in securities of foreign
issuers. When the Fund invests in foreign securities they usually will be
denominated in foreign currencies and the Fund temporarily may hold funds in
foreign currencies. Thus, the Fund's share value will be affected by changes in
exchange rates.
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
As one way of managing exchange rate risk, the Fund may engage in
forward currency exchange contracts (agreements to purchase or sell currencies
at a specified price and date). Under the contract, the exchange rate for the
transaction (the amount of currency the Fund will deliver or receive when the
contract is completed) is fixed when the Fund enters into the contract. The Fund
usually will enter into these contracts to stabilize the U.S. dollar value of a
security it has agreed to buy or sell. The Fund also may use these contracts to
hedge the U.S. dollar value of a security it already owns, particularly if the
Fund expects a decrease in the value of the currency in which the foreign
security is denominated. Although the Fund will attempt to benefit from using
forward contracts, the success of its hedging strategy will depend on Keystone's
ability to predict accurately the future exchange rate between foreign
currencies and the U.S. dollar. The value of the Fund's investments denominated
in foreign currencies will depend on the relative strength of those currencies
and the U.S. dollar, and the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by
changes in the exchange rates or exchange control regulations between foreign
currencies and the dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates also may
affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on
the sale of securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be
distributed to shareholders by the Fund.
CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS
Currency futures contracts are bilateral agreements under which two
parties agree to take or make delivery of a specified amount of a currency at a
specified future time for a specified price. Trading of currency futures
contracts in the United States is regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act by
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and National Futures Association
(NFA). Currently the only national futures exchange on which currency futures
are traded is the International Monetary Market of the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange. Foreign currency futures trading is conducted in the same manner and
subject to the same regulations as trading in interest rate and index based
futures. The Fund intends to engage in currency futures contracts only for
hedging purposes, and not for speculation. The Fund may enter into currency
futures contracts for other purposes if authorized to do so by the Board. The
hedging strategies which will be used by the Fund in connection with foreign
currency futures contracts are similar to those described above for forward
foreign currency exchange contracts.
Currently, currency futures contracts for the British Pound Sterling,
Canadian Dollar, Dutch Guilder, Deutsche Mark, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, Swiss
Franc, and French Franc can be purchased or sold for U.S. dollars through the
International Monetary Market. It is expected that futures contracts trading in
additional currencies will be authorized. The standard contract sizes are
L125,000 for the Pound, 125,000 for the Guilder, Mark, French Francs and Swiss
Francs, C$100,000 for the Canadian Dollar, Y12,500,000 for the Yen, and
1,000,000 for the Peso. In contrast to forward currency exchange contracts which
can be traded at any time, only four value dates per year are available, the
third Wednesday of March, June, September and December.
FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
Foreign currency options (as opposed to futures) are traded in a
variety of currencies in both the United States and Europe. On the Philadelphia
Stock Exchange, for example, contracts for half the size of the corresponding
futures contracts on the Chicago Board - Options Exchange are traded with up to
nine months maturity in marks, sterling, yen, Swiss francs, French francs and
Canadian dollars. Options can be exercised at any time during the contract life,
and require a deposit subject to normal margin requirements. Since a futures
contract must be exercised, the Fund must continually make up the margin
balance. As a result, a wrong price move could result in the Fund losing more
than the original investment, as it cannot walk away from the futures contract
as it can an option contract.
The Fund will purchase call and put options and sell such options to
terminate an existing position. Options on foreign currency are similar to
options on stocks except that an option on an interest rate and/or index based
futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid,
to purchase or sell foreign currency, rather than to purchase or sell stock, at
a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option.
The Fund intends to use foreign currency option transactions in
connection with hedging strategies.
PURCHASE OF PUT OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The purchase of protective put options on a foreign currency is
analagous to the purchase of protective puts on individual stocks, where an
absolute level of protection is sought below which no additional economic loss
would be incurred by the Fund. Put options may be purchased to hedge a portfolio
of foreign stocks or foreign debt instruments or a position in the foreign
currency upon which the put option is based.
PURCHASE OF CALL OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The purchase of a call option on foreign currency represents a means of
obtaining temporary exposure to market appreciation at limited risk. It is
analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual stock, which can be
used as a substitute for a position in the stock itself. Depending on the
pricing of the option compared to either the foreign currency upon which it is
based, or upon the price of the foreign stock or foreign debt instruments,
purchase of a call option may be less risky than the ownership of the foreign
currency or the foreign securities. The Fund would purchase a call option on a
foreign currency to hedge against an increase in the foreign currency or a
foreign market advance when the Fund is not fully invested.
The Fund may employ new investment techniques involving forward foreign
currency exchange contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and options on
foreign currencies in order to take advantage of new techniques in these areas
which may be developed from time to time and which are consistent with the
Fund's investment objective. The Fund believes that no additional techniques
have been identified for employment by the Fund in the foreseeable future other
than those described above.
CURRENCY TRADING RISKS
Currency exchange trading may involve significant risks. The four major
types of risk the Fund faces are exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, credit
risk and country risk.
EXCHANGE RATE RISK
Exchange rate risk results from the movement up and down of foreign
currency values in response to shifting market supply and demand. When the Fund
buys or sells a foreign currency, an exposure called an open position is
created. Until the time that position can be "covered" by selling or buying an
equivalent amount of the same currency, the Fund is exposed to the risk that the
exchange rate might move against it. Since exchange rate changes can readily
move in one direction, a position carried overnight or over a number of days
involves greater risk than one carried a few minutes or hours. Techniques such
as foreign currency forward and futures contracts and options on foreign
currency are intended to be used by the Fund to reduce exchange rate risk.
MATURITY GAPS AND INTEREST RATE RISK
Interest rate risk arises whenever there are mismatches or gaps in the
maturity structure of the Fund's foreign exchange currency holdings, which is
the total of its outstanding spot and forward or futures contracts.
Foreign currency transactions often involve borrowing short
term and lending longer term to benefit from the normal tendency of interest
rates to be higher for longer maturities. However in foreign exchange trading,
while the maturity pattern of interest rates for one currency is important, it
is the differential between interest rates for two currencies that is decisive.
CREDIT RISK
Whenever the Fund enters into a foreign exchange contract, it faces a
risk, however small, that the counterparty will not perform under the contract.
As a result there is a credit risk, although no extension of "credit" is
intended. To limit credit risk, the Fund intends to evaluate the
creditworthiness of each other party. The Fund does not intend to trade more
than 5% of its net assets under foreign exchange contracts with one party.
Credit risk exists because the Fund's counterparty may be unable or
unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligations as a result of bankruptcy or
insolvency or when foreign exchange controls prohibit payment. In any foreign
exchange transaction, each party agrees to deliver a certain amount of currency
to the other on a particular date. In establishing its hedges a Fund relies on
each contract being completed. If the contract is not performed, then the Fund's
hedge is eliminated, and the Fund is exposed to any changes in exchange rates
since the contract was originated. To put itself in the same position it would
have been in had the contract been performed, the Fund must arrange a new
transaction. However, the new transaction may have to be arranged at an adverse
exchange rate. The trustee for a bankrupt company may elect to perform those
contracts which are advantageous to the company but disclaim those contracts
which are disadvantageous, resulting in losses to the Fund.
Another form of credit risk stems from the time zone difference between
the U.S. and foreign nations. If the Fund sells small sterling it generally must
pay pounds to a counterparty earlier in the day than it will be credited with
dollars in New York. In the intervening hours, the buyer can go into bankruptcy
or can be declared insolvent. Thus, the dollars may never be credited to the
Fund.
COUNTRY RISK
At one time or another, virtually every country has interfered with
international transactions in its currency. Interference has taken the form of
regulation of the local exchange market, restrictions on foreign investment by
residents, or limits on inflows of investment funds from abroad. Governments
take such measures for example to improve control over the domestic banking
system, or to influence the pattern of receipts and payments between residents
and foreigners. In those cases, restrictions on the exchange market or on
international transactions are intended to affect the level or movement of the
exchange rate. Occasionally a serious foreign exchange shortage may lead to
payments interruptions or debt servicing delays, as well as interference in the
exchange market. It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish foreign
exchange or credit risk from country risk.
Changes in regulations or restrictions usually do have an important
exchange market impact. Most disruptive are changes in rules which interfere
with the normal payments mechanism. If government regulations change and a
counterparty is either forbidden to perform or is required to do something
extra, then the Fund might be left with an unintended open position or an
unintended maturity mismatch. Dealing with such unintended long or short
positions could result in unanticipated costs to the Fund.
Other changes in official regulations influence international
investment transactions. If one of the factors affecting the buying or selling
of a currency changes, the exchange rate is likely to respond. Changes in such
controls often are unpredictable and can create a significant exchange rate
response.
Many major countries have moved toward liberalization of exchange and
payments restrictions in recent years, or accepted the principle that
restrictions should be relaxed. A few industrial countries have moved in the
other direction. Important liberalizations were carried out by Switzerland, the
United Kingdom and Japan. They dismantled mechanisms for restricting either
foreign exchange inflows (Switzerland), outflows (Britain), or elements of both
(Japan). By contrast, France and Mexico have recently tightened foreign exchange
controls.
Overall, many exchange markets are still heavily restricted. Several
countries limit access to the forward market to companies financing documented
export or import transactions in an effort to insulate the market from purely
speculative activities. Some of these countries permit local traders to enter
into forward contracts with residents but prohibit certain forward transactions
with nonresidents. By comparison, other countries have strict controls on
exchange transactions by residents, but permit free exchange transactions
between local traders and non-residents. A few countries have established tiered
markets, funneling commercial transactions through one market and financial
transactions through another. Outside the major industrial countries, relatively
free foreign exchange markets are rare and control on foreign currency
transactions are extensive.
Another aspect of country risk has to do with the possibility that the
Fund may be dealing with a foreign trader whose home country is facing a
payments problem. Even though the foreign trader intends to perform on its
foreign exchange contracts, the contracts are tied to other external liabilities
the country has incurred. As a result performance may be delayed, and can result
in unanticipated cost to the Fund. This aspect of country risk is a major
element in the Fund's credit judgment as to with whom it will deal and in what
amounts.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivatives have been variously defined to include forwards, futures,
options, mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities and
structured securities, such as interest rate swaps, equity swaps, index swaps,
currency swaps and caps and floors. These basic vehicles can also be combined to
create more complex products, called hybrid derivatives. Options, fututes and
forwards are discussed elsewhere in the Fund's prospectus and statement of
additional information. The following discussion addresses mortgage backed and
other asset-backed securities, structured securities and other instruments.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
The Fund, if allowed, may also invest in fixed rate and adjustable rate
collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), including CMOs with rates that
move inversely to market rates that are issued by and guaranteed as to principal
and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The
principal governmental issuer of CMOs is FNMA. In addition, FHLMC issues a
significant number of CMOs. The Fund, if permitted to invest in CMOs, will not
invest in CMOs that are issued by private issuers. CMOs are debt obligations
collateralized by Mortgage Securities in which the payment of the principal and
interest is supported by the credit of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government or
an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government.
The secondary market for CMOs is actively traded.
CMOs are structured by redirecting the total payment of principal and
interest on the underlying Mortgage Securities used as collateral to create
classes with different interest rates, maturities and payment schedules. Instead
of interest and principal payments on the underlying Mortgage Securities being
passed through or paid pro rata to each holder (e.g., the Fund), each class of a
CMO is paid from and secured by a separate priority payment of the cash flow
generated by the pledged Mortgage Securities.
Most CMO issues have at least four classes. Classes with an earlier
maturity receive priority on payments to assure the early maturity. After the
first class is redeemed, excess cash flow not necessary to pay interest on the
remaining classes is directed to the repayment of the next maturing class until
that class is fully redeemed. This process continues until all classes of the
CMO issue have been paid in full. Among the CMO classes available are floating
(adjustable) rate classes, which have characteristics similar to ARMS, and
inverse floating rate classes whose coupons vary inversely with the rate of some
market index. The Fund, if allowed to purchase CMOs, may purchase any class of
CMO other than the residual (final) class.
<PAGE>
INTEREST-RATE SWAP CONTRACTS
Interest rate swaps are over-the-counter ("OTC") agreements between
parties and counterparties to make periodic payments to each other for a stated
time, generally entered into for the purpose of changing the nature or amount of
interest being received on debt securities held by one or both parties. The
calculation of these payments is based on an agreed-upon amount called the
"notional amount." The notional amount is not typically exchanged in swaps
(except in currency swaps). The periodic payments may be fixed or floating.
Floating payments change (positively or inversely) with fluctuations in interest
or currency rates or equity or commodity prices, depending on the swap
contract's terms.
Swaps may be used to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates,
for instance. Thus, if permitted by its investment policies, the Fund may have a
portfolio of debt instruments (ARM's, for instance) the floating interest rates
of which adjust frequently because they are tied positively to changes in market
interest rates. The Fund would then be exposed to interest rate risk because a
decline in interest rates would reduce the interest receipts on its portfolio.
If the investment adviser believed interest rates would decline, the Fund, if
permitted by its investment policies, could enter into an interest rate swap
with another financial institution to hedge the interest rate risk. In the swap
contract, the Fund would agree to make payments based on a floating interest
rate in exchange for receiving payments based on a fixed interest rate.
Thereafter, if interest rates declined, the Fund's fixed rate receipts on the
swap would offset the reduction in its portfolio receipts. If interest rates
rose, the higher rates the Fund could obtain from new portfolio investments
(assuming sale of existing investments) would offset the higher rates it paid
nder the swap agreement.
EQUITY SWAP CONTRACTS
The counterparty to an equity swap contract would typically be a bank,
investment banking firm or broker/dealer. For example, the counterparty would
generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount
of the equity swap contract would have increased in value if such notional
amount had been invested in the stocks comprising the S&P 500 Index in
proportion to the composition of the Index, plus the dividends that would have
been received on those stocks. The Fund would agree to pay to the counterparty a
floating rate of interest (typically the London Inter Bank Offered Rate) on the
notional amount of the equity swap contract plus the amount, if any, by which
that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such
index stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any equity swap contract
should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks
comprising the S&P 500 Index less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional
amount. If permitted by its investment policies, the Fund will only enter into
equity swap contracts on a net basis, i.e., the two parties' obligations are
netted out, with the Fund paying or receiving, as the case may be, only the net
amount of any payments. Payments under equity swap contracts may be made at the
conclusion of the contract or periodically during its term.
If permitted by its investment policies, the Fund may also from time to
time enter into the opposite side of equity swap contracts (i.e., where the Fund
is obligated to pay the increase (net of interest) or received the decrease
(plus interest) on the contract) to reduce the amount of the Fund's equity
market exposure consistent with the Fund's investment objective(s) and policies.
These positions are sometimes referred to as "reverse equity swap contracts."
Equity swap contracts will not be used to leverage the Fund. Since the
SEC considers equity swap contracts and reverse equity swap contracts to be
illiquid securities, the Fund will not invest in equity swap contracts or
reverse equity swap contracts if the total value of such investments together
with that of all other illiquid securities that the Fund owns would exceed the
Fund's limitations on investments in illiquid securities.
The Fund does not believe that its obligations under equity swap
contracts or reverse equity swap contracts are senior securities and,
accordingly, the Fund will not treat them as being subject to its borrowing
restrictions. However, the net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's
obligations over its respective entitlement with respect to each equity swap
contract and each reverse equity swap contract will be accrued on a daily basis
and an amount of cash, U. S. Government Securities or other liquid high quality
debt securities having an aggregate market value at lease equal to the accrued
excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund's Custodian.
CURRENCY SWAPS, INDEX SWAPS AND CAPS AND FLOORS
A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional
amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among
them. An index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount
based on changes in the values of reference indices. The purchase of an interest
rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds an
agree-upon interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of
an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments of interest on
a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. If
permitted by the Fund's investment policies, the investment adviser expects to
enter into these types of transactions on behalf of the Fund primarily to
preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its
portfolio or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund
anticipates purchasing at a later date rather than for speculative purposes.
Accordingly, if permitted by the Fund's investment policies, the Fund intends to
use these transactions as hedges and not as speculative investments and will not
sell interest rate caps or floors unless it owns securities or other instruments
providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay. Caps and floors
require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation,
if any.
SPECIAL RISKS OF SWAPS, CAPS AND FLOORS
As with futures, options, forward contracts, and mortgage backed and
other asset-backed securities, the use of swap, cap and floor contracts exposes
the Fund to additional investment risk and transaction costs. These risks
include operational risk, market risk and credit risk.
Operational risk includes, among others, the risks that the investment
adviser will incorrectly analyze market conditions or will not employ
appropriate strategies and monitoring with respect to these instruments or will
be forced to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax
consequences.
Market risk includes, among others, the risks of imperfect correlations
between the expected values of the contracts, or their underlying bases, and
movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged, and the
possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at
any time. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large
number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as
agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market
has become relatively more illiquid. Nevertheless, a secondary market for swaps
is never assured, and caps and floors, which are more recent innovations for
which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed, are much less
liquid than swaps.
Credit risk is primarily the risk that counterparties may be financially unable
to fulfill their contracts on a timely basis, if at all. If there is a default
by the counterparty to any such contract, the Fund will be limited to
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
There is no assurance that contract counterparties will be able to meet contract
obligations or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in pursuing
contractual remedies. The Fund thus assumes the risk that it may be delayed in
or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it pursuant to such contracts. The
Fund will closely monitor the credit of swap counterparties in order to minimize
this risk. The Fund will not enter into any equity swap contract or reverse
equity swap contract unless, at the time of entering into such transaction, the
unsecured senior debt of the counterparty is rated at least A by Moody's or S&P.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CLASS OF OPTIONS. Options covering the same underlying security.
CLEARING CORPORATION. The Options Clearing Corporation, Trans Canada
Options, Inc., The European Options Clearing Corporation B.V., or the London
Options Clearing House.
CLOSING PURCHASE TRANSACTION. A transaction in which an investor who is
obligated as a writer of an option or seller of a futures contract terminates
his obligation by purchasing on an Exchange an option of the same series as the
option previously written or futures contract identical to the futures contract
previously sold, as the case may be. (Such a purchase does not result in the
ownership of an option or futures contract.)
CLOSING SALE TRANSACTION. A transaction in which an investor who is the
holder or buyer of an outstanding option or futures contract liquidates his
position as a holder or seller by selling an option of the same series as the
option previously purchased or futures contract identical to the futures
contract previously purchased. (Such sale does not result in the investor
assuming the obligations of a writer or seller.)
COVERED CALL OPTION WRITER. A writer of a call option who, so long as
he remains obligated as a writer, owns the shares of the underlying security
holds on a share for share basis a call on the same security where the exercise
price of the call held is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call
written, or, if greater than the exercise price of the call written, the
difference is maintained by the writer in cash, U.S. Treasury bills, or other
high grade, short term obligations in a segregated account with the writer's
broker or custodian.
COVERED PUT OPTION WRITER. A writer of a put option who, so long as he
remains obligated as a writer, has deposited Treasury bills with a value equal
to or greater than the exercise price with a securities depository and has
pledged them to the Options Clearing Corporation for the account of the
broker-dealer carrying the writer's position or to the broker-dealer holds on a
share for share basis a put on the same security as the put written where the
exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of
the put written, or, if less than the exercise price of the put written, the
difference is maintained by the writer in cash, U.S. Treasury bills, or other
high grade, short term obligations in a segregated account with the writer's
broker or custodian.
SECURITIES EXCHANGE. A securities exchange on which call and put
options are traded. The U.S. Exchanges are as follows: The Chicago Board Options
Exchange; American Stock Exchange; New York Stock Exchange; Philadelphia Stock
Exchange; and Pacific Stock Exchange. The foreign securities exchanges in Canada
are the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Montreal Stock Exchange, in the
Netherlands, the European Options Exchange, and in the United Kingdom, the Stock
Exchange (London).
Those issuers whose common stocks have been approved by the Exchanges
as underlying securities for options transactions are published in various
financial publications.
COMMODITIES EXCHANGE. A commodities exchange on which futures contracts
are traded which is regulated by exchange rules that have been approved by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The U.S. exchanges are as follows: The
Chicago Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Chicago Mercantile Exchange,
International Monetary Market, (a division of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange),
the Kansas City Board of Trade and the New York Futures Exchange.
EXERCISE PRICE. The price per unit at which the holder of a call option
may purchase the underlying security upon exercise or the holder of a put option
may sell the underlying security upon exercise.
EXPIRATION DATE. The latest date when an option may be exercised or a
futures contract must be completed according to its terms.
HEDGING. An action taken by an investor to neutralize an investment
risk by taking an investment position which will move in the opposite direction
as the risk being hedged so that a loss (or gain) on one will tend to be offset
by a gain (or loss) on the other.
OPTION. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term "option" means
either a call or put option issued by a Clearing Corporation, as defined above.
A call option gives a holder the right to buy from such Clearing Corporation or
broker the number of shares of the underlying security covered by the option at
the stated exercise price by the filing of an exercise notice prior to the
expiration time of the option. A put option gives a holder the right to sell to
a Clearing Corporation the number of shares of the underlying security covered
by the put at the stated exercise price by the filing of an exercise notice
prior to the expiration time of the option. The Fund will sell ("write") and
purchase puts only on U.S. Exchanges.
OPTION PERIOD. The time during which an option may be exercised,
generally from the date the option is written through its expiration date.
PREMIUM. The price of an option agreed upon between the buyer and
writer or their agents in a transaction on the floor of an Exchange.
SERIES OF OPTIONS. Options covering the same underlying security and
having the same exercise price and expiration date.
STOCK INDEX. A stock index assigns relative values to the common stocks
included in the index, and the index fluctuates with changes in the market
values of the common stocks so included.
INDEX BASED FUTURES CONTRACT. An index based futures contract is a
bilateral agreement pursuant to which a party agrees to buy or deliver at
settlement an amount of cash equal to $500 times the difference between the
closing value of an index on the expiration date and the price at which the
futures contract is originally struck. Index based futures are traded on
Commodities Exchanges. Currently index based futures contracts can be purchased
or sold with respect to the Standard & Poor's Corporation (S&P) 500 Stock Index
and S&P 100 Stock Index on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Index on the New York Futures Exchange and the Value Line
Stock Index and Major Market Index on the Kansas City Board of Trade.
UNDERLYING SECURITY. The security subject to being purchased upon the
exercise of a call option or subject to being sold upon the exercise of a put
option.
#10160696
<PAGE>
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(to be filed by pre-effective amendment)
Item 24(a). Financial Statements:
Financial Highlights Not Applicable
Statement of Investments Not Applicable
Statement of Assets and Liabilities ___________, 199__
Statement of Operations Not Applicable
Statement of Change in Net Assets Not Applicable
Notes to Financial Statements ___________, 199__
Report of Independent Auditors
dated ___________, 199__
SUPPORTING SCHEDULES
All schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable.
(24)(b) Exhibits
(1) A copy of the Registrant's Declaration of Fund is filed with this
Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(1).
(2) A copy of the Registrant's By-Laws is filed with this Registration
Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(2).
(3) Not applicable.
(4) To be filed by amendment.
(5) A copy of the form of Investment Advisory and Management Agreement between
Registrant and Keystone Investment Management Company is filed with this
Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(5).
(6) (A) Copies of the forms of Principal Underwriting Agreements between
Registrant and Keystone Investment Distributors Company are filed with this
Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(6)(A).
(B) Copies of the forms of Dealer Agreements for Class A, B and C shareas
are filed herewith as Exhibit 24(b)(6)(B).
(7) Not applicable.
(8) A copy of the form of Custodian, Fund Accounting and Recordkeeping
Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Fund Company is
filed with this Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(8).
(9) Not applicable.
(10) Opinion of counsel as to the legality of the shares being registered is
filed with this Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(10).
(11) Consent as to use of Report of Registrant's independent auditors will be
filed by pre-effective amendment to this Registration Statement as Exhibit
24(b)(17).
(12) Not applicable
(13) A copy of the Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Keystone
Investment Management Company is filed with this Registration Statement as
Exhibit 24(b)(13).
(14) Not applicable.
(15) Copies of the forms of Registrant's Distribution Plans for its Class A,
Class B and Class C shares are filed herewith as Exhibit 24(b)(15).
(16) Not applicable.
(17) Financial Data Schedules will be filed by pre-effective amendment as
Exhibit 24(b)(17).
(18) Not applicable.
(19) Not applicable.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant
Not applicable.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
Number of Record Holders
Title of Class as of December 13, 1995
-------------- -----------------------
Shares of Beneficial -0-
Interest
Item 27. Indemnification
Provisions for the indemnification of the Registrant's Fundees and
officers are contained in Article VIII of Registrant's Declaration of Fund, a
copy of the form of which is filed with this Registration Statement as Exhibit
24(b)(1) and is incorporated by reference herein.
Provisions for the indemnification of Fiduciary Investment Company,
Inc., the Registrant's Principal Underwriter, are contained in Section 9 of the
Principal Underwriting Agreements between the Registrant and Keystone Investment
Distributors Company, a copy of the form of which is filed with this
Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(6) and is incorporated by reference
herein.
Provisions for the indemnification of Keystone Investment Management
Company, Registrant's investment adviser, are contained in Section 6 of the
Investment Advisory and Management Agreement between Registrant and Keystone
Investment Management Company, a copy of the form of which is filed with this
Registration Statement as Exhibit 24(b)(5) and is incorporated by reference
herein.
Item 28. Businesses and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The following table lists the names of the various officers and
directors of Keystone Investment Management Company, the Registrant's
investment adviser, and their respective positions. For each named
individual, the table lists, for at least the past two fiscal years,
(i) any other organizations (excluding investment advisory clients)
with which the officer and/or director has had or has substantial
involvement; and (ii) positions held with such organizations.
<PAGE>
LIST OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Position with
Keystone
Investment
Name Management Company Other Business Affiliations
- ---- ------------------ ---------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III Chairman of Chairman of the Board,
the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Executive President and Director:
Officer,and Keystone Investments, Inc.
Director Keystone Management, Inc.
Keystone Software, Inc.
Keystone Asset Corporation
Keystone Capital Corporation
Chairman of the Board and
Director:
Keystone Fixed Income
Advisers, Inc.
Keystone Institutional
Company, Inc.
President and Director:
Keystone Fund Company
Director or Trustee:
Fiduciary Investment
Company, Inc.
Keystone Investment
Distributors Company
Keystone Investor
Resource Center, Inc.
Boston Children's
Services Associates
Middlesex School
Middlebury College
Former Trustee or Director:
Neworld Bank
Robert Van Partners, Inc.
Philip M. Byrne Director President and Director:
Keystone Institutional
Company, Inc.
Senior Vice President:
Keystone Investments, Inc.
Herbert L. Bishop, Jr. Senior Vice None
President
Donald C. Dates Senior Vice None
President
Gilman Gunn Senior Vice None
President
Edward F. Godfrey Director, Director, Senior Vice
Senior Vice President
President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer and Treasurer:
Chief Financial Keystone Investments, Inc.
Officer Keystone Investment
Distributors Company
Treasurer:
Keystone Institutional
Company, Inc.
Keystone Management, Inc.
Keystone Software, Inc.
Fiduciary Investment
Company, Inc.
Former Treasurer and
Director:
Hartwell Keystone Advisers,
Inc.
James R. McCall Director and None
President
Ralph J. Spuehler, Jr. Director President and Director:
Keystone Investment
Distributors Company
Senior Vice President and
Director:
Keystone Investments, Inc.
Chairman and Director:
Keystone Investor
Resource Center, Inc.
Keystone Management, Inc.
Formerly President:
Keystone Management, Inc.
Formerly Treasurer:
The Kent Funds
Keystone Investments, Inc.
Keystone Investment
Management Company
Rosemary D. Van Antwerp Senior Vice General Counsel, Senior
President, Vice President and
General Counsel Secretary:
and Secretary Keystone Investments, Inc.
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel:
Keystone Institutional
Company, Inc.
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and
Director:
Keystone Investor
Resource Center, Inc.
Fiduciary Investment
Company, Inc.
Keystone Investment
Distributors Company
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel, Director
and Secretary:
Keystone Management, Inc.
Keystone Software, Inc.
Former Senior Vice
President and Secretary:
Hartwell Keystone
Advisers, Inc.
Vice President and
Secretary:
Keystone Fixed Income
Advisers, Inc.
Harry Barr Vice President None
Robert K. Baumback Vice President None
Betsy A. Blacher Senior Vice None
President
Francis X. Claro Vice President None
Kristine R. Cloyes Vice President None
Christopher P. Conkey Senior Vice None
President
Richard Cryan Senior Vice None
President
Maureen E. Cullinane Senior Vice None
President
George E. Dlugos Vice President None
Antonio T. Docal Vice President None
Christopher R. Ely Senior Vice None
President
Robert L. Hockett Vice President None
Sami J. Karam Vice President None
Donald M. Keller Senior Vice None
President
George J. Kimball Vice President None
JoAnn L. Lyndon Vice President None
John C. Madden, Jr. Vice President None
Stephen A. Marks Vice President None
Eleanor H. Marsh Vice President None
Walter T. McCormick Senior Vice None
President
Barbara McCue Vice President None
Stanley M. Niksa Vice President None
Robert E. O'Brien Vice President None
Margery C. Parker Vice President None
William H. Parsons Vice President None
Daniel A. Rabasco Vice President None
David L. Smith Vice President None
Kathy K. Wang Vice President None
Judith A. Warners Vice President None
J. Kevin Kenely Vice President None
and Controller
Joseph J. Decristofaro Asst. Vice President None
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
(a) Keystone Investment Distributors Company (formerly named
Keystone Distributors, Inc.) which acts as Registrant's principal
underwriter, also acts as principal underwriter for the following
entities:
Keystone America Hartwell Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.
Keystone Hartwell Growth Fund
Keystone Quality Fund (B-1)
Keystone Diversified Bond Fund (B-2)
Keystone High Income Bond Fund (B-4)
Keystone Balanced Fund (K-1)
Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2)
Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1)
Keystone Mid-Cap Growth Fund (S-3)
Keystone Small Company Growth Fund (S-4)
Keystone Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Keystone Fund for Total Return
Keystone Government Securities Fund
Keystone Intermediate Term Bond Fund
Keystone America Omega Fund, Inc.
Keystone State Tax Free Fund
Keystone State Tax Free Fund - Series II
Keystone Strategic Income Fund
Keystone Tax Free Income Fund
Keystone World Bond Fund
Keystone Fund of the Americas
Keystone International Fund Inc.
Keystone Liquid Trust
Keystone Precious Metals Holdings, Inc.
Keystone Strategic Development Fund
Keystone Tax Exempt Trust
Keystone Tax Free Fund
Master Reserves Trust
(b) For information with respect to each director and officer
of Registrant's acting principal underwriter see the following
pages.
Item 29(c). - Not applicable
<PAGE>
Item 29(b) (continued).
Position and Offices with Position and
Name and Principal Keystone Investment Offices with
Business Address Distributors Company the Fund
- ------------------ -------------------- ------------
Ralph J. Spuehler* Director, President None
Edward F. Godfrey* Director, Senior Vice Senior Vice
President, Treasurer President
and Chief Financial
Officer
Rosemary D. Van Antwerp Director, Senior Vice Senior Vice
President, General Counsel President
and Secretary
Albert H. Elfner, III* Director President
Charles W. Carr* Senior Vice President None
Peter M. Delehanty* Senior Vice President None
J. Kevin Kenely* Vice President and None
Controller
Frank O. Gebhardt Divisional Vice None
2626 Hopeton President
San Antonio, TX 78230
C. Kenneth Molander Divisional Vice None
8 King Edward Drive President
Londenderry, NH 03053
David S. Ashe Regional Manager and None
32415 Beaconsfield Vice President
Birmingham, MI 48025
David E. Achzet Regional Vice President None
60 Lawn Avenue -
Greenway 27
Stamford, CT 06902
William L. Carey, Jr. Regional Manager and None
4 Treble Lane Vice President
Malvern, PA 19355
John W. Crites Regional Manager and None
2769 Oakland Circle W. Vice President
Aurora, CO 80014
Richard J. Fish Regional Vice President None
309 West 90th Street
New York, NY 10024
<PAGE>
Item 29(b) continued
Position and
Name and Principal Position and Offices with Offices with
Business Address Keystone Distributors, Inc. the Fund
- ------------------ -------------------------- ------------
Michael E. Gathings Regional Manager and None
245 Wicklawn Way Vice President
Roswell, GA 30076
Robert G. Holz, Jr. Regional Manager and None
313 Meadowcrest Drive Vice President
Richardson, Texas 75080
Todd L. Kobrin Regional Manager and None
20 Iron Gate Vice President
Metuchen, NJ 08840
Ralph H. Johnson Regional Manager and None
345 Masters Court, #2 Vice President
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Paul J. McIntyre Regional Manager and None
Vice President
Dale M. Pelletier Regional Manager and None
464 Winnetka Ave. Vice President
Winnetka, IL 60093
Juliana Perkins Regional Manager and None
2348 West Adrian Street Vice President
Newbury Park, CA 91320
Matthew D. Twomey Regional Manager and None
9627 Sparrow Court Vice President
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Mitchell I. Weiser Regional Manager and None
7031 Ventura Court Vice President
Parkland, FL 33067
Welden L. Evans Regional Banking Officer None
490 Huntcliff Green and Vice President
Atlanta, GA 30350
Russell A. Haskell* Vice President None
Robert J. Matson* Vice President None
John M. McAllister* Vice President None
<PAGE>
Item 29(b) continued
Gregg A. Mahalich Vice President None
14952 Richards Drive W.
Minnetonka, MN 55345
Burton Robbins Vice President None
1586 Folkstone Terrace
Westlake Village, CA
91361
Thomas E. Ryan, III* Vice President None
Peter Willis* Vice President None
Raymond P. Ajemian* Manager and Vice President None
Joan M. Balchunas* Assistant Vice President None
Thomas J. Gainey* Assistant Vice President None
Eric S. Jeppson* Assistant Vice President None
Julie A. Robinson* Assistant Vice President None
Peter M. Sullivan Assistant Vice President None
21445 Southeast 35th Way
Issaquah, WA 98027
Jean S. Loewenberg* Assistant Secretary Assistant
Secretary
Colleen L. Mette* Assistant Secretary Assistant
Secretary
Dorothy E. Bourassa* Assistant Secretary Assistant
Secretary
* Located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
<PAGE>
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
Keystone Investor Resource Center, Inc.
101 Main Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
State Street Bank and Fund Company
1776 Heritage Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02171
Data Vault Inc.
3431 Sharp Slot Road
Swansea, Massachusetts 02777
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
See attached undertakings.
<PAGE>
UNDERTAKING
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant, 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 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer, or
controlling person of the registrant 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.
<PAGE>
UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS
Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic
information, documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or
regulation of the Commission heretofore or thereafter duly adopted pursuant to
authority conferred in that section.
<PAGE>
UNDERTAKING TO FILE POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
The undersigned, Registrant, hereby undertakes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission a Post-Effective Amendment to this
Registration Statement using financial statements which need not be audited,
within four to six months from the effective date of Registrant's Registration
Statement.
<PAGE>
UNDERTAKING TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 16(c) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
APPLICABLE TO SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
So long as Registrant is not required by its Declaration of Trust or
otherwise to hold annual meetings, Registrant hereby undertakes to comply with
the provisions of Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 applicable
to shareholder communications.
<PAGE>
UNDERTAKING FOR DELIVERY OF ANNUAL REPORTS
Upon request and without charge, the Registrant hereby undertakes to
furnish each person to whom a copy of the Registrant's prospectus is delivered
with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Boston in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on
the 19th day of December, 1995.
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
By: /s/ Rosemary D. Van Antwerp
--------------------------
Rosemary D. Van Antwerp
Senior Vice President and
Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on the 19th day of December, 1995.
SIGNATURES TITLE
- ---------- -----
/s/ George S. Bissell Chairman of the Board and Trustee
- --------------------------
George S. Bissell*
Chief Executive Officer, President
/s/ Albert H. Elfner,III and Trustee
- --------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III*
Treasurer (Principal Financial
/s/ J. Kevin Kenely and Accounting Officer)
- --------------------------
J. Kevin Kenely*
*By: /s/ Melina M.T. Murphy
--------------------------
Melina M.T. Murphy**
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES TITLE
/s/ Frederick Amling Trustee
- --------------------------
Frederick Amling*
/s/ Charles A. Austin, III Trustee
- --------------------------
Charles A. Austin, III*
/s/ Edwin D. Campbell Trustee
- --------------------------
Edwin D. Campbell*
/s/ Charles F. Chapin Trustee
- --------------------------
Charles F. Chapin*
/s/ K. Dun Gifford Trustee
- --------------------------
K. Dun Gifford*
/s/ Leroy Keith, Jr. Trustee
- --------------------------
Leroy Keith, Jr.*
/s/ F. Ray Keyser, Jr. Trustee
- --------------------------
F. Ray Keyser, Jr.*
/s/ David M. Richardson Trustee
- --------------------------
David M. Richardson*
/s/ Richard J. Shima Trustee
- --------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
/s/ Andrew J. Simons Trustee
- --------------------------
Andrew J. Simons*
*By /s/ Melina M .T. Murphy
--------------------------
Melina M. T. Murphy**
Attorney-in-Fact
** Melina M. T. Murphy, by signing her name hereto, does hereby sign this
document on behalf of each of the above-named individuals pursuant to powers of
attorney duly executed by such persons and attached hereto as Exhibit 24(b)(19).
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Page Number
in Sequential
Exhibit Number Exhibit Numbering System
- -------------- ------- ----------------
1 Declaration of Trust
2 By-Laws
5 Form of Investment Advisory
and Management Agreement
6 (A) Forms of Principal Underwriting
Agreements
(B) Forms of Dealer Agreements
8 Custodian, Fund Accounting
and Recordkeeping Agreement
10 Opinion and Consent of Counsel
13 Subscription Agreement
15 Forms of Distributions Plans
for Class A, Class B and
Class C shares
18 Multiple Class Plan
19 Powers of Attorney
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(1)
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
DECLARATION OF TRUST
DATED: DECEMBER 13, 1995
This DECLARATION OF TRUST of Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund, made at
Boston, Massachusetts on December 13, 1995 by Frederick Amling, Charles A.
Austin, III, George S. Bissell, Edwin D. Campbell, Charles F. Chapin, Albert H.
Elfner, III, K. Dun Gifford, Leroy Keith, Jr., F. Ray Keyser, Jr., David M.
Richardson, Richard J. Shima and Andrew J. Simons (hereinafter with their
successors referred to as the "Trustees").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property received by
them as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold all
cash, securities and other assets which they may from time to time acquire in
any manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon
the following terms and conditions for the pro rata benefit of the holders from
time to time of Shares in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1. Name. This Trust shall be known as Keystone Small Cap Stock
Fund and the Trustees shall conduct the business of this Trust under that name
or any other name as they may from time to time determine.
Section 2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required
by the context or specifically provided
(a) The terms "Affiliated Person," "Assignment," "Commission",
"Interested Person" and "Principal Underwriter" shall have the meanings
given them in the 1940 Act;
(b) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business trust
established by and under this Declaration of Trust;
(c) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Declaration of Trust as
amended or restated from time to time;
(d) "Net Asset Value Per Share" means the net asset value per share
of the Trust determined in the manner provided or authorized in Article
VI, Section 4;
(e) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares of the Trust;
(f) "Shares" means the equal proportionate units of interest into
which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to
time or, if more than one series ("Series") or more than one class
("Class") of Shares is authorized by the Trustees, the equal
proportionate units into which each such Series or Class of Shares shall
be divided from time to time, and includes where appropriate fractions
of a Share as well as a whole Share, unless the Trustees provide that
there shall be no fractions of any particular Shares;
(g) "Trustees" refers to the Trustee or Trustees of the Trust who
become such in accordance with Article IV and where appropriate means a
majority or other portion of them acting in accordance with this
Declaration of Trust or the By-laws of the Trust; and
(h) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE OF TRUST
The purpose of the Trust is to provide investors a continuous source of
managed investments.
ARTICLE III
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 1. Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the
Trust shall at all times be divided into transferable Shares, without par value,
each of which shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the Trust with
each other Share outstanding, none having priority or preference over another,
except to the extent modified by the Trustees under the provisions of this
Section. The number of Shares which may be issued is unlimited. The Trustees may
from time to time divide or combine the outstanding Shares into a greater or
lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in
the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares shall be
redeemed as, whole Shares and/or fractions.
From time to time, as they deem appropriate, the Trustees may create
additional Series and/or Classes of Shares, in addition to the Shares initially
created under this instrument ("Original Series"). References in this
Declaration of Trust to Shares of the Trust shall apply, as appropriate, to each
such Series of Shares and to each such Class of Shares.
Any additional Series of Shares created hereunder shall represent the
beneficial interest in the assets (and related liabilities) allocated by the
Trustees to such Series of Shares and acquired by the Trust only after creation
of the respective Series of Shares and only on account of such Series. If the
Trustees create any additional Series of Shares hereunder, then the Original
Series shall be deemed a separate Series of Shares. Upon creation of each Series
of Shares, the Trustees may designate it appropriately and determine the
investment policies with respect to the assets allocated to such Series of
Shares, redemption rights, dividend policies, conversion rights, liquidation
rights, voting rights, and such other rights and restrictions as the Trustees
deem appropriate, to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust.
The Trustees may divide any Series (including the Original Series) into
more than one Class of Shares. Upon creation of each additional Class of Shares,
the Trustees may designate it appropriately and determine its rights and
restrictions (including, without limitation, such redemption rights, dividend
rights, conversion rights, liquidation rights, voting rights and such other
rights and restrictions as the Trustees deem appropriate).
Section 2. Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be
recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer agent or a similar agent. The
Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the transfer of
Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust
or any transfer agent or similar agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive
as to who are the holders of Shares of each Series or Class and as to the number
of Shares of each Series or Class held from time to time by each.
Section 3. Investments in the Trust. The Trustees shall accept
investments in the Trust from such persons and on such terms and, subject to any
requirements of law, for such consideration as the Trustees from time to time
authorize and may cease offering Shares to the public at any time. After such
acceptance, the number of Shares of the appropriate Series or Class to represent
the contribution may, in the Trustees' discretion, be considered as outstanding,
and the amount receivable by the Trustees on account of the contribution may be
treated as an asset of the Series or Class.
Section 4. No Preemptive Rights. Shareholders shall have no preemptive
or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued
by the Trust.
Section 5. Provisions Relating to Series or Classes of Shares. Whenever
no Shares of a Series or Class are outstanding, then the Trustees may abolish
such Series or Class. Whenever more than one Series or Class of Shares is
outstanding, then the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Assets Belonging to Each Series or Class. All consideration
received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular
Series or Class, together with all assets in which such consideration is
invested or reinvested, all income, earnings and proceeds thereof, and
any funds derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, shall, except
to the extent specifically otherwise provided in the provisions adopted
by the Board of Trustees establishing the Series or Class, irrevocably
belong to that Series or Class for all purposes, subject only to the
rights of creditors, and shall be so recorded upon the books of the
Trust. In the event there are assets, income, earnings and proceeds
thereof which are not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular
Series or Class, then the Trustees shall allocate such items to the
various Series or Classes then existing, in such manner and on such
basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. The
amount of each such item allocated to a particular Series or Class by
the Trustees shall then belong to that Series or Class, and each such
allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all
Series or Classes for all purposes.
(b) Liabilities Belonging to Each Series or Class. The assets
belonging to each particular Series or Class shall, except to the extent
specifically otherwise provided in the provisions adopted by the Board
of Trustees establishing the Series or Class, be charged with the
liabilities, expenses, costs and reserves of the Trust attributable to
that Series or Class; and any general liabilities, expenses, costs and
reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as attributable
to a particular Series or Class shall be allocated by the Trustees to
the various Series or Classes then existing, in such manner and on such
basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each
such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of
all Series or Classes for all purposes.
(c) Series or Classes of Shares, Dividends and Liquidation. Each
Share of each respective Series or Class shall, except to the extent
specifically otherwise provided in the provisions adopted by the Board
of Trustees establishing the Series or Class, have the same rights and
pro rata beneficial interest in the assets and liabilities of the Series
or Class as any other such Share. Any dividends paid on the Shares of
any Series or Class shall, except to the extent specifically otherwise
provided in the provisions adopted by the Board of Trustees establishing
the Series or Class, only be payable from and to the extent of the
assets (net of liabilities) belonging to that Series or Class. In the
event of liquidation of a Series or Class, only the assets (less
provision for liabilities) of that Series or Class shall be distributed
to the holders of the Shares of that Series or Class.
(d) Voting by Series or Class. Except as provided in this Section or
as limited by the rights and restrictions of any Series or Class, each
Share of the Trust may vote with and in the same manner as any other
Share on matters submitted to a vote of the Shareholders entitled to
vote thereon, without differentiation among votes from the separate
Series or Classes; provided, however, that (i) as to any matter with
respect to which a separate vote of any Series or Class is required by
the 1940 Act, or otherwise by applicable law, such requirement as to a
separate vote shall apply in lieu of the voting described above; (ii) in
the event that the separate vote requirements referred to in (i) above
apply with respect to one or more Series or Classes, then, subject to
(iii) below, the Shares of all other Series or Classes shall vote
without differentiation among their votes; and (iii) as to any matter
which does not affect the interest of any particular Series or Class,
only the holders of Shares of the one or more affected Series or Classes
shall be entitled to vote.
Section 6. Limitation of Personal Liability. The Trustees shall have no
power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the
payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the
Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription to
any Shares or otherwise. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued
by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust shall include
a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust and its
assets (but the omission of such a recitation shall not operate to bind any
Shareholder).
ARTICLE IV
THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall initially be
such number as shall be elected as such by a vote of the shareholders of the
Trust and thereafter shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by
action of a majority of the Trustees.
Section 2. Election or Appointment and Term. The initial Trustees shall
be the individuals signing this Declaration in that capacity and any other
trustees who shall be elected as initial trustees by a vote of the shareholders
of the Trust. Thereafter, subject to Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Trustees
may elect themselves or their successors at such intervals, as they deem proper,
and may appoint Trustees to fill vacancies as provided in Section 4 hereof;
provided, that Trustees shall be elected by vote of a majority of Shares voting
thereon at such time or times as the Trustees shall determine that such action
is advisable. Subject to Section 3 hereof, the Trustees shall have the power to
set and alter the terms of office of the Trustees, and they may at any time
lengthen or shorten their own terms or make their terms of unlimited duration;
provided, that the term of office of any incumbent Trustee shall continue until
terminated, as provided in Section 4 hereof or, if not so terminated, until the
election of such Trustee's successor in office has become effective in
accordance with this Section 2.
Section 3. Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign his trust
(without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing
signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees, and such resignation shall be
effective upon such delivery or at any later date according to the terms of the
instrument. Any Trustee may be removed by the action of two-thirds of the
remaining Trustees. Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee, or his
otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall execute and deliver such documents
as the remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose of conveying to the
Trust or the remaining Trustees any Trust property held in his name. Upon the
incapacity or death of any Trustee, his legal representative shall execute and
deliver on his behalf such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as
provided in the preceding sentence. However, the execution and delivery of such
documents by a former Trustee or his legal representative shall not be requisite
to the vesting of title to the Trust property in the remaining Trustees.
Section 4. Vacancies. The term of office of a Trustee shall terminate
and a vacancy shall occur in the event of such Trustee's death, resignation,
removal, bankruptcy, adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to perform the
duties of the office of Trustee. No such vacancy shall operate to annul this
Declaration of Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the
terms of this Declaration of Trust. In the case of an existing vacancy,
including a vacancy existing by reason of an increase in the number of Trustees,
subject to applicable law, the remaining Trustees or, if only one Trustee shall
then remain in office, the sole remaining Trustee, shall appoint such individual
to fill such vacancy as they or he, in their or his discretion, shall see fit.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made in anticipation of a vacancy to occur at
a later date by reason of retirement or resignation of a Trustee or an increase
in the number of Trustees; provided, that such appointment shall not become
effective prior to such retirement or resignation or such increase in the number
of Trustees. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until
such vacancy is filled as provided in this Section 4, the Trustees in office,
regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees
and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration
of Trust in the manner provided by this Declaration of Trust. A written
instrument certifying the existence of such vacancy signed by a majority of the
Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy.
Section 5. Management of the Trust. Subject to the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust, the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by
the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry
out that responsibility. Action by the Trustees may be taken by majority vote of
the Trustees at a meeting at which a quorum (which shall be a majority of the
Trustees then in office) shall be present, or by a writing signed by a majority
of the Trustees in office.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may adopt By-Laws not
inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the
business of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the extent that they do
not reserve that right to any Shareholders; they may elect and remove such
officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate;
they may appoint from their own number and terminate any one or more committees;
they may employ one or more custodians of the assets of the Trust and may
authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to deposit all or any part
of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling of securities,
retain a transfer agent or a Shareholder servicing agent, or both, provide for
the distribution of Shares by the Trust, through one or more principal
underwriters or otherwise, set, or otherwise provide for the setting of, record
dates, and in general delegate such authority to do any or all things which the
Trustees may do in the operation of the business of the Trust as they consider
desirable to any officers of the Trust and committees of the Trustees and to any
agent or employee, custodian or underwriter. Any action relating to the
operation of the Trust provided for herein to be taken by the Trustees may be
taken by any other person under authority granted by the Trustees whether or not
specifically so stated, and unless specifically so stated to the contrary. A
specific statement indicating that the Trustees may delegate any authority shall
not give rise to any contrary implication with respect to any provision of this
Declaration of Trust.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees in addition to all powers
granted by law shall have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash, and to hold cash uninvested,
without in anywise being bound or limited by any present or future law
or custom in regard to investments by trustees;
(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or lease
any or all of the assets of the Trust;
(c) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership,
with respect to stock or other securities or property, and to execute
and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as
the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such
power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the
Trustees shall deem proper;
(d) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which
in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(e) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in
the Trust's own name or in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a
nominee or nominees or otherwise;
(f) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of
which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage,
purchase or sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay
calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(g) To join with other security holders in acting through a
committee, depository, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that
connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to,
any such committee, depository or trustee, and to delegate to them such
power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so
deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to
agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation
of such committee, depository or trustee as the Trustees shall deem
proper;
(h) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
or against the Trust for any matter in controversy, including, but not
limited to, claims for taxes; and
(i) To borrow funds.
The Trustees shall not be required to obtain any court order to deal
with any assets of the Trust or take any other action hereunder.
Section 6. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust
shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any
capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or by any successor
Trustees. All of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as
vested in the Trustees. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable
ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or any right of partition or
possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have a proportionate undivided
beneficial interest in the assets of the Series or Class of Shares of which he
is a holder, subject to any rights or restrictions applicable to any Series or
Class of Shares of which he is a holder.
Section 7. Payment of Expenses. The Trustees shall pay or cause to be
paid out of the principal or income of the Trust, or partly out of principal and
partly out of income, as they deem fair, all expenses, charges, taxes and
liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, or in connection
with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees'
compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust's
investment adviser or manager, administrator, auditor, counsel, custodian,
transfer agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or
independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may
deem necessary or proper to incur.
Section 8. Investment Management and Other Services. Without limiting
the generality of the powers of the Trustees, subject to applicable law, the
Trustees may enter into a contract with any person or persons, including any
firm, corporation, trust or association in which any Trustee, Shareholder or
officer of the Trust may be interested, to act as investment advisers and/or
managers of the Trust and to provide such investment advice and/or management as
the Trustees may from time to time consider appropriate ("Adviser"). Any such
contract may authorize the Adviser to determine from time to time what
securities shall be acquired, held or disposed of by the Trust and what portion
of the assets of the Trust shall be held uninvested and to take, on behalf of
the Trust, actions which the Adviser deems necessary to implement the investment
policies of the Trust, including the placement of all orders for the purchase,
sale or loan of portfolio securities for the Trust's account with brokers or
dealers or others selected by the Adviser and the giving of instructions to the
custodian of the Trust's assets as to deliveries of securities and payments of
cash for the account of the Trust.
Without limiting the generality of the powers of the Trustees, subject
to applicable law, the Adviser may enter into an agreement to retain at its own
expense any person or persons, including any firm, corporation, trust or
association in which any Trustee, Shareholder or officer of the Trust may be
interested, to provide the Trust investment advice and/or management, and any
person or persons so retained may be granted all authority which has been
granted to the Adviser under the contract which the Adviser entered into
pursuant to the preceding paragraph.
Without limiting the generality of the powers of the Trustees, the
Trustees may enter into a contract with any person or persons, including any
firm, corporation, trust or association in which any Trustee, Shareholder or
officer of the Trust may be interested, to act as principal underwriter for the
Shares.
Section 9. Affiliations of Trustees or Officers, Etc. The fact that (i)
any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a shareholder,
Director, officer, partner, Trustee, employee, manager, adviser or distributor
of or for any partnership, corporation, trust, association or other organization
or for any parent or affiliate of any organization with which any contract,
including, without limitation, contracts for services as manager, investment
adviser, distributor, principal underwriter, custodian, transfer agent or
dividend disbursing agent or for related services may have been or may hereafter
be made, or that any such organization, or any parent or affiliate thereof, is a
Shareholder of or has an interest in the Trust, or that (ii) any partnership,
corporation, trust, association or other organization with which a contract
referred to in (i) above may have been or may hereafter be made also has any one
or more of such contracts with one or more other partnerships, corporations,
trusts, associations or other organizations, or has other business or interests,
shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any
Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the
same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders.
ARTICLE V
SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 1. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only
(i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Section 2 of Article IV hereof
and the removal of Trustees to the extent provided in Section 16(c) of the 1940
Act, (ii) with respect to approval or termination in accordance with the 1940
Act of any investment advisory or management agreement described in Article IV
hereof, (iii) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the
extent and as provided in Section 7 of Article IX hereof, (iv) to the same
extent as the stockholders of a Massachusetts corporation as to whether or not a
court action, proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or maintained
derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders,
and (v) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be
required by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, or as to which the
Trustees in their discretion shall determine such Shareholder vote to be
required by law or otherwise to be necessary, appropriate or advisable.
Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which
it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a
proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the
election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. A proxy with
respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if
executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the
Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A
proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed
valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving
invalidity shall rest on the challenger. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees
may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by law,
this Declaration of Trust or any By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by
Shareholders.
Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at such
times at the principal office of the Trust or such other place as the Trustees
may designate. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees or
such other person or persons as may be specified in the By-laws. Shareholders
shall be entitled to at least seven days' notice of any meeting.
Section 3. Quorum and Required Vote. Except as otherwise provided by
law, to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders'
meeting there must be present, in person or by proxy, holders of a majority of
the total number of Shares of the Trust then outstanding and entitled to vote at
the meeting, but any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournment, and any
adjourned session or sessions may be held within 90 days after the date set for
the original meeting without the necessity of further notice. Subject to any
applicable requirements of law, a majority of the Shares present and entitled to
vote on a question or election shall decide such question or election, except
when a larger vote is required by any provision of this Declaration of Trust,
the By-Laws of the Trust or any applicable provision of law.
Section 4. Action by Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by
law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting may be taken
without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth such action is signed by
the Shareholders entitled to vote on the subject matter thereof holding a
majority of the Shares entitled to vote thereon.
Section 5. Additional Provisions. The By-Laws may include further
provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
Section 1. Distributions. The Trustees may, but need not, each year
distribute to the Shareholders of each Series or Class such income and gains as
the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and accrued expenses and
liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish) determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. The Trustees shall
have full discretion to determine which items shall be treated as income and
which items as capital and their determination shall be binding upon the
Shareholders. Distributions of each year's income of each Series or Class, if
any be made, may be made in one or more payments, which shall be in Shares, in
cash or otherwise and on a date or dates and as of a record date or dates
determined by or under the authority of the Trustees. At any time and from time
to time in their discretion the Trustees may distribute to the Shareholders of
any one or more Series or Class as of a record date or dates determined by or
under the authority of the Trustees, in Shares, in cash or otherwise, all or
part of any gain realized on the sale or disposition of property of the Trust or
otherwise, or all or part of any other principal of the Trust. Each distribution
pursuant to this Section 1 shall be made ratably according to the number of
Shares of the Series or Class held by the several Shareholders on the applicable
record date thereof, provided that no distribution need be made on Shares
purchased pursuant to orders received or for which payment is made after such
time or times as may be determined by or under the authority of the Trustees.
Any such distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value thereof
as determined in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
Section 2. Redemptions. Upon offer by any Shareholder of all or part of
the Shares held by the Shareholder for redemption hereunder, in accordance with
such methods, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as from time to
time may be determined by or under the authority of the Trustees, the Trust
shall redeem the Shares so offered by distributing to the Shareholder the Net
Asset Value per Share thereof determined as of a time fixed by or under the
authority of the Trustees. The Trust shall have the right at its option and at
any time to redeem the Shares of any Shareholder for their Net Asset Value per
Share if the Shareholder owns Shares of a Series or Class having an aggregate
net asset value of less than such minimum amount as may from time to time be
prescribed by or under the authority of the Trustees or if ownership of such
Shares by the Shareholder could create adverse tax consequences for the Trust or
any Series or Class thereof. With respect to all Shares or any Series or Class
of Shares, the right to redemption or the date for payment may, however, be
delayed or suspended by the Trustees if there is an extraordinary closing or
restriction of trading on the New York Stock Exchange as determined under rules
and regulations of the Commission, or an emergency exists as a result of which
it is not reasonably practicable for the Trust to dispose of securities or
fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or as the Commission may
permit. The completion of such distribution on redemption of Shares shall
constitute a full discharge of the Trust and Trustees with respect to such
Shares, and the Trustees may require that any certificate or certificates issued
by the Trust to evidence the ownership of the Shares shall be surrendered to the
Trustees for cancellation or notation. Shares so redeemed shall be cancelled or
held by the Trust for reissue, as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
Section 3. Payment in Kind. Subject to any generally applicable
limitation imposed by the Trustees, any distribution on redemption may, if
authorized by the Trustees, be made wholly or partly in kind, instead of in
cash. Such distribution in kind shall be made by distributing investments
constituting, in the opinion of the Trustees, a fair representation of the
various types of securities then held by the Series or Class of Shares being
redeemed (but not necessarily including a portion of each particular investment)
and in each case having an aggregate value equal to the amount of cash instead
of which such distribution in kind is made.
Section 4. Determination of Net Asset Value per Share. Subject to
applicable law, the Net Asset Value per Share of each Series or Class shall be
computed as of such times as may be determined by or under authority of the
Trustees by determining the value of all the investments of such Series or Class
in such manner as may be determined by or under authority of the Trustees,
adding any other assets of such Series or Class, subtracting all liabilities of
such Series or Class and dividing the result by the number of Shares of such
Series or Class outstanding.
Determination of Net Asset Value per Share so made in good faith and
pursuant to the provisions of the 1940 Act shall be binding on all parties
concerned.
Section 5. Automatic Redemption from Small Accounts. The Trustees shall
have the power to redeem shares at a redemption price determined in accordance
with Section 4 of this Article if at any time the total investment in an account
does not have a value of at least $1,000 or such other minimum amount as the
Trustees may from time to time determine. Before redeeming such Shares, the
Shareholder will be notified that the value of his account is less than the
required minimum amount and be allowed 60 days or such period as is permitted by
law to make an additional investment to bring the total value of such account to
such amount or more.
Section 6. Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures. Notwith- standing any
of the foregoing provisions of this Article VI, the Trustees may prescribe, in
their absolute discretion, such other bases and times for the declaration and
payment of dividends and distributions as they may deem desirable or necessary
to enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act or the Internal
Revenue Code, including any rule or regulation adopted by the Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
any order of exemption issued by the Commission or any rule or regulation issued
under the Internal Revenue Code, all as in effect now or as hereafter amended or
modified.
ARTICLE VII
COMPENSATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Compensation. The Trustees shall be entitled to reasonable
compensation from the Trust; they may fix the amount of their compensation.
Section 2. Limitation of Liability. Provided they have exercised
reasonable care in their selection, the Trustees shall not be responsible or
liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent,
employee or Adviser of the Trust nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the
act or omission of any other Trustee, but nothing herein contained shall protect
any Trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, share or
undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on
behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust
shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in their or his
capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee shall not be
personally liable thereon.
The Trustees shall use their best efforts to ensure that every note,
bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the
Trustees or by any officers shall give notice of the existence of this
Declaration of Trust and shall recite to the effect that the same was executed
or made by or on behalf of the Trust or by them as Trustees or officers, and not
individually, and is not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders
individually, but is binding only upon the Trust property, or the assets of the
particular Series or Class in question, as the case may be, but the omission
thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustee or officer or Shareholder
individually, or to subject the assets of any Series or Class to the obligations
of any other Series or Class.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Trustees, Officers, etc. The Trust shall indemnify each of
its present and former Trustees and officers and may indemnify any of its
present or former employees or agents, and shall indemnify any persons who serve
or have served at the Trust's request as Directors, officers or Trustees of
another organization, and may indemnify persons who serve or have served at the
Trust's request as employees or agents 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 and expenses,
including, but not limited to, amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by
any such 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, employed or acting as agent, or
thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee, officer, Director,
employee or agent, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered
Person shall have been finally adjudicated in any such action, suit or other
proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such
Covered Person's action was in the best interest of the Trust and except that no
person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its
Shareholders to which such Covered Person shall otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office. Expenses, including counsel fees
so incurred by any Covered Person, may in the discretion of the Trustees be paid
from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately
determined that indemnification against such expenses is not authorized under
this Article.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Trust shall have power to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a Covered Person against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in his capacity as a Covered
Person, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Trust would
have the power to indemnify him against the liability under the provisions of
this Section.
Section 2. Compromise Payment. As to any matter disposed of by a
compromise payment by any Covered Person referred to in Section 1 above,
pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no such indemnification either for
such payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless such compromise
shall be approved as in the best interests of the Trust, after notice that it
involved such indemnification, (a) by a disinterested majority of the Trustees
then in office; or (b) by a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in
office; or (c) by any disinterested person or persons to whom the question may
be referred by the Trustees, provided that in the case of approval pursuant to
clause (b) or (c) there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent
legal counsel to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in
good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of
the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such person against
any liability to the Trust to which such person would otherwise be subject by
reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his office; or (d) by vote of a
majority of the Shares voting thereon, exclusive of any Shares beneficially
owned by any interested Covered Person. Approval by the Trustees pursuant to
clause (a) or (b) or any disinterested person or persons pursuant to clause (c)
of this Section shall not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any
amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with any such clauses as
indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of
competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that such person's action was in the best interests of the Trust or to have been
liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office.
Section 3. Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of indemnification
hereby provided shall not be exclusive or affect any other rights to which any
such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VIII, the term
"Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors and
administrators. An "interested Covered Person" is one against whom the action,
suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other proceeding
on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending, and a "disinterested
person" is a person against whom none of such actions, suits or other
proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar
grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in this Article shall
affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust other than
Trustees and officers or other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise
under law.
Section 4. Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder
shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having
been a Shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other
reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors,
administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or
other entity, its corporate or other successor) shall be entitled out of the
assets of the Trust to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss
and expense arising from such liability.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Trust Not a Partnership. It is hereby expressly declared that
a trust and not a partnership is created hereby. Neither the Trust nor the
Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power
to bind personally either the Trust's Trustees or officers or any Shareholders.
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against
the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment under such
credit, contract or claim, and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor
any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or
future, shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this Declaration of
Trust shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the
office of Trustee hereunder.
Section 2. Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or
Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder
in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing
shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Section
1 of this Article IX, a Trustee shall be liable for his own willful defaults,
and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes
of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with
respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and, subject
to the provisions of said Section 1, shall be under no liability for any act or
omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice.
The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a
bond is required.
Section 3. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No person
dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees pursuant hereto
or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the
Trust or upon its order.
Section 4. Duration; Termination of Trust; Amendments; Mergers, etc.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject
to the provisions of this Section 4.
(b) The Trust (as used in this Section 4 the term "Trust"
specifically also means any Series or Class) may be terminated by action
of the Trustees.
(c) Upon the termination of the Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose
of winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the
Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration
of Trust shall continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have
been wound up, including the power to fulfill or discharge the
contracts of the Trust, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign,
exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the
remaining Trust property to one or more persons at public or private
sale for consideration which may consist in whole or in part of
cash, securities or other property of any kind, discharge or pay its
liabilities, and to do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its
business.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of
all liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and
refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection,
the Trusteees shall distribute the remaining Trust property, in cash
or in kind or partly each, among the Shareholders according to their
respective rights and interests.
(d) After termination of the Trust and distribution to the
Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall
execute and lodge among the records of the Trust an instrument in
writing setting forth the fact of such termination, and the Trustees
shall thereupon be discharged from all further liabilities and duties
hereunder, and the rights and interests of all Shareholders shall
thereupon cease.
(e) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or
the remaining assets as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d), the Trust
shall terminate and the Trustees shall be discharged of any and all
further liabilities and duties hereunder and the right, title and
interest of all parties shall be cancelled and discharged.
Section 5. Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a
copy of this instrument and of each Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto or
Amendment hereof shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be
inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a
certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not any Supplemental
Declaration of Trust or Amendments have been made and as to any matters in
connection with the trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the
original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy
of this instrument or of any such Supplemental Declaration of Trust or
Amendment. In this instrument or in any such Amendment or Supplemental
Declaration of Trust, references to this instrument, and all expressions such as
"herein," "hereof," and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this instrument
as amended or affected by any such Supplemental Declaration of Trust or
Amendment. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and in
case of any conflict, the text of this instrument, rather than the headings,
shall control. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts
each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 6. Applicable Law. The Trust set forth in this instrument is
made in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be
governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of such
Commonwealth. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a Massachusetts
business trust, and, without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may
exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
Section 7. Amendments. (a) This Declaration of Trust may be amended by a
vote or written consent of the Trustees. However, if such amendment adversely
affects the rights of any Shares of any Series or any Class with respect to
matters to which such amendment is applicable, such amendment shall be subject
to approval by holders of a majority of the Shares of such Series or Class. An
amendment or other action which provides for an additional Series of Shares
(and/or Class thereof), which Series (and/or Classes thereof) may vote together
with Shares of other Series (and/or Classes thereof) and makes other provisions
with respect to such Series (and/or Class thereof) and its relation to existing
Series (and/or Classes thereof), shall not be deemed to adversely affect the
rights of any other Series of Shares or Class thereof. The Trustees may also
amend this Declaration of Trust without any Shareholder approval to change the
name of the Trust, to supply any omission, to cure, correct or supplement any
ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or, if they deem it
necessary, to conform this Declaration of Trust to the requirements of
applicable federal laws or regulations or the requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code, or to eliminate or reduce any federal, state or local taxes which
are or may be payable by the Trust or the Shareholders, but the Trustees shall
not be liable for failing to do so.
(b) Nothing contained in this Declaration of Trust shall permit the
amendment of this Declaration of Trust to impair the exemption from personal
liability of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Trust or to permit assessments upon Shareholders.
(c) A certificate signed by a majority of the Trustees or by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Trust, setting forth an amendment by
reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or by the Trustees as
aforesaid, or a copy of the Declaration of Trust as amended, and executed by a
majority of the Trustees or certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when
lodged among the records of the Trust.
Section 8. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. The Trust may merge
into or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or other
organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the
Trust property, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and for
such consideration when and as authorized by the Trustees.
Section 9. Incorporation. The Trustees may cause to be organized or
assist in organizing a corporation or corporations under the laws of any
jurisdiction or any other trust, partnership, association or other organization
to take over all the Trust property or to carry on any business in which the
Trust shall directly or indirectly have any interest, and to sell, convey and
transfer the Trust property to any such corporation, trust, partnership,
association or organization in exchange for the shares or securities thereof or
otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the shares or securities of, and
enter into any contracts with any such corporation, trust, partnership,
association or organization in which the Trust holds or is about to acquire
shares or any other interest. The Trustees may also cause a merger or
consolidation between the Trust or any successor thereto and any corporation,
trust, partnership, association or other organization if and to the extent
permitted by law, as provided under the law then in effect. Nothing contained
herein shall be construed as requiring approval of Shareholders for the Trustees
to organize or assist in organizing one or more corporations, trusts,
partnerships, associations or other organizations and selling, conveying or
transferring the Trust property to such organizations or entities.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands and
seals in the City of Boston, Massachusetts, for themselves and their assigns, as
of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Frederick Amling
--------------------------
Frederick Amling
/s/ Charles A. Austin, III
--------------------------
Charles A. Austin, III
/s/ George S. Bissell
--------------------------
George S. Bissell
/s/ Edwin D. Campbell
--------------------------
Edwin D. Campbell
/s/ Charles F. Chapin
--------------------------
Charles F. Chapin
/s/ Albert H. Elfner, III
--------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III
/s/ K. Dun Gifford
--------------------------
K. Dun Gifford
/s/ Leroy Keith, Jr.
--------------------------
Leroy Keith, Jr.
/s/ F. Ray Keyser, Jr.
--------------------------
F. Ray Keyser, Jr.
/s/ David M. Richardson
--------------------------
David M. Richardson
/s/ Richard J. Shima
--------------------------
Richard J. Shima
/s/ Andrew J. Simons
--------------------------
Andrew J. Simons
#10160698
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(2)
FORM OF
BY-LAWS
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
ARTICLE 1.
Trust Agreement and Principal Office
1.1 Trust Agreement. These By-laws are adopted pursuant to and are subject to
the terms of the Declaration of Trust ("Trust Agreement") of Keystone Small Cap
Stock Fund ("Fund").
1.2 Principal Office of the Fund. The principal office of the Fund shall be
located in Boston, Massachusetts, or such other place as the Trustees may
designate from time to time.
ARTICLE 2.
Meetings of Shareholders
2.1 Meetings. Meetings may be called by the Trustees or by the President or by
any other officers designated for the purpose by the Trustees. The portion of
this Section 2.1 relating to special meetings to be called by shareholders may
be altered, amended or repealed by the Trustees without action by the
shareholders.
2.2 Business to be Transacted. At any meeting of shareholders, such business may
be transacted as is referred to in the notice of the meeting, and any other
business considered appropriate by or under authority of the Trustees.
2.3 Notice. A written notice of each meeting of the shareholders, specifying the
time, place and purposes thereof, shall be given as hereinafter provided by the
Secretary of the Fund or any Assistant Secretary or by a person or persons
designated by either of them, to each shareholder who is entitled to vote
thereat at least seven (7) days (including Sundays and holidays) before such
meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any shareholder if a written
waiver of notice, executed by the shareholder or his attorney thereunto duly
authorized before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the
meeting, or to any shareholder who attends the meeting either in person or by
proxy without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of
notice to such shareholder. Every notice to any shareholder required or provided
for herein may be given to him personally or by mailing it to him postage
prepaid, addressed to him at his address specified in the records of the Trust.
Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when it is so mailed. In
respect of any share held jointly by several persons notice so given to any one
of them shall be sufficient notice to all of them.
Any notice so sent to the address of any shareholder shall be
deemed to have been duly sent in respect of any such share whether held by him
solely or jointly with others, notwithstanding he be then deceased or be
bankrupt or insolvent or legally incompetent, and whether or not the Trustees or
any person sending such notice have knowledge of his death, bankruptcy or
insolvency or legal incompetence, until some other person or persons shall be
registered as holders. The certificate of the person or persons giving such
notice shall be sufficient evidence thereof, and shall protect all persons
acting in good faith in reliance on such certificate.
2.5 Voting. Shares may be voted in person by the shareholder or by proxy in form
reasonably acceptable to the Trust. If the holder of any share is a minor or a
person of unsound mind, or subject to guardianship or to the legal control of
any other person as regards the charge or management of such share, he may vote
by his guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such
vote may be given in person or by proxy.
2.6 Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the shareholders who are
entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, or who are
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the
Trustees may from time to time fix or authorize the fixing by others of a time
as the record date for determining the shareholders having the right to notice
of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof or the right to
receive such dividend or distribution, and in such case only shareholders of
record on such record date shall have such right, notwithstanding any transfer
of shares on the books of the Fund after the record date; or without fixing such
record date the Trustees may for any of such purposes close the register or
transfer books for all or any part of such period.
ARTICLE 3.
Meetings of Trustees
3.1 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without call
or notice at such places and at such times as the Trustees may from time to time
determine.
3.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees may be held at any time
and at any place designated in the call of the meeting when called by the
Chairman, the President or the Treasurer, or by any other officer authorized by
the Trustees to do so, or by two or more Trustees, sufficient notice thereof
being given to each Trustee by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the
officer or one of the Trustees calling the meeting.
3.3 Notice. It shall be sufficient notice to a Trustee of a special meeting to
send notice by mail at least forty-eight hours or by telegram at least
twenty-four hours before the meeting addressed to him at his usual or last known
business or residence address or to give notice to him in person or by telephone
at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be
given to any Trustee if a written waiver of notice, executed by him before or
after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Trustee
who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement
the lack of notice to him. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice
need specify the purposes of the meeting.
3.4 Quorum. At any meeting of the Trustees a majority of the Trustees then in
office shall constitute a quorum. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time
by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is
present and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
3.5 Action by Vote. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the
Trustees present may take any action, except when a larger vote is required by
the Trust Agreement or any applicable law.
3.6 Participation by Conference Telephone. The Trustees may participate in a
meeting of the Trustees by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment. Participation by such means shall constitute presence
in person at a meeting.
3.7 Action by Writing. The Trustees may act without a meeting, and the action of
a majority of the Trustees then in office evidenced by a writing signed by such
a majority shall be valid and binding as the action of the Trustees.
ARTICLE 4.
Trustees
4.1 Term. A Trustee shall serve until his death, retirement, resignation or
removal from office or until his successor is elected and qualifies.
ARTICLE 5.
Officers
5.1 Election. The President, the Treasurer and the Secretary shall be elected
annually by the Trustees and shall serve until their successors are elected and
qualified or until their earlier deaths, resignations or removals. Other
officers, if any, including if desired a Controller, may be elected or appointed
by the Trustees at the meeting or at any other time. A Chairman of the Board may
be elected or appointed by the Trustees at the meeting or at any other time.
Vacancies in any office may be filled at any time by the Trustees.
5.2 Tenure. Each officer and each agent shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Trustees.
5.3 Powers. Subject to law and to the other provisions of these By-laws, each
officer shall have, in addition to any duties and powers set forth herein and in
the Trust Agreement, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to the
office occupied by him as if the Fund were organized as a Pennsylvania business
corporation and such other duties and powers as the Trustees may from time to
time designate.
5.4 President. Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the President shall
preside at all meetings of shareholders and of the Trustees and the President
shall be the chief executive officer.
5.5 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Fund.
In the absence of the Treasurer, or if there is then no person serving in such
office, the Controller of the Fund shall be the chief financial officer of the
Fund. He shall, subject to the provisions of the Trust Agreement and subject to
any arrangement made by the Trustees with a bank or other trust company or
organization as custodian, be in charge of valuable papers, books of account and
accounting records, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be
designated from time to time by the Trustees or by the President.
5.6 Secretary. The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the shareholders
and Trustees in books to be kept therefor, which books shall be kept at the
principal office of the Fund. In the absence of the Secretary, an Assistant
Secretary, or if there be none or if he is absent, a temporary Secretary chosen
by the shareholders or the Trustees, as the case may be, shall record the
proceedings in the aforesaid books.
5.7 Resignation and Removals. Any Trustee or officer may resign at any time by
written instrument signed by him and deposited with the Trustees by delivering
such resignation to the President or the Secretary or to a meeting of the
Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to
be effective at some other time. The Trustees may remove any officer elected by
them with or without cause by vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office.
Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Fund, no
Trustee or officer resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to
compensation for any period following his resignation or removal, or any right
to damages on account of such removal.
ARTICLE 6.
Committees
6.1 General. The Trustees may appoint from their number an executive committee
to serve during their pleasure. The executive committee may, when the Trustees
are not in session at a meeting, exercise such of the powers and authority of
the Trustees as may be conferred from time to time by the Trustees. Rules
governing the actions of the executive committee may be adopted by the Trustees
from time to time as they deem appropriate. The Trustees may appoint from their
number such other committees from time to time as they deem appropriate. The
number composing such committees, the powers and authority conferred upon such
committees and the rules governing the actions of such committees shall be
determined by the Trustees at their discretion.
6.2 Quorum; Voting. A majority of the members of any committee of the Trustees
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and any action of
such a committee may be taken at a meeting by a vote of a majority of the
members present (a quorum being present) or evidenced by one or more writings
signed by such a majority. Members of a committee may participate in a meeting
of such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a
meeting.
ARTICLE 7.
Fiscal Year and Seal
7.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Fund shall end on the last day of May in
each year.
7.2 Seal. The seal of the Fund shall consist of a flat-faced die with the name
of the Fund and 1995 cut or engraved thereon.
ARTICLE 8.
Amendments
8.1 Amendment by Trustees. These By-laws may also be altered, amended or
repealed by the Trustees, except with respect to any provision which by law, the
Trust Agreement or these By-laws requires action by the shareholders.
#1016069e
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(5)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Agreement made the ____ day of ____________, 199__ by and between
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Adviser wish to enter into an Agreement
setting forth the terms on which the Adviser will perform certain services for
the Fund.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter contained, the Fund and the Adviser agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby employs the Adviser to manage and administer the
operation of the Fund, to supervise the provision of services to the Fund by
others, and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund
in conformity with its investment objectives and restrictions as may be set
forth from time to time in the Fund's then current prospectus and statement of
additional information, if any, and other governing documents, all subject to
the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment
and agrees during such period, at its own expense, to render the services and to
assume the obligations set forth herein, for the compensation provided herein.
The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no
authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an
agent of the Fund.
2. The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the account of the Fund with broker-dealers selected by
the Adviser. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting broker-dealers,
the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek best execution on behalf of the
Fund. In assessing the best execution available for any transaction, the Adviser
shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of the
market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and
execution capability of the broker-dealer, and the reasonableness of the
commission, if any (all for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).
In evaluating the best execution available, and in selecting the
broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may also consider
the brokerage and research services (as those terms are used in Section 28(e) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act")) provided to the Fund
and/or other accounts over which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser
exercises investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a
broker-dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund that is in excess of the amount
of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if, but only if, the Adviser determines in good faith that such
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker-dealer viewed in terms of that particular
transaction or in terms of all of the accounts over which investment discretion
is so exercised.
3. The Adviser, at its own expense, shall furnish to the Fund office
space in the offices of the Adviser or in such other place as may be agreed upon
by the parties from time to time, all necessary office facilities, equipment and
personnel in connection with its services hereunder, and shall arrange, if
desired by the Fund, for members of the Adviser's organization to serve without
salaries from the Fund as officers or, as may be agreed from time to time, as
agents of the Fund.
The Adviser assumes and shall pay or reimburse the Fund for (1) the
compensation (if any) of the Trustees of the Fund who are affiliated with the
Adviser or with its affiliates, or with any adviser retained by the Adviser, and
of all officers of the Fund as such, and (2) all expenses of the Adviser
incurred in connection with its services hereunder.
The Fund assumes and shall pay all other expenses of the Fund,
including, without limitation (1) all charges and expenses of any custodian or
depository appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping of its cash, securities and
other property; (2) all charges and expenses for bookkeeping and auditors; (3)
all charges and expenses of any transfer agents and registrars appointed by the
Fund; (4) all fees of all Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the
Adviser or any of its affiliates, or with any adviser retained by the Adviser;
(5) all brokers' fees, expenses and commissions and issue and transfer taxes
chargeable to the Fund in connection with transactions involving securities and
other property to which the Fund is a party; (6) all costs and expenses of
distribution of its shares incurred pursuant to a Plan or Plans of Distribution
adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act");
(7) all taxes and business trust fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or
other governmental agencies; (8) all costs of certificates representing shares
of the Fund; (9) all fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining
registrations of the Fund and of its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") and registering or qualifying its shares under
state or other securities laws, including, without limitation, the preparation
and printing of registration statements, prospectuses and statements of
additional information for filing with the Commission and other authorities;
(10) expenses of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and statements of
additional information to shareholders of the Fund; (11) all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing
notices, reports and proxy materials to shareholders of the Fund; (12) all
charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Fund and for Trustees of the Fund
in connection with legal matters relating to the Fund, including, without
limitation, legal services rendered in connection with the Fund's existence,
business trust and financial structure and relations with its shareholders,
registrations and qualifications of securities under federal, state and other
laws, issues of securities, expenses which the Fund has herein assumed, whether
customary or not, and extraordinary matters, including, without limitation, any
litigation involving the Fund, its Trustees, officers, employees or agents; (13)
all charges and expenses of filing annual and other reports with the Commission
and other authorities; and (14) all extraordinary expenses and charges of the
Fund. In the event that the Adviser provides any of these services or pays any
of these expenses, the Fund will promptly reimburse the Adviser therefor.
The services of the Adviser to the Fund hereunder are not to be deemed
exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others.
4. As compensation for the Adviser's services to the Fund during the
period of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to the Adviser a fee at the annual
rate set forth below:
Management Aggregate Net Asset Value
Fee of the Shares of the Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.70% of the first $ 100,000,000, plus
0.65% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.60% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.55% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.50% of the next $ 100,000,000, plus
0.45% of the next $ 500,000,000, plus
0.40% of the next $ 500,000,000, plus
0.35% of amounts over $1,500,000,000.
The Advisers fee is computed as of the close of business each business day and
payable daily.
A pro rata portion of the fee shall be payable in arrears at the end of
each day or calendar month as the Adviser may from time to time specify to the
Fund. If and when this Agreement terminates, any compensation payable hereunder
for the period ending with the date of such termination shall be payable upon
such termination. Amounts payable hereunder shall be promptly paid when due.
5. The Adviser may enter into an agreement to retain, at its own
expense, any other firm or firms ("Sub-Adviser") to provide the Fund all of the
services to be provided by the Adviser hereunder, if such agreement is approved
as required by law. Such agreement may delegate to such Sub-Adviser all of the
Adviser's rights, obligations and duties hereunder.
6. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance
of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Adviser's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an
officer, Director, partner, employee or agent of the Adviser who may be or
become an officer, Trustee, employee or agent of the Fund, shall be deemed, when
rendering services to the Fund or acting on any business of the Fund (other than
services or business in connection with the Adviser's duties hereunder), to be
rendering such services to or acting solely for the Fund and not as an officer,
Director, partner, employee or agent or one under the control or direction of
the Adviser even though paid by it.
The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold the Adviser harmless from all
taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including,
without limitation, liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, the
1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and any state and foreign securities and blue sky laws,
as amended from time to time) and expenses, including (without limitation)
attorneys' fees and disbursements, arising directly or indirectly from any
action or thing that the Adviser takes or does or omits to take or do hereunder;
provided that the Adviser shall not be indemnified against any liability to the
Fund or to its shareholders (or any expenses incident to such liability) arising
out of a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation
for services, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of
the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it
of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
7. The Fund shall cause its books and accounts to be audited at least
once each year by a reputable independent public accountant or organization of
public accountants who shall render a report to the Fund.
8. Subject to and in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the
Fund, the Articles of Incorporation of the Adviser and the governing documents
of any Adviser, it is understood that Trustees, Directors, officers, agents and
shareholders of the Fund or any Adviser are or may be interested in the Adviser
(or any successor thereof) as Directors and officers of the Adviser or its
affiliates, that Directors, officers and agents of the Adviser and its
affiliates are or may be interested in the Fund or any Adviser as Trustees,
Directors, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that the Adviser (or any such
successor) is or may be interested in the Fund or any such Adviser as
shareholder, or otherwise; and that the effect of any such adverse interests
shall be governed by said Declaration of Trust of the Fund, Articles of
Incorporation of the Adviser and governing documents of any such Adviser.
9. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date
set forth above and after such date only so long as (1) such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or
by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and
(2) such renewal has been approved by the vote of a majority of Trustees of the
Fund who are not interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of
the Adviser or of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval.
10. On sixty (60) days' written notice to the Adviser, this Agreement
may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund; and on sixty (60) days' written notice to Fund,
this Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty
by the Adviser. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon its assignment
(as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). Any notice under this Agreement shall
be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage prepaid, to the
other party at the main office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended at any time by an instrument in
writing executed by both parties hereto or their respective successors, provided
that with regard to amendments of substance such execution by the Fund shall
have been first approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by the vote of a majority of
Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons (as that term is defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, any predecessor of the Adviser, or of the Fund,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. A
"majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund" shall have, for all
purposes of this Agreement, the meaning provided therefor in the 1940 Act.
12. Any compensation payable to the Adviser hereunder for any period
other than a full year shall be proportionately adjusted.
13. The provisions of the Agreement shall be governed, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
14. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This instrument is executed on
behalf of the Trustees of the Fund as trustees and not individually, and the
obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees or holders of
shares of the Fund individually but are binding only upon the assets and
property of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
By:
------------------------------
Name: Albert H. Elfner, III
Title: Chief Executive Officer
and President
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
COMPANY
By:
------------------------------
Name: James R. McCall
Title: President
#1016069f
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(6)(a)
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
AGREEMENT made this ____ day of ____________, 199__ by and between
Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund, a Massachusetts business trust ("Fund"), and
Keystone Investment Distributors Company, a Delaware corporation ("Principal
Underwriter").
It is hereby mutually agreed as follows:
1. The Fund hereby appoints Principal Underwriter a principal
underwriter of the Class A and Class C shares of beneficial interest of the Fund
("Shares") as an independent contractor upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth. Except as the Fund may from time to time agree, Principal
Underwriter will act as agent for the Fund and not as principal.
2. Principal Underwriter will use its best efforts to find purchasers
for the Shares, to promote distribution of the Shares and may obtain orders from
brokers, dealers or other persons for sales of Shares to them. No such brokers,
dealers or other persons shall have any authority to act as agent for the Fund;
such brokers, dealers or other persons shall act only as principal in the sale
of Shares.
3. Sales of Shares by Principal Underwriter shall be at the applicable
public offering price determined in the manner set forth in the prospectus
and/or statement of additional information of the Fund current at the time of
the Fund's acceptance of the order for Shares; provided that Principal
Underwriter also shall have the right to sell Shares at net asset value, if such
sale is permissible under and consistent with applicable statutes, rules,
regulations and orders. All orders shall be subject to acceptance by the Fund,
and the Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any order
received. The Fund shall not be liable to anyone for failure to accept any
order.
4. On all sales of Shares, the Fund shall receive the current net asset
value, and Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to receive payments in
accordance with the 12b-1 Plan(s) and as set forth in the then current
prospectus and/or statement of additional information of the Fund, and to the
contingent deferred sales charges as set forth in the then current prospectus
and/or statement of additional information of the Fund. Principal Underwriter
may reallow all or a part of the 12b-1 payments to such brokers, dealers or
other persons as Principal Underwriter may determine.
5. Payment to the Fund for Shares shall be in New York or Boston
Clearing House funds received by Principal Underwriter within ten (10) business
days after notice of acceptance of the purchase order and the amount of the
applicable public offering price has been given to the purchaser. If such
payment is not received within such ten-day period, the Fund reserves the right,
without further notice, forthwith to cancel its acceptance of any such order.
The Fund shall pay such issue taxes as may be required by law in connection with
the issuance of the Shares.
6. Principal Underwriter shall not make in connection with any sale or
solicitation of a sale of the Shares any representations concerning the Shares
except those contained in the then current prospectus and/or statement of
additional information covering the Shares and in printed information approved
by the Fund as information supplemental to such prospectus and statement of
additional information. Copies of the then current prospectus and statement of
additional information and any such printed supplemental information will be
supplied by the Fund to Principal Underwriter in reasonable quantities upon
request.
7. Principal Underwriter agrees to comply with the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
8. The Fund appoints Principal Underwriter as its agent to accept
orders for redemptions and repurchases of Shares at values and in the manner
determined in accordance with the then current prospectus and/or statement of
additional information of the Fund.
9. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Principal
Underwriter, its officers and Directors and each person, if any, who controls
the Principal Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
of 1933 ("1933 Act"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (including the cost of any legal fees incurred in connection therewith)
which the Principal Underwriter, its officers, Directors or any such controlling
person may incur under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at common law or
otherwise, arising out of or based upon
a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Fund's registration statement, prospectus or
statement of additional information (including amendments and
supplements thereto), or
b) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
required to be stated in the Fund's registration statement, prospectus
or statement of additional information necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided, however, that insofar as losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon
any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance and in conformity with information furnished
to the Fund by the Principal Underwriter for use in the Fund's
registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional
information, such indemnification is not applicable. In no case shall
the Fund indemnify the Principal Underwriter or its controlling person
as to any amounts incurred for any liability arising out of or based
upon any action for which the Principal Underwriter, its officers and
Directors or any controlling person would otherwise be subject to
liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
10. The Principal Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund, its officers, Directors and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of any legal fees incurred
in connection therewith) which the Fund, its officers, Directors or any such
controlling person may incur under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at
common law or otherwise arising out of the acquisition of any Shares by any
person which
a) may be based upon any wrongful act by the Principal Underwriter
or any of its employees or representatives, or
b) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Fund's registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional information (including
amendments and supplements thereto), or any omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon information furnished or confirmed in
writing to the Fund by the Principal Underwriter.
11. The Fund agrees to execute such papers and to do such acts and
things as shall from time to time be reasonably requested by Principal
Underwriter for the purpose of qualifying the Shares for sale under the
so-called "blue sky" laws of any state or for registering Shares under the 1933
Act or the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Principal
Underwriter shall bear the expense of preparing, printing and distributing
advertising, sales literature, prospectuses and statements of additional
information. The Fund shall bear the expense of registering Shares under the
1933 Act and the Fund under the 1940 Act, qualifying Shares for sale under the
so-called "blue sky" laws of any state, the preparation and printing of
prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other authorities, the
preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses and statements of additional
information to shareholders of the Fund, and the direct expenses of the issuance
of Shares.
12. To the extent required by any 12b-1 Plan of the Fund, Principal
Underwriter shall provide to the Board of Trustees of the Fund in connection
with the 12b-1 Plan, not less than quarterly, a written report of the amounts
expended pursuant to such 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
13. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date hereof and,
unless sooner terminated or continued as provided below, shall expire after two
years. This Agreement shall continue in effect after such term if its
continuance is specifically approved by a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
and a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees referred to in any 12b-1 Plan of the Fund
("Rule 12b-1 Trustees") at least annually in accordance with the 1940 Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any
penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a vote of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding Shares on not more than sixty (60) days
written notice to any other party to the Agreement; and shall terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
14. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All sales hereunder are to be made, and title
to the Shares shall pass, in Boston, Massachusetts.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized at Boston,
Massachusetts, on the day and year first written above.
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
By:
--------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III
Chief Executive Officer and
President
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS
COMPANY
By:
--------------------------
Ralph J. Spuehler, Jr.
President
#101606a0
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
FOR CLASS B SHARES
OF
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
AGREEMENT made this ____ day of ____________ 199__ by and between
Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund, a Massachusetts business trust, ("Fund"), and
Keystone Investment Distributors Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Principal
Underwriter").
The Fund, individually and/or on behalf of its series, if any, referred
to above in the title of this Agreement, to which series, if any, this Agreement
shall relate, as applicable (the "Fund"), may act as the distributor of certain
securities of which it is the issuer pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Accordingly, it is hereby mutually agreed
as follows:
1. The Fund hereby appoints the Principal Underwriter a principal
underwriter of the Class B shares of beneficial interest of the Fund ("B
Shares") as an independent contractor upon the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth. The general term "Shares" as used herein has the same meaning as is
provided therefor in Schedule I hereto. Except as the Fund may from time to time
agree, the Principal Underwriter will act as agent for the Fund and not as
principal.
2. The Principal Underwriter will use its best efforts to find
purchasers for the B Shares and to promote distribution of the B Shares and may
obtain orders from brokers, dealers or other persons for sales of B Shares to
them. No such dealer, broker or other person shall have any authority to act as
agent for the Fund; such dealer, broker or other person shall act only as
principal in the sale of B Shares.
3. Sales of B Shares by Principal Underwriter shall be at the public
offering price determined in the manner set forth in the prospectus and/or
statement of additional information of the Fund current at the time of the
Fund's acceptance of the order for B Shares. All orders shall be subject to
acceptance by the Fund and the Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to
reject any order received. The Fund shall not be liable to anyone for failure to
accept any order.
4. On all sales of B Shares the Fund shall receive the current net
asset value. The Fund shall pay the Principal Underwriter Distribution Fees (as
defined in Section 14 hereof), as commissions for the sale of B Shares and other
Shares, which shall be paid in conjunction with distribution fees paid to the
Principal Underwriter by other classes of Shares of the Fund to the extent
required in order to comply with Section 14 hereof, and shall pay over to the
Principal Underwriter CDSCs (as defined in Section 14 hereof) as set forth in
the Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional information, and as
required by Section 14 hereof. The Principal Underwriter shall also receive
payments consisting of shareholder service fees ("Service Fees") at the rate of
.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Class B Shares. The
Principal Underwriter may allow all or a part of said Distribution Fees and
CDSCs received by it (not paid to others as hereinafter provided) to such
brokers, dealers or other persons as Principal Underwriter may determine.
5. Payment to the Fund for B Shares shall be in New York or Boston
Clearing House funds received by the Principal Underwriter within three business
days after notice of acceptance of the purchase order and the amount of the
applicable public offering price has been given to the purchaser. If such
payment is not received within such period, the Fund reserves the right, without
further notice, forthwith to cancel its acceptance of any such order. The Fund
shall pay such issue taxes as may be required by law in connection with the
issue of the B Shares.
6. The Principal Underwriter shall not make in connection with any sale
or solicitation of a sale of the B Shares any representations concerning the B
Shares except those contained in the then current prospectus and/or statement of
additional information covering the Shares and in printed information approved
by the Fund as information supplemental to such prospectus and statement of
additional information. Copies of the then current prospectus and statement of
additional information and any such printed supplemental information will be
supplied by the Fund to the Principal Underwriter in reasonable quantities upon
request.
7. The Principal Underwriter agrees to comply with the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (as defined in
the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 31, 1995 (the "Purchase
Agreement"), between the Principal Underwriter, Citibank, N.A. and Citicorp
North America, Inc., as agent (the "Rules of Fair Practice")).
8. The Fund appoints the Principal Underwriter as its agent to accept
orders for redemptions and repurchases of B Shares at values and in the manner
determined in accordance with the then current prospectus and/or statement of
additional information of the Fund.
9. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Principal
Underwriter, its officers and Directors and each person, if any, who controls
the Principal Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
of 1933 ("1933 Act"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (including the cost of any legal fees incurred in connection therewith)
which the Principal Underwriter, its officers, Directors or any such controlling
person may incur under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at common law or
otherwise, arising out of or based upon
a. any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Fund's registration statement, prospectus or
statement of additional information (including amendments and
supplements thereto) or
b. any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required
to be stated in the Fund's registration statement, prospectus or
statement of additional information necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided, however, that insofar as losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based
upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance and in conformity with
information furnished to the Fund by the Principal Underwriter for
use in the Fund's registration statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information, such indemnification is not applicable. In
no case shall the Fund indemnify the Principal Underwriter or its
controlling person as to any amounts incurred for any liability
arising out of or based upon any action for which the Principal
Underwriter, its officers and Directors or any controlling person
would otherwise be subject to liability by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of
its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its obligations
and duties under this Agreement.
10. The Principal Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund, its officers and Trustees and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses (including the cost of any legal fees incurred
in connection therewith) which the Fund, its officers, Directors or any such
controlling person may incur under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at
common law or otherwise arising out of the acquisition of any Shares by any
person which
(a) may be based upon any wrongful act by the Principal Underwriter or
any of its employees or representatives, or
(b) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in the Fund's registration statement,
prospectus or statement of additional information (including
amendments and supplements thereto), or any omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished or confirmed in writing to the Fund by the Principal
Underwriter.
11. The Fund agrees to execute such papers and to do such acts and
things as shall from time to time be reasonably requested by the Principal
Underwriter for the purpose of qualifying the B Shares for sale under the
so-called "blue sky" laws of any state or for registering B Shares under the
1933 Act or the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). The
Principal Underwriter shall bear the expenses of preparing, printing and
distributing advertising, sales literature, prospectuses, and statements of
additional information. The Fund shall bear the expense of registering B Shares
under the 1933 Act and the Fund under the 1940 Act, qualifying B Shares for sale
under the so-called "blue sky" laws of any state, the preparation and printing
of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other authorities, the
preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses and statements of additional
information to holders of B Shares, and the direct expenses of the issue of B
Shares.
12. The Principal Underwriter shall, at the request of the Fund,
provide to the Board of Trustees or Directors (together herein called the
"Directors") of the Fund in connection with sales of B Shares not less than
quarterly a written report of the amounts received from the Fund therefor and
the purpose for which such expenditures by the Fund were made.
13. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date hereof and,
unless sooner terminated or continued as provided below, shall expire after one
year. This Agreement shall continue in effect after such term if its continuance
is specifically approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
Class B of the Fund or by a majority of the Directors of the Fund and a majority
of the Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons",
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), of any such
party and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan for Class B Shares or in any agreements related to
the plan at least annually in accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any
penalty, by vote of a majority of the Directors of the Fund, or a majority of
such Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons", as
defined in the 1940 Act, of any such party and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan for Class B
Shares or in any agreement related to the plan or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of Class B on not more than sixty days written
notice to any other party to the agreement; and shall terminate automatically in
the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act), which shall not
include assignment of the Principal Underwriter's (as hereinafter defined)
provided for hereunder and/or rights related to such Allocable Portions.
14. The provisions of this Section 14 shall be applicable to the extent
necessary to enable the Fund to comply with the obligation of the Fund to pay
the Principal Underwriter its Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees paid in
respect of Shares while the Fund is required to do so pursuant the Principal
Underwriting Agreement, of even date herewith, in respect of Class B Shares, and
shall remain in effect so long as any payments are required to be made by the
Fund pursuant to the irrevocable payment instruction (as defined in the Purchase
Agreement (the "Irrevocable Payment Instruction")).
14.1 The Fund shall pay to the Principal Underwriter the Principal
Underwriter's Allocable Portion (as hereinafter defined) of a fee (the
"Distribution Fee") at the rate of .75% per annum of the average daily net asset
value of the Shares, subject to the limitation on the maximum aggregate amount
of such fees under the Rules of Fair Practice as applicable to such Distribution
Fee on the date hereof.
14.2 The Principal Underwriter's Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees
paid by the Fund in respect of Shares shall be equal to the portion of the Asset
Based Sales Charge allocable to Distributor Shares (as defined in Schedule I
hereto to this Agreement) in accordance with Schedule I hereto. The Fund agrees
to cause its transfer agent to maintain the records and arrange for the payments
on behalf of the Fund at the times and in the amounts and to the accounts
required by Schedule I hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time. It
is acknowledged and agreed that by virtue of the operation of Schedule I hereto
the Principal Underwriter's Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees paid by the
Fund in respect of Shares, may, to the extent provided in Schedule I hereto,
take into account Distribution Fees payable by the Fund in respect of other
existing and future classes and/or sub-classes of shares of the Fund which would
be treated as "Shares" under Schedule I hereto. The Fund will limit amounts paid
to any subsequent principal underwriters of Shares to the portion of the Asset
Based Sales Charge paid in respect of Shares which is allocable to
Post-distributor Shares (as defined in Schedule I hereto) in accordance with
Schedule I hereto. The Fund's payments to the Principal Underwriter in
consideration of its services in connection with the sale of B Shares shall be
the Distribution Fees attributable to B Shares which are Distributor Shares (as
defined in Schedule I hereto) and all other amounts constituting the Principal
Underwriter's Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees shall be the Distribution
Fees related to the sale of other Shares which are Distributor Shares (as
defined in Schedule I hereto).
The Fund shall cause its transfer agent and sub-transfer agents to
withhold from redemption proceeds payable to holders of Shares on redemption
thereof the contingent deferred sales charges payable upon redemption thereof as
set forth in the then current prospectus and/or statement of additional
information of the Fund ("CDSCs") and to pay over to the Principal Underwriter
The Principal Underwriter's Allocable Portion of said CDSCs paid in respect of
Shares which shall be equal to the portion thereof allocable to Distributor
Shares (as defined in Schedule I hereto) in accordance with Schedule I hereto.
14.3 The Principal Underwriter shall be considered to have completely
earned the right to the payment of its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fee
and the right to payment over to it of its' Allocable Portion of the CDSC in
respect of Shares as provided for hereby upon the completion of the sale of each
Commission Share (as defined in Schedule I hereto) taken into account as a
Distributor Share in computing the Principal Underwriter's Allocable Portion in
accordance with Schedule I hereto.
14.4 Except as provided in Section 14.5 hereof in respect of
Distribution Fees only, the Fund's obligation to pay the Principal Underwriter
the Distribution Fees and to pay over to the Principal Underwriter CDSCs
provided for hereby shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject
to dispute, offset, counterclaim or any defense whatsoever (it being understood
that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed a waiver by the Fund of its right
separately to pursue any claims it may have against the Principal Underwriter
and enforce such claims against any assets (other than the Principal
Underwriter's right to its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and CDSCs
(the "Collection Rights") of the Principal Underwriter).
14.5 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
Fund shall pay to the Principal Underwriter its Allocable Portion of
Distribution Fees provided for hereby notwithstanding its termination as
Principal Underwriter for the Shares or any termination of this Agreement and
such payment of such Distribution Fees, and that obligation and the method of
computing such payment, shall not be changed or terminated except to the extent
required by any change in applicable law, including, without limitation, the
1940 Act, the Rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Rules of Fair Practice, in each case enacted or promulgated
after May 31, 1995, or in connection with a Complete Termination (as hereinafter
defined). For the purposes of this Section 14.5, "Complete Termination" means a
termination of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan for B Shares involving the cessation
of payments of the Distribution Fees, and the cessation of payments of
distribution fees pursuant to every other Rule 12b-1 plan of the Fund for every
existing or future B-Class-of-Shares (as hereinafter defined) and the Fund's
discontinuance of the offering of every existing or future B-Class-of-Shares,
which conditions shall be deemed satisfied when they are first complied with
hereafter and so long thereafter as they are complied with prior to the earlier
of (i) the date upon which all of the B Shares which are Distributor Shares
pursuant to Schedule I hereto shall have been redeemed or converted or (ii) May
31, 2005. For purposes of this Section 14.5, the term B-Class-of-Shares means
each of the B-1 Class of Shares of the Fund, the B Class of Shares of the Fund
and each other class of shares of the Fund hereafter issued which would be
treated as Shares under Schedule I hereto or which has substantially similar
economic characteristics to the B-1 or B Classes of Shares taking into account
the total sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or
indirectly by the holder of the shares of such class. The parties agree that the
existing C Class of Shares of the Fund does not have substantially similar
economic characteristics to the B-1 or B Classes of Shares taking into account
the total sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or
indirectly by the holder of such shares. For purposes of clarity the parties to
this agreement hereby state that they intend that a new installment load class
of shares which may be authorized by amendments to Rule 6(c)-10 under the 1940
Act will be considered to be a B-Class-of-Shares if it has economic
characteristics substantially similar to the economic characteristics of the
existing B-1 or B Classes of Shares taking into account the total sale charge,
CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or indirectly by the holder of such
shares and will not be considered to be a B-Class-of-Shares if it has economic
characteristics substantially similar to the economic characteristics of the
existing C Class of shares of the Fund taking into account the total sales
charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or indirectly by the holder
of such shares.
14.6 The Principal Underwriter may assign any part of its Allocable
Portions and obligations of the Fund related thereto (but not the Principal
Underwriter's obligations to the Fund provided for in this Agreement) to any
person (an "Assignee") and any such assignment shall be effective as to the Fund
upon written notice to the Fund by the Principal Underwriter. In connection
therewith the Fund shall pay all or any amounts in respect of its Allocable
Portions directly to the Assignee thereof as directed in a writing by the
Principal Underwriter in the Irrevocable Payment Instruction, as the same may be
amended from time to time with the consent of the Fund, and the Fund shall be
without liability to any person if it pays such amounts when and as so directed,
except for underpayments of amounts actually due, without any amount payable as
consequential or other damages due to such underpayment and without interest
except to the extent that delay in payment of Distribution Fees and CDSCs
results in an increase in the maximum Sales Charge allowable under the Rules of
Fair Practice, which increases daily at a rate of prime plus one percent per
annum.
14.7 The Fund will not, to the extent it may otherwise be empowered to
do so, change or waive any CDSC with respect to B Shares, except as provided in
the Fund's prospectus or statement of additional information without the
Principal Underwriter's or Assignee's consent, as applicable. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any termination of this Agreement
or the Principal Underwriter as principal underwriter for the Shares of the
Fund, the Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to be paid its Allocable
Portion of the CDSCs whether or not the Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan for B Shares is
terminated and whether or not any such termination is a Complete Termination, as
defined above.
15. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All sales hereunder are to be made, and title
to the Shares shall pass, in Boston, Massachusetts.
16. The Fund is a Massachusetts business trust established under a
Declaration of Trust, as it may be amended from time to time. The obligations of
the Fund are not personally binding upon, nor shall recourse be had against the
private property of any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or
agents of the Fund, but only the property of the Fund shall be bound.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized at Boston,
Massachusetts, on the day and year first written above.
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
By:
--------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III
Chief Executive Officer and
President
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS
COMPANY
By:
--------------------------
Ralph J. Spuehler, Jr.
President
#101606a4
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
TO
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
FOR CLASS B SHARES
OF
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
TRANSFER AGENT PROCEDURES FOR DIFFERENTIATING
AMONG DISTRIBUTOR SHARES AND POST-DISTRIBUTOR SHARES
Amounts (in respect of Asset Based Sales Charges (as hereinafter
defined) and CDSCs (as hereinafter defined) in respect of Shares (as hereinafter
defined) of each Fund (as hereinafter defined) shall be allocated between
Distributor Shares (as hereinafter defined) and Post-distributor Shares (as
hereinafter defined) of such Fund in accordance with the rules set forth in
clauses (B) and (C). Clause (B) sets forth the rules to be followed by the
Transfer Agent for each Fund and the record owner of each Omnibus Account (as
hereinafter defined) in maintaining records relating to Distributor Shares and
Post-distributor Shares. Clause (C) sets forth the rules to be followed by the
Transfer Agent for each Fund and the record owner of each Omnibus Account in
determining what portion of the Asset Based Sales Charge (as hereinafter
defined) payable in respect of each class of Shares of such Fund and what
portion of the CDSC (as hereinafter defined) payable by the holders of Shares of
such Fund is attributable to Distributor Shares and Post-distributor Shares,
respectively.
(A) DEFINITIONS:
Generally, for purposes of this Schedule I, defined terms shall be used
with the meaning assigned to them in the Agreement, except that for purposes of
the following rules the following definitions are also applicable:
"Agreement" shall mean the Principal Underwriting Agreement for Class B
Shares of the Instant Fund dated as of ________ __, 199_ between the Instant
Fund and the Distributor.
"Asset Based Sales Charge" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
26(b)(8)(C) of the Rules of Fair Practice it being understood that for purposes
of this Exhibit I such term does not include the Service Fee.
"Business Day" shall mean any day on which the banks and the New York
Stock Exchange are not authorized or required to close in New York City.
"Capital Gain Dividend" shall mean, in respect of any Share of any
Fund, a Dividend in respect of such Share which is designated by such Fund as
being a "capital gain dividend" as such term is defined in Section 852 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"CDSC" shall mean with respect to any Fund, the contingent deferred
sales charge payable, either directly or by withholding from the proceeds of the
redemption of the Shares of such Fund, by the shareholders of such Fund on any
redemption of Shares of such Fund in accordance with the Prospectus relating to
such Fund.
"Commission Share" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, a Share of such
Fund issued under circumstances where a CDSC would be payable upon the
redemption of such Share if such CDSC is not waived or shall have not otherwise
expired.
"Date of Original Purchase" shall mean, in respect of any Commission
Share of any Fund, the date on which such Commission Share was first issued by
such Fund; provided, that if such Share is a Commission Share and such Fund
issued the Commission Share (or portion thereof) in question in connection with
a Free Exchange for a Commission Share (or portion thereof) of another Fund, the
Date of Original Purchase for the Commission Share (or portion thereof) in
question shall be the date on which the Commission Share (or portion thereof) of
the other Fund was first issued by such other Fund (unless such Commission Share
(or portion thereof) was also issued by such other Fund in a Free Exchange, in
which case this proviso shall apply to that Free Exchange and this application
shall be repeated until one reaches a Commission Share (or portion thereof)
which was issued by a Fund other than in a Free Exchange).
"Distributor" shall mean Keystone Investment Distributors Company, its
successors and assigns.
"Distributor's Account" shall mean the account of the Distributor,
account no. 9903-584-2, ABA No. 011 0000 28, entitled "General Account"
maintained with State Street Bank & Trust Company or such other account as the
Distributor may designate in a notice to the Transfer Agent.
"Distributor Inception Date" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, the
date identified as the date Shares of such Fund are first sold by the
Distributor.
"Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date" shall mean, in respect of any
Fund, the date identified as the last sale of a Commission Share during the
period the Distributor served as principal underwriter under the Agreement.
"Distributor Shares" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, all Shares of
such Fund the Month of Original Purchase of which occurs on or after the
Inception Date for such Fund and on or prior to the Distributor Last Sale
Cut-off Date in respect of such Fund.
"Dividend" shall mean, in respect of any Share of any Fund, any
dividend or other distribution by such Fund in respect of such Share.
"Free Exchange" shall mean any exchange of a Commission Share (or
portion thereof) of one Fund (the "Redeeming Fund") for a Share (or portion
thereof) of another Fund (the "Issuing Fund"), under any arrangement which
defers the exchanging Shareholder's obligation to pay the CDSC in respect of the
Commission Share (or portion thereof) of the Redeeming Fund so exchanged until
the later redemption of the Share (or portion thereof) of the Issuing Fund
received in such exchange.
"Free Share" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, each Share of such
Fund other than a Commission Share, including, without limitation: (i) Shares
issued in connection with the automatic reinvestment of Capital Gain Dividends
or Other Dividends by such Fund, (ii) Special Free Shares issued by such Fund
and (iii) Shares (or portion thereof) issued by such Fund in connection with an
exchange whereby a Free Share (or portion thereof) of another Fund is redeemed
and the Net Asset Value of such redeemed Free Share (or portion thereof) is
invested in such Shares (or portion thereof) of such Fund.
"Fund" shall mean each of the regulated investment companies or series
or portfolios of regulated investment companies identified in Schedule II to the
Irrevocable Payment Instruction, as the same may be amended from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.
"Instant Fund" shall mean Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund.
"ML Omnibus Account" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, the Omnibus
Account maintained by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith as subtransfer
agent.
"Month of Original Purchase" shall mean, in respect of any Share of any
Fund, the calendar month in which such Share was first issued by such Fund;
provided, that if such Share is a Commission Share and such Fund issued the
Commission Share (or portion thereof) in question in connection with a Free
Exchange for a Commission Share (or portion thereof) of another Fund, the Month
of Original Purchase for the Commission Share (or portion thereof) in question
shall be the calendar month in which the Commission Share (or portion thereof)
of the other Fund was first issued by such other Fund (unless such Commission
Share (or portion thereof) was also issued by such other Fund in a Free
Exchange, in which case this proviso shall apply to that Free Exchange and this
application shall be repeated until one reaches a Commission Share (or portion
thereof) which was issued by a Fund other than in a Free Exchange); provided,
further, that if such Share is a Free Share and such Fund issued such Free Share
in connection with the automatic reinvestment of dividends in respect of other
Shares of such Fund, the Month of Original Purchase of such Free Share shall be
deemed to be the Month of Original Purchase of the Share in respect of which
such dividend was paid; provided, further, that if such Share is a Free Share
and such Fund issued such Free Share in connection with an exchange whereby a
Free Share (or portion thereof) of another Fund is redeemed and the Net Asset
Value of such redeemed Free Share (or portion thereof) is invested in a Free
Share (or portion thereof) of such Fund, the Month of Original Issue of such
Free Share shall be the Month of Original Issue of the Free Share of such other
Fund so redeemed (unless such Free Share of such other Fund was also issued by
such other Fund in such an exchange, in which case this proviso shall apply to
that exchange and this application shall be repeated until one reaches a Free
Share which was issued by a Fund other than in such an exchange); and provided,
finally, that for purposes of this Schedule I each of the following periods
shall be treated as one calendar month for purposes of applying the rules of
this Schedule I to any Fund: (i) the period of time from and including the
Distributor Inception Date for such Fund to and including the last day of the
calendar month in which such Distributor Inception Date occurs; (ii) the period
of time commencing with the first day of the calendar month in which the
Distributor Last Sale Cutoff Date in respect of such Fund occurs to and
including such Distributor Last Sale Cutoff Date; and (iii) the period of time
commencing on the day immediately following the Distributor Last Sale Cutoff
Date in respect of such Fund to and including the last day of the calendar month
in which such Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date occurs.
"Omnibus Account" shall mean any Shareholder Account the record owner
of which is a registered broker-dealer which has agreed with the Transfer Agent
to provide sub-transfer agent functions relating to each Sub-shareholder Account
within such Shareholder Account as contemplated by this Schedule I in respect of
each of the Funds.
"Omnibus Asset Based Sales Charge Settlement Date" shall mean, in
respect of each Omnibus Account, the Business Day next following the twentieth
day of each calendar month for the calendar month immediately preceding such
date so long as the record owner is able to allocate the Asset Based Sales
Charge accruing in respect of Shares of any Fund as contemplated by this
Schedule I no more frequently than monthly; provided, that at such time as the
record owner of such Omnibus Account is able to provide information sufficient
to allocate the Asset Based Sales Charge accruing in respect of such Shares of
such Fund owned of record by such Omnibus Account as contemplated by this
Schedule I on a weekly or daily basis, the Omnibus Asset Based Sales Charge
Settlement Date shall be a weekly date as in the case of the Omnibus CDSC
Settlement Date or a daily date as in the case of Asset Based Sales Charges
accruing in respect of Shareholder Accounts other than Omnibus Accounts, as the
case may be.
"Omnibus CDSC Settlement Date" shall mean, in respect of each Omnibus
Account, the third Business Day of each calendar week for the calendar week
immediately preceding such date so long as the record owner of such Omnibus
Account is able to allocate the CDSCs accruing in respect of any Shares of any
Fund as contemplated by this Schedule I for no more frequently than weekly;
provided, that at such time as the record owner of such Shares of such Fund
owned of record by such Omnibus Account is able to provide information
sufficient to allocate the CDSCs accruing in respect of such Omnibus Account as
contemplated by this Schedule I on a daily basis, the Omnibus CDSC Settlement
Date for such Omnibus Account shall be a daily date as in the case of CDSCs
accruing in respect of Shareholder Accounts other than Omnibus Accounts.
"Original Purchase Amount" shall mean, in respect of any Commission
Share of any Fund, the amount paid (i.e., the Net Asset Value thereof on such
date), on the Date of Original Purchase in respect of such Commission Share, by
such Shareholder Account or Sub-shareholder Account for such Commission Share;
provided, that if such Fund issued the Commission Share (or portion thereof) in
question in connection with a Free Exchange for a Commission Share (or portion
thereof) of another Fund, the Original Purchase Amount for the Commission Share
(or portion thereof) in question shall be the Original Purchase Amount in
respect of such Commission Share (or portion thereof) of such other Fund (unless
such Commission Share (or portion thereof) was also issued by such other Fund in
a Free Exchange, in which case this proviso shall apply to that Free Exchange
and this application shall be repeated until one reaches a Commission Share (or
portion thereof) which was issued by a Fund other than in a Free Exchange).
"Other Dividend" shall mean in respect of any Share, any Dividend paid
in respect of such Share other than a Capital Gain Dividend.
"Post-distributor Shares" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, all
Shares of such Fund the Month of Original Purchase of which occurs after the
Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date for such Fund.
"Program Agent" shall mean Citicorp North America, Inc., as Program
Agent under the Purchase Agreement, and its successors and assigns in such
capacity.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean that certain Purchase and Sale
Agreement dated as of May 31, 1995, among Keystone Investment Distributors
Company, as Seller, Citibank, N.A., as Purchaser, and Citicorp North America,
Inc., as Program Agent.
"Share" shall mean in respect of any Fund any share of the classes of
shares specified in Schedule II to the Irrevocable Payment Instruction opposite
the name of such Fund, as the same may be amended from time to time by notice
from the Distributor and the Program Agent to the Fund and the Transfer Agent;
provided, that such term shall include, after the Distributor Last Sale Cut-off
Date, a share of a new class of shares of such Fund: (i) with respect to each
record owner of Shares which is not treated in the records of each Transfer
Agent and Sub-transfer Agent for such Fund as an entirely separate and distinct
class of shares from the classes of shares specified Schedule II to the
Irrevocable Payment Instruction or (ii) the shares of which class may be
exchanged for shares of another Fund of the classes of shares specified on
Schedule II to the Irrevocable Payment Instruction of any class existing on or
prior to the Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date; or (iii) dividends on which can
be reinvested in shares of the classes specified on Schedule II to the
Irrevocable Payment Instruction under the automatic dividend reinvestment
options; or (iv) which is otherwise treated as though it were of the same class
as the class of shares specified on Schedule II to the Irrevocable Payment
Instruction.
"Shareholder Account" shall have the meaning set forth in clause (B)(1)
hereof.
"Special Free Share" shall mean, in respect of any Fund, a Share (other
than a Commission Share) issued by such Fund other than in connection with the
automatic reinvestment of Dividends and other than in connection with an
exchange whereby a Free Share (or portion thereof) of another Fund is redeemed
and the Net Asset Value of such redeemed Share (or portion thereof) is invested
in a Share (or portion thereof) of such Fund.
"Sub-shareholder Account" shall have the meaning set forth in clause
(B)(1) hereof.
"Sub-transfer Agent" shall mean, in respect of each Omnibus Account,
the record owner thereof.
(B) RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR EACH FUND AND
THE RECORD OWNER OF EACH OMNIBUS ACCOUNT:
The Transfer Agent shall maintain Shareholder Accounts, and shall cause
each record owner of each Omnibus Account to maintain Sub-shareholder Accounts,
each in accordance with the following rules:
(1) SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTS AND SUB-SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTS. The Transfer
Agent shall maintain a separate account (a "Shareholder Account") for each
record owner of Shares of each Fund. Each Shareholder Account (other than
Omnibus Accounts) will represent a record owner of Shares of such Fund, the
records of which will be kept in accordance with this Schedule I. In the case of
an Omnibus Account, the Transfer Agent shall require that the record owner of
the Omnibus Account maintain a separate account (a "Sub-shareholder Account")
for each record owner of Shares which are reflected in the Omnibus Account, the
records of which will be kept in accordance with this Schedule I. Each such
Shareholder Account and Sub-shareholder Account shall relate solely to Shares of
such Fund and shall not relate to any other class of shares of such Fund.
(2) COMMISSION SHARES. For each Shareholder Account (other than an
Omnibus Account), the Transfer Agent shall maintain daily records of each
Commission Share of such Fund which records shall identify each Commission Share
of such Fund reflected in such Shareholder Account by the Month of Original
Purchase of such Commission Share.
For each Omnibus Account, the Transfer Agent shall require that the
Sub-transfer Agent in respect thereof maintain daily records of such
Sub-shareholder Account which records shall identify each Commission Share of
such Fund reflected in such Sub-shareholder Account by the Month of Original
Purchase; provided, that until the Sub-transfer Agent in respect of the ML
Omnibus Account develops the data processing capability to conform to the
foregoing requirements, such Sub-transfer Agent shall maintain daily records of
Sub-shareholder Accounts which identify each Commission Share of such Fund
reflected in such Sub-shareholder Account by the Date of Original Purchase. Each
such Commission Share shall be identified as either a Distributor Share or a
Post-distributor Share based upon the Month of Original Purchase of such
Commission Share (or in the case of a Sub-shareholder Account within the ML
Omnibus Account, based upon the Date of Original Purchase).
(3) FREE SHARES. The Transfer Agent shall maintain daily records of
each Shareholder Account (other than an Omnibus Account) in respect of any Fund
so as to identify each Free Share (including each Special Free Share) reflected
in such Shareholder Account by the Month of Original Purchase of such Free
Share. In addition, the Transfer Agent shall require that each Shareholder
Account (other than an Omnibus Account) have in effect separate elections
relating to reinvestment of Capital Gain Dividends and relating to reinvestment
of Other Dividends in respect of any Fund. Either such Shareholder Account shall
have elected to reinvest all Capital Gain Dividends or such Shareholder Account
shall have elected to have all Capital Gain Dividends distributed. Similarly,
either such Shareholder Account shall have elected to reinvest all Other
Dividends or such Shareholder Account shall have elected to have all Other
Dividends distributed.
The Transfer Agent shall require that the Sub-transfer Agent in respect
of each Omnibus Account maintain daily records for each Sub-shareholder Account
in the manner described in the immediately preceding paragraph for Shareholder
Accounts (other than Omnibus Accounts); provided, that until the Sub-transfer
Agent in respect of the ML Omnibus Account develops the data processing
capability to conform to the foregoing requirements, such Sub-transfer Agent
shall not be obligated to conform to the foregoing requirements. Each
Sub-shareholder Account shall also have in effect Dividend reinvestment
elections as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The Transfer Agent and each Sub-transfer Agent in respect of an Omnibus
Account shall identify each Free Share as either a Distributor Share or a
Post-distributor Share based upon the Month of Original Purchase of such Free
Share; provided, that until the Sub-transfer Agent in respect of the ML Omnibus
Account develops the data processing capability to conform to the foregoing
requirements, the Transfer Agent shall require such Sub-transfer Agent to
identify each Free Share of a given Fund in the ML Omnibus Account as a
Distributor Share, or Post-distributor Share, as follows:
(a) Free Shares of such Fund which are outstanding on the Distributor
Last Sale Cut-off Date for such Fund shall be identified as
Distributor Shares.
(b) Free Shares of such Fund which are issued (whether or not in
connection with an exchange for a Free Share of another Fund) to the
ML Omnibus Account during any calendar month (or portion thereof)
after the Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date for such Fund shall be
identified as Distributor Shares in a number computed as follows:
A X (B/C)
where:
A = Free Shares of such Fund issued to the ML Omnibus Account
during such calendar month (or portion thereof)
B = Number of Commission Shares and Free Shares of such Fund in
the ML Omnibus Account identified as Distributor Shares and
outstanding as of the close of business in the last day of the
immediately preceding calendar month (or portion thereof)
C = Total number of Commission Shares and Free Shares of such Fund
in the ML Omnibus Account and outstanding as of the close of
business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar
month (or portion thereof).
(c) Free Shares of such Fund which are issued (whether or not in
connection with an exchange for a free share of another Fund) to the
ML Omnibus Account during any calendar month (or portion thereof)
after the Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date for such Fund shall be
identified as Post-distributor Shares in a number computed as
follows:
(A X (B/C)
where:
A = Free Shares of such Fund issued to the ML Omnibus Account
during such calendar month (or portion thereof)
B = Number of Commission Shares and Free Shares of such Fund in
the ML Omnibus Account identified as Post-distributor Shares and
outstanding as of the close of business in the last day of the
immediately preceding calendar month (or portion thereof)
C = Total number of Commission Shares and Free Shares of such Fund
in the ML Omnibus Account and outstanding as of the close of
business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar
month (or portion thereof).
(d) Free Shares of such Fund which are redeemed (whether or not in
connection with an exchange for Free Shares of another Fund or in
connection with the conversion of such Shares into a Class A Share
of such Fund) from the ML Omnibus Account in any calendar month (or
portion thereof) after the Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date for
such Fund shall be identified as Distributor Shares in a number
computed as follows:
A X (B/C)
Where:
A = Free Shares of such Fund which are redeemed (whether or not in
connection with an exchange for Free Shares of another Fund or
in connection with the conversion of such Shares into a class A
share of such Fund) from the ML Omnibus Account during such
calendar month (or portion thereof)
B = Free Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account identified
as Distributor Shares and outstanding as of the close of
business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar
month.
C = Total number of Free Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus
Account and outstanding as of the close of business on the last
day of the immediately preceding calendar month.
(e) Free Shares of such Fund which are redeemed (whether or not in
connection with an exchange for Free Shares of another Fund or in
connection with the conversion of such Shares into a class A share
of such Fund) from the ML Omnibus Account in any calendar month (or
portion thereof) after the Distributor Last Sale Cut-off Date for
such Fund shall be identified as Post-distributor Shares in a number
computed as follows:
A X (B/C)
where:
A = Free Shares of such Fund which are redeemed (whether or not in
connection with an exchange for Free Shares of another Fund or
in connection with the conversion of such Shares into a class A
share of such Fund) from the ML Omnibus Account during such
calendar month (or portion thereof)
B = Free Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account identified
as Post-distributor Shares and outstanding as of the close of
business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar
month.
C = Total number of Free Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus
Account and outstanding as of the close of business on the last
day of the immediately preceding calendar month.
(4) APPRECIATION AMOUNT AND COST ACCUMULATION AMOUNT. The Transfer
Agent shall maintain on a daily basis in respect of each Shareholder Account
(other than Omnibus Accounts) a Cost Accumulation Amount representing the total
of the Original Purchase Amounts paid by such Shareholder Account for all
Commission Shares reflected in such Shareholder Account as of the close of
business on each day. In addition, the Transfer Agent shall maintain on a daily
basis in respect of each Shareholder Account (other than Omnibus Accounts)
sufficient records to enable it to compute, as of the date of any actual or
deemed redemption or Free Exchange of a Commission Share reflected in such
Shareholder Account an amount (such amount an "Appreciation Amount") equal to
the excess, if any, of the Net Asset Value as of the close of business on such
day of the Commission Shares reflected in such Shareholder Account minus the
Cost Accumulation Amount as of the close of business on such day. In the event
that a Commission Share (or portion thereof) reflected in a Shareholder Account
is redeemed or under these rules is deemed to have been redeemed (whether in a
Free Exchange or otherwise), the Appreciation Amount for such Shareholder
Account shall be reduced, to the extent thereof, by the Net Asset Value of the
Commission Share (or portion thereof) redeemed, and if the Net Asset Value of
the Commission Share (or portion thereof) being redeemed equals or exceeds the
Appreciation Amount, the Cost Accumulation Amount will be reduced to the extent
thereof, by such excess. If the Appreciation Amount for such Shareholder Account
immediately prior to any redemption of a Commission Share (or portion thereof)
is equal to or greater than the Net Asset Value of such Commission Share (or
portion thereof) deemed to have been tendered for redemption, no CDSCs will be
payable in respect of such Commission Share (or portion thereof).
The Transfer Agent shall require that the Sub-transfer Agent in respect
of each Omnibus Account maintain on a daily basis in respect of each
Sub-shareholder Account reflected in such Omnibus Account a Cost Accumulation
Amount and sufficient records to enable it to compute, as of the date of any
actual or deemed redemption or Free Exchange of a Commission Share reflected in
such Sub-shareholder Account an Appreciation Amount in accordance with the
preceding paragraph and to apply the same to determine whether a CDSC is payable
(as though such Sub-shareholder Account were a Shareholder Account other than an
Omnibus Account; provided, that until the Sub-transfer Agent in respect of the
ML Omnibus Account develops the data processing capability to conform to the
foregoing requirements, such Sub-transfer Agent shall maintain for each
Sub-shareholder Account a separate Cost Accumulation Amount and a separate
Appreciation Amount for each Date of Original Purchase of any Commission Share
which shall be applied as set forth in the preceding paragraph as if each Date
of Original Purchase were a separate Month of Original Purchase.
(5) NASD CAP. On the date the distribution fees paid in respect of any
class of Shares equals the maximum amount thereon under the Rules of Fair
Practice, in respect of such class, all outstanding Shares of such class of such
Fund shall be converted into Class A shares of such Fund and will be deemed to
have been redeemed for their Net Asset Value for purposes of this Schedule I.
(6) IDENTIFICATION OF REDEEMED SHARES. If a Shareholder Account (other
than an Omnibus Account) tenders a Share of a Fund for redemption (other than in
connection with an exchange of such Share for a Share of another Fund or in
connection with the conversion of such Share pursuant to a Conversion Feature),
such tendered Share will be deemed to be a Free Share if there are any Free
Shares reflected in such Shareholder Account immediately prior to such tender.
If there is more than one Free Share reflected in such Shareholder Account
immediately prior to such tender, such tendered Share will be deemed to be the
Free Share with the earliest Month of Original Purchase. If there are no Free
Shares reflected in such Shareholder Account immediately prior to such tender,
such tendered Share will be deemed to be the Commission Share with the earliest
Month of Original Purchase reflected in such Shareholder Account.
If a Sub-shareholder Account reflected in an Omnibus Account tenders a
Share for redemption (other than in connection with an Exchange of such Share
for a Share of another Fund or in connection with the conversion of such Share
pursuant to a Conversion Feature), the Transfer Agent shall require that the
record owner of each Omnibus Account supply the Transfer Agent sufficient
records to enable the Transfer Agent to apply the rules of the preceding
paragraph to such Sub-shareholder Account (as though such Sub-shareholder
Account were a Shareholder Account other than an Omnibus Account); provided,
that until the Sub-transfer Agent in respect of the ML Omnibus Account develops
the data processing capability to conform to the foregoing requirements, such
Sub-transfer Agent shall not be required to conform to the foregoing rules
regarding Free Shares (and the Transfer Agent shall account for such Free Shares
as provided in (3) above) but shall apply the foregoing rules to each Commission
Share with respect to the Date of Original Purchase of any Commission Share as
though each such Date were a separate Month of Original Purchase.
(7) IDENTIFICATION OF EXCHANGED SHARES. When a Shareholder Account
(other than an Omnibus Account) tenders Shares of one Fund (the "Redeeming
Fund") for redemption where the proceeds of such redemption are to be
automatically reinvested in shares of another Fund (the "Issuing Fund") to
effect an exchange (whether or not pursuant to a Free Exchange) into Shares of
the Issuing Fund: (1) such Shareholder Account will be deemed to have tendered
Shares (or portions thereof) of the Redeeming Fund with each Month of Original
Purchase represented by Shares of the Redeeming Fund reflected in such
Shareholder Account immediately prior to such tender in the same proportion that
the number of Shares of the redeeming Fund with such Month of Original Purchase
reflected in such Shareholder immediately prior to such tender bore to the total
number of Shares of the Redeeming Fund reflected in such Shareholder Account
immediately prior to such tender, and on that basis the tendered Shares of the
Redeeming Fund will be identified as Distributor Shares or Post-distributor
Shares; (2) such Shareholder Account will be deemed to have tendered Commission
Shares (or portions thereof) and Free Shares (or portions thereof) of the
Redeeming Fund of each category (i.e., Distributor Shares or Post-distributor
Shares) in the same proportion that the number of Commission Shares or Free
Shares (as the case may be) of the Redeeming Fund in such category reflected in
such Shareholder Account bore to the total number of Shares of the Redeeming
Fund in such category reflected in such Shareholder Account immediately prior to
such tender, (3) the Shares (or portions thereof) of the Issuing Fund issued in
connection with such exchange will be deemed to have the same Months of Original
Purchase as the Shares (or portions thereof) of the Redeeming Fund so tendered
and will be categorized as Distributor Shares and Post-distributor Shares
accordingly, and (4) the Shares (or portions thereof) of each Category of the
Issuing Fund issued in connection with such exchange will be deemed to be
Commission Shares and Free Shares in the same proportion that the Shares of such
Category of the Redeeming Fund were Commission Shares and Free Shares.
The Transfer Agent shall require that each record owner of an Omnibus
Account maintain records relating to each Sub-shareholder Account in such
Omnibus Account sufficient to apply the foregoing rules to each such
Sub-shareholder Account (as though such Sub-shareholder Account were a
Shareholder Account other than an Omnibus Account); provided, that until the
Sub-transfer Agent in respect of the ML Omnibus Account develops the data
processing capability to conform to the foregoing requirements, such
Sub-transfer Agent shall not be required to conform to the foregoing rules
relating to Free Shares (and the Sub-transfer Agent shall account for such Free
Shares as provided in (3) above) and shall apply a first-in-first-out procedure
(based upon the Date of Original Purchase) to determine which Commission Shares
(or portions thereof) of a Redeeming Fund were redeemed in connection with an
exchange.
(8) IDENTIFICATION OF CONVERTED SHARES. The Transfer Agent records
maintained for each Shareholder Account (other than an Omnibus Account) will
treat each Commission Share of a Fund as though it were redeemed at its Net
Asset Value on the date such Commission Share converts into a class A share of
such Fund in accordance with an applicable Conversion Feature applied with
reference to its Month of Original Purchase and will treat each Free Share of
such Fund with a given Month of Original Purchase as though it were redeemed at
its Net Asset Value when it is simultaneously converted to a class A share at
the time the Commission Shares of such Fund with such Month of Original Purchase
are so converted.
The Transfer Agent shall require that each record owner of an Omnibus
Account maintain records relating to each Sub-shareholder Account in such
Omnibus Account sufficient to apply the foregoing rules to each such
Sub-shareholder Account (as though such Sub-shareholder Account were a
Shareholder Account other than an Omnibus Account) ; provided, that until the
Sub-transfer Agent in respect of the ML Omnibus Account develops the data
processing capability to conform to the foregoing requirements, such
Sub-transfer Agent shall apply the foregoing rules to Commission Shares with
reference to the Date of Original Issue of each Commission Share (as though each
such date were a separate Month of Original Issue) and shall not be required to
apply the foregoing rules to Free Shares (and the Sub-transfer Agent shall
account for such Free Shares as provided in (3) above).
(C) ALLOCATIONS OF ASSET BASED SALE CHARGES AND CDSCS AMONG DISTRIBUTOR
SHARES AND POST-DISTRIBUTOR SHARES:
The Transfer Agent shall use the following rules to allocate the
amounts of Asset Based Sales Charges and CDSCs payable by each Fund in respect
of Shares between Distributor Shares and Post-distributor Shares:
(1) RECEIVABLES CONSTITUTING CDSCS: CDSCs will be treated as relating
to Distributor Shares or Post-distributor Shares depending upon the Month of
Original Purchase of the Commission Share the redemption of which gives rise to
the payment of a CDSC by a Shareholder Account.
The Transfer Agent shall cause each Sub-transfer Agent to apply the
foregoing rule to each Sub-shareholder Account based on the records maintained
by such Sub-transfer Agent; provided, that until the Sub-transfer Agent in
respect of the ML Omnibus Account develops the data processing capability to
conform to the foregoing requirements, such Sub-transfer Agent shall apply the
foregoing rules to each Sub-shareholder Account with respect to the Date of
Original Purchase of any Commission Share as though each such date were a
separate Month of Original Purchase.
(2) RECEIVABLES CONSTITUTING ASSET BASED SALES CHARGES:
The Asset Based Sales Charges accruing in respect of each Shareholder
Account (other than an Omnibus Account) shall be allocated to each Share
reflected in such Shareholder Account as of the close of business on such day on
an equal per share basis. For example, the Asset Based Sales Charges
attributable to Distributor Shares on any day shall be computed and allocated as
follows:
A X (B/C)
where:
A = Total amount of Asset Based Sales Charge accrued in respect of
such Shareholder Account (other than an Omnibus Account) on such
day.
B = Number of Distributor Shares reflected in such Shareholder
Account (other than an Omnibus Account) on the close of business
on such day
C = Total number of Distributor Shares and Post-Distributor Shares
reflected in such Shareholder Account (other than an Omnibus
Account) and outstanding as of the close of business on such
day.
The Portion of the Asset Based Sales Charges of such Fund accruing in respect of
such Shareholder Account for such day allocated to Post-distributor Shares will
be obtained using the same formula but substituting for "B" the number of
Post-distributor Shares, as the case may be, reflected in such Shareholder
Account and outstanding on the close of business on such day. The foregoing
allocation formula may be adjusted from time to time by notice to the Fund and
the transfer agent for the Fund from the Seller and the Program Agent pursuant
to Section 8.18 of the Purchase Agreement.
The Transfer Agent shall, based on the records maintained by the record
owner of such Omnibus Account, allocate the Asset Based Sales Charge accruing in
respect of each Omnibus Account on each day among all Sub-shareholder Accounts
reflected in such Omnibus Account on an equal per share basis based upon the
total number of Distributor Shares and Post-distributor Shares reflected in each
such Sub-shareholder Account as of the close of business on such day. In
addition, the Transfer Agent shall apply the foregoing rules to each
Sub-shareholder Account (as though it were a Shareholder Account other than an
Omnibus Account), based on the records maintained by the record owner, to
allocate the Asset Based Sales Charge so allocated to any Sub-shareholder
Account among the Distributor Shares and Post-distributor Shares reflected in
each such Sub-shareholder Account in accordance with the rules set forth in the
preceding paragraph; provided, that until the Sub-transfer Agent in respect of
the ML Omnibus Account develops the data processing capacity to apply the rules
of this Schedule I as applicable to Sub-shareholder Accounts other than ML
Omnibus Accounts, the Transfer Agent shall allocate the Asset Based Sales Charge
accruing in respect of Shares of any Fund in the ML Omnibus Account during any
calendar month (or portion thereof) among Distributor Shares and
Post-distributor Shares as follows:
(a) The portion of such Asset Based Sales Charge allocable to
Distributor Shares shall be computed as follows:
A X ((B + C)/2)
-----------
((D + E)/2)
where:
A = Total amount of Asset Based Sales Charge accrued during such
calendar month (or portion thereof) in respect of Shares of such
Fund in the ML Omnibus Account
B = Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account and identified as
Distributor Shares and outstanding as of the close of business
on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month (or
portion thereof), times Net Asset Value per Share as of such
time
C = Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account and identified as
Distributor Shares and outstanding as of the close of business
on the last day of such calendar month (or portion thereof),
times Net Asset Value per Share as of such time
D = Total number of Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account
and outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of
the immediately preceding calendar month (or portion thereof),
times Net Asset Value per Share as of such time.
E = Total number of Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account
and outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of
such calendar month (or portion thereof), times Net Asset Value
per Share as of such time.
(b) The portion of such Asset Based Sales Charge allocable to
Post-distributor Shares shall be computed s follows:
A X ((B + C)/2)
-----------
((D + E)/2)
where:
A = Total amount of Asset Based Sales Charge accrued during such
calendar month (or portion thereof) in respect of Shares of such
Fund in the ML Omnibus Account
B = Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account and identified as
Post-distributor Shares and outstanding as of the close of
business on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar
month (or portion thereof), times Net Asset Value per Share as
of such time
C = Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account and identified as
Post-distributor Shares and outstanding as of the close of
business on the last day of such calendar month (or portion
thereof), times Net Asset Value per Share as of such time
D = Total number of Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account
and outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of
the immediately preceding calendar month (or portion thereof),
times Net Asset Value per Share as of such time.
E = Total number of Shares of such Fund in the ML Omnibus Account
outstanding as of the close of business on the last day of such
calendar month, times Net Asset Value per Share as of such time.
(3) PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF EACH FUND.
On the close of business on each day the Transfer Agent shall cause payment to
be made of the amount of the Asset Based Sales Charge and CDSCs accruing on such
day in respect of the Shares of such Fund owned of record by Shareholder
Accounts (other than Omnibus Accounts) by two separate wire transfers, directly
from accounts of such Fund as follows:
1. The Asset Based Sales Charge and CDSCs accruing in respect of
Shareholder Accounts other than Omnibus Accounts and allocable to
Distributor Shares in accordance with the preceding rules shall be paid
to the Distributor's Account, unless the Distributor otherwise
instructs the Fund in any irrevocable payment instruction; and
2. The Asset Based Sales Charges and CDSCs accruing in respect of
Shareholder Accounts other than Omnibus Accounts and allocable to
Post-distributor Shares in accordance with the preceding rules shall be
paid in accordance with direction received from any future distributor
of Shares of the Instant Fund.
On each Omnibus CDSC Settlement Date, the Transfer Agent for each Fund
shall cause the applicable Sub-transfer Agent to cause payment to be made of the
amount of the CDSCs accruing during the period to which such Omnibus CDSC
Settlement Date relates in respect of the Shares of such Fund owned of record by
each Omnibus Account by two separate wire transfers directly from the account of
such Fund maintained by such Transfer Agent, as follows:
1. The CDSCs accruing in respect of such Omnibus Account and allocable
to Distributor Shares in accordance with the preceding rules shall be paid to
the Distributor's Account, unless the Distributor otherwise instructs the Fund
in any irrevocable payment instruction; and
2. The CDSCs accruing in respect of such Omnibus Account and allocable
to Post-distributor Shares in accordance with the preceding rules shall be paid
in accordance with direction received from any future distributor of Shares of
the Instant Fund.
On each Omnibus Asset Based Sales Charge Settlement Date the Transfer
Agent for each Fund shall cause payment to be made of the amount of the Asset
Based Sales Charge accruing for the period to which such Omnibus Asset Based
Sales Charge Settlement Date relates in respect of the Shares of such Fund owned
of record by each Omnibus Account by two separate wire transfers directly from
accounts of such Fund as follows:
1. The Asset Based Sales Charge accruing in respect of such Omnibus
Account and allocable to Distributor Shares shall be paid to the Distributor's
Collection Account, unless the Distributor otherwise instructs the Fund in any
irrevocable payment instruction; and
2. The Asset Based Sales Charge accruing in respect of such Omnibus
Account and allocable to Post-Distributor Shares shall be paid in accordance
with direction received from any future distributor of Shares of the Instant
Fund.
#101606a7
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(6)(B)
[Logo]
KEYSTONE Dealer No. _____________________________
I N V E S T M E N T S (Please indicate Exchange Membership(s),
if any.) _______________________________
200 Berkeley Street ________________________________________
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
Effective Date _________________________
CLASS A AND B SHARES
To Whom It May Concern:
Keystone Investment Distributors Company ("the Company"), principal
underwriter, invites you to participate in the distribution of shares of the
Keystone Fund Family, Classes A and B shares of the Keystone America Fund Family
and other Funds ("Funds") designated by us which are currently or hereafter
underwritten by the Company, subject to the following terms:
1. In the distribution and sale of shares, you shall not have authority to act
as agent for the issuer, the Company or any other dealer in any respect in such
transactions. All orders are subject to acceptance by us and become effective
only upon confirmation by us. The Company reserves the unqualified right not to
accept any specific order for the purchase or exchange of shares.
2. You will offer and sell shares of the Funds other than Class A shares of the
Keystone America Funds only at their respective net asset values in accordance
with the terms and conditions of a current prospectus of the Fund whose shares
you offer. With respect to Class A shares of the Keystone America Funds and
other Funds designated by us, you will offer and sell such shares at the public
offering price described in a current prospectus of the Fund whose shares you
offer. You will offer shares only on a forward pricing basis, i.e. orders for
the purchase or repurchase of shares accepted by you prior to the close of the
New York Stock Exchange and placed with us the same day prior to the close of
our business day, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and orders to exchange shares of one
Fund for shares of another Fund eligible for exchange placed with us prior to
3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, shall be confirmed at the closing price for that
business day. You agree to place orders for shares only with us and at such
closing price. You further agree to confirm the transaction with your customer
at the price confirmed in writing by us. In the event of a difference between
verbal and written price confirmations, the written confirmations shall be
considered final. Prices of the Funds' shares are computed by and are subject to
withdrawal by the Funds in accordance with their current respective
prospectuses. You agree to place orders with us only through your central order
department unless we accept your written Power of Attorney authorizing others to
place orders on your behalf.
3. So long as this agreement remains in effect, we will pay you commissions on
sales of shares of the Funds and service fees, all in accordance with the
Schedule of Commissions and Service Fees ("Schedule") attached hereto and made a
part hereof, effective June 1, 1995, which Schedule may be modified from time to
time or rescinded by us, in either case without prior notice. You shall have no
vested right to receive any continuing service fees, other fees, or other
commissions which we may elect to pay to you from time to time on shares
previously sold by you. You agree not to share or rebate any portion of such
commissions or to otherwise grant any concessions, discounts or other allowances
to any person who is not a broker or dealer actually engaged in the investment
banking or securities business. You will receive commissions in accordance with
the attached Schedule on all purchase transactions in shareholder accounts
(excluding reinvestment of income dividends and capital gains distributions) for
which you are designated as Dealer of Record except where we determine that any
such purchase was made with the proceeds of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the same Fund or another Fund whether or not the transaction constitutes the
exercise of the exchange privilege. Commissions will be paid to you twice a
month.
You hereby authorize us to act as your agent in connection with all
transactions in shareholder accounts in which you are designated as Dealer of
Record. All designations of Dealer of Record and all authorizations of the
Company to act as your Agent shall cease upon the termination of this Agreement,
or upon the shareholder's instruction to transfer his or her account to another
Dealer of Record.
4. Payment for all shares purchased from us shall be made to the Company and
shall be received by the Company within ten business days after the acceptance
of your order or such shorter time as may be required by law. If such payment is
not received by us, we reserve the right, without prior notice, forthwith to
cancel the sale, or, at our option, to sell the shares ordered by you back to
the Fund concerned in which latter case we may hold you responsible for any
loss, including loss of profit, suffered by us or by the Fund resulting from
your failure to make payment as aforesaid.
5. You agree to purchase shares of the Funds only from us or from your
customers. If you purchase shares from us, you agree that all such purchases
shall be made only to cover orders already received by you from your customers,
or for your own bonafide investment without a view to resale. If you purchase
shares from your customers, you agree to pay such customers the applicable net
asset value per share less any contingent deferred sales charge that would be
applicable if such shares were then tendered for redemption in accordance with
the then current applicable prospectus ("repurchase price").
6. You will sell shares only --
(a) to your clients at the prices described in paragraph 2 above; or
(b) to us as agent for the Funds at the repurchase price. In such a
sale to us, you may act either as principal for your own account or as
agent for your customer. If you act as principal for your own account
in purchasing shares for resale to us, you agree to pay your customer
not less than nor more than the repurchase price which you receive
from us. If you act as agent for your customer in selling shares to
us, you agree not to charge your customer more than a fair commission
for handling the transaction.
7. You shall not withhold placing with us orders received from your customers so
as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding.
8. We will not accept from you any conditional orders for shares.
9. If any shares sold to you under the terms of this agreement are repurchased
by a Fund, or are tendered for redemption, within seven business days after the
date of our confirmation of the original purchase by you, it is agreed that you
shall forfeit your right to any commissions on such sales even though the
shareholder may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge by the Fund.
We will notify you of any such repurchase or redemption within the next ten
business days after the date on which the certificate or written request for
redemption is delivered to us or to the Fund, and you shall forthwith refund to
us the full amount of any commission you received on such sale. We agree, in the
event of any such repurchase or redemption, to refund to the Fund any commission
we retained on such sale and, upon receipt from you of the commissions paid to
you, to pay such commissions forthwith to the Fund.
10. Shares sold to you hereunder shall not be issued in certificate form or
otherwise until payment has been received by the Fund concerned. If transfer
instructions are not received from you within 15 days after our acceptance of
your order, the Company reserves the right to instruct the transfer agent for
the Fund concerned to register a certificate for the shares sold to you in your
name and forward such certificate to you. You agree to hold harmless and
indemnify the Company, the Fund and its transfer agent for any loss or expense
resulting from such registration.
11. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning shares of the
Funds except those contained in the current applicable prospectuses and in sales
literature issued by us supplemental to such prospectuses. In purchasing shares
from us you shall rely solely on the representations contained in the
appropriate prospectus and in such sales literature. We will furnish additional
copies of the current prospectuses and such sales literature and other releases
and information issued by us in reasonable quantities upon request. You agree
that you will in all respects duly conform with all laws and regulations
applicable to the sale of shares of the Funds and will indemnify and hold
harmless the Funds, their directors and trustees and the Company from any damage
or expenses on account of any wrongful act by you, your representatives, agents
or sub-agents in connection with any orders or solicitation of orders of shares
of the Funds by you, your representatives, agents or sub-agents.
12. Each party hereto represents that it is a member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and agrees to notify the other should it cease to
be a member of such Association and agrees to the automatic termination of this
agreement at that time. It is further agreed that all rules or regulations of
said Association now in effect or hereafter adopted, which are binding upon
underwriters and dealers in the distribution of the securities of open-end
investment companies, shall be deemed to be a part of this agreement to the same
extent as if set forth in full herein.
13. You will not offer the Funds for sale in any State where they are not
qualified for sale under the Blue Sky Laws and regulations of such State or
where you are not qualified to act as a dealer, except for States in which they
are exempt from qualification.
14. This agreement supersedes and cancels any prior agreement with respect to
the sales of shares of any of the Funds underwritten by the Company and the
Company reserves the right to amend this agreement at any time and from time to
time.
15. This agreement shall be effective upon acceptance by us in Boston,
Massachusetts and all sales hereunder are to be made, and title to shares of the
Funds shall pass, in Boston. This agreement is made in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of
Massachusetts.
16. All communications to the Company should be sent to the above address. Any
notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the address
specified by you below.
17. Either party may terminate this agreement at any time by written notice to
the other party.
Signed: Accepted:
Boston, MA (USA) as of June 1, 1995
- ----------------------------------- ------------
Dealer or Broker Name
- ----------------------------------- KEYSTONE INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS COMPANY
Address 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5034
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Authorized Signature Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
[Logo]
KEYSTONE
I N V E S T M E N T S
Keystone Investment Distributors Company
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034 Ralph J. Spuehler, Jr.
President
June 1, 1995
Dear Financial Professional:
This Schedule of Commissions and Service Fees ("Schedule") supersedes any
previous Schedules and is hereby made part of our Dealer Agreement with you
("Dealer Agreement") and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by
us. All commission rates and service fee rates set forth in this Schedule may be
modified by us from time to time without prior notice.
1. KEYSTONE FUND FAMILY
KEYSTONE QUALITY BOND FUND (B-1)
KEYSTONE DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND (B-2)
KEYSTONE HIGH INCOME BOND FUND (B-4)
KEYSTONE BALANCED FUND (K-1)
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND (K-2)
KEYSTONE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND (S-1)
KEYSTONE MID-CAP GROWTH FUND (S-3)
KEYSTONE SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND (S-4)
KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND INC.
KEYSTONE PRECIOUS METALS HOLDINGS, INC.
KEYSTONE TAX EXEMPT TRUST AND
KEYSTONE TAX FREE FUND
1. COMMISSIONS (FOR SECTION I FUNDS EXCEPT KEYSTONE PRECIOUS METALS HOLDINGS,
INC., KEYSTONE TAX EXEMPT TRUST AND KEYSTONE TAX FREE FUND*)
Except as otherwise provided for in our Dealer Agreement, we will pay you
commission on sales of shares of the Funds (other than Keystone Precious Metals
Holdings, Inc., Keystone Tax Exempt Trust and Keystone Tax Free Fund) at the
rate of 4.0% of the aggregate net asset value of such shares sold in each
eligible sale.
2. COMMISSIONS FOR KEYSTONE PRECIOUS METALS HOLDINGS, INC.
Except as otherwise provided for in our Dealer Agreement, we will pay you
commissions on sales of shares of Keystone Precious Metals Holdings, Inc. as
follows:
AMOUNT OF SALE COMMISSION
Less than $100,000 4.0%
$ 100,000-S249,999 2.0%
$250,000-$499,999 1.0%
$500,000 and above 0.5%
3. COMMISSIONS FOR KEYSTONE TAX EXEMPT TRUST AND KEYSTONE TAX FREE FUND
Except as otherwise provided for in our Dealer Agreement, we will pay you
commissions on sales of shares of Keystone Tax Exempt Trust and Keystone Tax
Free Fund at the rate of 3.0% of the aggregate net asset value of such shares
sold in each eligible sale.
4. SERVICE FEES
We will also pay you service fees based on the aggregate net asset value of
shares of the Funds (other than Keystone Precious Metals Holdings, Inc.) you
have sold on or after June 1, 1983 and of Keystone Precious Metals Holdings,
Inc. you have sold on or after November 19, 1984, which remain issued and
outstanding on the books of the Funds on the fifteenth day of the third month of
each calendar quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each
hereinafter a "Service Fee Record Date") and which are registered in the names
of clients for whom you are dealer of record ("Eligible Shares"). Such service
fees will be calculated quarterly at the rate of 0.0625% per quarter of the
aggregate net asset value of all such Eligible Shares (approximately 0.25%
annually) on the Service Fee Record Date; provided, however, that in any
calendar quarter in which services fees earned by you on Eligible Shares of all
Keystone Investments Funds (except Keystone Liquid Trust Class A shares) are
less than $50.00 in the aggregate, no service fees will be paid to you nor will
such amounts be carried over for payment in a future quarter. Service fees will
be payable within 90 days after the Service Fee Record Date. Service fees will
only be paid by us to the extent that such amounts have been paid to us by the
Funds.
* Shares of Keystone Tax Free Fund are not continuously available for sales to
persons who are not existing shareholders of the Fund.
<PAGE>
II. KEYSTONE AMERICA FAMILY AND KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST
CLASS A SHARES
1. COMMISSIONS
Except as otherwise provided either in our Dealer Agreement, or in
Paragraph 2 below, or in connection with certain types of purchases at net asset
value which are described in the prospectuses for the Funds, we will pay you
commissions on your sales of shares of the Funds in accordance with the
following sales charge schedules* on sales where we receive a commission from
the shareholder:
KEYSTONE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
KEYSTONE INTERMEDIATE TERM BOND FUND
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES II
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE TAX FREE INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE WORLD BOND FUND
AMOUNT SALES CHARGE AS COMMISSION AS
OF A PERCENTAGE OF A PERCENTAGE OF
PURCHASE OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE
Less than $100,000 4.75% 4.25%
$100,000-$249,999 3.75% 3.25%
$250,000-$499,999 2.50% 2.25%
$500,000-$999,999 1.50% 1.50%
KEYSTONE FUND FOR TOTAL RETURN
KEYSTONE FUND OF THE AMERICAS
KEYSTONE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
KEYSTONE AMERICA HARTWELL EMERGING GROWTH FUND, INC.
KEYSTONE HARTWELL GROWTH FUND
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
KEYSTONE AMERICA OMEGA FUND, INC.
AMOUNT SALES CHARGE AS COMMISSION AS
OF A PERCENTAGE OF A PERCENTAGE OF
PURCHASE OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE
Less than $50,000 5.75% 5.25%
$50,000-$99,999 4.75% 4.25%
$100,000-$249,999 3.75% 3.25%
$250,000-$499,999 2.50% 2.25%
$500,000-$999,999 1.50% 1.50%
KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION AND INCOME FUND
AMOUNT SALES CHARGE AS COMMISSION AS
OF A PERCENTAGE OF A PERCENTAGE OF
PURCHASE OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE
Less than $100,000 3.00% 3.00%
$100,000-$249,999 2.50% 2.50%
$250,000-$499,999 1.50% 1.50%
$500,000-$999,999 1.00% 1.00%
* These sales charge schedules apply to purchases made at one time or pursuant
to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent. Any purchase which is made
pursuant to Rights of Accumulation or Letters of Intent is subject to the
terms described in the then current prospectus for the Fund whose shares are
being purchased.
2. COMMISSIONS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF PURCHASES
With respect to (a) purchases of Class A shares in the amount of $1 million
or more and/or (b) purchases of Class A shares made by a corporate qualified
retirement plan or non-qualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by a
corporation having 100 or more eligible employees (a "Qualifying Plan"), (each
such purchase an "NAV Purchase"), we will pay you commissions based on (1) the
investor's cumulative purchases during the one-year period beginning with the
date of the initial NAV Purchase and (2) the investor's cumulative purchases
during each subsequent one-year period beginning with the first NAV Purchase
following the end of the prior period. For such purchases, commissions will be
paid as follows:
KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION AND INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
KEYSTONE INTERMEDIATE TERM BOND FUND
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES II
COMMISSION AS A PERCENTAGE AMOUNT OF
OF OFFERING PRICE PURCHASE
0.50% of the investment amount $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 plus
0.25% of amounts equal to or over $5,000,000
ALL OTHER KEYSTONE AMERICA FUNDS
COMMISSION AS A PERCENTAGE AMOUNT OF
OF OFFERING PRICE PURCHASE
1.00% of the investment amount $1,000,000 - $2,999,999 plus
0.50% of the investment amount $3,000,000 - 4,999,000 plus
0.25% of amounts equal to or over $5,000,000
3. PROMOTIONAL INCENTIVES
We may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including
reallowance of up to the entire sales charge to certain dealers whose
representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of Fund
shares, and who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in
additional commissions.
4. SERVICE FEES FOR KEYSTONE AMERICA FUNDS (OTHER THAN KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE
FUND, KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES 11 AND KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST)
We will also pay you service fees based on the aggregate net asset value of
shares of the Funds you have sold which remain issued and outstanding on the
books of the Funds on the fifteenth day of the third month of each calendar
quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each hereinafter a
"Service Fee Record Date") and which are registered in the names of clients for
whom you are dealer of record ("Eligible Shares"). Such service fees will be
calculated quarterly at the rate of 0.0625% per quarter of the aggregate net
asset value of all such Eligible Shares (approximately 0.25% annually) on the
Service Fee Record Date; provided, however, that in any calendar quarter in
which total service fees earned by you on Eligible Shares of all Keystone
Investments Funds (except Keystone Liquid Trust Class A shares) are less than
$50.00 in the aggregate, no service fees will be paid to you nor will such
amounts be carried over for payment in a future quarter. Service fees will be
paid within 90 days after the Service Fee Record Date. Service fees will only be
paid by us to the extent that such amounts have been paid to us by the Funds.
5. SERVICE FEES FOR KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND AND KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE
FUND - SERIES - II
We will also pay you service fees based on the aggregate net asset value of
shares of the Funds you have sold which remain issued and outstanding on the
books of the Funds on the fifteenth day of the third month of each calendar
quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each hereinafter a
"Service Fee Record Date") and which are registered in the names of clients for
whom you are dealer of record ("Eligible Shares"). Such service fees will be
calculated quarterly at the rate of 0.0375% per quarter of the aggregate net
asset value of all such Eligible Shares (approximately 0. 15% annually) on the
Service Fee Record Date; provided, however, that in any calendar quarter in
which total service fees earned by you on Eligible Shares of all Keystone
Investments Funds (except Keystone Liquid Trust Class A shares) are less than
$50.00 in the aggregate, no service fees will be paid to you nor will such
amounts be carried over for payment in a future quarter. Service fees will be
paid within 90 days after the Service Fee Record Date. Service fees will only be
paid by us to the extent that such amounts have been paid to us by the Funds.
6. SERVICE FEES FOR KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST
We will pay you service fees based on the aggregate net asset value of all
shares of Keystone Liquid Trust you have sold which remain issued and
outstanding on the books of the Fund on the fifteenth day of the third month of
each calendar quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each
hereinafter a "Service Fee Record Date") and which are registered in the names
of clients for whom you are dealer of record ("Eligible Shares"). Such service
fees will be calculated at the rates set forth below and based On the aggregate
net asset value of all such Eligible Shares on the Service Fee Record Date;
provided, however, that no such service fees will be paid to you for any quarter
if the aggregate net asset value of such Eligible Shares on the last business
day of the quarter is less than $2 million; and provided further, however, that
service fees will only be paid to us to the extent that such amounts have been
paid to us by the Fund. Service fees will be paid within 90 days after the
Service Fee Record Date. The quarterly rates at which such service fees are
payable and the net asset value to which such rates will be applied are set
forth below:
ANNUAL QUARTERLY AGGREGATE NET ASSET
RATE PAYMENT RATE VALUE OF SHARES
0.00000% 0.00000% of the first $1,999,999, plus
0.15000% 0.03750% of the next $8,000,000, plus
0.20000% 0.05000% of the next $15,000,000, plus
0.25000% 0.06250% of the next $25,000,000, plus
0.30000% 0.07500% of amounts over $50,000,000
<PAGE>
III. KEYSTONE AMERICA FAMILY AND KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST
CLASS B SHARES
KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION AND INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE FUND FOR TOTAL RETURN
KEYSTONE FUND OF THE AMERICAS
KEYSTONE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
KEYSTONE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
KEYSTONE AMERICA HARTWELL EMERGING GROWTH FUND, INC.
KEYSTONE HARTWELL GROWTH FUND
KEYSTONE INTERMEDIATE TERM BOND FUND
KEYSTONE AMERICA OMEGA FUND, INC.
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES II
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE TAX FREE INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE WORLD BOND FUND
KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST
1. COMMISSIONS (FOR ALL SECTION III FUNDS EXCEPT KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION
AND INCOME FUND)
Except as otherwise provided in our Dealer Agreement, beginning June 1,
1995, we will pay you commissions on your sales of Class B shares of the Funds
at the rate of 4.00% of the aggregate net asset value of such shares sold.
2. COMMISSIONS FOR KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION AND INCOME FUND
Except as otherwise provided in our Dealer Agreement, beginning June 1,
1995, we will pay you commissions on your sales of Class B shares of the Funds
at the rate of 2.75% of the aggregate net asset value of such shares sold.
3. PROMOTIONAL INCENTIVES
We may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including
reallowance to dealers of increased commissions to dealers who allow their
individual selling representatives to participate in such additional
commissions.
4. SERVICE FEES (FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE FUNDS EXCEPT KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND
AND KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES II)
We will pay you a full year's service fee in advance on your sales of Class
B shares of the Funds, at the rate of 0.25% of the aggregate net asset value of
such shares sold.
We will also pay you service fees on the fifteenth day of the third month
of each calendar quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each
hereinafter a "Service Fee Record Date"). We will pay you such service fees
based on the aggregate net asset value of shares you have sold which have been
on the books of the Funds for a minimum of 12 months from the date of purchase
(plus any reinvested distributions attributable to such shares) and which are
registered in the names of clients for whom you are the dealer of record
("Eligible Shares"). Such service fees will be calculated quarterly at the rate
of 0.0625% per quarter of the aggregate net asset value of all such Eligible
Shares (approximately 0.25% annually) on the Service Fee Record Date; provided,
however, that in any calendar quarter in which total services fees earned by you
on Eligible Shares of Keystone Investments Funds (except Keystone Liquid Trust
Class A shares) are less than $50.00 in the aggregate, no service fees will be
paid to you nor will such amounts be carried over for payment in a future
quarter. Service fees will be paid within 90 days after the Service Fee Record
Date. Service fees other than those paid in advance will only be paid by us to
the extent that such amounts have been paid to us by the Funds.
5. SERVICE FEES FOR KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND AND KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE
FUND - SERIES II
We will pay you a full year's service fee in advance on your sales of Class
B shares of the Funds, at the rate of 0.15% of the aggregate net asset value of
such shares sold.
We will also pay you service fees on the fifteenth day of the third month
of each calendar quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each
hereinafter a "Service Fee Record Date"). We will pay you such service fees
based on the aggregate net asset value of shares you have sold which have been
on the books of the Funds for a minimum of 12 months from the date of purchase
(plus any reinvested distributions attributable to such shares) and which are
registered in the names of clients for whom you are the dealer of record
("Eligible Shares"). Such service fees will be calculated quarterly at the rate
of 0.0375% per quarter of the aggregate net asset value of all such Eligible
Shares (approximately 0.15% annually) on the Service Fee Record Date; provided,
however, that in any calendar quarter in which total services fees earned by you
on Eligible Shares of Keystone Investments Funds (except Keystone Liquid Trust
Class A shares) are less than $50.00 in the aggregate, no service fees will be
paid to you nor will such amounts be carried over for payment in a future
quarter. Service fees will be paid within 90 days after the Service Fee Record
Date. Service fees other than those paid in advance will only be paid by us to
the extent that such amounts have been paid to us by the Funds.
<PAGE>
[Logo]
KEYSTONE Dealer No. _____________________________
I N V E S T M E N T S (Please indicate Exchange Membership(s),
if any.) _______________________________
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034 ________________________________________
Effective Date _________________________
CLASS C SHARES
To Whom It May Concern:
Keystone Investment Distributors Company ("the Company"), principal
underwriter, invites you to participate in the distribution of Class C shares of
the Keystone America Fund Family, Keystone Liquid Trust and other Funds
("Funds") designated by us which are currently or hereafter underwritten by the
Company, subject to the following terms:
1. In the distribution and sale of shares, you shall not have authority to act
as agent for the issuer, the Company or any other dealer in any respect in such
transactions. All orders are subject to acceptance by us and become effective
only upon confirmation by us. The Company reserves the unqualified right not to
accept any specific order for the purchase or exchange of shares.
2. You will offer and sell Class C shares of the Funds only at their respective
net asset values in accordance with the terms and conditions of a current
prospectus of the Fund whose shares you offer. You will offer shares only on a
forward pricing basis i.e. orders for the purchase or repurchase of shares
accepted by you prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and placed
with us the same day prior to the close of our business day, 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, and orders to exchange shares of one Fund for shares of another Fund
eligible for exchange placed with us prior to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, shall be
confirmed at the closing price for that business day. You agree to place orders
for shares only with us and at such closing price. You further agree to confirm
the transaction with your customer at the price confirmed in writing by us. In
the event of a difference between verbal and written price confirmations, the
written confirmations shall be considered final. Prices of the Funds' shares are
computed by and are subject to withdrawal by the Funds in accordance with their
current respective prospectuses. You agree to place orders with us only through
your central order department unless we accept your written Power of Attorney
authorizing others to place orders on your behalf.
3. So long as this agreement remains in effect, we will pay you commissions on
sales of shares of the Funds and service fees, all in accordance with the
Schedule of Commissions and Service Fees ("Schedule") attached hereto and made a
part hereof, effective June 1, 1995, which Schedule may be modified from time to
time or rescinded by us, in either case without prior notice. You shall have no
vested right to receive any continuing service fees, other fees, or other
commissions which we may elect to pay to you from time to time on shares
previously sold by you. You agree not to share or rebate any portion of such
commissions or to otherwise grant any concessions, discounts or other allowances
to any person who is not a broker or dealer actually engaged in the investment
banking or securities business. You will receive commissions in accordance with
the attached Schedule on all purchase transactions in shareholder accounts
(excluding reinvestment of income dividends and capital gains distributions) for
which you are designated as Dealer of Record except where we determine that any
such purchase was made with the proceeds of a redemption or repurchase of shares
of the same Fund or another Fund whether or not the transaction constitutes the
exercise of the exchange privilege. Commissions will be paid to you twice a
month.
You hereby authorize us to act as your agent in connection with all
transactions in shareholder accounts in which you are designated as Dealer of
Record. All designations of Dealer of Record and all authorizations of the
Company to act as your Agent shall cease upon the termination of this Agreement,
or upon the shareholder's instruction to transfer his or her account to another
Dealer of Record.
4. Payment for all shares purchased from us shall be made to the Company and
shall be received by the Company within ten business days after the acceptance
of your order or such shorter time as may be required by law. If such payment is
not received by us, we reserve the right, without prior notice, forthwith to
cancel the sale, or, at our option, to sell the shares ordered by you back to
the Fund concerned in which latter case we may hold you responsible for any
loss, including loss of profit, suffered by us or by the Fund resulting from
your failure to make payment as aforesaid.
5. You agree to purchase shares of the Funds only from us or from your
customers. If you purchase shares from us, you agree that all such purchases
shall be made only to cover orders already received by you from your customers,
or for your own bonafide investment without a view to resale. If you purchase
shares from your customers, you agree to pay such customers the applicable net
asset value per share less any contingent deferred sales charge that would be
applicable if such shares were then tendered for redemption in accordance with
the then current applicable prospectus ("repurchase price").
6. You will sell shares only--
(a) to your clients at the prices described in paragraph 2 above; or
(b) to us as agent for the Funds at the repurchase price. In such a
sale to us, you may act either as principal for your own account or as
agent for your customer. If you act as principal for your own account
in purchasing shares for resale to us, you agree to pay your customer
not less than nor more than the repurchase price which you receive
from us. If you act as agent for your customer in selling shares to
us, you agree not to charge your customer more than a fair commission
for handling the transaction.
7. You shall not withhold placing with us orders received from your customers so
as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding.
8. We will not accept from you any conditional orders for shares.
9. If any shares sold to you under the terms of this agreement are repurchased
by a Fund, or are tendered for redemption, within seven business days after the
date of our confirmation of the original purchase by you, it is agreed that you
shall forfeit your right to any commissions on such sales even though the
shareholder may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge by the Fund.
We will notify you of any such repurchase or redemption within the next ten
business days after the date on which the certificate or written request for
redemption is delivered to us or to the Fund, and you shall forthwith refund to
us the full amount of any commission you received on such sale. We agree, in the
event of any such repurchase or redemption, to refund to the Fund any commission
we retained on such sale and, upon receipt from you of the commissions paid to
you, to pay such commissions forthwith to the Fund.
10. Shares sold to you hereunder shall not be issued in certificate form or
otherwise until payment has been received by the Fund concerned. If transfer
instructions are not received from you within 15 days after our acceptance of
your order, the Company reserves the right to instruct the transfer agent for
the Fund concerned to register a certificate for the shares sold to you in your
name and forward such certificate to you. You agree to hold harmless and
indemnify the Company, the Fund and its transfer agent for any loss or expense
resulting from such registration.
11. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning shares of the
Funds except those contained in the current applicable prospectuses and in sales
literature issued by us supplemental to such prospectuses. In purchasing shares
from us you shall rely solely on the representations contained in the
appropriate prospectus and in such sales literature. We will furnish additional
copies of the current prospectuses and such sales literature and other releases
and information issued by us in reasonable quantities upon request. You agree
that you will in all respects duly conform with all laws and regulations
applicable to the sale of shares of the Funds and will indemnify and hold
harmless the Funds, their directors and trustees and the Company from any damage
or expenses on account of any wrongful act by you, your representatives, agents
or sub-agents in connection with any orders or solicitation of orders of shares
of the Funds by you, your representatives, agents or sub-agents.
12. Each party hereto represents that it is a member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and agrees to notify the other should it cease to
be a member of such Association and agrees to the automatic termination of this
agreement at that time. It is further agreed that all rules or regulations of
said Association now in effect or hereafter adopted, which are binding upon
underwriters and dealers in the distribution of the securities of open-end
investment companies, shall be deemed to be a part of this agreement to the same
extent as if set forth in full herein.
13. You will not offer the Funds for sale in any State where they are not
qualified for sale under the Blue Sky Laws and regulations of such State or
where you are not qualified to act as a dealer, except for States in which they
are exempt from qualification.
14. This agreement supersedes and cancels any prior agreement with respect to
the sales of shares of any of the Funds underwritten by the Company and the
Company reserves the right to amend this agreement at any time and from time to
time.
15. This agreement shall be effective upon acceptance by us in Boston,
Massachusetts and all sales hereunder are to be made, and title to shares of the
Funds shall pass, in Boston. This agreement is made in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of
Massachusetts.
16. All communications to the Company should be sent to the above address. Any
notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the address
specified by you below.
17. Either party may terminate this agreement at any time by written notice to
the other party.
Signed: Accepted:
Boston, MA (USA) as of June 1, 1995
- ----------------------------------- ------------
Dealer or Broker Name
- ----------------------------------- KEYSTONE INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS COMPANY
Address 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5034
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Authorized Signature Authorized Signature
<PAGE>
C-CSF
[Logo]
KEYSTONE
I N V E S T M E N T S
Keystone Investment Distributors Company
200 Berkeley Street Ralph J. Spuehler, Jr.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034 President
June 1, 1995
Dear Financial Professional:
This Schedule of Commissions and Service Fees ("Schedule") supersedes any
previous Schedules and is hereby made part of our Dealer Agreement with you
("Dealer Agreement") and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by
us. All commission rates and service fee rates set forth in this Schedule may be
modified by us from time to time without prior notice.
KEYSTONE AMERICA FAMILY AND KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST
CLASS C SHARES
KEYSTONE CAPITAL PRESERVATION AND INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE FUND FOR TOTAL RETURN
KEYSTONE FUND OF THE AMERICAS
KEYSTONE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
KEYSTONE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
KEYSTONE AMERICA HARTWELL EMERGING GROWTH FUND, INC.
KEYSTONE HARTWELL GROWTH FUND
KEYSTONE INTERMEDIATE TERM BOND FUND
KEYSTONE AMERICA OMEGA FUND, INC.
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND
KEYSTONE STATE TAX FREE FUND - SERIES II
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE TAX FREE INCOME FUND
KEYSTONE WORLD BOND FUND
KEYSTONE LIQUID TRUST
1. COMMISSIONS
Except as provided in our Dealer Agreement, we will pay you commissions on
your sales of Class C shares of the Funds, at the rate of 0.75% of the aggregate
net asset value of such shares sold in each eligible sale.
We will also pay you commissions on the fifteenth day of the third month of
each calendar quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each
hereinafter a "Commission Record Date"). We will pay you such commissions based
on the aggregate net asset value of shares you have sold which have been on the
books of the Funds for a minimum of 14 months from the date of purchase (plus
any reinvested distributions attributable to such shares) and which are
registered in the names of clients for whom you are dealer of record (Eligible
Shares"). Such commissions will be calculated quarterly at the rare of 0.1875%
per quarter of the aggregate net asset value of all such Eligible Shares
(approximately 0.75% annually) on the Commission Record Date. Commissions will
be payable within 90 days after the Commission Record Date. Such commissions
will continue to be paid to you quarterly so long as aggregate payments do not
exceed applicable NASD limitations and other governing regulations.
2. SERVICE FEES
We will pay you a full year's service fee in advance on your sales of Class
C shares of the Funds, at the rate of 0.25% of the aggregate net asset value of
such shares sold.
We will also pay you service fees on the fifteenth day of the third month
of each calendar quarter (March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, each
hereinafter a "Service Fee Record Date"). We will pay you such service fees
based on the aggregate net asset value of shares you have sold which have been
on the books of the Funds for a minimum of 14 months from the date of purchase
(plus any reinvested distributions attributable to such shares) and which are
registered in the names of clients for whom you are the dealer of record
("Eligible Shares"). Such service fees will be calculated quarterly at the rate
of 0.0625% per quarter of the aggregate net asset value of all such Eligible
Shares (approximately 0.25% annually) on the Service Fee Record Date; provided,
however, that in any calendar quarter in which total services fees earned by you
on Eligible Shares of Keystone Investments Funds (except Keystone Liquid Trust
Class A shares) are less than $50.00 in the aggregate, no service fees will be
paid to you nor will such amounts be carried over for payment in a future
quarter. Service fees will be paid within 90 days after the Service Fee Record
Date. Service fees other than those paid in advance will only be paid by us to
the extent that such amounts have been paid to us by the Funds.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(8)
FORM OF
CUSTODIAN, FUND ACCOUNTING AND RECORDKEEPING AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Agreement made as of this ____ day of ____________, 199__ by and
between KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND, a Massachusetts business trust, ("Fund")
having its principal place of business at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02116, and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts
banking corporation ("State Street"), having its principal place of business at
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the Fund
and State Street agree as follows:
1. The Fund appoints State Street as its Custodian, subject to the
provisions hereof. State Street hereby accepts such appointment as Custodian. As
such Custodian, State Street shall retain all securities, cash and other assets
now owned or hereafter acquired by the Fund, and the Fund shall deliver and pay
or cause to be delivered and paid to State Street, as Custodian, all securities,
cash and other assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Fund during the
period of this Agreement.
2. All securities delivered to State Street (other than in bearer form)
shall be properly endorsed and in proper form for transfer into or in the name
of the Fund, of a nominee of State Street for the exclusive use of the Fund or
of such other nominee as may be mutually agreed upon by State Street and the
Fund.
3. The Fund shall deliver to State Street certified or authenticated
copies of its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, all amendments thereto, a
certified copy of the resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees appointing
State Street to act in the capacities covered by this Agreement and authorizing
the signing of this Agreement and copies of such resolutions of its Board of
Trustees, contracts and other documents as may be reasonably required by State
Street in the performance of its duties hereunder.
4. As Custodian, State Street shall promptly:
A. Safekeeping. Keep safely in a separate account the
securities and other assets of the Fund, including without limitation all
securities in bearer form, other than (a) securities which are maintained
pursuant to paragraph 4B in a Securities System (as defined in paragraph 4B) and
(b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank and Trust Company
acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or
maintained in the Direct Paper System of State Street pursuant to paragraph 4C,
and, on behalf of the Fund, receive delivery of certificates, including without
limitation all securities in bearer form, for safekeeping and keep such
certificates physically segregated at all times from those of any other person.
State Street shall maintain records of all receipts, deliveries and locations of
such securities, together with a current inventory thereof and shall conduct
periodic physical inspections of certificates representing bonds and other
securities held by it under this Agreement at least annually in such manner as
State Street shall determine from time to time to be advisable in order to
verify the accuracy of such inventory. State Street shall provide the Fund with
copies of any reports of its internal count or other verification of the
securities of the Fund held in its custody, including reports on its own system
of internal accounting control. In addition, if and when independent certified
public accountants retained by State Street shall count or otherwise verify the
securities of the Fund held in State Street's custody, State Street shall
provide the Fund with a copy of the report of such accountants. With respect to
securities held by any agent or Subcustodian appointed pursuant to paragraph 7C
hereof, State Street may rely upon certificates from such agent or Subcustodian
as to the holdings of such agent or Subcustodian, it being understood that such
reliance in no way releases State Street of its responsibilities or liabilities
under this Agreement. State Street shall promptly report to the Fund the results
of such inspections, indicating any shortages or discrepancies uncovered
thereby, and take appropriate action to remedy any such shortages or
discrepancies.
B. Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, State Street may deposit
and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in Depository Trust Company, a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission") under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
("Exchange Act"), which acts as a securities depository, in any other clearing
agency registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act and which has been
authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees, in the book-entry system authorized
by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies or in any
other book entry system which the Commission has authorized for use by
investment companies as a securities depository by order or interpretive or
no-action letter and which has been authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees,
collectively referred to herein as "Securities System(s)," in accordance with
applicable Federal Reserve Board and Commission rules and regulations, if any,
and subject to the following provisions:
1) State Street may keep securities of the Fund in a
Securities System provided that such securities are deposited in an account
("Account") of State Street in the Securities System which shall not include any
assets of State Street other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
otherwise for customers;
2) The records of State Street with respect to securities of
the Fund which are maintained in a Securities System shall identify by book
entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
3) State Street shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that
such securities have been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an
entry on the records of State Street to reflect such payment and transfer for
the account of the Fund. State Street shall transfer securities sold for the
account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that
payment for such securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the
making of an entry on the records of State Street to reflect such transfer and
payment for the account of the Fund. Copies of all advises from the Securities
System of transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall identify the
Fund, be maintained for the Fund State Street and be provided to the Fund at its
request. State Street shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or
from the account of the Fund in the form of a written advice or notice and shall
furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
transactions in the Securities System for the account of the Fund on the next
business day;
4) State Street shall promptly provide the Fund with any
report obtained by State Street on the Securities System's accounting system,
internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited
in the Securities System. State Street shall promptly provide the Fund with any
report on State Street's accounting system, internal accounting control and
procedures for safeguarding securities deposited with State Street which is
reasonably requested by the Fund;
5) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding,
State Street shall be liable to the Fund for any claim, loss, liability, damage
or expense to the Fund, including attorney's fees, resulting from use of a
Securities System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of
State Street, its agents or any of its or their employees or from failure of
State Street or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have
against a Securities System. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled
to be subrogated to the rights of State Street or its agents with respect to any
claim against the Securities System or any other person which State Street or
its agents may have as a consequence of any such claim, loss, liability, damage
or expense if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any
such loss or damage.
C. Assets Held in State Street's Direct Paper System. State
Street may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in the Direct
Paper System of State Street subject to the following provisions:
1) No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
System will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions;
2) State Street may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
Paper System only if such securities are represented in an account ("Account")
of State Street in the Direct Paper System which shall not include any assets of
State Street other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for
customers;
3) The records of State Street with respect to securities of
the Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall identify by
book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;
4) State Street shall pay for securities purchased for the
account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records of State Street
to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the account of the Fund.
State Street shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund upon the
making of an entry on the records of State Street to reflect such transfer and
receipt of payment for the account of the Fund;
5) State Street shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a written advice or
notice, of Direct Paper on the next business day following such transfer and
shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each
day's transaction in the Securities System for the account of the Fund;
6) State Street shall provide the Fund with any report on its
system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from
time to time.
D. State Street's Records. The records of State Street (and
its agents and Subcustodians) with respect to its services for the Fund shall at
all times during the regular business hours of State Street (or its agents or
Subcustodians) be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or
agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the Commission.
E. Delivery of Securities. State Street shall release and
deliver securities owned by the Fund held by State Street or in a Securities
System account of State Street or in State Street's Direct Paper book entry
system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, and only in the cases specified in paragraphs 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J,
4K, 4L, 4M, 4N and 4O hereof.
F. Registered Name, Nominee. Register securities of the Fund
held by State Street in the name of the Fund, of a nominee of State Street for
the exclusive use of the Fund, or of such other nominee as may be mutually
agreed upon, or of any mutually acceptable nominee of any agent or Subcustodian
appointed pursuant to paragraph 7C hereof.
G. Purchases. Upon receipt of proper instructions (as defined
in paragraph 6A hereof; hereafter "Proper Instructions") and insofar as cash is
available for the purpose, pay for and receive all securities purchased for the
account of the Fund, payment being made only upon receipt of the securities by
State Street (or any bank, banking firm, responsible commercial agent or trust
company doing business in the United States and appointed pursuant to paragraph
7C hereof as State Street's agent or Subcustodian for this purpose) registered
as provided in paragraph 4F hereof or in form for transfer satisfactory to State
Street, or, in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund
and a bank or a dealer, delivery of the securities either in certificate form or
through an entry crediting State Street's account at the Federal Reserve Bank
with such securities, or, upon receipt by State Street of a facsimile copy of a
letter of understanding with respect to a time deposit account of the Fund
signed by any bank, whether domestic or foreign, and pursuant to Proper
Instructions from the Fund, for transfer to the time deposit account of the Fund
in such bank; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation
from a broker and/or the applicable bank or in the case of a purchase involving
the Direct Paper System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in
paragraph 4C. All securities accepted by State Street shall be accompanied by
payment of, or a "due bill" for, any dividends, interest or other distributions
of the issuer due the purchaser. In any and every case of a purchase of
securities for the account of the Fund where payment is made by State Street in
advance of receipt of the securities purchased, State Street shall be absolutely
liable to the Fund for such securities to the same extent as if the securities
had been received by State Street, except that in the case of repurchase
agreements entered into by the Fund with a bank which is a member of the Federal
Reserve System, State Street may transfer funds to the account of such bank
prior to the receipt of written evidence that the securities subject to such
repurchase agreement have been transferred by book-entry into a segregated
nonproprietary account of State Street maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank
of Boston, provided that such securities have in fact been so transferred by
book-entry; provided, further, however, that State Street and the Fund agree to
use their best efforts to insure receipt by State Street of copies of
documentation for each such transaction as promptly as possible.
H. Exchanges. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, exchange
securities, interim receipts or temporary securities held by it or by any agent
or Subcustodian appointed by it pursuant to paragraph 7C hereof for the account
of the Fund for other securities alone or for other securities and cash, and
expend cash insofar as cash is available in connection with any merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, split-up of shares, changes of
par value, conversion or in connection with the exercise of warrants,
subscription or purchase rights, or otherwise, and deliver securities to the
designated depository or other receiving agent or Subcustodian in response to
tender offers or similar offers to purchase received in writing; provided that
in any such case the securities and/or cash to be received as a result of any
such exchange, expenditure or delivery are to be delivered to State Street (or
its agents or Subcustodians). State Street shall give notice as provided under
paragraph 14 hereof to the Fund in connection with any transaction specified in
this paragraph and at the same time shall specify to the Fund whether such
notice relates to securities held by an agent or Subcustodian appointed pursuant
to paragraph 7C hereof, so that the Fund may issue to State Street Proper
Instructions for State Street to act thereon prior to any expiration date (which
shall be presumed to be two business days prior to such date unless State Street
has previously advised the Fund of a different period). The Fund shall give to
State Street full details of the time and method of submitting securities in
response to any tender or similar offer, exercising any subscription or purchase
right or making any exchange pursuant to this paragraph. When such securities
are in the possession of an agent or Subcustodian appointed by State Street
pursuant to paragraph 7C hereof, the Proper Instructions referred to in the
preceding sentence must be received by State Street in timely enough fashion
(which shall be presumed to be three business days unless State Street has
advised the Fund in writing of a different period) for State Street to notify
the agent or Subcustodian in sufficient time to permit such agent to act prior
to any expiration date.
I. Sales. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions and upon receipt
of full payment therefor, release and deliver securities which have been sold
for the account of the Fund. At the time of delivery all such payments are to be
made in cash, by a certified check upon or a treasurer's or cashier's check of a
bank, by effective bank wire transfer through the Federal Reserve Wire System
or, if appropriate, outside of the Federal Reserve Wire System and subsequent
credit to the Fund's custodian account, or, in case of delivery through a stock
clearing company, by book-entry credit by the stock clearing company in
accordance with the then current "street" custom.
J. Purchases by Issuer. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,
release and deliver securities owned by the Fund to the issuer thereof or its
agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become
payable; provided that in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to
be delivered to State Street.
K. Changes of Name and Denomination. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, release and deliver securities owned by the Fund to the issuer
thereof or its agent for transfer into the name of the Fund or of a nominee of
State Street or of the Fund for the exclusive use of the Fund or for exchange
for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the
same aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the same interest rate,
maturity date and call provisions if any; provided that in any such case, the
new securities are to be delivered to State Street.
L. Street Delivery. In connection with delivery in New York
City and upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which in the case of registered
securities may be standing instructions, release securities owned by the Fund
upon receipt of a written receipt for such securities to the broker selling the
same for examination in accordance with the existing "street delivery" custom.
In every instance, either payment in full for such securities shall be made or
such securities shall be returned to State Street that same day. In the event
existing "street delivery" custom is modified, State Street shall obtain
authorization from the Board of Trustees of the Fund prior to any use of such
modified "street delivery" custom.
M. Release of Securities for Use as Collateral. Upon receipt
of Proper Instructions and subject to the Declaration of Trust, release
securities belonging to the Fund to any bank or trust company for the purpose of
pledge, mortgage or hypothecation to secure any loan incurred by the Fund;
provided, however, that securities shall be released only upon payment to State
Street of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional collateral
is required to secure a borrowing already made, subject to proper prior
authorization from the Fund, further securities may be released for that
purpose. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, pay such loan upon redelivery to
it of the securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the
note or notes evidencing the loan.
N. Compliance with Applicable Rules and Regulations of The
Options Clearing Corporation and National Securities or Commodities Exchanges or
Commissions. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver securities of the Fund
in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, State Street
and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") relating to compliance
with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered
national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund; or, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver securities in accordance
with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, State Street, and a Futures
Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act relating to
compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or any
contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account
deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund.
O. Release or Delivery of Securities for Other Purposes. Upon
receipt of Proper Instructions, release or deliver any securities held by it for
the account of the Fund for any other purpose (in addition to those specified in
paragraphs 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4M and 4N hereof) which the Fund
declares is a proper corporate purpose pursuant to Proper Instructions.
P. Proxies, Notices, Etc. State Street shall, upon receipt,
promptly forward to the Fund all forms of proxies and all notices of meetings
and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to the securities,
including without limitation, notices relating to class action claims and
bankruptcy claims, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions execute and deliver
or cause its nominee to execute and deliver such proxies or other authorizations
as may be required. State Street, its nominee or its agents or Subcustodian
shall not vote upon any of the securities or execute any proxy to vote thereon
or give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto (except as
otherwise herein provided) unless ordered to do so by Proper Instructions. State
Street shall require its agents and Subcustodians appointed pursuant to
paragraph 7C hereof to forward any such announcements and notices to State
Street upon receipt.
Q. Segregated Account. State Street shall, upon receipt of
Proper Instructions, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for
and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred
cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by State
Street pursuant to paragraph 4B hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of
any agreement among the Fund, State Street and a broker-dealer registered under
the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant
registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the
rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national
securities exchange (or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any
registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations,
regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in
connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity
futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for
the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by
Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases
of the Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate purposes,
but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees signed
by an officer of the Fund and certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, setting forth the purpose or purposes of such segregated account and
declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.
R. Property of the Fund Held Outside of the United States.
(1) Appointment of Foreign Subcustodians. State Street is authorized
and instructed to employ as Subcustodians for the Fund's securities and other
assets maintained outside of the United States, the foreign banking institutions
and foreign securities depositories designated on Schedule B hereto as revised
from time to time ("Foreign Subcustodians"). Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, together with a certified resolution of the Fund's Board of
Trustees, State Street and the Fund may agree to amend Schedule B hereto from
time to time to designate additional foreign banking institutions and foreign
securities depositories to act as Foreign Subcustodians. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, the Fund may instruct State Street to cease the employment of any
one or more of such Subcustodians for maintaining custody of the Fund's assets.
(2) Assets to be Held. State Street shall limit the securities and
other assets maintained in the custody of the Foreign Subcustodians to: (a)
"foreign securities," as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), and (b) cash and cash equivalents
in such amounts as State Street or the Fund may determine to be reasonably
necessary to effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions.
(3) Foreign Securities Depositories. Except as may otherwise be agreed
upon in writing by State Street and the Fund, assets of the Fund shall be
maintained in foreign securities depositories only through arrangements
implemented by the foreign banking institutions serving as Foreign Subcustodians
pursuant to the terms hereof.
(4) Segregation of Securities. State Street shall identify on its books
as belonging to the Fund the foreign securities of the Fund held by each Foreign
Subcustodian. Each agreement pursuant to which State Street employs a foreign
banking institution shall require that such institution establish a custody
account for State Street on behalf of the Fund and physically segregate in that
account securities and other assets of the Fund, and, in the event that such
institution deposits the Fund's securities in a foreign securities depository,
that it shall identify on its books as belonging to State Street, as agent for
the Fund, the securities so deposited (all collectively referred to as the
"account").
(5) Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions. Each agreement with a
foreign banking institution shall be substantially in the form set forth in
Schedule C hereto and shall provide that: (a) the Fund's assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in
favor of the foreign banking institution or its creditors or agent, except a
claim of payment for their safe custody or administration; (b) the Foreign
Subcustodian shall maintain insurance covering the Fund's assets; (c) beneficial
ownership of the Fund's assets will be freely transferable without the payment
of money or value other than for custody or administration; (d) adequate records
will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Fund; (e) officers
or auditors employed by, or other representatives of State Street, including, to
the extent permitted under applicable law, the independent public accountants
for the Fund, will be given access to the books and records of the foreign
banking institution relating to its actions under its agreement with State
Street; (f) assets of the Fund held by the Foreign Subcustodian will be subject
only to the instructions of State Street or its agents; and (g) the Foreign
Subcustodian will provide periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of
the Fund's assets, including notification of any transfer to or from the Fund's
account.
(6) Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund. Upon request of the
Fund, State Street will use its best efforts to arrange for the independent
accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books and records of any
foreign banking institution employed as a Foreign Subcustodian insofar as such
books and records relate to the performance of such foreign banking institution
under its agreement with State Street.
(7) Reports by State Street. State Street will supply to the Fund from
time to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the securities
and other assets of the Fund held by Foreign Subcustodians, including, but not
limited to, an identification of entities having possession of the Fund's
securities and other assets and advices or notifications of any transfers of
securities to or from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking
institution for State Street on behalf of the Fund indicating, as to securities
acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical possession of
such securities.
(8) Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. (a) Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
the parties, State Street shall make or cause its Foreign Subcustodians to
transfer, exchange or deliver foreign securities owned by the Fund, but, except
to the extent explicitly provided in paragraph 4R(8)(b), only in any of the
cases specified in this Agreement. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which
may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, State
Street shall pay out or cause its Foreign Subcustodians to pay out monies of the
Fund, but, except to the extent explicitly provided in paragraph 4R(8)(b), only
in any of the cases specified in this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
settlement and payment for securities received for the account of the Fund and
delivery of securities maintained for the account of the Fund may be effected in
accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities
processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the
transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering securities to the
purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or
dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for
such securities from such purchaser or dealer. Securities maintained in the
custody of a Foreign Subcustodian may be maintained in the name of such entity's
nominee to the same extent as set forth in paragraphs 2 and 4F of this
Agreement, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any
liability as a holder of record of such securities.
(9) Liability of Foreign Subcustodians. Each agreement pursuant to
which State Street employs a foreign banking institution as a Foreign
Subcustodian shall require the institution to exercise reasonable care in the
performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, State Street and
Fund from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim
arising out of or in connection with the institution's performance of such
obligations. At the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated
to the rights of State Street with respect to any claims against a foreign
banking institution as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense,
liability or claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole
for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
(10) Liability of State Street. State Street shall be liable to the
Fund for the acts or omissions of a foreign banking institution appointed
pursuant to these provisions to the same extent that such foreign banking
institution is liable to State Street as provided under paragraph 4R(9);
provided however that State Street shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss
resulting from or caused by nationalization, expropriation, currency
restrictions, acts of war or terrorism or other similar events or acts.
(11) Monitoring Responsibilities. State Street shall furnish annually
to the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the Foreign
Subcustodians employed by State Street. Such information shall be similar in
kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection with the initial
approval of this Agreement. In addition, State Street will promptly inform the
Fund in the event that State Street learns of a material adverse change in the
financial condition of a Foreign Subcustodian or any material loss in the assets
of the Fund, or is notified by a foreign banking institution employed as a
Foreign Subcustodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders' equity will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the
equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders equity has declined below $200
million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted U.S.
accounting principles).
(12) Branches of U.S. Banks. Except as otherwise set forth in this
Agreement, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of the Fund's
assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking institution which is a
"bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act and which meets the
qualifications set forth in Section 26(a) of the 1940 Act. The appointment of
any such branch as a subcustodian shall be governed by paragraph 7C of this
Agreement.
S. Miscellaneous. In general, attend to all nondiscretionary
details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer
or other dealing with such securities or property of the Fund, except as
otherwise directed by the Fund pursuant to Proper Instructions. State Street
shall render to the Fund daily a report of all monies received or paid on behalf
of the Fund, an itemized statement of the securities and cash for which it is
accountable to the Fund under this Agreement and an itemized statement of
security transactions which settled the day before and shall render to the Fund
weekly an itemized statement of security transactions which failed to settle as
scheduled. At the end of each week State Street shall provide a list of all
security transactions that remain unsettled at such time.
5. Additionally, as Custodian, State Street shall promptly:
A. Bank Account. Retain safely all cash of the Fund, other
than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in
accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act, in the banking department of
State Street in a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund, subject
only to draft or order by State Street acting pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. If and when authorized by Proper Instructions in accordance with a
vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, State Street may open and maintain an
additional account or accounts in such other bank or trust companies as may be
designated by such instructions, such account or accounts, however, to be solely
in the name of State Street in its capacity as Custodian and subject only to its
draft or order in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. State Street
shall furnish to the Fund, not later than thirty (30) calendar days after the
last business day of each month, a statement reflecting the current status of
its internal reconciliation of the closing balance as of that day in all
accounts described in this paragraph to the balance shown on the daily cash
report for that day rendered to the Fund.
B. Collections. Unless otherwise instructed by receipt of
Proper Instructions, collect, receive and deposit in the bank account or
accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph 5A hereof all income and other
payments with respect to the securities held hereunder, execute ownership and
other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in
connection with the collection of bond and note coupons, do all other things
necessary or proper in connection with the collection of such income, and
without waiving the generality of the foregoing:
1) present for payment on the date of payment all coupons
and other income items requiring presentation;
2) present for payment all securities which may mature or
be called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable
on the date such securities become payable;
3) endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of the
Fund, checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments on
the same day as received.
In any case in which State Street does not receive any such due and
unpaid income within a reasonable time after it has made proper demands for the
same (which shall be presumed to consist of at least three demand letters and at
least one telephonic demand), it shall so notify the Fund in writing, including
copies of all demand letters, any written responses thereto, and memoranda of
all oral responses thereto and to telephonic demands, and await proper
instruction; State Street shall not be obliged to take legal action for
collection unless and until reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction for the
reasonable costs of such legal action for collection. It shall also notify the
Fund as soon as reasonably practicable whenever income due on securities is not
collected in due course.
C. Sale of Shares of the Fund. Make such arrangements with the
Transfer Agent of the Fund as will enable State Street to make certain it
receives the cash consideration due to the Fund for shares of beneficial
interest ("shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time by
the Fund, all in accordance with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as
amended.
D. Dividends and Distributions. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, release or otherwise apply cash insofar as cash is available for
the purpose of the payment of dividends or other distributions to shareholders
of the Fund.
E. Redemption of Shares of the Fund. From such funds as may be
available for the purpose, but subject to the limitation of the Fund's
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as amended, and applicable resolutions of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, make funds available for payment
to shareholders who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for
redemption of their shares by the Fund pursuant to such Declaration of Trust, as
amended.
In connection with the redemption of shares of the Fund pursuant to the
Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as amended, State Street is authorized
and directed upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Transfer Agent of the
Fund to make funds available for transfer through the Federal Reserve Wire
System or by other bank wire to a commercial bank account designated by the
redeeming stockholder.
F. Stock Dividends, Rights, Etc. Receive and collect all stock
dividends, rights and other items of like nature; and deal with the same
pursuant to Proper Instructions relative thereto.
G. Disbursements. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, make or
cause to be made, insofar as cash is available for the purpose, disbursements
for the payment on behalf of the Fund of its expenses, including without
limitation, interest, taxes and fees or reimbursement to State Street or to the
Fund's investment advisers for their payment of any such expenses.
H. Other Proper Corporate Purposes. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, make or cause to be made, insofar as cash is available for the
purpose, disbursements for any other purpose (in addition to the purposes
specified in paragraphs 4G, 4H, 5D, 5E, and 5G of this Agreement) which the Fund
declares is a proper corporate purpose.
I. Records. Create, maintain and retain all records relating
to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as shall
meet the obligations of the Fund under the 1940 Act, particularly Section 31
thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder or as reasonably requested from
time to time by the Fund. All records maintained by State Street in connection
with the performance of its duties under this Agreement shall remain the
property of the Fund, and, in the event of termination of this Agreement, shall
be delivered in accordance with the terms of paragraph 10 below.
J. Miscellaneous. Assist generally in the preparation of
routine reports to holders of shares of the Fund, to the Commission, including
form N-SAR, to state "Blue Sky" authorities, to others in the auditing of
accounts and in other matters of like nature and as otherwise reasonably
requested by the Fund.
K. Fund Accounting and Net Asset Value Computation. State
Street shall maintain the general ledger and all other books of account of the
Fund, including the accounting of the Fund. In addition, upon receipt of Proper
Instructions, which may be deemed to be continuing instructions, State Street
shall daily compute the net asset value of the shares of the Fund and the total
net asset value of the Fund. State Street shall, in addition, perform such other
services incidental to its duties hereunder as may be reasonably requested from
time to time by the Fund.
6. State Street and the Fund further agree as follows:
A. Proper Instructions. State Street shall be deemed to have
received Proper Instructions upon receipt of written instructions signed by the
Fund's Trustees or by one or more person or persons as the Fund's Board of
Trustees shall have from time to time authorized to give the particular class of
instructions for different purposes. Different persons may be authorized to give
instructions for different purposes. A copy of a resolution or action of the
Trustees certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund may be
received and accepted by State Street as conclusive evidence of the instruction
of the Fund's Board of Trustees and/or the authority of any person or persons to
act on behalf of the Fund and may be considered as in full force and effect
until receipt of written notice to the contrary. Such instruction may be general
or specific in terms. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions
if State Street reasonably believes them to have been given by a person
authorized by the Board of Trustees to give such oral instructions with respect
to the class of instruction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions
to be confirmed in writing. Proper instructions may include communications
effected directly between electromechanical or electronic devices provided that
the Fund and State Street are satisfied that such procedures afford adequate
safeguards for the assets of the Fund. Use by the Fund of such communication
systems shall constitute approval by the Fund of the safeguards available
therewith.
B. Investments, Limitations. In performing its duties
generally, and more particularly in connection with the purchase, sale and
exchange of securities made by or for the Fund, State Street may take cognizance
of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund, as amended; provided,
however, that except as otherwise expressly provided herein, State Street may
assume unless and until notified in writing to the contrary that instructions
purporting to be Proper Instructions received by it are not in conflict with or
in any way contrary to any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund, as
amended, or resolutions or proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
7. State Street and the Fund further agree as follows:
A. Indemnification. State Street, as Custodian, shall be
entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the
Fund) and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or thing
reasonably done pursuant to such advice; provided that such action is not in
violation of applicable federal or state laws or regulations or contrary to
written instructions received from the Fund, and shall be indemnified by the
Fund and without liability for any action taken or thing done by it in carrying
out the terms and provisions of this Agreement in good faith and without
negligence, misfeasance or misconduct. In order that the indemnification
provision contained in this paragraph shall apply, however, if the Fund is asked
to indemnify or save State Street harmless, the Fund shall be fully and promptly
advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and State
Street shall use all reasonable care to identify and notify the Fund fully and
promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears likely to present
the probability of such a claim for indemnification against the Fund. The Fund
shall have the option to defend State Street against any claim which may be the
subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Fund so elects, it
will so notify State Street, and thereupon the Fund shall take over complete
defense of the claim, and State Street shall initiate no further legal or other
expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this paragraph. State
Street shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in
which the Fund will be asked to indemnify State Street except with the Fund's
prior written consent.
B. Expenses Reimbursement. State Street shall be entitled to
receive from the Fund on demand reimbursement for its cash disbursements,
expenses and charges, excluding salaries and usual overhead expenses with
respect to the Fund, as set forth in Schedule A.
C. Appointment of Agents and Subcustodians. State Street, as
Custodian, may appoint (and may remove), only in compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as amended, any other
bank, trust company or responsible commercial agent as its agent or Subcustodian
to carry out such of the provisions of this Agreement as State Street may from
time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any such agent
or Subcustodian shall not relieve State Street of any of its responsibilities
under this Agreement.
D. Reliance on Documents. So long as and to the extent that it
is in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable care, State Street, as
Custodian, shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Agreement, shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to constitute Proper Instructions under this
Agreement and shall, except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement, be entitled to receive as conclusive proof of any fact or matter
required to be ascertained by it hereunder a certificate signed by the Fund's
Trustees, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund or any other
person expressly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
E. Access to Records. Subject to security requirements of
State Street applicable to its own employees having access to similar records
within State Street and such regulations as to the conduct of such monitors as
may be reasonably imposed by State Street after prior consultation with an
authorized officer of the Fund, books and records of State Street pertaining to
its actions under this Agreement shall be open to inspection and audit at
reasonable times by the Trustees of, attorneys for, auditors employed by the
Fund or any other person as the Fund's Board of Trustees shall direct.
F. Recordkeeping. State Street shall maintain such records as
shall enable the Fund to comply with the requirements of all federal and state
laws and regulations applicable to the Fund with respect to the matters covered
by this Agreement.
8. If the Fund requires State Street to advance cash or securities for
any purpose or in the event that State Street or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be
security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay State Street promptly, State
Street shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund's
assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement; provided, however, that
the total value of any property of the Fund which at any time is security for
any payment by State Street hereunder shall not exceed 15% of the Fund's total
net asset value.
9. The Fund shall pay State Street for its services as Custodian such
compensation as shall be specified on the attached Schedule A. Such compensation
shall remain fixed until otherwise agreed in writing by the parties hereto,
unless this Agreement is terminated as provided in paragraph 10.
10. State Street and the Fund further agree as follows:
A. Effective Period, Termination, Amendment and Interpretive
and Additional Provisions. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date
of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as
hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing
delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party, such termination to
take effect sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; and
further provided that the Fund may, by action of the Fund's Board of Trustees,
substitute another bank or trust company for State Street by giving notice as
provided above to State Street, provided, however that State Street shall not
act under paragraphs 4B or 4C hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of
Trustees of the Fund has approved the initial use of a particular Securities
System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of such
Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act,
and that State Street shall not act under paragraph 4C hereof in the absence of
receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of the Direct Paper
System and the receipt of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of Trustees has reviewed the use by the Fund of the
Direct Paper System. The Fund or State Street shall not amend or terminate this
Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state laws or
regulations, or any provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund, as
amended; provided, however, that in the event of such termination State Street
shall remain as Custodian hereunder for a reasonable period thereafter if the
Fund after using its best efforts is unable to find a Successor Custodian.
In connection with the operation of this Agreement, State Street and
the Fund may agree from time to time on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement, any such interpretive or
additional provision to be signed by both parties and annexed hereto, provided
that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any
applicable federal or state laws or regulations, or any provision of the Fund's
Declaration of Trust as amended. No interpretive provisions made as provided in
the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.
B. Successor Custodian. Upon termination hereof or the
inability of State Street to continue to serve hereunder, the Fund shall pay to
State Street such compensation as may be due for services through the date of
such termination and shall likewise reimburse State Street for its costs,
expenses and disbursements incurred prior to such termination in accordance with
paragraph 7B hereof and such reasonable costs, expenses and disbursements as may
be incurred by State Street in connection with such termination.
If a Successor Custodian is appointed by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund in accordance with the Fund's Declaration of Trust, as amended, State
Street shall, upon termination, deliver to such Successor Custodian at the
office of State Street, properly endorsed and in proper form for transfer, all
securities then held hereunder, all cash and other assets of the Fund deposited
with or held by it hereunder.
If no such Successor Custodian is appointed, State Street shall, in
like manner at its office, upon receipt of a certified copy of a resolution of
the shareholders pursuant to the Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as
amended, deliver such securities, cash and other properties in accordance with
such resolutions.
In the event that no written order designating a Successor Custodian or
certified copy of a resolution of the shareholders shall have been delivered to
State Street on or before the date when such termination shall become effective,
then State Street shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published
report, of not less than $5,000,000, all securities, cash and other properties
held by State Street and all instruments held by it relative thereto and all
other property held by it under this Agreement. Thereafter, such bank or trust
company shall be the Successor of State Street under this Agreement and subject
to the restrictions, limitations and other requirements of the Fund's
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, both as amended.
In the event that securities, funds, and other properties remain in the
possession of State Street after the date of termination hereof owing to failure
of the Fund to procure the certified copy above referred to, or of the Fund's
Board of Trustees to appoint a Successor Custodian, State Street shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period, and the
provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of State
Street shall remain in full force and effect.
C. Duplicate Records and Backup Facilities. State Street shall
not be liable for loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its
control, including but not limited to acts of civil or military authority,
national emergencies, fire, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection,
war, riots or failure of transportation, communication or power supply. However,
State Street shall keep in a separate and safe place additional copies of all
records required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement or additional
tapes, disks or other sources of information necessary to reproduce all such
records. Furthermore, at all times during this Agreement, State Street shall
maintain a contractual arrangement whereby State Street will have a back-up
computer facility available for its use in providing the services required
hereunder in the event circumstances beyond State Street's control result in
State Street not being able to process the necessary work at its principal
computer facility, State Street shall, from time to time, upon request from the
Fund provide written evidence and details of its arrangement for obtaining the
use of such a back-up computer facility. State Street shall use its best efforts
to minimize the likelihood of all damage, loss of data, delays and errors
resulting from an uncontrollable event, and should such damage, loss of data,
delays or errors occur, State Street shall use its best efforts to mitigate the
effects of such occurrence. Representatives of the Fund shall be entitled to
inspect the State Street premises and operating capabilities within reasonable
business hours upon reasonable notice to State Street, and, upon request of such
representative or representatives, State Street shall from time to time as
appropriate, furnish to the Fund a letter setting forth the insurance coverage
thereon, any changes in such coverage which may occur and any claim relating to
the Fund which State Street may have made under such insurance.
D. Confidentiality. State Street agrees to treat all records
and other information relative to the Fund confidentially and State Street, on
behalf of itself and its officers, employees and agents, agrees to keep
confidential all such information, except after prior notification to and
approval by the Fund (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may
not be withheld where State Street may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt
proceedings), when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted
authorities or when so requested by a properly authorized person.
State Street and the Fund agree that they, their officers, employees
and agents shall maintain all information disclosed to them by the other in
connection with this Agreement in confidence and will not disclose any such
information to any other person, nor use such information for their own benefit
or for the benefit of third parties without the consent in writing of the other;
provided, however, that each party shall have the right to use any such
information for its own necessary internal purposes while this Agreement is in
effect. The provisions of the paragraph shall not apply to information which (i)
is in or becomes part of the public domain, or (ii) is demonstrably known
previously to the party to whom it is disclosed, or (iii) is independently
developed outside this Agreement by the party to whom it is disclosed or (iv) is
rightfully obtained from third parties by the party to whom it is disclosed.
11. The Fund shall not circulate any printed matter which contains any
reference to State Street without the prior written approval of State Street,
excepting solely such printed matter as merely identifies State Street as
Custodian. The Fund will submit printed matter requiring approval to State
Street in draft form, allowing sufficient time for review by State Street and
its counsel prior to any deadline for printing.
12. In the event of a reorganization of the Fund through a merger,
consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, State Street, at the
request of the Fund, shall act as Custodian for shares of any investment company
or other company obtained in any such reorganization by the Fund for
distribution to those Fund shareholders whose shares are represented by
certificates. The Fund shall give notice to each such shareholder of his or her
right to exchange his or her Fund shares represented by certificates for shares
held by State Street upon surrender to State Street of his or her certificates
representing such Fund shares properly endorsed and in proper form for transfer.
Upon the surrender of such Fund certificates, State Street will issue a
certificate or certificates to the surrendering shareholder for an approximate
number of shares held by State Street, unless such shareholder establishes an
Open Account Plan or other similar account at that time in which case such
shares will be credited to his or her account. State Street shall not be
required to issue certificates for any fractional shares held by it. Instead,
fractional interests in such shares shall be distributed to the shareholder in
cash at their then current market value or, if the fractional share represents
an interest in an investment company, it shall be redeemed by State Street at
the then current redemption price for such shares and the proceeds of such
redemption shall be distributed to such shareholder in cash. State Street shall
not release to any shareholder any such shares held by it until such shareholder
has properly surrendered for exchange his or her Fund shares represented by
certificates.
13. This Agreement is executed and delivered in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall be subject to and be construed in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth.
14. Notices and other writings delivered or mailed postage prepaid to
Keystone Omega Fund, c/o Keystone Investment Management Company, 200 Berkeley
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, or to State Street at 225 Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, or to such other address as the Fund or State
Street may hereafter specify, shall be deemed to have been properly delivered or
given hereunder to the respective address.
15. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the Fund and State Street and their respective successors or assigns.
16. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
17. This Agreement is made on behalf of the Fund by an officer or
Trustee of the Fund, not individually but solely as an officer or Trustee under
the Fund's Declaration of Trust, and the obligations under this Agreement are
not binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the property of any of the
Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the fund personally,
but are binding only on the property of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized
officer as of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
By:
---------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III
Chief Executive Officer and
President
ATTEST: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
#101606a1
<PAGE>
***SEE State Street Fee Schedule for Fees
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(10)
December 19, 1995
Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116-5034
Gentlemen:
You have asked for my opinion with respect to the issuance of Class A,
B and C shares of Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund (the "Fund") under the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund dated December 13, 1995. A prospectus and
statement of additional information are expected to be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as part of the Fund's Registration Statement covering
the registration of the Fund as an investment company and the public offering
and sale of the Fund's Class A, B and C shares. In my opinion, after the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, such shares, when issued and sold,
will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund, entitling the
holders thereof to the rights set forth in the Declaration of Trust, and subject
to the limitations stated therein.
My opinion is based upon my examination of the Fund's Declaration of
Trust and the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information as they
are proposed to be filed in the Registration Statement.
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion in connection with the
registration of the Fund and its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Rosemary D. Van Antwerp
Rosemary D. Van Antwerp
Senior Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel
#101606a2
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(13)
December 19, 1995
Albert H. Elfner, III, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
RE: Subscription for Shares
Dear Mr. Elfner:
Keystone Investment Management Company, in consideration of the
formation of Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund ("Fund") as a Massachusetts business
trust, hereby subscribes to 10,000 Shares of beneficial interest without par
value of the Fund ("Shares") and agrees to pay $100,000 for such shares ($10.00
each).
This subscription shall be payable and the shares subscribed for in
this letter shall be issued prior to the effective date of the registration of
such shares under the Securities Act of 1933. The payment of this subscription
shall be in cash.
The purchase of shares pursuant to this subscription will be made for
investment purposes and not with a view to the distribution of such shares.
Please indicate your agreement and acceptance of this subscription by
signing below.
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
COMPANY
By: /s/ Rosemary D. Van Antwerp
--------------------------------
Rosemary D. Van Antwerp
Senior Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel
Accepted and Agreed to on
December 19, 1995
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
By /s/ Albert H. Elfner, III
-------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III
President
101606a3
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(15)
FORM OF
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
CLASS A DISTRIBUTION PLAN
SECTION 1. Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund ("Fund") may act as the
distributor of securities of which it is the issuer, pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") according to the terms of
this Distribution Plan ("Plan").
SECTION 2. The Fund may expend daily amounts at an annual rate of 0.75% of
the average daily net asset value of Class A shares of the Fund to finance any
activity which is principally intended to result in the sale of Class A shares
of Fund common stock ("shares"), including, without limitation, expenditures
consisting of payments to a principal underwriter of the Fund ("Principal
Underwriter") in order (i) to enable the Principal Underwriter to pay to others
commissions in respect of sales of Class A shares of the Fund since inception of
the Plan; (ii) to enable the Principal Underwriter to pay or to have paid to
others who sell Class A shares a maintenance or other fee, at such intervals as
the Principal Underwriter may determine, in respect of Class A shares previously
sold by any such others and remaining outstanding during the period in respect
of which such fee is or has been paid; and/or (iii) to compensate the Principal
Underwriter for its efforts in respect of sales of Class A shares of the Fund
since inception of the Plan.
SECTION 3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a
vote of at least a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding
Class A shares of the Fund.
SECTION 4. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved
together with any related agreements of the Fund by votes of a majority of both
(a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are
not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any
agreements of the Fund or any other person related to this Plan ("Rule 12b-1
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this
Plan or such agreements.
SECTION 5. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 7, this Plan shall
continue in effect for a period of one year from the date it takes effect and
thereafter shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in
Section 4.
SECTION 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid
or payable by the Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall
provide to the Fund's Board of Trustees and the Board shall review at least
quarterly a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority
of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding
Class A shares.
SECTION 8. Any agreement of the Fund related to this Plan shall be in
writing, and shall provide:
A. That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of
any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding Class A shares on not
more than sixty days written notice to any other party to the
agreement; and
B. That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment.
SECTION 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount
of distribution expenses provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment
is approved in the manner provided in Section 3 hereof and no material amendment
to this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for in Section
4 hereof.
101606ad
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
FOR
CLASS B SHARES
OF
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
Section 1. Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund, individually and/or on behalf
of its series, if any, referred to above in the title of this 12b-1 Plan (the
"Plan"), to which series this Plan shall then relate, as applicable (the
"Fund"), may act as the distributor of certain securities of which it is the
issuer pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act") according to the terms of this Distribution Plan.
Section 2. The Fund may expend daily amounts at an annual rate of up to
1.00% of the average daily net asset value of the Fund attributable to the
Fund's Class B shares (the "Shares"). Such amounts may be expended to finance
any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of Shares,
including, without limitation, expenditures consisting of payments to a
principal underwriter of the Fund or others as sales commissions or other
compensation for services provided or to be provided ("Distribution Fees") or as
reimbursement for expenses that are incurred or accrued at any time during which
this Plan is in effect, together with interest on any such amounts, at rates
approved by the Rule 12b-1 Trustees (as defined below) in the manner referred to
below, all whether or not this Plan has been otherwise terminated, if such
payment of such expenditures is for services theretofore provided or for
reimbursement of expenses theretofore incurred or accrued prior to termination
of this Plan in other respects and if such payment is or has been so approved by
such Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or agreed to by the Fund with such approval, all
subject to such specific implementation as such 12b-1 Trustees may approve;
provided that, at the time any such payment is made, whether or not this Plan
has been otherwise terminated, the making of such payment will not cause the
limitation upon such payments set forth in the preceding sentence to be
exceeded. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Fund may pay to,
or on the order of, any person who has served from time to time as principal
underwriter (a "Principal Underwriter") amounts for distribution services
pursuant to a principal underwriting agreement or otherwise. No principal
underwriting agreement or other agreement shall be an agreement related to this
Plan, as referred to in Rule 12b-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
unless it specifically states that it is such a related agreement. Any such
principal underwriting agreement may, but need not, provide that such Principal
Underwriter may be paid for distribution services to Class B Shares and/or other
specified classes of shares of the Fund (together the "B-Class-of-Shares"), a
fee which may be designated a Distribution Fee and may be paid at a rate per
annum up to .75% of the average daily net asset value of such B-Class-of-Shares
of the Fund and may, but need not, also provide: (I) that a Principal
Underwriter will be deemed to have fully earned its "Allocable Portion" of the
Distribution Fee upon the sale of the Commission Shares (as defined in the
Allocation Schedule) taken into account in determining its Allocable Portion;
(II) that the Fund's obligation to pay such Principal Underwriter its Allocable
Portion of the Distribution Fees shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
not be subject to dispute, offset, counterclaim or any defense whatsoever (it
being understood that such provision is not a waiver of the Fund's right to
pursue such Principal Underwriter and enforce such claims against the assets of
such Principal Underwriter other than its right to its Allocable Portion of the
Distribution Fees and CDSCs (as defined below)); (III) that the Fund's
obligation to pay such Principal Underwriter its Allocable Portion of the
Distribution Fees shall not be changed or terminated except to the extent
required by any change in applicable law, including without limitation, the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Rules promulgated thereunder by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the Rules of Fair Practice of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., in each case enacted or
promulgated after June 1, 1995, or in connection with a "Complete Termination"
(as hereinafter defined); (IV) that the Fund will not waive or change any
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") in respect of the Distributor's
Allocable Portion thereof, except as provided in the Fund's prospectus or
statement of additional information without the consent of the Principal
Underwriter or any assignee of such Principal Underwriter's rights to its
Allocable Portion; (V) that the termination of the Principal Underwriter, the
principal underwriting agreement or this Plan will not terminate such Principal
Underwriter's rights to its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs; and (VI) that any
Principal Underwriter may assign its rights to its Allocable Portion of the
Distribution Fees and CDSCs (but not such Principal Underwriter's obligations to
the Fund under its principal underwriting agreement) to raise funds to make
expenditures described in Section 2 above and in connection therewith, and upon
receipt of notice of such assignment, the Fund shall pay to the assignee such
portion of the Principal Underwriter's Allocable Portion of the Distribution
Fees and CDSCs so assigned. For purposes of such principal underwriting
agreement, the term Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees as applied to any
Principal Underwriter may mean the portion of the Distribution Fee allocable to
Distributor Shares in accordance with the "Allocation Schedule" attached to such
Principal Underwriter's principal underwriting agreement. For purposes of such
principal underwriting agreement, the term Allocable Portion of CDSCs as applied
to any Principal Underwriter may mean the portion of the CDSCs allocable to
Distributor Shares in accordance with the Allocation Schedule attached to such
Principal Underwriter's principal underwriting agreement. For purposes of such
principal underwriting agreement, the term "Complete Termination" may mean a
termination of this Plan involving the cessation of payments of the Distribution
Fees thereunder, the cessation of payments of distribution fees pursuant to
every other rule 12b-1 plan of the Fund for every existing or future
B-Class-of-Shares and the cessation of the offering by the Fund of existing or
future B-Class-of-Shares, which conditions shall be deemed to be satisfied when
they are first complied with and so long thereafter as they are complied with
prior to the earlier of (i) the date upon which all of the B Shares which are
Distributor Shares pursuant to the Allocation Schedule shall have been redeemed
or converted or (ii) a specified date, after either of which times such
conditions need no longer be complied with. For purposes of such principal
underwriting agreement, the term "B-Class-of-Shares" may mean the B Class of
Shares of the Fund and each other class of shares of the Fund hereafter issued
which would be treated as "Shares" under such Allocation Schedule or which has
economic characteristics substantially similar to those of the B Class of Shares
taking into account the total sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne
directly or indirectly by the holder of the shares of such classes. The parties
may agree that the existing C Class of Shares of the Fund does not have
substantially similar economic characteristics to the B Class of Shares taking
into account the total sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne
directly or indirectly by the holder of such shares. For purposes of clarity the
parties to such principal underwriting agreement may state that they intend that
a new installment load class of shares which may be authorized by amendments to
Rule 6(c)-10 under the 1940 Act will be considered to be a B-Class-of-Shares if
it has economic characteristics substantially similar to the economic
characteristics of the existing B Class of Shares taking into account the total
sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or indirectly by the
holder of such shares and will not be considered to be a B-Class-of-Shares if it
has economic characteristics substantially similar to the economic
characteristics of the existing C Class of shares of the Fund taking into
account the total sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or
indirectly by the holder of such shares. For purposes of such principal
underwriting agreement, "Allocation Schedule" may mean a schedule which shall be
approved by Trustees (as defined below) in connection with their required
approval of such principal underwriting agreement as assigning to each Principal
Underwriter of Shares the portion of the total Distribution Fees payable by the
Fund under such principal underwriting agreement which has been earned by such
Principal Underwriter to the extent necessary so that the continued payments
thereof if such Principal Underwriter ceases to serve in that capacity does not
penalize the Fund by requiring it to pay for services that have not been earned.
Section 3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved
by a vote of at least a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding
Shares.
Section 4. This Plan, and the specific implementation of expenditures
provided for under this Plan, shall not take effect until this Plan, and such
implementation, have been approved, together with any related agreements of the
Fund, by votes of both (a) a majority of the Board of Trustees (the "Trustees")
of the Fund and (b) a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund (as said term is defined in the 1940 Act) and
who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan
or any agreements of the Fund or any other person related to this Plan (the
"Rule 12b-1 Trusteess"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on this Plan or such agreements.
Section 5. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 7 hereof, this
Plan shall continue in effect for a period of one year from the date it takes
effect and thereafter shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of
this Plan in Section 4 hereof, except that, if terminated except for payments
provided to be made after termination of other aspects of this Plan, such
payments may be made pursuant to approvals made, and or agreements approved, as
provided above.
Section 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies
paid or payable by the Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall
provide to the Fund's Board of Trustees, and the Board shall review, at least
quarterly a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made.
Section 7. This Plan may be terminated, in whole or in part, at any
time by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority
of the outstanding Shares, with the effects provided for in Section 2, as
applicable.
Section 8. Any agreement of the Fund related to this Plan shall be in
writing, and shall provide as follows:
(a) That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without
payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares on
not more than sixty days written notice to any other party to the
agreement; and
(b) That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of
its assignment.
Section 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the
amount of distribution expenses provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such
amendment is approved in the manner provided in Section 3 hereof, and no
material amendment to this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner
provided for in Section 4 hereof.
#101606af
<PAGE>
FORM OF
KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
CLASS C DISTRIBUTION PLAN
SECTION 1. Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund (the "Fund") may act as the
distributor of securities of which it is the issuer pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") according to the terms of
this Distribution Plan ("Plan").
SECTION 2. The Fund may expend daily amounts at an annual rate of 1.00%
of the average daily net asset value of the Fund attributable to the Fund's
Class C shares to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in
the sale of Class C shares, including, without limitation, expenditures
consisting of payments to a principal underwriter of the Fund ("Principal
Underwriter") or others as sales commissions or other compensation for their
services that have been earned or as reimbursement for expenses that have been
incurred or accrued at any time during which this Plan has been in effect
together with interest at a rate approved from time to time by the Rule 12b-1
Trustees (as defined below) on any such amounts.
SECTION 3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved
by a vote of at least a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding
Class C shares.
SECTION 4. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved
together with any related agreements of the Fund by votes of a majority of both
(a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are
not "interested persons" of the Fund (as said term is defined in the 1940 Act)
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this
Plan or any agreements of the Fund or any other person related to this Plan (the
"Rule 12b-1 Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on this Plan or such agreements.
SECTION 5. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 7 hereof, this
Plan shall continue in effect for a period of one year from the date it takes
effect and thereafter shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of
this Plan in Section 4 hereof.
SECTION 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies
paid or payable by the Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall
provide to the Fund's Board of Trustees and the Board shall review at least
quarterly a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
Class C shares.
SECTION 8. Any agreement of the Fund related to this Plan shall be in
writing, and shall provide as follows:
(a) That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without
payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1
Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Class C
shares on not more than sixty days written notice to any other
party to the agreement; and
(b) That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of
its assignment.
SECTION 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the
amount of distribution expenses provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such
amendment is approved in the manner provided in Section 3 hereof and no material
amendment to this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for
in Section 4 hereof.
#101606ae
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(18)
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN FOR KEYSTONE SMALL CAP STOCK FUND
Keystone Small Cap Stock Fund (the "Fund") currently offers three classes of
shares with the following class provisions and current offering and exchange
characteristics. Additional classes of shares, when created, may have
characteristics that differ from those described. References to percentages not
otherwise defined are to percentages of average daily net assets of a class.
I. CLASSES
1. Class A Shares
Class A Shares have a distribution plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Rule
12b-1") and/or a shareholder services plan. The plans provide
for payments annually for distribution and/or shareholder
services fees based on a percentage of average daily net
assets of the Fund.
Class A Shares are offered with a front-end sales load, except
that purchases of Class A Shares made under certain
circumstances (i) are not subject to a front-end sales load
but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC")
of limited duration or (ii) are not subject to a front-end
sales load or a CDSC.
Class A Shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares of other
Keystone America Funds and Class A Shares of Keystone Liquid
Trust. Class A Shares subject to a CDSC when exchanged will
remain subject to the CDSC after the exchange.
2. Class B Shares
Class B Shares have distribution plans adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 and may have a shareholder services plan, which
plans provide for payments annually for distribution and/or
shareholder services fees based on a percentage of average
daily net assets of the Fund. Class B Shares are offered at
net asset value without a front-end sales load but with a
CDSC, which is a declining percentage on the lesser of current
net asset value or initial cost and is of limited duration.
Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares within
a specified number of years without a sales load or exchange
fee.
Class B Shares may be exchanged for Class B Shares of other
Keystone America Funds issued after June 1, 1995 and Class B
Shares of Keystone Liquid Trust issued after June 1, 1995.
Class B Shares subject to a CDSC when exchanged will remain
subject to the CDSC after the exchange.
3. Class C Shares
Class C Shares have a distribution plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1, and may have a shareholder services plan, which
plans provide for payments annually for distribution and/or
shareholder services fees based on a percentage of average
daily net assets of the Fund. Class C Shares are subject to a
CDSC, which is a percentage of the lesser of current net asset
value or initial cost applied for a limited duration.
Class C Shares are offered at net asset value without a
front-end sales load.
Class C Shares may be exchanged for Class C Shares of other
Keystone America Funds and Keystone Liquid Trust. Class C
Shares subject to a CDSC when exchanged will remain subject to
the CDSC after the exchange.
II. CLASS EXPENSES
Each class bears the expenses of its Rule 12b-1 plan and/or
shareholder services plan. There currently are no other class
specific expenses.
III. EXPENSE ALLOCATION METHOD
All income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses
and expenses not assigned to a class will be allocated to each
class based on the relative net asset value of each class.
IV. VOTING RIGHTS
Each class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter
submitted to its shareholders that relates solely to its class
arrangement.
Each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter
submitted to shareholders where the interests of one class
differ from the interests of any other class.
Each class has in all other respects the same rights and
obligations as each other class.
V. EXPENSE WAIVERS OR REIMBURSEMENTS
Any expense waivers or reimbursements shall be in compliance
with Rule 18f-3 issued under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
102007E6
<PAGE>
Exhibit 24(b)(19)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and/or Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer and for which Keystone Custodian Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser
or Manager and registering from time to time the shares of such companies, and
generally to do all such things in my name and in my behalf to enable such
investment companies to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and all
requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be signed by
my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and amendments thereto.
/s/ George S. Bissell
George S. Bissell
Director/Trustee,
Chairman of the Board
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and/or Chief Executive Officer and for
which Keystone Custodian Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and
registering from time to time the shares of such companies, and generally to do
all such things in my name and in my behalf to enable such investment companies
to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and all requirements and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and
confirming my signature as it may be signed by my said attorneys to any and all
registration statements and amendments thereto.
/s/ Albert H. Elfner, III
Albert H. Elfner, III
Director/Trustee,
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Rosemary D. Van Antwerp, Jean S.
Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T. Murphy, each of
them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and each of
them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated below any and all
registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5,
N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all amendments thereto
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of
registering from time to time all investment companies of which I am now or
hereafter a Director, Trustee or officer and for which Keystone Investment
Management Company serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to
time the shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my
name and in my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as
it may be signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ J. Kevin Kenely
J. Kevin Kenely
Treasurer
Dated: December 15, 1995
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Frederick Amling
Frederick Amling
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Charles A. Austin III
Charles A. Austin III
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Edwin D. Campbell
Edwin D. Campbell
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Charles F. Chapin
Charles F. Chapin
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ K. Dun Gifford
K. Dun Gifford
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Leroy Keith, Jr.
Leroy Keith, Jr.
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ F. Ray Keyser,Jr.
F. Ray Keyser, Jr.
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ David M. Richardson
David M. Richardson
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Richard J. Shima
Richard J. Shima
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned, hereby constitute Roger T. Wickers, Rosemary D. Van
Antwerp, Jean S. Loewenberg, Dorothy E. Bourassa, James M. Wall and Melina M. T.
Murphy, each of them singly, my true and lawful attorneys, with full power to
them and each of them to sign for me and in my name in the capacity indicated
below any and all registration statements, including, but not limited to, Forms
N-8A, N-8B-1, S-5, N-1 and N-1A, as amended from time to time, and any and all
amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the purpose of registering from time to time all investment companies of which I
am now or hereafter a Director or Trustee and for which Keystone Custodian
Funds, Inc. serves as Adviser or Manager and registering from time to time the
shares of such companies, and generally to do all such things in my name and in
my behalf to enable such investment companies to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and all requirements and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be
signed by my said attorneys to any and all registration statements and
amendments thereto.
/s/ Andrew J. Simons
Andrew J. Simons
Director/Trustee
Dated: December 14, 1994
