CHARTER EQUITY FUND [LOGO]
PROSPECTUS
JUNE 23, 1999
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PROSPECTUS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
An Overview of the Fund........................ 2
Fees and Expenses.............................. 4
Investment Objective, Investment Strategies and
Related Risks................................ 5
Investment Advisor............................. 9
Shareholder Information........................ 11
Distributions and Taxes........................ 16
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FUND
CHARTER EQUITY FUND'S INVESTMENT GOALS
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
PROSPECTUS 2
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CHARTER EQUITY FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund will primarily invest in common stocks of companies with a market
capitalization in excess of $1 billion. The Fund also will invest in foreign
securities traded on a U.S. exchange and in American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs"). The Fund is non-diversified. This means that it may make larger
investments in individual companies than a fund that is diversified. In
selecting investments, among other factors, the Advisor considers the following:
* Whether the industry sector within which the stock is found is likely to
perform well given the outlook for the economy.
* The relationship between the 5-year historic earnings growth rate and the
price/earnings ratio.
* The relationship between the expected future earnings growth rate and the
price/earnings ratio.
* The attractiveness of a stock's valuation as measured against other stocks
in the same business sector.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND
There is the risk that you could lose money on your investment in the Fund. For
example, the following risks could affect the value of your investment:
* The stock market goes down.
* Interest rates go up which can result in a decline in the stock market.
* Stocks in the Fund's portfolio may not increase their earnings at the rate
anticipated.
* An individual stock or stocks may lose market value.
* Adverse developments occur in foreign markets. Foreign investments involve
greater risk.
* As a non-diversified fund, the share price of the Fund may be more volatile
than the share price of a diversified fund.
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND
The Fund may be appropriate for investors who:
* Are pursuing a long-term goal such as retirement.
* Want to add an investment with growth potential.
* Are willing to accept higher potential for short-term volatility in
exchange for a higher potential for long-term growth than an investment in
cash or bonds.
WHO MAY NOT WANT TO INVEST IN THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND
If you are seeking income, other investment strategies may be more appropriate.
The Fund's principal investment strategy causes the Fund to buy stocks for their
potential for appreciation.
Often that kind of stock pays little or no dividend. Accordingly, it is unlikely
that there will be substantial dividend income generated on your investment in
the Fund.
If you are likely to have to use your funds to meet your short-term needs, an
investment in the Fund may not be appropriate.
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FEES AND EXPENSES
THIS TABLE DESCRIBES THE FEES AND EXPENSES THAT YOU MAY PAY IF YOU BUY AND HOLD
SHARES OF THE FUND.
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
(as a percentage of offering price ).............................. None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
(as a percentage of the lower of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds)..................................... None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES*
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
Management Fees....................................................... 1.00%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1 Fees).............................. 0.25%
Other Expenses........................................................ 3.00%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses.................................. 4.25%
Fee Reduction and/or Expense Reimbursement............................ (2.50%)
Net Expenses.......................................................... 1.75%
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* Other Expenses are estimated for the first fiscal year of the Fund. The
Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or pay operating
expenses of the Fund (excluding interest, tax and other nonrecurring charges) to
insure that the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses will not exceed
1.75% of average daily net assets. This contract's term is indefinite and may be
terminated only by the Board of Trustees. The Advisor is permitted to be
reimbursed, subject to limitations, for fees it waives and for Fund expenses it
pays.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in shares of
the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time period
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be
higher or lower, under the assumptions, your costs would be:
One Year.............................. $177
Three Years........................... $550
PROSPECTUS 4
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CHARTER EQUITY FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE OF THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND?
The Fund's investment goal is long-term growth of capital.
IN WHAT TYPES OF SECURITIES WILL THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND INVEST?
The Fund will concentrate its investments in common stocks of companies
with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may also invest
in foreign securities traded on a U.S. exchange and in American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs").
WHAT IS CHARTER EQUITY FUND?
Charter Equity Fund is a stock mutual fund developed by Charter Financial
Group, Inc., ("Charter" or the "Advisor") for individuals and institutions that
would like Charter to manage their portfolio but who are unable to meet the
minimum account size required of clients handled in Charter's Private Client
Group.
WHAT INVESTMENT APPROACH WILL BE USED IN MANAGING THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND?
The portfolio management team will use the same approach it has used in
managing separate accounts for the Advisor's clients. That approach is based on
a belief that a portfolio is adequately diversified when it is comprised of no
more than 25-30 stocks, each representing 3-4% of market value of the Fund at
time of purchase. It is believed that additional stocks will create no further
diversification but will lessen the impact of each securities' performance on
the total return of the Fund.
The Advisor believes that approach is one of the primary factors
influencing its ability to generate competitive investment returns in a variety
of market conditions and sets Charter Equity Fund apart from many other funds.
The Advisor believes that many mutual funds today are so big that their
large amount of assets under management causes them to hold a greater number of
stocks than their research alone would dictate. When a fund holds a large number
of stocks it can become so overly diversified that even the great stock picks
have a relatively small impact on the performance of the fund. In fairness, it
is also true that bad stock picks also have relatively small impact on fund
performance.
HOW DOES CHARTER PICK THE STOCKS IN THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO?
The research process begins with a universe of approximately 2,000 publicly
traded companies, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and non-U.S. stocks traded as
ADRs on U.S. exchanges. The Advisor groups the stocks into nine broadly defined
5 PROSPECTUS
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business sectors. This helps the portfolio management team in deciding which
sectors are positioned well given current macroeconomic trends and events. The
portfolio will own a greater number of stocks in the sectors the team expects
will do well and fewer in those not so well positioned.
When the team decides to have more of the portfolio in a given sector than
its representation in the S&P 500, the amount by which the sector will be
overweighted will usually be a small amount. It would be unusual for the
portfolio to have greater or lesser exposure to a given business sector than
125% of that sector's makeup in the S&P 500.
Once the Advisor has settled on its sector emphasis, the research turns to
deciding which of the specific stocks within each sector are the ones which are
the best to own. The Advisor employs a philosophy called "Growth at a Reasonable
Price" ("GARP"). This strategy combines some aspects of both the "value" and
"growth" styles of investing. Those aspects emphasize the relationships between
various financial ratios. In its analysis, the Advisor looks for those companies
within each sector that exhibit the best relationship between historic and
projected earnings growth rates and its current Price/Earnings ratio.
In its analysis, the Advisor creates a ratio where the company's current
Price/Earnings ratio is expressed as the numerator and its earnings growth rate
the denominator. A small, positive ratio is most desirable.
When comparing the company's ratios, each company is judged against other
companies within its own business sector rather than with companies in other
business sectors. This is as a way to ensure that the Fund portfolio fulfills
its predetermined sector emphasis. As an example, if the desired portfolio
weighting of drug stocks equals 6% of the total portfolio, and the market value
of each stock in the portfolio will be roughly 3% of the portfolio at purchase,
two drug stocks are needed to fulfill the 6% overall commitment to the drug
sector. Those two drug companies ranking number one and two by ratio are chosen.
Once a security is bought it will not be sold until one of the following
events occurs:
* When there is a change in fundamental financial ratios of that company.
* When a company does not meet expectations and there is a determination that
it will not meet those expectations in the future.
* When the desired committment to a particular business sector is reduced.
The Advisor keeps a portfolio as close to fully invested as possible. When
a company is sold a new company is added immediately to take its place. This
PROSPECTUS 6
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process of replacing securities immediately ensures that cash is kept to
relatively small percentage of the portfolio. However, the Fund may temporarily
depart from its principal investment strategies by making short-term investments
in cash equivalents in response to adverse market, economic or political
conditions. This may result in the Fund not achieving its investment objective.
In keeping with its investment approach, the Advisor does not anticipate
frequent buying and selling of securities. This means that the Fund should have
a low rate of portfolio turnover and the potential to be a tax efficient
investment. The result should be the realization and distribution to
shareholders of lower capital gains, which would be considered tax efficient.
The anticipated lack of frequent trading also leads to lower transactions costs,
which could help improve performance.
WILL THE INVESTMENT TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND BE THE
SAME TEAM THAT MANAGES ACCOUNTS FOR THE ADVISOR?
Yes, the portfolio management team responsible for managing the Charter
Equity Fund will be the same team that manages accounts for the Advisor. It will
use the same investment strategy in managing the Charter Equity Fund that it
uses in managing the separate accounts of the Advisor. That team generated the
returns for Charter shown in this prospectus.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND CHARTER?
At Charter, the following people are responsible for the management of the
Charter Equity Fund:
SUSAN H. STEWART, ESQUIRE
CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT
Susan is co-founder, controlling shareholder, Chairman and President of
Charter Financial Group, Inc. She incorporated Charter Financial Group, Inc. in
November of 1995 to address what she felt was a growing need for a top-flight
investment house in the Washington, DC area. From January of 1994 until she
commenced operations at Charter in January of 1995, she worked as an advisor to
high net worth individuals as a vice president in the trust department of First
Union National Bank. For the 5 years preceding her employment at First Union,
she worked in the trust department of NationsBank. She has more than 14 years of
experience in the investment field including employment as a retail stockbroker
with Merrill Lynch and Shearson, Lehman Bros.
She received her bachelor's degree from Ursinus College and her law degree
from the Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University. She is an
inactive member of the Bars of the District of Columbia, Delaware and
Pennsylvania.
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She was a member of The United States Women's Lacrosse Team from 1976-1980
and has been inducted into the Ursinus College Sports Hall of Fame. She
currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lowell School and
of The United States Lacrosse Foundation and is a past board member of The
District of Columbia Women's Bar Association Foundation and organizing board
member of the Bucks County Women's Fund.
THOMAS A. KING, CFA
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Tom was a founding shareholder in Charter. Prior to that he was portfolio
manager at Chase Manhattan, PNC Bank and First Union National Bank, handling
institutional, tax-exempt and taxable funds. He is a CFA (Chartered Financial
Analyst), granted his charter in 1988, and is also a member of Association for
Investment Management and Research (AIMR). Tom holds a finance degree from St.
John's University, a paralegal diploma from New York University and a BA in
History from American University.
WILL I BE CHARGED A COMMISSION TO BUY THE CHARTER EQUITY FUND?
No, the Charter Equity Fund is a no load mutual fund. The Fund does not
charge any sales loads.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
The principal risks of investing in the Fund that may adversely affect the
Fund's net asset value or total return are discussed above in "Principal Risks
of Investing in the Charter Equity Fund." These risks are discussed in more
detail below.
MARKET RISK. The risk that the market value of a security may move up and
down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause a
security to be worth less than the price originally paid for it, or less than it
was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry,
sector of the economy or the market as a whole.
MANAGEMENT RISK. The risk that a strategy used by the Advisor may fail to
produce the intended result.
FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK. The risk of investing in the securities of foreign
companies is greater than the risk of investing in domestic companies. Some of
these risks include: (1) unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates; (2)
economic and political instability; (3) less publicly available information; (4)
less strict auditing and financial reporting requirements; (5) less governmental
supervision and regulation of securities markets; (6) higher transaction costs;
(7) potential adverse effects of the euro conversion; and (8) greater
possibility of not being able to sell securities on a timely basis.
YEAR 2000 RISK. Like other business organizations around the world, the
Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by its investment
advisor and other service providers do not properly process and calculate
PROSPECTUS 8
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information related to dates beginning January 1, 2000. This is commonly known
as the "Year 2000 Problem." Failure of computer systems used for securities
trading could result in settlement and liquidity problems for the Fund and
investors. That failure could have a negative impact on handling securities
trades and pricing and accounting services. Additionally, the services provided
to the Fund depend on the interaction of computer systems with those of brokers,
information vendors and other parties; therefore, any failure of the computer
systems of those parties may cause service problems for the Fund. In addition,
this situation may negatively affect the companies in which the Fund invests and
consequently, the value of the Fund's shares. The Board of Trustees of the Fund
has adopted a Year 2000 Project Plan that is reasonably designed to address the
Year 2000 Problem with respect to the Advisor's and other service providers'
computer systems. Included in the Year 2000 Project Plan is a provision for a
contingency plan for the retention of other service providers to replace those
service providers whose performance in converting to Year 2000 compliant data
processing equipment has been determined to be less than satisfactory. There can
be no assurance that these actions will be sufficient to avoid any adverse
impact on the Fund. The extent of that risk cannot be ascertained at this time.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Charter Financial Group, Inc. is the investment advisor to the Fund. The
Advisor's address is 1401 I Street, N.W., Suite 505, Washington, DC 20005. The
Advisor, which was established in 1995, provides investment management services
to individual and institutional investors with assets under management in excess
of $96 million. The Advisor manages all but $3 million of those assets on a
discretionary basis. The Advisor furnishes the Fund with office space and
certain administrative services and provides most of the personnel needed by the
Fund. For its services, the Fund pays the Advisor a monthly management fee based
upon the average daily net assets of the Fund at the rate of 1.00% annually.
The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Advisor has
contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or pay expenses of the Fund to
ensure that the Fund's aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding interest
and tax expenses) will not exceed the limits set forth in the Expense Table. Any
reductions in advisory fees or payment of expenses made by the Advisor are
subject to reimbursement by the Fund if requested by the Advisor in subsequent
fiscal years. This reimbursement may be requested by the Advisor if the
aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward operating expenses for such
fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursements) does not exceed the
PROSPECTUS 9
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applicable limitation on Fund expenses. The Advisor is permitted to be
reimbursed for fee reductions and/or expense payments made in the prior three
fiscal years. (After startup, the Fund is permitted to look for longer periods
of five and four years.) Any such reimbursement will be reviewed by the
Trustees. The Fund must pay its current ordinary operating expenses before the
Advisor is entitled to any reimbursement of fees and/or expenses.
ADVISOR INVESTMENT RETURNS
Set forth in the table below are certain performance data provided by the
Advisor relating to its individually managed equity accounts. These accounts
were managed by the same people who will manage the Fund. These accounts have
substantially the same investment objective as the Fund and were managed using
substantially similar investment strategies and techniques as those contemplated
for use by the Fund. The investment managers for these accounts will also manage
the Fund. The results presented are not intended to predict or suggest the
return to be experienced by the Fund or the return an investor might achieve by
investing in the Fund.
Results may differ because of, among other things, differences in brokerage
commissions paid, account expenses, including investment advisory fees (which
expenses and fees may be higher for the Fund than for the accounts), the size of
positions taken in relation to account size, timing of purchases and sales,
timing of cash additions and withdrawals. In addition, the private character of
the composite accounts compared with the public character of the Fund and the
tax-exempt status of some of the account holders compared with shareholders in
the Fund may also cause results to differ. The composite accounts are not
subject to the diversification requirements of a mutual fund. Because of this,
regardless of market conditions, the make-up of the portfolio holdings of a fund
is dictated by law and consequently, performance differences may have resulted
during the time periods shown when compared to the composite accounts. Investors
should be aware that the use of different methods of determining performance
might have adversely affected the performance figures shown below.
Investors should not rely on the following performance data as an
indication of future performance of the Advisor or the Fund.
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1996*
---- ---- -----
Charter Financial Group, Inc. 33.55% 44.88% 8.27%
S&P 500 Index** 28.58% 33.36% 14.99%
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*Results are for the period April 30 through December 31, 1996.
**The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the market
for stocks of larger-sized companies.
PROSPECTUS 10
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Footnotes:
Charter Financial Group, Inc., is an autonomous investment management firm. It
has prepared and presented this report in compliance with the Performance
Presentation Standards of the Association for Investment Management and Research
(AIMR-PPS(TM)). AIMR has not been involved in the preparation or review of this
report.
1. Results account for both income and capital appreciation or depreciation
(total return). Returns are asset-weighted and time-weighted. The results are
net of commissions but not management fees. The composite represents all
discretionary accounts that do not have material restrictions and comply with
AIMR standards with a Level II verification.
2. Investors should note that the Fund will compute and disclose its average
annual total return using the standard formula required by SEC rules, which
differs from returns calculated under the method noted above. The SEC total
return calculation method requires that the Fund compute and disclose an average
annual compounded rate of return for one, five and ten year periods or shorter
periods from inception. The calculation provides a rate of return from a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 to an ending value as if shares were
redeemed at the end of the period. The formula requires that returns to be shown
for the Fund will be net of Fund advisory fees and all other portfolio operating
expenses.
3. Charter Financial Group, Inc. has only one composite. The 22 accounts in the
composite have assets totaling $72,428,722 and comprise 79% of firm assets under
management.
4. All fully discretionary, fee-paying accounts with equity assets of at least
$250,000 on the beginning of each month are included in the composite.
5. For the quarter ended 3/31/99 the range of returns was (2.12%) to (0.75%),
the mean return was (1.36%) and the standard deviation was 0.41%.
6. Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Dividend income is
recorded on the cash basis.
7. The results portrayed reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other
earnings.
8. There are no non fee-paying accounts in the composite.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
HOW TO BUY SHARES
There are several ways to purchase shares of the Fund. An Application Form,
which accompanies this Prospectus, is used if you send money directly to the
Fund by mail or by wire. If you have questions about how to invest, or about how
to complete the Application Form, please call 1-800-576-8229. To open an account
by wire, call 1-800-576-8229 for instructions. You may also buy shares of the
Fund through your financial representative. After your account is open, you may
add to it at any time. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase in
whole or in part.
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You may buy and sell shares of the Fund through certain brokers (and their
agents) that have made arrangements with the Fund to sell its shares. When you
place your order with such a broker or its authorized agent, your order is
treated as if you had placed it directly with the Fund's Transfer Agent, and you
will pay or receive the next price calculated by the Fund. The broker (or agent)
holds your shares in an omnibus account in the broker's (or agent's) name, and
the broker (or agent) maintains your individual ownership records. The Fund may
pay the broker (or its agent) for maintaining these records as well as providing
other shareholder services. The broker (or its agent) may charge you a fee for
handling your order. The broker (or agent) is responsible for processing your
order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised regarding the status of your
individual account, confirming your transactions and ensuring that you receive
copies of the Fund's prospectus.
You may open a Fund account with $5,000 and add to your account at any time
with $100 or more. Automatic investment plans allow you to open a Fund account
with $1,000 and add to your account with $50 or more. The minimum investment
requirements may be waived from time to time by the Fund.
BY MAIL. You may send money to the Fund by mail. All purchases by check
should be in U.S. dollars. Third party checks and cash will not be accepted. If
you wish to invest by mail, simply complete the Application Form and mail it
with a check (made payable to the "Charter Equity Fund") to the Fund at the
following address:
Charter Equity Fund
c/o ICA Fund Services Corp.
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 261E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
If you are making a subsequent purchase, a stub is attached to the account
statement you will receive after each transaction. Detach the stub from the
statement and mail it together with a check made payable to the "Charter Equity
Fund" in the envelope provided with your statement to the address noted above.
Your account number should be written on the check.
BY WIRE. If you are making an initial investment in the Fund, before you
wire funds you should call the Transfer Agent at (800) 576-8229 to advise them
that you are making an investment by wire. The Transfer agent will give you your
account number. The Transfer Agent will ask for your name and the dollar amount
you are investing. You will then receive your account number and an order
confirmation number. You should then complete the Fund Account Application
included with this Prospectus. Include the date and the order confirmation
number on the Account Application and mail the completed Account Application to
the address at the top of the Account Application. Your bank should transmit
immediately available funds by wire in your name to:
PROSPECTUS 12
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Firstar Bank, N.A. Cinti/Trust
ABA #0420-001-3
Attn: Charter Equity Fund
DDA #821601887
Account name (shareholder name)
Shareholder account number
If you are making a subsequent purchase, your bank should wire funds as
indicated above. Before each wire purchase, you should be sure to notify the
Transfer Agent. It is essential that your bank include complete information
about your account in all wire instructions. If you have questions about how to
invest by wire, you may call the Transfer Agent. Your bank may charge you a fee
for sending a wire to the Fund.
You may buy and sell shares of the Fund through certain brokers (and their
agents, together "brokers") that have made arrangements with the Fund. An order
placed with such a broker is treated as if it were placed directly with the
Fund, and will be executed at the next share price calculated by the Fund. Your
shares will be held in a pooled account in the broker's name, and the broker
will maintain your individual ownership information. The Fund may pay the broker
for maintaining these records as well as providing other shareholder services.
In addition, the broker may charge you a fee for handling your order. The broker
is responsible for processing your order correctly and promptly, keeping you
advised of the status of your individual account, confirming your transactions
and ensuring that you receive copies of the Fund's prospectus.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. For your convenience, the Fund offers an
automatic investment plan called Automatic Investment Plan. Under this Plan,
after your initial investment, you authorize the Fund to withdraw from your
personal checking account each month an amount that you wish to invest, which
must be at least $50. If you wish to enroll in this Plan, please complete this
section on the Account Application Form or contact the Transfer Agent. The Fund
may terminate or modify this privilege at any time. You may terminate your
participation in the Plan at any time by notifying the Transfer Agent in
writing. Your termination letter must be received by the Transfer Agent
sufficiently in advance of the next scheduled withdrawal.
RETIREMENT PLANS. The Fund offers an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA")
plan. Also available are Roth and SEP IRA plans. You may obtain information
about opening an IRA account by calling (800) 576-8229. If you wish to open
another type of retirement plan, please contact the Fund at 800- 576-8229.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may sell (redeem) your Fund shares on any day the Funds and the New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") are open for business either directly to the Fund
or through your investment representative.
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BY MAIL. You may redeem your shares by simply sending a written request to
the Transfer Agent. You should give your account number and state whether you
want all or some of your shares redeemed. The letter should be signed by all of
the shareholders whose names appear in the account registration. A signature
guarantee is required for written redemption requests. However, signature
guarantees are not required if the redemption is under $100,000 and sent to the
shareholder at the address of record on the account. Call the Transfer Agent for
details. You should send your redemption request to:
Charter Equity Fund
c/o ICA Fund Services Corp.
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 261E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
BY TELEPHONE. If you complete the Redemption by Telephone portion of the
Account Application, you may redeem all or some of your shares by calling the
Transfer Agent at (800) 576-8229 before the close of trading on the NYSE. This
is normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Redemption proceeds will be mailed on the
next business day to the address that appears on the Transfer Agent's records.
If you request, redemption proceeds will be wired on the next business day to
the bank account you designated on the Account Application. The minimum amount
that may be wired is $1,000. Wire charges, if any, will be deducted from your
redemption proceeds. Telephone redemptions cannot be made if you notify the
Transfer Agent of a change of address within 30 days before the redemption
request. If you have a retirement account, you may not redeem shares by
telephone.
When you establish telephone privileges, you are authorizing the Fund and
its Transfer Agent to act upon the telephone instructions of the person or
persons you have designated in your Application. Such persons may request that
the shares in your account be either exchanged or redeemed. Redemption proceeds
will be mailed to the address of record on your account or transferred to the
bank account you have designated on your Account Application.
Before executing an instruction received by telephone, the Fund and the
Transfer Agent will use procedures to confirm that the telephone instructions
are genuine. These procedures will include recording the telephone call and
asking the caller for a form of personal identification. If the Fund and the
Transfer Agent follow these procedures, they will not be liable for any loss,
expense, or cost arising out of any telephone redemption or exchange request
that is reasonably believed to be genuine. This includes any fraudulent or
unauthorized request. The Fund may change, modify or terminate these privileges
at any time upon at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
You may request telephone redemption privileges after your account is
opened by calling the Transfer Agent at (800) 576-8229 for instructions.
PROSPECTUS 14
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You may have difficulties in making a telephone redemption during periods
of abnormal market activity. If this occurs, you may make your redemption
request in writing.
Payment of your redemption proceeds will be made promptly, but not later
than seven days after the receipt of your written request in proper form. If you
made your initial investment by wire, you will not be permitted to redeem those
shares until one business day after your completed Account Application is
received by the Fund. If you did not purchase your shares with a certified check
or wire, the Fund may delay payment of your redemption proceeds for 15 days from
the date of purchase or until your check has cleared, whichever occurs first.
The Fund may redeem the shares in your account if the value of your account
is less than $2,500 as a result of redemptions you have made. This does not
apply to retirement plans or Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act accounts.
You will be notified that the value of your account is less than $2,500 before
the Fund makes an involuntary redemption. You will then have 30 days in which to
make an additional investment to bring the value of your account to at least
$2,500 before the Fund takes any action.
The Fund has the right to pay redemption proceeds to you in whole or in
part by a distribution of securities from the Fund's portfolio. It is not
expected that the Fund would do so except in unusual circumstances.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM. As another convenience, you may redeem your
Fund shares through the Systematic Withdrawal Program. If you elect this method
of redemption, the Fund will send you a check in a minimum amount of $100. You
may choose to receive a check each month or calendar quarter. Your Fund account
must have a value of at least $10,000 in order to participate in this Program.
This Program may be terminated at any time by the Fund. You may also elect to
terminate your participation in this Program at any time by writing to the
Transfer Agent at:
ICA Fund Services Corp.
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 261E
Phoenix, AZ 85018
PRICING OF FUND SHARES
The price of the Fund's shares is based on the Fund's net asset value. This
is done by dividing the Fund's assets, minus its liabilities, by the number of
shares outstanding. The Fund's assets are the market value of securities held in
its portfolio, plus any cash and other assets. The Fund's liabilities are fees
and expenses owed by the Fund. The number of Fund shares outstanding is the
amount of shares which have been issued to shareholders. The price you will pay
15 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
to buy Fund shares or the amount you will receive when you sell your Fund shares
is based on the net asset value next calculated after your order is received and
accepted.
The net asset value of Fund shares is determined as of the close of regular
trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). This is normally 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time. Fund shares will not be priced on days that the NYSE is closed for
trading.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will make distributions of dividends and capital gains, if any,
annually, usually on or about December 31 of each year. Because of its
investment strategies, the Fund expects that its distributions will primarily
consist of capital gains.
Your dividend and capital gain distributions will automatically be
reinvested in additional Fund shares. If you wish to have your distributions
paid in cash indicate this on the Account Application Form or write to the
Transfer Agent before the payment of the distribution.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Fund intends to make distributions of dividends and capital gains.
Dividends are taxable to you as ordinary income. The rate you pay on capital
gain distributions will depend on how long the Fund held the securities that
generated the gains, not on how long you owned your Fund shares. You will be
taxed in the same manner whether you receive your dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares.
If you sell your Fund shares, it is considered a taxable event for you.
Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you exchange or
sell, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for
any tax liabilities generated by your transaction.
RULE 12b-1 FEES
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the
"Plan"). The Plan permits the Fund to pay for sales distribution and related
expenses at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets
annually. The expenses which the Fund may pay include the cost of preparing and
distributing prospectuses and other sales material, advertising and public
relations expenses, payments to financial intermediaries and compensation of
personnel involved in selling shares of the Fund. Payments made pursuant to the
Plan will represent compensation for distribution and service activities, not
reimbursement for specific expenses incurred.
PROSPECTUS 16
<PAGE>
CHARTER EQUITY FUND,
A SERIES OF ADVISORS SERIES TRUST
For investors who want more information about the Fund, the following document
is available free upon request:
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI): The SAI provides more detailed
information about the Fund and is incorporated into this Prospectus.
You can get free copies of SAI, request other information and discuss your
questions about the Fund by contacting the Fund at:
ICA Fund Services Corp.
4455 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 261E
Phoenix, AZ 85218
Telephone: 1-800-576-8229
To speak with the Advisor concerning management of the Fund, please call
1-888-242-7991.
You can review and copy information about the Fund including the Fund's SAI at
the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. You can get text-only copies:
* For a fee, by writing to the Public Reference Room of the Commission,
Washington, DC 20549-6009 or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
* Free of charge from the Commission's Internet website at www.sec.gov
Investment Company Act
file no. 811-7959
PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Charter Equity Fund is a stock mutual fund. The Fund seeks to provide investors
with long-term growth of capital.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
CHARTER EQUITY FUND,
A SERIES OF ADVISORS SERIES TRUST
1401 I STREET, N.W.
SUITE 505
WASHINGTON, DC 20005
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED JUNE 23, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus, and it
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated June 23, 1999, as may be
revised, of the CHARTER EQUITY FUND (the "Fund"), a series of Advisors Series
Trust (the "Trust"). Charter Financial Group, Inc. (the "Advisor") is the
advisor to the Fund. A copy of the Fund's Prospectus may be obtained by
contacting ICA Fund Services Corp. by writing to 4455 E. Camelback Rd. Suite
261E, Phoenix, AZ 85018 or call (800) 576-8229.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cross-reference to sections
Page in the Prospectus
---- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Investment Objective and Policies ......... B-2 Investment Objective, Principal
Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage ...... B-5 Investment Objective, Principal
Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Portfolio Turnover ........................ B-6 Investment Objective, Principal Investment
Strategies and Related Risks
Determination of Net Asset Value .......... B-7 Shareholder Information
Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares .... B-7 Shareholder Information
Management ................................ B-9 Investment Advisor
Distributions and Arrangements ............ B-12 Distribution and Taxes
Taxation . ................................ B-13 Distribution and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions ............... B-16 Distribution and Taxes
Performance Information ................... B-17 General Information
General Information ....................... B-17 General Information
</TABLE>
B-1
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
Advisors Series Trust is an open-end, non-diversified management investment
company organized as a Delaware business trust under the laws of the State of
Delaware on October 3, 1996. The Trust currently consists of seventeen series of
shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. This SAI relates only
to the Fund.
The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment company. Such a
registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies of the
Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this SAI omit certain of the information
contained in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such
information may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to provide investors with
long-term growth of capital. The Fund primarily invests in common stocks of
companies with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. The Fund also
will invest in foreign securities traded on a U.S. exchange and in American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its objective. The Fund is classified as a "nondiversified" fund under federal
securities laws. The discussion below supplements information contained in the
Fund's Prospectus as to investment policies of the Fund.
In addition to the risks associated with particular types of securities, which
are discussed below, the Fund is subject to general market risks. The Fund
invests primarily in common stocks. The market risks associated with stocks
include the possibility that the entire market for common stocks could suffer a
decline in price over a short or even an extended period. This could affect the
net asset value of your Fund shares. The U.S. stock market tends to be cyclical,
with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when stock prices
generally decline.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in
securities of foreign companies which are traded on a national securities
exchange, including sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs"). ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company
evidencing ownership of the underlying securities of foreign issuers, and other
forms of depository receipts for securities of foreign issuers. Generally, ADRs,
in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in
the U.S. securities markets. Thus, these securities are not denominated in the
same currency as the securities in which they may be converted. In addition, the
issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to
disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be
less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a
correlation between such information and the market value of the ADRs.
Investments in foreign securities involve special risks, costs and opportunities
which are in addition to those inherent in domestic investments. Political,
economic or social instability of the issuer or the country of issue, the
possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the
removal of assets or diplomatic developments, and the possibility of adverse
changes in investment or exchange control regulations are among the inherent
risks. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid, mor volatile and
more difficult to value than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Foreign
companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of U.S. companies and,
as such, there may be less publicly available information about such companies.
Moreover, foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to
U.S. companies. Currency fluctuations will affect the net asst value of the Fund
irrespective of the performance of the underlying investments in foreign
issuers.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of the value of its
net assets in securities that at the time of purchase have legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid. The Advisor will monitor the
amount of illiquid securities in the Fund's portfolio, under the supervision of
the Trust's Board of Trustees, to ensure compliance with the Fund's investment
restrictions.
Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to
contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), securities
which are otherwise not
B-2
<PAGE>
readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than
seven days. Securities which have not been registered under the Securities Act
are referred to as private placement or restricted securities and are purchased
directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not
typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid
securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in
valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability
of portfolio securities and the Fund might be unable to sell restricted or other
illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby
experience difficulty satisfying redemption requests within seven days. The Fund
might also have to register such restricted securities in order to sell them,
resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could
impede such a public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain
securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including
repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal
securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily
resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that
there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or
to certain institutions may not reflect the actual liquidity of such
investments. If such securities are subject to purchase by institutional buyers
in accordance with Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act,
the Trust's Board of Trustees may determine that such securities are not
illiquid securities despite their legal or contractual restrictions on resale.
In all other cases, however, securities subject to restrictions on resale will
be deemed illiquid.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Under such
agreements, the seller of the security agrees to repurchase it at a mutually
agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase
price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase
prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together
with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund
is unrelated to the interest rate on the U.S. Government security itself. Such
repurchase agreements will be made only with banks with assets of $500 million
or more that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or with
Government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board and
registered as broker-dealers with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
or exempt from such registration. The Fund will generally enter into repurchase
agreements of short durations, from overnight to one week, although the
underlying securities generally have longer maturities. The Fund may not enter
into a repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity if, as a
result, more than 15% of the value of its net assets would be invested in
illiquid securities including such repurchase agreements.
For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Fund to the seller of the
U.S. Government security subject to the repurchase agreement. It is not clear
whether a court would consider the U.S. Government security acquired by the Fund
subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Fund or as being
collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the
commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller
of the U.S. Government security before its repurchase under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund may encounter delays and incur costs before being able to
sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of
the U.S. Government security. If a court characterizes the transaction as a loan
and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the U.S. Government
security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate
and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor,
the Fund would be at the risk of losing some or all of the principal and income
involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt instrument purchased for
the Fund, the Advisor seeks to minimize the risk of loss through repurchase
agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the other party, in this case
the seller of the U.S. Government security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the
risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, the Fund will
always receive as collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it is a party
securities acceptable to it, the market value of which is equal to at least 100%
of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest, and the Fund will make
payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book
entry transfer to the account of its Custodian. If the market value of the U.S.
Government security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the
repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the
U.S. Government security to deliver additional securities so that the market
value of all securities subject to the
B-3
<PAGE>
repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase price. It is possible
that the Fund will be unsuccessful in seeking to impose on the seller a
contractual obligation to deliver additional securities.
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES AND TIME DEPOSITS. The Fund may
hold certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds
deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a
specified return. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of
exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific
merchandise, which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances acquired by the Fund will be
dollar-denominated obligations of domestic banks, savings and loan associations
or financial institutions which, at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus
and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both
domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than
$100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured
by the U.S. Government.
In addition to buying certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, the Fund
also may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in
commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits
maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a
specified interest rate.
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM NOTES. The Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of
unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper and
short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and
fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to
one year.
Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time
of purchase "A-2" or higher by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, "Prime-1" or
"Prime-2" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or similarly rated by another
nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be
determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality. These rating symbols are
described in the Appendix.
INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies. The Fund may invest
in money market mutual funds in connection with its management of daily cash
positions. In addition to the advisory and operational fees a Fund bears
directly in connection with its own operation, the Fund would also bear its pro
rata portions of each other investment company's advisory and operational
expenses.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be
changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund
which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of
the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or
(b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
The Fund may not:
(1) Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in
accordance with its investment objective and policies, or (b) to the extent the
entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
(2) Borrow money, except for temporary or emergency purposes. Any such
borrowings will be made only if immediately thereafter there is an asset
coverage of at least 400% of all borrowings.
B-4
<PAGE>
(3) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets except in connection with
any borrowings.
(4) Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several
basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not
preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for
the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities.)
(5) Purchase real estate, commodities or commodity contracts. (As a matter of
operating policy, the Board of Trustees may authorize the Fund in the future to
engage in certain activities regarding futures contracts for bona fide hedging
purposes; any such authorization will be accompanied by appropriate notification
to shareholders.)
(6) Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that this
restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges or (b) entering into options, futures
or repurchase transactions.
(7) Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of
companies engaged in any one industry, except that this restriction does not
apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and
which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
(8) Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management.
(9) Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under
the 1940 Act.
(10) Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in securities
with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities which are not
readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to
maturity.
If a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth
herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected,
later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the
Fund will not be considered a violation. If the value of the Fund's holdings of
illiquid securities at any time exceeds the percentage limitation applicable at
the time of acquisition due to subsequent fluctuations in value or other
reasons, the Board of Trustees will consider what actions, if any, are
appropriate to maintain adequate liquidity.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines which
securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers
will be used to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales
of securities in the over-the-counter market will be executed directly with a
"market-maker" unless, in the opinion of the Advisor, a better price and
execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made directly from
issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions
will be made through dealers (including banks) which specialize in the types of
securities which the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are
available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principal for their
own account. Purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the
issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread
between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more
than one broker, dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be
allocated to a broker, dealer or underwriter that has provided research or other
services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its best efforts to
choose a broker-dealer capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the
most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of
services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as
the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities
of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities, and
other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more
than one broker-dealer can offer the most favorable price
B-5
<PAGE>
and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers
which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Advisor that
it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as
well as provide other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor
considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the
services required to be performed by it under its Agreement with the Fund, to be
useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions
may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of the Fund subject to rules
adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
While it is the Fund's general policy to seek first to obtain the most favorable
price and execution available, in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio
transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a
broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the
Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and
may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating
commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the
Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if
no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided
that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith
by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or
research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness
is to be measured in light of the Advisor's overall responsibilities to the
Fund.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other
client accounts or mutual funds managed or advised by the Advisor. Nevertheless,
it is possible that at times identical securities will be acceptable for both
the Fund and one or more of such client accounts. In such event, the position of
the Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer may vary and the length
of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may
likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts seeks to
acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able
to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to
pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, the
Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of,
an order to sell any particular security at the same time. If one or more of
such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same security that
the Fund is purchasing or selling, each day's transactions in such security will
be allocated between the Fund and all such client accounts in a manner deemed
equitable by the Advisor, taking into account the respective sizes of the
accounts and the amount being purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some
cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the
security insofar as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is
believed that the ability of the Fund to participate in volume transactions may
produce better executions for the Fund.
The Fund does not place securities transactions through brokers solely for
selling shares of the Fund, although the Fund may consider the sale of shares as
a factor in allocating brokerage. However, as stated above, broker-dealers who
execute brokerage transactions may effect purchases of shares of the Fund for
their customers.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes,
portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of them they have
been held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment considerations warrant
such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (2) the
monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal
year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund's
portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of
acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced
within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally
leads to higher transaction costs and may result in a greater number of taxable
transactions.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
As noted in the Prospectus, the net asset value and offering price of shares of
the Fund will be determined once daily as of the close of public trading on the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day
that the NYSE is open for trading. The Fund does not expect to determine the net
asset value of its shares on any day when the NYSE is not open for trading even
if there is sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such days to
materially affect the net asset value per share. However, the net asset value of
Fund shares may be determined on days
B-6
<PAGE>
the NYSE is closed or at times other than 4:00 p.m. if the Board of Trustees
decides it is necessary.
In valuing the Fund's assets for calculating net asset value, readily marketable
portfolio securities listed on a national securities exchange or on NASDAQ are
valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is
being determined. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on NASDAQ on
such day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on such day. Readily
marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter market and not on
NASDAQ are valued at the current or last bid price. If no bid is quoted on such
day, the security is valued by such method as the Board of Trustees of the Trust
shall determine in good faith to reflect the security's fair value. All other
assets of the Fund are valued in such manner as the Board of Trustees in good
faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated as follows: all
liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from the valuation of total assets
which includes accrued but undistributed income; the resulting net assets are
divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the
valuation and the result (adjusted to the nearest cent) is the net asset value
per share.
As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE is open for trading every weekday except
for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
The information provided below supplements the information contained in the
Fund's Prospectus regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may purchase shares of the Fund from selected securities brokers, dealers or
financial intermediaries. Investors should contact these agents directly for
appropriate instructions, as well as information pertaining to accounts and any
service or transaction fees that may be charged by those agents. Purchase orders
through securities brokers, dealers and other financial intermediaries are
effected at the next-determined net asset value after receipt of the order by
such agent before the Fund's daily cutoff time. Orders received after that time
will be purchased at the next-determined net asset value.
The public offering price of Fund shares is the net asset value. The Fund
receives the net asset value. Shares are purchased at the public offering price
next determined after the Transfer Agent receives your order in proper form. In
most cases, in order to receive that day's public offering price, the Transfer
Agent must receive your order in proper form before the close of regular trading
on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If you buy shares through your
investment representative, the representative must receive your order before the
close of regular trading on the NYSE to receive that day's public offering
price. Orders are in proper form only after funds are converted to U.S. funds.
Orders paid by check and received by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, will generally be
available for the purchase of shares the following business day.
If you are considering redeeming or transferring shares to another person
shortly after purchase, you should pay for those shares with a certified check
to avoid any delay in redemption or transfer. Otherwise the Fund may delay
payment until the purchase price of those shares has been collected or, if you
redeem by telephone, until 15 calendar days after the purchase date. To
eliminate the need for safekeeping, the Fund will not issue certificates for
your shares unless you request them.
The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the continued
offering of the Fund's shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole or in
part when in the judgment of the Advisor or the Distributor such rejection is in
the best interest of the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for
initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under
circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's
shares.
B-7
<PAGE>
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You can sell your Fund shares any day the NYSE is open for regular trading,
either directly to the Fund or through your investment representative. The Fund
will forward redemption proceeds or redeem shares for which it has collected
payment of the purchase price.
Payments to shareholders for shares of the Fund redeemed directly from the Fund
will be made as promptly as possible but no later than seven days after receipt
by the Fund's Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with the
appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that the Fund may
suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any
period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC or
the NYSE is closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists
as determined by the SEC making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of
net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such other period
as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund's shareholders. At various
times, the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet
received confirmation of good payment; in this circumstance, the Fund may delay
the redemption until payment for the purchase of such shares has been collected
and confirmed to the Fund.
SELLING SHARES DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
Send a signed letter of instruction to the Transfer Agent, along with any
certificates that represent shares you want to sell. The price you will receive
is the next net asset value calculated after the Fund receives your request in
proper form. In order to receive that day's net asset value, the Transfer Agent
must receive your request before the close of regular trading on the NYSE.
SELLING SHARES THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIVE
Your investment representative must receive your request before the close of
regular trading on the NYSE to receive that day's net asset value. Your
investment representative will be responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to the Transfer Agent, and may charge you for its services. If you
sell shares having a net asset value of $100,000 a signature guarantee is
required.
If you want your redemption proceeds sent to an address other than your address
as it appears on the Transfer Agent's records, a signature guarantee is
required. The Fund may require additional documentation for the sale of shares
by a corporation, partnership, agent or fiduciary, or a surviving joint owner.
Contact the Transfer Agent for details.
Signature guarantees may be obtained from a bank, broker-dealer, credit union
(if authorized under state law), securities exchange or association, clearing
agency or savings institution. A notary public cannot provide a signature
guarantee.
DELIVERY OF PROCEEDS
The Fund generally sends you payment for your shares the business day after your
request is received in proper form, assuming the Fund has collected payment of
the purchase price of your shares. Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may
suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days, as permitted
by federal securities law.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
Telephone transaction privileges are made available to shareholders
automatically upon opening an account unless the privilege is declined in the
Account Application. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone
from a shareholder or, if held in a joint account, from either party, or from
any person claiming to be the shareholder, the Fund or its agent is authorized,
without notifying the shareholder or joint account parties, to carry out the
instructions or to respond to the inquiries, consistent with the service options
chosen by the shareholder or joint shareholders in his or their latest Account
Application or other written request for services, including purchasing or
redeeming shares of the Fund and depositing and withdrawing monies from the bank
account specified in the Bank Account Registration section of the shareholder's
latest Account Application or as otherwise properly specified to the Fund in
writing.
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The Transfer Agent will employ these and other reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine; if it fails to employ
reasonable procedures, the Fund may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized
or fraudulent instructions. An investor agrees, however, that to the extent
permitted by applicable law, neither the Fund nor its agents will be liable for
any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request,
including any fraudulent or unauthorized request. For information, consult the
Transfer Agent.
During periods of unusual market changes and shareholder activity, you may
experience delays in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone. In this event,
you may wish to submit a written redemption request, as described in the
Prospectus, or contact your investment representative. The Telephone Redemption
Privilege is not available if you were issued certificates for shares that
remain outstanding. The Telephone Redemption Privilege may be modified or
terminated without notice.
REDEMPTIONS-IN-KIND
Subject to compliance with applicable regulations, the Fund has reserved the
right to pay the redemption price of its shares, either totally or partially, by
a distribution in kind of readily marketable portfolio securities (instead of
cash). The securities so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that
assigned to them in calculating the net asset value for the shares being sold.
If a shareholder received a distribution in kind, the shareholder could incur
brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash. The Trust has
filed an election under Rule 18f-1 committing to pay in cash all redemptions by
a shareholder of record up to amounts specified by the rule (approximately
$250,000).
MANAGEMENT
The overall management of the business and affairs of the Trust is vested with
its Board of Trustees. The Board approves all significant agreements between the
Trust and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the
agreements with the Advisor, Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. The
day to day operations of the Trust are delegated to its officers, subject to the
Fund's investment objectives and policies and to general supervision by the
Board of Trustees.
The Trustees and officers of the Trust, their birth dates and positions with the
Trust, their business addresses and principal occupations during the past five
years are:
WALTER E. AUCH, SR. (born 1921) Trustee
6001 N. 62nd Place, Paradise Valley, AZ 85153. Business Consultant and Director,
Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Mutual Funds, Salomon Smith Barney Trak Funds
and Concert Series, Pimco Advisors L.P., Banyan Strategic Realty Trust, Legend
Properties and Senele Group.
ERIC M. BANHAZL* (born 1957) Trustee, President and Treasurer
2020 E. Financial Way, Glendora, CA 91741. Executive Vice President, Investment
Company Administration, LLC; Vice President, First Fund Distributors, Inc.;
Treasurer, Guinness Flight Investment Funds, Inc.
DONALD E. O'CONNOR (born 1936) Trustee
1700 Taylor Avenue, Fort Washington, MD 20744. Retired; formerly Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of ICI Mutual Insurance Company (until
January, 1997); Vice President, Operations, Investment Company Institute (until
June, 1993); Independent Director, The Parnassus Fund, The Parnassus Income
Fund, and Allegiance Investment Trust.
GEORGE T. WOFFORD III (born 1939) Trustee
305 Glendora Circle, Danville, CA 94526. Senior Vice President, Information
Services, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.
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STEVEN J. PAGGIOLI (born 1950) Vice President
915 Broadway, Suite 1605, New York, NY 10010. Executive Vice President,
Investment Company Administration, LLC; Vice President, First Fund Distributors,
Inc.; President and Trustee, Professionally Managed Portfolios; Trustee,
Managers Funds Trust.
ROBERT H. WADSWORTH (born 1940) Vice President
4455 E. Camelback Rd. Suite 261-E, Phoenix, AZ 85018. President, Robert H.
Wadsworth & Associates, Inc., Investment Company Administration, LLC and First
Fund Distributors, Inc.; Vice President, Professionally Managed Portfolios;
President, Guiness Flight Investment Funds, Inc.; Director, Germany Fund, Inc.,
New Germany Fund, Inc., Central European Equity Fund, Inc. and Deutsche Funds,
Inc.
CHRIS O. MOSER (born 1949) Secretary
4455 E. Camelback Rd. Suite 261-E, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Employed by Investment
Company Administration, LLC (since July 1996); Formerly employed by Bank One,
N.A. (From August 1995 until July 1996; O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson,
Killingsworth and Beshears (law firm) (until August 1995).
* denotes Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust under the 1940 Act.
Set forth below is the rate of compensation received by the following Trustees
from all other portfolios of the Trust. This total amount is allocated among the
portfolios.
NAME AND POSITION AGGREGATE COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST
- ----------------- -------------------------------------
Walter E. Auch, Sr., Trustee $12,000
Donald E. O'Connor, Trustee $12,000
George T. Wofford III, Trustee $12,000
The Trust has no pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with the
Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.
ADVISOR
Charter Financial Group, Inc. acts as investment advisor to the Fund pursuant to
an Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). Subject to such
policies as the Board of Trustees may determine, the Advisor is responsible for
investment decisions for the Fund. Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory
Agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with such investment advice and
supervision as it deems necessary for the proper supervision of the Fund's
investments. The Advisor continuously provides investment programs and determine
from time to time what securities shall be purchased, sold or exchanged and what
portion of the Fund's assets shall be held uninvested. The Advisor furnishes, at
its own expense, all services, facilities and personnel necessary in connection
with managing the investments and effecting portfolio transactions for the Fund.
The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year only if such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees
or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities and by a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or
interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such Advisory Agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is permitted to
render services to others. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty
by the Trust on behalf of the Fund on not more than 60 days', nor less than 30
days', written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund's
shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
or by the Advisor on not more than 60 days', nor less than 30 days', written
notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" (as
defined in the 1940 Act). The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor under
such agreement shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the
execution of portfolio transactions for the Fund,
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except for wilful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
thereunder.
In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including all investment
advisory and administration fees, but excluding brokerage commissions and fees,
taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses such as litigation, for any fiscal
year exceed the Fund's expense limitation, the Advisor shall reduce its advisory
fee (which fee is described below) to the extent of its share of such excess
expenses. The amount of any such reduction to be borne by the Advisor shall be
deducted from the monthly advisory fee otherwise payable with respect to the
Fund during such fiscal year; and if such amounts should exceed the monthly fee,
the Advisor shall pay to the Fund its share of such excess expenses no later
than the last day of the first month of the next succeeding fiscal year.
The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Advisor has
contractually agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Fund and to pay Fund
operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit the Fund's aggregate annual
operating expenses (excluding interest and tax expenses) to the limit set forth
in the Expense Table (the "expense cap"). Any such reductions made by the
Advisor in its fees or payment of expenses which are the Fund's obligation are
subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Advisor, if so requested by the
Advisor, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount actually paid by the
Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the
reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses. The
Advisor is permitted to be reimbursed only for fee reductions and expense
payments made in the previous three fiscal years, but is permitted to look back
five years and four years, respectively, during the initial six years and
seventh year of the Fund's operations. Any such reimbursement is also contingent
upon Board of Trustees' subsequent review and ratification of the reimbursed
amounts. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Fund's payment of
current ordinary operating expenses.
In consideration of the services provided by the Advisor pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to receive from the Fund an
investment advisory fee computed daily and paid monthly based on a rate equal to
a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets specified in the Prospectus.
However, the Advisor may voluntarily agree to waive a portion of the fees
payable to it on a month-to-month basis.
ADMINISTRATOR
Pursuant to an Administration Agreement (the "Administration Agreement"),
Investment Company Administration, LLC is the administrator of the Fund (the
"Administrator"). The Administrator provides certain administrative services to
the Fund, including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation
of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and billing of,
the Fund's independent contractors and agents; preparation for signature by an
officer of the Trust of all documents required to be filed for compliance by the
Trust and the Fund with applicable laws and regulations excluding those of the
securities laws of various states; arranging for the computation of performance
data, including net asset value and yield; responding to shareholder inquiries;
and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund, and
providing, at its own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel
necessary to carry out its duties. In this capacity, the Administrator does not
have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Fund, the
determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the
distribution of Fund shares.
Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator is permitted to render
administrative services to others. The Fund's Administration Agreement will
continue in effect from year to year only if such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities and, in either case, by a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Administration Agreement or
"interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The
Administration Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of
the Fund on 60 days' written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of
the Fund's shareholders or by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the Advisor on 60 days' written
notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of their "assignment" (as
defined in the 1940 Act). The Administration Agreement also provide that neither
the Administrator or its personnel shall be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any act or omission in the administration of the Fund,
except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its or their duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its or their
obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement.
In consideration of the services provided by the Administrator pursuant to the
Administration Agreement, the Administrator receives from the Fund a fee
computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate equal to 0.10% of the Fund's
average daily net assets, on an annualized basis for the Fund's then-current
fiscal year.
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For its services, the Administrator receives a fee monthly at the following
annual rate, subject to a $30,000 minimum:
FUND ASSET LEVEL FEE RATE
- ---------------- --------
First $50 million 0.20% of average daily net assets
Next $50 million 0.15% of average daily net assets
Next $50 million 0.10% of average daily net assets
Next $50 million, and thereafter 0.05% of average daily net assets
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
Pursuant to a plan of distribution adopted by the Trust, on behalf of the Fund,
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan"), the Fund may pay
distribution and related expenses up to .25% of its average net assets to the
Advisor as Distribution Coordinator. Expenses permitted to be paid include
preparation, printing and mailing of prospectuses, shareholder reports such as
semi-annual and annual reports, performance reports and newsletters, sales
literature and other promotional material to prospective investors, direct mail
solicitations, advertising, public relations, compensation of sales personnel,
advisors or other third parties for their assistance
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with respect to the distribution of the Fund's shares, payments to financial
intermediaries for shareholder support, administrative and accounting services
with respect to shareholders of the Fund and such other expenses as may be
approved from time to time by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
Under the Plan, the Trustees will be furnished quarterly with information
detailing the amount of expenses paid under the Plan and the purposes for which
payments were made. The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority
of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons. Continuation of the
Plan is considered by such Trustees no less frequently than annually. During the
period ending _____________, the Fund paid the Distribution Coordinator
distribution fees totaling $___________. These fees were used to pay the Advisor
for [FUND ADVERTISING EXPENSES, PRESENTATION AND ROAD SHOW EXPENSES INCURRED,
MARKETING-RELATED PRINTING AND POSTAGE, TRAIL COMMISSIONS AND DEALER FEES PAID
TO BROKERS WHO SOLD SHARES OF THE FUND AND COMPENSATION TO EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES. - SEE BOARD PRESENTATION INFORMATION]
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement (the "Distribution
Agreement") with First Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), pursuant to
which the Distributor acts as the Fund's exclusive underwriter, provides certain
administration services and promotes and arranges for the sale of the Fund's
shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Administrator. The Distribution
Agreement provides that the Distributor will bear the expenses of printing,
distributing and filing prospectuses and statements of additional information
and reports used for sales purposes, and of preparing and printing sales
literature and advertisements not paid for by the Distribution Plan. The Trust
pays for all of the expenses for qualification of the Fund's shares for sale in
connection with the public offering of such shares, and all legal expenses in
connection therewith. In addition, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the
Distributor provides certain sub-administration services to the Trust, including
providing officers, clerical staff and office space.
The Distribution Agreement will continue in effect with respect to the Fund only
if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities
and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the
Distribution Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
any such party. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the
Trust on behalf of the Fund on 60 days' written notice when authorized either by
a majority vote of the Fund's shareholders or by vote of a majority of the Board
of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the
Distributor on 60 days' written notice, and will automatically terminate in the
event of its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Distribution
Agreement also provides that neither the Distributor nor its personnel shall be
liable for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering
services under the Distribution Agreement, except for willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties.
TAXATION
The Fund intends to continue to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, (the
"Code"), for each taxable year by complying with all applicable requirements
regarding the source of its income, the diversification of its assets, and the
timing of its distributions. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its
shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized
capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to
any federal income or excise taxes based on net income. However, the Board may
elect to pay such excise taxes if it determines that payment is, under the
circumstances, in the best interests of the Fund.
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In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must, among
other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income each year from
dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of stock and securities,
gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign
currency gains related to investments in stock or securities, or other income
(generally including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived
with respect to the business of investing in stock, securities or currency, and
(b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at
least 50% of the market value of its assets is represented by cash, cash items,
U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies
and other securities limited, for purposes of this calculation, in the case of
other securities of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the
Fund's assets or 10% of the voting securities of the issuer, and (ii) not more
than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of any one
issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated
investment companies). As such, and by complying with the applicable provisions
of the Code, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable
income (including realized capital gains) that is distributed to shareholders in
accordance with the timing requirements of the Code. If the Fund is unable to
meet certain requirements of the Code, it may be subject to taxation as a
corporation.
Distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains by the
Fund will be taxable to shareholders whether made in cash or reinvested by the
Fund in shares. In determining amounts of net realized capital gains to be
distributed, any capital loss carry-overs from the eight prior taxable years
will be applied against capital gains. Shareholders receiving a distribution
from the Fund in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for
federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. Fund distributions also
will be included in individual and corporate shareholders' income on which the
alternative minimum tax may be imposed.
The Fund or the securities dealer effecting a redemption of the Fund's shares by
a shareholder will be required to file information reports with the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS") with respect to distributions and payments made to the
shareholder. In addition, the Fund will be required to withhold federal income
tax at the rate of 31% on taxable dividends, redemptions and other payments made
to accounts of individual or other non-exempt shareholders who have not
furnished their correct taxpayer identification numbers and certain required
certifications on the New Account application or with respect to which the Fund
or the securities dealer has been notified by the IRS that the number furnished
is incorrect or that the account is otherwise subject to withholding.
The Fund intends to declare and pay dividends and other distributions, as stated
in the prospectuses. In order to avoid the payment of any federal excise tax
based on net income, the Fund must declare on or before December 31 of each
year, and pay on or before January 31 of the following year, distributions at
least equal to 98% of its ordinary income for that calendar year and at least
98% of the excess of any capital gains over any capital losses realized in the
one-year period ending October 31 of that year, together with any undistributed
amounts of ordinary income and capital gains (in excess of capital losses) from
the previous calendar year.
The Fund may receive dividend distributions from U.S. corporations. To the
extent that the Fund receives such dividends and distributes them to its
shareholders, and meets certain other requirements of the Code, corporate
shareholders of the Fund may be entitled to the "dividends received" deduction.
Availability of the deduction is subject to certain holding period and
debt-financing limitations.
If more than 50% in value of the total assets of the Fund at the end of its
fiscal year is invested in stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund
may elect to pass through to its shareholders the pro rata share of all foreign
income taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, shareholders will be
(i) required to include in their gross income their pro rata share of the Fund's
foreign source income (including any foreign income taxes paid by the Fund), and
(ii) entitled either to deduct their share of such foreign taxes in computing
their taxable income or to claim a credit for such taxes against their U.S.
income tax, subject to certain limitations under the Code, including certain
holding period requirements. In this case, shareholders will be informed in
writing by the Fund at the end of each calendar year regarding the availability
of any credits on and the amount of foreign source income (including or
excluding foreign income taxes paid by the Fund) to be included in their income
tax returns. If not more than 50%
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in value of the Fund's total assets at the end of its fiscal year is invested in
stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will not be entitled under
the Code to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata share of the foreign
taxes paid by the Fund. In this case, these taxes will be taken as a deduction
by the Fund.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on dividends and interest
earned with respect to securities of foreign corporations.
The use of hedging strategies, such as entering into futures contracts and
forward contracts and purchasing options, involves complex rules that will
determine the character and timing of recognition of the income received in
connection therewith by the Fund. Income from foreign currencies (except certain
gains therefrom that may be excluded by future regulations) and income from
transactions in options, futures contracts and forward contracts derived by the
Fund with respect to its business of investing in securities or foreign
currencies will qualify as permissible income under Subchapter M of the Code.
For accounting purposes, when the Fund purchases an option, the premium paid by
the Fund is recorded as an asset and is subsequently adjusted to the current
market value of the option. Any gain or loss realized by the Fund upon the
expiration or sale of such options held by the Fund generally will be capital
gain or loss.
Any security, option, or other position entered into or held by the Fund that
substantially diminishes the Fund's risk of loss from any other position held by
the Fund may constitute a "straddle" for federal income tax purposes. In
general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount,
character and timing of the Fund's gains and losses with respect to straddle
positions by requiring, among other things, that the loss realized on
disposition of one position of a straddle be deferred until gain is realized on
disposition of the offsetting position; that the Fund's holding period in
certain straddle positions not begin until the straddle is terminated (possibly
resulting in the gain being treated as short-term capital gain rather than
long-term capital gain); and that losses recognized with respect to certain
straddle positions, which would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses,
be treated as long-term capital losses. Different elections are available to the
Fund that may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules.
Certain options, futures contracts and forward contracts that are subject to
Section 1256 of the Code ("Section 1256 Contracts") and that are held by the
Fund at the end of its taxable year generally will be required to be "marked to
market" for federal income tax purposes, that is, deemed to have been sold at
market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on these deemed
sales and 60% of any net gain or loss realized from any actual sales of Section
1256 Contracts will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the
balance will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign
currency transactions that may affect the amount, timing and character of
income, gain or loss recognized by the Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange
gain or loss realized with respect to foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency denominated
payables and receivables and foreign currency options and futures contracts
(other than options and futures contracts that are governed by the
mark-to-market and 60/40 rules of Section 1256 of the Code and for which no
election is made) is treated as ordinary income or loss. Some part of the Fund's
gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of shares of a foreign corporation
may, because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, be treated as
ordinary income or loss under Section 988 of the Code rather than as capital
gain or loss.
A shareholder who purchases shares of the Fund by tendering payment for the
shares in the form of other securities may be required to recognize gain or loss
for income tax purposes on the difference, if any, between the adjusted basis of
the securities tendered to the fund and the purchase price of the Fund's shares
acquired by the shareholder.
Section 475 of the Code requires that a "dealer" in securities must generally
"mark to market" at the end of its taxable year all securities which it owns.
The resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary (and not capital) gain or
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loss, except to the extent allocable to periods during which the dealer held the
security for investment. The "mark to market" rules do not apply, however, to a
security held for investment which is clearly identified in the dealer's records
as being held for investment before the end of the day in which the security was
acquired. The IRS has issued guidance under Section 475 that provides that, for
example, a bank that regularly originates and sells loans is a dealer in
securities, and subject to the "mark to market" rules. Shares of the Fund held
by a dealer in securities will be subject to the "mark to market" rules unless
they are held by the dealer for investment and the dealer property identifies
the shares as held for investment.
Redemptions and exchanges of shares of the Fund will result in gains or losses
for tax purposes to the extent of the difference between the proceeds and the
shareholder's adjusted tax basis for the shares. Any loss realized upon the
redemption or exchange of shares within six months from their date of purchase
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions of
long-term capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion
of a loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent
shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested
dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.
Distributions and redemptions may be subject to state and local income taxes,
and the treatment thereof may differ from the federal income tax treatment.
Foreign taxes may apply to non-U.S. investors.
The above discussion and the related discussion in the prospectuses are not
intended to be complete discussions of all applicable federal tax consequences
of an investment in the Fund. The law firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
LLP has expressed no opinion in respect thereof. Nonresident aliens and foreign
persons are subject to different tax rules, and may be subject to withholding of
up to 30% on certain payments received from the Fund. Shareholders are advised
to consult with their own tax advisers concerning the application of foreign,
federal, state and local taxes to an investment in the Fund.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will receive income in the form of dividends and interest earned on its
investments in securities. This income, less the expenses incurred in its
operations, is the Fund's net investment income, substantially all of which will
be declared as dividends to the Fund's shareholders.
The amount of income dividend payments by the Fund is dependent upon the amount
of net investment income received by the Fund from its portfolio holdings, is
not guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the Board. The Fund does not
pay "interest" or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its
shares.
The Fund also may derive capital gains or losses in connection with sales or
other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Any net gain the Fund may
realize from transactions involving investments held less than the period
required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing
short-term capital gains and losses (taking into account any carryover of
capital losses from the eight previous taxable years), although a distribution
from capital gains, will be distributed to shareholders with and as a part of
dividends giving rise to ordinary income. If during any year the Fund realizes a
net gain on transactions involving investments held more than the period
required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing
long-term capital gains and losses, the Fund will have a net long-term capital
gain. After deduction of the amount of any net short-term capital loss, the
balance (to the extent not offset by any capital losses carried over from the
eight previous taxable years) will be distributed and treated as long-term
capital gains in the hands of the shareholders regardless of the length of time
the Fund's shares may have been held by the shareholders. For more information
concerning applicable capital gains tax rates, see your tax advisor.
Any dividend or distribution paid by the Fund reduces the Fund's net asset value
per share on the date paid by the amount of the dividend or distribution per
share. Accordingly, a dividend or distribution paid shortly after a purchase of
shares by a shareholder would represent, in substance, a partial return of
capital (to the extent it is paid on the shares so purchased), even though it
would be subject to income taxes.
B-16
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Dividends and other distributions will be made in the form of additional shares
of the Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated. Investors have the
right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of dividends
and distributions by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing, but any such
change will be effective only as to dividends and other distributions for which
the record date is seven or more business days after the Transfer Agent has
received the written request.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may state its total return in advertisements and
investor communications. Total return may be stated for any relevant period as
specified in the advertisement or communication. Any statements of total return
will be accompanied by information on the Fund's average annual compounded rate
of return over the most recent four calendar quarters and the period from the
Fund's inception of operations. The Fund may also advertise aggregate and
average total return information over different periods of time.
The Fund's total return may be compared to relevant indices, including Standard
& Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index and indices published by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc. From time to time, evaluations of the Fund's performance by
independent sources may also be used in advertisements and in information
furnished to present or prospective investors in the Fund.
Investors should note that the investment results of the Fund will fluctuate
over time, and any presentation of the Fund's total return for any period should
not be considered as a representation of what an investment may earn or what an
investor's total return may be in any future period.
The Fund's average annual compounded rate of return is determined by reference
to a hypothetical $1,000 investment that includes capital appreciation and
depreciation for the stated period, according to the following formula:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of the hypothetical $1,000 purchase at the
end of the period
Aggregate total return is calculated in a similar manner, except that the
results are not annualized.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Advisors Series Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as
a Delaware business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 3,
1996. The Trust currently consists of 17 effective series of shares of
beneficial interest, par value of $0.01 per share.
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund's progress through periodic
reports. Financial statements certified by independent public accountants will
be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
Firstar Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 acts as Custodian of
the securities and other assets of the Fund. The Custodian does not participate
in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund. ICA
Fund Services Corp. acts as the Fund's transfer and shareholder service agent.
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP are the independent auditors for the Fund.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP, 345 California Street, 29th Floor, San
Francisco, California 94104, are legal counsel to the Fund.
B-17
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With respect to certain funds, the Trust may offer more than one class of
shares. The Trust has reserved the right to create and issue additional series
or classes. Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate
interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class.
Currently, the Fund has only one class of shares.
The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings,
dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of the Trust
which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated amount
all the series in a manner believed by management of the Trust to be fair and
equitable. Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares when issued
are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shareholders are
entitled to one vote for each share held. Shares of each series or class
generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to
vote separately on matters that only affect a particular class, such as the
approval of distribution plans for a particular class.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but will hold
special meetings of shareholders of a series or class when, in the judgment of
the Trustees, it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder
vote. Shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to communicate
with other shareholders in connection with requesting a meeting of shareholders
for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees. Shareholders also have, in
certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more Trustees without a
meeting. No material amendment may be made to the Trust's Declaration of Trust
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of each portfolio affected by the amendment. The Trust's Declaration of
Trust provides that, at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust or of any
series or class, a Shareholder Servicing Agent may vote any shares as to which
such Shareholder Servicing Agent is the agent of record and which are not
represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, proportionately in accordance
with the votes cast by holders of all shares of that portfolio otherwise
represented at the meeting in person or by proxy as to which such Shareholder
Servicing Agent is the agent of record. Any shares so voted by a Shareholder
Servicing Agent will be deemed represented at the meeting for purposes of quorum
requirements. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares, when
issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. Any series
or class may be terminated (i) upon the merger or consolidation with, or the
sale or disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to, another
entity, if approved by the vote of the holders of two-thirds of its outstanding
shares, except that if the Board of Trustees recommends such merger,
consolidation or sale or disposition of assets, the approval by vote of the
holders of a majority of the series' or class' outstanding shares will be
sufficient, or (ii) by the vote of the holders of a majority of its outstanding
shares, or (iii) by the Board of Trustees by written notice to the series' or
class' shareholders. Unless each series and class is so terminated, the Trust
will continue indefinitely.
The Fund intends to pay cash (U.S. dollars) for all shares redeemed, but, under
abnormal conditions that make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may make payment
partly in its portfolio securities with a current amortized cost or market
value, as appropriate, equal to the redemption price. Although the Fund does not
anticipate that it will make any part of a redemption payment in securities, if
such payment were made, an investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such
securities to cash. The Trust has elected to be governed by the provisions of
Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act, which require that the Fund pay in
cash all requests for redemption by any shareholder of record limited in amount,
however, during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value
of the Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period.
The Trust's Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall maintain
appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and omissions
insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other liabilities.
Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.
The validity of the Fund's shares has been passed on by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky
& Walker LLP, 345 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.
B-18
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APPENDIX
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
Prime-1--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-1" have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. "Prime-1"
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries, high
rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings
coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, and
well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of
alternate liquidity.
Prime-2--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-2" have a
strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated "A-1."
B-21
