JAMES FUNDS
485APOS, 1998-09-22
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                       BROWN, CUMMINS & BROWN CO., L.P.A.
                         ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
                                3500 CAREW TOWER
J.W. BROWN (1911-1995)           441 VINE STREET
JAMES R. CUMMINS            CINCINNATI, OHIO  45202
ROBERT S BROWN              TELEPHONE (513) 381-2121
DONALD S. MENDELSOHN        TELECOPIER (513) 381-2125               OF COUNSEL
LYNNE SKILKEN                                                    GILBERT BETTMAN
AMY G. APPLEGATE
KATHRYN KNUE PRZYWARA
MELANIE S. CORWIN
JOANN M. STRASSER
PAMELA L. KOGUT


                                                              September 22, 1998





VIA ELECTRONIC FILING
Securities and Exchange Commission
Public Filing Desk
Judiciary Plaza
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

         RE: THE JAMES ADVANTAGE FUNDS, FILE NOS. 333-37277 AND 811-8411

Gentlemen:

         The James Advantage Funds (the "Trust") hereby submits for filing
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 of the Trust (the "Amendment"). The Amendment is
being filed pursuant to Rule 485(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933
for the purpose of providing audited financial information and other updating
information for The Golden Rainbow Fund. In addition, the prospectus has been
revised because the approved management agreements for the Small Cap Fund and
the Market Neutral Fund are "universal fee" arrangements underwhich the Funds'
adviser pays most of the operating expenses of the Funds. Other changes were
made in response to comments from the Trust's examiner to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1. The registration statement has been marked to show all changes
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1.

         WE HEREBY REQUEST ACCELERATION OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AMENDMENT
TO THE EARLIEST TIME POSSIBLE ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1998. If you have any questions
concerning this filing, please contact Donald S. Mendelsohn at (513) 381-2121.



                                             Very Truly Yours,

                                             /s/
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             BROWN, CUMMINS & BROWN CO., L.P.A.

BCB/jlm
Enclosure

c:       Mr. Richard Pfordte
         Mr. Barry James





SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549
                                    FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                / /
                                                                       --

   
         Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                   /  /
                                      -------                           --
         Post-Effective Amendment No.    2                              /X /
                                      --------                          --
    
                                       and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT                 / /
OF 1940

   
         Amendment No.    3                                           /X/
                       --------                                       --
                        (Check appropriate box or boxes.)
    

          THE JAMES ADVANTAGE FUNDS - FILE NOS. 333-37277 AND 811-8411
                  1349 FAIRGROUND ROAD, BEAVERCREEK, OHIO 45385
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Address of Principal Executive Offices) Zip Code

        Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: 937-426-7640
                                                            ------------

         BARRY RAY JAMES, 1349 FAIRGROUND ROAD, BEAVERCREEK, OHIO 45385
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                  With copy to:
            Donald S. Mendelsohn, Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.
                    3500 Carew Tower, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

         Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: October 1, 1998
                                                       ---------------

             It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

   
/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) 
/ / on pursuant to paragraph (b)
/X/ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
    

If appropriate, check the following box:

/ / this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered SHARES

         Omit from the facing sheet reference to the other Act if the
Registration Statement or amendment is filed under only one of the Acts. Include
the "Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering" and "Title of Securities
Being Registered" only where securities are being registered under the
Securities Act of 1933.




<PAGE>


                            THE JAMES ADVANTAGE FUNDS
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                                    FORM N-1A

ITEM                                                       SECTION IN PROSPECTUS

  1..............................   Cover Page
  2..............................   Summary of Fund Expenses
  3..............................   Performance Information; 
                                    Financial Highlights
  4..............................   The Funds, Investment Objectives and 
                                    Strategies and Risk Considerations,
                                    Investment Policies and Techniques, 
                                    Operation of the Funds, General Information
  5..............................   Operation of the Funds
  5A.............................   None
  6..............................   Cover Page, Dividends and Distributions, 
                                    Taxes, General Information,
                                    How to Redeem Shares
  7..............................   Cover Page, How to Invest in the Funds,
                                    Share Price Calculation, Operation of the
                                    Funds, How to Redeem Shares, Free Repurchase
                                    and Systematic Withdrawal and Direct
                                    Deposits, Distribution Plan
  8..............................   How to Redeem Shares, Free Repurchase and
                                    Systematic Withdrawal and Direct Deposits
  9..............................   None
 13..............................   General Information
 15..............................   General Information


       SECTION IN GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ITEM

 10..............................   Cover Page
 11..............................   Table of Contents
 12..............................   None
 13..............................   Additional Information About Fund
                                    Investments and Risk Considerations,
                                    Investment Limitations
 14..............................   Trustees and Officers
 15..............................   None
 16..............................   The Investment Adviser, Custodian, Transfer 
                                    Agent, Accountants, Trustees and Officers,
                                    Distribution Plan
 17..............................   Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
 18..............................   Description of the Trust, Shares of the 
                                    Funds
 19..............................   Determination of Share Price, Letter of 
                                    Intent
 20..............................   None
 21..............................   Distributor
 22..............................   Investment Performance
 23..............................   Financial Statements


<PAGE>




                SECTION IN SMALL CAP FUND AND MARKET NEUTRAL FUND
                  COMBINED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ITEM

 10..............................   Cover Page
 11..............................   Table of Contents
 12..............................   None
 13..............................   Additional Information About Fund
                                    Investments and Risk Considerations,
                                    Investment Limitations
 14..............................   Trustees and Officers
 15..............................   None
 16..............................   The Investment Adviser, Custodian, Transfer
                                    Agent, Accountants, Trustees and Officers, 
                                    Distribution Plan
 17..............................   Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
 18..............................   Description of the Trust, Shares of the 
                                    Funds
 19..............................   Determination of Share Price, Letter of 
                                    Intent
 20..............................   None
 21..............................   Distributor
 22..............................   Investment Performance
 23..............................   None

                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>

                                                         Prospectus _____, 1998

                             THE GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND
                            THE JAMES SMALL CAP FUND
                          THE JAMES MARKET NEUTRAL FUND

                                   P.O. Box 8
                                Alpha, Ohio 45301

               For Information, Shareholder Services and Requests:
                                 (800) 99 JAMES
                                 (800) 995-2637

         The investment adviser to each series of the James Advantage Funds is
James Investment Research, Inc. (the "Adviser"). Each Fund is a diversified,
open-end mutual fund.

         THE GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND: The investment objective of The Golden Rainbow
Fund is to provide total return through a combination of growth and income and
preservation of capital in declining markets. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective by investing primarily in equity and/or debt securities that the
Adviser believes are undervalued. The Fund will attempt to provide total return
in excess of the rate of inflation over the long term (three to five years). The
Fund is the successor entity to another mutual fund which was called The Golden
Rainbow A James Advised Mutual Fund.(sm)

         JAMES SMALL CAP FUND: The investment objective of the James Small Cap
Fund is to provide long term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective by investing primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies with small
market capitalizations. The Adviser selects stocks that it believes are
undervalued and more likely to appreciate.

         JAMES MARKET NEUTRAL FUND: The investment objective of the James Market
Neutral Fund is to provide positive returns regardless of the direction of the
stock markets. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in common
stocks that the Adviser believes are undervalued and more likely to appreciate,
and selling short common stocks that the Adviser believes are overvalued and
more likely to depreciate.

         This Prospectus provides the information a prospective investor ought
to know before investing and should be retained for future reference. A
Statement of Additional Information has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") dated ___________, 1998, which is incorporated
herein by reference and can be obtained without charge by calling the Fund at
the phone number listed above. The SEC maintains a Web Site (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains the Statement of Additional Information, material incorporated by
reference, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the SEC.

         SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK, ARE NOT
ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION (FDIC), THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCY, ENTITY, OR PERSON. THE PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.




                                      

<PAGE>



                            SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

         The tables below are provided to assist an investor in understanding
the direct and indirect expenses that an investor may incur as a shareholder in
a Fund. The Golden Rainbow Fund expenses have been restated to reflect current
fees. The Small Cap Fund and Market Neutral Fund expenses are based on estimated
amounts for the current fiscal year. The expenses are expressed as a percentage
of average net assets. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
FUTURE FUND PERFORMANCE OR EXPENSES, BOTH OF WHICH MAY VARY.

   
         The Golden Rainbow Fund, like most other mutual funds, pays all of its
own operating expenses. The Adviser pays, from its management fee, all of the
operating expenses of the Small Cap Fund and the Market Neutral Fund, except
brokerage, taxes, interest, 12b-1 expenses, fees and expenses of non-interested
person trustees and extraordinary expenses. As indicated in the expense table,
the Trust utilizes a declining sales load for Class A Shares, a contingent
deferred sales load ("CDSL") for Class C shares and a no-load, no 12b-1 fee
structure for institutional investors for Class R Shares. Class R Shares are
subject to a minimum purchase requirement of $1 million. Long-term Class C
shareholders could pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charge for Class A Shares.
    

                             THE GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND
                             -----------------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                           Shareholder Transaction                                  Annual Fund Operating Expenses*
                                 Expense (a)
    
                     ----------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Maximum                                                                                        Total
                        Front End         Maximum                Management                         Other             Operating
                       Sales Load          CDSL                     Fee                            Expenses            Expenses
                       Imposed On        Imposed On               (after         12b-1             (after           (after waiver
                       Purchases         Purchases                 waiver)        Fee           reimbursement)    and reimbursement)
                     ----------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>              <C>                      <C>           <C>               <C>                 <C>  
Class A Shares             4.20%             N/A                     .65%          .25%              .10%                1.00%

   
Class C                     N/A             1.0%(b)                  .65%          .85%(c)           .10%                1.60%
Shares(d)
    

Class R Shares(d)           N/A              N/A                     .65%          .00               .10%                .75%

<FN>

*  THE FUND IS AUTHORIZED TO PAY THE ADVISER A FEE EQUAL TO AN ANNUAL RATE
   OF 0.74% OF ITS DAILY NET ASSETS. THROUGH JUNE 30, 1999, THE ADVISER
   HAS AGREED TO WAIVE A PORTION OF ITS FEE SO THAT THE FEE AFTER WAIVER
   WILL BE 0.65%, AND REIMBURSE EXPENSES TO MAINTAIN TOTAL CLASS A
   OPERATING EXPENSES AT OR BELOW 1.00% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS. ABSENT 
   REIMBURSEMENT, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OTHER EXPENSES FOR CLASS A THROUGH JUNE
   30, 1999 WOULD BE 0.20%, AND TOTAL CLASS A OPERATING EXPENSES, ABSENT 
   REIMBURSEMENT AND FEE WAIVER, WOULD BE 1.19% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



         

                                    SMALL CAP FUND
                                    --------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                           Shareholder Transaction                           Annual Fund Operating Expenses*
                                 Expense (a)
    
                     ----------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     
                         Maximum                                                                                        Fund
                        Front End         Maximum                Management                         Other             Operating
                       Sales Load          CDSL                     Fee                            Expenses            Expenses
                       Imposed On        Imposed On                             12b-1                            
                       Purchases         Purchases                               Fee                             
     
                    ----------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   
<S>                        <C>             <C>                      <C>          <C>                 <C>                   <C>  
Class A Share              4.20%             N/A                    1.17%        .25%                .08%                  1.50%
    

Class C                     N/A           1.0%(b)                   1.17%        .85%(c)             .08%                  2.10%
Shares(d)

Class R Shares(d)           N/A              N/A                    1.17%        .00                 .08%                  1.25%
                                                                                 

   
<FN>
* THE ADVISER'S FEE IS EQUAL TO (I) AN ANNUAL RATE OF 1.25% OF THE FUND'S
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS; MINUS (II) THE FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE NON-INTERESTED
PERSON TRUSTEES INCURRED BY THE FUND. BECAUSE TRUSTEE FEES AND EXPENSES ARE
ESTIMATED TO BE 0.08%, THE ADVISER'S FEE IS ESTIMATED TO BE 1.17%.

</FN>
</TABLE>
    

                               MARKET NEUTRAL FUND
                               -------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                           Shareholder Transaction                           Annual Fund Operating Expenses*
                                 Expense (a)
    
                     ----------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   
                       
                         Maximum                                                                                        Fund
                        Front End         Maximum                Management                         Other             Operating
                       Sales Load          CDSL                     Fee                            Expenses            Expenses
                       Imposed On        Imposed On                             12b-1                            
                       Purchases         Purchases                               Fee                             
     

                     ----------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   
<S>                        <C>             <C>                      <C>          <C>                 <C>                   <C>  
Class A Share              4.20%             N/A                    1.62%        .25%                .08%                  1.95%
    

Class C Shares(d)           N/A           1.0%(b)                   1.62%        .85%(c)             .08%                  2.55%


Class R Shares(d)           N/A              N/A                    1.62%        .00                 .08%                  1.70%
                                                                                 

<FN>
* THE ADVISER'S FEE IS EQUAL TO (I) AN ANNUAL RATE OF 1.70 OF THE FUND'S AVERAGE
DAILY NET ASSETS; MINUS (II) THE FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE NON-INTERESTED PERSON
TRUSTEES INCURRED BY THE FUND. BECAUSE TRUSTEE FEES AND EXPENSES ARE ESTIMATED
TO BE 0.08%, THE ADVISER'S FEE IS ESTIMATED TO BE 1.62%.

(A) PERSONS WHO INDIRECTLY PURCHASE FUND SHARES THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES MAY
    PAY FEES CHARGED BY SUCH INTERMEDIARIES IN ADDITION TO THOSE SHOWN
    ABOVE. EACH FUND MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR WIRING REDEMPTION PROCEEDS.
(B) NO INITIAL SALES LOAD; 1% CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE IF REDEEMED
    WITHIN 1 YEAR OF PURCHASE. (C) OF THIS AMOUNT, 0.75% IS AN ASSET BASED SALES
    CHARGE AND 0.10% IS A SERVICE FEE.

(D) THESE CLASSES HAVE NOT YET COMMENCED OPERATIONS.

</FN>
</TABLE>

EXAMPLE OF EXPENSE

         You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
(1) a 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             1 YEAR     3 YEARS   5 YEARS  10 YEARS
                                             ------     -------   -------  --------
           GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND
             <S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C> 
              Class A                         $ 52      $ 73      $ 95      $159
   

              Class C                           27        50        87       190
                                                 8        24        42        93
              Class R
    
           SMALL CAP FUND
   
              Class A                         $ 57      $ 87         --       --
                                                31        66         --       --
              Class C
              Class R                           13        40         --       --
    
           MARKET NEUTRAL FUND
                                              $ 61      $101         --       --
   
           Class A
           Class C                              36        79         --       --
           Class R                              17        53         --       --
    

</TABLE>


                                     - 3 -


<PAGE>


                                    THE FUNDS

   
         The Golden Rainbow Fund was organized as a series of The James
Advantage Funds, an Ohio business trust (the "Trust") on August 29, 1997. On
June 30, 1998, the Fund acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of The
Golden Rainbow A James Advised Mutual Fund (the "Predecessor Fund") in a
tax-free reorganization. The James Small Cap Fund and the James Market Neutral
Fund were organized as series of the Trust on August 20, 1998. This prospectus
offers shares of each Fund and each share represents an undivided, proportionate
interest in a Fund. The investment adviser to each Fund is James Investment
Research, Inc. (the "Adviser").
    

                    GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   
         As a result of the reorganization described above, the Golden Rainbow
Fund assumed the financial history of the Predecessor Fund. The financial
information in the table below is that of the Predecessor Fund and has been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. The Golden Rainbow Fund
had no operating history prior to the reorganization. The Predecessor Fund's
annual report for the most recent fiscal year includes a discussion of fund
performance. It is available upon request and without change.

         The following table provides per share income and capital changes for a
share of capital stock of the Predecessor Fund outstanding from July 1, 1993 to
June 30, 1998. Class B and Class R Shares of the
    

   
Golden Rainbow Fund were not offered to the public during previous
fiscal years.  The Small Cap and Market Neutral Funds have no
operating history.

                                            YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1998            1997            1996           1995            1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>   
Net asset value at beginning of period...........       $19.31          $17.56          $18.27         $16.67          $17.81
                                                        ------          ------          ------         ------          ------
                                                                                        
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income..........................        0.65            0.66            0.73           0.69            0.66
  Net realized and unrealized gains 
     (losses) on investments
Total from investment operations.................        1.08            2.16            0.61           1.94           (0.89)
                                                         ----            ----            ----           ----           ------
                                                         1.73            2.82            1.34           2.63           (0.23)
                                                         ----            ----            ----           ----           ------
Less distributions:
  From net investment income.....................       (0.65)          (0.68)          (0.74)         (0.68)          (0.66)
  From net realized gains on investments
Total distributions..............................       (1.43)          (0.39)          (1.31)         (0.35)          (0.25)
                                                        ------          ------          ------         ------          ------
                                                        (2.08)          (1.07)          (2.05)         (1.03)          (0.91)
                                                        ------          ------          ------         ------          ------
   
Net asset value at end of period.................       $18.96          $19.31          $17.56         $18.27          $16.67
                                                        ======          ======          ======         ======          ======
                                                         9.5%            16.5%           7.8%           16.6%          (1.5)%
                                                        ======          ======          ======         ======          ======
    
Total return (A).................................
Ratios/Supplementary Data:
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
                                                        3.29%             3.63%          4.01%           4.05%           3.70%
Portfolio turnover rate..........................         54%               56%            83%             48%             31%
Net assets at end of period                           $132,094          $157,183       $184,307         $191,473       $188,747
(000's)..........................................
   
<FN>
(A) Total returns exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. 

(B) Absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the ratios of expenses to 
    average net assets would have been 1.23%, 1.24%, 1.26%, 1.27%, and 1.24% for 
    the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. 


</FN>
</TABLE>
    


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>





          INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

         THE GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND: The investment objective of the Fund is to
provide shareholders with total return through a combination of growth and
income and preservation of capital in declining markets. The Fund seeks to
achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity and/or debt securities
that the Adviser believes are undervalued. The Fund will attempt to provide
total return in excess of the rate of inflation over the long term (three to
five years).

         The Adviser does its own research using quantitative databases and
statistical expertise. It utilizes a number of elements to help predict future
stock and bond price movements. When selecting equity securities, the Adviser
uses a proprietary investment model to select stocks that it believes are
undervalued and more likely to appreciate. The Adviser focuses on value, neglect
or limited following by Wall Street analysts, as well as on management
commitment, and assesses a number of fundamental factors such as earnings,
earnings trend, price earnings multiples, return on assets, and balance sheet
data as well as other proprietary calculations.

         Under normal circumstances, the Adviser expects that the Fund will hold
both debt and equity securities, the proportions of which are not fixed, and may
invest up to 90% of its assets in either debt or equity securities. The Adviser
expects that the fixed income portion of the Fund's portfolio will consist
primarily of U.S. government securities or high grade corporate bonds. When the
Adviser believes that interest rates will fall, it may extend maturities in
anticipation of capital appreciation in the bonds. If the Adviser believes that
interest rates may rise, it expects to seek capital preservation through the
purchase of shorter term bonds. The Fund may invest in debt obligations of any
maturity, consistent with the Fund's anticipated needs for liquidity. The Fund
will limit its holdings of debt securities to issues rated, at the time of
purchase, "A" or better by either Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), or if unrated, determined by the
Adviser to be of equivalent quality.

         The Fund may invest in foreign markets by investing in the securities
of non-United States issuers as well as through the purchase of mutual funds
that invest in foreign securities. The Fund may also invest, without limitation,
in money market instruments, repurchase agreements and "when issued" securities.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in other mutual funds.

         The Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put
and call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other
financial instruments; purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options
thereon; enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps,
floors or collars; and enter into various currency transactions such as currency
forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on
currencies or currency futures (collectively, all of the above are called
"hedging transactions").

   
         THE JAMES SMALL CAP FUND: The investment objective of the James Small
Cap Fund is to provide long term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve
its objective by investing primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies with
small market capitalizations. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will be fully
invested (subject to liquidity needs) in small capitalization companies, defined
by the Adviser as those companies with market capitalizations of $1.5 billion or
less at the time of purchase. The Adviser will normally sell a security when the
market capitalization exceeds $2 billion.
    

         The Adviser uses the same proprietary investment model as it uses for
the Golden Rainbow Fund to select stocks that it believes are undervalued and
more likely to appreciate. The model evaluates thousands of small capitalization
companies using the factors discussed above with respect to The Golden Rainbow
Fund.


                                     - 5 -


<PAGE>


         By investing primarily in small capitalization companies, the Fund will
be subject to the risks associated with such companies. Smaller capitalization
companies may experience higher growth rates and higher failure rates than do
larger capitalization companies. Companies in which the Fund is likely to invest
may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may lack
management depth. The trading volume of securities of smaller capitalization
companies is normally less than that of larger capitalization companies, and
therefore may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make them
rise more in response to buying demand and fall more in response to selling
pressure than is the case with larger capitalization companies. The Adviser
seeks to reduce risk by focusing on securities it believes to be undervalued
relative to the market; however, substantial concentrations in economic sectors
might occur, and some issues may have liquidity concerns.

   
         ADVISER'S HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE: The Adviser has been managing small
capitalization securities since its origin in 1972 and has focused on this as a
management style since July 1, 1996. The performance of all accounts with
investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to the
Small Cap Fund appears below. The data is provided to illustrate past
performance of the Adviser in managing such accounts, as compared to the Russell
2000 Index.
    


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  SMALL CAPITALIZATION            RUSSELL 2000
                                       ACCOUNTS(1)                  INDEX(2)
                                  ---------------------           ------------





   
<S>                                        <C>                    <C>   
Year ended June 30, 1998                   20.83%                 15.45%
Year ended June 30, 1997                   23.07                  15.16
Since inception June 30, 1996              21.94                  15.30
<FN>


         (1) ON JULY 1, 1996, THE ADVISER BEGAN MANAGING THIS STYLE WITH ONE
ACCOUNT TOTALLING $200,000. AS OF JUNE 30, 1998, THE COMPOSITE CONSISTED OF
EIGHT ACCOUNTS TOTALLING APPROXIMATELY $3 MILLION. THE COMPOSITE RATE OF RETURN
IS ASSET WEIGHTED, REFLECTING THE RELATIVE SIZE OF EACH ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT, AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE RELEVANT PERIOD. PERFORMANCE FIGURES REFLECTED ARE NET OF THE
ESTIMATED MANAGEMENT FEES OF THE SMALL CAP FUND (NOT THE ACTUAL MANAGEMENT FEES
CHARGED TO THE ACCOUNTS) AND ALL OTHER EXPENSES, INCLUDING TRANSACTION COSTS AND
COMMISSIONS. RESULTS INCLUDE THE REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE PERFORMANCE COMPOSITE COMPLIES WITH THE PERFORMANCE
PRESENTATION STANDARDS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
(AIMR-PPS).

         (2) THE RUSSELL 2000 INDEX IS A WIDELY RECOGNIZED INDEX OF MARKET
ACTIVITY BASED ON THE AGGREGATE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL TO MID-SIZED PUBLICLY
TRADED COMMON STOCKS. THE INDEX REFLECTS THE TOTAL RETURN OF SECURITIES
COMPRISING THE INDEX, INCLUDING CHANGES IN MARKET PRICES AS WELL AS ACCRUED
INVESTMENT INCOME, WHICH IS PRESUMED TO BE REINVESTED. PERFORMANCE FIGURES FOR
THE INDEX DO NOT REFLECT DEDUCTION OF TRANSACTION COSTS OR EXPENSES, INCLUDING
MANAGEMENT FEES.
</FN>
</TABLE>
    


         The performance of the accounts managed by the Adviser does not
represent the historical performance of a Fund and should not be considered
indicative of future performance of a Fund. Results may differ because of, among
other things, differences in brokerage commissions, account expenses, including
management fees, the size of positions taken in relation to account size and
diversification of securities, timing of purchases and sales, and availability
of cash for new investments. In addition, the managed accounts are not subject
to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, and other
restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act and the Internal Revenue Code
which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance results of the
managed accounts composite. The results for different periods may vary.




                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



         THE JAMES MARKET NEUTRAL FUND: The investment objective of the James
Market Neutral Fund is to provide positive returns regardless of the direction
of the stock markets. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in
common stocks that the Adviser believes are undervalued and more likely to
appreciate, and selling short common stocks that the Adviser believes are
overvalued and more likely to depreciate.

   
         The term "selling short" means the Fund sells a stock that it does not
own, borrows the same stock from a broker or other institution to complete the
sale, and buys the same stock at a later date to repay the lender. If the stock
is overvalued, and the price declines before the Fund buys the stock, the Fund
makes a profit. If the price of the stock increases before the Fund buys the
stock, the Fund loses money. The Adviser's strategy of using short positions in
overvalued stocks along with long positions (purchases) in undervalued stocks is
intended to reduce the effects of general market movements on the Fund's
performance, although there is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to do
so.
    

         The risk of losing money due to general market movements is called
market risk. The risk that the Adviser will fail to correctly identify
overvalued and undervalued stocks is called stock selection risk. Investors in
common stocks are exposed to both market risk and stock selection risk. The
Adviser's market neutral strategy seeks to limit market risk by taking long
positions (i.e., owning) and short positions in different stocks. The Fund's
return will depend on the Adviser's ability to maintain a portfolio of stocks
that increase in value more (or decline less) than the stocks which the Adviser
has sold short.

         The success of this strategy is dependent on the Adviser's ability to
correctly identify undervalued and overvalued stocks. If the Adviser is not
successful, the Fund may experience losses regardless of the overall performance
of the stock markets. In strong "bull" markets, when the prices of nearly all
stocks are rising regardless of the underlying value of the companies, the Fund
is expected to underperform the general markets because the Fund's short
positions will likely lose money. The Adviser uses its proprietary investment
model as the primary method of selecting stocks for the Fund's portfolio. The
model evaluates over 6,000 companies of all capitalization ranges using the
factors and techniques discussed above with respect to The Golden Rainbow Fund.
The Adviser will attempt to diversify the Fund among industries and market
sectors, but this is a secondary consideration.

   
         The Market Neutral Fund will hold short positions in stocks which, in
the aggregate, will approximately equal the long positions in the Fund. Due to
the continuous changes in the prices of the short positions and long positions,
the market value of the short positions and long positions will not be equal and
can become unequal to a significant degree. For example, if the Fund is
successful, it is likely that the long positions will increase in value while
the short positions decrease in value, thus reducing the market neutrality of
the Fund. It is the intention of the Adviser to take action to rebalance the
long and short positions to maintain a market neutral exposure when the
imbalance reaches proprietary thresholds, pre-established by the Adviser. This
can be done by adding or eliminating short or long positions depending on the
rebalancing needs.

         When selling securities short, the Market Neutral Fund will be required
to maintain a segregated account with its Custodian of cash or high grade liquid
assets equal to the market value of the securities sold less any collateral
deposited with its broker. It is the intention of the Adviser that the Market
Neutral Fund NOT borrow money to provide this collateral. Therefore, the Fund
will always maintain high levels of cash or high grade liquid assets (e.g., U.S.
Treasury bills, money market funds, repurchase agreements, certificates of
deposit and high quality commercial paper) for collateral needs.


                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>



         The Market Neutral Fund engages in short selling activities which are
significantly different from the investment activities commonly associated with
conservative stock funds. Positions in shorted securities are more risky than
long positions (purchases) in stocks because the maximum sustainable loss on a
stock purchased is limited to the amount paid for the stock plus the
transactions costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted
stock. Therefore, in theory, stocks sold short have unlimited risk.

         The Adviser attempts to control the risk inherent in short selling
through several processes. One way is to decrease the relative weighing of each
stock sold short while increasing the number of shorted stocks, thus reducing
the impact each stock has on overall performance without reducing the market
neutrality of the Fund. The Adviser also employs various proprietary procedures
to eliminate stocks which have risen in price above a loss threshold. However,
investors must be aware of the intrinsic risk involved in the Market Neutral
Fund and be cognizant that any strategy which includes selling stocks short can
suffer significant losses.
    


         In addition to common stocks of U.S. companies, the Fund's long and
short positions may involve American Depositary Receipts. See "Investment
Policies and Techniques" for more information on American Depositary Receipts
and other securities in which the Fund may invest.

   
         THE ADVISER'S HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE: The Adviser has been managing an
account using its market neutral strategy since July 1, 1996. The account has an
investment objective and investment policies and strategies substantially
similar to the Market Neutral Fund. The performance of the account is provided
below to illustrate past performance of the Adviser in managing the account, as
compared to 90-day U.S. treasury bill return, which the Adviser considers to be
an approximation of the risk-free rate of return.
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                 MARKET NEUTRAL ACCOUNT(1)     90 DAY T-BILLS(2)
                                 -------------------------     -----------------
   
<S>                                       <C>                       <C>     
Year ended June 30, 1998                  24.84%                     3.71%
Year ended June 30, 1997                  13.05                      3.66
Since inception July 1, 1996              14.19                      3.67
<FN>

(1)      ON JULY 1, 1996, THE ACCOUNT TOTALED $500 THOUSAND. AS OF JUNE 30,
         1998, THE ACCOUNT TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $740 THOUSAND. PERFORMANCE
         FIGURES REFLECTED ARE NET OF THE ESTIMATED MANAGEMENT FEES OF THE
         MARKET NEUTRAL FUND (THE ACCOUNT WAS NOT CHARGED A MANAGEMENT FEE) AND
         ALL OTHER EXPENSES, INCLUDING TRANSACTION COSTS AND COMMISSIONS.
         RESULTS INCLUDE THE REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS. THE
         PRESENTATION OF THE PERFORMANCE COMPLIES WITH THE PERFORMANCE
         PRESENTATION STANDARDS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND
         RESEARCH (AIMR-PPS).

(2)      AN INVESTMENT IN 90 DAY U.S. TREASURY BILLS IS DIFFERENT FROM AN
         INVESTMENT IN THE FUND OR IN THE ACCOUNT BECAUSE TREASURY BILLS ARE
         BACKED BY THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES, HAVE A FIXED
         RATE OF RETURN AND A SHORT DURATION, AND INVESTORS IN TREASURY BILLS DO
         NOT RISK LOSING CAPITAL. IT HAS BEEN STANDARD FOR MARKET NEUTRAL
         MANAGERS OF PRIVATE ACCOUNTS, INCLUDING THE ADVISER, TO USE THE 90 DAY
         TREASURY BILL AS A BENCHMARK. TRADITIONAL BENCHMARKS FOR STOCK FUNDS
         ARE NOT APPROPRIATE BECAUSE MARKET NEUTRAL RETURNS ARE NOT TIED TO THE
         DIRECTION OF THE STOCK MARKET. MOREOVER, PART OF THE RETURN FROM A
         MARKET NEUTRAL STRATEGY IS FROM INTEREST ON THE PROCEEDS FROM SHORT
         SALES, WHICH OFTEN APPROXIMATES THE 90 DAY TREASURY BILL RETURN. UNLIKE
         TREASURY BILLS, HOWEVER, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT MARKET NEUTRAL
         INVESTING INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL RISK. STOCK PRICES ARE MORE VOLATILE AND
         THERE IS A RISK OF LOSING YOUR CAPITAL.

</FN>
</TABLE>
    
                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>



         The performance of the account managed by the Adviser does not
represent the historical performance of a Fund and should not be considered
indicative of future performance of a Fund. Results may differ because of, among
other things, differences in brokerage commissions, account expenses, including
management fees, the size of positions taken in relation to account size and
diversification of securities, timing of purchases and sales, and availability
of cash for new investments. In addition, the managed account is not subject to
certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, and other
restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act and the Internal Revenue Code
which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance results of the
managed account. The results for different periods may vary.

GENERAL: For temporary defensive purposes under adverse market conditions, each
Fund may hold all or a substantial portion of its assets in short term U.S.
Government or high quality money market instruments; repurchase agreements
collateralized by such securities; money market funds or other cash equivalents.
Each Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such
instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of
investments in accordance with its policies. If a Fund acquires securities of
another mutual fund, including a money market fund, the shareholders of the Fund
will be subject to additional management fees. See "Investment Policies and
Techniques" for a more detailed discussion of each Fund's investment practices.

         As all investment securities are subject to inherent market risks and
fluctuations in value due to earnings, economic and political conditions and
other factors, no Fund can give any assurance that its investment objective will
be achieved. Rates of total return quoted by a Fund may be higher or lower than
past quotations, and there can be no assurance that any rate of total return
will be maintained.

                            HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND

         Shares of each Fund are sold on a continuous basis, and you may invest
any amount you choose, as often as you wish, subject to a minimum initial
investment in the Fund of $2,000 ($500 for qualified plans and $1 million for
Class R). Shares of each Fund are offered continuously at a public offering
price that is equal to net asset value per share next determined after a
purchase order is received by the Fund plus any applicable sales charge.


INITIAL PURCHASE

         You may open an account and make an initial investment through
securities dealers having a sales agreement with CW Fund Distributors, Inc., the
Funds' distributor (the "Distributor"). You may also make a direct initial
investment by completing and signing the investment application form which
accompanies this Prospectus and mailing it, in proper form, together with a
check made payable to the appropriate Fund, to the P.O. Box listed below. If you
prefer overnight delivery, use the overnight address listed below.

         U.S. MAIL:                                           OVERNIGHT:
   
         The  James Advantage Funds          The James Advantage Funds
         P.O. Box 5354                       c/o Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.
         Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5354         312 Walnut Street, 21st floor 
                                             Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
    
         The sales charge, at the election of the purchaser, may be imposed (i)
at the time of purchase (Class A Shares) or (ii) on a contingent deferred basis
(Class C shares). The Class R Shares are designed for institutional investors
and are sold at net asset value with no front-end sales load, no contingent
deferred sales load and no Rule 12b-1 charge. When placing purchase orders,
investors should specify the name of the Fund and whether the order is for Class
A, Class C or Class R Shares. All purchase orders that fail to specify a Class
will automatically be invested in Class A Shares.




                                     - 9 -

<PAGE>



CLASS A SHARES

         Class A shares of each Fund are purchased at the public offering price.
The public offering price is the next determined net asset value per share plus
a sales load as shown in the table below. Class A shares are subject to a
continuing .25% annual distribution fee.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================

                                                      Sales Load as of % of:
                                         Public                Net
                                         Offering            Amount          Dealer Reallowance as % of
         Amount of Investment             Price             Invested          Public Offering Price
=========================================================================================================
<S>                                       <C>                <C>                      <C>  
Less than $50,000                          4.20%              4.38%                    3.70%
$50,000 but less than $100,000             4.00%              4.18%                    3.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000            3.50%              3.65%                    3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000            2.50%              2.61%                    2.00%                 
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000          2.00%              2.09%                    1.50%
$1,000,000 or more                          .50%               .52%                     .30% 

                                                                     
================================================================================
</TABLE>                                                                        
CLASS C SHARES

   
         Class C shares are offered at net asset value, without initial sales
charge, subject to a maximum annual distribution fee of 1% (of which .75% is an
asset based sales charge and .25% is a service fee). The current authorized
distribution fee is .85%. Class C shares are subject to a CDSL of 1% if redeemed
within one year of the purchase date.
    


CLASS R SHARES

         Class R Shares are no-load and are not subject to distribution fees or
service fees. Class R shares are available to those investing $1 million or
more. Dividends and capital gains distributions on Class R shares may be
reinvested as Class R shares.

ADDITIONAL PURCHASES

         After an initial investment in a Fund, you may purchase additional
shares of the Fund at any time either through a securities dealer or by sending
a check payable to the applicable Fund to the address listed above. You may also
purchase shares of a Fund by bank wire. Please telephone Countrywide Fund
Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent") at 800-995-2637 for instructions. The bank
may impose a charge for sending a wire. There is presently no fee for receipt of
wired funds, but the Transfer Agent reserves the right to charge shareholders
for this service upon thirty days' prior notice to shareholders.

   
         Each additional purchase request must contain the name of the account
and the account number to permit proper crediting to the account. While there is
no minimum amount required for subsequent investments, the Trust reserves the
right to impose such a requirement. All additional purchases are made at net
asset value next determined after receipt of a purchase order by the Trust, plus
any applicable sales charge. If a broker-dealer received concessions for selling
shares of a Fund to a current shareholder, such broker-dealer will receive the
concessions with respect to additional investments by the shareholder.
    




                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>



GENERAL PURCHASE INFORMATION

         Shares of a Fund may be purchased, in amounts less than the minimum
purchase amount, by officers, directors and employees of the Funds, the Adviser,
or the Distributor, and any such person's spouse, children, and trustees or
custodians of any qualified pension or profit sharing plan or IRA established
for the benefit of such person. Such persons should request instructions on how
to invest or redeem from the Distributor.

         Under certain circumstances, the Distributor may change the reallowance
to dealers and may also compensate dealers out of its own assets. Dealers
engaged in the sale of shares of a Fund may be deemed to be underwriters under
the Securities Act of 1933. The Distributor retains the entire sales load on all
direct initial investments in the Fund and on all investments in accounts with
no designated dealer of record.
   
         You may purchase Class A or Class R shares without a sales charge at
net asset value if you are within the following specified categories of
investors: officers, service providers and current and former trustees of the
Trust; full-time and retired employees of the Adviser and subsidiaries thereof,
or their immediate family members; persons who, for at least 90 days, have been
an officer, director or employee of any authorized dealer with a sales
agreement, or their immediate family members; officers and directors of banks,
bank holding companies or other financial institutions that make a Fund's shares
available directly or through subsidiaries or bank affiliates; bank or
broker-affiliated trust departments; and clients of investment advisers,
financial planners or other financial intermediaries.
    

         If you are eligible to purchase either Class R Shares or Class A Shares
without a sales charge at net asset value, you should be aware of the
differences between these two classes of shares. Class A Shares are subject to
an annual distribution fee to compensate the Distributor for distribution costs
associated with each Fund and to an annual service fee to compensate authorized
dealers for providing you with ongoing account services. Class R Shares are not
subject to a distribution or service fee and, consequently, holders of Class R
Shares may not receive the same types or levels of services from authorized
dealers. In deciding between Class A Shares and Class R Shares, you should weigh
the benefits of the services to be provided by authorized dealers against the
annual service fee imposed upon the Class A Shares.

         Shares of each Fund are sold on a continuous basis at the public
offering price next determined after receipt of a purchase order by the Trust.
Purchase orders received by dealers prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any
business day and transmitted to the Distributor by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, that
day are confirmed at the public offering price determined as of the close of the
regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on that day. It is the
responsibility of dealers to transmit properly completed orders so that they
will be received by the Distributor by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. Dealers may
charge a fee for effecting purchase orders. Direct purchase orders received by
4:00 p.m., Eastern time, are confirmed at that day's public offering price.
Direct investments received after 4:00 p.m. and orders received from dealers
after 5:00 p.m. are confirmed at the public offering price next determined on
the following business day. Any change in price due to the failure of the Fund
to receive an order prior to the close of the Exchange must be settled between
the investor and the dealer placing the order.

       
                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>



   
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
    

         The Funds offer current shareholders who receive a quarterly statement
from the Funds' Distributor the convenience of automatic monthly investing. On
the 15th (or the next business day following the 15th if it falls on a weekend
or holiday) or last business day of each month, the amount you specify will be
transferred from your bank to the Fund. To initiate the automatic investment
plan, complete the application form and attach a voided check.

         Each Fund pays the cost associated with these transfers, but reserves
the right, upon ninety (90) days written notice, to make reasonable charges for
this service. Your bank may charge for debiting your account. Shareholders can
change the amount or discontinue their participation in the plan by written
notice to the Transfer Agent thirty (30) days prior to fund transfer date.
Because a sales charge is applied on new shares purchased, it would be
disadvantageous to purchase shares while also making withdrawals.

LETTER OF INTENT (CLASS A SHARES ONLY)

         A Fund shareholder may qualify for reduced sales charges by sending to
the Fund (within 90 days after the first purchase desired to be included in the
purchase program) a signed, non-binding letter of intent to purchase, during a
13-month period, an amount sufficient to qualify for a reduced sales charge. A
single letter may be used for spouses, their children and parents or any single
trust, estate or other fiduciary account. All investments in retail shares of
the Fund count toward the indicated goal. Once the Distributor receives the
required letter of intent, it will apply to qualifying purchases within the
13-month period the sales charge that would be applicable to a single purchase
of the total amount indicated in the letter. During the period covered by the
letter of intent, the first 5% of the intended purchase will be held in escrow
until the stated goal is reached. If the intended purchase program is not
completed within the 13-month period, the sales charge will be adjusted upward
as appropriate and a sufficient number of shares will be redeemed by the Fund if
the shareholder does not pay the increased sales charge. Please see the
Statement of Additional Information for further details.

OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION

         Dividends begin to accrue after you become a shareholder. The Funds do
not issue share certificates. All shares are held in non-certificate form
registered on the books of the Funds and the Funds' Transfer Agent for the
account of the shareholder. The rights to limit the amount of purchases and to
refuse to sell to any person are reserved by the Funds. If your check or wire
does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss incurred by the Funds. If
you are already a shareholder, the Fund can redeem shares from any identically
registered account in the Funds as reimbursement for any loss incurred. You may
be prohibited or restricted from making future purchases in the Funds.

                              HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

         Shareholders may redeem shares of a Fund on each day that the Trust is
open for business by sending a written request to the Transfer Agent. The
request must state the number of shares or the dollar amount to be redeemed and
the account number. The request must be signed exactly as the shareholder's name
appears on the Trust's account records. Upon receipt by a Fund of a proper
redemption request, the Fund will redeem shares at their next determined net
asset value. See "Share Price Calculation." Neither the Distributor nor the Fund
charges a fee or a commission for redemption, except that the Fund may charge a
fee for wiring redemption proceeds and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSL
charge (see "How to Invest in the Fund").


                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>


         A shareholder may also redeem shares by placing a wire redemption
request through a securities broker or dealer. Shareholders will receive the net
asset value per share next determined after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the
wire redemption request. It is the responsibility of broker-dealers to properly
transmit wire redemption orders.

   
         The Funds' custodian charges a $13 processing fee for wire redemptions,
which may be changed upon thirty days' written notice. All charges will be
deducted from the shareholder's account by redemption of shares in the account.
The shareholder's bank or brokerage firm may also impose a charge for processing
the wire. In the event that wire transfer of funds is impossible or impractical,
the redemption proceeds will be sent by mail to the designated account.
    

         Payment is normally made within three business days after receipt of a
proper redemption request, provided that payment in redemption of shares
purchased by check will be effected only after the check has cleared, which may
take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date. To eliminate this
delay, shareholders may purchase shares of a Fund by certified check or wire.

         The Trust and the Transfer Agent will consider all written and verbal
instructions as authentic and will be responsible for the processing of exchange
instructions received by telephone which are reasonably believed to be genuine
or the delivery or transmittal of the redemption proceeds by wire. The affected
shareholders will bear the risk of any such loss. The privilege of exchanging
shares by telephone is automatically available to all shareholders. The Trust or
the Transfer Agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that
telephone instructions are genuine. If the Trust and/or the Transfer Agent do
not employ such procedures, they may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions. The procedures may include, among others, requiring
forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions,
providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording
telephone instructions. At the discretion of the Trust or the Transfer Agent,
corporate investors and other associations may be required to furnish an
appropriate certification authorizing redemptions to ensure proper
authorization.

         SIGNATURE GUARANTEE - The Transfer Agent will require a signature
guarantee if the shares to be redeemed have a value of $25,000 or more, or if
the address where the redemption is to be mailed is other than that designated
on the account. A signature guarantee may be executed by any eligible guarantor.
Eligible guarantors include member firms of a domestic stock exchange,
commercial banks, trust companies, savings associations and credit unions as
defined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. You should verify with the
institution that they are an eligible guarantor prior to signing.

         ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Because the Funds incur certain fixed costs in
maintaining shareholder accounts, each Fund reserves the right to require any
shareholder to redeem all of his or her shares in the Fund on 30 days' written
notice if the value of his or her shares in the Fund is less than $2,000 due to
redemption, or such other minimum amount as the Fund may determine from time to
time. An involuntary redemption constitutes a sale. You should consult your tax
adviser concerning the tax consequences of involuntary redemptions. A
shareholder may increase the value of his or her shares in a Fund to the minimum
amount within the 30 day period. Each share of each Fund is subject to
redemption at any time if the Board of Trustees determines in its sole
discretion that failure to so redeem may have materially adverse consequences to
all or any of the shareholders of the Funds.


                                     - 13 -


<PAGE>


          FREE REPURCHASE AND SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL AND DIRECT DEPOSITS

FREE REPURCHASE

         A shareholder who has redeemed shares may repurchase shares at net
asset value without incurring the applicable sales charge. Such a purchase must
be in an amount between the stated minimum investment of such fund and the
amount of the proceeds of redemption within one year of the redemption. This
feature may be exercised by a shareholder only twice per calendar year.
Exercising the reinvestment privilege will not affect the character of any gain
or loss realized on the redemption for federal income tax purposes, except that
if the redemptions resulted in a loss, the reinvestment may result in the loss
being disallowed under the "wash sale" rules.



                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>




SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

         Accounts with a value greater than $10,000 may establish a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan ("SWP") and receive monthly or quarterly checks for $100 or more
as specified by the shareholder. To establish a SWP all distributions must be in
the form of shares. Such payments are drawn from the proceeds of the redemption
shares held in the shareholder's account. To the extent that SWP redemptions
exceed dividend income reinvested in the account, such redemptions will reduce
and may ultimately exhaust the number of shares in the account. Maintaining a
SWP concurrently with an investment program would be disadvantageous because of
the sales charges included in share purchases. Therefore, a shareholder should
not have a SWP in effect at the same time he is making recurring purchases of
shares of the Fund. The shareholder by written instructions to the Transfer
Agent may withdraw from the program, change the payee or change the dollar
amount of each payment. The Transfer Agent may charge the account for services
rendered and expenses incurred beyond those normally assumed by the Fund with
respect to the liquidation of shares. No charge is currently assessed against
the account, but could be instituted by the Transfer Agent on 60 days' notice in
writing to the shareholder. The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate
the SWP on thirty days' notice.

DIRECT DEPOSITS

         Shareholders can have dividends or SWP redemption proceeds deposited
electronically into a bank account. Under normal circumstances, direct deposits
are credited to the account on the second business day of the month following
normal payment. In order to utilize this option, the shareholder's bank must be
a member of Automated Clearing House. In addition, the shareholder must (1) fill
out the appropriate section of the application attached to this Prospectus and
(2) include with the completed application a voided check from the bank account
into which funds are to be deposited. Once the Transfer Agent has received the
application and the voided check, the shareholder's dividends and redemptions
will be credited to the designated bank account. A shareholder may terminate a
direct deposit program at any time by written notice to the Transfer Agent.

                             SHARE PRICE CALCULATION

         The value of an individual share in a Fund (the net asset value) is
calculated by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other
assets (including accrued income), less any liabilities (including estimated
accrued expenses), by the number of shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest
cent. Net asset value per share is determined as of the close of the New York
Stock Exchange (4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the exchange is open
for business (except for Ohio bank holidays), and on any other day on which
there is sufficient trading in the Fund's securities to materially affect the
net asset value. The net asset value per share of the Fund will fluctuate.

         Securities which are traded on any exchange or on the NASDAQ
over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted sale price. Lacking a last
sale price, a security is valued at its last bid price except when, in the
Adviser's opinion, the last bid price does not accurately reflect the current
value of the security. All other securities for which over-the-counter market
quotations are readily available are valued at their last bid price. When market
quotations are not readily available, when the Adviser determines the last bid
price does not accurately reflect the current value or when restricted
securities are being valued, such securities are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith in accordance with consistently applied procedures
established by and under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees.

         Fixed income securities generally are valued by using market
quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing
service when market quotations are not readily available. A pricing service
utilizes electronic data processing techniques based on yield spreads relating
to securities with similar characteristics


                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>



to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt
securities without regard to sale or bid prices. When prices are not readily
available from a pricing service, or when restricted or illiquid securities are
being valued, securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good
faith in accordance with consistently applied procedures established by and
under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Short term investments
in fixed income securities with maturities of less than 60 days when acquired,
or which subsequently are within 60 days of maturity, are valued by using the
amortized cost method of valuation, which the Board has determined will
represent fair value.

         For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign securities in a foreign
currency are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents at the time of pricing. In
computing the net asset value of a Fund, the values of foreign portfolio
securities are generally based upon market quotations which, depending upon the
exchange or market, may be last sale price, last bid price, or the average of
the last bid and asked prices as of, in each case, the close of the appropriate
exchange or another designated time.

         Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges
and over-the-counter markets is normally completed at various times before the
close of business on each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Trading of these securities may not take place on every New York Stock Exchange
business day. In addition, trading may take place in various foreign markets on
Saturdays or on other days when the New York Stock Exchange is not open and on
which a fund's share price is not calculated. Therefore, the value of the
portfolio of a fund holding foreign securities may be significantly affected on
days when shares of the Fund may not be purchased or redeemed.

         The calculation of the share price of a fund holding foreign securities
in its portfolio does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of
the values of many of the foreign portfolio securities used in such calculation.
Events affecting the values of foreign portfolio securities that occur between
the time their prices are determined and the calculation of the Fund's share
price will not be reflected in the calculation unless the Adviser determines,
subject to review by the Board of Trustees, that the particular event would
materially affect net asset value, in which case an adjustment will be made.

                           DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

   
         Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment
income as dividends to its shareholders on a quarterly basis, and intends to
distribute its net long term capital gains and its net short term capital gains
at least once a year.
    


         Income dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares at the net asset value per share on the
distribution date. An election to receive a cash payment of dividends and/or
capital gain distributions may be made in the application to purchase shares or
by separate written notice to the Transfer Agent. Shareholders will receive a
confirmation statement reflecting the payment and reinvestment of dividends and
summarizing all other transactions. If cash payment is requested, a check
normally will be mailed within five business days after the payable date. If you
withdraw your entire account, all dividends accrued to the time of withdrawal,
including the day of withdrawal, will be paid at that time. You may elect to
have distributions on shares held in IRAs and 403(b) plans paid in cash only if
you are 59 1/2 years old or permanently and totally disabled or if you otherwise
qualify under the applicable plan.




                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>



                                      TAXES

         Each Fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By so qualifying,
a Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent that it
distributes substantially all of its net investment income and any realized
capital gains.

         For federal income tax purposes, dividends paid by each Fund from
ordinary income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, but may be
eligible in part for the dividends received deduction for corporations. Pursuant
to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (the "Tax Reform Act"), all distributions of net
short term capital gains to individuals are taxed at the same rate as ordinary
income. All distributions of net capital gains to corporations are taxed at
regular corporate rates. Any distributions designated as being made from net
realized long term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as long term
capital gains regardless of the holding period of the shareholder.

         Each Fund will mail to each shareholder after the close of the calendar
year a statement setting forth the federal income tax status of distributions
made during the year. Dividends and capital gains distributions may also be
subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes
and the tax effect of distributions and withdrawals from the Fund.

         On the application or other appropriate form, the Funds will request
the shareholder's certified taxpayer identification number (social security
number for individuals) and a certification that the shareholder is not subject
to backup withholding. Unless the shareholder provides this information, the
Fund will be required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of the
dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to the shareholder.
Shareholders should be aware that, under regulations promulgated by the Internal
Revenue Service, a Fund may be fined $50 annually for each account for which a
certified taxpayer identification number is not provided. In the event that such
a fine is imposed with respect to a specific account in any year, the applicable
Fund may make a corresponding charge against the account.

                             OPERATION OF THE FUNDS

         Each Fund is a diversified series of The James Advantage Funds, an
open-end management investment company organized as an Ohio business trust on
August 29, 1997. The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the
Funds. Like other mutual funds, the Funds retain various organizations to
perform specialized services.

         The Funds retain James Investment Research, Inc., P.O. Box 8, Alpha,
Ohio 45301 (the "Adviser") to manage the Funds' investments. The investment
decisions for the Funds are made by a committee of the Adviser, which is
primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund's portfolio.
The Adviser is owned by Francis E. James, Ph.D., who established it in 1972. The
Adviser provides advice to institutional as well as individual clients,
including NYSE listed corporations, colleges, banks, hospitals, foundations,
trusts, endowment funds and individuals.

   
         The Golden Rainbow Fund is authorized to pay the Adviser a fee equal to
an annual rate of 0.74% of its average daily net assets, and the Adviser has
agreed to waive a portion of its fee so that through June 30, 1999 the fee after
waiver will be 0.65%. The Golden Rainbow Fund is responsible for the payment of


                                     - 17 -


<PAGE>

all operating expenses of the Fund, including brokerage fees and commissions;
taxes or governmental fees; interest fees and expenses of the non-interested
person trustees; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space
and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection
with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and
accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state
securities laws; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian,
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent,
administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the
Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or
repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports
and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and
statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's shareholders;
the cost of printing or preparing statements, reports or other documents to
shareholders; expenses of shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations; and
such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation
to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's trustees and
officers with respect thereto.

         The Adviser is authorized to receive a fee (a) equal to an annual rate
of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Small Cap Fund and 1.70% of the
Market Neutral Fund; minus (b) the fees and expenses of the non-interested
person trustees incurred by the applicable Fund. The Adviser is responsible for
the payment of all operating expenses of the Small Cap Fund and the Market
Neutral Fund, except for brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest, 12b-1
expenses, fees and expenses of non-interested person trustees and extraordinary
expenses.

         The Funds retain Countrywide Fund Services, Inc., 312 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (the "Transfer Agent"), to serve as transfer agent,
dividend paying agent and shareholder service agent. The Funds also retain the
Transfer Agent to provide the Fund with administrative services, including
regulatory reporting and necessary office equipment, personnel and facilities.
For its services as administrator, the Transfer Agent receives a monthly fee at
an annual rate of .10% of each Fund's average daily net assets up to $25
million; .075% of such assets from $25 million to $50 million; and .05% of such
assets in excess of $50 million, subject to a minimum monthly fee of $1,000. The
Funds retain CW Fund Distributors, Inc., 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202, to act as the principal distributor of each Fund's shares.
    

         Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to its obligation of seeking best
qualitative execution, the Adviser may give consideration to sales of shares of
a Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio
transactions.


                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>


                               DISTRIBUTION PLANS

   
         Each Fund has adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 Act (the "1940 Act") for Class A and Class C
shares (collectively, the "Plans") which permits the Fund to pay for certain
distribution and promotion expenses related to marketing its shares. Such
expenses may include certain fees to broker-dealers of record for shareholders
of the Fund, but such fees shall not, when aggregated with other expenses
reimbursed to the Distributor in accordance with the Plan, exceed the maximum
12b-1 fee set forth in the table on pages 2-3 of this Prospectus. The Plans
conform to the requirements of the rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers with regard to Rule 12b-1 plans. Each Plan authorizes the
Fund to expend its monies in an amount equal to the aggregate for all such
expenditures to such percentage of the Fund's daily net asset value as may be
determined from time to time by vote cast in person at a meeting called for such
purpose, by a majority of the Fund's disinterested Trustees. The scope of the
foregoing shall be interpreted by the Trustees, which decision shall be
conclusive except to the extent it contravenes established legal authority.
Without in any way limiting the discretion of the Trustees, the following
activities are hereby declared to be primarily intended to result in the sale of
shares of the applicable Fund: advertising the Fund or the Adviser's mutual fund
activities; compensating underwriters, dealers, brokers, banks and other selling
entities and sales and marketing personnel of any of them for sales of shares of
the Fund, whether in a lump sum or on a continuous, periodic, contingent,
deferred or other basis; compensating underwriters, dealers, brokers, banks and
other servicing entities (including the Adviser) and servicing personnel of any
of them for providing services to shareholders of the Fund relating to their
investment in the Fund, including assistance in connection with inquiries
relating to shareholder accounts; the production and dissemination of
prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund and the
preparation, production and dissemination of sales, marketing and shareholder
servicing materials; and the ordinary or capital expense, such as equipment,
rent, fixtures, salaries, bonuses, reporting and recordkeeping and third party
consultancy or similar expenses relating to any activity for which payment is
authorized by the Trustees; and the financing of any activity for which payment
is authorized by the Trustees. Pursuant to the Plan, each Fund through
authorized officers may make similar payments for marketing services and
shareholder services to non-broker-dealers who enter into service agreements
with the Fund.
    

       
         The maximum amount payable by a Fund under the Plan and related
agreements on an annual basis for Class A shares is .40% of average daily net
assets for the year. In the case of broker-dealers and others, such as banks,
who have selling or service agreements with the Distributor or a Fund, the
maximum amount payable to any recipient is .20%, on an annualized basis, of the
portion of daily net assets represented by such person's customers. The maximum
amount payable for Class C shares is 1.00% of its average daily net assets for
the year (of which .75% is an asset based sales charge and .25% is a service
fee). The Board of Trustees have currently authorized a .75% asset based sales
charge and a .10% service fee for Class C shares. The Board of Trustees may
reduce these amounts at any time. Expenditures pursuant to the Plan and related
agreements may reduce current yield after expenses.

         Various state and federal laws limit the ability of a depository
institution (such as a commercial bank or a savings and loan association) to
become an underwriter or distributor of securities. In the event these laws are
deemed to prohibit depository institutions from acting in the capacities
described above or should Congress relax current restrictions on depository
institutions, the Board of Trustees will consider appropriate changes in the
services. State securities laws governing the ability of depository institutions
to act as underwriters or distributors of securities may differ from
interpretations given to federal law and, therefore, banks and financial
institutions may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state law.

                       INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES

         This section contains general information about various types of
securities and investment techniques that the Funds may purchase or employ. For
more information, see the Statement of Additional Information.

EQUITY SECURITIES

         Each Fund may invest in common stock. In addition to common stock, the
Golden Rainbow Fund may invest in preferred stock and common stock equivalents
(such as convertible preferred stock and convertible debentures). Convertible
preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock
pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be
converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. The Adviser intends to
invest only in preferred stock rated A or higher by Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") or by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's").

       
                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>



       
FOREIGN SECURITIES

         The Golden Rainbow Fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in foreign
equity and fixed income securities. Foreign fixed income securities include
corporate debt obligations issued by foreign companies and debt obligations of
foreign governments or international organizations. This category may include
floating rate obligations, variable rate obligations, Yankee dollar obligations
(U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued by foreign companies and traded on
U.S. markets) and Eurodollar obligations (U.S. dollar denominated obligations
issued by foreign companies and traded on foreign markets). This category may
also include American and European depository receipts ("ADR's" and "EDR's").
The Small Cap Fund and Market Neutral Fund may invest without limitation in
ADR's. These securities are certificates of ownership issued by a U.S. bank as a
convenience to investors in lieu of the underlying shares which its holds in
custody.

         Purchases of foreign securities are usually made in foreign currencies
and, as a result, the Fund may incur currency conversion costs and may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the value of foreign currencies
against the U.S. dollar. In addition, there may be less information publicly
available about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and foreign
companies are not generally subject to accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S. Other risks
associated with investments in foreign securities include changes in
restrictions on foreign currency transactions and rates of exchanges, changes in
the administrations or economic and monetary policies of foreign governments,
the imposition of exchange control regulations, the possibility of expropriation
decrees and other adverse foreign governmental action, the imposition of foreign
taxes, less liquid markets, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers
and issuers, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, delays in
settlement of securities transactions and greater price volatility. In addition,
investing in foreign securities will generally result in higher commissions than
investing in similar domestic securities.

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

         Each Fund may invest in U.S. government obligations. These securities
may be backed by the credit of the government as a whole or only by the issuing
agency. U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and some agency securities, such
as those issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Government
National Mortgage Association (GNMA), are backed by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. government


                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>



as to payment of principal and interest and are the highest quality government
securities. Other securities issued by U.S. government agencies or
instrumentalities, such as securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks and
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are supported only by the credit of
the agency that issued them, and not by the U.S. government. Securities issued
by the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Land Banks, and the Federal
National Mortgage Association (FNMA) are supported by the agency's right to
borrow money from the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances, but are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

         Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements fully collateralized by
U.S. Government obligations. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment
in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a U.S. Government
obligation (which may be of any maturity) and the seller agrees to repurchase
the obligation at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield
during the purchaser's holding period (usually not more than seven days from the
date of purchase). Any repurchase transaction in which a Fund engages will
require full collateralization of the seller's obligation during the entire term
of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of
the seller, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying
security and losses in value. However, each Fund intends to enter into
repurchase agreements only with banks with assets of $1 billion or more and
registered securities dealers determined by the Adviser (subject to review by
the Board of Trustees) to be creditworthy. The Adviser monitors the
creditworthiness of the banks and securities dealers with which a Fund engages
in repurchase transactions.




                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>



LOANS OF SECURITIES

         Each Fund may make short and long term loans of its portfolio
securities in order to realize additional income. Under the lending policy
authorized by the Board of Trustees and implemented by the Adviser in responses
to requests of broker-dealers or institutional investors which the Adviser deems
qualified, the borrower must agree to maintain collateral, in the form of cash
or U.S. government obligations, with the Fund on a daily market-to-market basis
in an amount at least equal to 102% of the value of the loaned securities. A
Fund will continue to receive dividends or interest on the loaned securities and
may terminate such loans at any time or reacquire such securities in time to
vote on any matter which the Adviser determines to be important. With respect to
loans of securities, there is the risk that the borrower may fail to return the
loaned securities or that the borrower may not be able to provide additional
collateral.

HEDGING AND ASSOCIATED RISKS

         The Golden Rainbow Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and
over-the-counter put and call options on securities, equity and fixed-income
indices and other financial instruments, purchase and sell financial futures
contracts and options thereon, enter into various interest rate transactions
such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and enter into various currency
transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts,
currency swaps or options on currencies or currency futures (collectively, all
the above are called "hedging transactions"). Hedging transactions may be used
to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities
held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities
markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to protect the Fund's unrealized
gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such
securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration
of the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets
as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. No
more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be committed to hedging transactions. Any
or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and there is no
particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another,
as use of any hedging transaction is a function of numerous variables including
market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these transactions
successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable
regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and
instruments. Transactions involving financial futures and options thereon will
be purchased, sold or entered into by the Golden Rainbow Fund only for bona fide
hedging, risk management or portfolio management purposes and not for
speculative purposes.

         Hedging transactions have risks associated with them including possible
default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent
the Adviser's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that
the use of such hedging transactions could result in losses greater than if they
had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for
prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of
call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund
can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might
otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund
incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of
exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or
receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions
entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation
between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related
portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the
hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's
position. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all


                                     - 22 - 


<PAGE>

circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a
result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a
transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of
futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they
tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of
such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures
contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would
purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial
premium. Losses resulting from the use of hedging transactions would reduce net
asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the
hedging transactions had not been utilized.

WHEN ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS

         The Golden Rainbow Fund may buy and sell securities on a when-issued or
delayed delivery basis, with payment and delivery taking place at a future date.
The price and interest rate that will be received on the securities are each
fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. The Fund may enter into
such forward commitments if it holds, and maintains until the settlement date in
a separate account at the Fund's Custodian, cash or U.S. government securities
in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. Forward commitments involve
a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to
the settlement date. Any change in value could increase fluctuations in the
Fund's share price and yield. Although the Fund will generally enter into
forward commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its
portfolio, the Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to the settlement if the
Adviser deems it appropriate to do so.

GENERAL

         Each Fund may borrow from time to time on a temporary basis and may
utilize reverse repurchase agreements. A Fund's borrowings, including reverse
repurchase agreements, will be limited to 5% of its net assets. The borrowing of
securities for short sales is excluded for purposes of this limitation. The
Market Neutral Fund and Small Cap Fund may normally invest up to 15% and the
Golden Rainbow Fund may normally invest up to 5% of its assets (valued at the
purchase date) in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities generally include
securities which cannot be disposed of promptly and in the ordinary course of
business without taking a reduced price.

         The Market Neutral Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in each
of the following: futures contracts, options on futures contracts, caps, floors
or collars. Some of the risks associated with these securities are discussed
above with respect to the Golden Rainbow Fund, although the Market Neutral Fund
can use these securities for speculative, non-hedging purposes. For more
information, see the Statement of Additional Information.

                               GENERAL INFORMATION
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

         The investment limitations set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information as fundamental policies may not be changed without the affirmative
vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable Fund. The
investment objective of each Fund may be changed without the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any such change may result in
a Fund having an investment objective different from the objective which the
shareholders considered appropriate at the time of investment in the Fund.




                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>



PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
   
         Neither the Golden Rainbow Fund nor the Small Cap Fund intends to
purchase or sell securities for short term trading purposes. Each Fund may,
however, sell any portfolio security (without regard to the length of time it
has been held) when the Adviser believes that market conditions,
creditworthiness factors or general economic conditions warrant such action. The
portfolio turnover rate is not expected to exceed 100% for the Small Cap Fund or
the Golden Rainbow Fund and 300% for the Market Neutral Fund. The Market Neutral
Fund's higher turnover rate will result in correspondingly greater brokerage
commission expenses and may result in the realization of additional capital
gains for tax purposes.
    

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

         Any Trustee of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders
holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust. The
Trust does not hold an annual meeting of shareholders. When matters are
submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled to one vote
for each whole share he owns and fractional votes for fractional shares he owns.
All shares of the Fund have equal voting rights and liquidation rights. The
Declaration of Trust can be amended by the Trustees, except that any amendment
that adversely effects the rights of shareholders must be approved by the
shareholders affected.

   
         It is anticipated that Fifth Third Bank, Dayton, Ohio, acting as either
trustee, investment agent or custodian for its clients, will own almost all of
the Golden Rainbow Fund's shares and may be deemed to control the Fund. While
Fifth Third has the legal right in certain situations to vote on behalf of its
clients, it is anticipated that Fifth Third will contact its clients and vote in
accordance with their preferences.

         Prior to the offering made by this Prospectus, Francis E. James, Ph.D.,
purchased all of the outstanding shares of the Small Cap and Market Neutral
Funds and may be deemed to control each Fund.
    

                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
       
         Each Fund may periodically advertise "average annual total return." The
"average annual total return" of a Fund refers to the average annual compounded
rate of return over the stated period that would equate an initial amount
invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable value of
the investment. The calculation of "average annual total return" assumes the
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

   
         Each Fund may also advertise performance information (a
"non-standardized quotation") which is calculated differently from "average
annual total return." A non-standardized quotation of total return may be a
cumulative return which measures the percentage change in the value of an
account between the beginning and end of a period, assuming no
    


                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>



   
activity in the account other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions. A non-standardized quotation may also be an average annual
compounded rate of return over a specified period, which may be a period
different from those specified for "average annual total return." In addition, a
non-standardized quotation may be an indication of the value of a $10,000
investment (made on the date of the initial public offering of the Fund's
shares) as of the end of a specified period. A non-standardized quotation will
always be accompanied by the Fund's "average annual total return" as described
above.
    

         Each Fund may also include in advertisements data comparing performance
with other mutual funds as reported in non-related investment media, published
editorial comments and performance rankings compiled by independent
organizations and publications that monitor the performance of mutual funds
(such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Fortune or
Barron's). Performance information may be quoted numerically or may be presented
in a table, graph or other illustration. In addition, Fund performance may be
compared to well-known indices of market performance including the Standard &
Poor's (S&P) 500 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Russell 2000
Index.

   
         As described above in the section titled "The Funds," The Golden
Rainbow Fund is the successor to another mutual fund referred to herein as the
Predecessor Fund. The Predecessor Fund is the successor to the portfolio of two
common trust funds managed by the Adviser. At the Predecessor Fund's
commencement of operations, the assets from both common trust funds were
transferred to the Predecessor Fund in exchange for Class A shares. The Adviser
has represented that The Golden Rainbow Fund's and Predecessor Fund's investment
objectives, policies and limitations are in all material respects identical to
those of both common trust funds.

         The Golden Rainbow Fund's average annual total return for the 1, 5 and
10 year periods ending June 30, 1998 was 4.87%, 8.62% and 9.95%, respectively.
The Golden Rainbow Fund's average annual total return for the period September
30, 1984 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 1998 was 13.19%. The
quoted performance data includes the performance of the Predecessor Fund. The
quoted performance data also includes the performance of the common trust funds
for the periods before the Predecessor Fund's registration statement became
effective, as adjusted to reflect the Predecessor Fund's estimated expenses as
set forth in its original prospectus. The common trust fund was not registered
under the 1940 Act and therefore was not subject to certain investment
restrictions that are imposed by the 1940 Act. If the common trust fund had been
registered under the 1940 Act, the performance may have been adversely affected.
    

         THE ADVERTISED PERFORMANCE DATA OF EACH FUND IS BASED ON HISTORICAL
PERFORMANCE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE FUTURE PERFORMANCE. RATES OF TOTAL
RETURN QUOTED BY A FUND MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN PAST QUOTATIONS, AND THERE
CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY RATE OF TOTAL RETURN WILL BE MAINTAINED. THE
PRINCIPAL VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT IN EACH FUND WILL FLUCTUATE SO THAT A
SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES, WHEN REDEEMED, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THE
SHAREHOLDER'S ORIGINAL INVESTMENT.


                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>



INVESTMENT ADVISER                            TRANSFER AGENT
James Investment Research, Inc.               Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 8                                    312 Walnut Street
Alpha, Ohio  45301                            Cincinnati, Ohio  45202

CUSTODIAN                                     INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Star Bank, N.A.                               Deloitte & Touche LLP
425 Walnut Street                             1700 Courthouse Plaza, N.E.
Cincinnati, Ohio  45202                       Dayton, Ohio  45402

   
LEGAL COUNSEL                                 DISTRIBUTOR
Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.            CW Fund Distributors, Inc.
3500 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street             312 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio  45202                       Cincinnati, Ohio  45202
    

         No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations, other than those contained in this Prospectus, in connection
with the offering contained in this Prospectus, and if given or made, such
information or representations must not be relied upon as being authorized by
each Fund. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer by the Funds to sell its
shares in any state to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in
such state.


                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>



                             TABLE OF CONTENTS                              PAGE

         SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES .........................................    2

         THE FUNDS ........................................................    3

         GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS .........................    4

         INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS .....    4

         HOW TO INVEST IN THE FUND ........................................    7

       
         HOW TO REDEEM SHARES .............................................   10

       
         FREE REPURCHASE AND SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL AND DIRECT DEPOSITS ....   11

       
         SHARE PRICE CALCULATION ..........................................   12

         DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ......................................   13

         TAXES ............................................................   13

         OPERATION OF THE FUNDS ...........................................   14

         DISTRIBUTION PLANS ...............................................   15

         INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES ...............................   16

       
         GENERAL INFORMATION ..............................................   19

       
         PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ..........................................   20


<PAGE>


                             THE GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND




                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



                                  _______, 1998










         This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated _______, 1998. A copy of the
Prospectus can be obtained by writing the Transfer Agent at 312 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, or by calling 888-99 JAMES (888-995-2637).














<PAGE>



                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE


         DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST .........................................    1

         ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS
         AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS ..........................................    1
            A. Illiquid Securities ........................................    1
            B. Borrowing and Leverage; Reverse Repurchase Agreements ......    2
            C. Hedging Transactions .......................................    2

         INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ...........................................   12

         SHARES OF THE FUND ...............................................   14

         LETTER OF INTENT .................................................   15

         THE INVESTMENT ADVISER ...........................................   15

         TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS ............................................   17

         PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE .............................   18

         DISTRIBUTION PLAN ................................................   19

         DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE .....................................   19

         INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE ...........................................   20

         CUSTODIAN ........................................................   21

         TRANSFER AGENT ...................................................   21

         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS .............................................   21

         DISTRIBUTOR ......................................................   21

         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .............................................   21





                                      - i -

<PAGE>



DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

         The Golden Rainbow Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a series of The
James Advantage Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is an open-end investment company
established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust
dated August 29, 1997 (the "Trust Agreement"). The Trust Agreement permits the
Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of
separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of Funds
currently authorized by the Trustees.

         Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in
the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of
that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income
belonging to the series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have
cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the
Trustees have the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of
any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as
the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that series and
the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. In case of any
liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated
will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of
the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series
are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily
identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the
direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair
and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the
Trust without his or her express consent.

         Upon sixty days prior written notice to shareholders, the Fund may make
redemption payments in whole or in part in securities or other property if the
Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments undesirable. For
other information concerning the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund,
see "How to Invest in the Fund" and "Redeeming Shares" in the Fund's Prospectus.
For a description of the methods used to determine the share price and value of
the Fund's assets, see "Share Price Calculation" in the Fund's Prospectus.

   
         As of August 30, 1998, the following persons may be deemed to
beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the Class A shares of the Fund:
[to be supplied]. As of ____, 1998, _____ may be deemed to control the Fund as a
result of its beneficial ownership of shares of the Fund. As of _____, 1998, the
officers and Trustees of the Fund owned as group ___% of the Fund.
    

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND
RISK CONSIDERATIONS

         This section contains a more detailed discussion of some of the
investments the Fund may make and some of the techniques it may use, as
described in the Prospectus (see "Investment Objective and Strategies and Risk
Considerations" and "Investment Policies and Techniques").


                                      -1-


<PAGE>


         A.  Illiquid Securities.

         The portfolio of the Fund may contain illiquid securities. Illiquid
securities generally include securities which cannot be disposed of promptly and
in the ordinary course of business without taking a reduced price. Securities
may be illiquid due to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or lack of a
ready market. The following securities are considered to be illiquid: repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days, nonpublicly offered securities and
restricted securities. Restricted securities are securities the resale of which
is subject to legal or contractual restrictions. Restricted securities may be
sold only in privately negotiated transactions, in a public offering with
respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act
of 1933 or pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under such Act. Where
registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the
registration expense, and a considerable period may elapse between the time of
the decision to sell and the time such security may be sold under an effective
registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were
to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than the price it could
have obtained when it decided to sell.

         B.  Borrowing and Leverage; Reverse Repurchase Agreements.

         The Fund may borrow from banks up to 5% of its total assets, and the
Fund may pledge assets in connection with such borrowings. The Fund also may
engage in reverse repurchase agreements in which the Fund sells a security to
another party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, and
simultaneously agrees to buy it back later at a higher price. While a reverse
repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund generally will direct its
custodian to segregate cash and appropriate liquid assets to cover its
obligations under the agreement. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase
agreements only with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and deemed
satisfactory by the Advisor. The Fund aggregates reverse repurchase agreements
with its bank borrowings for purposes of limiting borrowings to 5% of its total
assets.

         If the Fund makes additional investments while borrowings are
outstanding, this may be construed as a form of leverage. The Fund's objective
would be to pursue investment opportunities with returns that exceed the cost of
the borrowings. This leverage may exaggerate changes in the Fund's share value
and the gains and losses on the Fund's investment. Leverage also creates
interest expenses that may exceed the return on investments made with the
borrowings.


         C. Hedging Transactions.

         The Fund may utilize various other investment strategies as described
below to hedge various market risks (such as interest rates, currency exchange
rates, and broad or specific equity market movements), or to manage the
effective maturity or duration of fixed-income securities. Such strategies are
generally accepted by modern portfolio managers and are regularly utilized by
many mutual funds and other institutional investors. Techniques and instruments
may change over time as new instruments and strategies are developed or
regulatory changes occur.





                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>

         In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on
securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other financial instruments,
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, enter into
various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and
enter into various currency transactions such as currency forward contracts,
currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currencies or currency
futures (collectively, all the above are called "Hedging Transactions"). Hedging
Transactions may be used to attempt to protect against possible changes in the
market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund's portfolio
resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to
protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to
facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the
effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio, or to establish a
position in the derivatives markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing or
selling particular securities. No more than 5% of the Fund's assets will be
committed to Hedging Transactions entered into for non-hedging purposes. Any or
all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and there is no
particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another,
as use of any Hedging Transaction is a function of numerous variables including
market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Hedging Transactions
successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable
regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and
instruments. Hedging Transactions involving financial futures and options
thereon will be purchased, sold or entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk
management or portfolio management purposes and not for speculative purposes.

         Hedging Transactions have risks associated with them including possible
default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent
the Adviser's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that
the use of such Hedging Transactions would result in losses greater than if they
had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund,
force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for
prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower than (in the case of
call options) current market values, limit the amount the appreciation of the
Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it
might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund
incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of
exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or
receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions
entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation
between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related
portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the
hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund's
position. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all
circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a
result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



out a transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the
use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the
risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same
time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from an increase
in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for
futures contracts would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than
would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the
initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Hedging Transactions would
reduce net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than
if the Hedging Transactions had not been utilized.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTIONS

         Put options and call options typically have similar structural
characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying
instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general
discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in
greater detail below. In addition, many Hedging Transactions involving options
require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts, as described below under
"Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts."

         A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a
premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price.
For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be
designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some
cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value
by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise
price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the
option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying
instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a
security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be
intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying
instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at
which it may purchase such instrument. The Fund is authorized to purchase and
sell exchange-listed options and over-the-counter options ("OTC options").
Exchange-listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the
Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of the
obligations of the parties to such options.

         With certain exceptions, OCC-issued and exchange-listed options
generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency,
although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and
Eurodollar instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the
option is "in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument
exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put
option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised.
Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument
through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by
entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in
ownership of the new option.

         The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller
of an OCC or exchange-listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a
liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in
certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including
reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the
OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease
to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue
to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.



                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>

         The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours
during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that
the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial
instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.

         OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange-listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an
OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price,
premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The
Fund will only sell OTC options (other than OTC currency options) that are
subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty
to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The
Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement
provisions, although it is not required to do so.

         Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or
guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to
make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying
an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash
settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund
will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit
of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of
each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the
Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC
option will be satisfied. While this type of arrangement allows the Fund greater
flexibility to tailor an option to its need, OTC options generally involve
greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the
clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded. The risk of
illiquidity also is greater with OTC options, since these options generally can
be closed out only by negotiation with the other party to the option.

         If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve
as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in
the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will
increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income.

         The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities, including
U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt
securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar
instruments that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the
over-the-counter markets and on securities indices, currencies and futures
contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the Fund must own
the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset
segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding.
Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against
loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to
possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the
underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or
instrument which it might otherwise have sold.



                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>

         The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S.
Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt
securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar
instruments (whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio) and
on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts other than futures on
individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. The Fund will not
sell put options if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund's assets would be
required to be segregated to cover its potential obligations under such put
options other than those with respect to futures and options thereon. In selling
put options, there is a risk that the fund may be required to buy the underlying
security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURES

         The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts or purchase or sell
put and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest
rate, currency or equity market changes, for duration management and for risk
management purposes. Futures are generally bought and sold on the commodities
exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as
described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the
Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial
instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified
price (or, with respect to index futures and Eurodollar instruments, the net
cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities
except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in
return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract and
obligates the seller to deliver such option.

         The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all
cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular
the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and will
be entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration
management) or other portfolio management purposes. Typically, maintaining a
futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the fund to deposit with
a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or
other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically 1% to 10%
of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances).
Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited
thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the contract
fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a
premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund.
If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract, it will be obligated to
post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for the
resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts
and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting
transaction, but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior
to settlement at an advantageous price nor that delivery will occur. The
segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and options thereon
are described below.




                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INDICES

         The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities
indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same
objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on
individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and
other financial indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument
except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying
instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives
the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash
if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the
case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the
option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery is
specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of
the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by
a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the
premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss of an option
on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market,
market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is
based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with
respect to options on securities.


CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

         The Fund may engage in currency transactions with Counterparties in
order to hedge the value of portfolio holdings denominated in particular
currencies against fluctuations in relative value. Currency transactions include
forward currency contracts, exchange-listed currency futures, exchange-listed
and OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A forward currency contract
involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery
generally required) a specific currency at a future date, at a price set at the
time of the contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows
based on the notional difference among two or more currencies and operates
similarly to an interest rate swap, which is described below. The Fund may enter
into currency transactions with Counterparties which have received (or the
guarantors of the obligations of such Counterparties have received) a credit
rating of A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's, respectively, or that have an equivalent
rating from an NRSRO or (except for OTC currency options) are determined to be
of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.

         The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency
transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio
positions. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with
respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which will generally
arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the
receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency
transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or
generally quoted in that currency.

         The Fund will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure
to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended to wholly or
partially offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the
time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio
that are denominated or generally quoted in or currency convertible into such
currently other than with respect to proxy hedging as described below.



                                      - 10 -

<PAGE>

         The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions
to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value
relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects
to have portfolio exposure.

         To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing
or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in
proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's
portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy
hedging entails entering to a forward contract to sell a currency whose changes
in value are generally considered to be linked to a currency or currencies in
which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are expected to be
denominated, and to buy U.S. dollars. The amount of the contract would not
exceed the value of the Fund's securities denominated in linked currencies. For
example, if the Adviser considers the Austrian schilling linked to the German
deutschemark (the "D-mark"), the Fund holds securities denominated in schillings
and the Adviser believes that the value of schillings will decline against the
U.S. dollar, the Adviser may enter into a contract to sell D-marks and buy
dollars. Currency hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as
other transactions with similar instruments. Further, there is the risk that the
perceived linkage between various currencies may not be present or may not be
present during the particular time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging.
If the Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply
with the asset segregation requirements described below.

RISKS OF CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

         Currency transactions are subject to risks different from those of
other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to
the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases
and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by
government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange
restrictions imposed by governments. These can result in losses to the Fund if
it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in settlement of
obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered
useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction
costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risk that
apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures
contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the
issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures is relatively new, and the
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the
maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be available. Currency
exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to that country's
economy.

COMBINED TRANSACTIONS

         The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple
options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency
transactions (including forward currency contracts) and any combination of
futures, options and currency transactions ("component" transactions), instead
of a single Hedging Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when,
in the opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so.
A combined transaction will usually


                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>



contain elements of risk that are present in each of its competent transactions.
Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser's
judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more
effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that
the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the
portfolio management objective.

SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS AND COLLARS

         Among the Hedging Transactions into which the Fund may enter are
interest rate, currency and index swaps and the purchase or sale of related
caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions
primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion
of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration
management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of
securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund intends to
use these transactions as hedges and not as speculative investments and will not
sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other
instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating
rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of
principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional
amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among
them and an index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount
based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap
entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from
the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a
predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the
purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party
selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a
floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest
rates or values.

         The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates
specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may
be, only the net amount of the two payments. Inasmuch as these swaps, caps,
floors, and collars are entered into for good faith hedging purposes, the
Adviser and the Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior
securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being
subject to its borrowing restrictions. The Fund will not enter into any swap,
cap, floor or collar transaction unless, at the time of entering into such
transaction, the unsecured long-term debt of the Counterparty, combined with any
credit enhancements, is rated at least "A" by S&P or Moody's or has an
equivalent rating from an NRSRO or is determined to be of equivalent credit
quality by the Adviser. If there is a default by the Counterparty, the Fund may
have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of
banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents
utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has
become relatively liquid. Caps, floors, and collars are more recent innovations
for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and,
accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.




                                     - 9 -

<PAGE>



EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS

         The Fund may make investments in Eurodollar instruments. Eurodollar
instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon
which are linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), although
foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time.
Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the
lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund
might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against
changes in LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments
are linked.

RISKS OF HEDGING TRANSACTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

         When conducted outside the United States, Hedging Transactions may not
be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing
mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental
actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies
and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely
affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors,
(ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make
trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic
events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness hours in the United
States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and
procedures and margin requirements than in the United States, and (v) lower
trading volume and liquidity.

USE OF SEGREGATED AND OTHER SPECIAL ACCOUNTS

         Many Hedging Transactions, in addition to other requirements, require
that the Fund segregate liquid high grade assets with its custodian to the
extent Fund obligations are not otherwise "covered" through ownership of the
underlying security, financial instrument or currency. In general, either the
full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets
must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required
to be delivered, or, subject to any regulatory restriction, an amount of cash or
liquid high grade securities at least equal to the current amount of the
obligation must be segregated with the custodian. The segregated assets cannot
be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place
or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For example, a call option
written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the
call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional
consideration) or to segregate liquid high-grade securities sufficient to
purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold
by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to own portfolio securities which
correlate with the index or to segregate liquid high grade assets equal to the
excess of the index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put
option written by the Fund requires the Fund to segregate liquid, high grade
assets equal to the exercise price.

         Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract for the purchase or
sale of a security denominated in a particular currency, which requires no
segregation, a currency contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell
currency will generally require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or
liquid securities denominated in that currency equal to the Fund's obligations
or to segregate liquid high grade assets equal to the amount of the Fund's
obligation.



                                      - 10 -

<PAGE>

         OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities,
currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC-issued and exchange-listed
index options will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the
Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of assets equal to
its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for payment or delivery
of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will equal 100% of the
exercise price in the case of a noncash settled put, the same as an OCC
guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount plus any
sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In addition,
when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money
amount excess the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option
expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such
excess. OCC-issued and exchange-listed options sold by the Fund other than those
above generally settle with physical delivery, or with an election of either
physical delivery or cash settlement and the Fund will segregate an amount of
assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical
delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement,
will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery.

         In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide
securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an
index-based futures contract. Such assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents,
liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets.

         With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the
excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlement with respect to each
swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid high grade
securities having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars
require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation,
if any.

         Hedging Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with
applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting
transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets,
equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Hedging
Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike
price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option
sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets if the Fund held a
futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same futures
or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the
contract held. Other Hedging Transactions may also be offset in combinations. If
the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary
transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to such time,
assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.


                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>



INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

         FUNDAMENTAL. The investment limitations described below have been
         -----------
adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental
("Fundamental"), I.E., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and
this Statement of Additional Information, the term "majority" of the outstanding
shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares
of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment
practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of
shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory
policy are considered non-fundamental ("Non-Fundamental").

         1. BORROWING MONEY. The Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a
            ---------------
bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage
of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for
temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an
amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets at the time when the
borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into
reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of
300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to
reverse repurchase transactions.

         2. SENIOR SECURITIES. The Fund will not issue senior securities. This
            -----------------
limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the
issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's
engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff.

         3. UNDERWRITING. The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities
            ------------
issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that,
in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted
securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal
securities laws.

         4. REAL ESTATE. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This
            -----------
limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are
secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not
preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in
companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion
of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

         5. COMMODITIES. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities except
            -----------
as described in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. This
limitation does not preclude the Fund from acquiring commodities as a result of
ownership of securities or other investments; from entering into options,
futures, currency, swap, cap, floor, collar or similar transactions; from
investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities; or from
investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a
significant portion of their assets in commodities.


                                     - 12 -


<PAGE>


         6. LOANS. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by
            -----
loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or (c)
by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this
limitation, the term "loans" shall not include the purchase of a portion of an
issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

         7. CONCENTRATION. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total
            -------------
assets in any particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to
investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

         8. DIVERSIFICATION. The Fund will comply with the standards for
            ---------------
diversification as required by the then current Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.

         With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum
limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the
fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the
excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or
the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set
forth in paragraph 1 above.

         With respect to the Fund's diversification, the current standards
require that the Fund may not purchase the securities of any one issuer, other
than the U.S. government or any of its instrumentalities, if immediately after
such purchase more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in
such issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund's
total assets may be invested without regard to such 5% and 10% limitations.

         NON-FUNDAMENTAL. The following limitations have been adopted by the
         ---------------
Trust with respect to the Fund and are Non-Fundamental (see "Investment
Limitations" above).

         1. PLEDGING. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any
            --------
manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as
may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1)
above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements
with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales
and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage,
pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

         2. BORROWING. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings
            ---------
(including reverse repurchase agreements)representing more than 5% its total
assets are outstanding.

         3. MARGIN PURCHASES. The Fund will not purchase securities or evidences
            ----------------
of interest thereon on "margin." This limitation is not applicable to short term
credit obtained by the Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or
redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions
involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted
investments and techniques.

                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>


         4. OPTIONS. The Fund will not purchase or sell puts, calls, options or
            -------
straddles, except as described in the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional
Information.

         5. SHORT SALES. The Fund will not effect short sales of securities.
            -----------

         6. ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its
            -------------------
assets in securities that are restricted as to resale or otherwise illiquid. For
this purpose, illiquid securities generally include securities which cannot be
disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business without taking
a reduced price.

                               SHARES OF THE FUND

         Four classes of shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares,
and Class R Shares are authorized for the Fund. Currently, the Fund is offering
Class A shares only, but others may be offered in the future. The four classes
of shares each represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the
Fund and have the same rights, except (i) Class B and Class C Shares bear the
expenses of the deferred sales arrangement and any expenses (including a higher
distribution services fee) resulting from such sales arrangement, (ii) each
class that is subject to a distribution fee has exclusive voting rights with
respect to those provisions of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan which
relate only to such class and (iii) the classes have different exchange
privileges. Additionally, Class B Shares will automatically convert into Class A
Shares after a specified period of years (as described below). The net income
attributable to Class B and Class C Shares and the dividends payable on Class B
and Class C Shares will be reduced by the amount of the higher distribution
services fee and certain other incremental expenses associated with the deferred
sales charge arrangement. The net asset value per share of Class A Shares, Class
B Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares is expected to be substantially the
same, but it may differ from time to time.

         For purposes of conversion of Class A Shares, Class B Shares purchased
through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions paid in respect of Class
B Shares in stockholder's account will be considered to be held in a separate
sub-account. Each time any Class B Shares in the stockholder's account (other
than those in the sub-account) convert to Class A Shares, an equal pro rata
portion of the Class B Shares in the sub-account also will convert to Class A
Shares. The conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares is subject to the
continuing determination that (i) the assessment of the higher distribution
services fee and transfer agency cost with respect to Class B


                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>



Shares does not result in the Fund's dividends or distributions constituting
"preferential dividends" under the Code, and (ii) that the conversion of Class B
Shares does not constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law. The
conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares may be suspended if such an
opinion is no longer available. In that event, no further conversions of Class B
Shares would occur, and Class B Shares might continue to be subject to the
higher distribution services fee for an indefinite period, which period may
extend beyond the conversion period after the end of the month in which the
shares were issued.

         The CDSL will not be imposed on amounts representing increases in net
asset value above the initial purchase price. Additionally, no charge will be
assessed on Class B or Class C Shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or
capital gains distributions. The CDSL will be waived (i) on redemption of shares
following the disability (as determined in writing by the Social Security
Administration) or death of a stockholder and (ii) on certain redemptions in
connection with IRAs and other qualified retirement plans. In the case of an
exchange, the length of time that the investor held the original Class B or
Class C Shares is counted towards satisfaction of the period during which a
deferred sales charge is imposed on the Class B or Class C for which the
exchange was made.

                                LETTER OF INTENT

         A shareholder may qualify for reduced sales charges by sending to the
Fund (within 90 days after the first purchase desired to be included in the
purchase program) the signed, non-binding Letter of Intent section on the
application form. All investments in retail shares of the Fund count toward the
indicated goal. It is understood that 5% of the dollar amount checked on the
application will be held in a special escrow account. These shares will be held
by an escrow agent subject to the terms of the escrow. All dividends and capital
gains distributions on the escrowed shares will be credited to the shareholder's
account in shares. If the total purchases, less redemptions by the shareholder,
his spouse, children and parents, equal the amount specified under this Letter,
the shares held in escrow will be deposited to the shareholder's open account or
delivered to the shareholder or to his order. If the total purchases, less
redemptions, exceed the amount specified under this Letter and an amount which
would qualify for a further quantity discount, a retroactive price adjustment
will be made by the Distributor and the dealer through whom purchases were made
pursuant to this Letter of Intent (to reflect such further quantity discount).
The resulting difference in offering price will be applied to the purchase of
additional shares at the offering price applicable to a single purchase of the
dollar amount of the total purchases. If the total purchases less redemptions
are less than the amount specified under this Letter, the shareholder will remit
to the Distributor an amount equal to the difference in the dollar amount of
sales charge actually paid and the amount of sales charge which would have
applied to the aggregate purchases if the total of such purchases had been made
at a single time. Upon such remittance the shares held for the shareholder's
account will be deposited to his Account or delivered to him or to his order. If
within 20 days after written request by the Distributor such difference in sales
charge is not paid, the Distributor is hereby authorized to redeem an
appropriate number of shares to realize such difference. The Distributor is
hereby irrevocably constituted under this Letter of Intent to effect such
redemption as agent of the shareholder.

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

         The Fund's investment adviser is James Investment Research, Inc., P.O.
Box 8, Alpha, Ohio 45301 (the "Adviser"). Francis E. James, Jr. is the
controlling shareholder of the Adviser.

         Under the terms of the management agreement (the "Agreement"), the
Adviser manages the Fund's investments subject to approval of the Board of
Trustees. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to
pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual
rate of 0.74% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may waive
all or part of its fee, at any time, and at its sole discretion, but such action
shall not obligate the Adviser to waive any fees in the future. For the period
June 26, 1998 (commencement of operations for the Fund) to June 30, 1998, the
Trust paid the Adviser $______ on behalf of the Fund.


                                     - 15 -


<PAGE>


         The Adviser retains the right to use the names "Golden Rainbow", "James
Advantage" or any variation thereof in connection with another investment
company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become
associated. The Trust's right to use the names "Golden Rainbow," and "James
Advantage" or any variation thereof automatically ceases ninety days after
termination of the Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days
written notice.

         The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions
that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. The
Glass-Steagall Act prohibits banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of this
prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly defined by the
courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, management of the Fund believes that
the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from providing such services.
However, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations
of federal law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be
required to register as dealers pursuant to state law. If a bank were prohibited
from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the
Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or its
shareholders. Banks may charge their customers fees for offering these services
to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall
return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be
lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time
purchase securities issued by banks which provide such services; however, in
selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such
securities.




                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>





                                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>


TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

         The names of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are shown
below. Each Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, is indicated by an asterisk.
================================================================================
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE                   POSITIONS WITH THE TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Barry R. James        President and a Trustee of the Trust; 
  P.O. Box 8            Executive Vice CFA President, James Investment Research,
  Alpha, Ohio 45301       Inc. (1985 to Present); President, 
  Age: 42               James Capital Alliance, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (1992 
                          to Present). 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas L. Mangan        Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Trust;
P.O. Box 8              Vice president, James Investment Research, Inc. (1994 to
Alpha, Ohio  45301      Present); senior vice president, Fuji Securities, Inc., 
Age: 49                 Chicago, Illinois (prior to 1994).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anthony P. D'Angelo        Trustee of the Trust; Professor, Graduate School of
Dept. of the Air Force,    Logistics and Acquisition Management, Air Force 
Building 641               Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 
2950 P Street              (1983 to present).
Wright-Patterson AFB OHIO 
45433-7765               
Age: 68                  

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hazel L.Eichelberger       Trustee of the Trust; Retired Sr. Vice President,
9438 Atchison Road         Citizens Federal Bank, Dayton, Ohio (1955 to 1997).
Dayton, Ohio  45458
Age: 61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

James F. Zid               Trustee of the Trust; Retired Partner, Ernst & Young,
1083 N. Collier Blvd.      LLP, Columbus, Ohio (1968 to 1993).
Marco Island, Florida 34145
Age: 64
================================================================================

         Trustee fees are Trust expenses. The following table estimates the
Trustees' compensation for the first full year of the Trust ending June 30,
1999.

================================================================================
                                   TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM TRUST (THE TRUST IS
    NAME                                      NOT IN A FUND COMPLEX)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barry R. James, CFA                                      $0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony P. D'Angelo                                  $4,200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hazel L. Eichelberger                                $4,200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James F. Zid                                         $4,200
================================================================================




                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>



PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

         Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
the Adviser is responsible for the Fund's portfolio decisions and the placing of
the Fund's portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the
Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account
such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness
of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer. The Adviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.

         The Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who
also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other
accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion and to pay such
brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or
dealer would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that the commission
is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction
or the Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect to the Trust and to other
accounts over which it exercises investment discretion.

         Research services include supplemental research, securities and
economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses
of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other
information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities
transactions may also be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its accounts.
Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other
clients may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to the
Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Fund
and the Adviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and
other information received. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and the
Adviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not
reduce the overall cost to the Adviser of performing its duties to the Fund
under the Agreement.

         Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with
principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price,
including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are
normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker.
Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the
purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and
asked prices.

         Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from
those of the other accounts managed by the Adviser, investments of the type the
Fund may make may also be made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or
more other accounts managed by the Adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire
to dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for
sales will be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to
each. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or
received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the
Fund. Orders placed for the Fund will not be combined ("blocked") with other
orders.


                                     - 18 -


<PAGE>


   
         For the period from June 26, 1998 (commencement of operations of the
Fund) to June 30, 1998, the Fund incurred brokerage costs of $________.
    


DISTRIBUTION PLAN

         With respect to the Fund, the Trust has adopted a Plan for each class
of shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 which was promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Plans"). Each Plan provides for payment of fees to the Distributor to finance
any activity which is principally intended to result in the sale of the Fund's
shares subject to the Plans. Such activities are described in the Prospectus.
Pursuant to the Plans, the Distributor may pay fees to brokers and others for
such services. The Trustees expect that the adoption of the Plans will result in
the sale of a sufficient number of shares so as to allow the Fund to achieve
economic viability. It is also anticipated that an increase in the size of the
Fund will facilitate more efficient portfolio management and assist the Fund in
seeking to achieve its investment objective. The maximum amount payable by the
Fund under the Plans are described in the Prospectus.

         The Plan, the Distribution Agreement, the Selling Agreements and the
Service Agreements of the Fund have been approved by the Fund's Board of
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons"
of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans
or any related agreement, by a vote cast in person at meetings called for the
purpose of voting on the Plans and such agreements and by the shareholders on
June 25, 1998. Continuation of the Plans and the related agreements must be
approved annually in the same manner, and the Plans or any related agreement may
be terminated at any time without penalty by a majority of such independent
Trustees or by a majority of a class' outstanding shares. Any amendment
increasing the maximum percentage payable under a Plan or other material change
must be approved by a majority of the respective class' outstanding shares, and
all other material amendments to a Plan or any related agreement must be
approved by a majority of the independent Trustees.

         For the period from June 26, 1998 (commencement of operations of the
Fund) to June 30, 1998, the Trust spent $_____ under the Plan on behalf of the
Fund. Of the amount, $______ was spent for _____________ and $_________ for
______________.

DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE

         The price (net asset value) of the shares of the Fund is determined as
of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each day the Trust is open for business and on any
other day on which there is sufficient trading in the Fund's securities to
materially affect the net asset value. The Trust is open for business on every
day except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's Day,
President's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a description of
the methods used to determine the net asset value (share price), see "Share
Price Calculation" in the Prospectus.




                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>



INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

         "Average annual total return," as defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, is computed by finding the average annual compounded rates
of return for the period indicated that would equate the initial amount invested
to the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:
         P(1+T)n=ERV

Where:   P    =  a hypothetical $1,000 initial investment
         T    =  average annual total return
         n    =  number of years
         ERV  =  ending redeemable value at the end of the
                 applicable period of the hypothetical $1,000
                 investment made at the beginning of the
                 applicable period.

The computation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at
the net asset value on the reinvestment dates and that a complete redemption
occurs at the end of the applicable period.

         The Fund's investment performance will vary depending upon market
conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and operating expenses of
the Fund. These factors and possible differences in the methods and time periods
used in calculating non-standardized investment performance should be considered
when comparing the Fund's performance to those of other investment companies or
investment vehicles. The risks associated with the Fund's investment objective,
policies and techniques should also be considered. At any time in the future,
investment performance may be higher or lower than past performance, and there
can be no assurance that any performance will continue.

         From time to time, in advertisements, sales literature and information
furnished to present or to prospective shareholders, the performance of the Fund
may be compared to indices of broad groups of unmanaged securities considered to
be representative of or similar to the portfolio holdings of the Fund or
considered to be representative of the stock market in general. The Fund may use
the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the
Value Line Stock Index or a blend of stock and bond indices.

   
         In addition, the performance of the Fund may be compared to other
groups of mutual funds tracked by any widely used independent research firm
which ranks mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives and
assets, such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or Morningstar, Inc. The
objectives, policies, limitations and expenses of other mutual funds in a group
may not be the same as those of the Fund. Performance rankings and ratings
reported periodically in national financial publications such as Barron's and
Fortune also may be used. The average annual total return of Class A shares for
the one, five and ten year periods ended June 30, 1998, and the period from
commencement of operations (September 30, 1984) to June 30, 1998, was 4.87%,
8.62%, 9.95% and 13.19%, respectively.
    




                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>



CUSTODIAN

         Star Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is
Custodian of the Fund's investments. As Custodian, Star Bank, N.A. acts as the
Fund's depository, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and
other payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Fund's request and
maintains records in connection with its duties.

TRANSFER AGENT

         Countrywide Fund Services, Inc. ("Countrywide"), 312 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, acts as the Fund's transfer agent and, in such capacity,
maintains the records of each shareholder's account, answers shareholders'
inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the
Fund's shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs
other accounting and shareholder service functions. Countrywide also provides
the Fund with certain monthly reports, record-keeping and other management
related services. For the period June 26, 1998 (commencement of operations for
the Fund) to June 30, 1998, the Trust paid Countrywide $_______ on behalf of the
Fund for these management related services.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
         The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, 1700 Courthouse Plaza N.E., Dayton,
Ohio 45402, has been selected as independent auditors for the Trust for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. Deloitte & Touche LLP performs an annual audit
of the Fund's financial statements and provides financial, tax and accounting
consulting services as requested.
    

DISTRIBUTOR

         CW Fund Distributors, Inc., 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202,
is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the Fund. The Distributor
is obligated to sell shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis only against
purchase orders for the shares. For its services, the Distributor receives an
annual fee of $5,000. Shares of the Fund are offered to the public on a
continuous basis. For the period from June 26, 1998 (commencement of operations
of the Fund) to June 30, 1998, the Trust paid the Distributor $____ on behalf of
the Fund. In addition, the aggregate commissions paid to the Distributor for the
same period was $____, of which the Distributor retained $______.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
         The financial statements and independent auditors report required to be
included herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report of The
Golden Rainbow Fund for the year ended June 30, 1998.
    


                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>





                              JAMES SMALL CAP FUND
                            JAMES MARKET NEUTRAL FUND



                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



                             _________________, 1998










           This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated ____________________,
1998. A copy of the Prospectus can be obtained by writing the Transfer Agent at
312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, or by calling
                                                         ---------------.














<PAGE>



                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                   PAGE
                                                                   ----


DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST...........................................  1

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND
RISK CONSIDERATIONS................................................  1

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.............................................  4

SHARES OF THE FUND.................................................  7

LETTER OF INTENT...................................................  8

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER.............................................  9

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS..............................................  9

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE............................... 10

DISTRIBUTION PLAN.................................................. 11

DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE....................................... 12

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE............................................. 12

CUSTODIAN.......................................................... 14

TRANSFER AGENT..................................................... 14

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS............................................... 14

DISTRIBUTOR........................................................ 14



                                      - i -

<PAGE>



DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

           James Small Cap Fund and James Market Neutral Fund (each a "Fund" or
collectively the "Funds") were organized as series of The James Advantage Funds
(the "Trust"). The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the
laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 29, 1997 (the
"Trust Agreement"). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par
value. Each Fund is one of a series of Funds currently authorized by the
Trustees.

           Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in
the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of
that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income
belonging to the series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have
cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the
Trustees have the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of
any series into a greater or lesser


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>



number of shares of that series so long as the proportionate beneficial interest
in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other
series are in no way affected.

           In case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the
series being liquidated will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution
out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses
attributable to any series are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the
Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated
by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees
determine to be fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or
to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.

           Upon sixty days prior written notice to shareholders, the Fund may
make redemption payments in whole or in part in securities or other property if
the Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments undesirable.
For other information concerning the purchase and redemption of shares of the
Fund, see "How to Invest in the Fund" and "Redeeming Shares" in the Fund's
Prospectus. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price
and value of the Fund's assets, see "Share Price Calculation" in the Fund's
Prospectus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND
RISK CONSIDERATIONS

           This section contains a more detailed discussion of some of the
investments each Fund may make and some of the techniques it may use, as
described in the Prospectus (see "Investment Objective and Strategies and Risk
Considerations" and "Investment Policies and Techniques").

           ILLIQUID SECURITIES.

           The portfolio of each Fund may contain up to 15% in illiquid
securities. Illiquid securities generally include securities which cannot be
disposed of promptly and in the ordinary course of business without taking a
reduced price. Securities may be illiquid due to contractual or legal
restrictions on resale or lack of a ready market. The following securities are
considered to be illiquid: repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven
days, nonpublicly offered securities and restricted securities. Restricted
securities are securities the resale of which is subject to legal or contractual
restrictions. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated
transactions, in a public offering with respect to which a registration
statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to Rule 144
or Rule 144A promulgated under such Act. Where registration is required, a Fund
may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense, and a
considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the
time such security may be sold under an effective registration statement. If
during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, a Fund might
obtain a less favorable price than the price it could have obtained when it
decided to sell.



                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



           INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES.

           James Market Neutral Fund may utilize various other investment
strategies as described below. Such strategies are generally accepted by modern
portfolio managers and are regularly utilized by many mutual funds and other
institutional investors. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new
instruments and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur.

           In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, and enter
into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars.
Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and there is
no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than
another, as use of any techniques is a function of numerous variables including
market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these techniques
successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable
regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and
instruments.

           These techniques have risks associated with them including possible
default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent
the Adviser's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that
the use of such techniques would result in losses greater than if they had not
been used. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all
circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a
result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a
transaction without incurring substantial losses, if at all. Finally, the daily
variation margin requirements for futures contracts would create a greater
ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the
exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from
the use of such techniques would reduce net asset value, and possibly income,
and such losses can be greater than if the techniques had not been utilized.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURES

           James Market Neutral Fund may enter into financial futures contracts
or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures. Futures are generally
bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment
of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures
contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the
buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a
specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures,
the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on
securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the
right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract
and obligates the seller to deliver such option.


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>




           The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all
cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular
the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires
the fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its
obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which
initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be
higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may
be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market
value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures
involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on
the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract, it
will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation
margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position.
Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an
offsetting transaction, but there can be no assurance that the position can be
offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price nor that delivery will
occur. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and
options thereon are described below.

           Futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances
and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in
certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without
incurring substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options
transactions should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the
value of the position, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain
which might result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the
daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts would create a greater
ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the
exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from
the use of futures and options would reduce net asset value, and possibly
income, and such losses can be greater than if the techniques had not been
utilized.

SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS AND COLLARS

           The James Market Neutral Fund may enter into interest rate, currency
and index swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars.
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in these transactions. The Fund
expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or
spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect
against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique or to protect
against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing
at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with
another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g.,
an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a
notional amount of principal.


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>



An index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on
changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles
the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party
selling such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined
interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to
receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such
floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest
rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a
certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates or values.

           The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two
payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates
specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may
be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund will not enter into any
swap, cap, floor or collar transaction unless, at the time of entering into such
transaction, the unsecured long-term debt of the counterparty, combined with any
credit enhancements, is rated at least "A" by S&P or Moody's or has an
equivalent rating from an NRSRO or is determined to be of equivalent credit
quality by the Adviser. If there is a default by the counterparty, the Fund may
have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of
banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents
utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has
become relatively liquid. Caps, floors, and collars are more recent innovations
for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and,
accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.

USE OF SEGREGATED AND OTHER SPECIAL ACCOUNTS

           The James Market Neutral Fund may be required to segregate liquid
high grade assets with its custodian to the extent Fund obligations are not
otherwise "covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial
instrument or currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by
the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by
the securities or instruments required to be delivered, or, subject to any
regulatory restriction, an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities at
least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the
custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent
assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate
them.

           In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide
securities, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based
futures contract. Such assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt
or equity securities or other acceptable assets.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>




           With respect to swaps, the Fund will accrue the net amount of the
excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlement with respect to each
swap on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or liquid high grade
securities having a value equal to the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars
require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund's net obligation,
if any.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

           FUNDAMENTAL. The investment limitations described below have been
adopted by the Trust with respect to each Fund and are fundamental
("Fundamental"), I.E., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and
the Statement of Additional Information, the term "majority" of the outstanding
shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares
of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment
practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of
shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory
policy are considered non-fundamental ("Non-Fundamental").

           1. BORROWING MONEY. The Funds will not borrow money, except (a) from
a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset
coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other
persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are
in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets at the time when the
borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into
reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of
300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to
reverse repurchase transactions.

           2. SENIOR SECURITIES. The Funds will not issue senior securities.
This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve
the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's
engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff.

           3. UNDERWRITING. The Funds will not act as underwriter of securities
issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that,
in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted
securities), a Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal
securities laws.

           4. REAL ESTATE. The Funds will not purchase or sell real estate. This
limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are
secured by or represent


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude a Fund from
investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in
the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in
real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

           5. COMMODITIES. The Funds will not purchase or sell commodities
except as described in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
This limitation does not preclude a Fund from acquiring commodities as a result
of ownership of securities or other investments; from entering into options,
futures, currency, swap, cap, floor, collar or similar transactions; from
investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities; or from
investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a
significant portion of their assets in commodities.

           6. LOANS. The Funds will not make loans to other persons, except (a)
by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or
(c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this
limitation, the term "loans" shall not include the purchase of a portion of an
issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

           7. CONCENTRATION. Each Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total
assets in any particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to
investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

           8. DIVERSIFICATION. Each Fund will comply with the standards for
diversification as required by the then current Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.

           With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum
limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the
fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the
excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or
the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set
forth in paragraph 1 above.

           With respect to each Fund's diversification, the current standards
require that a Fund may not purchase the securities of any one issuer, other
than the U.S. government or any of its instrumentalities, if immediately after
such purchase more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in
such issuer, or a Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, except that up to 25% of the value of a Fund's total
assets may be invested without regard to such 5% and 10% limitations.

           NON-FUNDAMENTAL. The following limitations have been adopted by the
Trust with respect to each Fund and are Non-Fundamental (see "Investment
Limitations" above).

           1. PLEDGING. The Funds will not mortgage, pledge,


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets
of a Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in
limitation (1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral
arrangements with respect to transactions involving futures contracts, short
sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a
mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

           2. BORROWING. Each Fund will not purchase any security while
borrowings representing more than 5% its total assets are outstanding. For
purposes of this limitation, borrowing of securities for short sales are
excluded.

           3. MARGIN PURCHASES. The Funds will not purchase securities or
evidences of interest thereon on "margin." This limitation is not applicable to
short term credit obtained by a Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or
redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions
involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted
investments and techniques.

           4. OPTIONS. Neither Fund will purchase or sell puts, calls, options
or straddles, except as described in the Prospectus and the Statement of
Additional Information.

           5. SHORT SALES. The Small Cap Fund will not effect short sales of
securities.

           6. ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Neither Fund will invest more than 15% of its
assets in securities that are restricted as to resale or otherwise illiquid. For
this purpose, illiquid securities generally include securities which cannot be
disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business without taking
a reduced price.

                               SHARES OF THE FUND

           Four classes of shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C
Shares, and Class R Shares are authorized for each Fund.

           Currently, each Fund is offering Class A shares only, but others may
be offered in the future. The four classes of shares each represent an interest
in the same portfolio of investments of a Fund and have the same rights, except
(i) Class B and Class C Shares bear the expenses of the deferred sales
arrangement and any expenses (including a higher distribution services fee)
resulting from such sales arrangement, (ii) each class that is subject to a
distribution fee has exclusive voting rights with respect to those provisions of
the Fund's Rule 12b-1 distribution plan which relate only to such class and
(iii) the classes have different exchange privileges. Additionally, Class B
Shares will automatically convert into Class A Shares after a specified period
of years (as described below). The net income attributable to Class B and Class
C Shares and the dividends payable on Class B and Class C Shares will be reduced
by the amount of the higher distribution services fee and certain other
incremental expenses associated with the deferred sales charge arrangement. The
net asset value per share of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and
Class R Shares is expected to be substantially the same, but it may differ from
time to time.


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>




           For purposes of conversion of Class A Shares, Class B Shares
purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions paid in
respect of Class B Shares in stockholder's account will be considered to be held
in a separate sub-account.

           Each time any Class B Shares in the stockholder's account (other than
those in the sub-account) convert to Class A Shares, an equal pro rata portion
of the Class B Shares in the sub-account also will convert to Class A Shares.
The conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares is subject to the continuing
determination that (i) the assessment of the higher distribution services fee
and transfer agency cost with respect to Class B Shares does not result in a
Fund's dividends or distributions constituting "preferential dividends" under
the Code, and (ii) that the conversion of Class B Shares does not constitute a
taxable event under federal income tax law. The conversion of Class B Shares to
Class A Shares may be suspended if such an opinion is no longer available. In
that event, no further conversions of Class B Shares would occur, and Class B
Shares might continue to be subject to the higher distribution services fee for
an indefinite period, which period may extend beyond the conversion period after
the end of the month in which the shares were issued.

           The CDSL will not be imposed on amounts representing increases in net
asset value above the initial purchase price. Additionally, no charge will be
assessed on Class B or Class C Shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or
capital gains distributions. The CDSL will be waived (i) on redemption of shares
following the disability (as determined in writing by the Social Security
Administration) or death of a stockholder and (ii) on certain redemptions in
connection with IRAs and other qualified retirement plans. In the case of an
exchange, the length of time that the investor held the original Class B or
Class C Shares is counted towards satisfaction of the period during which a
deferred sales charge is imposed on the Class B or Class C for which the
exchange was made.

                                LETTER OF INTENT

           A shareholder may qualify for reduced sales charges by sending to a
Fund (within 90 days after the first purchase desired to be included in the
purchase program) the signed, non-binding Letter of Intent section on the
application form. All investments in retail shares of a Fund count toward the
indicated goal. It is understood that 5% of the dollar amount checked on the
application will be held in a special escrow account. These shares will be held
by an escrow agent subject to the terms of the escrow. All dividends and capital
gains distributions on the escrowed shares will be credited to the shareholder's
account in shares. If the total purchases, less redemptions by the shareholder,
his spouse, children and parents, equal the amount specified under this Letter,
the shares held in escrow will be deposited to the shareholder's open account or
delivered to the shareholder or to his order. If the total purchases, less
redemptions, exceed the amount specified under this Letter and an amount which
would qualify for a further quantity discount, a retroactive price adjustment
will be made by the Distributor and the dealer through whom purchases were made
pursuant to this Letter of Intent (to


                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>



reflect such further quantity discount). The resulting difference in offering
price will be applied to the purchase of additional shares at the offering price
applicable to a single purchase of the dollar amount of the total purchases. If
the total purchases less redemptions are less than the amount specified under
this Letter, the shareholder will remit to the Distributor an amount equal to
the difference in the dollar amount of sales charge actually paid and the amount
of sales charge which would have applied to the aggregate purchases if the total
of such purchases had been made at a single time. Upon such remittance the
shares held for the shareholder's account will be deposited to his Account or
delivered to him or to his order. If within 20 days after written request by the
Distributor such difference in sales charge is not paid, the Distributor is
hereby authorized to redeem an appropriate number of shares to realize such
difference. The Distributor is hereby irrevocably constituted under this Letter
of Intent to effect such redemption as agent of the shareholder.

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

           The Funds' investment adviser is James Investment Research, Inc.,
P.O. Box 8, Alpha, Ohio 45301 (the "Adviser"). Francis E. James, Jr. is the
controlling shareholder of the Adviser.

   
           Under the terms of the management agreement (the "Agreement"), the
Adviser manages the Funds' investments subject to approval of the Board of
Trustees. As compensation for its management services, the Adviser is authorized
to receive a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly (a) at an annual
rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Small Cap Fund and 1.70% of
the Market Neutral Fund; minus (b) the fees and expenses of the non-interested
person trustees incurred by the Fund. The Adviser may waive all or part of its
fee, at any time, and at its sole discretion, but such action shall not obligate
the Adviser to waive any fees in the future.

           The Adviser retains the right to use the names " James Small Cap" and
"James Market Neutral" or any variation thereof in connection with another
investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may
become associated. The Trust's right to use the names "James Small Cap" and
"James Market Neutral" or any variation thereof automatically ceases ninety days
after termination of the Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety
days written notice.
    

           The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial
institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder
accounts. The Glass-Steagall Act prohibits banks from engaging in the business
of underwriting, selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of this
prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly defined by the
courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, management of the Funds believes that
the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from providing such services.
However, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations
of federal law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be
required to register as dealers pursuant to state law. If a bank were prohibited
from continuing to perform


                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>



all or a part of such services, management of the Funds believes that there
would be no material impact on the Funds or its shareholders. Banks may charge
their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by
applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders
availing themselves of the bank services will be lower than to those
shareholders who do not. Each Fund may from time to time purchase securities
issued by banks which provide such services; however, in selecting investments
for a Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.




                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>



TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

           The names of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are
shown below. Each Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, is indicated by an asterisk.


                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

======================================================================================================================
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE                          POSITIONS WITH THE TRUST
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>  
* Barry R. James,                              President and a Trustee of the Trust; Executive Vice
CFA,CIC                                        President, James Investment Research, Inc. (1985 to Present);
P.O. Box 8                                     President, James Capital Alliance, Inc., Alpha, Ohio (1992 to
Alpha, Ohio  45301                             Present).
Age: 42
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas L. Mangan                               Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Trust;
P.O. Box 8                                     Vice president, James Investment Research, Inc. (1994 to
Alpha, Ohio  45301                             Present); senior vice president, Fuji Securities, Inc., Chicago,
Age: 49                                        Illinois (prior to 1994).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anthony P. D'Angelo                            Trustee of the Trust; Professor, Graduate School of
Dept. of the Air Force, Building 641           Logistics and Acquisition Management, Air Force Institute of
2950 P Street                                  Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (1983 to present).
Wright-Patterson AFB OHIO 45433-7765
Age: 68
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hazel                                          Trustee of the Trust; Retired Sr. Vice President,
L. Eichelberger                                Citizens Federal Bank, Dayton, Ohio (1955 to 1997).
9438 Atchison Road
Dayton, Ohio  45458
Age: 61
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

James F. Zid                                   Trustee of the Trust; Retired Partner, Ernst & Young,
1083 N. Collier Blvd.                          LLP, Columbus, Ohio (1968 to 1993).
Marco Island, Florida 34145
Age: 64
======================================================================================================================

</TABLE>


           Trustee fees are Trust expenses. The following table estimates the
Trustees' compensation for the first full year of the Trust ending June 30,
1999.



================================================================================
                           TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM TRUST (THE TRUST IS
NAME                              NOT IN A FUND COMPLEX)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barry R. James, CFA                             $0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anthony P. D'Angelo                         $4,200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hazel L. Eichelberger                       $4,200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James F. Zid                                $4,200
================================================================================

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

           Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust, the Adviser is responsible for each Fund's portfolio decisions and the
placing of each Fund's portfolio transactions.
 In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks the best qualitative
execution for each Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including
the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability,
financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the
brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Adviser
generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in
relation to the benefits received.

           The Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers
who also provide brokerage and research services to the Funds and/or the other
accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion and to pay such
brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or
dealer would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that the commission
is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided. The determination may


                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>



be viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Trust and to other accounts over which it
exercises investment discretion.

           Research services include supplemental research, securities and
economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses
of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other
information furnished by brokers through whom a Fund effects securities
transactions may also be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its accounts.
Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other
clients may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to the
Funds. Although research services and other information are useful to the Funds
and the Adviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and
other information received.

           Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with
principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price,
including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are
normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker.
Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the
purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and
asked prices.

           Although investment decisions for a Fund are made independently from
those of the other accounts managed by the Adviser, investments of the type a
Fund may make may also be made by those other accounts. When a Fund and one or
more other accounts managed by the Adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire
to dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for
sales will be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to
each. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or
received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by a
Fund. Orders placed for a Fund will not be combined ("blocked") with other
orders.

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

           With respect to the Funds, the Trust has adopted a Plan for each
class of shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 which was promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Plans"). Each Plan provides for payment of fees to the Distributor to finance
any activity which is principally intended to result in the sale of a Fund's
shares subject to the Plans. Such activities are described in the Prospectus.
Pursuant to the Plans, the Distributor may pay fees to brokers and others for
such services. The Trustees expect that the adoption of the Plans will result in
the sale of a sufficient number of shares so as to allow each Fund to achieve
economic viability. It is also anticipated that an increase in the size of a
Fund will facilitate more efficient portfolio management and assist a Fund in
seeking to achieve its investment objective. The maximum amount payable by a
Fund under the Plans are described in the Prospectus.



                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>



   
         The Plan, the Distribution Agreement, the Selling Agreements and the
Service Agreements of each Fund have been approved by the Funds' Board of
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons"
of the Funds and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans
or any related agreement, by a vote cast in person at meetings called for the
purpose of voting on the Plans and such agreements on August 20, 1998.
Continuation of the Plans and the related agreements must be approved annually
by the Trustees, and the Plans or any related agreement may be terminated at any
time without penalty by a majority of such independent Trustees or by a majority
of a class' outstanding shares. Any amendment increasing the maximum percentage
payable under a Plan or other material change must be approved by a majority of
the respective class' outstanding shares, and all other material amendments to a
Plan or any related agreement must be approved by a majority of the independent
Trustees.
    

DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE

           The price (net asset value) of the shares of the Fund is determined
as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each day the Trust is open for business and on
any other day on which there is sufficient trading in each Fund's securities to
materially affect the net asset value. The Trust is open for business on every
day except Saturdays, Sundays and official federal holidays. For a description
of the methods used to determine the net asset value (share price), see "Share
Price Calculation" in the Prospectus.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

           "Average annual total return," as defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, is computed by finding the average annual compounded rates
of return for the period indicated that would equate the initial amount invested
to the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:

                P(1+T)n=ERV

Where:          P         =     a hypothetical $1,000 initial investment
                T         =     average annual total return
                n         =     number of years
                ERV       =     ending redeemable value at the end of the
                                applicable period of the hypothetical $1,000
                                investment made at the beginning of the
                                applicable period.

The computation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at
the net asset value on the reinvestment dates and that a complete redemption
occurs at the end of the applicable period.

           Each Fund's investment performance will vary depending upon market
conditions, the composition of each Fund's portfolio and operating expenses of
each Fund. These factors and possible differences in the methods and time
periods used in calculating non-standardized investment performance should be
considered when comparing a Fund's performance to those of other investment


                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>



companies or investment vehicles. The risks associated with each Fund's
investment objective, policies and techniques should also be considered. At any
time in the future, investment performance may be higher or lower than past
performance, and there can be no assurance that any performance will continue.

           From time to time, in advertisements, sales literature and
information furnished to present or to prospective shareholders, the performance
of each Fund may be compared to indices of broad groups of unmanaged securities
considered to be representative of or similar to the portfolio holdings of the
Fund or considered to be representative of the stock market in general. Each
Fund may use the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, the Value Line Stock Index or a blend of stock and bond indices.

           In addition, the performance of each Fund may be compared to other
groups of mutual funds tracked by any widely used independent research firm
which ranks mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives and
assets, such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or Morningstar, Inc. The
objectives, policies, limitations and expenses of other mutual funds in a group
may not be the same as those of the Fund. Performance rankings and ratings
reported periodically in national financial publications such as Barron's and
Fortune also may be used.

CUSTODIAN

           Star Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is
Custodian of each Fund's investments. As Custodian, Star Bank, N.A. acts as each
Fund's depository, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and
other payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at a Fund's request and
maintains records in connection with its duties.

TRANSFER AGENT

           Countrywide Fund Services, Inc., 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202, acts as each Fund's transfer agent and, in such capacity, maintains the
records of each shareholder's account, answers shareholders' inquiries
concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of each Fund's
shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other
accounting and shareholder service functions. Countrywide Fund Services, Inc.
also provides the Funds with certain monthly reports, record-keeping and other
management related services.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
           The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, 1700 Courthouse Plaza N.E.,
Dayton, Ohio 45402, has been selected as independent auditors for the Trust for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. Deloitte & Touche LLP will perform an
annual audit of each Fund's financial statements and provides financial, tax and
accounting consulting services as requested.
    





                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>

DISTRIBUTOR


           CW Fund Distributors, Inc., 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202, is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of each Fund. The
Distributor is obligated to sell shares of each Fund on a best efforts basis
only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of each Fund are offered to
the public on a continuous basis.


                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>


                       


                            THE JAMES ADVANTAGE FUNDS


PART C.     OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

            (a) Financial Statements

   
                Included in Part A:   Audited Financial Highlights for The 
                Golden Rainbow Fund for the period July 1, 1993 through 
                June 30, 1998.

                Included in Part B: Audited Financial Statements,
                comprised of the following items, of The Golden
                Rainbow Fund, are incorporated in the Statement of
                Additional Information by reference to the Fund's
                June 30, 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders:

                (1)  Audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities -
                     June 30, 1998.
                (2)  Audited Statement of Operations for the year ended June 30,
                     1998.
                (3)  Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended
                     June 30, 1998 and 1997.
                (4)  Financial Highlights for the period ended June 30, 1998.
                (5)  Schedule of Investments - June 30, 1998.
                (6)  Notes to Financial Statements and Report of Independent
                     Public Accountants.
    

            (b) Exhibits

                (1)  (a) Copy of Registrant's Declaration of Trust, which was 
                     filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Registration Statement,
                     is hereby incorporated by reference.

                     (b)  Copy of Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Declaration of
                     Trust, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's 
                     Registration Statement, is hereby incorporated by
                     reference.

                     (c)  Copy of Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Declaration of
                     Trust, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's 
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No.1, is hereby incorporated by 
                     reference.

                (2)  Copy of Registrant's By-Laws, which was filed as an Exhibit
                     to Registrant's Registration Statement, is hereby
                     incorporated by reference.

                (3)  Voting Trust Agreements - None.

                (4)  Specimen of Share Certificates - None.



                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>



                (5)  a) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with James
                     Investment Research, Inc. for The Golden Rainbow Fund, 
                     which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Pre-Effective
                     Amendment No.1, is hereby incorporated by reference.

   
                     b) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with James 
                     Investment Research, Inc. for the James Small Cap Fund is 
                     filed herewith.

                     c) Copy of Registrant's Management Agreement with James 
                     Investment Research, Inc. for the James Market Neutral Fund
                     is filed herewith.
    

                (6)  Copy of Registrant's Underwriting Agreement with CW Fund 
                     Distributors, Inc., which was filed as an Exhibit to
                     Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No.1, is hereby
                     incorporated by reference.

                (7)  Bonus, Profit Sharing, Pension or Similar Contracts for the
                     benefit of Directors or Officers - None.

                (8)  Copy of Registrant's Agreement with the Custodian, Star 
                     Bank, N.A., which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's 
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No.1, is hereby incorporated by
                     reference.

                (9)  Other Material Contracts - None.

                (10) Opinion and Consent of Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.,
                     which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Registration
                     Statement, is hereby incorporated by reference.

   
                (11) Consent of independent auditors is filed herewith.
    

                (12) Financial Statements Omitted from Item 23 - None.

   
                (13) Letter of Initial Stockholder for The Golden Rainbow Fund,
                     which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Pre-Effective
                     Amendment No.1, is hereby incorporated by reference.
    
       
                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



                (14) Model Plan used in Establishment of any Retirement Plan - 
                     None.

                (15) a) 12b-1 Distribution Expense Plan for Class A shares of
                     The Golden Rainbow Fund, which was filed as an Exhibit to 
                     Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No.1, is hereby
                     incorporated by reference.

   
                     b) 12b-1 Distribution Expense Plan for Class A shares of 
                     the James Small Cap Fund is filed herewith.
    


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



   
                     c) 12b-1 Distribution Expense Plan for Class A shares of 
                     The James Market Neutral Fund is filed herewith.

                     d) 12b-1 Distribution Expense Plan for Class C shares of 
                     The Golden Rainbow Fund is filed herewith.

                     e) 12b-1 Distribution Expense Plan for Class C shares of
                     the James Small Cap Fund is filed herewith.

                     f) 12b-1 Distribution Expense Plan for Class C shares of
                     the James Market Neutral Fund is filed herewith.
    

                (16) Schedule for Computation of Each Performance Quotation -
                     None.

                (17) Financial Data Schedule - None.

                (18) Rule 18f-3 Plan, which was filed as an Exhibit to
                     Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No.1, is hereby
                     incorporated by reference.

                (19) Powers of Attorney for the Trust (and Certificate with 
                     respect therreto) and the officers and Trustees of the
                     Trust, which were filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No.1, are hereby
                     incorporated by reference.

ITEM 25.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE REGISTRANT
            None.

   
ITEM 26.    NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES (AS OF         AUGUST 31, 1998)
- --------    ---------------------------------------------------------------

            TITLE OF CLASS                         NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS
            The Golden Rainbow Fund                        99
            The Small Cap Fund                              0
            The Market Neutral Fund                         0
    
ITEM 27.    INDEMNIFICATION

                     (a) Article VI of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust
                     provides for indemnification of officers and Trustees
                     as follows:

                     SECTION 6.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, ETC.
                     Subject to and except as otherwise provided in the
                     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act, the
                     Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers
                     (including persons who serve at the Trust's request as
                     directors, officers or trustees of another organization in
                     which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor
                     or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered
                     Person") against all liabilities, including but not limited
                     to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise
                     or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including
                     reasonable accountants' and counsel fees, incurred by any
                     Covered Person in connection with the defense or
                     disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding,
                     whether civil

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>



                     or criminal, before any court or administrative or
                     legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or
                     may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with
                     which such person may be or may have been threatened, while
                     in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been
                     such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except
                     that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any
                     liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such
                     Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of
                     willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
                     reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
                     such Covered Person's office.

                     SECTION 6.5 ADVANCES OF EXPENSES. The Trust shall advance
                     attorneys' fees or other expenses incurred by a Covered
                     Person in defending a proceeding to the full extent
                     permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
                     1940 Act, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1707, as amended.
                     In the event any of these laws conflict with Ohio Revised
                     Code Section 1701.13(E), as amended, these laws, and not
                     Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13(E), shall govern.

                     SECTION 6.6 INDEMNIFICATION NOT EXCLUSIVE, ETC. The right
                     of indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be
                     exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such
                     Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VI,
                     "Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs,
                     executors and administrators. Nothing contained in this
                     article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which
                     personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers,
                     and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise
                     under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and
                     maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.

                     The Registrant may not pay for insurance which protects the
                     Trustees and officers against liabilities rising from
                     action involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
                     negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
                     the conduct of their offices.

                     (b) The Registrant may maintain a standard mutual fund and
                     investment advisory professional and directors and officers
                     liability policy. The policy, if maintained, would provide
                     coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers, and
                     could cover its Advisers, among others. Coverage under the
                     policy would include losses by reason of any act, error,
                     omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or
                     breach of duty.

                     (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
                     under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to
                     trustees, officers and controlling persons of the
                     Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law and the
                     Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws
                     of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
                     advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
                     Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
                     expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
                     the event that a claim for indemnification against such
                     liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of
                     expenses incurred or paid by a

                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>



                     trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the
                     successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
                     asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in
                     connection with the securities being registered, the
                     Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
                     matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to
                     a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
                     such indemnification by it is against public policy as
                     expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
                     adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 28.    BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

                     A. (i) Ann Marie Shaw Kremer, Senior Vice President of JIR
                     is also the Treasurer of James Capital Alliance, Inc., P.O.
                     Box 12, Alpha, Ohio 45301, an investment advisory business.

                     (ii) Barry Ray James, Executive Vice President of JIR is
                     also the President of James Capital Alliance, Inc. and
                     President and a Trustee of the Trust.

                     (iii) Robert G. Hawkins, Director of JIR is currently the
                     Dean of Ivan Allen College of Management, Georgia Institute
                     of Technology, a university in Atlanta, Georgia.

ITEM 29.    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

                (a)  CW Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") also
                     acts as underwriter for Firsthand Funds and UC Investment
                     Trust.

                (b) 
    NAME                  POSITION WITH DISTRIBUTOR     POSITION WITH REGISTRANT
    ----                  -------------------------     ------------------------

   Angelo R. Mozilo          Chairman of the Board         None
                             and Director

   Andrew S. Bielanski       Director                      None

   Thomas H. Boone           Director                      None

   Marshall M. Gates         Director                      None

   Robert H. Leshner         Vice Chairman                 None
                             Chief Executive Officer
                             and Director

   Robert G. Dorsey          President                     Asst. Vice President

   Maryellen Peretzky        Vice President                None
                             Administration
                             Human Resources and
                             Operations


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



   John F. Splain            Vice President, Secretary     Assistant Secretary
                             and General Counsel

   M. Kathleen Luegers       Vice President-MIS            None

   Mark J. Seger             Vice President                Asst. Treasurer

   Christina H. Kelso        Vice President-Operations     None

   Gary H. Goldschmidt       Assistant Vice President and  None
                             Assistant Fund Controller

   Terrie A. Wiedenheft      Treasurer                     None

   Tina D. Hosking           Asst. Vice President-Legal    Assistant Secretary

   Elizabeth A. Santen       Asst. Vice President-Legal    None

   Steven F. Niehaus         Asst. Vice President-MIS      None

   Sandor E. Samuels         Asst. Secretary               None

   Susan E. Bow              Asst. Secretary               None

   Anne Banducci             Asst. Secretary               None

         The address of all of the above-names persons is 312 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

                (c)  Inapplicable.

                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



ITEM 30.        LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

                Accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
                Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
                Rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained by the
                Registrant at 1349 Fairground Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45385
                and/or by the Registrant's Custodian, Star Bank, N.A., 425
                Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202, and/or by the Registrant's
                Transfer Agent, Countrywide Fund Services, Inc., 312 Walnut St.,
                21st Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

ITEM 31.        MANAGEMENT SERVICES NOT DISCUSSED IN PARTS A OR B

                None.

ITEM 32.        UNDERTAKINGS

                (a) Not Applicable.

                (b) The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to
                whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy of The Golden Rainbow
                A James Advised Mutual Fund's latest annual report to
                shareholders, upon request and without charge.



                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


   
         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, on the 22nd day of
September, 1998.
    

                                          The James Advantage Funds

                                          By: /s/
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Donald S. Mendelsohn, Attorney-in-Fact


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


Barry R. James, President and Trustee *

Thomas L. Mangan, Treasurer *

James F. Zid, Trustee *

Anthony P. D'Angelo, Trustee *

Hazel. L. Eichelberger, Trustee*









* By: /s/
      --------------------------------------
      Donald S. Mendelsohn, Attorney-in-Fact

   
                                                              September 22, 1998
    


                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


1.  James Small Cap Fund Management Agreement........................EX-99.B5.1

2.  James Market Neutral Fund Management Agreement...................EX-99.B5.2

3.  Consent of Independent Auditors..................................EX-99.B11

4.  Distribution Expense Plan - James Small Cap Fund Class A.........EX-99.B15.1

5.  Distribution Expense Plan - James Market Neutral Fund Class A....EX-99.B15.2

6.  Distribution Expense Plan - The Golden Rainbow Fund Class C......EX-99.B15.3

7.  Distribution Expense Plan - James Small Cap Fund Class C.........EX-99.B15.4

8.  Distribution Expense Plan - James Market Neutral Fund Class C....EX-99.B15.5






                              MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

TO: James Investment Research, Inc.
    P.O. Box 8
    Alpha, Ohio  45301

Dear Sirs:

         The James Advantage Funds (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement
with you.

         The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is the James Small Cap Fund (the "Fund").

         You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.

    1.   ADVISORY SERVICES

         You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you
in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment
program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the
portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") may from time to time establish.
You will advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are
necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and the
appropriate committees of the Board regarding the conduct of the business of the
Fund.

    2.   ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES

         You will pay all organizational, offering and operating expenses (other
than expenses specifically assumed by the Fund) of the Fund, including the
compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons
rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff
salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by
the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations;
legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under
federal and state securities laws; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the
custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent,
plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter
of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption
or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing
reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's
current shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or
any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of
shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations; and all other operating expenses
not specifically assumed by the Fund.

                                        1



<PAGE>



         The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest,
fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees and such extraordinary
or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund
may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's trustees and officers with
respect thereto. The Fund will pay all expenses which may be incurred pursuant
to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (the "12b-1 Expenses"). You may
obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine
in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund
is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part
of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.

    3.   COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER

         For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as
provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the Fund
will pay you a fee (a) at the annual rate of 1.25% of the average value of its
daily net assets; minus (b) the fees and expenses of the non- interested person
trustees incurred by the Fund.

         The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).

    4.   EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS

         In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the
account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of
all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account
with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by
the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the
allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of
such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all
times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account
such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness
of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer.

         You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that
are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative
execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide
brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over
which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or
dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities

                                        2

<PAGE>



with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.

         Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative execution
as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as
a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio
transactions.

         Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates
of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the
Fund's portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others.
If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours
concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for
such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund
pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is
understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services
to others, including other registered investment companies.

    5.   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER

         You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate
and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Investment Company Act
of 1940 or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your officers, directors,
employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject
to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust
in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission
connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made
pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates,
except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement,
or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations
and duties under this Agreement.

         Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee or agent of
you, who may be or become an officer, director, trustee, employee or agent of
the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on
any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with
your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for
the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee or agent of you, or one under
your control or direction, even though paid by you.

    6.   DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

         This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution by you,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in
either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the trustees who are
not "interested persons," as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of
you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting such approval.

                                        3

<PAGE>




         If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement in the
manner set forth above, upon request of the Board, you will continue to serve or
act in such capacity for the Fund for the period of time pending required
approval of the Agreement, of a new agreement with you or a different adviser or
other definitive action; provided that the compensation to be paid by the Fund
to you for your services to and payments on behalf of the Fund will be equal to
the lesser of your actual costs incurred in furnishing such services and
payments or the amount you would have received under this Agreement for
furnishing such services and payments.

         This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated with
respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the
Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.

    7.   USE OF NAME

         The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name "James Small
Cap," or any variation thereof, belongs to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
the use of the name "James Small Cap," or any variation thereof, shall
automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this
Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of
this Agreement upon ninety (90) days' written notice by you to the Trust.
Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to
use the name "James Small Cap," or any variation thereof, in the name of, or in
connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become
associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use these names.

    8.   AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT

         No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until
approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who are not
interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission) by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to
which the amendment relates.

    9.   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY

         The term "The James Advantage Funds" means and refers to the Trustees
from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the same may
subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust.

                                        4

<PAGE>



A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with
the Secretary of the State of Ohio.

    10.  SEVERABILITY

                  In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of
this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.

    11.  QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION

         (a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

         (b) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this
Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act") shall be resolved
by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof,
if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling
decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities
and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to said Act. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement
is revised by rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.

    12.  NOTICES

         Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and
delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such
other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice
to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is 1349
Fairground Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45385, and your address for this purpose
shall be P.O. Box 8, Alpha, Ohio 45301.

    13.  COUNTERPARTS

         This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

    14.  BINDING EFFECT

         Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has
the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party
indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to
the foregoing terms.

    15.  CAPTIONS

         The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.



                                        5

<PAGE>


         If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such
counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract
upon the date thereof.

                                                Yours very truly,

                                                James Advantage Funds


                                                By___________________________
                                                   Barry Ray James, President

                                                Dated:  _________________, 1998



                                   ACCEPTANCE

         The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.

                                                James Investment Research, Inc.


                                                By _____________________________
                                                   Francis E. James, Jr.,
                                                   President

                                                Dated:  _______________, 1998












                                        6


                              MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

TO: James Investment Research, Inc.
    P.O. Box 8
    Alpha, Ohio  45301

Dear Sirs:

         The James Advantage Funds (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement
with you.

         The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is the James Market Neutral Fund (the "Fund").

         You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.

    1.   ADVISORY SERVICES

         You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you
in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous investment
program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund, the
portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") may from time to time establish.
You will advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are
necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and the
appropriate committees of the Board regarding the conduct of the business of the
Fund.

    2.   ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES

         You will pay all organizational, offering and operating expenses (other
than expenses specifically assumed by the Fund) of the Fund, including the
compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons
rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff
salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by
the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations;
legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under
federal and state securities laws; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the
custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent,
plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter
of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption
or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing
reports and notices to shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's
current shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or
any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of
shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations; and all other operating expenses
not specifically assumed by the Fund.


                                       1



<PAGE>



         The Fund will pay all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest,
fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees and such extraordinary
or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund
may be a party and indemnification of the Trust's trustees and officers with
respect thereto. The Fund will pay all expenses which may be incurred pursuant
to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (the "12b-1 Expenses"). You may
obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as you may determine
in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Fund
is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part
of your compensation pursuant to this Agreement.

    3.   COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER

         For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as
provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the Fund
will pay you a fee (a) at the annual rate of 1.70% of the average value of its
daily net assets; minus (b) the fees and expenses of the non- interested person
trustees incurred by the Fund.

         The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).

    4.   EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS

         In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the
account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the placing of
all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the account
with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this selection by
the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the
allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of
such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all
times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution, taking into account
such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness
of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer.

         You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that
are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative
execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide
brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over
which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a broker or
dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities

                                        2

<PAGE>



with respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.

         Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative execution
as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as
a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund portfolio
transactions.

         Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates
of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the
Fund's portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others.
If any occasion should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours
concerning the shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for
such client and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund
pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is
understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services
to others, including other registered investment companies.

    5.   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER

         You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate
and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the Investment Company Act
of 1940 or the rules thereunder, neither you nor your officers, directors,
employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject
to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust
in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission
connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made
pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates,
except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement,
or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations
and duties under this Agreement.

         Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee or agent of
you, who may be or become an officer, director, trustee, employee or agent of
the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on
any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with
your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting solely for
the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee or agent of you, or one under
your control or direction, even though paid by you.

    6.   DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

         This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution by you,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in
either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the trustees who are
not "interested persons," as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of
you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting such approval.

                                        3

<PAGE>




         If the shareholders of the Fund fail to approve the Agreement in the
manner set forth above, upon request of the Board, you will continue to serve or
act in such capacity for the Fund for the period of time pending required
approval of the Agreement, of a new agreement with you or a different adviser or
other definitive action; provided that the compensation to be paid by the Fund
to you for your services to and payments on behalf of the Fund will be equal to
the lesser of your actual costs incurred in furnishing such services and
payments or the amount you would have received under this Agreement for
furnishing such services and payments.

         This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated with
respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the
Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.

    7.   USE OF NAME

         The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name "James Market
Neutral," or any variation thereof, belongs to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
the use of the name "James Market Neutral," or any variation thereof, shall
automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this
Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of
this Agreement upon ninety (90) days' written notice by you to the Trust.
Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any respect, your right to
use the name "James Market Neutral," or any variation thereof, in the name of,
or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may
become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use these
names.

    8.   AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT

         No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until
approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who are not
interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission) by vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series to
which the amendment relates.

    9.   LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY

         The term "The James Advantage Funds" means and refers to the Trustees
from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the same may
subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is
expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust.

                                        4

<PAGE>



A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with
the Secretary of the State of Ohio.

    10.  SEVERABILITY

         In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void
or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.

    11.  QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION

         (a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

         (b) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this
Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act") shall be resolved
by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof,
if any, by the United States courts or in the absence of any controlling
decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities
and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to said Act. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement
is revised by rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.

    12.  NOTICES

         Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and
delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such address as such
other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until further notice
to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is 1349
Fairground Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45385, and your address for this purpose
shall be P.O. Box 8, Alpha, Ohio 45301.

    13.  COUNTERPARTS

         This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

    14.  BINDING EFFECT

         Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has
the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party
indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to
the foregoing terms.

    15.  CAPTIONS

         The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.



                                        5

<PAGE>


         If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such
counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract
upon the date thereof.

                                                Yours very truly,

                                                James Advantage Funds


                                                By __________________________
                                                   Barry Ray James, President

                                                Dated:  _________________, 1998

                                   ACCEPTANCE

         The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.

                                                James Investment Research, Inc.


                                                By ____________________________
                                                   Francis E. James, Jr., 
                                                   President

                                                Dated:  _______________, 1998





                                        6


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement of The James Advantage Funds under the Securities Act of 1933, filed
under Registration Statement No. 333-37277 of our report dated August 13, 1998,
relating to The Golden Rainbow Fund incorporated by reference in the Statement
of Additional Information, which is part of such Registration Statement, and to
the references to us under the captions "Independent Auditors" and "Golden
Rainbow Fund Financial Highlights," in such Registration Statement.





/s/
- ----------------------------



Dayton, Ohio
September 18, 1998



                              JAMES SMALL CAP FUND
                          CLASS A PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1


         WHEREAS, the James Advantage Funds, an Ohio business trust (the
"Trust"), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and
is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and

         WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided
into one or more series of Shares; and

         WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any
agreement relating hereto (the "Qualified Trustees"), having determined, in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a
reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the James Small Cap Fund (the
"Fund") and the Class A shareholders of the Fund, have approved this Plan by
votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting hereon and on
any agreements related hereto;

         NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class A Shares
of the Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following
terms and conditions:

1.       DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of
         -----------------------
         the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any
         activities related to the distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund,
         which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
         (a) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers
         or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of Class A Shares, or
         that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase,
         sale or retention of Class A Shares; (b) payments, including incentive
         compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries,
         financial institutions, investment advisors and others that hold Class
         A Shares for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of
         record or provide shareholder support or administrative services to the
         Fund and its shareholders; (c) expenses of maintaining personnel
         (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered
         into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support
         distribution of Class A Shares or who render shareholder support
         services not otherwise provided by the Trust's transfer agent,
         including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and
         equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine
         inquiries regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, and
         providing such other shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably
         request; (d) costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses
         and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for
         recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (e) costs of
         formulating and implementing marketing and promotional activities,
         including, but not limited to,

                                       1


<PAGE>



         sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
         newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (f) costs of
         preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (g) costs of
         obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to
         marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to
         time, deem advisable; and (h) costs of implementing and operating this
         Plan. The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above,
         and in any other activities related to the distribution of Class A
         Shares, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan.

2.       MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES. The expenditures to be made by the Trust pursuant
         ---------------------
         to this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such expenditures will
         be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, but in no
         event may such expenditures exceed in any fiscal year an amount
         calculated at the rate of .25% of the average daily net asset value of
         Class A Shares of the Fund. Such payments for distribution activities
         may be made directly by the Trust, or the Trust's investment adviser or
         principal underwriter may incur such expenses and obtain reimbursement
         from the Trust.

3.       TERM AND TERMINATION. (a) This Plan shall become effective upon the
         --------------------- 
         first issuance of Class A shares after the Fund has commenced
         operations.
                 
         (b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in
         effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in
         effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long
         as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a
         majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified
         Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
         on such approval.
                  
         (c) This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority
         of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
         voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A Shares of
         the Fund. If this Plan is terminated, the Fund will not be required to
         make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.

4.       AMENDMENTS. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in
         the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b)
         hereof. In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase
         materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof
         unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the
         outstanding voting securities of the Class A Shares of the Fund (as
         defined in the 1940 Act).

5.       SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES. While this Plan is in effect, the
         selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as
         defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the
         discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.

6.       QUARTERLY REPORTS. The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the
         Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written
         report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related
         agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
                                       2


<PAGE>




7.       RECORDKEEPING. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any
         related agreement and all reports made pursuant Section 6 hereof, for a
         period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the
         agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in
         an easily accessible place.

8.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of
         Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio
         and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the
         Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the
         obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees, the
         shareholders of the Trust individually or the assets or property of any
         other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and
         property of the Fund.

         
                                       3







                            JAMES MARKET NEUTRAL FUND
                          CLASS A PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1


         WHEREAS, the James Advantage Funds, an Ohio business trust (the
"Trust"), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and
is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and

         WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided
into one or more series of Shares; and

         WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any
agreement relating hereto (the "Qualified Trustees"), having determined, in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a
reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the James Market Neutral Fund
(the "Fund") and the Class A shareholders of the Fund, have approved this Plan
by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting hereon and
on any agreements related hereto;

         NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class A Shares
of the Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following
terms and conditions:

1.       DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of
         ------------------------
         the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any
         activities related to the distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund,
         which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
         (a) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers
         or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of Class A Shares, or
         that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase,
         sale or retention of Class A Shares; (b) payments, including incentive
         compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries,
         financial institutions, investment advisors and others that hold Class
         A Shares for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of
         record or provide shareholder support or administrative services to the
         Fund and its shareholders; (c) expenses of maintaining personnel
         (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered
         into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support
         distribution of Class A Shares or who render shareholder support
         services not otherwise provided by the Trust's transfer agent,
         including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and
         equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine
         inquiries regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, and
         providing such other shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably
         request; (d) costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses
         and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for
         recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (e) costs of
         formulating and implementing marketing and promotional activities,
         including, but not limited to,
                                       4


<PAGE>



         sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
         newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (f) costs of
         preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (g) costs of
         obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to
         marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to
         time, deem advisable; and (h) costs of implementing and operating this
         Plan. The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above,
         and in any other activities related to the distribution of Class A
         Shares, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan.

2.       MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES. The expenditures to be made by the Trust pursuant
         ---------------------
         to this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such expenditures will
         be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, but in no
         event may such expenditures exceed in any fiscal year an amount
         calculated at the rate of .25% of the average daily net asset value of
         Class A Shares of the Fund. Such payments for distribution activities
         may be made directly by the Trust, or the Trust's investment adviser or
         principal underwriter may incur such expenses and obtain reimbursement
         from the Trust.

3.       TERM AND TERMINATION. (a) This Plan shall become effective upon the
         first issuance of Class A shares after the Fund has commenced
         operations.
                  
         (b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in
         effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in
         effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long
         as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a
         majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified
         Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
         on such approval.
                 
         (c) This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority
         of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
         voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A Shares of
         the Fund. If this Plan is terminated, the Fund will not be required to
         make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.

4.       AMENDMENTS. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in
         the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b)
         hereof. In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase
         materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof
         unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the
         outstanding voting securities of the Class A Shares of the Fund (as
         defined in the 1940 Act).

5.       SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES. While this Plan is in effect, the
         selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as
         defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the
         discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.

6.       QUARTERLY REPORTS. The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the
         Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written
         report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related
         agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

                                       5


<PAGE>



7.       RECORDKEEPING. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any
         related agreement and all reports made pursuant Section 6 hereof, for a
         period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the
         agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in
         an easily accessible place.

8.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of
         Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio
         and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the
         Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the
         obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees, the
         shareholders of the Trust individually or the assets or property of any
         other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and
         property of the Fund.

        

                                       6










                               GOLDEN RAINBOW FUND
                          CLASS C PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

         WHEREAS, the James Advantage Funds, an Ohio business trust (the
"Trust"), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and
is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and

         WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided
into one or more series of Shares; and

         WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any
agreement relating hereto (the "Qualified Trustees"), having determined, in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a
reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the Golden Rainbow Fund (the
"Fund") and the Class C shareholders of the Fund, have approved this Plan by
votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting hereon and on
any agreements related hereto;

         NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class C Shares
of the Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following
terms and conditions:

1.       DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of
         ------------------------
         the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any
         activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund,
         which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
         (a) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers
         or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of Class C Shares, or
         that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase,
         sale or retention of Class C Shares; (b) expenses of maintaining
         personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or
         support distribution of Class C Shares; (c) costs of preparing,
         printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional
         information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing
         shareholders of the Fund; (d) costs of formulating and implementing
         marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to,
         sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
         newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) costs of
         preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) costs of
         obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to
         marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to
         time, deem advisable; and (g) costs of implementing and operating this
         Plan. The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above,
         and in any other activities related to the distribution of Class C
         Shares, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan.

2.       MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES. The expenditures to be made by the Trust pursuant
         ---------------------
         to Section 1 of this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such
         expenditures will be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the
         Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed in

                                       1


<PAGE>



         any fiscal year an amount calculated at the rate of .75% of the average
         daily net asset value of Class C Shares of the Fund. Such payments for
         distribution activities may be made directly by the Trust, or the
         Trust's investment adviser or principal underwriter may incur such
         expenses and obtain reimbursement from the Trust.

3.       SERVICE FEES. In addition to the payments of compensation provided for
         -------------
         in Section 2 and in order to further enhance the distribution of the
         Fund's Class C Shares, the Fund may compensate securities dealers or
         other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that (a) hold Class C Shares for shareholders in
         omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or provide shareholder
         support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or
         (b) render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the
         Trust's transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated
         overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and
         expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust, processing
         shareholder transactions, and providing such other shareholder services
         as the Trust may reasonably request. These service fees shall be paid
         in an amount determined by the Trustees, but in no event to exceed an
         annual rate of .25% of the daily net assets of the Class C Shares of
         the Fund. If the NASD adopts a definition of "service fees" for
         purposes of Section 26(d) of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD (or
         any successor to such rule) that differs from the definition of service
         fees hereunder, the definition of service fees hereunder shall be
         automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to
         conform to such NASD definition.

4.       TERM AND TERMINATION. (a) This Plan shall become effective upon the
         ---------------------
         first issuance of Class C shares after the Fund has commenced
         operations.
           
         (b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in
         effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in
         effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long
         as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a
         majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified
         Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
         on such approval.
           
         (c) This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority
         of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
         voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class C Shares of
         the Fund. If this Plan is terminated, the Fund will not be required to
         make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.

5.       AMENDMENTS. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in
         ----------
         the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 4(b)
         hereof. In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase
         materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Sections 2 and 3
         hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of
         the outstanding voting securities of the Class C Shares of the Fund (as
         defined in the 1940 Act).

6.       SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES. While this Plan is in effect, the
         ------------------------------------
         selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as
         defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the
         discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.

7.       QUARTERLY REPORTS. The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the
         -----------------
         Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written
         report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related
         agreement and the purposes for which such

                                       2


<PAGE>


         expenditures were made.

8.       RECORDKEEPING. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any
         -------------
         related agreement and all reports made pursuant Section 7 hereof, for a
         period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the
         agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in
         an easily accessible place.

9.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of
         -----------------------
         Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio
         and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the
         Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the
         obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees, the
         shareholders of the Trust individually or the assets or property of any
         other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and
         property of the Fund.


        
                                       3





                              JAMES SMALL CAP FUND
                          CLASS C PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

         WHEREAS, the James Advantage Funds, an Ohio business trust (the
"Trust"), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and
is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and

         WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided
into one or more series of Shares; and

         WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any
agreement relating hereto (the "Qualified Trustees"), having determined, in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a
reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the James Small Cap Fund (the
"Fund") and the Class C shareholders of the Fund, have approved this Plan by
votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting hereon and on
any agreements related hereto;

         NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class C Shares
of the Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following
terms and conditions:

1.       DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of
         -----------------------
         the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any
         activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund,
         which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
         (a) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers
         or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of Class C Shares, or
         that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase,
         sale or retention of Class C Shares; (b) expenses of maintaining
         personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or
         support distribution of Class C Shares; (c) costs of preparing,
         printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional
         information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing
         shareholders of the Fund; (d) costs of formulating and implementing
         marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to,
         sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
         newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) costs of
         preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) costs of
         obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to
         marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to
         time, deem advisable; and (g) costs of implementing and operating this
         Plan. The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above,
         and in any other activities related to the distribution of Class C
         Shares, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan.

2.       MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES. The expenditures to be made by the Trust pursuant
         --------------------
         to Section 1 of this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such
         expenditures will be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the
         Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed in

                                       1


<PAGE>



         any fiscal year an amount calculated at the rate of .75% of the average
         daily net asset value of Class C Shares of the Fund. Such payments for
         distribution activities may be made directly by the Trust, or the
         Trust's investment adviser or principal underwriter may incur such
         expenses and obtain reimbursement from the Trust.

3.       SERVICE FEES. In addition to the payments of compensation provided for
         ------------
         in Section 2 and in order to further enhance the distribution of the
         Fund's Class C Shares, the Fund may compensate securities dealers or
         other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that (a) hold Class C Shares for shareholders in
         omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or provide shareholder
         support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or
         (b) render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the
         Trust's transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated
         overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and
         expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust, processing
         shareholder transactions, and providing such other shareholder services
         as the Trust may reasonably request. These service fees shall be paid
         in an amount determined by the Trustees, but in no event to exceed an
         annual rate of .25% of the daily net assets of the Class C Shares of
         the Fund. If the NASD adopts a definition of "service fees" for
         purposes of Section 26(d) of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD (or
         any successor to such rule) that differs from the definition of service
         fees hereunder, the definition of service fees hereunder shall be
         automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to
         conform to such NASD definition.

4.       TERM AND TERMINATION. (a) This Plan shall become effective upon the
         first issuance of Class C shares after the Fund has commenced
         operations.
           
         (b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in
         effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in
         effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long
         as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a
         majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified
         Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
         on such approval.
           
         (c) This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority
         of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
         voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class C Shares of
         the Fund. If this Plan is terminated, the Fund will not be required to
         make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.

5.       AMENDMENTS. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in
         ----------
         the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 4(b)
         hereof. In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase
         materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Sections 2 and 3
         hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of
         the outstanding voting securities of the Class C Shares of the Fund (as
         defined in the 1940 Act).

6.       SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES. While this Plan is in effect, the
         ------------------------------------
         selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as
         defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the
         discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.

7.       QUARTERLY REPORTS. The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the
         -----------------
         Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written
         report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related
         agreement and the purposes for which such


                                       2


<PAGE>



            expenditures were made.

8.       RECORDKEEPING. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any
         -------------
         related agreement and all reports made pursuant Section 7 hereof, for a
         period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the
         agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in
         an easily accessible place.

9.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of
         -----------------------
         Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio
         and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the
         Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the
         obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees, the
         shareholders of the Trust individually or the assets or property of any
         other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and
         property of the Fund.

         
                                       3








                            JAMES MARKET NEUTRAL FUND
                          CLASS C PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

         WHEREAS, the James Advantage Funds, an Ohio business trust (the
"Trust"), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and
is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and

         WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares
of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided
into one or more series of Shares; and

         WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any
agreement relating hereto (the "Qualified Trustees"), having determined, in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a
reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit the James Market Neutral Fund
(the "Fund") and the Class C shareholders of the Fund, have approved this Plan
by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting hereon and
on any agreements related hereto;

         NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class C Shares
of the Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following
terms and conditions:

1.       DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES. Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of
         ------------------------
         the Trust, the Trust may, directly or indirectly, engage in any
         activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund,
         which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
         (a) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers
         or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of Class C Shares, or
         that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase,
         sale or retention of Class C Shares; (b) expenses of maintaining
         personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or
         support distribution of Class C Shares; (c) costs of preparing,
         printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional
         information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing
         shareholders of the Fund; (d) costs of formulating and implementing
         marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to,
         sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
         newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) costs of
         preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) costs of
         obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to
         marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to
         time, deem advisable; and (g) costs of implementing and operating this
         Plan. The Trust is authorized to engage in the activities listed above,
         and in any other activities related to the distribution of Class C
         Shares, either directly or through other persons with which the Trust
         has entered into agreements related to this Plan.

2.       MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES. The expenditures to be made by the Trust pursuant
         to Section 1 of this Plan and the basis upon which payment of such
         expenditures will be made shall be determined by the Trustees of the
         Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed in

                                        1


<PAGE>



         any fiscal year an amount calculated at the rate of .75% of the average
         daily net asset value of Class C Shares of the Fund. Such payments for
         distribution activities may be made directly by the Trust, or the
         Trust's investment adviser or principal underwriter may incur such
         expenses and obtain reimbursement from the Trust.

3.       SERVICE FEES. In addition to the payments of compensation provided for
         -------------
         in Section 2 and in order to further enhance the distribution of the
         Fund's Class C Shares, the Fund may compensate securities dealers or
         other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment
         advisors and others that (a) hold Class C Shares for shareholders in
         omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or provide shareholder
         support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or
         (b) render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the
         Trust's transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated
         overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and
         expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust, processing
         shareholder transactions, and providing such other shareholder services
         as the Trust may reasonably request. These service fees shall be paid
         in an amount determined by the Trustees, but in no event to exceed an
         annual rate of .25% of the daily net assets of the Class C Shares of
         the Fund. If the NASD adopts a definition of "service fees" for
         purposes of Section 26(d) of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD (or
         any successor to such rule) that differs from the definition of service
         fees hereunder, the definition of service fees hereunder shall be
         automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to
         conform to such NASD definition.

4.       TERM AND TERMINATION. (a) This Plan shall become effective upon the
         first issuance of Class C shares after the Fund has commenced
         operations.
           
         (b) Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in
         effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in
         effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long
         as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a
         majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified
         Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
         on such approval.
            
         (c) This Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority
         of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
         voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class C Shares of
         the Fund. If this Plan is terminated, the Fund will not be required to
         make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.

5.       AMENDMENTS. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in
         -----------
         the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 4(b)
         hereof. In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase
         materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Sections 2 and 3
         hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of
         the outstanding voting securities of the Class C Shares of the Fund (as
         defined in the 1940 Act).

6.       SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES. While this Plan is in effect, the
         ------------------------------------
         selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as
         defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the
         discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.

7.       QUARTERLY REPORTS. The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the
         -----------------
         Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written
         report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related
         agreement and the purposes for which such


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<PAGE>



         expenditures were made.

8.       RECORDKEEPING. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any
         -------------
         related agreement and all reports made pursuant Section 7 hereof, for a
         period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the
         agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in
         an easily accessible place.

9.       LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of
         -----------------------
         Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio
         and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the
         Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the
         obligations of this instrument are not binding upon the Trustees, the
         shareholders of the Trust individually or the assets or property of any
         other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and
         property of the Fund.

         


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