EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST
485BPOS, 1999-10-28
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                                                       1933 Act No. 333-36047
                                                       1940 Act No. 811-08363


                       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. 13                                         [X]

                                     and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940             [ ]
     Amendment No. 14                                                       [X]


                          EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

              200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (617) 210-3200
                         (Registrant's Telephone Number)


                           Michael H. Koonce, Esquire
                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)


It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
[X]  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ]  on [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ]  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
[ ]  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
[ ]  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
[ ]  on February 17, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) 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
[ ]  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
[ ]  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)


<PAGE>
                          EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                      CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE NO. 13 TO
                           REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON
                                   FORM N-1A

         This  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 13  to  Registrant's  Registration
Statement  No.  333-36047/811-08363  consists of the following  pages,  items of
information  and  documents,  together with the exhibits  indicated in Part C as
being filed herewith.

                                  Facing Sheet

                                  Contents Page


                                     PART A

    Prospectus for the Institutional Shares and Institutional Service Shares
 of Evergreen Select Balanced Fund, Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund, Evergreen
  Select Diversified Value Fund, Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund, Evergreen
  Select Large Cap Blend Fund, Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund, Evergreen
    Select Small Cap Growth Fund, Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund,
 Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund, Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund,
  Evergreen Select Strategic Growth Fund, Evergreen Select Strategic Value Fund
      and Prospectus for the Class A, Class B and Class Shares of Evergreen
   Select Equity Index and Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund are contained
                                     herein.



                                     PART B


     Statement of Additional Information for Evergreen Select Balanced Fund,
   Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund, Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund,
   Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund, Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund,
  Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund, Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund,
  Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund, Evergreen Select Social Principles
  Fund, Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund, Evergreen Select Strategic Growth
        Fund, Evergreen Select Strategic Value Fund is contained herein.



                                     PART C

                                    Exhibits

                                Indemnification

                         Business and Other Connections
                             of Investment Advisors

                             Principal Underwriter

                        Location of Accounts and Records

                                   Signatures

<PAGE>

                          EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                                     PART A

                            INSTITUTIONAL PROSPECTUS


<PAGE>


                         EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY FUNDS


   Evergreen Select Balanced Fund
   Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund
   Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund
   Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund
   Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund
   Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund
   Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund
   Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund
   Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund
   Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund
   Evergreen Select Strategic Growth Fund
   Evergreen Select Strategic Value Fund
   Institutional shares
   Institutional Service shares


   Prospectus, November 1, 1999                        [LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS]

   The Securities and Exchange Commission has not determined that the
   information in this prospectus is accurate or complete, nor has it approved
   or disapproved these securities. Anyone who tells you otherwise is
   committing a crime.

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND RISK/RETURN SUMMARIES:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Overview of Fund Risks....................................................   1
Evergreen Select Balanced Fund............................................   2
Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund (formerly known as Select Common Stock
 Fund)....................................................................   4
Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund...................................   6
Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund........................................   8
Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund.....................................  10
Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund......................................  12
Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund....................................  14
Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund.................................  16
Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund...................................  18
Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund......................................  20
Evergreen Select Strategic Growth Fund....................................  22
Evergreen Select Strategic Value Fund.....................................  24

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Funds' Investment Advisors............................................  26
The Funds' Portfolio Managers.............................................  27
Calculating the Share Price...............................................  29
How to Choose an Evergreen Fund...........................................  29
How to Choose the Share Class That Best Suits You.........................  29
How to Buy Shares.........................................................  30
How to Redeem Shares......................................................  31
Other Services............................................................  32
The Tax Consequences of Investing in the Funds............................  32
Fees and Expenses of the Funds............................................  33
Financial Highlights......................................................  34
Other Fund Practices......................................................  45
</TABLE>
In general, Funds included in this prospectus seek long-term capital growth.

Fund Summaries Key
Each Fund's summary is organized around the following basic topics and
questions:

INVESTMENT GOAL
What is the Fund's financial objective? You can find clarification on how
the Fund seeks to achieve its objective by looking at the Fund's strategy and
investment policies. The Fund's Board of Trustees can change the investment
objective without a shareholder vote.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY
How does the Fund go about trying to meet its goals? What types of
investments does it contain? What style of investing and investment philosophy
does it follow? Does it have limits on the amount invested in any particular
type of security?

RISK FACTORS
What are the specific risks for an investor in the Fund?

PERFORMANCE
How well has the Fund performed in the past year? The past five years? The
past ten years?

EXPENSES
How much does it cost to invest in the Fund? What is the difference between
sales charges and expenses?
<PAGE>

                             OVERVIEW OF FUND RISKS


            Select
            Equity
             Funds

typically rely on a combination of the following strategies:
 . investing in common and preferred stocks, convertible securities and
   foreign securities; and
 . selling a portfolio investment when the issuer's investment fundamentals
   begin to deteriorate, when the investment no longer appears to meet the
   Fund's investment objective, when the Fund must meet redemptions, or for
   other investment reasons which the portfolio manager deems necessary.

may be appropriate for investors who:
 . are seeking long-term capital appreciation.

Following this overview, you will find information on each Fund's specific
investment strategies and risks.
 ................................................................................

 Risk Factors For All Mutual Funds
 Please remember that mutual fund shares are:
 . not guaranteed to achieve their
   investment goal
 . not a deposit of a bank
 . not insured, endorsed or guaranteed
   by the FDIC, or any government
   agency
 . subject to investment risks,
   including possible loss of your
   original investment

 Like most investments, your investment
 in an Evergreen Select Equity Fund
 could fluctuate significantly in value
 over time and could result in a loss
 of money.



Here are the most important factors that may affect the value of your
investment:

Stock Market Risk
Your investment will be affected by general economic conditions such as pre-
vailing economic growth, inflation and interest rates. When economic growth
slows, or interest or inflation rates increase, securities tend to decline in
value. Such events could also cause companies to decrease the dividends they
pay. If these events were to occur, the value of and dividend yield and total
return earned on your investment would likely decline. Even if general economic
conditions do not change, your investment may decline in value if the particu-
lar industries, issuers or sectors your Fund invests in do not perform well.

Interest Rate Risk
When interest rates go up, the value of debt securities and dividend-paying
stocks tends to fall. If your Fund invests a significant portion of its portfo-
lio in debt securities or stocks purchased primarily for dividend income and,
if interest rates rise, then the value of your investment may decline. When in-
terest rates go down, interest earned by your Fund on its investments may also
decline, which could cause the Fund to reduce the dividends it pays.

Credit Risk
The value of a debt security is directly affected by the issuer's ability to
repay principal and pay interest on time. If your Fund invests in debt securi-
ties, then the value of and total return earned on your investment may decline
if an issuer fails to pay an obligation on a timely basis.

                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Balanced Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 .Long-Term Total Return

 Principal Investments:
 . Common and Preferred Stocks
 . Fixed Income Securities

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 .Institutional
 .Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Rollin C. Williams
 . W. Shannon Reid
 . David M. Chow

 NASDAQ Symbol:
 .ESAIX (Institutional)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 .Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks long-term total return through capital appreciation, dividends
and interest income.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests in growth oriented common and preferred stocks and fixed
income securities to provide a stable income flow. It is anticipated that the
Fund's assets allocation will range between 40-75% in common and preferred
stocks, 25-50% in fixed income securities and 0-25% in cash equivalents. The
equity portion of the Fund is invested in the equity securities of large and
mid-sized U.S. companies which the portfolio managers believe demonstrates the
potential for superior and sustainable earnings growth.

The Fund's fixed income portion may include corporate debt securities,
securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of
the U.S. government, including all kinds of convertible securities. The Fund
may invest in mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities,
including collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed
securities. The debt securities which the Fund invests in will be investment
grade quality rated within the top four categories of Standard & Poor's Rating
Service ("S&P"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Fitch IBCA,
Inc., or if not rated or rated by another system, determined by the Fund's
portfolio managers to be of equivalent credit quality. The Fund is not required
to sell any security that loses its rating or has its rating reduced after
purchase.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk
 .Interest Rate Risk
 .Credit Risk

Like other debt securities, changes in interest rates generally affect the
value of mortgage-backed securities. Additionally, some mortgage-backed
securities may be structured so that they may be particularly sensitive to
interest rates. Early repayment of mortgages underlying these securities may
expose the Fund to a lower rate of return when it reinvests the principal.

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

2
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each calendar year since 4/1/1991. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992      8.21
                                 1993     10.68
                                 1994     -2.15
                                 1995     26.81
                                 1996     11.72
                                 1997     21.21
                                 1998     11.30


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+10.24%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-6.08%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is -2.10%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual return by class over the past
one and five years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is
intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the S&P
500 Index and the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index (LBGBI). The
S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S. stocks and is
often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock market. The LBGBI
Index is a broad measure of the performance of government and corporate fixed-
rate debt instruments. It does not include transaction costs associated with
buying and selling securities nor any management fees. Neither index is an
actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                       Performance
                     Date                             Since
                   of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year  4/1/1991

  <S>              <C>       <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    1/22/1998 11.30% 13.34%   N/A     12.90%
  Institutional
   Service          4/9/1998 11.31% 13.34%   N/A     12.90%
  S&P 500                    28.58% 24.06%   N/A      0.36%
  LBGBI                       9.47%  7.30%   N/A     -0.56%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional shares prior to its inception
is based on the performance of the Class Y Shares of Evergreen Balanced Fund
II, from 4/1/1991 through 1/22/1998, the inception of Institutional shares. On
1/22/1998, substantially all of the assets of the Class Y shares of Evergreen
Balanced Fund II were transferred through a redemption in-kind transaction to
the Fund's Institutional shares. Performance from 1/23/1998 through the
inception of Institutional Service shares reflects that of Institutional
shares. Performance prior to inception of Institutional Service shares does not
include this class' 0.25% 12b-1 fees. Institutional shares do not pay a 12b-1
fee. If these fees were reflected, returns would have been lower.

   EXPENSES
This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Management 12b-1  Other        Total Fund
                      Fees    Fees  Expenses Operating Expenses++

  <S>              <C>        <C>   <C>      <C>
  Institutional      0.60%    0.00%  0.19%          0.79%

  Institutional
   Service           0.60%    0.25%  0.18%          1.03%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 0.69%
for Institutional shares and 0.93% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service

  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year        $ 81             $  105
  3 years       $252             $  328
  5 years       $439             $  569
  10 years      $978             $1,259
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Core Equity Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term Capital Appreciation

 Principal Investment:
 . Common Stocks of U.S. Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 .Institutional
 .Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Mark Sipe
 . Hanspeter Giger

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 .EISCX (Institutional)
 . EISSX (Institutional Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 .Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies with large and
medium market capitalization. The Fund's stock selection is based on a
diversified style of equity management that allows it to invest in both value
and growth-oriented equity securities. "Value" securities are securities which
the Fund's portfolio managers believe are undervalued. "Growth" securities are
securities of companies which the Fund's portfolio managers believe have
anticipated earnings ranging from steady to accelerated growth.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

4
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each of the past ten calendar years. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                [GRAPH TO COME]


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+18.14%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-14.64%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 1.53%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one, five and ten years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This
table is intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing
in the Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with
the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly
traded U.S. stocks and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall
stock market. It does not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees. The index is not an actual
investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                        Performance
                      Date                             Since
                    of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year 12/31/1981

  <S>              <C>        <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    11/24/1997 12.96% 17.97% 15.22%    15.95%
  Institutional
   Service           2/4/1998 12.72% 17.71% 14.95%    15.31%
  S&P 500 Index               28.58% 24.06% 19.21%    18.38%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has
not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25%12b-1 fee applicable to
Institutional Service shares. Institutional shares pay no 12b-1 fees. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997,
the returns for Institutional and Institutional Service shares are based on the
Fund's predecessor common trust fund's (CTF) performance, adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses. The CTF was not registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") and was not subject to certain investment
restrictions. If the CTF had been registered, its performance might have been
adversely affected. Performance for the CTF has been adjusted to include the
effect of estimated mutual fund class gross expense ratios at the time the CTF
was converted to a mutual fund. If fee waivers and expense reimbursements in
existence at the time of conversion had been calculated into the mutual fund
class expense ratio, the total returns would be as follows: Institutional
shares -- 5 year = 18.07%, 10 year = 15.32% and since 12/31/1981 = 15.69%;
Institutional Service shares -- 5 year = 17.80%, 10 year = 15.05% and since
12/31/1981 = 15.42%.
   EXPENSES
This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Management 12b-1  Other        Total Fund
                      Fees    Fees  Expenses Operating Expenses++

  <S>              <C>        <C>   <C>      <C>
  Institutional      0.70%    0.00%  0.07%          0.77%

  Institutional
   Service           0.70%    0.25%  0.07%          1.02%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 0.67%
for Institutional shares and 0.92% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service

  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year        $ 79             $  104
  3 years       $246             $  325
  5 years       $428             $  563
  10 years      $954             $1,248
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Diversified Value Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term Capital Appreciation
 .Current Income

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity Securities

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 .Institutional
 .Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Manager:
 . Eric M. Teal

 NASDAQ Symbol:
 .ESUIX (Institutional)
 . ESUSX (Institutional Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 .Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with current income as a
secondary objective.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies with large
market capitalizations and prospects for earnings growth and dividends.
Generally, the Fund invests in stocks which the portfolio manager believes are
undervalued relative to their true values and exhibit positive trends in their
underlying operations and earnings expectations.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

6
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each calendar year since 1/3/1991. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992      8.31
                                 1993      9.71
                                 1994      2.07
                                 1995     32.20
                                 1996     19.21
                                 1997     26.00
                                 1998      8.69


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+19.30%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-16.29%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 2.14%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one and five years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is
intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the S&P
500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S.
stocks and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock
market. It does not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees. The index is not an actual
investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                       Performance
                     Date                             Since
                   of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year  1/3/1991

  <S>              <C>       <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    1/22/1998  8.69% 17.11%   N/A     16.37%
  Institutional
   Service         3/31/1998  7.15% 16.78%   N/A     16.16%
  S&P 500 Index              28.58% 24.06%   N/A     20.83%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional shares prior to its inception
is based on the performance of the Class Y Shares of Evergreen Value Fund from
1/3/1991 through 1/22/1998, the inception of Institutional shares. On
1/22/1998, substantially all of the assets of the Class Y shares of Evergreen
Value Fund were transferred through a redemption in-kind transaction to the
Fund's Institutional shares. Performance from 1/23/1998 through the inception
of Institutional Service shares reflects that of Institutional shares.
Performance prior to inception of Institutional Service shares does not include
this class' 0.25% 12b-1 fee. Institutional shares do not pay a 12b-1 fee. If
fees were reflected, returns would have been lower.
   EXPENSES
This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Management 12b-1  Other        Total Fund
                      Fees    Fees  Expenses Operating Expenses++

  <S>              <C>        <C>   <C>      <C>
  Institutional      0.60%    0.00%  0.12%          0.72%

  Institutional
   Service           0.60%    0.25%  0.13%          0.98%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 0.62%
for Institutional shares and 0.88% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service

  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year         $74               $100
  3 years       $230               $312
  5 years       $401               $542
  10 years      $894             $1,201
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Equity Index Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Price and
   Yield
   Performance
   comparable
   to the
   S&P 500
   Index

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity
   Securities
   listed on
   S&P 500
   Index

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Manager:
 . Eric M.
   Teal

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . EVIIX
   (Institutional)
 . EVISX
   (Institutional
   Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks investment results that achieve price and yield performance
similar to the S&P 500 Index.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in equity securities that
represent a composite of the S&P 500 Index. The correlation between the
performance of the Fund and the S&P 500 Index is expected to be, before
expenses, 0.98 or higher. The Fund's portfolio manager uses a computer model
that closely monitors the industry weightings of the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500
is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks chosen to reflect the industries of
the U.S. economy and is often considered a proxy for the stock market in
general. To replicate the performance of the S&P 500 Index, the Fund's
portfolio manager uses a passive management approach and purchases all or a
representative sample of the stocks comprising the Index.

The Fund intends to sell a portfolio investment when it is removed from the S&P
500 Index, when the Fund must meet redemptions, or for other reasons which the
portfolio manager deems necessary.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

8
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each of the past ten calendar years. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                Year       %
                                ----     -----
                                1989     33.44
                                1990     -4.05
                                1991     29.18
                                1992      6.77
                                1993      9.32
                                1994      0.29
                                1995     36.62
                                1996     22.86
                                1997     32.54
                                1998     27.69


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+21.30%
Worst Quarter:2nd Quarter 1990-13.60%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 5.09%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one, five and ten years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This
table is intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing
in the Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with
the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly
traded U.S. stocks and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall
stock market. It does not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees. The index is not an actual
investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                       Performance
                     Date                             Since
                   of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year  2/14/1985
  <S>              <C>       <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    2/14/1985 27.69% 23.29% 18.16%    17.07%
  Institutional
   Service         10/9/1996 27.49% 23.24% 18.13%    17.05%
  S&P 500 Index              28.58% 24.06% 19.21%    18.25%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service prior to its inception
is based on the performance of (1) the Class A shares of the Fund's predecessor
CoreFund Equity Index Fund from 10/9/1996 to 7/27/1997 (2) the Class Y shares
of the Fund's predecessor, CoreFund Equity Index Fund, from 6/1/1991 to
10/8/1996 and (3) the Class Y shares of the Fund's predecessor, Viking Index
Fund, from 2/14/1985 through 5/31/1991. Performance of Class Y for CoreFund
Equity Index and Class Y for Viking Index Fund has not been adjusted to reflect
the effect of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to Institutional Service. Class Y
pays no 12b-1 fee. If these fees had been reflected, returns would have been
lower.

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Total Fund
                             Management         12b-1          Other           Operating
                                Fees            Fees          Expenses         Expenses++
  <S>                        <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
  Institutional                0.40%            0.00%          0.16%             0.56%
  Institutional Service        0.40%            0.25%          0.16%             0.81%
</TABLE>

+Restated for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999 to reflect current fees.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements and restating to reflect current fees, Total
Fund Operating Expenses would have been 0.31% for Institutional shares and
0.56% for Institutional Service shares for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service
  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year         $57                $83
  3 years       $179               $259
  5 years       $313               $450
  10 years      $701             $1,002
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Large Cap Blend Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term
   Capital
   Growth

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity
   Securities
   of Large
   Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Eric M.
   Teal
 . Jay Zelko
 . Timothy
   M.
   Stevenson

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . ESLIX
   (Institutional)
 . ESLSX
   (Institutional
   Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital growth.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of large and mid-sized U.S.
companies. The Fund's stock selection is based on a diversified style of equity
management that allows it to invest in both value and growth-oriented equity
securities. "Value" securities are securities which the Fund's portfolio
managers believe are undervalued. "Growth" securities are securities of
companies which the Fund's portfolio managers believe have anticipated earnings
ranging from steady to accelerated growth.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

10
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund for each calendar year since 12/31/1993. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994     -5.25
                                 1995     39.58
                                 1996     31.99
                                 1997     30.32
                                 1998     11.83


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+19.34%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-15.32%

Year to date total return through is 9/30/1999 is -1.98%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one and five years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is
intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the S&P
500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S.
stocks and is often used to indicate the performance of the overall stock
market. It does not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees. The index is not an actual
investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Performance
                   Inception                           Since
                      Date    1 year 5 year 10 year 12/31/1993
  <S>              <C>        <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    11/24/1997 11.83% 20.53%   N/A     20.53%
  Institutional
   Service          3/12/1998 11.60% 20.25%   N/A     20.25%
  S&P 500 Index               28.58% 24.06%   N/A     24.06%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has
not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to
Institutional Service shares. Institutional shares pay no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997,
the returns for Institutional shares and Institutional Service shares are based
on the Fund's predecessor common trust fund's (CTF) performance, adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses. The CTF was not registered under the 1940 Act
and was not subject to certain investment restrictions. If the CTF had been
registered, its performance might have been adversely affected. Performance for
the CTF has been adjusted to include the effect of estimated mutual fund class
gross expense ratios at the time the CTF was converted to a mutual fund. If fee
waivers and expense reimbursements in existence of the time of the conversion
had been calculated into the mutual fund class expense ratio, the total returns
would have been as follows: Institutional shares -- 5 year = 20.63% and since
12/31/1993 = 20.63%; Institutional Service shares -- 5 year = 20.34% and since
12/31/1993 = 20.34%.

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Total Fund
                             Management         12b-1          Other           Operating
                                Fees            Fees          Expenses         Expenses++
  <S>                        <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
  Institutional                0.70%            0.00%          0.09%             0.79%
  Institutional Service        0.70%            0.25%          0.09%             1.04%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 0.68%
for Institutional shares and 0.93% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service
  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year         $81               $106
  3 years       $252               $331
  5 years       $439               $574
  10 years      $978             $1,271
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Secular Growth Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term
   Capital
   Appreciation

 Principal Investment:
 . Common
   Stocks of
   Large
   U.S.
   Growth
   Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Manager:
 . Stephen
   M. Dalton

 NASDAQ Symbol:
 . ESSGX
   (Institutional)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of large U.S. growth companies,
although it may invest in issuers of any size. The Fund's portfolio manager
seeks to purchase high quality companies with anticipated earnings ranging from
steady to accelerated growth. The Fund selects securities by using a criteria
which values companies which are viewed as a service or product innovator,
which have experienced and proven management and high predictability of
earnings.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the heading:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

12
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for the Institutional shares
of the Fund since 12/31/1994. It should give you a general idea of how the
Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes the effects of
Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994
                                 1995     36.52
                                 1996     24.99
                                 1997     29.42
                                 1998     41.47


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+26.77%*
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-9.23%*

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 7.63%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one year and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is intended
to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. At
the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the Russell 1000
Growth Index which measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies
with higher price-to-book ratio and higher forecasted growth values. It does
not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor
any management fees. The index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                        Performance
                     Date                              Since
                   of Class  1 year  5 year 10 year 12/31/1994
  <S>              <C>       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    2/26/1999 41.47%   N/A     N/A      32.99%
  Institutional
   Service         2/26/1999 41.11%   N/A     N/A      32.66%
  Russell 1000 Growth Index  38.71%   N/A     N/A      32.23%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for the Institutional and Institutional Service
shares, prior to 7/12/1999 is based on the Fund's predecessor common trust
fund's (CTF) performance, adjusted for estimated mutual fund expenses. The CTF
was not registered under the 1940 Act and was not subject to certain investment
restrictions. If the CTF had been registered, its performance might have been
adversely affected. Performance for the CTF has been adjusted to include the
effect of estimated mutual fund class gross expense ratios at the time the CTF
was converted to a mutual fund. If fee waivers and expense reimbursements in
existence at the time of the conversion had been calculated into the mutual
fund class expense ratio, the total returns would be as follows:
Institutional -- 1 year = 41.62% and since 12/31/1994 = 33.14%; Institutional
Service -- 1 year = 41.27% and since 12/31/1994 = 32.80%

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Total Fund
                             Management         12b-1          Other           Operating
                                Fees            Fees          Expenses         Expenses++
  <S>                        <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
  Institutional                0.70%            0.00%          0.10%             0.80%
  Institutional Service        0.70%            0.25%          0.10%             1.05%
</TABLE>

+Estimated for the fiscal period ending 6/30/2000.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse the Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements Total Fund Operating Expenses would be 0.70%
for the Institutional shares and 0.95% for the Institutional Service shares for
the fiscal period ending 6/30/2000.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five and ten year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service
  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year         $82               $107
  3 years       $255               $334
  5 years       $444               $579
  10 years      $990             $1,283
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Small Cap Growth Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term
   Capital
   Growth

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity
   Securities
   of Small
   Companies

 Class of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional

 Investment Advisor:
 . Evergreen Investment Management Company

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Thomas
   Holman
 . J. Gary
   Craven

 NASDAQ Symbol:
 . EVSIX
   (Institutional)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks to provide shareholders with long-term growth of capital.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of companies with small market
capitalizations. The Fund invests in stocks of companies which the portfolio
managers believe have above average growth and, are reasonably valued and
represent high-quality small companies. Risk within the portfolio is managed
with careful attention to valuation and reasonable diversification.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

Your investment may be subject to special risks associated with investing in
securities issued by small companies. Smaller, less established companies tend
to be more dependent on individual managers and limited products and product
lines. Additionally, securities issued by small companies also tend to
fluctuate in value more dramatically than those of larger companies.

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

14
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each calendar year since the Institutional shares' inception on
12/28/1995. It should give you a general idea of how the Fund's return has
varied from year-to-year. This graph includes the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994
                                 1995
                                 1996     20.45
                                 1997      7.67
                                 1998      2.13


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+25.19%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-23.40%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 5.25%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one year and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is intended
to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. At
the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the Russell 2000
Growth Index. The Russell 2000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index which
measures the performance of those Russell 2000companies with higher price-to-
book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It does not include
transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Inception                        Performance
                    Date                             Since
                  of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year 12/28/1995
  <S>            <C>        <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional  12/28/1995 2.13%   N/A     N/A      9.81%
  Russell 2000 Growth Index 1.23%   N/A     N/A      8.90%
</TABLE>


   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Management         12b-1          Other               Total Fund
                        Fees            Fees          Expenses         Operating Expenses
  <S>                <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
  Institutional        0.80%            0.00%          0.22%                 1.02%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual Funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional
  <S>       <C>
  1 year         $104
  3 years        $325
  5 years        $563
  10 years     $1,248
</TABLE>
                               SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Small Company
Value Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Capital
   Appreciation

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity
   Securities
   of Small
   Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . Evergreen Asset Management Corp.

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Edwin D.
   Miska
 . Jordan D.
   Alexander

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . ESVIX
   (Institutional)
 . ESVSX
   (Institutional
   Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks capital appreciation.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of small companies. The
Fund invests in stocks of companies which the portfolio managers believe the
market has temporarily undervalued in relation to such factors as the company's
assets, cash flow or earnings potential. The Fund's portfolio managers select
securities they think will rise in value sooner than most observers anticipate,
increasing the value of Fund shares.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

Your investment may be subject to special risks associated with investing in
securities issued by small companies. Smaller, less established companies tend
to be more dependent on individual managers and limited products and product
lines. Additionally, securities issued by small companies also tend to
fluctuate in value more dramatically than those of larger companies.

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

16
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each calendar year since the Institutional shares' inception on
12/23/1997. It should give you a general idea of how the Fund's return has
varied from year-to-year. This graph includes the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994
                                 1995
                                 1996
                                 1997
                                 1998    -13.21


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+11.39%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-21.22%

Year to date total return through is 9/30/1999 is -5.78%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one year and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is intended
to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. At
the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the Russell 2000
Value Index. The Russell 2000 Value Index is an unmanaged index which measures
the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios
and lower forecasted growth values. It does not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities or any management fees. The index
is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                         Performance
                      Date                              Since
                    of Class  1 year  5 year 10 year 12/23/1997
  <S>              <C>        <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    12/23/1997 -13.21%  N/A     N/A     -10.87%
  Institutional
   Service         12/31/1998 -13.52%  N/A     N/A     -11.14%
  Russell 2000 Value Index     -6.45%  N/A     N/A     (3.04%)
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service shares prior to its
inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has not been
adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to
Institutional Service shares. Institutional shares pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower.
   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Total Fund
                             Management         12b-1          Other           Operating
                                Fees            Fees          Expenses         Expenses++
  <S>                        <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
  Institutional                0.90%            0.00%          0.17%             1.07%
  Institutional Service        0.90%            0.25%          0.18%             1.33%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements and restating to reflect current fees, Total
Fund Operating Expenses were 0.97% for Institutional shares and 1.22% for
Institutional Service shares for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service
  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year         $109              $135
  3 years        $340              $421
  5 years        $590              $729
  10 years     $1,306            $1,601
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              17
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Social Principles Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term
   Capital
   Growth

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity
   Securities
   of Mid-
   Size
   Socially
   Conscious
   Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Eric M.
   Teal
 . Jay Zelko
 . Timothy
   M.
   Stevenson

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . ESPIX
   (Institutional)
 . ESPSX
   (Institutional
   Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital growth.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of mid-size companies that
respect human rights, play a role in local communities and produce useful
products in an environmentally sound way. The Fund will not invest in companies
that produce liquor, tobacco, weapons or nuclear energy.

The Fund's stock selection is based on a diversified style of equity management
that allows it to invest in both value and growth-oriented equity securities.
"Value" securities are securities which the Fund's portfolio manager believes
are undervalued. "Growth" securities are securities of companies which the
Fund's portfolio managers believe have anticipated earnings ranging from steady
to accelerated growth.

The Fund utilizes an external Advisory Board whose role is to develop and
continually review guiding policies and principles of social investing. All
holdings are periodically reviewed to assure adherence to the Advisory Board
Standards.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

18
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each of the past ten calendar years. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [GRAPH]

                                                  Year       %
                                             ----     -----
                                                 1989     17.86
                                                 1990     -7.73
                                                 1991     43.69
                                                 1992      9.89
                                                 1993      9.54
                                                 1994     -0.94
                                                 1995     37.63
                                                 1996     16.56
                                                 1997     23.15
                                                 1998      8.47


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+22.16%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-18.48%

*Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is -9.06%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one, five and ten years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This
table is intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing
in the Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with
the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index which tracks the stocks of 400 mid-size U.S.
companies. It does not include transaction costs associated with buying and
selling securities nor any management fees. The index is not an actual
investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Inception                                Performance
                             Date                                     Since
                           Of Class    1 year   5 year   10 year    5/31/1988
  <S>                     <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
  Institutional           11/24/1997    8.47%   16.25%   14.85%      14.44%
  Institutional Service    3/12/1998    8.24%   15.97%   14.58%      14.17%
  S&P 400 Mid Cap Index                18.25%   18.67%   19.21%      19.08%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has
not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to
Institutional Service shares. Institutional shares pay no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997,
the returns for Institutional and Institutional Service shares are based on the
Fund's predecessor common trust fund's (CTF) performance, adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses. The CTF was not registered under the 1940 Act
and was not subject to certain investment restrictions. If the CTF had been
registered, its performance might have been adversely affected. Performance for
the CTF has been adjusted to include the effect of estimated mutual fund class
gross expense ratios at the time the Fund was converted to a mutual fund. If
fee waivers and expense reimbursements in existence at the time of the
conversion had been calculated into the mutual fund class expense ratio, the
total returns would be as follows: Institutional shares -- 5 year = 16.34%, 10
year = 14.95% and since 5/31/1988 = 14.54%; Institutional Service shares -- 5
year = 16.06%, 10 year = 14.68% and since 5/31/1988 = 14.27%.

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Management       12b-1        Other              Total Fund
                       Fees          Fees        Expenses       Operating Expenses++
  <S>               <C>              <C>         <C>            <C>
  Institutional       0.80%          0.00%        0.14%                0.94%
  Institutional
   Service            0.80%          0.25%        0.14%                1.19%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements and restating to reflect current fees, Total
Fund Operating Expenses were 0.84% for Institutional shares and 1.09% for
Institutional Service shares for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual Funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:                   Institutional                               Institutional Service
  <S>                      <C>                                         <C>
  1 year                         $96                                            $121
  3 years                       $300                                            $378
  5 years                       $520                                            $654
  10 years                    $1,155                                          $1,443
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              19
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Special Equity Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Capital Growth

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity Securities of Small Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . Meridian Investment Company

 Portfolio Managers:
 . Eric M. Teal
 . Jay Zelko
 . Timothy M. Stevenson

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . ESDDX (Institutional)
 . ESSEX (Institutional Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks capital growth.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies with small
market capitalizations. The Fund's portfolio managers choose companies which
they expect will experience growth in earnings and price. The Fund strives to
provide a return greater than stock market indices such as the Russell 2000
Index by investing principally in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of
domestic companies. The Fund may purchase stocks in initial public offerings
("IPO").

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 . Stock Market Risk

Your investment may be subject to special risks associated with investing in
securities issued by small companies. Smaller, less established companies tend
to be more dependent on individual managers and limited products and product
lines. Additionally, securities issued by small companies also tend to
fluctuate in value more dramatically than those of larger companies.

Additionally, you should be aware of the risks associated with the Fund
purchasing IPOs. Stocks purchased in IPOs have a tendency to fluctuate in value
significantly shortly after the IPO relative to the price at which they were
purchased. These fluctuations could impact the net asset value and return
earned on the Fund's shares.

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

20
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional Service
shares of the Fund in each calendar year since Institutional Service shares'
inception on 3/15/1994. It should give you a general idea of how the Fund's
return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes the effects of Fund
expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Service Shares (%)*

                                    [GRAPH]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994
                                 1995     34.46
                                 1996     25.95
                                 1997     19.10
                                 1998      5.31


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+28.01%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-22.00%

*Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 41.57%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one year and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is intended
to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. At
the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the Russell 2000
Index. The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index which measures the
performance of 2000 small U.S. companies. It does not include transaction costs
associated with buying and selling securities nor any management fees. The
index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/98)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Inception                               Performance
                            Date                                     Since
                          Of Class    1 year   5 year   10 year    3/15/1994
  <S>                     <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
  Institutional           3/15/1994    5.65%    N/A       N/A       14.73%
  Institutional Service   3/15/1994    5.31%    N/A       N/A       14.52%
  Russell 2000 Index                  -2.55%    N/A       N/A       11.65%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for the Institutional shares prior to 7/27/1998
is based on (1) the performance of the Class Y shares of the Fund's predecessor
fund, CoreFund Special Equity Fund, from 2/21/1995 to 7/26/1998 and (2) the
Class A shares of the Fund's predecessor fund from 3/15/1994 to 2/20/1995.
Historical performance shown for the Institutional Service shares prior to
7/27/1998 is based on the Class A shares of the Fund's predecessor fund and
reflects the same 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to Institutional Service shares.

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Total Fund
                             Management         12b-1          Other           Operating
                                Fees            Fees          Expenses         Expenses++
  <S>                        <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>
  Institutional                0.90%            0.00%          0.34%             1.24%
  Institutional Service        0.90%            0.25%          0.34%             1.49%
</TABLE>

 +Restated to reflect current fees for the fiscal year ending 6/30/2000.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 1.06%
for Institutional shares and 1.31% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:                   Institutional                               Institutional Service
  <S>                      <C>                                         <C>
  1 year                        $126                                            $152
  3 years                       $393                                            $471
  5 years                       $681                                            $813
  10 years                    $1,500                                          $1,779
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Strategic Growth Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Long-Term Capital Appreciation

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity securities of large and mid-size U.S. companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Managers:
 . W. Shannon Reid
 . David M. Chow

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . ESGIX (Institutional)
 . ESGSX (Institutional Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of large and mid-size U.S.
companies which the portfolio manager believes demonstrates the potential for
superior and sustainable earnings growth.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

22
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each calendar year since 12/31/1994. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [GRAPH]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994
                                 1995     38.13
                                 1996     23.97
                                 1997     30.60
                                 1998     24.39


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+22.88%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-13.41%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 15.26%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one year and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This table is intended
to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. At
the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with the Russell 1000
Growth Index which measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies
with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. It does
not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor
any management fees. The index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                        Performance
                      Date                             Since
                    of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year 12/31/1994
  <S>              <C>        <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    11/24/1997 24.39%  N/A     N/A     29.15%
  Institutional
   Service          2/27/1998 23.99%  N/A     N/A     28.81%
  Russell 1000 Growth Index   38.71%  N/A     N/A     32.23%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has
not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to
Institutional Service shares. Institutional shares pay no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997,
the returns for Institutional and Institutional Service shares are based on the
Fund's predecessor common trust fund's (CTF) performance, adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses. The CTF was not registered under the 1940 Act
and was not subject to certain investment restrictions. If the CTF had been
registered, its performance might have been adversely affected. Performance for
the CTF has been adjusted to include the effect of estimated mutual fund class
gross expense ratios at the time the CTF was converted to a mutual fund. If fee
waivers and expense reimbursements in existence at the time of the conversion
had been calculated into the mutual fund class expense ratio, the total returns
would be as follows: Institutional shares -- since 12/31/1994 = 29.24%;
Institutional Service shares -- since 12/31/1994 = 28.90%.

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Total Fund
                   Management 12b-1  Other   Operating
                      Fees    Fees  Expenses Expenses++
  <S>              <C>        <C>   <C>      <C>
  Institutional      0.70%    0.00%  0.12%     0.82%
  Institutional
   Service           0.70%    0.25%  0.13%     1.08%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 0.72%
for Institutional shares and 0.97% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service
  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year          $84              $110
  3 years        $262              $343
  5 years        $455              $595
  10 years     $1,014            $1,317
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              23
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Strategic Value Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goals:
 . Long-Term Capital Appreciation
 . Current Income

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity securities of large and mid-size U.S. companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Institutional
 . Institutional Service

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Manager:
 . Timothy O'Grady

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 . ESSIX (Institutional)
 . ESSSX (Institutional Service)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 . Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with current income as a
secondary objective.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of large companies (i.e.,
companies with market capitalizations of over $5 billion at the time of
investment) and mid-size U.S. companies (i.e., companies with market
capitalizations of over $1 billion but less than $5 billion at the time of
investment). Generally, securities selected are common stocks that the Fund's
portfolio manager believes are undervalued relative to their true values and
exhibit positive trends in their underlying operations and earnings
expectations.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

24
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

   PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Institutional shares of
the Fund in each of the past ten calendar years. It should give you a general
idea of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes
the effects of Fund expenses.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Institutional Shares (%)*

                                    [GRAPH]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989     23.44
                                 1990    -12.98
                                 1991     21.91
                                 1992     19.62
                                 1993     13.01
                                 1994      1.69
                                 1995     33.20
                                 1996     25.66
                                 1997     32.12
                                 1998      6.31


Best Quarter:4th Quarter 1998+16.86%
Worst Quarter:3rd Quarter 1998-16.19%

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 1.28%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one, five and ten years and since inception (through 12/31/1998). This
table is intended to provide you with some indication of the risks of investing
in the Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare this performance with
the Russell 1000 Value Index. The Russell 1000 Value is an unmanaged index
which measures the performance of the Russell 1000 companies with lower price-
to-book ratio and lower forecasted growth values. It does not include
transactions costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/1998)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                        Performance
                      Date                             Since
                    of Class  1 year 5 year 10 year 12/31/1981
  <S>              <C>        <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>
  Institutional    11/24/1997 6.31%  19.04% 15.52%    17.23%
  Institutional
   Service         3/11/1998  6.10%  18.76% 15.24%    16.94%
  Russell 1000 Value Index    15.63% 20.85% 17.39%    17.91%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Institutional Service shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has
not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25% 12b-1 fee applicable to
Institutional Service shares. Institutional shares pay no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997,
the returns for Institutional and Institutional Service shares are based on the
Fund's predecessor common trust fund's (CTF) performance, adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses. The CTF was not registered under the 1940 Act
and was not subject to certain investment restrictions. If the CTF had been
registered, its performance might have been adversely affected. Performance for
the CTF has been adjusted to include the effect of estimated mutual fund class
gross expense ratios at the time the CTF was converted to a mutual fund. If fee
waivers and expense reimbursements in existence at the time of the conversion
had been calculated into the mutual fund class expense ratio, the total returns
would be as follows: Institutional shares -- 5 year = 19.14%, 10 year = 15.62%
and since 12/31/1981 = 17.34%; Institutional Service shares -- 5 year = 18.86%,
10 year = 15.34% and since 12/31/1981 = 17.05%.

   EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Total Fund
                   Management 12b-1  Other   Operating
                      Fees    Fees  Expenses Expenses++
  <S>              <C>        <C>   <C>      <C>
  Institutional      0.70%    0.00%  0.11%     0.81%
  Institutional
   Service           0.70%    0.25%  0.11%     1.06%
</TABLE>

+Actual for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
waivers and expense reimbursements, Total Fund Operating Expenses were 0.71%
for Institutional shares and 0.96% for Institutional Service shares for the
fiscal year ended 6/30/1999.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  After:    Institutional Institutional Service
  <S>       <C>           <C>
  1 year          $83              $108
  3 years        $259              $337
  5 years        $450              $585
  10 years     $1,002            $1,294
</TABLE>
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT ADVISORS

An investment advisor manages a Fund's investments and supervises its daily
business affairs. There are four investment advisors for the Evergreen Select
Equity Funds. All investment advisors for the Evergreen Funds are subsidiaries
of First Union Corporation, the sixth largest bank holding company in the
United States, with over $234.823 billion in consolidated assets as of
9/30/1999. First Union Corporation is located at 301 South College Street,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0013.

First Capital Group (FCG) is the advisor to:
 .Evergreen Select Balanced Fund
 .Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund
 .Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund
 .Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund
 .Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund
 .Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund
 .Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund
 .Evergreen Select Strategic Growth Fund
 .Evergreen Strategic Value Fund

FCG, a division of First Union National Bank (FUNB), has been managing money
for over 50 years and currently manages $28.8 billion in assets for 44 of the
Evergreen Funds. FCG is located at 201 South College Street, Charlotte, North
Carolina 28288-0630.

Evergreen Asset Management Corp. (EAMC) is the investment advisor to:
 .Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund

EAMC, with its predecessors, has served as investment advisor to the Evergreen
Funds since 1971, and currently manages over $21.7 billion in assets for 21 of
the Evergreen Funds. EAMC is located at 2500 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY
10577.

Evergreen Investment Management Company (EIMC) is the investment advisor to:
 .Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund

EIMC has been managing mutual funds and private accounts since 1932 and
currently manages over $9.7 billion in assets for 25 of the Evergreen Funds.
EIMC is located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034.

Meridian Investment Company (MIC) is the advisor to:
 .Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund

MIC has been managing money for over 15 years and currently manages over $5
billion in assets, including $566.2 million in assets for 2 of the Evergreen
Funds. MIC is located at 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.

For the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999, the aggregate advisory fees paid by each
Fund to its investment advisor were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          % of the Fund's
  Fund                average daily net assets
  <S>                 <C>
  Select Balanced
  Fund                         0.50%
  Select Core Equity
  Fund                         0.60%
  Select Diversified
  Value Fund                   0.50%
  Select Equity
  Index Fund                   0.15%
  Select Large Cap
  Blend Fund                   0.60%
  Select Secular
  Growth Fund                  0.00%
  Select Small Cap
  Growth Fund                  0.80%
  Select Small
  Company Value Fund           0.80%
  Select Social
  Principles Fund              0.70%
  Select Special
  Equity Fund                  0.80%
  Select Strategic
  Growth Fund                  0.60%
  Select Strategic
  Value Fund                   0.60%
</TABLE>

Year 2000 Compliance
The investment advisors and other service providers for the Evergreen Funds
have given representations of readiness and are continuing to take steps to
address any potential Year 2000-related computer problems. However, there is
some risk that these problems could disrupt the Funds' operations or financial
markets generally. In addition, issuers of securities, especially foreign
issuers, in which the Funds invest may be adversely affected by Year 2000
problems. Such problems could negatively impact the value of the Funds'
securities.

European Currency Conversion Risk
Certain countries in Europe converted their different currencies to a single,
common currency on January 1, 1999. In connection with this change, investment
advisors, mutual funds and their service providers have modified their
accounting and recordkeeping systems to handle the new currency. If a Fund
invests in foreign securities, your investment in the Fund may be adversely
affected if these technical modifications have not been
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

26
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

implemented properly. Also, the conversion to a single currency may impair the
markets for securities denominated in the currencies eliminated, which may also
adversely impact your investment.

THE FUNDS' PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Select Balanced Fund
Rollin C. Williams, W. Shannon Reid and David Chow co-manage the Fund. Mr.
Williams, CFA has managed the Fund and its predecessor since December 1995. Mr.
Williams joined FUNB as a Vice President and senior portfolio manager in
February 1993 and became a Senior Vice President in September 1997.

W. Shannon Reid and David Chow have been Co-Managers of the Fund with Mr.
Williams since October 1999. Mr. Reid has been with FUNB since October 1988 as
a Senior Vice President and portfolio manager.

David Chow has been a portfolio manager at FCG since he joined FCG in September
1998. From September 1994 until he joined FCG, Mr. Chow was an investment
associate/portfolio manager for FUNB's First Investment Advisors Group.

Select Core Equity Fund
Mark Sipe and Hanspeter Giger co-manage the Fund. Mr. Sipe has managed the Fund
and its predecessor since December 1994. Mr. Sipe is a Senior Vice President of
FUNB, and Director of Equity Management for First Investment Advisors, the
investment group at FUNB responsible for managing private capital portfolios.

Hanspeter Giger has co-managed the Fund and its predecessor since December
1996. He joined FUNB as an equity analyst in September 1987. Since September
1993 Mr. Giger has been Director of Equity Research, responsible for overseeing
and coordinating FUNB's Investment Research/Core Team.

Select Diversified Value Fund
Eric M. Teal has managed the Fund since June 1998. Mr. Teal, Vice President and
quantitative equity analyst, joined FUNB in September 1993 and currently heads
the Quantitative Analysis/Portfolio Management Unit within FUNB.

Select Equity Index Fund
Eric M. Teal has managed the Fund since December 1998. Mr. Teal also acts as
portfolio manager of the Select Diversified Value Fund, Select Large Cap Blend
Fund, Select Social Principles Fund and Select Special Equity Fund.

Select Large Cap Blend Fund
Eric M. Teal, Jay Zelko and Timothy M. Stevenson, CFA, have been Co-Managers of
the Fund since October 1999. Mr. Teal also acts as the portfolio manager to
Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund, Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund,
Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund and Evergreen Select Special Equity
Fund.

Mr. Zelko joined FUNB in April 1994. Mr. Zelko is an equity portfolio manager
within MIC who maintains sector analytical and portfolio management
responsibilities. Mr. Zelko has been affiliated with MIC as a portfolio manager
since June 1999.

Mr. Stevenson has been an investment professional since August 1981. Mr.
Stevenson joined FUNB in November 1994 as a Senior Vice President and portfolio
manager. Mr. Stevenson has been affiliated with MIC as a portfolio manager
since October 1999.

Select Secular Growth Fund
Stephen M. Dalton has managed the Fund since the Fund's inception in February
1999. Mr. Dalton has been a senior portfolio manager and Senior Vice President
at FCG since he joined FUNB in July 1998 as a result of the FUNB/CoreStates
Bank merger. From 1984 until he joined FUNB, Mr. Dalton was a senior portfolio
manager with CoreStates Investment Advisers, Inc.

Select Small Cap Growth Fund
Thomas Holman and J. Gary Craven co-manage the Fund. Thomas Holman has been the
portfolio manager of the Fund since joining EIMC in March 1997. Mr. Holman has
been managing the Fund in conjunction with the EIMC Small Cap Growth Team which
is headed by J. Gary Craven. From 1993 until he joined EIMC, Mr. Holman was an
investment officer and securities analyst at Invista Capital Management, Inc.
("Invista").
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              27
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


J. Gary Craven has co-managed the Fund since November 1997. Mr. Craven has been
a Senior Vice President and portfolio manager with EIMC since joining EIMC in
November 1996. Prior to joining EIMC, Mr. Craven was Vice President and
portfolio manager with Invista since 1987.

Select Small Company Value Fund
Edwin D. Miska and Jordan D. Alexander co-manage the Fund. Mr. Miska has co-
managed the Fund since September 1999. Mr. Miska joined Lieber & Co. in 1986.
Prior to joining Lieber & Co., he was employed by INDATA Services/Gordon
Haskett & Co. as an analyst and investment consultant. Prior to INDATA, Mr.
Miska worked at Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. and for the Honorable Stewart B.
McKinney.

Jordan D. Alexander has co-managed the Fund since September 1999. Mr. Alexander
joined EAMC as a research analyst in 1998. Prior to joining EAMC, he was
employed by PaineWebber Incorporated as an associate health care analyst in
1995. Prior to PaineWebber, Mr. Alexander worked as a senior financial analyst
in the Valuations Services Division of Arthur Andersen in 1990.

Select Social Principles Fund
Eric M. Teal, Jay Zelko and Timothy M. Stevenson co-manage the Fund. Mr. Teal
has co-managed the Fund with Mr. Zelko and Mr. Stevenson since October 1999.
Mr. Teal also acts as portfolio manager to Evergreen Select Diversified Value
Fund, Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund, Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund
and Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund.

Mr. Zelko has managed the Fund since June 1999. Mr. Zelko also acts as Co-
Manager to Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund and Evergreen Select Special
Equity Fund.

Timothy M. Stevenson has co-managed the Fund with Mr. Zelko and Mr. Teal since
October 1999. Mr. Stevenson also acts as Co-Manager to Evergreen Select Large
Cap Blend Fund and Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund.

Select Special Equity Fund
Jay Zelko, Eric M. Teal and Timothy M. Stevenson co-manage the Fund. Mr. Zelko
has co-managed the Fund with Mr. Teal and Mr. Stevenson since October 1999. Mr.
Zelko also acts as Co-Manager to Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund and
Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund.

Mr. Teal has co-managed the Fund with Mr. Zelko and Mr. Stevenson since October
1999. Mr. Teal also acts as the portfolio manager to Evergreen Select
Diversified Value Fund, Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund, Evergreen Select
Large Cap Blend Fund and Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund.

Mr. Stevenson has co-managed the Fund with Mr. Zelko and Mr. Teal since October
1999. Mr. Stevenson also acts as Co-Manager to Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend
Fund and Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund.

Select Strategic Growth Fund
W. Shannon Reid and David M. Chow co-mange the Fund. Mr. Reid has managed the
Fund since January 1995. Mr. Reid has been with FUNB since October 1988 as a
Senior Vice President and portfolio manager.

Mr. Chow has co-managed the Fund since September 1998. Mr. Chow has been a
portfolio manager at FCG since he joined FCG in September 1998. From September
1994 until he joined FCG, Mr. Chow was an investment associate/portfolio
manager for FUNB's First Investment Advisors.

Select Strategic Value Fund
Timothy O'Grady, Senior Vice President and Senior portfolio manager of FUNB,
has managed the Fund since December 1991. Mr. O'Grady is the team leader of a
group of seasoned professionals who manage the Strategic Value Fund. Mr.
O'Grady has been a portfolio manager with FUNB since joining in November 1986.
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

28
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


CALCULATING THE SHARE PRICE

The value of one share of a Fund, also known as the net asset value, or NAV, is
calculated on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open as of the time the
Exchange closes (normally 4 p.m. Eastern time). The Fund calculates its share
price for each share by adding up its total assets, subtracting all
liabilities, then dividing the result by the total number of shares
outstanding. Each class of shares is calculated separately. Each security held
by a Fund is valued using the most recent market data for that security. If no
market data is available for a given security, the Fund will price that
security at fair value according to policies established by the Funds' Board of
Trustees. Short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less will be
valued on the basis of amortized cost.

The price per share you pay for a Fund purchase or the amount you receive for a
Fund redemption is based on the next price calculated after the order is
received and all required information is provided. The value of your account at
any given time is the latest share price multiplied by the number of shares you
own. Your account balance may change daily because the share price may change
daily.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN EVERGREEN FUND

When choosing an Evergreen Fund, you should:
 . Most importantly, read the prospectus to see if the Fund is suitable for you.
 . Consider talking to an investment professional. He or she is qualified to
  give you investment advice based on your investment goals and financial
  situation and will be able to answer questions you may have after reading the
  Fund's prospectus. He or she can also assist you through all phases of
  opening your account.
 . Request any additional information you want about the Fund, such as the
  Statement of Additional Information, Annual Report or Semi-annual Report by
  calling 1-800-343-2898.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE SHARE CLASS THAT BEST SUITS YOU

After choosing a Fund, you select a share class. Each Fund offers two different
institutional classes. Each institutional class of shares has its own expenses.
Pay particularly close attention to this fee structure so you know how much you
will be paying before you invest. Institutional shares are only offered to
investment advisory clients of an investment advisor of an Evergreen Fund (or
the advisor's affiliates).

Each class of shares is sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge. Institutional Service shares pay an ongoing service fee.
Institutional shares do not pay a service fee. The minimum initial investment
in either class of shares is $1 million, which may be waived in certain
situations. There is no minimum amount required for subsequent purchases.

Each Fund's Institutional Service shares incur an annual service fee of 0.25%
of the average daily net assets of the class for personal services rendered to
shareholders and/or the maintenance of accounts. As a result, income
distributions paid by the Fund with respect to Institutional Service shares
will generally be less than those paid with respect to Institutional shares.
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              29
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

HOW TO BUY SHARES

Institutional investors may buy shares through broker-dealers, banks and
certain other financial intermediaries, or directly through the Funds'
distributor Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (EDI).
<TABLE>
  <C>         <S>
  Method      Opening an Account


  By Phone    . Call 1-800-343-2898 to set up an account number and get wiring instructions (call before 12 noon if you want wired
                funds to be credited that day).
              . Instruct your bank to wire or transfer your purchase (they may charge a wiring fee).
              . Complete the account application and mail to:
                 Evergreen Service Company      Overnight Address:
                 P.O. Box 2121                  Evergreen Service Company
                 Boston, MA 02106-2121          200 Berkeley St.
                                                Boston, MA 02116
              . Wires received after 4 p.m. Eastern time on market trading days will receive the next market day's closing price.*

              Adding to an Account

              . Call the Evergreen Express Line** at 1-800-346-3858 24 hours a day or 1-800-343-2898 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
                Eastern time, on any business day.
              . If your bank account is set up on file, you can request either:
                - Federal Funds Wire (offers immediate access to funds) or
                - Electronic transfer through the Automated Clearing House which avoids wiring fees.

  By          . You can make an additional investment by exchange from an existing Evergreen Fund's account by contacting your
  Exchange      investment representative or calling the Evergreen Express Line at 1-800-346-3858.***
              . You can only exchange shares within the same class.
              . There is no sales charge or redemption fee when exchanging funds within the Evergreen Funds family.
              . Orders placed before 4 p.m. Eastern time on market trading days will receive that day's closing share price (if
                not, you will receive the next market day's closing price).*
              . Exchanges are limited to three per calendar quarter, but in no event more than five per calendar year.
              . Exchanges between accounts which do not have identical ownership must be made in writing with a signature guarantee
                (see below).
</TABLE>

 *The Fund's shares may be made available through financial service firms
 which are also investment dealers and which have a service agreement with
 EDI. The Fund has approved the acceptance of purchase and repurchase
 request orders effective as of the time of their receipt.
 **The Evergreen Express Line is only available to Institutional Service
 shareholders.
 ***Once you have authorized either the telephone exchange or redemption
 service, anyone with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the
 required account information (including your broker) can request a
 telephone transaction in your account. All calls are recorded or monitored
 for verification, recordkeeping and quality-assurance purposes. The
 Evergreen Funds reserve the right to terminate the exchange privilege of
 any shareholder who exceeds the listed maximum number of exchanges, as well
 as to reject any large dollar exchange if placing it would, in the judgment
 of the portfolio manager, adversely affect the price of the Fund.
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

30

<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

We offer you several convenient ways to redeem your shares in any of the
Evergreen Funds:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Methods      Requirements
  <C>          <S>                      <C>                          <C>
  Call Us      . Call the Evergreen Express Line** at 1-800-346-3858 24 hours a day or 1-800-
                 343-2898 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time, on any business day.
               . This service must be authorized ahead of time, and is only available for
                 regular accounts.***
               . All authorized requests made before 4 p.m. Eastern time on market trading days
                 will be processed at that day's closing price. Requests after 4 p.m. will be
                 processed the following business day.*
               . We can either:
               -Wire the proceeds into your bank account (service charges may apply)
               -Electronically transmit the proceeds to your bank account via the Automated
               Clearing House service
               -mail you a check.
               . All telephone calls are recorded for your protection. We are not responsible
                 for acting on telephone orders we believe are genuine.
               . See exceptions list below for requests that must be made in writing.
  Write Us     . You can mail a redemption request to: Evergreen Service Company    Overnight Address:
                                                       P.O. Box 2121                Evergreen Service Company
                                                       Boston, MA 02106-2121        200 Berkeley St.
                                                                                    Boston, MA 02116

               . Your letter of instructions must:
               -List the Fund name and the account number
               -Indicate the number of shares or dollar value you wish to redeem
               -be signed by the registered owner(s)
               . See exceptions list below for requests that must be signature guaranteed.
  Redeem Your  . You may also redeem your shares through participating broker-dealers by
  Shares in      delivering a letter as described above to your broker-dealer.
  Person       . A fee may be charged for this service.
</TABLE>

 *The Fund's shares may be made available through financial service firms
 which are also investment dealers and which have a service agreement with
 EDI. The Fund has approved the acceptance of purchase and repurchase
 request orders effective as of the time of their receipt.
 **The Evergreen Express Line is only available to Institutional Service
 shareholders.
 ***Once you have authorized either the telephone exchange or redemption
 service, anyone with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the
 required account information (including your broker) can request a
 telephone transaction in your account. All calls are recorded or monitored
 for verification, recordkeeping and quality-assurance purposes. The
 Evergreen Funds reserve the right to terminate the exchange privilege of
 any shareholder who exceeds the listed maximum number of exchanges, as well
 as to reject any large dollar exchange if placing it would, in the judgment
 of the portfolio manager, adversely affect the price of the Fund.

Timing of Proceeds
Normally, we will send your redemption proceeds on the next business day after
we receive your request; however, we reserve the right to wait up to seven
business days to redeem any investments made by check and five business days
for investments made by Automated Clearing House transfer. We also reserve the
right to redeem in kind by paying you the proceeds of a redemption in
securities rather than in cash, and to redeem the remaining amount in the
account if your redemption brings the account balance below the initial minimum
of $1,000,000.

Exceptions: Redemption Requests That Require A Signature Guarantee
To protect you and the Evergreen Funds against fraud, certain redemption
requests must be made in writing with your signature guaranteed. A signature
guarantee can be obtained at most banks and securities dealers. A notary public
is not authorized to provide a signature guarantee. The following circumstances
require signature guarantees:

 .You want the proceeds transmitted to a bank          Who Can Provide A
account not listed on the account                     Signature Guarantee:
 .You want the proceeds payable to anyone other than   .Commercial Bank
the registered owner(s) of the account                .Trust Company
 .Either your address or the address of your bank      .Savings Association
account has been changed within 30 days               .Credit Union
                                                      .Member of a U.S. stock
                                                      exchange
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              31
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

OTHER SERVICES

Evergreen Express Line
(Institutional Service shares only)
Use our automated, 24-hour service to check the value of your investment in a
Fund; purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares; find a Fund's price, yield or
total return; order a statement or duplicate tax form; or hear market
commentary from Evergreen portfolio managers.

Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends
For the convenience of investors, all dividends and capital gains distributions
are automatically reinvested, unless you request otherwise. Distributions can
be made by check or electronic transfer through the Automated Clearing House to
your bank account. The details of your dividends and other distributions will
be included on your statement.

Telephone Investment Plan
You may make additional investments electronically in an existing Fund account
at amounts of not less than $100 or more than $10,000 per investment. Telephone
requests received by 4 p.m. Eastern time will be invested the day the request
is received.

Dividend Exchange
You may elect on the application to reinvest capital gains and/or dividends
earned in one Evergreen Fund into an existing account in another Evergreen Fund
in the same share class -- automatically. Please indicate on the application
the Evergreen Fund(s) into which you want to invest the distributions.

Reinvestment Privileges
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may, within one year of redemption,
reinstate their accounts at the current price. This is the Fund's net asset
value, also sometimes referred to as the Fund's "NAV."

THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

You may be taxed in two ways:
 . On Fund distributions (dividends and capital gains)
 . On any profit you make when you sell any or all of your shares.

Fund Distributions
A mutual fund passes along to all of its shareholders the net income or profits
it receives from its investments. The shareholders of the Fund then pay any
taxes due, whether they receive these distributions in cash or elect to have
them reinvested. The Funds will distribute two types of taxable income to you:

 . Dividends. To the extent that regular dividends are derived from interest
  that is not tax exempt, or from short-term capital gains, you will have to
  include them in your federal taxable income. Each Fund pays a monthly
  dividend from the dividends, interest and other income on the securities in
  which it invests.
 . Capital Gains. When a mutual fund sells a security it owns for a profit, the
  result is a capital gain. Evergreen Select Equity Funds generally distribute
  capital gains, if any, at least once a year, near the end of the calendar
  year. Short-term capital gains reflect securities held by the Fund for a year
  or less and are considered ordinary income just like dividends. Profits on
  securities held longer than 12 months are considered long-term capital gains
  and are taxed at a special tax rate (20% for most taxpayers).

Dividend and Capital Gain Reinvestment
Unless you choose otherwise on the account application, all dividend and
capital gain payments will be reinvested to buy additional shares. Distribution
checks that are returned and distribution checks that are uncashed when the
shareholder has failed to respond to mailings from the shareholder servicing
agent will automatically be reinvested to buy additional shares.

No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or
redemption checks.

We will send you a statement each January with the federal tax status of
dividends and distributions paid by each Fund during the previous calendar
year.
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

32
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


Profits You Realize When You Redeem Shares
When you sell shares in a mutual fund, whether by redeeming or exchanging, you
have created a taxable event. You must report any gain or loss on your tax
return unless the transaction was entered into by a tax-deferred retirement
plan. Investments in money market funds typically do not generate capital
gains. It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of your mutual fund
transactions. You will need this information when you file your income tax
return, since you must report any capital gains or losses you incur when you
sell shares. Remember, an exchange is a purchase and a sale for tax purposes.

Tax Reporting
Evergreen Service Company provides you with a tax statement of your dividend
and capital gains distributions for each calendar year on Form 1099 DIV.
Proceeds from a sale are reported on Form 1099B. You must report these on your
tax return. Since the IRS receives a copy as well, you could pay a penalty if
you neglect to report them.

Evergreen Service Company will send you a tax information guide each year
during tax season, which may include a cost basis statement detailing the gain
or loss on taxable transactions you had during the year. Please consult your
own tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state and local
tax consequences of an investment in the Funds.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS

Every mutual fund has fees and expenses that are assessed either directly or
indirectly. This section describes each of those fees.

Management Fee
The management fee pays for the normal expenses of managing the Fund, including
portfolio manager salaries, research costs, corporate overhead expenses and
related expenses.

12b-1 Fees
The Trustees of the Evergreen Funds have approved a policy to assess 12b-1 fees
for Institutional Service shares. Up to 0.75% of the Institutional Service
shares' average daily net assets are payable as 12b-1 fees. However, currently
the 12b-1 fees are limited to 0.25% of the Institutional Service shares'
average daily net assets. These fees will increase the cost of your investment.
A Fund may use these fees as "service fees" to pay broker-dealers for
additional shareholder services and/or the maintenance of accounts.

Other Expenses
Other expenses include miscellaneous fees from affiliated and outside service
providers. These may include legal, audit, custodial and safekeeping fees, the
printing and mailing of reports and statements, automatic reinvestment of
distributions and other conveniences for which the shareholder pays no
transaction fees.

Total Fund Operating Expenses
The total cost of running the Fund is called the expense ratio. As a
shareholder, you are not charged these fees directly; instead they are taken
out before the Fund's net asset value is calculated, and are expressed as a
percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets. The effect of these fees is
reflected in the performance results for that share class. Because these fees
are "invisible," investors should examine them closely in the prospectus,
especially when comparing one fund with another fund in the same investment
category. There are three things to remember about expense ratios: 1) your
total return in the Fund is reduced in direct proportion to the fees; 2)
expense ratios can vary greatly between funds and fund families, from under
0.25% to over 3.0%; and 3) the Fund's advisor may waive a portion of the Fund's
expenses for a period of time, reducing its expense ratio.
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              33
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This section looks in detail at the results for one share in each share class
of the Funds -- how much income it earned, how much of this income was passed
along as a distribution and how much the return was reduced by expenses. The
following tables have been derived from financial information audited by KPMG
LLP, the Funds' independent auditors. For a more complete picture of the Funds'
financial statements, please see the Funds' Annual Report as well as the
Statement of Additional Information.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECT BALANCED FUND              CLASS I                 CLASS IS

                            Year Ended     Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period        $  13.39        $  12.58         $13.42          $13.34
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income           0.46            0.16           0.35            0.07
 Net realized and
  unrealized gain on
  securities                     0.27            0.81           0.35            0.09
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.73            0.97           0.70            0.16
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income          (0.42)          (0.16)         (0.39)          (0.08)
 Net realized gains on
  securities                    (0.14)              0          (0.14)              0
                             --------        --------         ------          ------

 Total distributions            (0.56)          (0.16)         (0.53)          (0.08)
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                     $  13.56        $  13.39         $13.59          $13.42
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total return                    5.70%           7.76%          5.43%           1.23%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)         $658,733        $723,850         $  405          $  215
 Ratios to average net
  assets:
 Expenses++                      0.69%           0.70%+         0.93%           0.95%+
 Net investment income           3.47%           2.80%+         3.35%           2.58%+
 Portfolio turnover rate           60%             37%            60%             37%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from April 9, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
 + Annualized
++ The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
   excludes fee credits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECT CORE EQUITY FUND           CLASS I                 CLASS IS

                            Year Ended     Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period       $    92.59      $    82.97        $ 87.33         $ 80.21
                            ----------      ----------        -------         -------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income            0.72            0.51           0.48            0.27
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities            7.51            9.62           7.02            7.16
                            ----------      ----------        -------         -------
 Total from investment
  operations                      8.23           10.13           7.50            7.43
                            ----------      ----------        -------         -------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income           (0.69)          (0.51)         (0.46)          (0.31)
 Net realized gains              (7.83)              0          (7.83)              0
                            ----------      ----------        -------         -------

 Total distributions to
  shareholders                   (8.52)          (0.51)         (8.29)          (0.31)
                            ----------      ----------        -------         -------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                    $    92.30      $    92.59        $ 86.54         $ 87.33
                            ----------      ----------        -------         -------
 Total return                     9.82%          12.23%          9.53%           9.27%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)        $1,913,483      $1,952,436        $30,240         $18,244
 Ratios to average net
  assets:
 Expenses++                       0.67%           0.70%+         0.92%           0.95%+
 Net investment income            0.83%           0.96%+         0.56%           0.60%+
 Portfolio turnover rate            55%             22%            55%             22%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from November 24, 1997 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from February 4, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
 + Annualized
++ The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
   excludes fee credits.
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

34
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

SELECT DIVERSIFIED VALUE FUND       CLASS I               CLASS IS

                            Year Ended     Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period        $  26.22        $  23.81         $25.93          $26.56
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income           0.22            0.14           0.12            0.06
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities
  and futures contracts          2.06            2.41           2.07           (0.64)
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total from investment
  operations                     2.28            2.55           2.19           (0.58)
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income          (0.20)          (0.14)         (0.14)          (0.05)
 Net realized gains             (0.65)              0          (0.65)              0
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (0.85)          (0.14)         (0.79)          (0.05)
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                     $  27.65        $  26.22         $27.33          $25.93
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total return                    9.08%          10.72%          8.77%         (2.19%)
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)         $606,355        $797,352         $1,384          $  210
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                      0.62%           0.68%+         0.88%           0.93%+
 Net investment income           0.88%           1.24%+         0.62%           0.80%+
 Portfolio turnover rate           76%             56%            76%             56%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from January 22, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from March 31, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              35
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT EQUITY INDEX FUND

                                     CLASS I

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Year Ended June 30,
                          -----------------------------------------------------
                          1999 (a)  1998 (a)  1997 (a)  1996 (a)(b) 1995 (a)(b)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period     $  46.27  $  37.39  $  28.47   $  23.79    $  20.54
                          --------  --------  --------   --------    --------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income        0.54      0.50      0.51       0.51        0.52
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains on
  securities and futures
  contracts                   8.85     10.12      9.16       5.47        4.24
                          --------  --------  --------   --------    --------
 Total from investment
  operations                  9.39     10.62      9.67       5.98        4.76
                          --------  --------  --------   --------    --------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains          (3.09)    (1.24)    (0.24)     (0.79)      (0.99)
                          --------  --------  --------   --------    --------
 Net investment income       (0.51)    (0.50)    (0.51)     (0.51)      (0.52)
 Total distributions         (3.60)    (1.74)    (0.75)     (1.30)      (1.51)
                          --------  --------  --------   --------    --------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                  $  52.06  $  46.27  $  37.39   $  28.47    $  23.79
                          --------  --------  --------   --------    --------
 Total return                22.03%    29.17%    34.44%     25.69%      24.45%
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)      $570,864  $315,920  $241,413   $166,350    $112,533
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses*                    0.30%     0.38%     0.37%      0.35%       0.37%
 Net investment income        1.19%     1.19%     1.63%      1.94%       2.48%
 Portfolio turnover rate        21%       12%       11%        13%         27%
</TABLE>

(a) On July 24, 1998, the assets and liabilities of CoreFund Equity Index Fund
    ("CoreFund") were acquired by Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund ("Equity
    Index Fund"). Shareholders of CoreFund, Class A, Class B and Class Y became
    owners of that number of shares of Equity Index Fund, Class IS, Class IS
    and Class I, respectively, had an aggregate net asset value equal to the
    aggregate net asset value of their shares of CoreFund immediately prior to
    the close of business on July 24, 1998. CoreFund is the accounting
    survivor, its basis of accounting for assets and liabilities and its
    operating results for the periods prior to July 24, 1998 have been carried
    forward in these financial statements.
(b) On April 22, 1996, the Class A shares of CoreFund were redesignated as
    Class Y shares of CoreFund.
(c) For the period from October 9, 1996 (commencement of class operations) to
    June 30, 1997.
 +  Annualized.
 *  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

36
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Year Ended June 30,
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  1999 (a)                1998 (a)                            1997 (a)(c)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                     <C>                                 <C>
  $ 46.27                 $ 37.37                               $29.62
  -------                 -------                               ------
     0.45                    0.49                                 0.32
     8.81                   10.12                                 8.05
  -------                 -------                               ------
     9.26                   10.61                                 8.37
  -------                 -------                               ------
    (0.40)                  (0.47)                               (0.38)
    (3.09)                  (1.24)                               (0.24)
  -------                 -------                               ------
    (3.49)                  (1.71)                               (0.62)
  -------                 -------                               ------
  $ 52.04                 $ 46.27                               $37.37
  -------                 -------                               ------
    21.70%                  29.17%                               28.58%
  $38,051                 $11,944                               $4,507
     0.55%                   0.38%                                0.37%+
     0.95%                   1.19%                                1.51%+
       21%                     12%                                  11%
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              37
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT LARGE CAP BLEND FUND         CLASS I (c)           CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Year Ended       Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 (d) June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>               <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $  50.74          $  45.05         $50.74          $49.75
                               --------          --------         ------          ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income             0.40              0.23           0.28            0.08
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities             2.81              5.70           2.81            1.00
                               --------          --------         ------          ------
 Total from investment
  operations                       3.21              5.93           3.09            1.08
                               --------          --------         ------          ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income            (0.40)            (0.24)         (0.30)          (0.09)
 Net realized gains               (5.20)                0          (5.20)              0
                               --------          --------         ------          ------
 Total distributions              (5.60)            (0.24)         (5.50)          (0.09)
                               --------          --------         ------          ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $  48.35          $  50.74         $48.33          $50.74
                               --------          --------         ------          ------
 Total return                      7.12%            13.18%          6.83%           2.17%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)           $438,375          $497,534         $  382          $  301
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                        0.68%             0.71%+         0.93%           0.96%+
 Net investment income             0.79%             0.80%+         0.53%           0.57%+
 Portfolio turnover rate             46%               42%            46%             42%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from November 24, 1997 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from March 12, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(c) On April 30, 1999, Class IC shares of the Fund were converted to Class I
    shares. Shareholders of Class IC shares became owners of that number of
    Class I shares having a net asset value equal to the net asset value of
    their shares immediately prior to the close of business on April 30, 1999.
    Class IC is the accounting survivor, its basis of accounting for assets and
    liabilities and its operating results for the periods prior to April 30,
    1999 have been carried forward in these financial statements.
(d) The Fund redesignated $0.02 per share for Class I and IS of distributions
    from net investment income declared after January 1, 1999, as capital gains
    distributions after January 1, 1999.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

38
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT SECULAR GROWTH FUND                           CLASS I      CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Period Ended      Period Ended
                                        June 30, 1999 (a) June 30, 1999 (a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                    <C>               <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of period        $100.00           $100.00
                                             -------           -------
 Income from investment operations
 Net investment income                          0.15              0.21
 Net realized and unrealized losses on
  securities                                   (0.01)            (0.15)
                                             -------           -------
 Total from investment operations               0.14              0.06
                                             -------           -------
 Distributions to shareholders from
 Net investment income                         (0.15)            (0.11)
                                             -------           -------
 Total distributions to shareholders           (0.15)            (0.11)
                                             -------           -------
 Net asset value, end of period              $ 99.99           $ 99.95
                                             -------           -------
 Total return                                   0.14%             0.06%
 Ratios and supplemental data
 Net assets, end of period (thousands)       $40,128           $     1
 Ratios to average net assets
 Expenses*                                      0.71%+            0.96%+
 Net investment income                          0.18%+            0.63%+
 Portfolio turnover rate                          65%               65%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from February 26, 1999 (commencement of class operations) to
    June 30, 1999.
 +  Annualized.
 *  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              39
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

                                    CLASS I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year Ended  Period Ended
                            Year Ended     Period Ended    February 28, February 28,   Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (c)    1998 #     1997 (b) #  June 30, 1996 (a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>          <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $ 13.12         $ 13.23        $ 11.28       $11.65         $10.00
                              -------         -------        -------       ------         ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment loss            (0.08)          (0.03)         (0.06)       (0.04)         (0.03)
 Net realized and
  unrealized gain or loss
  on securities                  0.63           (0.08)          2.48        (0.16)          1.68
                              -------         -------        -------       ------         ------
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.55           (0.11)          2.42        (0.20)          1.65
                              -------         -------        -------       ------         ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains             (0.02)              0          (0.47)       (0.17)             0
                              -------         -------        -------       ------         ------
 Total distributions            (0.02)              0          (0.47)       (0.17)             0
                              -------         -------        -------       ------         ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $ 13.65         $ 13.12        $ 13.23       $11.28         $11.65
                              -------         -------        -------       ------         ------
 Total return                    4.22%         (0.83%)         21.67%      (1.75%)         16.50%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)          $70,114         $69,283        $47,524       $2,888         $2,446
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                      1.02%           1.01%+         0.92%        1.00%+         1.00%+
 Net investment loss            (0.68%)         (0.62%)+       (0.48%)      (0.57%)+       (0.45%)+
 Portfolio turnover rate          165%             54%           166%         123%            57%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from December 28, 1995 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1996
(b) For the period form July 1, 1996 to February 28, 1997. The Fund changed its
    fiscal year end from June 30 to February 28, effective February 28, 1997.
(c) For the period from March 1, 1998 to June 30, 1998. The Fund changed its
    fiscal year end from February 28 to June 30, effective June 30, 1998.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.
 #  Net investment loss based on average shares outstanding during the period.

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

SELECT SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND            CLASS I                CLASS IS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Year Ended     Period Ended       Period Ended
                            June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 # (b)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                        <C>           <C>               <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period         $  10.09         $ 10.00             $8.56
                              --------         -------             -----
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income            0.03            0.04                 0
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities           (1.12)           0.09              0.08
                              --------         -------             -----
 Total from investment
  operations                     (1.09)           0.13              0.08
                              --------         -------             -----
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net realized gains              (0.03)              0
                              --------         -------             -----
 Net investment income           (0.03)          (0.04)
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                   (0.06)          (0.04)
                              --------         -------             -----
 Net asset value, end of
  period                      $   8.94         $ 10.09             $8.64
                              --------         -------             -----
 Total return                  (10.73%)           1.28%             0.99%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of period
  (thousands)                 $108,180         $77,647             $   1
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                       0.97%           1.01%+            1.24%+
 Net investment income            0.29%           0.68%+            0.00%+
 Portfolio turnover rate            48%             23%               48%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from December 23,1997 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from December 31,1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1999.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.
 #  Net investment income or loss based on average shares outstanding during the
   period.

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

40
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT SOCIAL PRINCIPLES FUND          CLASS I (c)          CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Year Ended     Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period        $  38.95        $  36.65         $38.94          $38.44
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income           0.11            0.03          (0.04)          (0.01)
 Net realized and
  unrealized gain on
  securities                     0.09            2.31           0.14            0.52
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total from investment
  operations                     0.20            2.34           0.10            0.51
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income          (0.14)          (0.04)         (0.08)          (0.01)
 Net realized gains on
  securities                    (2.10)              0          (2.10)              0
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total distributions            (2.24)          (0.04)         (2.18)          (0.01)
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                     $  36.91        $  38.95         $36.86          $38.94
                             --------        --------         ------          ------
 Total return                    0.90%           6.38%          0.64%           1.32%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)         $134,476        $177,187         $   60          $  205
 Ratios to average net
  assets:
 Expenses++                      0.84%           0.86%+         1.09%           1.11%+
 Net investment income           0.33%           0.12%+         0.06%          (0.12%)+
 Portfolio turnover rate           36%             24%            36%             24%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from November 24, 1997 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from March 12, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(c) On April 30, 1999, Class IC shares of the Fund were converted to Class I
    shares. Shareholders of Class IC shares became owners of that number of
    Class I shares having a net asset value equal to the net asset value of
    their shares immediately prior to the close of business on April 30, 1999.
    Class IC is the accounting survivor, its basis of accounting for assets and
    liabilities and its operating results for the periods prior to April 30,
    1999 have been carried forward in these financial statements.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              41
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT SPECIAL EQUITY FUND

                           CLASS I

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year Ended          Period Ended
                              Year Ended June 30,           Period Ended   October 31, 1995 (b) October 31, 1994 (a)
                            ----------------------------      June 30,     -------------------- --------------------
                            1999 (f)    1998      1997    1996 (c) (d) (e)     Retail Class        Original Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                        <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>              <C>                  <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period       $  11.25   $ 11.27   $ 11.86      $ 11.42            $  9.37              $ 10.00
                            --------   -------   -------      -------            -------              -------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income or
  loss                         (0.02)    (0.05)     0.02         0.07               0.12                 0.06
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on
  securities                    4.15      1.52      1.81         2.13               2.12                (0.63)
                            --------   -------   -------      -------            -------              -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    4.13      1.47      1.83         2.20               2.24                (0.57)
                            --------   -------   -------      -------            -------              -------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income             0         0     (0.03)       (0.07)             (0.12)               (0.06)
 Net realized gains            (1.18)    (1.49)    (2.39)       (1.69)             (0.07)                   0
                            --------   -------   -------      -------            -------              -------
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                 (1.18)    (1.49)    (2.42)       (1.76)             (0.19)               (0.06)
                            --------   -------   -------      -------            -------              -------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                    $  14.20   $ 11.25   $ 11.27      $ 11.86            $ 11.42              $  9.37
                            --------   -------   -------      -------            -------              -------
 Total return                  42.02%    14.23%    17.94%       22.27%             24.44%               (5.72%)
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)        $116,966   $73,981   $71,980      $63,680            $57,396              $10,069
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                     1.06%     1.10%     0.84%        0.34%+             0.32%                0.15%+
 Net investment income or
  loss                         (0.36%)   (0.48%)    0.19%        0.94%+             1.14%                1.06%+
 Portfolio turnover rate          99%       62%       74%          72%               129%                  39%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from March 15, 1994 (commencement of Class operations) to
    October 31, 1994.
(b) On February 21, 1995, the shares of the Fund were redesignated as either
    Retail or Institutional shares. On that date, the Fund's net investment
    income, expenses and distributions for the period November 1, 1994 through
    February 20, 1995 were allocated to each Class of shares. The basis for the
    allocation was the relative net assets of each Class of shares as of
    February 21, 1995. The results were combined with the results of operations
    and distributions for each applicable Class for the period February 21,
    1995 through October 31, 1995. For the year ended October 31, 1995, the
    Financial Highlights' ratio of expenses, net investment income, total
    return, and the per share investment activities and distributions reflect
    this allocation.
(c) For the period from November 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996. The Fund changed its
    fiscal year end from October 31 to June 30, effective June 30, 1996.
(d) On April 15, 1996, the Conestoga Special Equity Fund was acquired by the
    CoreFund Special Equity Fund ("CoreFund").
(e) On April 15, 1996, the Institutional Class shares of the CoreFund were
    exchanged for Class Y shares and the Retail Class shares of the Core Fund
    were exchanged for Class A shares of the CoreFund.
(f) On July 24, 1998, the assets and certain liabilities of CoreFund were
    acquired by Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund ("Special Equity Fund").
    Shareholders of CoreFund, Class Y became owners of that number of shares of
    Special Equity Fund, Class I having an aggregate net asset value equal to
    the aggregate net asset value of their shares of CoreFund immediately prior
    to the close of business on July 24, 1998. CoreFund is the accounting
    survivor, its basis of accounting for assets and liabilities and its
    operating results for the periods prior to July 24, 1998 have been carried
    forward in these financial statements.
(g) On July 24, 1998, the assets and certain liabilities of CoreFund were
    acquired by Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund ("Special Equity Fund").
    Shareholders of CoreFund, Class A and Class B became owners of that number
    of shares of Special Equity Fund, Class IS having an aggregate net asset
    value equal to the aggregate net asset value of their shares of CoreFund
    immediately prior to the close of business on July 24, 1998. CoreFund is
    the accounting survivor, its basis of accounting for assets and liabilities
    and its operating results for the periods prior to July 24, 1998 have been
    carried forward in these financial statements.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

42
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Year Ended          Period Ended
  Year Ended June 30,          Period Ended    October 31, 1995 (b) October 31, 1994 (a)
- -------------------------        June 30,      -------------------- --------------------
1999 (g)    1998     1997     1996 (c) (d) (e)     Retail Class        Original Class
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>      <C>      <C>               <C>                  <C>
 $11.18    $11.25   $11.85        $11.42              $ 9.37              $ 10.00
 ------    ------   ------        ------              ------              -------
  (0.06)    (0.10)       0          0.08                0.12                 0.06
   4.11      1.52     1.81          2.11                2.12                (0.63)
 ------    ------   ------        ------              ------              -------
   4.05      1.42     1.81          2.19                2.24                (0.57)
 ------    ------   ------        ------              ------              -------
      0         0    (0.02)        (0.07)              (0.12)               (0.06)
  (1.18)    (1.49)   (2.39)        (1.69)              (0.07)                   0
 ------    ------   ------        ------              ------              -------
  (1.18)    (1.49)   (2.41)        (1.76)              (0.19)               (0.06)
 ------    ------   ------        ------              ------              -------
 $14.05    $11.18   $11.25        $11.85              $11.42              $  9.37
 ------    ------   ------        ------              ------              -------
  41.55%    13.78%   17.73%        22.14%              24.44%               (5.72%)
 $4,043    $2,981   $2,347        $1,144              $  734              $10,069
   1.31%     1.35%    1.14%         0.37%+              0.27%                0.15%+
  (0.61%)   (0.73%)  (0.12%)        0.91%+              1.29%                1.06%+
     99%       62%      74%           72%                129%                  39%
</TABLE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              43
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

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

SELECT STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND          CLASS I               CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Year Ended     Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period        $  38.41        $  32.45         $ 38.36         $36.10
                             --------        --------         -------         ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income           0.08            0.04            0.04          (0.08)
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities           6.80            5.96            6.73           2.34
                             --------        --------         -------         ------
 Total from investment
  operations                     6.88            6.00            6.77           2.26
                             --------        --------         -------         ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income          (0.09)          (0.04)          (0.04)             0
 Net realized gains             (3.26)              0           (3.26)             0
                             --------        --------         -------         ------
 Total distributions            (3.35)          (0.04)          (3.30)             0
                             --------        --------         -------         ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                     $  41.94        $  38.41         $ 41.83         $38.36
                             --------        --------         -------         ------
 Total return                   19.22%          18.53%          18.88%          6.29%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)         $481,119        $321,532         $12,650         $2,373
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                      0.72%           0.72%+          0.97%          0.97%+
 Net investment income           0.24%           0.19%+         (0.03%)        (0.27%)+
 Portfolio turnover rate          155%             80%            155%            80%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from November 24, 1997 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from February 27, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

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

SELECT STRATEGIC VALUE FUND           CLASS I               CLASS IS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Year Ended     Period Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended
                           June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (a) June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 (b)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                       <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period        $ 226.02        $ 203.35         $226.04         $223.08
                             --------        --------         -------         -------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income           3.31            1.60            2.87            0.61
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains or
  losses on securities          15.66           22.67           15.62            3.13
                             --------        --------         -------         -------
 Total from investment
  operations                    18.97           24.27           18.49            3.74
                             --------        --------         -------         -------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income          (2.93)          (1.60)          (2.41)          (0.78)
 Net realized gains             (4.89)              0           (4.89)              0
                             --------        --------         -------         -------
 Total distributions to
  shareholders                  (7.82)          (1.60)          (7.30)          (0.78)
                             --------        --------         -------         -------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                     $ 237.17        $ 226.02         $237.23         $226.04
                             --------        --------         -------         -------
 Total return                    8.85%          11.95%           8.60%           1.68%
 Ratios/supplemental data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)         $530,995        $287,194         $ 1,810         $ 1,327
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses++                      0.71%           0.75%+          0.96%           1.00%+
 Net investment income           1.61%           1.26%+          1.34%           0.93%+
 Portfolio turnover rate           41%             12%             41%             12%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from November 24, 1997 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
(b) For the period from March 11, 1998 (commencement of Class operations) to
    June 30, 1998.
 +  Annualized
++  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

44
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


OTHER FUND PRACTICES

Each Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities, including
securities issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks, Canadian
commercial paper and Europaper (U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of
foreign issuers), American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts
and Global Depositary Receipts.

A Fund's investment in non-U.S. securities could expose it to certain unique
risks of foreign investing. For example, political turmoil and economic
instability in the countries in which the Fund invests could adversely affect
the value of your investment. In addition, if the value of any foreign currency
in which the Fund's investments are denominated declines relative to the U.S.
dollar, the value of and total return earned on your investment in the Fund may
decline as well. Certain foreign countries have less developed and less
regulated securities markets and accounting systems than the U.S. This may make
it harder to get accurate information about a security or company, and increase
the likelihood that an investment will not perform as well as expected.

The Funds may invest in a variety of derivative instruments including options
and futures. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is based on an
underlying asset, such as a stock or a bond, or an underlying economic factor,
such as an index or an interest rate. Small price movements in the underlying
asset can result in immediate and substantial gains or losses in the value of
derivatives.

Options and futures can be used to increase return and to hedge a Fund's
portfolio against changes in the market value of securities owned or intended
to be purchased. Although this is intended to increase returns, these practices
may actually reduce returns or increase volatility. Evergreen Select Equity
Index Fund may also use options and futures as a substitute for the sale or
purchase of securities in the S&P 500 Index.

 Please consult the Statement of Additional Information for more
 information regarding these and other investment practices used by the
 Funds, including risks.
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              45
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

                                     Notes
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

46
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

                                     Notes
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              47
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


                             Evergreen Select Funds
Select Money Market
Select Money Market Fund
Select Treasury Money Market Fund
Select Municipal Money Market Fund
Select 100% Treasury Money Market Fund
Select U.S. Government Money Market Fund

Select Fixed Income
Select Adjustable Rate Fund
Select Core Bond Fund
Select Fixed Income Fund
Select Fixed Income Fund II
Select High Yield Bond Fund
Select Income Plus Fund
Select Intermediate Term Municipal Bond Fund
Select International Bond Fund
Select Limited Duration Fund
Select Total Return Fund

Select Equity Trust
Select Balanced Fund
Select Core Equity Fund
Select Diversified Value Fund
Select Equity Index Fund
Select Large Cap Blend Fund
Select Secular Growth Fund
Select Small Cap Growth Fund
Select Small Company Value Fund
Select Social Principles Fund
Select Special Equity Fund
Select Strategic Growth Fund
Select Strategic Value Fund

Express Line
(Institutional Service shares only)
800.346.3858

Investor Services
800.343.2898

www.evergreen-funds.com
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

48
<PAGE>

                             QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

1  Evergreen Express Line
   (Institutional Service shares only)
    Call 1-800-346-3858
    24 hours a day to
    . check your account
    . order a statement
    . get a Fund's current price, yield and total return
    . buy, redeem or exchange Fund shares

2  Shareholder Services
    Call 1-800-343-2898
    Each business day, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time to
    . buy, redeem or exchange shares
    . order applications
    . get assistance with your account

3  Information Line for Hearing and Speech Impaired (TTY/TDD)
    Call 1-800-343-2888
    Each business day, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time

4  Write us a letter
    Evergreen Service Company
    P.O. Box 2121
    Boston, MA 02106-2121
    . to buy, redeem or exchange shares
    . to change the registration on your account
    . for general correspondence

5  For express, registered or certified mail:
    Evergreen Service Company
    200 Berkeley Street
    Boston, MA 02116-5039

6  Visit us on-line:
    www.evergreen-funds.com

7  Regular communications you will receive:
    Account Statements -- You will receive quarterly statements for each
    Fundyou own.

    Confirmation Notices -- We send a confirmation of any transaction you
    make within five days of the transaction.

    Annual and Semi-annual reports -- You will receive a detailed financial
    report on your Fund(s) twice a year.

    Tax Forms -- Each January you will receive any tax forms you need to
    file your taxes as well as the Evergreen Tax Information Guide.

<PAGE>

    For More Information about the Evergreen
    Select Equity Funds, Ask for:

    The Funds' most recent Annual or Semi-annual Report,
    which contains a complete financial accounting for
    each Fund and a complete list of portfolio holdings
    as of a specific date, as well as commentary from
    the Fund's portfolio manager. This Report discusses
    the market conditions and investment strategies that
    significantly affected the Fund's performance during
    the most recent fiscal year or period.

    The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), which
    contains more detailed information about the
    policies and procedures of the Funds. The SAI has
    been filed with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission (SEC) and its contents are legally
    considered to be part of this prospectus.

    For questions, other information, or to request a
    copy, without charge, of any of the documents, call
    1-800-343-2898 or ask your investment
    representative. We will mail material within three
    business days.

    Information about these Funds (including the SAI) is
    also available on the SEC's Internet web site at
    http://www.sec.gov, or, for a duplication fee, by
    writing the SEC Public Reference Section, Washington
    DC 20549-6009. This material can also be reviewed
    and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in
    Washington, DC. For more information, call the SEC
    at 1-800-SEC-0330.

                          Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
                                 90 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10016
                                                 SEC File No. 811-08363
16635__________________________________________ 541909 RV3

                                                     BULK RATE

[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS]                               U.S.
                                                      POSTAGE

201 South College St.                                   PAID
Charlotte, NC 28288                                    PERMIT
                                                       NO. 19
                                                      HUDSON,
                                                         MA

<PAGE>
                         EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                                     PART A

                               RETAIL PROSPECTUS


<PAGE>

                         EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY FUNDS




   Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund
   Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund
   Class A
   Class B
   Class C
   Prospectus, November 1, 1999                        [LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS]

   The Securities and Exchange Commission has not determined that the
   information in this prospectus is accurate or complete, nor has it approved
   or disapproved these securities. Anyone who tells you otherwise is
   committing a crime.

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND RISKS/RETURN SUMMARIES:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
Overview of Fund Risks......................................................   1

Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund..........................................   2

Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund........................................   4


GENERAL INFORMATION:


The Funds' Investment Advisors..............................................   6

The Funds' Portfolio Managers...............................................   6

Calculating the Share Price.................................................   6

How to Choose an Evergreen Fund.............................................   7

How to Choose the Share Class That Best Suits You...........................   7

How to Buy Shares...........................................................   9

How to Redeem Shares........................................................  10

Other Services..............................................................  11

The Tax Consequences of Investing in the Funds..............................  11

Fees and Expenses of the Funds..............................................  12

Financial Highlights........................................................  13

Other Fund Practices........................................................  14
</TABLE>
In general, the Funds included in this prospectus seek capital growth.




Fund Summaries Key
Each Fund's summary is organized around the following basic topics and
questions:

INVESTMENT GOAL
What is the Fund's financial objective? You can find clarification on how the
Fund seeks to achieve its objective by looking at the Fund's strategy and
investment policies. The Fund's Board of Trustees can change the investment
objective without a shareholder vote.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY
How does the Fund go about trying to meet its goals? What types of investments
does it contain? What style of investing and investment philosophy does it
follow? Does it have limits on the amount invested in any particular type of
security?

RISK FACTORS
What are the specific risks for an investor in the Fund?

PERFORMANCE
How well has the Fund performed in the past year? The past five years? The past
ten years?

EXPENSES
How much does it cost to invest in the Fund? What is the difference between
sales charges and expenses?
<PAGE>

                             OVERVIEW OF FUND RISKS


            Select
            Equity
             Funds


typically rely on a combination of the following strategies:
 . investing primarily in common stocks;
 . investing in companies expected to provide capital appreciation; and
 . selling a portfolio investment when the issuer's investment fundamentals
   begin to deteriorate, when the investment no longer appears to meet the
   Fund's investment objective, when the Fund must meet redemptions, or for
   other reasons which the portfolio manager deems necessary.

may be appropriate for investors who:
 . are seeking long-term capital appreciation.

Following this overview, you will find information on each Fund's specific
investment strategies and risks.


 ................................................................................

 Risk Factors For All Mutual Funds
 Please remember that mutual fund shares are:
 . not guaranteed to achieve their
   investment goal
 . not a deposit of a bank
 . not insured, endorsed or guaranteed
   by the FDIC or any government agency
 . subject to investment risks,
   including possible loss of your
   original investment

Like most investments, your investment in an Evergreen Select Equity Fund
could fluctuate significantly in value over time and could result in a loss of
money.

Here are the most important factors that may affect the value of your
investment:

Stock Market Risk
Your investment will be affected by general economic conditions such as
prevailing economic growth, inflation and interest rates. When economic growth
slows, or interest or inflation rates increase, securities tend to decline in
value. Such events could also cause companies to decrease the dividends they
pay. If these events were to occur, the value of and dividend yield and total
return earned on your investment would likely decline. Even if general economic
conditions do not change, your investment may decline in value if the
particular industries, issuers or sectors your Fund invests in do not perform
well.
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Equity Index Fund

 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 . Price and Yield Performance comparable to the S&P 500 Index

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity Securities listed on S&P 500 Index

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 . Class A
 . Class B
 . Class C

 Investment Advisor:
 . First Capital Group

 Portfolio Manager:
 . Eric M. Teal

 NASDAQ Symbols:
 .ESINX (Class A)
 .ESIOX (Class B)

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 .Monthly
 ................................................................................

   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks investment results that achieve price and yield performance
similar to the S&P 500 Index.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in equity securities that
represent a composite of the S&P 500 Index. The correlation between the
performance of the Fund and the S&P 500 Index is expected to be, before
expenses, 0.98 or higher. The Fund's portfolio manager uses a computer model
that closely monitors the industry weightings of the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500
is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks chosen to reflect the industries of
the U.S. economy and is often considered a proxy for the stock market in
general. To replicate the performance of the S&P 500 Index, the Fund's
portfolio manger uses a passive management approach and purchases all or a
representative sample of the stocks comprising the Index.

The Fund intends to sell a portfolio investment when it is removed from the S&P
500 Index, when the Fund must meet redemptions, or for other reasons which the
portfolio manager deems necessary.

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

2
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Class B shares of the
Fund in each of the last ten calendar years. It should give you a general idea
of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes the
effects of Fund expenses but not sales charges. Returns would be lower if sales
charges were included.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Class B Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989     33.44
                                 1990     -4.05
                                 1991     29.18
                                 1992      6.77
                                 1993      9.32
                                 1994      0.29
                                 1995     36.62
                                 1996     22.86
                                 1997     32.54
                                 1998     27.49


Best Quarter: 4th Quarter 1998 +21.11%*
Worst Quarter: 2nd Quarter 1990 -13.60%*

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 4.32%.

The next table lists the Fund's average year-by-year return by class over the
past one, five and ten years and since inception (through 12/31/1998),
including applicable sales charges. This table is intended to provide you with
some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. At the bottom of the
table you can compare this performance with the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500
Index is an unmanaged index of 500 publicly traded U.S. stocks and is often
used to indicate the performance of the overall stock market. It does not
include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities nor any
management fees. The index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/98)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Inception                                         Performance
                     Date                                               Since
                   of Class      1 year      5 year      10 year      2/14/1985

  <S>              <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  Class A          11/4/1998     21.54%      22.08%       17.58%        16.66%
  Class B          11/3/1998     22.49%      23.08%       18.14%        17.06%
  Class C          4/30/1999     26.69%      23.29%       18.16%        17.07%
  S&P 500 Index                  28.58%      24.06%       19.21%        18.25%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Classes A , B and C prior to their inception
is based on the performance of (1) the Fund's Institutional shares from
7/27/1998 to the inception of Classes A , B and C (2) the Class Y Shares of the
Fund's predecessor, CoreFund Equity Index Fund, from 6/1/1991 through 7/27/1998
and (3) the Class Y Shares of the CoreFund Equity Index Fund's predecessor,
Viking Index Fund, from 2/14/1985 through 5/31/1991. These historical returns
for Classes A , B and C have not been adjusted to reflect the effect of each
Class' 12b-1 fees. The 12b-1 fees for Class A are 0.25%, for Class B are 1.00%
and for Class C are 1.00%. Neither Class Y nor Institutional shares pay 12b-1
fees. If these fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower.

EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Shareholder Transaction Expenses        Class A      Class B      Class C

  <S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>
  Maximum sales charge imposed              4.75%      None         None
  on purchases (as a % of offering price)
  Maximum deferred sales charge             None*      5.00%        1.00%
  (as a % of either the redemption
  amount or initial investment
  whichever is lower)
</TABLE>
*Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to a front-end sales charge,
but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% upon
redemption within one year after the month of purchase.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Management         12b-1           Other                Total Fund
                  Fees            Fees           Expenses         Operating Expenses++

  <S>          <C>                <C>            <C>              <C>
  Class A         0.40%           0.25%            0.16%                  0.81%
  Class B         0.40%           1.00%            0.16%                  1.56%
  Class C         0.40%           1.00%            0.16%                  1.56%
</TABLE>
+ Restated for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999 to reflect current fees.
++From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
  reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
  order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease these
  waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating Expenses do
  not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including current fee
  waivers and expense reimbursements and restating to reflect current fees,
  Total Fund Operating Expenses for the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999 would have
  been 0.56% for Class A shares, 1.31% for Class B shares and 1.31% for Class C
  shares.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Assuming Redemption at                      Assuming
                             End of Period                       No Redemption
                     Class A       Class B       Class C       Class B       Class C
  <S>                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
  After 1 year       $  554        $  659        $  259        $  159        $  159
  After 3 years      $  721        $  793        $  493        $  493        $  493
  After 5 years      $  903        $1,050        $  850        $  850        $  850
  After 10 years     $1,429        $1,560        $1,856        $1,560        $1,856
</TABLE>

                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Select Special Equity Fund


 FUND FACTS:

 Goal:
 .Capital Growth

 Principal Investment:
 . Equity Securities of Small Companies

 Classes of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:
 .Class A
 .Class B
 .Class C

 Investment Advisor:
 . Meridian Investment Company

 Portfolio Managers:
 .Jay Zelko
 .Eric M. Teal
 .Timothy M. Stevenson

 NASDAQ Symbols:

 Dividend Payment Schedule:
 .Monthly
 ................................................................................


   INVESTMENT GOAL

The Fund seeks capital growth.

   INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1.

The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies with small
market capitalizations. The Fund's portfolio managers choose companies which
they expect will experience growth in earnings and price. The Fund strives to
provide a return greater than stock market indices such as the Russell 2000
Index by investing principally in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of
domestic companies. The Fund may purchase stocks in initial public offerings
("IPO").

The Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money
market instruments in response to adverse economic, political or market
conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment
strategy and investment goal, and if employed could result in a lower return
and loss of market opportunity.

   RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the "Overview
of Fund Risks" on page 1 under the headings:

 .Stock Market Risk

Your investment may be subject to special risks associated with investing in
securities issued by small companies. Smaller, less established companies tend
to be more dependent on individual managers and limited products and product
lines. Additionally, securities issued by small companies also tend to
fluctuate in value more dramatically than those of larger companies.

Additionally, you should be aware of the risks associated with the Fund
purchasing IPOs. Stocks purchased in IPOs have a tendency to fluctuate in value
significantly shortly after the IPO relative to the price at which they were
purchased. These fluctuations could impact the net asset value and return
earned on the Fund's shares.

For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk
factors see "Other Fund Practices."

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

4
<PAGE>


                                   EVERGREEN


PERFORMANCE

The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past. Past
performance is not an indication of future results.

The chart below shows the percentage gain or loss for Class A shares of the
Fund in each calendar year since 3/15/1994. It should give you a general idea
of how the Fund's return has varied from year-to-year. This graph includes the
effects of Fund expenses but not sales charges. Returns would be lower if sales
charges were included.

Year-by-Year Total Return for Class A Shares (%)*

                                    [CHART]

                                 Year       %
                                 ----     -----
                                 1989
                                 1990
                                 1991
                                 1992
                                 1993
                                 1994
                                 1995     34.46
                                 1996     25.95
                                 1997     19.10
                                 1998      5.31

Best Quarter: 4th Quarter 1998 +28.01%*
Worst Quarter: 3rd Quarter 1998 -22.00%*

Year to date total return through 9/30/1999 is 41.23%.

The next table lists the Fund's average annual total return by class over the
past one year and since inception (through 12/31/1998), including applicable
sales charges. This table is intended to provide you with some indication of
the risks of investing in the Fund. At the bottom of the table you can compare
this performance with the Russell 2000 Index. The Russell 2000 Index is an
unmanaged index which measures the performance of 2000 small U.S. companies. It
does not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling
securities nor any management fees. The index is not an actual investment.

Average Annual Total Return
(for the period ended 12/31/98)*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Inception                        Performance
                        Date                              Since
                      of Class  1 year  5 year 10 year  3/15/1994
  <S>                 <C>       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
  Class A             8/30/1999  0.29%   N/A     N/A      13.36%
  Class B             8/30/1999  0.63%   N/A     N/A      14.27%
  Class C             8/30/1999  4.37%   N/A     N/A      14.52%
  Russell 2000 Index            28.58%   N/A     N/A      11.65%
</TABLE>

*Historical performance shown for Classes A, B and C prior to their inception
is based on (1) Institutional Service shares from 7/27/1998 to their inception,
(2) the performance of the Class A shares of the Fund's predecessor fund,
CoreFund Special Equity Fund, from 3/15/1994 through 7/26/1998. The performance
has not been adjusted to reflect the differences in the 12b-1 fees applicable
to each class. These fees are for Class A 0.25%, Class B 1.00%, Class C 1.00%
and Institutional Service shares 0.25%. If these fees had been reflected,
returns for Classes B and C would have been lower.

EXPENSES

This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and
held shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Shareholder Transaction Expenses      Class A    Class B    Class C
  <S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
  Maximum sales charge imposed
  on purchases (as a % of offering
  price)                                   4.75%      None       None
  Maximum deferred sales charge (as
  a % of either the redemption
  amount or initial investment
  whichever is lower)(*)                 None(*)      5.00%      1.00%
</TABLE>

*Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to a front-end sales charge,
but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% upon
redemption within one year after the month of purchase.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Management         12b-1           Other                Total Fund
                  Fees            Fees           Expenses         Operating Expenses++
  <S>          <C>                <C>            <C>              <C>
  Class A         0.90%           0.25%            0.34%                  1.49%
  Class B         0.90%           1.00%            0.34%                  2.24%
  Class C         0.90%           1.00%            0.34%                  2.24%
</TABLE>
+  Restated to reflect current fees for the fiscal year ending 6/30/2000.
++ From time to time, the Fund's investment advisor may, at its discretion,
   reduce or waive its fees or reimburse a Fund for certain of its expenses in
   order to reduce expense ratios. The Fund's investment advisor may cease
   these waivers or reimbursements at any time. The Annual Fund Operating
   Expenses do not reflect fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Including
   current fee waivers and expense reimbursements and restating to reflect
   current fees, estimated Total Fund Operating Expenses for the fiscal year
   ending 6/30/2000 would be 1.31% for Class A shares, 2.06% for Class B shares
   and 2.06 for Class C shares.

The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment
over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual Funds and is
for illustration only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that
you reinvest all of your dividends. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Example of Fund Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Assuming Redemption at                      Assuming
                             End of Period                       No Redemption
                     Class A       Class B       Class C       Class B       Class C
  <S>                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
  After 1 year       $  619        $  727        $  327        $  227        $  227
  After 3 years      $  924        $1,000        $  700        $  700        $  700
  After 5 years      $1,250        $1,400        $1,200        $1,200        $1,200
  After 10 years     $2,170        $2,297        $2,575        $2,297        $2,575
</TABLE>

                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT ADVISORS

The investment advisor manages a Fund's investments and supervises its daily
business affairs. There are two investment advisors for the Evergreen Select
Equity Funds. All investment advisors for the Evergreen Funds are subsidiaries
of First Union Corporation, the sixth largest bank holding company in the
United States, with over $234.823 billion in consolidated assets as of
9/30/1999. First Union Corporation is located at 301 South College Street,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0013.

First Capital Group (FCG)
is the investment advisor to:
 .Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund

FCG, a division of First Union National Bank ("FUNB"), has been managing money
for over 50 years and currently manages $28.8 billion in investment assets for
44 of the Evergreen Funds. FCG is located at 201 South College Street,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0630.

Meridian Investment Company (MIC)
is the advisor to:
 .Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund

MIC has been managing money for over 15 years and currently manages over $5
billion in assets, including $571 million in assets for two of the Evergreen
Funds. MIC is located at 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.

For the fiscal year ended 6/30/1999, the aggregate advisory fees paid to FCG
and MIC by the Funds were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    % of the Fund's average
  Fund                 daily net assets
  <S>               <C>
  Select Equity
  Index Fund                 0.15%
  Select Special
  Equity Fund                0.80%
</TABLE>

Year 2000 Compliance
The investment advisors and other service providers for the Evergreen Funds
have given representations of readiness and are continuing to take steps to
address any potential Year 2000-related computer problems. However, there is
some risk that these problems could disrupt the Funds' operations or financial
markets generally. In addition, issuers of securities, especially foreign
issuers, in which the Funds invest may be adversely affected by Year 2000
problems. Such problems could negatively impact the value of the Funds'
securities.

European Currency Conversion Risk
Certain countries in Europe converted their different currencies to a single,
common currency on January 1, 1999. In connection with this change, investment
advisors, mutual funds and their service providers have modified their
accounting and recordkeeping systems to handle the new currency. If a Fund
invests in foreign securities, your investment in the Fund may be adversely
affected if these technical modifications have not been implemented properly.
Also, the conversion to a single currency may impair the markets for securities
denominated in the currencies eliminated, which may also adversely impact your
investment.

THE FUNDS' PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Select Equity Index Fund
Eric M. Teal has managed the Fund since December 1998. Mr. Teal has been a Vice
President and quantitative equity analyst at FUNB since he joined FUNB in
September 1993. Mr. Teal currently heads the Quantitative Analysis/Portfolio
Management Unit within FUNB.

Select Special Equity Fund
Jay Zelko, Eric M. Teal and Timothy M. Stevenson have been Co-Managers of the
Fund since October 1999. Mr. Zelko joined FUNB in April 1994. Mr. Zelko is an
equity portfolio manager within MIC who maintains sector analytical and
portfolio management responsibilities. Mr. Zelko has been affiliated with MIC
as a portfolio manager since June 1999.

Mr. Teal has co-managed the Fund with Mr. Zelko and Mr. Stevenson since October
1999. Mr. Teal also acts as portfolio manager to Evergreen Select Equity Index
Fund.

Mr. Stevenson has been an investment professional since August 1981. Mr.
Stevenson joined FUNB in November 1994 as a Senior Vice President and portfolio
manager. Mr. Stevenson has been affiliated with MIC as a portfolio manager
since October 1999.

CALCULATING THE SHARE PRICE

The value of one share of a Fund, also known as the net asset value, or NAV, is
calculated on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open as of the time the
Exchange closes (normally 4 p.m. Eastern time). The

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

6
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Fund calculates its share price for each share by adding up its total assets,
subtracting all liabilities, then dividing the result by the total number of
shares outstanding. Each class of shares is calculated separately. Each
security held by a Fund is valued using the most recent market data for that
security. If no market data is available for a given security, the Fund will
price that security at fair value according to policies established by the
Funds' Board of Trustees. Short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or
less will be valued on the basis of amortized cost.

The price per share you pay for a Fund purchase or the amount you receive for a
Fund redemption is based on the next price calculated after the order is
received and all required information is provided. The value of your account at
any given time is the latest share price multiplied by the number of shares you
own. Your account balance may change daily because the share price may change
daily.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN EVERGREEN FUND

When choosing an Evergreen Fund, you should:
 . Most importantly, read the prospectus to see if the Fund is suitable for you.
 . Consider talking to an investment professional. He or she is qualified to
  give you investment advice based on your investment goals and financial
  situation and will be able to answer questions you may have after reading the
  Fund's prospectus. He or she can also assist you through all phases of
  opening your account.
 . Request any additional information you want about the Fund, such as the
  Statement of Additional Information, Annual Report or Semi-annual Report by
  calling 1-800-343-2898.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE SHARE CLASS THAT BEST SUITS YOU

After choosing a Fund, you select a share class. Each Fund offers up to five
different share classes: Institutional, Institutional Service, Class A, Class
B, Class C shares. See the "Fund Facts" next to the Fund's Risk/Return
Summaries to find out which classes of shares are offered for a particular Fund
in this prospectus. Each class except Institutional and Institutional Service
shares has its own sales charge. Pay particularly close attention to the fee
structure of each class so you know how much you will be paying before you
invest.

Class A
If you select Class A shares, you may pay a front-end sales charge of up to
4.75% but you do not pay a deferred sales charge. In addition, Class A shares
are subject to 12b-1 fees. The front-end sales charge is deducted from your
investment before it is invested. The actual charge depends on the amount
invested, as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         As a % of     As a %      Dealer
  Your                 NAV excluding  of your    commission
  Investment           sales charge  investment as a % of NAV
  <S>                  <C>           <C>        <C>
  Up to $49,999            4.75%        4.99%       4.25%
  $50,000-$99,999          4.50%        4.71%       4.25%
  $100,000-$249,999        3.75%        3.90%       3.25%
  $250,000-$499,999        2.50%        2.56%       2.00%
  $500,000-$999,999        2.00%        2.04%       1.75%
  $1,000,000 and over        0%          0%      1.00 to .25%
</TABLE>

Although no front-end sales charge applies to purchases of $1,000,000 and over,
you will pay a 1% deferred sales charge if you redeem any such shares within 13
months of purchase.

 Two ways you can reduce your Class A sales charges:
 1. Rights of Accumulation allow you to combine your investment with all
 existing investments in all your Evergreen Fund accounts when determining
 whether you meet the threshold for a reduced Class A sales charge.
 2. Letter of Intent. If you agree to purchase at least $50,000 over a 13-month
 period, you pay the same sales charge as if you had invested the full amount
 all at once. The Fund will hold a certain portion of your investment in escrow
 until your commitment is met.

Contact your broker or the Evergreen Service Company at 1-800-343-2898 if you
think you may qualify for either of these services.

Each Fund may also sell Class A shares at net asset value without any initial
or contingent sales charge to the Directors, Trustees, officers and employees
of the Fund and the advisory affiliates of First Union Corporation, and to
members of their immediate families, to registered representatives of firms
with dealer agreements with Evergreen Distributor, Inc. ("EDI"), and to a bank
or trust company acting as trustee for a single account.

                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

 ................................................................................


Class B
If you select Class B shares, you do not pay a front-end sales charge, so the
entire amount of your purchase is invested in the Fund. However, your shares
are subject to an additional expense, known as the 12b-1 fees. In addition, you
may pay a deferred sales charge if you redeem your shares within six years
after the month of purchase. The amount of the deferred sales charge depends on
the length of time the shares are held, as shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Contingent Deferred
  Time Held                  Sales Charge
  <S>                     <C>
  Month of Purchase +
  First 12 Month Period          5.00%
  Month of Purchase +
  Second 12 Month Period         4.00%
  Month of Purchase +
  Third 12 Month Period          3.00%
  Month of Purchase +
  Fourth 12 Month Period         3.00%
  Month of Purchase +
  Fifth 12 Month Period          2.00%
  Month of Purchase +
  Sixth 12 Month Period          1.00%
  Thereafter                       0%
  After 7 years           Converts to Class A
  Dealer Allowance               4.00%
</TABLE>

The deferred sales charge percentage is applied to the value of the shares when
purchased or when redeemed, whichever is less. No deferred sales charge is paid
on shares purchased through dividend or capital gain reinvestments or on any
gains in the value of your shares.

Class C
Class C shares are similar to Class B shares, except the deferred sales charge
is less and only applies if shares are redeemed within the first year after the
month of purchase. Also, these shares do not convert to Class A shares and so
the higher 12b-1 fees continues for the life of the account.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Time Held              Deferred Sales Charge
  <S>                    <C>
  Month of Purchase +
  Less than 1 year               1.00%
  Month of Purchase + 1
  year or more                      0%
</TABLE>


 Waiver of Class B or Class C Deferred Sales Charges
 You will not be assessed a deferred sales charge for Class B or Class C shares
 if you redeem shares in the following situations:
 . When the shares were purchased through reinvestment of dividends/capital
   gains
 . Death or disability
 . Lump-sum distribution from a 401(k) plan or other benefit plan qualified
   under ERISA
 . Automatic IRA withdrawals if your age is at least 59 1/2
 . Automatic withdrawals of up to 1.0% of the account balance per month
 . Loan proceeds and financial hardship distributions from a retirement plan
 . Returns of excess contributions or excess deferral amounts made to a
   retirement plan participant

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

8
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

HOW TO BUY SHARES

Evergreen Funds' low investment minimums make investing easy. Once you decide
on an amount and a share class, simply fill out an application and send in your
payment, or talk to your investment professional.
Minimum Investments

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Initial Additional
  <S>                  <C>     <C>
  Regular Accounts     $1,000     None
  IRAs                   $250     None
  Systematic
   Investment Plan        $50      $25
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Method       Opening an Account                                                     Adding to an Account

 <C>          <S>                                                         <C>
 By Mail or   . Complete and sign the account                             . Make your check payable to Evergreen Funds
                application.
 through an   . Make the check payable to Evergreen                       . Write a note specifying:
                Funds.
 Investment   . Mail the application and your check to                    - The Fund name
                the address below:
 Professional   Evergreen Service Company   Overnight Address:            - Share class
                P.O. Box 2121               Evergreen Service Company
                Boston, MA 02106-2121       200 Berkeley St.              - Your account number
                                            Boston, MA 02116-5039         - The name(s) in which the account is
                                                                          registered.
              . Or deliver them to your investment                        . Mail to the address to the left or deliver to
                representative (provided he or she has                      your investment representative.
                a broker/dealer arrangement with EDI.
 By Phone     . Call 1-800-343-2898 to set up an                         . Call the Evergreen Express Line at 1-800-346-3858
                account number and get wiring                              24 hours a day or 1-800-343-2898 between 8 a.m.
                instructions (call before 12 noon if                       and 6 p.m. Eastern time, on any business day.
                you want wired funds to be credited
                that day).
              . Instruct your bank to wire or transfer
                your purchase (they may
                charge a wiring fee).                                     . If your bank account is set up on file, you can
              . Complete the account application and                        request either:
                mail to:
                Evergreen Service Company   Overnight Address:            - Federal Funds Wire (offers immediate
                P.O. Box 2121               Evergreen Service Company       acces to funds) or
                Boston, MA 02106-2121       200 Berkeley St.              - Electronic transfer through the Automated
                                            Boston, MA 02116-5039           Clearing House which avoids wiring fees.
              . Wires received after 4 p.m. Eastern
                time on market trading days will
                receive the next market day's closing
                price.*
 By Exchange  . You can make an additional investment by exchange from an existing Evergreen Fund's
                account by contacting your investment representative or calling the Evergreen Express Line
                at 1-800-346-3858.**
              . You can only exchange shares within the same class.
              . There is no sales charge or redemption fee when exchanging Funds within the Evergreen
                Funds family.*
              . Orders placed before 4 p.m. Eastern time on market trading days will receive that day's
                closing share price (if not, you will receive the next market day's closing price).***
              . Exchanges are limited to three per calendar quarter, but in no event no more than five per
                calendar year.
              . Exchanges between accounts which do not have identical ownership must be made in writing
                with a signature guarantee
                (see below).
 Systematic   . You can transfer money automatically                      . To establish automatic investing for an
 Investment     from your bank account                                      existing account, call 1-800-343-2898 for
 Plan (SIP)     into your Fund on a monthly basis.                          an application.
              . Initial investment minimum is $50 if                      . The minimum is $25 per month or $75
                you invest at least $25 per                                 per quarter.
                month with this service.                                  . You can also establish an investing program
              . To enroll, check off the box on the                         through direct deposit from your paycheck.
                account application and                                     Call 1-800-343-2898 for details.
                provide:
              - Your bank account information
              - The amount and date of your monthly
                investment.
</TABLE>

 *  The Fund's shares may be made available through financial service firms
    which are also investment dealers and which have a service agreement with
    EDI. The Fund has approved the acceptance of purchase and repurchase
    request orders effective as of the time of their receipt by certain
    authorized financial intermediaries.
 ** Once you have authorized either the telephone exchange or redemption
    service, anyone with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the
    required account information (including your broker) can request a
    telephone transaction in your account. All calls are recorded or monitored
    for verification, recordkeeping and quality-assurance purposes. The
    Evergreen Funds reserve the right to terminate the exchange privilege of
    any shareholder who exceeds the listed maximum number of exchanges, as well
    as to reject any large dollar exchange if placing it would, in the judgment
    of the portfolio manager, adversely affect the price of the Fund.
 ***This does not apply to exchanges from Class A of an Evergreen Money
    Market Fund.

                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                               9
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

We offer you several convenient ways to redeem your shares in any of the
Evergreen Funds:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Methods      Requirements
  <C>          <S>                      <C>                          <C>
  Call Us      . Call the Evergreen Express Line at 1-800-346-3858 24 hours a day or 1-800-343-
                 2898 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time, on any business day.
               . This service must be authorized ahead of time, and is only available for
                 regular accounts.**
               . All authorized requests made before 4 p.m. Eastern time on market trading days
                 will be processed at that day's closing price. Requests after 4 p.m. will be
                 processed the following business day.*
               . We can either:
               -wire the proceeds into your bank account (service charges may apply)
               -electronically transmit the proceeds to your bank account via the Automated
               Clearing House service
               -mail you a check.
               . All telephone calls are recorded for your protection. We are not responsible
                 for acting on telephone orders we believe are genuine.
               . See exceptions list below for requests that must be made in writing.

  Write Us     . You can mail a         Evergreen Service Company    Overnight Address:
                 redemption request to: P.O. Box 2121                Evergreen Service Company
                                        Boston, MA 02106-2121        200 Berkeley St.
                                                                     Boston, MA 02116-5039
               . Your letter of instructions must:
               -list the Fund name and the account number
               -indicate the number of shares or dollar value you wish to redeem
               -be signed by the registered owner(s).
               . See exceptions list below for requests that must be signature guaranteed.
               . To redeem from an IRA or other retirement account, call 1-800-343-2898 for a
                 special application.

  Sell Your    . You may also redeem your shares through participating broker-dealers by
  Shares in      delivering a letter as described above to your broker-dealer.
  Person       . A fee may be charged for this service.

  Systematic   . You can transfer money automatically from your Fund account on a monthly or
  Withdrawal     quarterly basis --  without redemption fees.
  Plan (SWP)   . The withdrawal can be mailed to you, or deposited directly to your bank
                 account.
               . The minimum is $75 per month.
               . The maximum is 1% of your account per month or 3% per quarter.
               . To enroll, call 1-800-343-2898 for an application.
</TABLE>

 *  The Fund's shares may be made available through financial service firms
    which are also investment dealers and which have a service agreement with
    EDI. The Fund has approved the acceptance of purchase and repurchase request
    orders effective as of the time of their receipt by certain authorized
    financial intermediaries.
 ** Once you have authorized either the telephone exchange or redemption
    service, anyone with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the required
    account information (including your broker) can request a telephone
    transaction in your account. All calls are recorded or monitored for
    verification, recordkeeping and quality-assurance purposes. The Evergreen
    Funds reserve the right to terminate the exchange privilege of any
    shareholder who exceeds the listed maximum number of exchanges, as well as
    to reject any large dollar exchange if placing it would, in the judgment of
    the portfolio manager, adversely affect the price of the Fund.
 ***This does not apply to exchanges from Class A of an Evergreen Money
    Market Fund.

Timing of Proceeds
Normally, we will send your redemption proceeds on the next business day after
we receive your request; however, we reserve the right to wait up to seven
business days to redeem any investments made by check and five business days
for investments made by Automated Clearing House transfer.

We also reserve the right to redeem in kind by paying you the proceeds of a
redemption in securities rather than in cash, and to redeem the remaining
amount in the account if your redemption brings the account balance below the
initial minimum of $1,000.

Exceptions: Redemption Requests That Require A Signature Guarantee
To protect you and the Evergreen Funds against fraud, certain redemption
requests must be made in writing with your signature guaranteed. A signature
guarantee can be obtained at most banks and securities dealers. A notary public
is not authorized to provide a signature guarantee.
The following circumstances require signature guarantees:

 .You are redeeming more than $50,000.                 Who Can Provide A
 .You want the proceeds transmitted to a bank          Signature Guarantee:
account not listed on the account.                    .Commercial Bank
 .You want the proceeds payable to anyone other than   .Trust Company
the registered owner(s) of the account.               .Savings Association
 .Either your address or the address of your bank      .Credit Union
account has been changed within 30 days.              .Member of a U.S. stock
 .The account is registered in the name of a           exchange
fiduciary corporation or any other organization.
In these cases, additional documentation is
required:
 corporate accounts: certified copy of corporate
 resolution
 fiduciary accounts: copy of the power of attorney
 or other governing document

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

10
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


OTHER SERVICES

Evergreen Express Line
Use our automated, 24-hour service to check the value of your investment in a
Fund; purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares; find a Fund's price, yield or
total return; order a statement or duplicate tax form; or hear market
commentary from Evergreen portfolio managers.

Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends
For the convenience of investors, all dividends and capital gains distributions
are automatically reinvested, unless you request otherwise. Distributions can
be made by check or electronic transfer through the Automated Clearing House to
your bank account. The details of your dividends and other distributions will
be included on your statement.

Payroll Deduction
If you want to invest automatically through your paycheck, call us to find out
how you can set up direct payroll deductions. The amounts deducted will be
invested in your Fund account using the Electronic Funds Transfer System. We
will provide the Fund account number. Your payroll department will let you know
the date of the pay period when your investment begins.

Telephone Investment Plan
You may make additional investments electronically in an existing Fund account
at amounts of not less than $100 or more than $10,000 per investment. Telephone
requests received by 4 p.m. Eastern time will be invested the day the request
is received.

Dividend Exchange
You may elect on the application to reinvest capital gains and/or dividends
earned in one Evergreen Fund into an existing account in another Evergreen Fund
in the same share class--automatically. Please indicate on the application the
Evergreen Fund(s) into which you want to invest the distributions.

Reinvestment Privileges
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may, within one year of redemption,
reinstate their accounts at the current price. This is the Fund's net asset
value, also sometimes referred to as the Fund's "NAV."

THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

You may be taxed in two ways:
 . On Fund distributions (dividends and capital gains)
 . On any profit you make when you sell any or all of your shares.

Fund Distributions
A mutual fund passes along to all of its shareholders the net income or profits
it receives from its investments. The shareholders of the fund then pay any
taxes due, whether they receive these distributions in cash or elect to have
them reinvested. The Funds will distribute two types of taxable income to you:

 . Dividends. To the extent the that regular dividends are derived from interest
  that is not tax exempt, or from short-term capital gains, you will have to
  include them in your federal taxable income. Each Fund pays a monthly
  dividend from the dividends, interest and other income on the securities in
  which it invests.
 . Capital Gains. When a mutual fund sells a security it owns for a profit, the
  result is a capital gain. Evergreen Select Equity Funds generally distribute
  capital gains, if any, at least once a year, near the end of the calendar
  year. Short-term capital gains reflect securities held by the Fund for a year
  or less and are considered ordinary income just like dividends. Profits on
  securities held longer than 12 months are considered long-term capital gains
  and are taxed at a special tax rate (20% for most taxpayers).

Dividend and Capital Gain Reinvestment
Unless you choose otherwise on the account application, all dividend and
capital gain payments will be reinvested to buy additional shares. Distribution
checks that are returned and distribution checks that are uncashed when the
shareholder has failed to respond to mailings from the shareholder servicing
agent will automatically be reinvested to buy additional shares. No interest
will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption
checks.

We will send you a statement each January with the federal tax status of
dividends and distributions paid by each Fund during the previous calendar
year.

                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              11
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

Profits You Realize When You Redeem Shares
When you sell shares in a mutual fund, whether by redeeming or exchanging, you
have created a taxable event. You must report any gain or loss on your tax
return unless the transaction was entered into by a tax-deferred retirement
plan. Investments in money market funds typically do not generate capital
gains. It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of your mutual fund
transactions. You will need this information when you file your income tax
return, since you must report any capital gains or losses you incur when you
sell shares. Remember, an exchange is a purchase and a sale for tax purposes.

Tax Reporting
Evergreen Service Company provides you with a tax statement of your dividend
and capital gains distributions for each calendar year on Form 1099 DIV.
Proceeds from a sale are reported on Form 1099B. You must report these on your
tax return. Since the IRS receives a copy as well, you could pay a penalty if
you neglect to report them.

Evergreen Service Company will send you a tax information guide each year
during tax season, which may include a cost basis statement detailing the gain
or loss on taxable transactions you had during the year. Please consult your
own tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state and local
tax consequences of an investment in the Funds.

Retirement Plans
You may invest in each Fund through various retirement plans, including IRAs,
401(k) plans, Simplified Employee Plans, (SEPs), IRAs, 403(b) plans, 457 plans
and others. For special rules concerning these plans, including applications,
restrictions, tax advantages, and potential sales charge waivers, contact your
broker-dealer. To determine if a retirement plan may be appropriate for you,
consult your tax advisor.

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS

Every mutual fund has fees and expenses that are assessed either directly or
indirectly. This section describes each of those fees.

Management Fee
The management fee pays for the normal expenses of managing the fund, including
portfolio manager salaries, research costs, corporate overhead expenses and
related expenses.

12b-1 Fees
The Trustees of the Evergreen Funds have approved a policy to assess 12b-1 fees
for Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Up to 0.75% of the average daily net
assets of Class A and up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B
and Class C shares are payable as 12b-1 fees. However, currently the 12b-1 fees
for Class A shares are limited to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the
class. These fees increase the cost of your investment. The purpose of the 12b-
1 fees is to promote the sale of more shares of the Funds to the public. The
Funds might use these fees for advertising and marketing and as a "service fee"
to the broker-dealer for additional shareholder services.

Other Expenses
Other expenses include miscellaneous fees from affiliated and outside service
providers. These may include legal, audit, custodial and safekeeping fees, the
printing and mailing of reports and statements, automatic reinvestment of
distributions and other conveniences for which the shareholder pays no
transaction fees.

Total Fund Operating Expenses
The total cost of running the Fund is called the expense ratio. As a
shareholder, you are not charged these fees directly; instead they are taken
out before the Fund's net asset value is calculated, and are expressed as a
percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets. The effect of these fees is
reflected in the performance results for that share class. Because these fees
are "invisible," investors should examine them closely in the prospectus,
especially when comparing one fund with another fund in the same investment
category. There are three things to remember about expense ratios: 1) your
total return in the Fund is reduced in direct proportion to the fees; 2)
expense ratios can vary greatly between funds and fund families, from under
0.25% to over 3.0%; and 3) a Fund's advisor may waive a portion of the Fund's
expenses for a period of time, reducing its expense ratio.

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

12
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
This section looks in detail at the results for one share in each share class
of the Funds -- how much income it earned, how much of this income was passed
along as a distribution and how much the return was reduced by expenses. The
tables have been derived from financial information audited by KPMG LLP, the
Funds' independent auditors. For a more complete picture of the Funds'
financial statements, please see the Funds' Annual Report as well as the
Statement of Additional Information.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECT EQUITY INDEX FUND                 CLASS A      CLASS B       CLASS C

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Period Ended      Period Ended      Period Ended
                          June 30, 1999 (a) June 30, 1999 (b) June 30, 1999 (c)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                      <C>               <C>               <C>
 Net asset value,
  beginning of period          $ 45.23          $  45.26           $50.95
                               -------          --------           ------
 Income from investment
  operations
 Net investment income            0.29              0.08             0.02
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains on
  securities and futures
  contracts                       9.87              9.83             1.11
                               -------          --------           ------
 Total from investment
  operations                     10.16              9.91             1.13
                               -------          --------           ------
 Distributions to
  shareholders from
 Net investment income           (0.27)            (0.08)           (0.02)
 Net realized gains              (3.09)            (3.09)               0
                               -------          --------           ------
 Total distributions             (3.36)            (3.17)           (0.02)
                               -------          --------           ------
 Net asset value, end of
  period                       $ 52.03          $  52.00           $52.06
                               -------          --------           ------
 Total return*                   24.08%            23.44%            2.22%
 Ratios and supplemental
  data
 Net assets, end of
  period (thousands)           $38,203          $107,334           $3,489
 Ratios to average net
  assets
 Expenses**                       0.55%+            1.31%+           1.31%+
 Net investment income            0.96%+            0.21%+           0.27%+
 Portfolio turnover rate            21%               21%              21%
</TABLE>

(a) For the period from November 4, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
    June 30, 1999.
(b) For the period from November 3, 1998 (commencement of class operations) to
    June 30, 1999.
(c) For the period from April 30, 1999 (commencement of class operations) to
    June 30, 1999.
+   Annualized.
*   Excluding applicable sales charges.
**  The ratio of expenses to average net assets includes fee waivers and
    excludes fee credits.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

OTHER FUND PRACTICES

Each Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities, including
securities issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks, Canadian
commercial paper and Europaper (U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of
foreign issuers), American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts
and Global Depositary Receipts.

A Fund's investment in non-U.S. securities could expose it to certain unique
risks of foreign investing. For example, political turmoil and economic
instability in the countries in which the Fund invests could adversely affect
the value of your investment. In addition, if the value of any foreign currency
in which the Fund's investments are denominated declines relative to the U.S.
dollar, the value of and total return earned on your investment in the Fund may
decline as well. Certain foreign countries have less developed and less
regulated securities markets and accounting systems than the U.S. This may make
it harder to get accurate information about a security or company, and increase
the likelihood that an investment will not perform as well as expected.

The Funds may invest in a variety of derivative instruments including options
and futures. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is based on an
underlying asset, such as a stock or a bond, or an underlying economic factor,
such as an index or an interest rate. Small price movements in the underlying
asset can result in immediate and substantial gains or losses in the value of
derivatives.


Options and futures can be used to increase return and to hedge a Fund's
portfolio against changes in the market value of securities owned or intended
to be purchased. Although this is intended to increase returns, these practices
may actually reduce returns or increase volatility. Evergreen Select Equity
Index Fund may also use options and futures as a substitute for the sale or
purchase of securities in the S&P 500 Index.


 Please consult the Statement of Additional Information for more
 information regarding these and other investment practices used by the
 Funds, including risks.

SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

14
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN

                                     Notes
                                                             SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

                                                                              15
<PAGE>

                                   EVERGREEN


                                Evergreen Funds
Money Market
Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
Money Market Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
Treasury Money Market Fund

Tax Advantaged
Short Intermediate Municipal Fund
High Grade Municipal Bond Fund
Municipal Bond Fund
Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund
Florida Municipal Bond Fund
Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund
North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund
South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

Income
Capital Preservation and Income Fund
Short Intermediate Bond Fund
Intermediate Term Bond Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Diversified Bond Fund
Strategic Income Fund
High Yield Bond Fund

Balanced
Balanced Fund
Foundation Fund
Tax Strategic Foundation Fund

Growth & Income
Utility Fund
Income and Growth Fund
Equity Income Fund
Value Fund
Blue Chip Fund
Growth and Income Fund
Small Cap Value Fund

Domestic Growth
Strategic Growth Fund
Stock Selector Fund
Evergreen Fund
Omega Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
Aggressive Growth Fund
Tax Strategic Equity Fund
Masters Fund

Global International
Global Leaders Fund
International Growth Fund
Global Opportunities Fund
Precious Metals Fund
Emerging Markets Growth Fund
Latin America Fund

Select Equity
Select Equity Index Fund
Select Special Equity Fund

Express Line
800.346.3858

Investor Services
800.343.2898
SELECT EQUITY FUNDS

16
<PAGE>

                             QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
1  Evergreen Express Line
    Call 1-800-346-3858
    24 hours a day to
    . check your account
    . order a statement
    . get a Fund's current price, yield and total return
    . buy, redeem or exchange Fund shares

2  Non-retirement account holders
    Call 1-800-343-2898
    Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time to
    . buy, redeem or exchange shares
    . order applications
    . get assistance with your account

3  Information Line for Hearing and Speech Impaired (TTY/TDD)
    Call 1-800-343-2888
    Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time

4  Write us a letter
    Evergreen Service Company
    P.O. Box 2121
    Boston, MA 02106-2121
    . to buy, redeem or exchange shares
    . to change the registration on your account
    . for general correspondence

5  For express, registered, certified mail:
    Evergreen Service Company
    200 Berkeley Street
    Boston, MA 02116-5039

6  Visit us on-line:
    www.evergreen-funds.com

7  Regular communications you will receive:
    Account Statements -- You will receive quarterly statements for each
    Fund you own.

    Confirmation Notices -- We send a confirmation of any transaction you
    make within five days of the transaction.

    Annual and Semi-annual reports -- You will receive a detailed financial
    report on your Funds twice a year.

    Tax Forms -- Each January you will receive any tax forms you need to
    file in your taxes as well as the Evergreen Tax Information Guide.

<PAGE>

    For More Information About the Evergreen
    Select Equity Funds, Ask for:

    The Funds' most recent Annual or Semi-annual Report,
    which contains a complete financial accounting for
    each Fund and a complete list of portfolio holdings
    as of a specific date, as well as commentary from
    the Fund's portfolio manager. This Report discusses
    the market conditions and investment strategies that
    significantly affected the Fund's performance during
    the most recent fiscal year or period.

    The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), which
    contains more detailed information about the
    policies and procedures of the Funds. The SAI has
    been filed with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission (SEC) and its contents are legally
    considered to be part of this prospectus.

    For questions, other information, or to request a
    copy, without charge, of any of the documents, call
    1-800-343-2898 or ask your investment
    representative. We will mail material within three
    business days.

    Information about these Funds (including the SAI) is
    also available on the SEC's Internet web site at
    http://www.sec.gov, or, for a duplication fee, by
    writing the SEC Public Reference Section, Washington
    DC 20549-6009. This material can also be reviewed
    and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in
    Washington, DC. For more information, call the SEC
    at 1-800-SEC-0330.

                          Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
                                 90 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10016

                                                  SEC File
                                                 No.: 811-08363

16630                                            550927 RVO

                                                   ----------------
                                                      BULK RATE
[LOGO OF EVERGREEN FUNDS]                            U.S. POSTAGE
                                                         PAID
                                                     PERMIT NO. 19
201 South College St.                                 HUDSON, MA
Charlotte, NC 28288                                ----------------


<PAGE>

                          EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                                     PART B

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

<PAGE>
                         EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                               200 Berkeley Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                                 (800) 633-2700

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


                                November 1, 1999


                Evergreen Select Balanced Fund ("Balanced Fund")
             Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund ("Core Equity Fund")
       Evergreen Select Diversified Value Fund ("Diversified Value Fund")
            Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund ("Equity Index Fund")
            Evergreen Select Large Cap Blend Fund ("Large Cap Fund")
          Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund ("Secular Growth Fund")
            Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund ("Small Cap Fund")
        Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund ("Small Company Fund")
       Evergreen Select Social Principles Fund ("Social Principles Fund")
          Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund ("Special Equity Fund")
        Evergreen Select Strategic Growth Fund ("Strategic Growth Fund")
             Evergreen Strategic Value Fund ("Strategic Value Fund")


                     (Each a "Fund"; together, the "Funds")


                    Each Fund is a series of Evergreen Equity
                              Trust (the "Trust").


         This  statement  of  additional  information  ("SAI")  pertains  to all
classes of shares of the  Funds.  It is not a  prospectus  but should be read in
conjunction with the prospectus dated November 1, 1999 for the Fund in which you
are  interested.  The Funds are offered through two separate  prospectuses:  one
offering both  Institutional and Institutional  Service shares of each Fund, and
one  offering  Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Equity  Index Fund and
the  Special  Equity  Fund.  The  information  in Part 1 of this SAI is specific
information  about the Funds in the  prospectus.  The  information in Part 2 of
this SAI contains more general information that may or may not apply to the Fund
or Class of shares in which you are interested.  You may obtain a copy of either
these prospectuses without charge by calling (800) 343-2898.

         Certain  information  may be  incorporated  by  reference to the Funds'
Annual  Report dated June 30, 1999.  You may obtain a copy of the Annual  Report
without charge by calling (800) 343-2898.




<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART 1

TRUST HISTORY................................................................1-1
INVESTMENT POLICIES..........................................................1-1
OTHER SECURITIES AND PRACTICES...............................................1-3
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF FUND SHARES.............................................1-3
EXPENSES....................................................................1-10
PERFORMANCE.................................................................1-15
SERVICE PROVIDERS...........................................................1-17
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................1-8

PART 2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES................2-1
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES ..........................................2-14
PRICING OF SHARES...........................................................2-19
SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AND REDUCTIONS.........................................2-16
PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS....................................................2-20
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER.......................................................2-21
DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES UNDER RULE 12b-1                                      2-22
TAX INFORMATION.............................................................2-25
BROKERAGE...................................................................2-28
ORGANIZATION................................................................2-29
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT...............................................2-30
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST.....................................................2-32
CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS........................................2-35
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION......................................................2-46



<PAGE>




                                     PART 1

                                  TRUST HISTORY

         The Evergreen Select Equity Trust is an open-end management  investment
company, which was organized as a Delaware business trust on September 18, 1997.
Each Fund is a diversified  series of Evergreen  Select Equity Trust.  A copy of
the  Declaration  of Trust is on file as an exhibit to the Trust's  Registration
Statement,  of which  this SAI is a part.  The  foregoing  is  qualified  in its
entirety by reference to the Declaration of Trust.

                               INVESTMENT POLICIES

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

         Each Fund has adopted the fundamental investment restrictions set forth
below  which may not be changed  without  the vote of a  majority  of the Fund's
outstanding  shares, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act").  Where necessary,  an explanation  beneath a fundamental policy describes
the Fund's practices with respect to that policy,  as allowed by current law. If
the law governing a policy changes,  the Fund's practices may change accordingly
without a shareholder  vote.  Unless  otherwise  stated,  all  references to the
assets of the Fund are in terms of current market value.

         1.       Diversification

         Each Fund may not make any  investment  that is  inconsistent  with its
classification as a diversified investment company under the 1940 Act.

Further Explanation of Diversification Policy:

         To remain classified as a diversified investment company under the 1940
Act, each Fund must conform with the following: With respect to 75% of its total
assets,  a  diversified  investment  company  may not invest more than 5% of its
total assets,  determined at market or other fair value at the time of purchase,
in the  securities  of any  one  issuer,  or  invest  in  more  than  10% of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of any one  issuer,  determined  at the time of
purchase.  These limitations do not apply to investments in securities issued or
guaranteed  by  the  United   States  (U.S.)   government  or  its  agencies  or
instrumentalities.

         2.       Concentration

         Each Fund may not  concentrate  its  investments  in the  securities of
issuers primarily engaged in any particular industry (other than securities that
are  issued  or   guaranteed   by  the  U.S.   government  or  its  agencies  or
instrumentalities).

         Further Explanation of Concentration Policy:

         Each Fund may not invest  more than 25% of its total  assets,  taken at
market value, in the securities of issuers  primarily  engaged in any particular
industry (other than securities  issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  government or
its agencies or instrumentalities).

         3.       Issuing Senior Securities

         Except as permitted  under the 1940 Act, each Fund may not issue senior
securities.

         4.       Borrowing

         Each Fund may not  borrow  money,  except to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law.

         Further Explanation of Borrowing Policy:

         Each Fund may  borrow  from  banks and enter  into  reverse  repurchase
agreements  in an  amount  up to 33 1/3% of its  total  assets,  taken at market
value. Each Fund may also borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets from
banks or others. A Fund may borrow only as a temporary measure for extraordinary
or emergency purposes such as the redemption of Fund shares. A Fund may purchase
additional  securities  so long as  borrowings  do not  exceed  5% of its  total
assets.  Each Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. Each Fund may purchase
securities  on margin  and  engage in short  sales to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law.

         5.       Underwriting

         Each  Fund  may not  underwrite  securities  of other  issuers,  except
insofar  as a Fund may be deemed to be an  underwriter  in  connection  with the
disposition of its portfolio securities.

         6.       Real Estate

         Each Fund may not  purchase or sell real estate,  except  that,  to the
extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may invest in (a) securities that are
directly or  indirectly  secured by real  estate,  or (b)  securities  issued by
issuers that invest in real estate.

         7.       Commodities

         Each  Fund  may  not  purchase  or sell  commodities  or  contracts  on
commodities,  except to the extent that a Fund may engage in  financial  futures
contracts and related options and currency contracts and related options and may
otherwise do so in accordance with  applicable law and without  registering as a
commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

         8.       Lending

         Each Fund may not make loans to other  persons,  except that a Fund may
lend its portfolio securities in accordance with applicable law. The acquisition
of investment securities or other investment  instruments shall not be deemed to
be the making of a loan.

Further Explanation of Lending Policy:

         To  generate  income and  offset  expenses,  a Fund may lend  portfolio
securities to broker-dealers and other financial institutions in an amount up to
33 1/3% of its total assets,  taken at market  value.  While  securities  are on
loan,  the borrower will pay the Fund any income  accruing on the security.  The
Fund may invest any collateral it receives in additional  portfolio  securities,
such  as  U.S.  Treasury  notes,  certificates  of  deposit,  other  high-grade,
short-term obligations or interest bearing cash equivalents.  Gains or losses in
the market value of a security lent will affect the Fund and its shareholders.

         When a Fund lends its securities,  it will require the borrower to give
the Fund  collateral  in cash or  government  securities.  The Fund will require
collateral  in an amount  equal to at least 100% of the current  market value of
the securities lent, including accrued interest.  The Fund has the right to call
a loan and obtain the  securities  lent any time on notice of not more than five
business days. The Fund may pay reasonable fees in connection with such loans.


                         OTHER SECURITIES AND PRACTICES

         Listed below are securities and investment  practices the Funds may use
in addition to those discussed in the prospectus.  See Additional Information on
Securities  and  Investment  Practices  in  Part  2  of  this  SAI  for  further
information on these  particular  investment  practices.  The information  below
applies to all Funds unless otherwise noted.

<TABLE>
     <S>                                                           <C>
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment      Master Demand Notes
Transactions                                              Obligations of Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks
Repurchase Agreements                                     Obligations of U.S. Branches of Foreign Banks
Reverse Repurchase Agreements                             Obligations of U.S. Branches of Foreign Banks
Options
Futures Transactions
Future Contracts
Foreign Currency (Special Equity Fund Only)
Corporate Bond Ratings (Balanced Fund Only)
Convertible Securities
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
Investment in Other Investment Companies
</TABLE>

                        PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF FUND SHARES


         As of  September  30, 1999 the officers and Trustees of the Trust owned
as a group less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any class of each Fund.

         Set forth below is information with respect to each person who, to each
Fund's  knowledge,  owned  beneficially  or  of  record  more  than  5%  of  the
outstanding shares of any class of each Fund as of September 30, 1999.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Fund
Institutional Class

First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            53.26%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            46.73
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911

Balanced Fund
Institutional Service Class

First Clearing Corporation                                     81.07
Walter Haemmerle IRA
2 Ocean Point
Port Royal Plantation
Hilton Head Isle, SC  29928

First Union National Bank                                      12.59
Trust Accounts
Attn: Ginny Batten, CMG 1151-2
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911

First Union National Bank                                      6.33
Trust Accounts
Attn: Ginny Batten
301 S. Tryon Street, 11th Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1915

Core Equity Fund
Institutional Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            99.38%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1151
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core Equity Fund
Institutional Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversified Value Fund
Institutional Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            87.18%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            12.81%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diversified Value Fund
Institutional Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Bankers Trust Company                                          95.72%
FBO Triangle Industries
Master Trust
100 Plaza One
Jersey City, NJ  07311-3999
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Index Fund
Institutional Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                             81.71%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                             11.42%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                             11.42%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Index Fund
Institutional Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            57.10%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Index Fund
Class A Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Independent Trust Corporation                                  9.81%
Custodian Funds 865
15255 S. 94th Ave., Suite 300
Orlando Park, IL  60462-3896
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette                                      5.55%
Securities Corporation, Inc.
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ  07303-9998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Index Fund
Class B Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
None

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Index Fund
Class C Shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
MLPF&S For Sole Benefit                                        7.78%
Of Its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Drive, E. 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL  32246-6484
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Cap Blend Fund
Institutional Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            94.80%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            5.19%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Cap Blend Fund
Institutional Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Thomas F. Hackett                                              33.77%
C/O Warren S. Beebe Jr., CPA
P.O. Box 849
Oakhurst, NJ  07755-0849
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     21.97%
Essex County Comm. American Legion
29 Newell Drive
Bloomfield, NJ  07003
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     20.55%
First Union Brokerage
Sipes Orchard Home
201 S. College Street, 5th Floor
Charlotte, NC  28288-1167
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First National Bank of Shelby                                  8.35%
T/U/A Robert Gibson Jr.
P.O. Box 168
Shelby, NC  28151-0168
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Raymond James & Associates Inc.                                7.94%
Richard L. Granger IRA
1817 Jason Drive
Florence, SC 29505-3220
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     7.40%
Roberto J. Xacur Enjure
201 S. College Street
Charlotte, NC  28288
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secular Growth Fund
Institutional Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            94.90%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            5.10%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secular Growth Fund
Institutional Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Evergreen Distributor, Inc.                                    ???.00
Attn: Fund Administration
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH  43219-6004
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Cap Growth Fund
Institutional Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank                                      69.26%
Re-Invest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Worcester County                                               18.91%
Retirement System
Attn: Michael J. Donahue
Chairman & Treasurer
2 Main Street, Room 3 Courthouse
Worcester, MA  0168-1116
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank                                      7.57%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operation Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value Fund
Institutional Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            77.06%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            17.22%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
MITRA & CO                                                     5.70%
P.O. Box 2977
Milwaukee, WI  53201-2977
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value Fund
Institutional Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Morgan Trust Company                                           95.32%
Attn: John Kelly
50 North Front Street, 4th Floor
Memphis, TN  38103-2126
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Social Principles Fund
Institutional Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            94.08%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            5.10%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Social Principles Fund
Institutional Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     72.68%
John J. Scinto Trust
80 Grandview Avenue
Port Chester, NY  10573
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     21.67%
201 S. College Street
Charlotte, NC  28288-1167
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     5.63%
Maggie Dews
201 S. College Street
Charlotte, NC  28288-1167
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Equity Fund
Class A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
MLPF&S For The Sole Benefit of Its Customers                   18.20%
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Drive, E. 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL  32246-6484
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Equity Fund
Class B
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
MLPF&S For the Sole Benefit                                    17.88%
Of Its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Drive, E. 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL  32246-6484
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Equity Fund
Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
MLPF&S For the Sole Benefit                                    13.18%
Of Its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Drive, E. 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL  32246-6484
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Rhona B. Miller                                                8.62%
5742 Bancroft Drive
New Orleans, LA 70122-1314
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Clearing Corporation                                     5.75%
Charles E. Brooks
2780 N. Riverside Drive, #104
Tampa, FL 33602-1035
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Equity Fund
Institutional Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            56.68%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            34.81%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Equity Fund
Institutional Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.                                      13.52%
Special Custody Account
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
Reinvest Account
Attn: Mutual Fund
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA  94104-4122
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            11.46%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Growth Fund
Institutional Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                             71.07%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                             27.91%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC 28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Growth Fund
Institutional Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            8.02%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Wilmington Trust


- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            6.79%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Value Fund
Institutional Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            62.12%
Cash Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
First Union National Bank BK/EB/INT                            37.39%
Reinvest Account
Attn: Trust Operations Fund Group
401 S. Tryon Street, 3rd Floor, CMG 1151
Charlotte, NC  28202-1911
- --------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Value Fund
Institutional Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Citibank NA                                                    8.19%
FBO Michael Besson
C/O Valley Financial Systems, Inc.
760 Constitution Drive, Suite 100
Exton, PA  19341-1149
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Jefnat & Company                                               7.37%
Oramella Tomassich Trust
1 Court Square, 3rd Floor
Montgomery, AL 36104-3598
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Carole Link Rodman                                             6.25%
101 Ramblewood Road
Forest, VA 24551-1339
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Harley & Company                                               5.75%
FBO Eleanor Frechtling
483 Maine Street
Harleysville, PA 19438-2311
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette                                      5.36%
Securities Corporation, Inc.
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ  0703-2052
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
SG Cowen Securities                                            5.34%
Financial Square
New York, NY 10005-3597
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------



                                    EXPENSES


Advisory Fees

         Each Fund has its own investment  advisor,  (For more information,  see
Investment Advisory Agreements in Part 2 of this SAI.)

         First Capital Group  ("FCG"),  a division of First Union  National Bank
("FUNB"),  is the  Advisor  to each of the Funds  except  Small Cap Fund,  Small
Company  Fund and  Special  Equity  Fund.  FUNB is located at 201 South  College
Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0630.

         Evergreen  Asset  Management  Corp.  ("EAMC")  is the  Advisor to Small
Company Fund. EAMC is located at 2500  Westchester  Avenue,  Purchase,  New York
10577.  Lieber & Co., another First Union subsidiary,  Corporation is the Fund's
sub-advisor.  Lieber & Company is reimbursed by EAMC for the direct and indirect
costs of providing subadvisory services to the Fund.

         Evergreen  Investment  Management  Company ("EIMC"),  formerly known as
Keystone  Investment  Management Company, is the Advisor to Small Cap Fund. EIMC
is located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034.

         Meridian Investment Company ("Meridian") is the Advisor to Special
Equity Fund.  Meridian is located at 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Malvern,
Pennsylvania 19355.


Advisory Fees Paid

         Below are the  advisory  fees paid by each Fund for the  fiscal  period
ended June 30, 1999 and for fiscal periods ended in 1998.


Fiscal Period/Fund                        Advisory Fee                Waiver

Year Ended June 30, 1999

Balanced Fund                              $4,136,760                $689,460

Core Equity Fund                          $12,923,968               $1,848,228

Diversified Value Fund                     $3,983,024                $663,837

Equity Index Fund                          $1,802,977               $1,159,599

Large Cap Fund                             $3,318,923                $474,132

Secular Growth Fund*                        $36,383                  $36,383

Small Cap Fund                              $500,432                  $0.00

Small Company Fund                          $789,167                 $84,029

Social Principles Fund                     $1,203,962                $150,495

Special Equity Fund                        $1,181,647                $551,194

Strategic Growth Fund                      $3,224,101                $478,980

Strategic Value Fund                       $2,384,266                $340,610

Year Ended June 30, 1998

Balanced Fund                              $1,954,563                $325,761

Core Equity Fund                           $8,171,550               $1,350,561

Diversified Value Fund                     $2,181,562                $363,594

Equity Index Fund                          $1,139,000                $686,000

Large Cap Fund                             $2,031,616                $346,847

Small Cap Fund                              $166,954                  $0.00

Small Company Fund**                        $208,402                 $58,160

Social Principles Fund                      $782,703                 $129,970

Special Equity Fund                        $1,208,000                $518,000

Strategic Growth Fund                      $1,235,649                $210,851

Strategic Value Fund                        $930,128                 $132,876


*For the four months ended June 30, 1999.  The Fund commenced operations on
 2/26/1999.
**Period from December 23, 1997 (commencement of operations) to June 30, 1998.

12b-1 Fees

         Below are the 12b-1  service  fees  paid by the  Institutional  Service
shares of each Fund for the fiscal period ended June 30, 1999. The Institutional
shares do not pay 12b-1 fees. For more information,  see "Distribution  Expenses
Under Rule 12b-1" in Part 2 of this SAI.


                                       Institutional Service Shares

Fund/Period                                 Service Fees

Year Ended June 30, 1999

Balanced Fund                          $     5,257

Core Equity Fund                       $    60,519

Diversified Value Fund                 $     2,914

Equity Index Fund                      $    68,867

Large Cap Fund                         $       881

Secular Growth Fund                    $         1

Small Cap Fund                         $         0

Small Company Fund                     $       126

Social Principles Fund                 $       279

Special Equity Fund                    $     7,423

Strategic Growth Fund                  $    25,109

Strategic Value Fund                   $     3,890



Trustee Compensation

         Listed below is the Trustee compensation paid by the Trust individually
and by the Trust and the eight other  trusts in the  Evergreen  Fund complex for
the fiscal  period ended June 30, 1999.  The Trustees do not receive  pension or
retirement benefits from the Funds. For more information,  see Management of the
Trust in Part 2 of this SAI.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Total Compensation from
                                                               Trust and Fund Complex Paid
                                 Aggregate Compensation from          to Trustees**
           Trustee                          Trust

           <S>                               <C>                           <C>
 Laurence B. Ashkin                  $7,627                        $75,000

 Charles A. Austin, III              $7,657                        $75,000

 K. Dun Gifford                      $7,509                        $74,250

 James S. Howell*                    $9,845                        $98,000

 Leroy Keith Jr.                     $7,509                        $74,250

 Gerald M. McDonnell                 $7,627                        $75,000

 Thomas L. McVerry                   $8,799                        $86,500

 William Walt Pettit                 $7,509                        $74,250

 David M. Richardson                 $7,509                        $74,250

 Russell A. Salton, III              $7,768                        $78,000

 Michael S. Scofield*                $8,888                        $90,502

 Richard J. Shima                    $7,509                        $74,250


* As of January 1, 2000 James S. Howell will become Chairman of the Board and Michael
  S. Scofield will become Trustee of Emeritis
** Certain Trustees have elected to defer all or part of their total compensation for
   the fiscal period ended September 30, 1998.  The amounts listed below will be payable
   in later years to the respective Trustees:

</TABLE>

                  Austin            $11,325
                  McVerry           $86,500
                  Howell            $78,400
                  Salton            $78,000
                  Petit             $74,250
                  McDonnell         $75,000
                  Scofield          $30,900


Brokerage Commission Paid

         The table below shows for each Fund the total amounts paid in brokerage
commissions during the fiscal period specified.

                                                      Total Brokerage Commission


Fiscal Period Ended June 30, 1999

Balanced Fund                                                 $ 419,607

Core Equity Fund                                             $ 3,384,398

Diversified Value Fund                                       $ 1,245,022

Large Cap Fund                                                $ 522,864

Secular Growth Fund                                            $ 11,833

Small Cap Fund                                                $ 174,134

Small Company Fund                                            $ 209,962

Social Principles Fund                                        $ 165,377

Strategic Growth Fund                                         $ 955,109

Strategic Value Fund                                          $ 519,440

Fiscal Period Ended June 30, 1998

Balanced Fund                                                 $ 281,280

Core Equity Fund                                             $ 1,063,426

Diversified Value Fund                                       $ 1,011,341

Large Cap Fund                                                $ 415,687

Small Cap Fund                                                 $ 61,462

Small Company Fund                                            $ 123,196

Social Principles Fund                                         $ 88,390

Strategic Growth Fund                                         $ 464,814

Strategic Value Fund                                          $ 145,302



         The table below shows the brokerage commissions paid by the predecessor
funds of Evergreen  Select Special Equity Fund and Evergreen Select Equity Index
Fund for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997.


                                                     Total Brokerage Commission


 Fiscal Period Ended June 30, 1999

 Special Equity Fund                                           $ 200,235

 Equity Index Fund                                             $ 155,575

 Fiscal Period Ended June 30, 1998

 Special Equity Fund                                            $116,052

 Equity Index Fund                                              $102,434

 Fiscal Period Ended June 30, 1997

 Special Equity Fund                                            $138,761

 Equity Index Fund                                              $89,787




                                   PERFORMANCE
Total Return

         Below are the  annual  total  returns  for each  class of shares of the
Funds as of June 30,  1999.  The  returns  for Select  Secular  Growth  Fund are
cumulative.   For  more  information,   see  "Total  Return"  under  Performance
Calculations in Part 2 of this SAI.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 Ten Years or Since   Class
Fund/Class                  One Year          Five Years         Inception            Inception Date
   <S>                        <C>                 <C>                 <C>
1-Balanced Fund

Institutional               5.70%             14.57%             12.35%                    01/22/98

Institutional Service       5.43%             14.55%             12.33%                    04/09/98

2-Core Equity Fund

Institutional               9.82%             22.24%             14.88%                    11/24/97

Institutional Service       9.53%             21.97%             14.61%                    02/04/98

3-Diversified Value Fund

Institutional               9.08%             19.51%             16.55%                    01/22/98

Institutional Service       8.77%             19.14%             16.33%                    03/31/98

4-Equity Index Fund

Institutional               22.03%            27.08%             17.81%                    02/14/85

Institutional Service       21.70%            26.99%             17.77%                    10/09/96

Class A                     16.00%            25.81%             17.22%                    11/04/98

Class B                     16.35%            26.76%             17.74%                    11/03/98

Class C                     20.82%            27.04%             17.79%                    04/30/99

5-Large Cap Fund

Institutional               7.12%             23.60%             19.78%                    11/24/97

Institutional Service       6.83%             23.30%             19.49%                    03/12/98

7-Secular Growth Fund

Institutional               27.50%            N/A                31.85%                     2/26/99

Institutional Service       27.18%            N/A                31.52%                     2/26/99

8-Small Cap Fund

Institutional               4.22%             N/A                10.96%                    12/28/95

Institutional Service       N/A               N/A                N/A                          N/A

9-Small Company Fund

Institutional               -10.73%           N/A                -6.41%                    12/23/97

Institutional Service       -11.68%           N/A                -7.06%                    12/31/98

10-Social Principles Fund

Institutional               0.90%             19.15%             13.81%                    11/24/97

Institutional Service       0.64%             18.87%             13.54%                    03/12/98

11-Special Equity Fund

Institutional               42.02%            26.12%             21.02%                    03/15/94

Institutional Service       41.55%            25.86%             20.78%                    03/15/94

9-Strategic Growth Fund

Institutional               19.22%            N/A                28.77%                    11/24/97

Institutional Service       18.88%            N/A                28.42%                    02/27/98

10-Strategic Value Fund

Institutional               8.85%             22.14%             14.87%                    11/24/97

Institutional Service       8.60%             21.86%             14.59%                    03/11/98

</TABLE>
1-Historical  performance shown for Institutional  shares prior to its inception
is based on the performance of the Class Y Shares of Evergreen Balanced Fund II.
On 1/22/1998,  substantially al of the assets of the Class Y shares of Evergreen
Balanced Fund II were transferred  through a redemption  in-kind  transaction to
the Fund's Institutional shares.  Historical performance shown for Institutional
Service  shares  reflects that of Class Y Shares of Evergreen  Balanced Fund II,
through  1/22/1998,  the inception of  Institutional  Shares.  Performance  from
1/23/1998 through the inception of Institutional Service Shares reflects that of
Institutional  Shares.  Performance prior to inception of Institutional  Service
Shares does not include  this class' 0.25% 12b-1 fees.  Institutional  Shares do
not pay a 12b-1 fee. If fees were reflected, returns would have been lower.

2-Historical  performance shown for Institutional Service shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional shares and has not
been  adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect of the 0.25%  12b-1 fee  applicable  to
Institutional  Service shares.  Institutional shares pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997, the
returns for  Institutional  and  Institutional  Service  shares are based on the
Fund's  predecessor  common  trust  fund's  (CTFs)  performance,   adjusted  for
estimated mutual fund expenses.  The CTFs were not registered under the 1940 Act
and were not subject to certain  investment  restrictions.  If the CTFs had been
registered,  their performance might have been adversely  affected.  Performance
for the CTFs has been  adjusted to include the effect of  estimated  mutual fund
class gross expense  ratios at the time the CTF was converted to a mutual fund.
If fee waivers and expense  reimbursements  had been  calculated into the mutual
fund class expense  ratio the total  returns would be as follows:  Institutional
shares - 5 year  =22.32%,  10 year =  14.98%  and  since  12/31/1981  =  15.78%;
Institutional  Service  shares - 5 year =  22.05%,  10 year = 14.70%  and  since
12/31/1981 = 15.50%.

3-Historical  performance shown for Institutional  shares prior to its inception
is based on the  performance  of the Class Y Shares of Evergreen  Value Fund. On
1/22/1998,  substantially  all of the assets of the Class Y shares of  Evergreen
Value Fund were  transferred  through a redemption  in-kind  transaction  to the
Fund's Institutional shares. Historical performance shown reflects that of Class
Y  Shares  of  Evergreen  Value  Fund,  through  1/22/1998,   the  inception  of
Institutional  Shares.  Performance  from  1/23/1998  through the  inception  of
Institutional Service Shares reflects that of Institutional Shares.  Performance
prior to inception of Institutional  Service Shares does not include this class'
0.25%  12b-1  fees.  Institutional  Shares do not pay a 12b-1 fee.  If fees were
reflected, returns would have been lower.

4-Historical  performance shown for Classes A, B, and C prior to their inception
is  based  on the  performance  of (1)  the  Fund's  Institutional  Shares  from
7/27/1998 to the  inception of Classes A, B, and C (2) the Class Y Shares of the
Fund's  predecessor,  CoreFund Equity Index Fund from 6/1/1991 through 7/27/1998
and (3) the Class Y Shares of the  Fund's  predecessor,  Viking  Index Fund from
2/14/1985 through  5/31/1991.  These historical  returns for Classes A, B, and C
have not been  adjusted to reflect the effect of each Class'  12b-1 fees.  These
fees for Class A are 0.25%,  for Class B are  1.00%,  and for Class C are 1.00%.
Neither  Class Y nor Class I pay a 12b-1 fee. If these fees had been  reflected,
returns would have been lower.  Historical  performance  shown for Institutional
Service  Shares prior to its  inception is based on the  performance  of (1) the
Class A Shares  of the  Fund's  predecessor  CoreFund  Equity  Index  Fund  from
10/9/1996 to 7/27/1997 (2) the Class Y Shares of the Fund's predecessor CoreFund
Equity Index Fund from  6/1/1991 to 10/8/1996  and (3) the Class Y Shares of the
CoreFund  Equity  Index  Fund's  predecessor  Viking  Index Fund from  2/14/1985
through 5/31/1991.  Performance of Class Y for CoreFund Equity Index and Class Y
for Viking  Index Fund has not been  adjusted to reflect the effect of the 0.25%
12b-1 fee  applicable to Class  Institutional  Service  shares.  Class Y pays no
12b-1 fee.  If these fees had been  reflected,  returns  would have been  lower.
Historical  performance shown for Institutional Shares prior to its inception is
based on the  performance  of the  Class Y Shares  of the  Fund's  predecessors,
CoreFund Equity Index Fund from 6/1/1991 through 7/27/1998 and Viking Index Fund
from 2/14/1985 through 5/31/1991.

5-Historical  performance shown for Institutional Service Shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional Shares and has not
been  adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect of the 0.25%  12b-1 fee  applicable  to
Institutional  Service Shares.  Institutional Shares pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997, the
returns for Institutional  Shares and Institutional  Service Shares are based on
the Fund's  predecessor  common trust fund's  (CTFs)  performance,  adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses.  The CTFs were not registered under the 1940 Act
and were not subject to certain  investment  restrictions.  If the CTFs had been
registered,  their performance might have been adversely  affected.  Performance
for the CTFs have been  adjusted to include the effect of estimated  mutual fund
class gross expense  ratios at the time the Fund was converted to a mutual fund.
If fee waivers and expense  reimbursements  had been  calculated into the mutual
fund class expense  ratio the total  returns would be as follows:  Institutional
Shares - 5 year = 23.68% and since  12/31/1993 = 19.87%;  Institutional  Service
Shares - 5 year = 23.38% and since 12/31/1993 = 19.58%.

6-Historical  performance  shown for  Institutional  Service Shares prior to its
inception is based on the performance of  Institutional  Shares and has not been
adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect  of  the  0.25%  12b-1  fee   applicable   to
Institutional  Service Shares.  Institutional Shares pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower.

7-Historical  performance shown for Institutional Service Shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional Shares and has not
been  adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect of the 0.25%  12b-1 fee  applicable  to
Institutional  Service Shares.  Institutional Shares pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997, the
returns for Institutional  Shares and Institutional  Service Shares are based on
the Fund's  predecessor  common trust fund's  (CTFs)  performance,  adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses.  The CTFs were not registered under the 1940 Act
and were not subject to certain  investment  restrictions.  If the CTFs had been
registered,  their performance might have been adversely  affected.  Performance
for the CTFs have been  adjusted to include the effect of estimated  mutual fund
class gross expense  ratios at the time the Fund was converted to a mutual fund.
If fee waivers and expense  reimbursements  had been  calculated into the mutual
fund class expense ratio,  the total returns would be as follows:  Institutional
Shares - 5 year  =19.24%,  10 year =  13.90%  and  since  05/31/1988  =  13.99%;
Institutional  Service  Shares - 5 year =  18.95%,  10 year  =13.64 % and  since
5/31/1988 = 13.72%.

8-Historical  performance  shown for Classes A, B and C prior to their inception
is based on 1)  Institutional  Service Shares from 7/27/1998 to their inception,
2) the  performance  of the  Class A  Shares  of the  Fund's  predecessor  fund,
CoreFund Special Equity Fund from 2/2/1995 through 7/26/1998 and 3) the original
class of shares of the Fund's predecessor fund from 3/15/1994 to 2/20/1995.  The
performance  has not been adjusted to reflect the  differences in the 12b-1 fees
applicable to each class. These fees are for Class A 0.25%, Class B 1.00%, Class
C 1.00% and Institutional Service Shares 0.25%. If these fees had been reflected
returns for Classes B and C would have been lower.

9-Historical  performance shown for Institutional Service Shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional Shares and has not
been  adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect of the 0.25%  12b-1 fee  applicable  to
Institutional  Service Shares.  Institutional Shares pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997, the
returns for Institutional  Shares and Institutional  Service Shares are based on
the Fund's  predecessor  common trust fund's  (CTFs)  performance,  adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses.  The CTFs were not registered under the 1940 Act
and were not subject to certain  investment  restrictions.  If the CTFs had been
registered,  their performance might have been adversely  affected.  Performance
for the CTF has been  adjusted  to include the effect of  estimated  mutual fund
class gross expense  ratios at the time the Fund was converted to a mutual fund.
If fee waivers and expense  reimbursements  had been  calculated into the mutual
fund class expense  ratio the total  returns would be as follows:  Institutional
Shares  - since  12/31/1994  =  28.85%;  Institutional  Service  Shares  - since
12/31/1994 = 28.51%.

10-Historical performance shown for Institutional Service Shares from 11/24/1997
to its inception is based on the performance of Institutional Shares and has not
been  adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect of the 0.25%  12b-1 fee  applicable  to
Institutional Service Shares. Institutional Shares I pays no 12b-1 fee. If these
fees had been reflected, returns would have been lower. Prior to 11/24/1997, the
returns for Institutional  Shares and Institutional  Service Shares are based on
the Fund's  predecessor  common trust fund's  (CTFs)  performance,  adjusted for
estimated mutual fund expenses.  The CTFs were not registered under the 1940 Act
and were not subject to certain  investment  restrictions.  If the CTFs had been
registered,  their performance might have been adversely  affected.  Performance
for the CTFs have been  adjusted to include the effect of estimated  mutual fund
class gross expense  ratios at the time the Fund was converted to a mutual fund.
If fee waivers and expense  reimbursements  had been  calculated into the mutual
fund class expense  ratio the total  returns would be as follows:  Institutional
Shares - 5 year =22.23%,  10 year =14.96 % and since 12/31/1981 = 17.51%;  Class
IS - 5 year = 21.94%, 10 year = 14.69% and since 12/31/1981 = 17.23%.


Current Yield

         Below are the current  yields for each class of shares of the  Balanced
Fund and  Equity  Index  Fund as of June 30,  1999.  For more  information,  see
"30-day Yield under Performance Calculation in Part 2 of this SAI.


                                30-Day Yield

Fund                           Institutional               Institutional Service

Balanced Fund                      3.17%                           2.86%

Equity Index Fund                  0.95%                           0.72%



                                SERVICE PROVIDERS
Administrator

     Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. ("EIS") serves as administrator to each
of the Funds,  subject to the  supervision  and control of the Trust's  Board of
Trustees. EIS provides the Funds with facilities, equipment and personnel and is
entitled to receive a fee from the Fund based on the total  assets of all mutual
funds for  which  EIS  serves as  administrator  and a First  Union  Corporation
subsidiary  serves as advisor.  The fee paid to EIS is  calculated in accordance
with the following schedule:


            Assets                   Fee

          first $7 billion          0.05%

           next $3 billion          0.035%

           next $5 billion          0.030%

          next $10 billion          0.020%

           next $5 billion          0.015%

          over $30 billion          0.010%


Evergreen  Select Small Cap Growth Fund


{insert table}



Transfer Agent

         Evergreen  Service  Company  ("ESC"),   a  subsidiary  of  First  Union
Corporation,  is the Funds' transfer agent. ESC issues and redeems shares,  pays
dividends  and  performs  other duties in  connection  with the  maintenance  of
shareholder  accounts.  The transfer  agent's address is P.O. Box 2121,  Boston,
Massachusetts 02106-2121. The Fund pays ESC annual fees as follows:



                                 Annual Fee Per      Annual Fee Per
 Fund Type                        Open Account       Closed Account

 Monthly Dividend Funds              $25.50               $9.00

 Quarterly Dividend Funds            $24.50               $9.00

 Semiannual Dividend Funds           $23.50               $9.00

 Annual Dividend Funds               $23.50               $9.00

 Money Market Funds                  $25.50               $9.00


  *For  shareholder  accounts  only. The Fund pays ESC cost plus
  15% for broker  accounts ** Closed  account are  maintained on
  the  system  in  order  to  facilitate   historical   and  tax
  information.


Distributor

         Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor") markets the Funds
through broker-dealers and other financial representatives.  Its address is
125 W. 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.

Independent Auditors

         KPMG LLP,  99 High  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,  audits the
financial statements of each Fund.

Custodian

         State  Street  Bank and Trust  Company  keeps  custody  of each  Fund's
securities and cash and performs other related duties.  The custodian's  address
is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

Legal Counsel

         Sullivan & Worcester LLP provides legal advice to the Funds.  Its
address is 1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.



                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


         The audited  financial  statements  and the reports  thereon are hereby
incorporated  by reference to the Funds' Annual  Report,  a copy of which may be
obtained  without  charge  from  ESC,  P.O.  Box  2121,  Boston,   Massachusetts
02106-2121.

<PAGE>


                                EVERGREEN FUNDS
                   Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")

                                     PART 2

                      ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SECURITIES
                            AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES

         The  prospectus  describes  the  Fund's  investment  objective  and the
securities  in  which  it  primarily  invests.  The  following  describes  other
securities the Fund may purchase and  investment  strategies it may use. Some of
the  information  below will not apply to the Fund in which you are  interested.
See the list  under  Other  Securities  and  Practices  in Part 1 of this SAI to
determine which of the sections below are applicable.

Defensive Investments

         The Fund may  invest  up to 100% of its  assets in high  quality  money
market instruments,  such as notes,  certificates of deposit,  commercial paper,
banker's  acceptances,  bank deposits or U.S.  government  securities if, in the
opinion  of the  investment  advisor,  market  conditions  warrant  a  temporary
defensive investment  strategy.  Evergreen Equity Income Fund may also invest in
debt securities and high grade preferred stocks for defensive  purposes when its
investment advisor determines a temporary defensive strategy is warranted.

U.S. Government Securities

         The  Fund  may  invest  in  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities.

         These securities are backed by (1) the  discretionary  authority of the
U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of agencies or instrumentalities
or (2) the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligations.

         Some government agencies and instrumentalities may not receive
financial support from the U.S. Government.  Examples of such agencies are:

         (i)      Farm Credit System, including the National Bank for
                  Cooperatives, Farm Credit Banks and Banks for Cooperatives;

         (ii)     Farmers Home Administration;

         (iii)    Federal Home Loan Banks;

         (iv)     Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;

         (v)      Federal National Mortgage Association; and

         (vi)     Student Loan Marketing Association.

Securities Issued by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA").
The Fund may invest in securities issued by the GNMA, a corporation wholly-owned
by the U.S. Government. GNMA securities or "certificates" represent ownership in
a pool of underlying mortgages. The timely payment of principal and interest due
on these securities is guaranteed.

         Unlike  conventional  bonds, the principal on GNMA  certificates is not
paid at  maturity  but  over  the  life of the  security  in  scheduled  monthly
payments. While mortgages pooled in a GNMA certificate may have maturities of up
to 30 years,  the certificate  itself will have a shorter  average  maturity and
less principal volatility than a comparable 30-year bond.

         The market value and interest yield of GNMA  certificates  can vary due
not only to market  fluctuations,  but also to early  prepayments  of  mortgages
within  the pool.  Since  prepayment  rates vary  widely,  it is  impossible  to
accurately  predict  the  average  maturity  of a GNMA pool.  In addition to the
guaranteed  principal  payments,  GNMA  certificates  may also make  unscheduled
principal payments resulting from prepayments on the underlying mortgages.

         Although GNMA certificates may offer yields higher than those available
from other types of U.S. Government securities,  they may be less effective as a
means of  locking  in  attractive  long-term  rates  because  of the  prepayment
feature.  For instance,  when interest rates decline,  prepayments are likely to
increase as the  holders of the  underlying  mortgages  seek  refinancing.  As a
result,  the value of a GNMA  certificate  is not  likely to rise as much as the
value of a  comparable  debt  security  would in  response to same  decline.  In
addition, these prepayments can cause the price of a GNMA certificate originally
purchased at a premium to decline in price compared to its par value,  which may
result in a loss.

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

         The Fund may purchase  securities on a when-issued or delayed  delivery
basis  and may  purchase  or sell  securities  on a  forward  commitment  basis.
Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the
purchase or sale commitment is made.

         The Fund may purchase  securities  under such  conditions only with the
intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to
sell the securities  before the settlement  date.  Since the value of securities
purchased may  fluctuate  prior to  settlement,  the Fund may be required to pay
more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, the purchaser is not
entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement.

         Upon  making a  commitment  to  purchase a security  on a  when-issued,
delayed  delivery or forward  commitment  basis the Fund will hold liquid assets
worth at least the  equivalent  of the amount  due.  The liquid  assets  will be
monitored on a daily basis and  adjusted as necessary to maintain the  necessary
value.

         Purchases  made under such  conditions may involve the risk that yields
secured at the time of commitment may be lower than  otherwise  available by the
time  settlement  takes  place,  causing  an  unrealized  loss to the  Fund.  In
addition,  when the Fund engages in such purchases, it relies on the other party
to consummate the sale. If the other party fails to perform its obligations, the
Fund may miss the  opportunity  to obtain a  security  at a  favorable  price or
yield.



<PAGE>


Repurchase Agreements

         The Fund may enter into  repurchase  agreements  with entities that are
registered as U.S. Government securities dealers,  including member banks of the
Federal Reserve System having at least $1 billion in assets,  primary dealers in
U.S.  government  securities  or other  financial  institutions  believed by the
investment  advisor  to be  creditworthy.  In a  repurchase  agreement  the Fund
obtains a security  and  simultaneously  commits to return the  security  to the
seller at a set price (including principal and interest) within a period of time
usually not exceeding  seven days.  The resale price reflects the purchase price
plus an agreed upon market rate of  interest  which is  unrelated  to the coupon
rate or maturity of the underlying security. A repurchase agreement involves the
obligation  of the seller to pay the agreed upon price,  which  obligation is in
effect secured by the value of the underlying security.

         The  Fund's  custodian  or a third  party will take  possession  of the
securities subject to repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked
to market daily.  To the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the
securities from the Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase  price
on any sale of such securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed
for bankruptcy or became  insolvent,  disposition of such securities by the Fund
might be delayed pending court action.  The Fund's  investment  advisor believes
that under the regular  procedures  normally in effect for custody of the Fund's
portfolio  securities  subject to  repurchase  agreements,  a court of competent
jurisdiction  would rule in favor of the Fund and allow retention or disposition
of such  securities.  The Fund will only enter into  repurchase  agreements with
banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, which
are deemed by the investment  advisor to be creditworthy  pursuant to guidelines
established by the Board of Trustees.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

         As described  herein,  the Fund may also enter into reverse  repurchase
agreements.  These  transactions  are similar to  borrowing  cash.  In a reverse
repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to
another person,  such as a financial  institution,  broker, or dealer, in return
for a percentage of the instrument's  market value in cash, and agrees that on a
stipulated date in the future the Fund will repurchase the portfolio  instrument
by remitting the original consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.

         The use of reverse  repurchase  agreements may enable the Fund to avoid
selling  portfolio  instruments  at a  time  when a sale  may  be  deemed  to be
disadvantageous,  but the ability to enter into  reverse  repurchase  agreements
does  not  ensure  that  the  Fund  will  be  able to  avoid  selling  portfolio
instruments at a disadvantageous time.

         When  effecting  reverse  repurchase  agreements,  liquid assets of the
Fund, in a dollar amount  sufficient to make payment for the  obligations  to be
purchased,  are  segregated at the trade date.  These  securities  are marked to
market daily and maintained until the transaction is settled.

Options

         An option is a right to buy or sell a security  for a  specified  price
within a limited time period.  The option buyer pays the option seller (known as
the "writer") for the right to buy,  which is a "call"  option,  or the right to
sell,  which is a "put"  option.  Unless  the option is  terminated,  the option
seller must then buy or sell the security at the agreed-upon price when asked to
do so by the option buyer.

         The Fund may buy or sell put and call options on securities it holds or
intends to acquire,  and may  purchase  put and call  options for the purpose of
offsetting  previously written put and call options of the same series. The Fund
may also buy and sell options on financial futures contracts.  The Fund will use
options as a hedge against  decreases or increases in the value of securities it
holds or intends to acquire.

         The Fund may write only covered options.  With regard to a call option,
this means that the Fund will own,  for the life of the option,  the  securities
subject to the call  option.  The Fund will cover put options by  holding,  in a
segregated  account,  liquid  assets having a value equal to or greater than the
price of securities subject to the put option. If the Fund is unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction with respect to the covered options it has sold, it
will not be able to sell the underlying  securities or dispose of assets held in
a segregated  account until the options expire or are exercised,  resulting in a
potential loss of value to the Fund.

Futures Transactions

         The Fund may enter into financial  futures  contracts and write options
on such  contracts.  The Fund intends to enter into such  contracts  and related
options for hedging purposes.  The Fund will enter into futures on securities or
index-based  futures  contracts in order to hedge against changes in interest or
exchange  rates or  securities  prices.  A futures  contract on securities is an
agreement  to buy or sell  securities  at a specified  price during a designated
month.  A futures  contract  on a  securities  index does not involve the actual
delivery of  securities,  but merely  requires the payment of a cash  settlement
based on  changes in the  securities  index.  The Fund does not make  payment or
deliver securities upon entering into a futures contract.  Instead, it puts down
a margin  deposit,  which is  adjusted  to  reflect  changes in the value of the
contract and which continues until the contract is terminated.

         The  Fund  may  sell or  purchase  futures  contracts.  When a  futures
contract is sold by the Fund,  the value of the contract  will tend to rise when
the value of the  underlying  securities  declines and to fall when the value of
such securities  increases.  Thus, the Fund sells futures  contracts in order to
offset a possible decline in the value of its securities.  If a futures contract
is purchased by the Fund,  the value of the contract  will tend to rise when the
value of the underlying  securities increases and to fall when the value of such
securities declines.  The Fund intends to purchase futures contracts in order to
establish what is believed by the investment  advisor to be a favorable price or
rate of return for securities the Fund intends to purchase.

         The Fund also  intends  to  purchase  put and call  options  on futures
contracts for hedging purposes. A put option purchased by the Fund would give it
the right to assume a  position  as the  seller  of a futures  contract.  A call
option purchased by the Fund would give it the right to assume a position as the
purchaser of a futures contract. The purchase of an option on a futures contract
requires  the Fund to pay a  premium.  In  exchange  for the  premium,  the Fund
becomes  entitled  to exercise  the  benefits,  if any,  provided by the futures
contract,  but is not  required to take any action  under the  contract.  If the
option cannot be exercised profitably before it expires, the Fund's loss will be
limited to the amount of the premium and any transaction costs.

         The Fund may enter into closing purchase and sale transactions in order
to  terminate  a  futures  contract  and may sell put and call  options  for the
purpose of closing out its options  positions.  The Fund's ability to enter into
closing  transactions  depends on the  development  and  maintenance of a liquid
secondary  market.  There is no assurance  that a liquid  secondary  market will
exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. As a result,  there
can be no  assurance  that the Fund  will be able to  enter  into an  offsetting
transaction  with respect to a particular  contract at a particular time. If the
Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue
to be required to maintain  the margin  deposits on the contract and to complete
the  contract  according to its terms,  in which case it would  continue to bear
market risk on the transaction.

         Although  futures and options  transactions  are intended to enable the
Fund to manage  market,  interest  rate or  exchange  rate  risk,  unanticipated
changes in interest  rates or market  prices could result in poorer  performance
than if it had not  entered  into  these  transactions.  Even if the  investment
advisor  correctly   predicts   interest  rate  movements,   a  hedge  could  be
unsuccessful  if  changes in the value of the Fund's  futures  position  did not
correspond to changes in the value of its investments.  This lack of correlation
between the Fund's futures and securities positions may be caused by differences
between  the  futures  and  securities  markets or by  differences  between  the
securities  underlying the Fund's futures position and the securities held by or
to be  purchased  for the Fund.  The Fund's  investment  advisor will attempt to
minimize  these risks through  careful  selection  and  monitoring of the Fund's
futures and options positions.

         The Fund does not intend to use futures transactions for speculation or
leverage.  The Fund has the ability to write  options on futures,  but currently
intends to write such options  only to close out options  purchased by the Fund.
The Fund will not change these policies without supplementing the information in
the prospectus and SAI.

         The Fund will not maintain open  positions in futures  contracts it has
sold or call options it has written on futures  contracts if, in the  aggregate,
the value of the open  positions  (marked to market)  exceeds the current market
value of its securities  portfolio plus or minus the unrealized  gain or loss on
those open  positions,  adjusted for the  correlation of volatility  between the
hedged securities and the futures  contracts.  If this limitation is exceeded at
any time,  the Fund will take prompt action to close out a sufficient  number of
open  contracts  to bring its open  futures  and options  positions  within this
limitation.

"Margin" in Futures Transactions. Unlike the purchase or sale of a security, the
Fund  does not pay or  receive  money  upon the  purchase  or sale of a  futures
contract.  Rather the Fund is required to deposit an amount of "initial  margin"
in cash or U.S.  Treasury  bills with its custodian  (or the broker,  if legally
permitted).  The nature of initial margin in futures  transactions  is different
from that of margin in securities  transactions in that futures contract initial
margin  does not  involve  the  borrowing  of funds by the Fund to  finance  the
transactions.  Initial  margin is in the  nature of a  performance  bond or good
faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon  termination of
the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied.

         A futures  contract  held by the Fund is valued  daily at the  official
settlement  price of the exchange on which it is traded.  Each day the Fund pays
or receives cash, called "variation  margin," equal to the daily change in value
of the futures contract. This process is known as "marking to market". Variation
margin  does not  represent  a  borrowing  or loan by the  Fund  but is  instead
settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other
if the futures contract expired. In computing its daily net asset value the Fund
will  mark-to-market  its open futures  positions.  The Fund is also required to
deposit and maintain margin when it writes call options on futures contracts.



<PAGE>


Foreign Securities

         The Fund may invest in foreign securities or U.S.  securities traded in
foreign  markets.  In  addition  to  securities  issued  by  foreign  companies,
permissible  investments may also consist of obligations of foreign  branches of
U.S. banks and of foreign banks,  including  European  certificates  of deposit,
European  time  deposits,  Canadian  time  deposits and Yankee  certificates  of
deposit.  The Fund may also invest in Canadian  commercial  paper and Europaper.
These  instruments may subject the Fund to investment  risks that differ in some
respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. issuers.  Such
risks include the  possibility of adverse  political and economic  developments;
imposition  of  withholding   taxes  on  interest  or  other  income;   seizure,
nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits; establishment of exchange
controls or taxation at the source; greater fluctuations in value due to changes
in exchange  rates, or the adoption of other foreign  governmental  restrictions
which might  adversely  affect the  payment of  principal  and  interest on such
obligations.  Such  investments may also entail higher  custodial fees and sales
commissions  than  domestic  investments.   Foreign  issuers  of  securities  or
obligations  are often  subject to  accounting  treatment and engage in business
practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities
or obligations.  Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject
to less  stringent  reserve  requirements  than  those  applicable  to  domestic
branches of U.S. banks.

Foreign Currency Transactions

         As one way of  managing  exchange  rate  risk,  the Fund may enter into
forward currency exchange  contracts  (agreements to purchase or sell currencies
at a specified  price and date).  The  exchange  rate for the  transaction  (the
amount of  currency  the Fund will  deliver  and  receive  when the  contract is
completed)  is fixed when the Fund enters into the  contract.  The Fund  usually
will enter into these contracts to stabilize the U.S. dollar value of a security
it has agreed to buy or sell.  The Fund intends to use these  contracts to hedge
the U.S.  dollar value of a security it already owns,  particularly  if the Fund
expects a decrease in the value of the currency in which the foreign security is
denominated.  Although  the Fund will  attempt  to benefit  from  using  forward
contracts,  the success of its hedging  strategy  will depend on the  investment
advisor's  ability  to predict  accurately  the future  exchange  rates  between
foreign  currencies  and the U.S.  dollar.  The value of the Fund's  investments
denominated in foreign currencies will depend on the relative strengths of those
currencies  and the  U.S.  dollar,  and the Fund may be  affected  favorably  or
unfavorably  by changes in the exchange  rates or exchange  control  regulations
between  foreign  currencies and the U.S.  dollar.  Changes in foreign  currency
exchange rates also may affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains
and losses  realized on the sale of  securities  and net  investment  income and
gains,  if any, to be distributed to shareholders by the Fund. The Fund may also
purchase and sell  options  related to foreign  currencies  in  connection  with
hedging strategies.

High Yield, High Risk Bonds

         The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in lower rated bonds. Bonds
rated below BBB by  Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Services  ("S&P") or Fitch IBCA,
Inc.  ("Fitch") or below Baa by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's"),
commonly  known as "junk  bonds," offer high yields,  but also high risk.  While
investment in junk bonds provides  opportunities  to maximize  return over time,
they are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the ability of the
issuer to meet principal and interest payments.
Investors should be aware of the following risks:

         (1) The lower ratings of junk bonds reflect a greater  possibility that
adverse changes in the financial  condition of the issuer or in general economic
conditions,  or both, or an unanticipated  rise in interest rates may impair the
ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal,  especially if
the  issuer  is  highly  leveraged.  Such  issuer's  ability  to meet  its  debt
obligations  may also be adversely  affected by the  issuer's  inability to meet
specific  forecasts or the  unavailability  of  additional  financing.  Also, an
economic  downturn or an increase in interest  rates may increase the  potential
for default by the issuers of these securities.

         (2)  The  value  of  junk  bonds  may be  more  susceptible  to real or
perceived  adverse  economic  or  political  events  than is the case for higher
quality bonds.

         (3) The  value  of  junk  bonds,  like  those  of  other  fixed  income
securities,  fluctuates  in  response to changes in  interest  rates,  generally
rising when interest  rates decline and falling when  interest  rates rise.  For
example,  if interest rates increase after a fixed income security is purchased,
the  security,  if sold prior to  maturity,  may return less than its cost.  The
prices of junk bonds,  however,  are generally  less  sensitive to interest rate
changes than the prices of  higher-rated  bonds,  but are more sensitive to news
about an issuer or the economy which is, or investors perceive as, negative.

         (4) The  secondary  market for junk bonds may be less liquid at certain
times than the secondary  market for higher quality  bonds,  which may adversely
effect (a) the bond's market price,  (b) the Fund's ability to sell the bond and
the Fund's ability to obtain accurate market  quotations for purposes of valuing
its assets.

         For bond  ratings  descriptions,  see  "Corporate  and  Municipal  Bond
Ratings" below.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

         The Fund may not invest  more than 15% of its net assets in  securities
that are illiquid.  A security is illiquid when the Fund cannot dispose of it in
the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately  the value at
which the Fund has the investment on its books.

         The  Fund may  invest  in  "restricted"  securities,  i.e.,  securities
subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144A") allows certain restricted securities to
trade freely among qualified institutional investors. Since Rule 144A securities
may have limited  markets,  the Board of Trustees  will  determine  whether such
securities  should be  considered  illiquid for the purpose of  determining  the
Fund's  compliance  with the limit on illiquid  securities  indicated  above. In
determining the liquidity of Rule 144A  securities,  the Trustees will consider:
(1) the  frequency  of trades  and quotes  for the  security;  (2) the number of
dealers  willing  to  purchase  or sell the  security  and the  number  of other
potential buyers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security;  and
(4) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.

Investment in Other Investment Companies

         The Fund may purchase the shares of other  investment  companies to the
extent  permitted under the 1940 Act.  Currently,  the Fund may not (1) own more
than 3% of the  outstanding  voting stocks of another  investment  company,  (2)
invest  more than 5% of its assets in any  single  investment  company,  and (3)
invest more than 10% of its assets in investment  companies.  However,  the Fund
may invest  all of its  investable  assets in  securities  of a single  open-end
management investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment
objectives,  policies and limitations as the Fund. Investing in other investment
companies may expose a Fund to duplicate expenses and lower its value.

Short Sales

         A short sale is the sale of a security the Fund has borrowed.  The Fund
expects to profit from a short sale by selling the  borrowed  security  for more
than the cost of buying it to repay the lender. After a short sale is completed,
the value of the  security  sold short may rise.  If that  happens,  the cost of
buying it to repay the lender may exceed the amount originally  received for the
sale by the Fund.

         The Fund may engage in short sales,  but it may not make short sales of
securities  or  maintain  a short  position  unless,  at all times  when a short
position is open,  it owns an equal amount of such  securities  or of securities
which,  without payment of any further  consideration,  are convertible  into or
exchangeable  for  securities  of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the
securities  sold short.  The Fund may effect a short sale in connection  with an
underwriting in which the Fund is a participant.

Municipal Bonds

         The Fund may  invest in  municipal  bonds of any  state,  territory  or
possession  of the United States  ("U.S."),  including the District of Columbia.
The Fund may also invest in municipal bonds of any political subdivision, agency
or  instrumentality  (e.g.,  counties,   cities,  towns,  villages,   districts,
authorities)  of  the  U.S.  or  its  possessions.   Municipal  bonds  are  debt
instruments  issued by or for a state or local government to support its general
financial  needs  or to pay for  special  projects  such as  airports,  bridges,
highways, public transit, schools, hospitals, housing and water and sewer works.
Municipal bonds may also may be issued to refinance public debt.

         Municipal  bonds are mainly divided  between  "general  obligation" and
"revenue"  bonds.  General  obligation  bonds are  backed by the full  faith and
credit of  governmental  issuers with the power to tax. They are repaid from the
issuer's general revenues.  Payment,  however, may be dependent upon legislative
approval  and may be  subject  to  limitations  on the  issuer's  taxing  power.
Enforcement of payments due under general  obligation  bonds varies according to
the law applicable to the issuer. In contrast,  revenue bonds are supported only
by the revenues generated by the project or facility.

         The Fund may also invest in industrial  development  bonds.  Such bonds
are usually  revenue bonds issued to pay for  facilities  with a public  purpose
operated by private corporations.  The credit quality of industrial  development
bonds is usually directly related to the credit standing of the owner or user of
the  facilities.  To  qualify  as a  municipal  bond,  the  interest  paid on an
industrial  development  bond must qualify as fully  exempt from federal  income
tax. However, the interest paid on an industrial development bond may be subject
to the federal alternative minimum tax.

         The  yields  on  municipal  bonds  depend  on such  factors  as  market
conditions, the financial condition of the issuer and the issue's size, maturity
date and  rating.  Municipal  bonds are rated by S&P,  Moody's  and Fitch.  Such
ratings,  however,  are opinions,  not absolute standards of quality.  Municipal
bonds with the same  maturity,  interest  rates and  rating  may have  different
yields,  while  municipal  bonds with the same maturity and interest  rate,  but
different  ratings,  may have the same  yield.  Once  purchased  by the Fund,  a
municipal  bond may cease to be rated or receive a new rating  below the minimum
required for purchase by the Fund.  Neither event would require the Fund to sell
the bond,  but the Fund's  investment  advisor  would  consider  such  events in
determining whether the Fund should continue to hold it.

         The ability of the Fund to achieve  its  investment  objective  depends
upon the  continuing  ability of issuers of municipal  bonds to pay interest and
principal when due. Municipal bonds are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy,
insolvency and other laws  affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.  Such
laws extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, and may otherwise
restrict the Fund's ability to enforce its rights in the event of default. Since
there is generally  less  information  available on the  financial  condition of
municipal  bond issuers  compared to other domestic  issuers of securities,  the
Fund's  investment   advisor  may  lack  sufficient   knowledge  of  an  issue's
weaknesses. Other influences, such as litigation, may also materially affect the
ability of an issuer to pay principal  and interest  when due. In addition,  the
market for  municipal  bonds is often thin and can be  temporarily  affected  by
large purchases and sales, including those by the Fund.

         From time to time,  Congress has considered  restricting or eliminating
the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal  bonds.  Such actions
could  materially  affect the  availability  of municipal bonds and the value of
those already owned by the Fund. If such  legislation  were passed,  the Trust's
Board of Trustees may recommend changes in the Fund's investment  objectives and
policies or dissolution of the Fund.

Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico

         The Fund may invest in  obligations  of the  governments  of the Virgin
Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico to the extent such obligations are exempt from the
income or intangibles  taxes, as applicable,  of the state for which the Fund is
named. The Fund does not presently intend to invest more than (a) 10% of its net
assets in the  obligations  of each of the Virgin Islands and Guam or (b) 25% of
its net assets in the obligations of Puerto Rico.  Accordingly,  the Fund may be
adversely  affected by local political and economic  conditions and developments
within the Virgin  Islands,  Guam and Puerto Rico  affecting the issuers of such
obligations.

Master Demand Notes

         The Fund may  invest  in  master  demand  notes.  These  are  unsecured
obligations  that permit the  investment of  fluctuating  amounts by the Fund at
varying rates of interest pursuant to direct  arrangements  between the Fund, as
lender,  and the issuer,  as  borrower.  Master  demand  notes may permit  daily
fluctuations in the interest rate and daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The
Fund has the right to increase  the amount  under the note at any time up to the
full amount  provided by the note  agreement,  or to  decrease  the amount.  The
borrower  may repay up to the full amount of the note  without  penalty.  Master
demand notes permit the Fund to demand payment of principal and accrued interest
at any time (on not more than seven days'  notice).  Notes  acquired by the Fund
may  have  maturities  of more  than  one  year,  provided  that (1) the Fund is
entitled to payment of principal  and accrued  interest upon not more than seven
days'  notice,  and  (2)  the  rate  of  interest  on  such  notes  is  adjusted
automatically at periodic intervals, which normally will not exceed 31 days, but
may extend up to one year.  The notes are deemed to have a maturity equal to the
longer of the period  remaining  to the next  interest  rate  adjustment  or the
demand  notice  period.   Because  these  types  of  notes  are  direct  lending
arrangements between the lender and borrower,  such instruments are not normally
traded and there is no  secondary  market  for these  notes,  although  they are
redeemable  and thus  repayable  by the  borrower  at face  value  plus  accrued
interest at any time.  Accordingly,  the Fund's  right to redeem is dependent on
the  ability of the  borrower  to pay  principal  and  interest  on  demand.  In
connection with master demand note  arrangements,  the Fund`s investment advisor
considers,  under standards established by the Board of Trustees, earning power,
cash flow and  other  liquidity  ratios of the  borrower  and will  monitor  the
ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. These notes are
not typically rated by credit rating agencies. Unless rated, the Fund may invest
in them only if at the time of an  investment  the  issuer  meets  the  criteria
established for high quality  commercial paper,  i.e., rated A-1 by S&P, Prime-1
by Moody's or F-1 by Fitch.

Brady Bonds

         The Fund may also  invest  in Brady  Bonds.  Brady  Bonds  are  created
through the exchange of existing  commercial bank loans to foreign  entities for
new obligations in connection with debt  restructurings  under a plan introduced
by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury,  Nicholas F. Brady (the "Brady Plan").
Brady Bonds have been issued only recently, and, accordingly, do not have a long
payment history.  They may be collateralized or  uncollateralized  and issued in
various currencies (although most are U.S. dollar-denominated) and they are
actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market.

         U.S.  dollar-denominated,  collateralized  Brady  Bonds,  which  may be
fixed-rate   par  bonds  or  floating   rate  discount   bonds,   are  generally
collateralized  in full as to principal  due at maturity by U.S.  Treasury  zero
coupon  obligations  that have the same  maturity as the Brady  Bonds.  Interest
payments on these Brady Bonds generally are collateralized by cash or securities
in an amount  that,  in the case of fixed rate  bonds,  is equal to at least one
year of rolling interest payments based on the applicable  interest rate at that
time and is adjusted at regular  intervals  thereafter.  Certain Brady Bonds are
entitled to "value recovery payments" in certain circumstances,  which in effect
constitute supplemental interest payments, but generally are not collateralized.
Brady  Bonds are often  viewed as having up to four  valuation  components:  (1)
collateralized  repayment  of principal at final  maturity,  (2)  collateralized
interest  payments,   (3)  uncollateralized   interest  payments,  and  (4)  any
uncollateralized  repayment  of principal  at maturity  (these  uncollateralized
amounts  constitute the "residual risk"). In the event of a default with respect
to  collateralized  Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment  obligations of
the issuer are accelerated,  the U.S.  Treasury zero coupon  obligations held as
collateral  for the payment of principal  will not be  distributed to investors,
nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds  distributed.  The collateral
will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled  maturity of the defaulted
Brady  Bonds,  which will  continue  to be  outstanding,  at which time the face
amount of the collateral will equal the principal  payments that would have then
been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course.  In addition,  in light of the
residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other  factors,  the history of defaults
with  respect  to  commercial  bank  loans by public  and  private  entities  of
countries  issuing Brady Bonds,  investments  in Brady Bonds are to be viewed as
speculative.

Obligations of Foreign Branches of United States Banks

         The Fund may invest in obligations of foreign  branches of U.S.  banks.
These may be general  obligations  of the parent bank in addition to the issuing
branch,  or  may be  limited  by  the  terms  of a  specific  obligation  and by
government regulation.  Payment of interest and principal upon these obligations
may also be  affected by  governmental  action in the country of domicile of the
branch  (generally  referred to as sovereign  risk).  In addition,  evidences of
ownership  of such  securities  may be held outside the U.S. and the Fund may be
subject to the risks  associated  with the  holding of such  property  overseas.
Examples of governmental  actions would be the imposition of currency  controls,
interest limitations, withholding taxes, seizure of assets or the declaration of
a moratorium.  Various  provisions of federal law governing domestic branches do
not apply to foreign branches of domestic banks.

Obligations of United States Branches of Foreign Banks

         The Fund may invest in obligations  of U.S.  branches of foreign banks.
These may be general  obligations  of the parent bank in addition to the issuing
branch,  or may be limited by the terms of a specific  obligation and by federal
and state  regulation as well as by governmental  action in the country in which
the foreign bank has its head office.  In addition,  there may be less  publicly
available  information  about a U.S.  branch  of a  foreign  bank  than  about a
domestic bank.

Payment-in-kind Securities

         The Fund may invest in  payment-in-kind  ("PIK")  securities.  PIKs pay
interest in either cash or additional securities,  at the issuer's option, for a
specified period. The issuer's option to pay in additional  securities typically
ranges  from one to six  years,  compared  to an  average  maturity  for all PIK
securities  of eleven  years.  Call  protection  and sinking  fund  features are
comparable to those offered on traditional debt issues.

         PIKs,  like  zero  coupon  bonds,   are  designed  to  give  an  issuer
flexibility in managing cash flow. Several PIKs are senior debt. In other cases,
where  PIKs  are   subordinated,   most  senior  lenders  view  them  as  equity
equivalents.

         An advantage  of PIKs for the issuer -- as with zero coupon  securities
- -- is that interest  payments are automatically  compounded  (reinvested) at the
stated coupon rate, which is not the case with cash-paying securities.  However,
PIKs are gaining  popularity  over zeros since  interest  payments in additional
securities can be monetized and are more tangible than accretion of a discount.

         As a group,  PIK bonds trade flat  (i.e.,  without  accrued  interest).
Their  price is  expected to reflect an amount  representing  accredit  interest
since the last payment.  PIKs generally  trade at higher yields than  comparable
cash-paying  securities of the same issuer. Their premium yield is the result of
the lesser  desirability  of non-cash  interest,  the more limited  audience for
non-cash  paying  securities,  and the fact that  many PIKs have been  issued to
equity investors who do not normally own or hold such securities.

         Calculating the true yield on a PIK security requires a discounted cash
flow  analysis  if the  security  (ex  interest)  is  trading  at a premium or a
discount  because the  realizable  value of additional  payments is equal to the
current market value of the underlying security, not par.


         Regardless of whether PIK securities are senior or deeply subordinated,
issuers are highly  motivated to retire them because they are usually their most
costly form of capital.

Zero Coupon "Stripped" Bonds

         The Fund may invest in zero coupon  "stripped"  bonds.  These represent
ownership  in  serially  maturing  interest  payments or  principal  payments on
specific  underlying notes and bonds,  including  coupons relating to such notes
and bonds.  The interest and principal  payments are direct  obligations  of the
issuer.  Interest zero coupon bonds of any series mature  periodically  from the
date of issue of such series through the maturity date of the securities related
to such  series.  Principal  zero  coupon  bonds  mature  on the date  specified
therein,  which is the final maturity date of the related securities.  Each zero
coupon bond entitles the holder to receive a single  payment at maturity.  There
are no periodic  interest  payments on a zero coupon bond. Zero coupon bonds are
offered at discounts from their face amounts.

         In general,  owners of zero  coupon  bonds have  substantially  all the
rights  and  privileges  of  owners  of the  underlying  coupon  obligations  or
principal  obligations.  Owners of zero coupon bonds have the right upon default
on the  underlying  coupon  obligations  or  principal  obligations  to  proceed
directly  and  individually  against  the issuer and are not  required to act in
concert with other holders of zero coupon bonds.

         For federal  income tax purposes,  a purchaser of principal zero coupon
bonds or interest  zero  coupon  bonds  (either  initially  or in the  secondary
market) is treated as if the buyer had purchased a corporate  obligation  issued
on the purchase date with an original  issue discount equal to the excess of the
amount payable at maturity over the purchase price. The purchaser is required to
take into  income  each year as  ordinary  income an  allocable  portion of such
discounts determined on a "constant yield" method. Any such income increases the
holder's tax basis for the zero coupon  bond,  and any gain or loss on a sale of
the zero coupon bonds  relative to the  holder's  basis,  as so  adjusted,  is a
capital gain or loss.  If the holder owns both  principal  zero coupon bonds and
interest zero coupon bonds representing interest in the same underlying issue of
securities, a special basis allocation rule (requiring the aggregate basis to be
allocated  among the items sold and retained based on their relative fair market
value at the time of sale) may apply to determine  the gain or loss on a sale of
any such zero coupon bonds.

Mortgage-Backed or Asset-Backed Securities

         The Fund may  invest in  mortgage-backed  securities  and  asset-backed
securities. Two principal types of mortgage-backed securities are collateralized
mortgage  obligations  ("CMOs")  and real estate  mortgage  investment  conduits
("REMICs").   CMOs  are  securities   collateralized   by  mortgages,   mortgage
pass-throughs,  mortgage  pay-through bonds (bonds representing an interest in a
pool of mortgages  where the cash flow  generated  from the mortgage  collateral
pool is  dedicated  to  bond  repayment),  and  mortgage-backed  bonds  (general
obligations  of the  issuers  payable  out of the  issuers'  general  funds  and
additionally  secured  by a  first  lien  on a pool of  single  family  detached
properties).  Many CMOs are issued with a number of classes or series which have
different maturities and are retired in sequence.

         Investors  purchasing  CMOs in the shortest  maturities  receive or are
credited with their pro rata portion of the  scheduled  payments of interest and
principal  on the  underlying  mortgages  plus all  unscheduled  prepayments  of
principal up to a predetermined portion of the total CMO obligation.  Until that
portion of such CMO  obligation  is repaid,  investors in the longer  maturities
receive interest only.  Accordingly,  the CMOs in the longer maturity series are
less  likely  than other  mortgage  pass-throughs  to be prepaid  prior to their
stated maturity. Although some of the mortgages underlying CMOs may be supported
by various types of insurance,  and some CMOs may be backed by GNMA certificates
or other mortgage pass-throughs issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies
or instrumentalities, the CMOs themselves are not generally guaranteed.

         REMICs,  which were  authorized  under the Tax Reform Act of 1986,  are
private  entities  formed for the  purpose of holding a fixed pool of  mortgages
secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they
issue multiple classes of securities.

         In  addition  to  mortgage-backed  securities,  the Fund may  invest in
securities secured by other assets including company receivables, truck and auto
loans,  leases,  and  credit  card  receivables.  These  issues  may  be  traded
over-the-counter  and typically  have a  short-intermediate  maturity  structure
depending on the pay down  characteristics  of the underlying  financial  assets
which are passed through to the security holder.

         Credit card  receivables  are  generally  unsecured and the debtors are
entitled  to the  protection  of a number of state and federal  consumer  credit
laws,  many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed
on the  credit  cards,  thereby  reducing  the  balance  due.  Most  issuers  of
asset-backed securities backed by automobile receivables permit the servicers of
such  receivables  to retain  possession of the underlying  obligations.  If the
servicers were to sell these obligations to another party,  there is a risk that
the purchaser  would acquire an interest  superior to that of the holders of the
rated  asset-backed  securities.  In  addition,  because of the large  number of
vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical  requirements  under state
laws,  the  trustee  for  the  holders  of  asset-backed  securities  backed  by
automobile  receivables  may not have a proper  security  interest in all of the
obligations backing such receivables.  Therefore,  there is the possibility that
recoveries on  repossessed  collateral  may not, in some cases,  be available to
support payments on these securities.

         In general, issues of asset-backed securities are structured to include
additional  collateral  and/or  additional credit support to protect against the
risk that a portion of the collateral supporting the asset-backed securities may
default  and/or may suffer from these  defects.  In  evaluating  the strength of
particular issues of asset-backed  securities,  the investment advisor considers
the financial strength of the guarantor or other provider of credit support, the
type and extent of credit enhancement  provided as well as the documentation and
structure of the issue itself and the credit support.

Variable or Floating Rate Instruments

         The Fund may invest in variable or floating rate instruments  which may
involve a demand  feature and may include  variable  amount  master demand notes
which may or may not be backed by bank  letters of credit.  Variable or floating
rate  instruments  bear  interest at a rate which  varies with changes in market
rates.  The  holder  of an  instrument  with a demand  feature  may  tender  the
instrument back to the issuer at par prior to maturity. A variable amount master
demand note is issued pursuant to a written agreement between the issuer and the
holder,  its amount may be increased by the holder or decreased by the holder or
issuer, it is payable on demand,  and the rate -of interest varies based upon an
agreed formula. The quality of the underlying credit must, in the opinion of the
investment  advisor,  be equivalent to the  long-term  bond or commercial  paper
ratings applicable to permitted investments for the Fund. The investment advisor
will monitor,  on an ongoing basis, the earning power,  cash flow, and liquidity
ratios of the issuers of such instruments and will similarly monitor the ability
of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand.

Limited Partnerships

         The Fund may  invest in  limited  and master  limited  partnerships.  A
limited partnership is a partnership consisting of one or more general partners,
jointly and severally responsible as ordinary partners, and by whom the business
is conducted, and one or more limited partners who contribute cash as capital to
the  partnership  and  who  generally  are  not  liable  for  the  debts  of the
partnership beyond the amounts contributed. Limited partners are not involved in
the day-to-day management of the partnership. They receive income, capital gains
and other tax benefits  associated  with the  partnership  project in accordance
with  terms   established  in  the   partnership   agreement.   Typical  limited
partnerships  are in real estate,  oil and gas and equipment  leasing,  but they
also finance movies, research and development, and other projects.

         For an  organization  classified  as a  partnership  under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  each item of income, gain, loss,
deduction, and credit is not taxed at the partnership level but flows through to
the holder of the partnership  unit. This allows the partnership to avoid double
taxation and to pass  through  income to the holder of the  partnership  unit at
lower individual rates.

         A master limited partnership is a publicly traded limited  partnership.
The partnership units are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC")  and  are  freely   exchanged  on  a  securities   exchange  or  in  the
over-the-counter market.


                        PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

         You may buy shares of the Fund  through EDI,  broker-dealers  that have
entered  into  special   agreements   with  EDI  or  certain   other   financial
institutions.  With certain exceptions,  the Fund may offer up to four different
classes of shares  that  differ  primarily  with  respect to sales  charges  and
distribution  fees.  Depending upon the class of shares, you will pay an initial
sales charge when you buy the Fund's shares, a contingent  deferred sales charge
(a "CDSC") when you redeem the Fund's  shares or no sales  charges at all.  Each
Fund offers  different  classes of shares.  Refer to the prospectus to determine
which classes of shares are offered by each Fund.

Class A Shares

         With certain exceptions,  when you purchase Class A shares you will pay
a maximum sales charge of 4.75%.  The  prospectus  contains a complete  table of
applicable sales charges and a discussion of sales charge  reductions or waivers
that may apply to purchases.  If you purchase Class A shares in the amount of $1
million or more, without an initial sales charge, the Fund will charge a CDSC of
1.00% if you redeem  during the month of your  purchase or the  12-month  period
following  the month of your purchase (see  "Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge"
below).

         No front-end  sales charges are imposed on Class A shares  purchased by
(a)  institutional  investors,  which may  include  bank trust  departments  and
registered  investment  advisors;   (b)  investment  advisors,   consultants  or
financial  planners  who place  trades for their own accounts or the accounts of
their clients and who charge such clients a management,  consulting, advisory or
other fee; (c) clients of  investment  advisors or financial  planners who place
trades for their own accounts if the  accounts are linked to the master  account
of  such  investment  advisors  or  financial  planners  on  the  books  of  the
broker-dealer  through whom shares are purchased;  (d) institutional  clients of
broker-dealers,  including  retirement and deferred  compensation  plans and the
trusts used to fund these plans,  which place trades through an omnibus  account
maintained  with the Fund by the  broker-dealer;  (e)  shareholders of record on
October 12, 1990 in any series of  Evergreen  Investment  Trust in  existence on
that date, and the members of their immediate families;  (f) current and retired
employees of First Union National Bank ("FUNB") and its affiliates,  EDI and any
broker-dealer  with whom EDI has entered into an agreement to sell shares of the
Fund, and members of the immediate families of such employees;  and (g) upon the
initial purchase of an Evergreen fund by investors reinvesting the proceeds from
a  redemption  within the  preceding  30 days of shares of other  mutual  funds,
provided such shares were initially  purchased with a front-end  sales charge or
subject to a CDSC.

Class B Shares

         The Fund offers  Class B shares at net asset  value  without an initial
sales charge. With certain exceptions,  however,  the Fund will charge a CDSC on
shares  you  redeem  within 72  months  after  the  month of your  purchase,  in
accordance with the following schedule:

REDEMPTION TIME                                                     CDSC RATE

Month of purchase and the first 12-month
period following the month of purchase. ...................................5.00%
Second 12-month period following the month of purchase.....................4.00%
Third 12-month period following the month of purchase......................3.00%
Fourth 12-month period following the month of purchase.....................3.00%
Fifth 12-month period following the month of purchase......................2.00%
Sixth 12-month period following the month of purchase......................1.00%
Thereafter.................................................................0.00%

         Class B shares  that have been  outstanding  for seven  years after the
month  of  purchase  will  automatically  convert  to  Class  A  shares  without
imposition of a front-end  sales charge or exchange  fee.  Conversion of Class B
shares  represented by stock  certificates  will require the return of the stock
certificate to ESC.

Class C Shares

         Class C shares  are  available  only  through  broker-dealers  who have
entered into special  distribution  agreements with EDI. The Fund offers Class C
shares  at net asset  value  without  an  initial  sales  charge.  With  certain
exceptions,  however,  the Fund will charge a CDSC of 1.00% on shares you redeem
within  12-months  after the month of your purchase.  See  "Contingent  Deferred
Sales Charge" below.

Class Y Shares

         No CDSC is imposed on the redemption of Class Y shares.  Class Y shares
are not offered to the general  public and are available only to (1) persons who
at or prior to December  31, 1994 owned  shares in a mutual fund  advised by (2)
certain  institutional  investors  and (3)  investment  advisory  clients  of an
investment  advisor of an Evergreen  Fund or the advisor's  affiliates.  Class Y
shares are offered at net asset  value  without a  front-end  or back-end  sales
charge and do not bear any Rule 12b-1 distribution expenses.

INSTITUTIONAL SHARES, INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

         Each  institutional  class of shares is sold without a front-end  sales
charge or contingent deferred sales charge.  Institutional Service shares pay an
ongoing service fee. The minimum initial  investment in any institutional  class
of shares is $1 million, which may be waived in certain circumstances.  There is
no minimum amount required for subsequent purchases.


<PAGE>


Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

         The Fund charges a CDSC as reimbursement for certain expenses,  such as
commissions or shareholder  servicing  fees,  that it has incurred in connection
with the sale of its shares  (see  "Distribution  Expenses  Under  Rule  12b-1,"
below). Institutional, Institutional Service and Charitable shares do not charge
a CDSC. If imposed,  the Fund deducts the CDSC from the redemption  proceeds you
would otherwise  receive.  The CDSC is a percentage of the lesser of (1) the net
asset  value of the shares at the time of  redemption  or (2) the  shareholder's
original net cost for such shares. Upon request for redemption, to keep the CDSC
a  shareholder  must pay as low as possible,  the Fund will first seek to redeem
shares not subject to the CDSC and/or  shares held the  longest,  in that order.
The  CDSC  on  any  redemption  is,  to the  extent  permitted  by the  National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., paid to EDI or its predecessor.


                       SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AND REDUCTIONS

         The  following   information  is  not   applicable  to   Institutional,
Institutional Service and Charitable shares.

         If you making a large purchase,  there are several ways you can combine
multiple  purchases of Class A shares in Evergreen  Funds and take  advantage of
lower sales charges. These are described below.

Combined Purchases

         You can reduce  your sales  charge by  combining  purchases  of Class A
shares of multiple Evergreen Funds. For example, if you invested $75,000 in each
of two  different  Evergreen  Funds,  you  would pay a sales  charge  based on a
$150,000 purchase (i.e., 3.75% of the offering price, rather than 4.75%).

Rights of Accumulation

         You can reduce your sales  charge by adding the value of Class A shares
of  Evergreen  Funds  you  already  own to the  amount  of  your  next  Class  A
investment.  For  example,  if you hold  Class A shares  valued at  $99,999  and
purchase an additional $5,000, the sales charge for the $5,000 purchase would be
at the next lower sales charge of 3.75%, rather than 4.75%.

         Your account, and therefore your rights of accumulation,  can be linked
to immediate  family  members  which  includes  father and mother,  brothers and
sisters,  and  sons and  daughters.  The  same  rule  applies  with  respect  to
individual  retirement  plans.  Please  note,  however,  that  retirement  plans
involving employees stand alone and do not pass on rights of accumulation.

Letter of Intent

         You  can,  by  completing  the  "Letter  of  Intent"   section  of  the
application, purchase Class A shares over a 13-month period and receive the same
sales  charge as if you had  invested  all the money at once.  All  purchases of
Class A shares of an Evergreen  Fund during the period will qualify as Letter of
Intent purchases.



<PAGE>


Waiver of Initial Sales Charges

         The Fund may sell its  shares at net asset  value  without  an  initial
sales charge to:

         1.       purchasers of shares in the amount of $1 million or more;

         2.       a corporate or certain other  qualified  retirement  plan or a
                  non-qualified   deferred   compensation  plan  or  a  Title  1
                  tax-sheltered annuity or TSA plan sponsored by an organization
                  having 100 or more eligible employees (a "Qualifying Plan") or
                  a TSA plan  sponsored by a public  educational  entity  having
                  5,000 or more eligible employees (an "Educational TSA Plan");

         3.       institutional  investors,  which may include bank trust
                  departments and registered investment advisors;

         4.       investment  advisors,  consultants  or financial  planners who
                  place  trades for their own  accounts or the accounts of their
                  clients and who charge such clients a management,  consulting,
                  advisory or other fee;

         5.       clients of investment advisors or financial planners who place
                  trades for their own  accounts if the accounts are linked to a
                  master  account  of  such  investment  advisors  or  financial
                  planners on the books of the broker-dealer through whom shares
                  are purchased;

         6.       institutional clients of broker-dealers,  including retirement
                  and  deferred  compensation  plans and the trusts used to fund
                  these  plans,  which place trades  through an omnibus  account
                  maintained with the Fund by the broker-dealer;

         7.       employees of FUNB, its affiliates, EDI, any broker-dealer with
                  whom EDI,  has entered into an agreement to sell shares of the
                  Fund, and members of the immediate families of such employees;

         8.       certain  Directors,  Trustees,  officers and  employees of the
                  Evergreen  Funds, EDI or their affiliates and to the immediate
                  families of such persons; or

         9.       a bank or trust  company  in a single  account  in the name of
                  such bank or in or any of the Evergreen Funds trust company as
                  Trustee if the initial investment made pursuant to this waiver
                  is at least  $500,000 and any  commission  paid at the time of
                  such purchase is not more than 1% of the amount invested.

         With respect to items 8 and 9 above,  the Fund will only sell shares to
these parties upon the  purchasers  written  assurance  that the purchase is for
their  personal  investment  purposes only.  Such  purchasers may not resell the
securities  except through  redemption by the Fund. The Fund will not charge any
CDSC on redemptions by such purchasers.


<PAGE>



Waiver of CDSCS

         The Fund  does not  impose a CDSC  when the  shares  you are  redeeming
represent:

         1.       an increase in the share value above the net cost of such
                  shares;

         2.       certain  shares for which the Fund did not pay a commission on
                  issuance,  including shares acquired  through  reinvestment of
                  dividend income and capital gains distributions;

         3.       shares that are in the accounts of a shareholder who has died
                  or become disabled;

         4.       a lump-sum  distribution  from a 401(k) plan or other  benefit
                  plan qualified under the Employee  Retirement  Income Security
                  Act of 1974 ("ERISA");

         5.       an automatic withdrawal from the ERISA plan of a shareholder
                  who is a least 59 years old;

         6.       shares in an account that we have closed because the account
                  has an aggregate net asset value of less than $1,000;

         7.       an automatic withdrawal under an Systematic Income Plan of up
                  to 1.0% per month of your initial account balance;

         8.       a withdrawal consisting of loan proceeds to a retirement plan
                  participant;

         9.       a financial hardship withdrawal made by a retirement plan
                  participant;

         10.      a withdrawal  consisting of returns of excess contributions or
                  excess deferral amounts made to a retirement plan; or

         11.      a redemption by an individual participant in a Qualifying Plan
                  that purchased Class C shares (this waiver is not available in
                  the event a Qualifying Plan, as a whole, redeems substantially
                  all of its assets).

Exchanges

         Investors may exchange  shares of the Fund for shares of the same class
of any other Evergreen fund which offers the same class of shares. Shares of any
class of the  Evergreen  Select  Funds may be  exchanged  for the same  class of
shares of any other  Evergreen  Select Fund. See "By Exchange" under "How to Buy
Shares" in the  prospectus.  Before you make an  exchange,  you should  read the
prospectus  of the Evergreen  Fund into which you want to exchange.  The Trust's
Board of Trustees reserves the right to discontinue, alter or limit the exchange
privilege at any time.

Automatic Reinvestment

         As  described in the  prospectus,  a  shareholder  may elect to receive
dividends and capital gains  distributions  in cash instead of shares.  However,
ESC will  automatically  reinvest all dividends and  distributions in additional
shares  when it learns  that the postal or other  delivery  service is unable to
deliver  checks or transaction  confirmations  to the  shareholder's  address of
record.  When a check is  returned,  the Fund will  hold the  check  amount in a
no-interest  account in the shareholder's name until the shareholder updates his
or her address or automatic reinvestment begins. Uncashed or returned redemption
checks will also be handled in the manner described above.


                                PRICING OF SHARES

Calculation of Net Asset Value

         The Fund  calculates  its net asset value  ("NAV") once daily on Monday
through Friday,  as described in the  prospectus.  The Fund will not compute its
NAV on the days the New York Stock  Exchange is closed:  New Year's Day,  Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

         The NAV of the Fund is  calculated  by dividing the value of the Fund's
net  assets  attributable  to that  class by all of the  shares  issued for that
class.

Valuation of Portfolio Securities

         Current  values for the Fund's  portfolio  securities are determined as
follows:

         (1) Securities that are traded on an established securities exchange or
         the  over-the-counter  National Market System ("NMS") are valued on the
         basis of the last sales price on the exchange where primarily traded or
         on the NMS prior to the time of the valuation, provided that a sale has
         occurred.

         (2) Securities traded on an established  securities  exchange or in the
         over-the-counter  market  for  which  there  has been no sale and other
         securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean
         of the bid and asked prices at the time of valuation.

         (3)  Short-term  investments  maturing in more than 60 days,  for which
         market quotations are readily  available,  are valued at current market
         value.

         (4) Short-term investments maturing in sixty days or less are valued at
         amortized cost, which approximates market.

         (5)  Securities,  including  restricted  securities,  for which  market
         quotations are not readily available; listed securities or those on NMS
         if, in the investment  advisor's opinion, the last sales price does not
         reflect an accurate  current market value;  and other assets are valued
         at prices deemed in good faith to be fair under procedures  established
         by the Board of Trustees.

         (6) Municipal  bonds are valued by an  independent  pricing  service at
         fair  value  using a  variety  of  factors  which  may  include  yield,
         liquidity,  interest rate risk,  credit quality,  coupon,  maturity and
         type of issue.




<PAGE>


                            PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS

Total Return

         Total return  quotations  for a class of shares of the Fund as they may
appear from time to time in advertisements are calculated by finding the average
annual  compounded  rates of return over one, five and ten year periods,  or the
time  periods for which such class of shares has been  effective,  whichever  is
relevant,  on a  hypothetical  $1,000  investment  that would equate the initial
amount  invested  in the class to the ending  redeemable  value.  To the initial
investment  all dividends and  distributions  are added,  and all recurring fees
charged to all shareholder  accounts are deducted.  The ending  redeemable value
assumes a complete redemption at the end of the relevant periods.

         The  following is the formula used to  calculate  average  annual total
return:

                                      [OBJECT OMITTED]

         P = initial  payment of $1,000 T = average  total  return N = number of
         years
         ERV = ending redeemable value of the initial $1,000

Yield

         Described  below  are  yield  calculations  the  Fund  may  use.  Yield
quotations  are expressed in annualized  terms and may be quoted on a compounded
basis.  Yields based on these calculations do not represent the Fund's yield for
any future period.

30-Day Yield

         If the Fund invests  primarily in bonds,  it may quote its 30-day yield
in advertisements or in reports or other  communications to shareholders.  It is
calculated  by dividing the net  investment  income per share earned  during the
period by the  maximum  offering  price per share on the last day of the period,
according to the following formula:


                          [OBJECT OMITTED]  [OBJECT OMITTED]

         Where:
         a =  Dividends  and  interest  earned  during  the  period b = Expenses
         accrued for the period (net of  reimbursements)  c = The average  daily
         number of shares outstanding during the period
                that were entitled to receive dividends
         d = The maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period

7-Day Current and Effective Yield

         If the Fund invests primarily in money market instruments, it may quote
its 7-day current yield or effective  yield in  advertisements  or in reports or
other communications to shareholders.

         The  current  yield  is  calculated  by  determining  the  net  change,
excluding capital changes and income other than investment  income, in the value
of a  hypothetical,  pre-existing  account  having a balance of one share at the
beginning of the 7-day base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting
deductions from shareholder  accounts,  and dividing the difference by the value
of the  account at the  beginning  of the base  period to obtain the base period
return, and then multiplying the base period return by (365/7).

         The  effective  yield is based on a compounding  of the current  yield,
according to the following formula:

                  [OBJECT OMITTED]


Tax Equivalent Yield

         If the Fund  invests  primarily  in  municipal  bonds,  it may quote in
advertisements  or in  reports or other  communications  to  shareholders  a tax
equivalent yield,  which is what an investor would generally need to earn from a
fully  taxable  investment in order to realize,  after income  taxes,  a benefit
equal to the tax free  yield  provided  by the  Fund.  Tax  equivalent  yield is
calculated using the following formula:

                  [OBJECT OMITTED]

                  The  quotient  is then added to that  portion,  if any, of the
Fund's  yield that is not tax exempt.  Depending  on the Fund's  objective,  the
income tax rate used in the  formula  above may be federal or a  combination  of
federal and state.


                              PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

         EDI is the principal underwriter for the Trust and with respect to each
class of shares of the Fund. The Trust has entered into a Principal Underwriting
Agreement ("Underwriting  Agreement") with EDI with respect to each class of the
Fund. EDI is a subsidiary of The BISYS Group, Inc.

         EDI, as agent,  has agreed to use its best  efforts to find  purchasers
for  the  shares.   EDI  may  retain  and  employ   representatives  to  promote
distribution  of the shares  and may  obtain  orders  from  broker-dealers,  and
others,  acting as  principals,  for sales of shares to them.  The  Underwriting
Agreement  provides that EDI will bear the expense of preparing,  printing,  and
distributing advertising and sales literature and prospectuses used by it.

         All subscriptions and sales of shares by EDI are at the public offering
price of the shares,  which is determined in accordance  with the  provisions of
the Trust's  Declaration of Trust,  By-Laws,  current  prospectuses and SAI. All
orders are subject to acceptance by the Fund and the Fund reserves the right, in
its sole  discretion,  to reject  any  order  received.  Under the  Underwriting
Agreement, the Fund is not liable to anyone for failure to accept any order.

         EDI has agreed that it will,  in all  respects,  duly  conform with all
state and federal laws applicable to the sale of the shares. EDI has also agreed
that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each person who has been,
is, or may be a Trustee  or  officer of the Trust  against  expenses  reasonably
incurred  by any of  them  in  connection  with  any  claim,  action,  suit,  or
proceeding  to which any of them may be a party that arises out of or is alleged
to arise out of any  misrepresentation  or omission to state a material  fact on
the part of EDI or any other  person  for whose  acts EDI is  responsible  or is
alleged to be responsible, unless such misrepresentation or omission was made in
reliance upon written information furnished by the Trust.

         The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides that it will remain in effect as
long as its terms  and  continuance  are  approved  annually  (I) by a vote of a
majority of the Trust's Trustees who are not interested  persons of the Fund, as
defined  in the  1940 Act (the  "Independent  Trustees"),  and (ii) by vote of a
majority  of the  Trust's  Trustees,  in each case,  cast in person at a meeting
called for that purpose.

         The Underwriting  Agreement may be terminated,  without penalty,  on 60
days'  written  notice by the Board of  Trustees  or by a vote of a majority  of
outstanding  shares subject to such agreement.  The Underwriting  Agreement will
terminate  automatically  upon its  "assignment," as that term is defined in the
1940 Act.

         From time to time, if, in EDI's judgment, it could benefit the sales of
shares,  EDI may provide to selected  broker-dealers  promotional  materials and
selling  aids,  including,  but not  limited  to,  personal  computers,  related
software, and data files.


                     DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES UNDER RULE 12b-1

         The Fund bears some of the costs of selling its Class A, Class B, Class
C  and   Institutional   Service  shares,   as  applicable,   including  certain
advertising,  marketing and shareholder service expenses, pursuant to Rule 12b-1
of the 1940 Act. These 12b-1 fees are  indirectly  paid by the  shareholder,  as
shown by the Fund's expense table in the prospectus.

         Under the  Distribution  Plans (each a "Plan,"  together,  the "Plans")
that the Fund has  adopted  for its Class A, Class B, Class C and  Institutional
Service shares, as applicable,  the Fund may incur expenses for 12b-1 fees up to
a maximum annual  percentage of the average daily net assets  attributable  to a
class, as follows:


                                   Class A                  0.75%*

                                   Class B                  1.00%

                                   Class C                  1.00%

                            Institutional Service           0.75%*


                  * Currently limited to 0.25% or less to be used exclusively as
                    a  shareholder  service  fee.  See the expense  table in the
                    prospectus of the Fund in which you are interested.

         Of the  amounts  above,  each  class  may pay  under its Plan a maximum
service fee of 0.25% to compensate  organizations,  which may include the Fund's
investment  advisor  or  its  affiliates,  for  personal  services  provided  to
shareholders  and the  maintenance  of shareholder  accounts.  The Fund may not,
during any fiscal  period,  pay  distribution  or service  fees greater than the
amounts above.
         Amounts  paid under the Plans are used to  compensate  EDI  pursuant to
Distribution  Agreements (each an "Agreement,"  together, the "Agreements") that
the Fund has  entered  into with  respect  to its Class A,  Class B, Class C and
Institutional  Service  shares,  as applicable.  The  compensation is based on a
maximum  annual  percentage  of the average daily net assets  attributable  to a
class, as follows:

                                  Class A                       0.25%*

                                  Class B                       1.00%

                                  Class C                       1.00%

                                  Institutional Service         0.25%*


         *May be lower. See the expense table in the prospectus of the Fund in
          which you are interested.

         The Agreements provide that EDI will use the distribution fees received
from the Fund for the following purposes:

         (1)      to compensate broker-dealers or other persons for distributing
                  Fund shares;

         (2)      to  compensate  broker-dealers,  depository  institutions  and
                  other financial  intermediaries for providing  administrative,
                  accounting  and other  services  with  respect  to the  Fund's
                  shareholders; and

         (3)      to otherwise promote the sale of Fund shares.

         The Agreements also provide that EDI may use distribution  fees to make
interest and principal payments in respect of amounts that have been financed to
pay broker-dealers or other persons for distributing Fund shares. EDI may assign
its rights to receive  compensation  under the Plans to secure such  financings.
FUNB  or  its  affiliates  may  finance  payments  made  by  EDI  to  compensate
broker-dealers or other persons for distributing shares of the Fund.

         In the event the Fund  acquires  the  assets of  another  mutual  fund,
compensation  paid  to EDI  under  the  Agreements  may be  paid  by the  Fund's
Distributor to the acquired fund's distributor or its predecessor.

         Since EDI's  compensation  under the Agreements is not directly tied to
the  expenses  incurred  by EDI,  the  compensation  received  by it  under  the
Agreements  during any fiscal year may be more or less than its actual  expenses
and may result in a profit to EDI.  Distribution expenses incurred by EDI in one
fiscal year that exceed the  compensation  paid to EDI for that year may be paid
from distribution fees received from the Fund in subsequent fiscal years.

         Distribution  fees are accrued daily and paid at least monthly on Class
B and  Class C  shares  and are  charged  as class  expenses,  as  accrued.  The
distribution fees attributable to the Class B and Class C shares are designed to
permit an investor to purchase such shares  through  broker-dealers  without the
assessment of a front-end sales charge, while at the same time permitting EDI to
compensate broker-dealers in connection with the sale of such shares.

         Under the  Plans,  the  Treasurer  of the  Trust  reports  the  amounts
expended under the Plans and the purposes for which such  expenditures were made
to the Trustees of the Trust for their review on a quarterly  basis.  Also, each
Plan provides that the selection and nomination of the Independent  Trustees are
committed to the discretion of such Independent Trustees then in office.

         The investment advisor may from time to time from its own funds or such
other  resources  as may be  permitted  by rules of the SEC  make  payments  for
distribution  services  to EDI;  the  latter may in turn pay part or all of such
compensation to brokers or other persons for their distribution assistance.

         Each Plan and the  Agreement  will  continue  in effect for  successive
12-month  periods  provided,  however,  that such  continuance  is  specifically
approved  at  least  annually  by the  Trustees  of the  Trust or by vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that class and, in
either case, by a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust.

         The  Plans  permit  the  payment  of fees to  brokers  and  others  for
distribution   and   shareholder-related    administrative   services   and   to
broker-dealers,    depository   institutions,   financial   intermediaries   and
administrators for  administrative  services as to Class A, Class B, Class C and
Institutional Service shares. The Plans are designed to (i) stimulate brokers to
provide distribution and administrative support services to the Fund and holders
of Class A, Class B, Class C and Institutional Service shares and (ii) stimulate
administrators to render administrative support services to the Fund and holders
of  Class  A,  Class  B,  Class  C  and   Institutional   Service  shares.   The
administrative  services are provided by a  representative  who has knowledge of
the shareholder's  particular  circumstances and goals, and include, but are not
limited to providing office space, equipment,  telephone facilities, and various
personnel  including  clerical,  supervisory,  and  computer,  as  necessary  or
beneficial  to  establish  and  maintain   shareholder   accounts  and  records;
processing  purchase and redemption  transactions  and automatic  investments of
client account cash balances; answering routine client inquiries regarding Class
A, Class B,  Class C and  Institutional  Service  shares;  assisting  clients in
changing dividend options,  account designations,  and addresses;  and providing
such other  services as the Fund  reasonably  requests for its Class A, Class B,
Class C and Institutional Service shares.

         In the event that the Plan or  Distribution  Agreement is terminated or
not  continued  with  respect  to one  or  more  classes  of  the  Fund,  (i) no
distribution fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be
owed by the Fund to EDI with respect to that class or classes, and (ii) the Fund
would  not  be  obligated  to  pay  EDI  for  any  amounts  expended  under  the
Distribution  Agreement not  previously  recovered by the EDI from  distribution
services  fees in respect of shares of such  class or classes  through  deferred
sales charges.

         All material  amendments to any Plan or Agreement must be approved by a
vote of the  Trustees  of the Trust or the  holders  of the  Fund's  outstanding
voting securities, voting separately by class, and in either case, by a majority
of the Independent Trustees,  cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval;  and any Plan or  Distribution  Agreement may not be
amended in order to increase  materially  the costs that a  particular  class of
shares  of the Fund  may bear  pursuant  to the Plan or  Distribution  Agreement
without the  approval of a majority  of the  holders of the  outstanding  voting
shares  of the  class  affected.  Any  Plan  or  Distribution  Agreement  may be
terminated (i) by the Fund without penalty at any time by a majority vote of the
holders of the outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund, voting separately by
class or by a majority  vote of the  Independent  Trustees,  or (ii) by EDI.  To
terminate any Distribution  Agreement,  any party must give the other parties 60
days' written notice;  to terminate a Plan only, the Fund need give no notice to
EDI. Any Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment.  For more  information  about  12b-1  fees,  see  "Expenses"  in the
prospectus and "12b-1 Fees" under "Expenses" in Part 1 of this SAI.


                                 TAX INFORMATION

Requirements for Qualifications as a Regulated Investment Company

         The Fund intends to qualify for and elect the tax treatment  applicable
to regulated  investment  companies  ("RIC") under  Subchapter M of the Code, as
amended.  (Such  qualification  does not involve  supervision  of  management or
investment  practices or policies by the Internal Revenue  Service.) In order to
qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things,  (i) derive at least 90% of
its gross income from  dividends,  interest,  payments  with respect to proceeds
from securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or
foreign  currencies and other income  (including gains from options,  futures or
forward  contracts)  derived  with  respect to its business of investing in such
securities;  and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter
of its taxable  year,  (a) at least 50% of the market  value of the Fund's total
assets is represented by cash, U.S.  government  securities and other securities
limited in respect of any one issuer,  to an amount not  greater  than 5% of the
Fund's total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer,
and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total  assets is  invested  in the
securities  of any  one  issuer  (other  than  U.S.  government  securities  and
securities of other regulated investment companies). By so qualifying,  the Fund
is not subject to federal  income tax if it timely  distributes  its  investment
company  taxable income and any net realized  capital gains. A 4%  nondeductible
excise tax will be  imposed  on the Fund to the extent it does not meet  certain
distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. The Fund anticipates
meeting such distribution requirements.

Taxes on Distributions

         Unless the Fund is a municipal bond fund, distributions will be taxable
to  shareholders  whether  made in shares or in cash.  Shareholders  electing to
receive  distributions  in the form of additional  shares will have a cost basis
for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date.

         To  calculate   ordinary   income  for  federal  income  tax  purposes,
shareholders  must  generally  include  dividends  paid  by the  Fund  from  its
investment  company  taxable  income  (net  taxable  investment  income plus net
realized  short-term  capital gains, if any). The Fund will include dividends it
receives  from  domestic   corporations  when  the  Fund  calculates  its  gross
investment income.  Unless the Fund is a municipal bond fund or U.S. Treasury or
U.S.  Government  money market fund, it anticipates that all or a portion of the
ordinary  dividends  which it pays will  qualify for the 70%  dividends-received
deduction for  corporations.  The Fund will inform  shareholders  of the amounts
that so qualify.  If the Fund is a municipal bond fund or U.S.  Treasury or U.S.
Government  money  market  fund,  none of its income will  consist of  corporate
dividends;  therefore,  none  of its  distributions  will  qualify  for  the 70%
dividends-received deduction for corporations.

         From  time to time,  the Fund  will  distribute  the  excess of its net
long-term capital gains over its short-term capital loss to shareholders  (i.e.,
capital gain  dividends).  For federal tax purposes,  shareholders  must include
such capital gain dividends when calculating  their net long-term capital gains.
Capital  gain  dividends  are  taxable  as  net  long-term  capital  gains  to a
shareholder, no matter how long the shareholder has held the shares.

         Distributions  by the Fund reduce its NAV. A distribution  that reduces
the Fund's NAV below a shareholder's  cost basis is taxable as described  above,
although  from  an  investment  standpoint,  it  is  a  return  of  capital.  In
particular,  if a  shareholder  buys Fund  shares  just  before the Fund makes a
distribution,  when the Fund makes the distribution the shareholder will receive
what is in effect a return of capital.  Nevertheless,  the shareholder may incur
taxes on the distribution. Therefore, shareholders should carefully consider the
tax consequences of buying Fund shares just before a distribution.

         All distributions, whether received in shares or cash, must be reported
by each  shareholder on his or her federal income tax return.  Each  shareholder
should  consult a tax advisor to determine the state and local tax  implications
of Fund distributions.

         If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's  total assets at the end of
a fiscal year is represented by securities of foreign  corporations and the Fund
elects to make foreign tax credits available to its shareholders,  a shareholder
will be required  to include in his gross  income  both cash  dividends  and the
amount the Fund advises him is his pro rata portion of income taxes  withheld by
foreign  governments from interest and dividends paid on the Fund's investments.
The  shareholder  may be entitled,  however,  to take the amount of such foreign
taxes withheld as a credit against his U.S.  income tax, or to treat the foreign
tax withheld as an itemized  deduction from his gross income,  if that should be
to his advantage.  In substance,  this policy enables the shareholder to benefit
from the same foreign tax credit or deduction  that he would have received if he
had been the individual owner of foreign  securities and had paid foreign income
tax on the income  therefrom.  As in the case of  individuals  receiving  income
directly from foreign sources, the credit or deduction is subject to a number of
limitations.

Special Tax Information for Municipal Bond Fund Shareholders

         The  Fund  expects  that  substantially  all of its  dividends  will be
"exempt interest  dividends," which should be treated as excludable from federal
gross income.  In order to pay exempt  interest  dividends,  at least 50% of the
value of the Fund's assets must consist of federally  tax-exempt  obligations at
the close of each quarter.  An exempt interest  dividend is any dividend or part
thereof  (other than a capital gain  dividend)  paid by the Fund with respect to
its net federally  excludable municipal obligation interest and designated as an
exempt  interest  dividend in a written  notice mailed to each  shareholder  not
later than 60 days after the close of its taxable  year.  The  percentage of the
total dividends paid by the Fund with respect to any taxable year that qualifies
as exempt interest  dividends will be the same for all  shareholders of the Fund
receiving  dividends  with respect to such year.  If a  shareholder  receives an
exempt interest  dividend with respect to any share and such share has been held
for six months or less,  any loss on the sale or  exchange of such share will be
disallowed to the extent of the exempt interest dividend amount.

         Any shareholder of the Fund who may be a "substantial user" (as defined
by the Code,  as amended.) of a facility  financed  with an issue of  tax-exempt
obligations or a "related  person" to such a user should consult his tax advisor
concerning his  qualification  to receive exempt interest  dividends  should the
Fund hold obligations financing such facility.

         Under  regulations to be  promulgated,  to the extent  attributable  to
interest paid on certain  private  activity  bonds,  the Fund's exempt  interest
dividends, while otherwise tax-exempt,  will be treated as a tax preference item
for  alternative  minimum tax purposes.  Corporate  shareholders  should also be
aware that the  receipt  of exempt  interest  dividends  could  subject  them to
alternative  minimum  tax  under the  provisions  of  Section  56(g) of the Code
(relating to "adjusted current earnings").

         Interest on  indebtedness  incurred or  continued  by  shareholders  to
purchase or carry shares of the Fund will not be deductible  for federal  income
tax  purposes to the extent of the portion of the interest  expense  relating to
exempt interest  dividends.  Such portion is determined by multiplying the total
amount of  interest  paid or  accrued on the  indebtedness  by a  fraction,  the
numerator of which is the exempt interest dividends received by a shareholder in
his taxable year and the  denominator of which is the sum of the exempt interest
dividends and the taxable  distributions out of the Fund's investment income and
long-term capital gains received by the shareholder.

Taxes on The Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares

         Upon a sale or exchange of Fund shares,  a  shareholder  will realize a
taxable gain or loss depending on his or her basis in the shares.  A shareholder
must  treat such  gains or losses as a capital  gain or loss if the  shareholder
held the shares as capital assets.  Capital gain on assets held for more than 12
months is generally  subject to a maximum  federal income tax rate of 20% for an
individual.  Generally,  the Code will not allow a shareholder to realize a loss
on shares he or she has sold or exchanged  and replaced  within a 61-day  period
beginning  30 days  before and ending 30 days after he or she sold or  exchanged
the shares.  The Code will not allow a shareholder to realize a loss on the sale
of Fund shares held by the  shareholder for six months or less to the extent the
shareholder  received exempt interest  dividends on such shares.  Moreover,  the
Code will treat a shareholder's  loss on shares held for six months or less as a
long-term capital loss to the extent the shareholder  received  distributions of
net capital gains on such shares.

         Shareholders who fail to furnish their taxpayer  identification numbers
to the Fund and to certify as to its correctness and certain other  shareholders
may be subject to a 31% federal  income tax backup  withholding  requirement  on
dividends,  distributions of capital gains and redemption  proceeds paid to them
by the Fund. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such dividends or
capital  gain  distributions  to these  shareholders,  whether  taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, and any redemption  proceeds will be reduced by
the amounts required to be withheld. Investors may wish to consult their own tax
advisors about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

Other Tax Considerations

         The foregoing  discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law
as  applicable  to U.S.  persons  (i.e.,  U.S.  citizens and  residents and U.S.
domestic  corporations,  partnerships,  trusts and estates). It does not reflect
the  special tax  consequences  to certain  taxpayers  (e.g.,  banks,  insurance
companies,  tax exempt  organizations  and foreign  persons).  Shareholders  are
encouraged  to  consult  their own tax  advisors  regarding  specific  questions
relating to federal,  state and local tax consequences of investing in shares of
the Fund.

Each  shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax advisor
regarding  the U.S. and foreign tax  consequences  of ownership of shares of the
Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S.
withholding  tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower  rate  under a tax  treaty)  on
amounts treated as income from U.S. sources under the Code.
<PAGE>

                                    BROKERAGE

Brokerage Commissions

         If the Fund  invests in equity  securities,  it expects to buy and sell
them through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases
from  underwriters will include the underwriting  commission or concession,  and
purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer's  mark-up
or  reflect  a  dealer's   mark-down.   Where   transactions  are  made  in  the
over-the-counter  market,  the Fund will deal with primary  market makers unless
more favorable prices are otherwise obtainable.

         If the Fund invests in fixed income  securities,  it expects to buy and
sell them  directly  from the issuer or an  underwriter  or market maker for the
securities.  Generally,  the Fund will not pay  brokerage  commissions  for such
purchases. When the Fund buys a security from an underwriter, the purchase price
will usually  include an  underwriting  commission or  concession.  The purchase
price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly
include  the  dealer's  mark up or reflect a dealer's  mark down.  When the Fund
executes transactions in the over-the-counter  market, it will deal with primary
market makers unless more favorable prices are otherwise obtainable.

Selection of Brokers

         When buying and selling portfolio securities, the advisor seeks brokers
who can  provide the most  benefit to the Fund.  When  selecting  a broker,  the
investment  advisor  will  primarily  look  for the  best  price  at the  lowest
commission, but in the context of the broker's:

         1.       ability to provide the best net financial result to the Fund;
         2.       efficiency in handling trades;
         3.       ability to trade large blocks of securities;
         4.       readiness to handle difficult trades;
         5.       financial strength and stability; and
         6.       provision of "research services," defined as (a) reports and
                  analyses concerning issuers, industries, securities and
                  economic factors and (b) other information useful in making
                  investment decisions.

         The Fund may pay higher brokerage  commissions to a broker providing it
with research services,  as defined in item 6, above.  Pursuant to Section 28(e)
of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  this  practice is  permitted  if the
commission is  reasonable  in relation to the  brokerage  and research  services
provided.  Research services  provided by a broker to the investment  advisor do
not replace, but supplement,  the services the investment advisor is required to
deliver to the Fund. It is impracticable for the investment  advisor to allocate
the cost,  value and specific  application  of such research  services among its
clients because research services intended for one client may indirectly benefit
another.

         When selecting a broker for portfolio  trades,  the investment  advisor
may also  consider  the amount of Fund shares a broker has sold,  subject to the
other requirements described above.

         If the Fund is advised by EAMC, Lieber & Company,  an affiliate of EAMC
and a member of the New York and American  Stock  Exchanges,  will to the extent
practicable effect substantially all of the portfolio  transactions  effected on
those exchanges for the Fund.

Simultaneous Transactions

         The  investment  advisor  makes  investment   decisions  for  the  Fund
independently  of  decisions  made for its other  clients.  When a  security  is
suitable for the investment objective of more than one client, it may be prudent
for the investment advisor to engage in a simultaneous transaction, that is, buy
or sell the same  security  for more than one  client.  The  investment  advisor
strives for an  equitable  result in such  transactions  by using an  allocation
formula.  The high volume involved in some simultaneous  transactions can result
in greater  value to the Fund,  but the ideal  price or  trading  volume may not
always be achieved for the Fund.


                                  ORGANIZATION

Description of Shares

         The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number
of shares of beneficial  interest of series and classes of shares. Each share of
the Fund  represents  an equal  proportionate  interest with each other share of
that series and/or class.  Upon  liquidation,  shares are entitled to a pro rata
share of the Trust based on the relative net assets of each series and/or class.
Shareholders have no preemptive or conversion rights.  Shares are redeemable and
transferable.

Voting Rights

         Under the terms of the Declaration of Trust,  the Trust is not required
to hold annual meetings. At meetings called for the initial election of Trustees
or to consider other matters, each share is entitled to one vote for each dollar
of "NAV"applicable to such share. Shares generally vote together as one class on
all  matters.  Classes  of shares  of the Fund  have  equal  voting  rights.  No
amendment may be made to the  Declaration  of Trust that  adversely  affects any
class of shares  without the approval of a majority of the votes  applicable  to
the shares of that class. Shares have non-cumulative  voting rights, which means
that the holders of more than 50% of the votes  applicable  to shares voting for
the  election  of  Trustees  can elect 100% of the  Trustees  to be elected at a
meeting and, in such event,  the holders of the remaining shares voting will not
be able to elect any Trustees.

         After the initial meeting as described  above,  no further  meetings of
shareholders for the purpose of electing  Trustees will be held, unless required
by law (for such reasons as electing or removing Trustees,  changing fundamental
policies,  and approving advisory  agreements or 12b-1 plans),  unless and until
such time as less than a  majority  of the  Trustees  holding  office  have been
elected by shareholders,  at which time, the Trustees then in office will call a
shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees.

Limitation of Trustees' Liability

         The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee will not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of
Trust  protects a Trustee  against any liability to which he would  otherwise be
subject  by reason of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross  negligence  or
reckless disregard of his duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Banking Laws

         The Glass-Steagall Act and other banking laws and regulations presently
prohibit member banks of the Federal  Reserve System  ("Member  Banks") or their
non-bank affiliates from sponsoring,  organizing,  controlling,  or distributing
the shares of registered,  open-end investment companies such as the Trust. Such
laws  and  regulations  also  prohibit  banks  from  issuing,   underwriting  or
distributing  securities in general.  However,  under the Glass-Steagall Act and
such other laws and regulations,  a Member Bank or an affiliate  thereof may act
as  investment  advisor,  transfer  agent or custodian to a registered  open-end
investment  company and may also act as agent in connection with the purchase of
shares of such an investment  company upon the order of its  customer,  FUNB and
its affiliates are subject to, and in compliance with, the  aforementioned  laws
and regulations.

         Changes  to  applicable  laws and  regulations  or future  judicial  or
administrative decisions could result in FUNB and its affiliates being prevented
from continuing to perform the services  required under the investment  advisory
contract or from acting as agent in  connection  with the  purchase of shares of
the  Fund by its  customers.  If FUNB and its  affiliates  were  prevented  from
continuing  to provide for  services  called for under the  investment  advisory
agreement,  it is expected that the Trustees would  identify,  and call upon the
Fund's  shareholders to approve a new investment advisor. If this were to occur,
it is not anticipated that the shareholders of the Fund would suffer any adverse
financial consequences.


                          INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

         On behalf  of the  Fund,  the  Trust  has  entered  into an  investment
advisory   agreement   with  the  Fund's   investment   advisor  (the  "Advisory
Agreement"). Under the Advisory Agreement, and subject to the supervision of the
Trust's Board of Trustees,  the investment advisor furnishes to the Fund (unless
the  Fund is  Evergreen  Masters  Fund )  investment  advisory,  management  and
administrative services, office facilities, and equipment in connection with its
services for managing the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's assets.  The
investment  advisor pays for all of the expenses incurred in connection with the
provision of its services.

         If the Fund is  Evergreen  Masters  Fund,  the  Advisory  Agreement  is
similar to the above except that the  investment  advisor  selects  sub-advisors
(hereinafter referred to as "Managers") for the Fund and monitors each Manager's
investment   program   and   results.   The   investment   advisor  has  primary
responsibility  under  the  multi-manager  strategy  to  oversee  the  Managers,
including making recommendations to the Trust regarding the hiring,  termination
and replacement of Managers.

          The  Fund  pays  for  all  charges  and  expenses,  other  than  those
specifically  referred to as being borne by the investment  advisor,  including,
but not limited to, (1) custodian  charges and  expenses;  (2)  bookkeeping  and
auditors'  charges and expenses;  (3) transfer  agent charges and expenses;  (4)
fees and expenses of Independent Trustees; (5) brokerage  commissions,  brokers'
fees and  expenses;  (6) issue and  transfer  taxes;  (7)  applicable  costs and
expenses under the  Distribution  Plan (as described  above) (8) taxes and trust
fees payable to governmental agencies; (9) the cost of share certificates;  (10)
fees and  expenses of the  registration  and  qualification  of the Fund and its
shares with the SEC or under state or other  securities  laws;  (11) expenses of
preparing,  printing and mailing prospectuses,  SAIs, notices, reports and proxy
materials  to  shareholders  of the Fund;  (12)  expenses of  shareholders'  and
Trustees' meetings;  (13) charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Fund and
for the Independent  Trustees on matters  relating to the Fund; (14) charges and
expenses of filing annual and other reports with the SEC and other  authorities;
and (15) all extraordinary  charges and expenses of the Fund. For information on
advisory fees paid by the Fund, see "Expenses" in Part 1 of this SAI.

         The  Advisory  Agreement  continues  in effect  for two years  from its
effective  date and,  thereafter,  from year to year only if  approved  at least
annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the
Fund's  outstanding  shares. In either case, the terms of the Advisory Agreement
and  continuance  thereof  must be  approved  by the vote of a  majority  of the
Independent  Trustees  cast in person at a meeting  called  for the  purpose  of
voting on such  approval.  The Advisory  Agreement  may be  terminated,  without
penalty,  on 60 days'  written  notice by the Trust's  Board of Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of outstanding  shares. The Advisory Agreement will terminate
automatically upon its "assignment" as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

Managers (Evergreen Masters Fund only)

         Evergreen  Masters  Fund's   investment   program  is  based  upon  the
investment advisor's multi-manager concept. The investment advisor allocates the
Fund's  portfolio  assets  on an  equal  basis  among  a  number  of  investment
management  organizations  - currently  four in number - each of which employs a
different  investment  style, and  periodically  rebalances the Fund's portfolio
among the  Managers so as to maintain an  approximate  equal  allocation  of the
portfolio among them throughout all market cycles.  Each Manager  provides these
services under a Portfolio  Management  Agreement.  Each Manager has discretion,
subject to oversight by the Trustees and the investment advisor, to purchase and
sell portfolio assets consistent with the Fund's investment objectives, policies
and restrictions and specific investment  strategies developed by the investment
advisor. The Fund's current Managers are EAMC, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc.,
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and Putnam Investment Management, Inc.

         The Trust and FUNB have received an order from the SEC that permits the
investment advisor to employ a "manager of managers" strategy in connection with
its management of the Fund. The exemptive order permits the investment  advisor,
subject to certain conditions,  and without shareholder approval, to: (a) select
new Managers who are unaffiliated with the investment  advisor with the approval
of the Trust's Board of Trustees; (b) change the material terms of the Portfolio
Management  Agreements  with the Managers;  and (c) continue the employment of a
Manager after an event which would otherwise cause the automatic  termination of
a Portfolio Management Agreement.  Shareholders would be notified of any Manager
changes. Shareholders have the right to terminate arrangements with a Manager by
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The order also permits
the Fund to disclose the Managers' fees only in the aggregate.

Transactions Among Advisory Affiliates

         The Trust has adopted procedures pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act
("Rule 17a-7  Procedures").  The Rule 17a-7 Procedures permit the Fund to buy or
sell securities from another  investment company for which a subsidiary of First
Union Corporation is an investment advisor. The Rule 17a-7 Procedures also allow
the  Fund to buy or sell  securities  from  other  advisory  clients  for whom a
subsidiary of First Union  Corporation  is an investment  advisor.  The Fund may
engage in such transaction if it is equitable to each participant and consistent
with each participant's investment objective.


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

         The Trust is supervised by a Board of Trustees that is responsible  for
representing the interest of the  shareholders.  The Trustees meet  periodically
throughout  the year to oversee the Fund's  activities,  reviewing,  among other
things,  the Fund's  performance and its contractual  arrangements  with various
service providers. Each Trustee is paid a fee for his or her services.
See "Expenses-Trustee Compensation" in Part 1 of this SAI.

         The Trust has an Executive  Committee which consists of the Chairman of
the Board, James Howell, the Vice Chairman of the Board,  Michael Scofield,  and
Russell Salton, each of whom is an Independent  Trustee. The Executive Committee
recommends  Trustees to fill  vacancies,  prepares the agenda for Board Meetings
and acts on routine matters between scheduled Board meetings.

         Set forth below are the  Trustees  and  officers of the Trust and their
principal  occupations  and  affiliations  over  the  last  five  years.  Unless
otherwise  indicated,  the address for each  Trustee and officer is 200 Berkeley
Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02116. Each Trustee is also a Trustee of each of
the other Trusts in the Evergreen Fund complex.
<TABLE>


Name                                 Position with Trust         Principal Occupations for Last Five Years
<S>                                     <C>                           <C>
Laurence B. Ashkin                   Trustee                     Real estate developer and construction consultant; and
(DOB: 2/2/28)                                                    President of Centrum Equities (real estate development) and
                                                                 Centrum Properties, Inc. (real estate development)

Charles A. Austin III                Trustee                     Investment Counselor to Appleton Partners, Inc. (investment
(DOB: 10/23/34)                                                  advice); former
                                                                 Director, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, State
                                                                 Street Research & Management Company (investment advice);
                                                                 Director, The Andover Companies (Insurance); and Trustee,
                                                                 Arthritis Foundation of New England

K. Dun Gifford                       Trustee                     Trustee, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee,
(DOB: 10/12/38)                                                  Cambridge College; Chairman Emeritus and Director, American
                                                                 Institute of Food and  Wine; Chairman and President, Oldways
                                                                 Preservation and Exchange Trust (education); former Chairman
                                                                 of  the  Board, Director, and Executive Vice President, The
                                                                 London  Harness Company (leather goods); former Managing Partner,
                                                                 Roscommon
                                                                 Capital Corp.; former Chief Executive Officer, Gifford Gifts
                                                                 of Fine Foods; former Chairman, Gifford, Drescher & Associates
                                                                 (environmental consulting)

James S. Howell*                     Chairman of the Board       Former Chairman of the Distribution Committee Foundation for the
(DOB: 8/13/24)                       of  Trustees                Carolinas; and former Vice President of Lance Inc. (food
                                                                 manufacturing).

Leroy Keith, Jr.                     Trustee                     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Carson
(DOB: 2/14/39)                                                   Products Company (manufacturing); Director of Phoenix Total Return
                                                                 Fund and Equifax,  Inc. (worldwide information management); Trustee
                                                                 of Phoenix Series Fund, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund, and The
                                                                 Phoenix Big Edge Series Fund; and former President, Morehouse
                                                                 College.

Gerald M. McDonnell                  Trustee                     Sales Representative with Nucor-Yamoto, Inc. (steel
(DOB: 7/14/39)                                                   producer).

Thomas  L. McVerry                   Trustee                     Former Vice President and Director of Rexham Corporation
(DOB: 8/2/39)                                                    (manufacturing); and former Director of Carolina
                                                                 Cooperative Federal Credit Union.

William Walt  Pettit                 Trustee                     Partner in the law firm of William Walt Pettit, P.A.
(DOB: 8/26/55)

David M. Richardson                  Trustee                     Vice Chair and former Executive Vice President, DHR
(DOB: 9/14/41)                                                   International, Inc. (executive recruitment); former Senior
                                                                 Vice President, Boyden International Inc. (executive
                                                                 recruitment); and Director, Commerce and Industry
                                                                 Association of New Jersey, 411 International, Inc., and J&M
                                                                 Cumming Paper Co.

Russell A. Salton, III MD            Trustee                     Medical Director, U.S. Health Care/Aetna Health Services;
(DOB: 6/2/47)                                                    former Managed Health Care Consultant; and former
                                                                 President, Primary Physician Care.

Michael S. Scofield*                 Vice Chairman of the        Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.
(DOB: 2/20/43)                       Board of Trustees

Richard J. Shima                     Trustee                     Former Chairman, Environmental Warranty, Inc. (insurance
(DOB: 8/11/39)                                                   agency); Executive Consultant, Drake Beam Morin, Inc.
                                                                 (executive outplacement); Director of Connecticut Natural Gas
                                                                 Corporation, Hartford Hospital, Old State House Association,
                                                                 Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company (property casuualty), and
                                                                 Enhance Financial
                                                                 Services, Inc. (financial quantity insurance); Chairman, Board of
                                                                 Trustees, Hartford Graduate
                                                                 Center; Trustee, Greater Hartford YMCA; former Director, Vice
                                                                 Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, The Travelers Corporation;
                                                                 former Trustee, Kingswood-Oxford School; and former Managing
                                                                 Director and Consultant, Russell Miller, Inc. (investment banking
                                                                 specializing in the insurance industry)

<PAGE>

Anthony J. Fischer**                 President and Treasurer     Vice President/Client Services, BISYS Fund Services.
(DOB:2/10/59)

Nimish S. Bhatt***                   Vice President and          Vice President, Tax, BISYS Fund Services; former Assistant
(DOB: 6/6/63)                        Assistant Treasurer         Vice President, Evergreen Asset Management Corp./First Union Bank;
                                                                 former Senior Tax
                                                                 Consulting/Acting Manager, Investment Companies Group,
                                                                 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New York.

Bryan Haft***                        Vice President              Team Leader, Fund Administration, BISYS Fund Services.
(DOB: 1/23/65)
                                                                 Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, First
Michael H. Koonce                    Secretary                   Union Corporation; former Senior Vice President and General
(DOB: 4/20/60)                                                   Counsel, Colonial Management Associates, Inc.

*As of January 1, 2000, Michael S. Scofield will become Chairman of the Board and James S. Howell will become Trustee of Emeritis
**Address: BISYS Fund Services, 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016
***Address: BISYS, 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219-8001

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                      CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS

         The Fund relies on ratings  provided by independent  rating services to
help  determine  the  credit  quality  of bonds and other  obligations  the Fund
intends to  purchase  or  already  owns.  A rating is an opinion of an  issuer's
ability to pay interest and/or  principal when due.  Ratings reflect an issuer's
overall  financial  strength and whether it can meet its  financial  commitments
under various economic conditions.

         If a  security  held by the Fund  loses its  rating  or has its  rating
reduced  after the Fund has  purchased  it, the Fund is not  required to sell or
otherwise dispose of the security, but may consider doing so.

         The principal rating services,  commonly used by the Fund and investors
generally,  are S&P and Moody's.  The Fund may also rely on ratings  provided by
Fitch. Rating systems are similar among the different  services.  As an example,
the chart below compares basic ratings for long-term bonds. The "Credit Quality"
terms in the chart are for quick  reference  only.  Following  the chart are the
specific definitions each service provides for its ratings.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                      COMPARISON OF LONG-TERM BOND RATINGS


MOODY'S           S&P              FITCH           Credit Quality

<S>                 <C>            <C>                 <C>
Aaa               AAA              AAA             Excellent Quality (lowest risk)

Aa                AA               AA              Almost Excellent Quality (very low risk)

A                 A                A               Good Quality (low risk)


Baa               BBB              BBB             Satisfactory Quality (some risk)


Ba                BB               BB              Questionable Quality (definite risk)


B                 B                B               Low Quality (high risk)


Caa/Ca/C          CCC/CC/C         CCC/CC/C        In or Near Default

                  D                DDD/DD/D        In Default


</TABLE>


                                 CORPORATE BONDS

                                LONG-TERM RATINGS

Moody's Corporate Long-Term Bond Ratings

Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best  quality.  They carry
the smallest  degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change,  such changes as can be  visualized  are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
<PAGE>


Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high  quality by all  standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds  because  margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or  fluctuation of protective  elements
may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other  elements  present which make
the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.

A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable  investment  attributes and are
to be considered as upper-medium-grade  obligations.  Factors giving security to
principal  and interest  are  considered  adequate,  but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations,  (i.e.
they are neither highly  protected nor poorly  secured).  Interest  payments and
principal  security  appear  adequate  for the present  but  certain  protective
elements may be lacking or may be  characteristically  unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding  investment  characteristics  and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba Bonds  which are  rated Ba are  judged to have  speculative  elements;  their
future cannot be considered as  well-assured.  Often the  protection of interest
and principal  payments may be very moderate,  and thereby not well  safeguarded
during  both  good  and bad  times  over the  future.  Uncertainty  of  position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B Bonds  which are  rated B  generally  lack  characteristics  of the  desirable
investment.  Assurance of interest and principal  payments or of  maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa  Bonds  which  are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such  issues  may be in
default or there may be present  elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca Bonds which are rated Ca represent  obligations  which are  speculative  in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C Bonds  which are rated C are the lowest  rated  class of bonds,  and issues so
rated can be regarded as having  extremely  poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.

Note:  Moody's applies  numerical  modifiers,  1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification  from Aa to Caa. The modifier 1 indicates  that the company ranks
in the higher end of its generic  rating  category;  the  modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range  raking and the  modifier 3 indicates  that the  company  ranks in the
lower end of its generic rating category.

S&P  Corporate Long-Term Bond Ratings

AAA An  obligation  rated  AAA has  the  highest  rating  assigned  by S&P.  The
obligor's  capacity  to meet  its  financial  commitment  on the  obligation  is
extremely strong.

AA An obligation  rated AA differs from the  highest-rated  obligations  only in
small  degree.  The obligor's  capacity to meet its financial  commitment on the
obligation is very strong.

A An obligation  rated A is somewhat more  susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes  in   circumstances   and  economic   conditions  than   obligations  in
higher-rated  categories.  However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate  protection  parameters.  However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened  capacity  of the  obligor to meet its  financial  commitment  on the
obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC and C: As described below,  obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and
C are regarded as having significant speculative  characteristics.  BB indicates
the least degree of speculation and C the highest.  While such  obligations will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed
by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB  An  obligation  rated  BB  is  less  vulnerable  to  nonpayment  than  other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business,  financial,  or economic  conditions,  which could lead to the
obligor's   inadequate  capacity  to  meet  its  financial   commitment  on  the
obligation.

B An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations  rated
BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial  commitment
on the obligation.  Adverse  business,  financial,  or economic  conditions will
likely  impair  the  obligor's  capacity  or  willingness  to meet it  financial
commitment on the obligation.

CCC An  obligation  rated  CCC is  currently  vulnerable  to  nonpayment  and is
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its  financial  commitment  on the  obligation.  In the event of
adverse business,  financial, or economic conditions,  the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy  petition has
been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are
being continued.

D The D rating,  unlike other ratings,  is not prospective;  rather,  it is used
only  where a default  has  actually  occurred--and  not where a default is only
expected. S&P changes ratings to D either:

!        On the day an interest and/or principal payment is due and is not paid.
         An exception is made if there is a grace period and S&P believes that a
         payment will be made, in which case the rating can be maintained; or

!        Upon voluntary  bankruptcy  filing or similar  action.  An exception is
         made if S&P expects that debt service payments will continue to be made
         on a specific  issue. In the absence of a payment default or bankruptcy
         filing,  a  technical  default  (i.e.,   covenant   violation)  is  not
         sufficient for assigning a D rating.

Plus (+) or minus (-) The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus  sign to show  relative  standing  within  the  major  rating
categories.



<PAGE>


Fitch Corporate Long-Term Bond Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA Highest credit quality.  AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit
risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely
payment  of  financial  commitments.  This  capacity  is highly  unlikely  to be
adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA Very high credit quality.  AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit
risk.  They  indicate  very  strong  capacity  for timely  payment of  financial
commitments.  This  capacity  is not  significantly  vulnerable  to  foreseeable
events.

A High credit quality.  A ratings denote a lower expectation of credit risk. The
capacity for timely payment of financial  commitments is considered strong. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in
economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB Good credit  quality.  BBB ratings  indicate  that there is  currently a low
expectation  of credit  risk.  The  capacity  for timely  payment  of  financial
commitments is considered adequate,  but adverse changes in circumstances and in
economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.  This is the lowest
investment-grade category.

Speculative Grade

BB Speculative.  BB ratings  indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk
developing,  particularly  as the result of adverse  economic  change over time;
however,  business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial
commitments to be met.
Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B Highly  speculative.  B  ratings  indicate  that  significant  credit  risk is
present,  but a limited  margin of safety  remains.  Financial  commitments  are
currently being met; however,  capacity for continued payment is contingent upon
a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC,  CC, C High  default  risk.  Default is a real  possibility.  Capacity  for
meeting  financial  commitment  is  solely  reliant  upon  sustained,  favorable
business or economic  developments.  A CC rating  indicates that default of some
kind appears probable. C ratings signal imminent default.

DDD, DD, D        Default.  Securities are not meeting current obligations and
are extremely speculative.  DDD designates the highest potential for recovery of
amounts outstanding on any securities involved.  For U.S. corporates, for
example, DD indicates expected recovery of 50%-90% of such outstandings, and D
the lowest recovery potential, i.e. below 50%.

+ or - may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating
categories.  Such  suffixes  are not  added  to the AAA  rating  category  or to
categories below CCC.



<PAGE>


                          CORPORATE SHORT-TERM RATINGS

Moody's Corporate Short-Term Issuer Ratings

Prime-1  Issuers  rated  Prime-1 (or  supporting  institutions)  have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt  obligations.  Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics.

- --  Leading market positions in well-established industries.

- --  High rates of return on funds employed.

- --  Conservative  capitalization  structure  with moderate  reliance on debt and
    ample asset protection.

- --  Broad margins in  earnings  coverage  of fixed  financial  changes  and high
    internal cash generation.

- --  Well-established  access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
    of alternate liquidity.

Prime-2 Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability
for  repayment of senior  short-term  debt  obligations.  This will  normally be
evidenced  by many of the  characteristics  cited above but to a lesser  degree.
Earnings  trends  and  coverage  ratios,  while  sound,  may be more  subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics,  while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Prime-3  Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting  institutions)  have an acceptable
ability for repayment of senior short-term  obligations.  The effect of industry
characteristics and market  compositions may be more pronounced.  Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage.
Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Not Prime  Issuers  rated Not Prime do not fall  within any of the Prime  rating
categories.


S&P Corporate Short-Term Obligation Ratings

A-1 A short-term  obligation  rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P.
The  obligor's  capacity to meet its financial  commitment on the  obligation is
strong. Within this category certain obligations are designated with a plus sign
(+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment
on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2 A  short-term  obligation  rated A-2 is  somewhat  more  susceptible  to the
adverse  effects  of changes  in  circumstances  and  economic  conditions  than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3 A short-term  obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection  parameters.
However,  adverse economic conditions or changing  circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened  capacity of the obligor to meet its financial  commitment
on the obligation.

B A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant  speculative
characteristics.  The obligor  currently  has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the  obligation;  however,  it faces major  ongoing  uncertainties
which could lead to the  obligor's  inadequate  capacity  to meet its  financial
commitment on the obligation.

C A short-term  obligation rated C is currently  vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

D The D rating,  unlike other ratings,  is not prospective;  rather,  it is used
only  where a default  has  actually  occurred--and  not where a default is only
expected. S&P changes ratings to D either:

!        On the day an interest and/or principal payment is due and is not paid.
         An exception is made if there is a grace period and S&P believes that a
         payment will be made, in which case the rating can be maintained; or

!        Upon voluntary  bankruptcy  filing or similar  action,  An exception is
         made if S&P expects that debt service payments will continue to be made
         on a specific  issue. In the absence of a payment default or bankruptcy
         filing,  a  technical  default  (i.e.,   covenant   violation)  is  not
         sufficient for assigning a D rating.

Fitch Corporate Short-Term Obligation Ratings

F1 Highest credit quality.  Indicates the strongest  capacity for timely payment
of  financial  commitments;  may have an added "+" to denote  any  exceptionally
strong credit feature.

F2 Good credit quality. A satisfactory  capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments,  but the  margin  of  safety  is not as great as in the case of the
higher ratings.

F3 Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
is adequate;  however,  near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to
non-investment grade.

B Speculative.  Minimal  capacity for timely  payment of financial  commitments,
plus  vulnerability  to  near-term  adverse  changes in  financial  and economic
conditions.

C High  default  risk.  Default  is a real  possibility.  Capacity  for  meeting
financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and
economic environment.

D Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

<PAGE>


                                 MUNICIPAL BONDS

                                LONG-TERM RATINGS

Moody's Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings

Aaa  Bonds  rated  Aaa are  judged  to be of the best  quality.  They  carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge."
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable margin
and  principal is secure.  While the various  protective  elements are likely to
change,  such  changes  as can be  visualized  are most  unlikely  to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high  quality by all  standards.  Together
with the Aaa group they comprise  what are generally  known as high grade bonds.
They are rated lower than the best bonds because  margins of protection  may not
be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of
greater  amplitude  or  there  may be  other  elements  present  which  make the
long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.

A Bonds  rated A possess  many  favorable  investment  attributes  and are to be
considered  as  upper-medium  grade  obligations.  Factors  giving  security  to
principal  and interest  are  considered  adequate,  but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa Bonds rated Baa are considered as medium-grade  obligations,  i.e., they are
neither highly  protected nor poorly  secured.  Interest  payments and principal
security appear adequate for the present but certain protective  elements may be
lacking or may be  characteristically  unreliable over any great length of time.
Such  bonds  lack  outstanding  investment  characteristics  and  in  fact  have
speculative characteristics as well.

Ba Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative  elements;  their future cannot
be considered as  well-assured.  Often the  protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good
and bad times over the future.  Uncertainty of position  characterizes  bonds in
this class.

B Bonds rated B generally  lack  characteristics  of the  desirable  investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa Bonds rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there
may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca Bonds rated Ca represent  obligations which are speculative in a high degree.
Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C Bonds rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds,  and issues so rated can be
regarded  as  having  extremely  poor  prospects  of  ever  attaining  any  real
investment standing.

Note:  Moody's  applies  numerical  modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic  rating
classification  from Aa to B. The modifier 1 indicates that the company ranks in
the higher end of its generic rating  category;  the modifier 2 indicates a mid-
range  raking and the modifier 3 indicates  that the company  ranks in the lower
end of its generic rating category.

S&P Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings

AAA An  obligation  rated  AAA has  the  highest  rating  assigned  by S&P.  The
obligor's  capacity  to meet  its  financial  commitment  on the  obligation  is
extremely strong.

AA An obligation  rated AA differs from the  highest-rated  obligations  only in
small  degree.  The obligor's  capacity to meet its financial  commitment on the
obligation is very strong.

A An obligation  rated A is somewhat more  susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes  in   circumstances   and  economic   conditions  than   obligations  in
higher-rated  categories.  However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate  protection  parameters.  However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened  capacity  of the  obligor to meet its  financial  commitment  on the
obligation.

         BB, B, CCC, CC and C: As described below, obligations rated BB, B, CCC,
CC, and C are regarded as having  significant  speculative  characteristics.  BB
indicates  the  least  degree  of  speculation  and C the  highest.  While  such
obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics,  these
may  be  outweighed  by  large  uncertainties  or  major  exposures  to  adverse
conditions.

BB  An  obligation  rated  BB  is  less  vulnerable  to  nonpayment  than  other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business,  financial,  or economic  conditions,  which could lead to the
obligor's   inadequate  capacity  to  meet  its  financial   commitment  on  the
obligation.

B An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations  rated
BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial  commitment
on the obligation.  Adverse  business,  financial,  or economic  conditions will
likely  impair  the  obligor's  capacity  or  willingness  to meet it  financial
commitment on the obligation.

CCC An  obligation  rated  CCC is  currently  vulnerable  to  nonpayment  and is
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its  financial  commitment  on the  obligation.  In the event of
adverse business,  financial, or economic conditions,  the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy  petition has
been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are
being continued.

D An obligation  rated D is in payment  default.  The D rating  category is used
when  payments  on an  obligation  are not  made  on the  date  due  even if the
applicable grace period has not expired,  unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace  period.  The D rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on
an obligation are jeopardized.

Plus (+) or minus (-) The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus  sign to show  relative  standing  within  the  major  rating
categories.

Fitch Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA Highest credit quality.  AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit
risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely
payment  of  financial  commitments.  This  capacity  is highly  unlikely  to be
adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA Very high credit quality.  AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit
risk.  They  indicate  very  strong  capacity  for timely  payment of  financial
commitments.  This  capacity  is not  significantly  vulnerable  to  foreseeable
events.

A High credit quality.  A ratings denote a lower expectation of credit risk. The
capacity for timely payment of financial  commitments is considered strong. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in
economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB Good credit  quality.  BBB ratings  indicate  that there is  currently a low
expectation  of credit  risk.  The  capacity  for timely  payment  of  financial
commitments is considered adequate,  but adverse changes in circumstances and in
economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.  This is the lowest
investment-grade category.

Speculative Grade

BB Speculative.  BB ratings  indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk
developing,  particularly  as the result of adverse  economic  change over time;
however,  business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial
commitments to be met.
Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B Highly  speculative.  B  ratings  indicate  that  significant  credit  risk is
present,  but a limited  margin of safety  remains.  Financial  commitments  are
currently being met; however,  capacity for continued payment is contingent upon
a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC,  CC, C High  default  risk.  Default is a real  possibility.  Capacity  for
meeting  financial  commitments  is solely  reliant  upon  sustained,  favorable
business or economic  developments.  A CC rating  indicates that default of some
kind appears probable. C ratings signal imminent default.

DDD,  DD, D Default.  Securities  are not meeting  current  obligations  and are
extremely  speculative.  DDD  designates  the highest  potential for recovery of
amounts  outstanding on any securities  involved.  DD designates  lower recovery
potential and D the lowest.

+ or - may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating
categories.  Such  suffixes  are not  added  to the AAA  rating  category  or to
categories below CCC.
<PAGE>


                          SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL RATINGS

Moody's Municipal Short-Term Issuer Ratings

Prime-1  Issuers  rated  Prime-1 (or  supporting  institutions)  have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt  obligations.  Prime-1 repayment
ability will often be evidence by many of the following characteristics.

- --  Leading market positions in well-established industries.

- --  High rates of return on funds employed.

- --  Conservative  capitalization  structure  with moderate  reliance on debt and
    ample asset protection.

- --  Broad margins in  earnings  coverage  of fixed  financial  changes  and high
    internal cash generation.

- --  Well-established  access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
    of alternate liquidity.

Prime-2 Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability
for  repayment of senior  short-term  debt  obligations.  This will  normally be
evidenced  by many of the  characteristics  cited above but to a lesser  degree.
Earnings  trends  and  coverage  ratios,  while  sound,  may be more  subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics,  while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Prime-3  Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting  institutions)  have an acceptable
ability for repayment of senior short-term  obligations.  The effect of industry
characteristics and market  compositions may be more pronounced.  Variability in
earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection
measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage.
Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Not Prime  Issuers  rated Not Prime do not fall  within any of the Prime  rating
categories.

Moody's Municipal Short-Term Loan Ratings

MIG 1 This  designation  denotes best  quality.  There is strong  protection  by
established cash flows, superior liquidity support, or demonstrated  broad-based
access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2  This designation denotes high quality.  Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3 This  designation  denotes  favorable  quality.  Liquidity  and  cash-flow
protection may be narrow and market access for  refinancing is likely to be less
well established.

SG This  designation  denotes  speculative  quality.  Debt  instruments  in this
category may lack margins of protection.


S&P Commercial Paper Ratings

A-1 This  designation  indicates  that the  degree  of safety  regarding  timely
payment is strong.  Those issues  determined to possess  extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory.
However,  the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues  designated
A-1.

A-3 Issues  carrying  this  designation  have an  adequate  capacity  for timely
payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

B Issues  rated B are  regarded as having only  speculative  capacity for timely
payment.

C This  rating is  assigned  to  short-term  debt  obligations  with a  doubtful
capacity for payment.

D Debt  rated D is in  payment  default.  The D  rating  category  is used  when
interest  payments or principal  payments are not made on the date due,  even if
the applicable  grace period has not expired,  unless S&P believes such payments
will be made during such grace period.

S&P Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings

SP-1 Strong  capacity to pay  principal  and  interest.  An issue  determined to
possess  a very  strong  capacity  to pay  debt  service  is  given  a plus  (+)
designation.

SP-2   Satisfactory   capacity  to  pay  principal   and  interest,   with  some
vulnerability  to adverse  financial  and economic  changes over the term of the
notes.

SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Fitch Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings

F1 Highest credit quality.  Indicates the strongest  capacity for timely payment
of  financial  commitments;  may have an added "+" to denote  any  exceptionally
strong credit feature.

F2 Good credit quality. A satisfactory  capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments,  but the  margin  of  safety  is not as great as in the case of the
higher ratings.

F3 Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
is adequate;  however,  near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to
non-investment grade.

B Speculative.  Minimal  capacity for timely  payment of financial  commitments,
plus  vulnerability  to  near-term  adverse  changes in  financial  and economic
conditions.

C High  default  risk.  Default  is a real  possibility.  Capacity  for  meeting
financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and
economic environment.

D  Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.



                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         Except as otherwise  stated in its  prospectus  or required by law, the
Fund  reserves  the  right to  change  the  terms  of the  offer  stated  in its
prospectus without shareholder approval, including the right to impose or change
fees for services provided.

         No  dealer,  salesman  or  other  person  is  authorized  to  give  any
information  or  to  make  any   representation  not  contained  in  the  Fund's
prospectus,  SAI or in supplemental  sales literature issued by the Fund or EDI,
and no person is  entitled  to rely on any  information  or  representation  not
contained therein.

         The Fund's prospectus and SAI omit certain information contained in the
Trust's registration  statement,  which you may obtain for a fee from the SEC in
Washington, D.C.


<PAGE>

                          EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                                     PART C

                                OTHER INFORMATION


Item 23.    Exhibits

<TABLE>

Exhibit
Number    Description                                            Location
- -------   -----------                                            --------
<S>       <C>                                                    <C>
(a)         Declaration of Trust                                 Incorporated by reference to
                                                                 Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
                                                                 Filed on November 17, 1997

(b)         By-laws                                              Incorporated by reference to
                                                                 Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
                                                                 Filed on November 17, 1997

(c)       Provisions of instruments defining the rights
          of holders of the securities being registered
          are contained in the Declaration of Trust
          Articles II, V, VI, VIII, IX and By-laws
          Articles II and VI

(d)(1)    Investment Advisory Agreement between the              Incorporated by reference to
          Registrant and First Union National Bank               Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(d)(2)    Investment Advisory Agreement between the              Incorporated by reference to
          Registrant and Evergreen Asset Management Co.          Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(d)(3)    Investment Advisory Agreement between the              Incorporated by reference to
          Registrant and Evergreen Investment Management         Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
          Co. (formerly known as Keystone Investment             Filed on June 30, 1998
          Management Company

(d)(4)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between          Incorporated by reference to
          the Registrant and Meridian Investment Company         Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(e)       Principal Underwriting Agreement between the           Incorporated by reference to
          Registrant and Evergreen Distributor, Inc.             Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(e)(1)    Form of Distribution Agreement for Class               Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
          Class A & C Shares                                     Post-Effective Amendment No. 11
          (Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund)                 Filed on August 30, 1999

(e)(2)    Form of Distribution Agreement for Class               Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
          B Shares                                               Post-Effective Amendment No.11
          (Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund)                 Filed on August 30, 1999

(f)       Deferred Compensation Plan                             Incorporated by reference to
                                                                 Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
                                                                 Filed on November 17, 1997

(g)       Custodian Agreement between the Registrant             Incorporated by reference to
          and State Street Bank and Trust Company                Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(h)(1)    Administration Agreement between Evergreen             Incorporated by reference to
          Investment Services, Inc. and the Registrant           Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(h)(2)    Transfer Agent Agreement between the                   Incorporated by reference to
          Registrant and Evergreen Service Company               Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                 Filed on June 30, 1998

(i)       Opinion and Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP        Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
                                                                 Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed on
                                                                 November 17, 1997

(j)(1)     Consent of KPMG LLP                                   Contained herein

(k)        Not applicable

(l)        Not applicable

(m)(1)     12b-1 Distribution Plan for the Institutional          Incorporated by reference to
           Service Shares                                         Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
                                                                  Filed on June 30, 1998


(m)(2)     Form of Distribution Plan of Class A shares            Incorporated by reference to
           (Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund)                   Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 6
                                                                  Filed on November 30, 1998


(m)(3)     Form of Distribution Plan of Class A shares            Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
           (Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund)                 Post-Effective Amendment No. 11
                                                                  Filed on August 30, 1999

(m)(4)     Form of Distribution Plan for Class B shares           Incorporated by reference to
           (Evergreen Select Equity Index Fund)                   Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 6
                                                                  Filed on November 30, 1998

(m)(5)    Form of Distribution Plan for Class B shares            Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
          (Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund)                  Post-Effective Amendment No. 11
                                                                  Filed on August 30, 1999

(m)(6)    Form of Distribution Plan for Class C shares            Incorpoated by reference to Registrant's
          (Evergreen Select Special Equity Fund)                  Post-Effective Amendment No. 11
                                                                  Filed on August 30, 1999

(n)        Not applicable

(o)        Multiple Class Plan                                   Incorporated by reference to Registrant's
                                                                 Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed
                                                                 on November 17, 1997
</TABLE>

Item 24.       Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.

     None

Item 25.       Indemnification.

     Registrant has obtained from a major insurance carrier a trustees and
officers liability policy covering certain types of errors and omissions.

     Provisions  for  the  indemnification  of  the  Registrant's  Trustees  and
officers are also contained in the Registrant's  Declaration of Trust,
incorporated by reference to Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed
on November 17, 1997.

     Provisions for the  indemnification of the Registrant's Investment Advisors
are contained in their respective Investment Advisory and Management Agreements.

     Provisions  for the  indemnification  of Evergreen  Distributor,  Inc., the
Registrant's principal underwriter, are contained in  the Principal Underwriting
Agreement between Evergreen Distributor, Inc. and the Registrant.

     Provision for the indemnification of Evergreen Service Company, the
Registrant's transfer agent, are contained in the Master Transfer Agent and
Recordkeeping Agreement between Evergreen Service Company and the Registrant.

     Provisions for the indemnification of State Street Bank & Trust Company,
the Registrant's custodian, are contained in the Custodian Agreement between
State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Registrant.


Item 26.       Business or Other Connections of Investment Advisors.

     The Directors and principal executive officers of First Union National Bank
are:

Edward E. Crutchfield, Jr.         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
                                   First Union Corporation; Chief Executive
                                   Officer and Chairman, First Union National
                                   Bank

Anthony Terracciano                President, First Union Corporation;
                                   President, First Union National Bank

John R. Georgius                   Vice Chairman, First Union Corporation;
                                   Vice Chairman, First Union National Bank

Mark C. Treanor                    Executive Vice President, Secretary &
                                   General Counsel, First Union Corporation;
                                   Secretary and Executive Vice President,
                                   First Union National Bank

Robert T. Atwood                   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                                   Officer, First Union Corporation; Chief
                                   Financial Officer and Executive Vice
                                   President

     All of the above persons are located at the following address:  First Union
National Bank, One First Union Center, Charlotte, NC 28288.

     The  information  required  by this item with  respect to  Evergreen  Asset
Management  Corp.  is  incorporated  by  reference  to the  Form ADV  (File  No.
801-46522) of Evergreen Asset Management Corp.

     The information  required by this item with respect to Evergreen Investment
Management  Company  (formerly known as Keystone Investment Management Co.)  is
incorporated  by  reference  to the Form ADV  (File No. 801-5436) of Evergreen
Investment Management Company.

     The information  required by this item with respect to Meridian  Investment
Company  is  incorporated  by  reference to the Form ADV (File No. 801-23484) of
Meridian Investment Company.

Item 27.       Principal Underwriter.

     Evergreen  Distributor,   Inc.  acts  as  principal  underwriter  for  each
registered  investment company or series thereof that is a part of the Evergreen
"fund  complex" as such term is defined in Item 22(a) of Schedule  14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     The Directors and principal  executive  officers of Evergreen  Distributor,
Inc. are:

Lynn C. Mangum                     Director, Chairman and Chief Executive
                                   Officer

Dennis Sheehan                     Director, Chief Financial Officer

J. David Huber                     President

Kevin J. Dell                      Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

     All of the above persons are located at the following address: Evergreen
Distributor, Inc., 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016.

     The Registrant has not paid, directly or indirectly, any commissions or
other coompensation to the Principal Underwriter in the last fiscal year.

Item 28.       Location of Accounts and Records.

    All accounts and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of  the
    Investment  Company  Act of 1940 and the  Rules  31a-1  through  31a-3
    promulgated thereunder are maintained at one of the following locations:

    Evergreen Investment Services, Inc., Evergreen Service Company and Evergreen
    Investment Management Company, all located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston,
    Massachusetts 02110

    First Union National Bank, One First Union Center, 301 S. College Street,
    Charlotte, North Carolina 28288

    Evergreen Asset Management Corp., 2500 Westchester Avenue, Purchase,
    New York 10577

    Iron Mountain, 3431 Sharp Slot Road, Swansea, Massachusetts 02777

    State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
    Massachusetts 02171

    Meridian Investment Company, 55 Valley Stream Parkway, Malvern,
    Pennsylvania 19355

Item 29.       Management Services.

     Not Applicable

Item 30.       Undertakings.

     The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
     prospectus is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual
     report to shareholders, upon request and without charge.

<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,  thereto  duly
authorized,  in the City of New York,  and State of New York, on the 28th day of
October, 1999.

                                         EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY TRUST

                                         By: /s/ Anthony J. Fischer
                                             -----------------------------
                                             Name:  Anthony J. Fischer
                                             Title: President


     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities indicated on the 28th day of October, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>                                <C>
/s/ Anthony J. Fischer                  /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin            /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- -------------------------               -----------------------------     --------------------------------
Anthony J. Fischer                      Laurence B. Ashkin*               Charles A. Austin III*
President amd Treasurer (Principal      Trustee                           Trustee
  Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ K. Dun Gifford                      /s/ James S. Howell               /s/ William Walt Pettit
- ----------------------------            ----------------------------      --------------------------------
K. Dun Gifford*                         James S. Howell*                  William Walt Pettit*
Trustee                                 Chairman of the Board             Trustee
                                        and Trustee

/s/Gerald M. McDonnell                  /s/ Thomas L. McVerry              /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- -------------------------------         -----------------------------      --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell*                     Thomas L. McVerry*                 Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee                                 Trustee                            Vice Chairman of the Board
                                                                           and Trustee

/s/ David M. Richardson                 /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD      /s/ Leroy Keith, Jr.
- ------------------------------          -------------------------------    --------------------------------
David M. Richardson*                    Russell A. Salton, III MD*         Leroy Keith, Jr.*
Trustee                                 Trustee                            Trustee

/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>


*By: /s/ Catherine E. Foley
- -------------------------------
Catherine E. Foley
Attorney-in-Fact


     *Catherine E. Foley,  by signing  her name  hereto,  does  hereby sign this
document on behalf of each of the above-named  individuals pursuant to powers of
attorney duly executed by such persons.
<PAGE>

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number     Exhibit
- -------    -------
(j)(1)     Consent of KPMG LLP




                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Trustees and Shareholders
Evergreen Select Equity Trust



We consent to the use of our report  dated August 6, 1999 for  Evergreen  Select
Balanced Fund,  Evergreen Select Core Equity Fund,  Evergreen Select Diversified
Value Fund,  Evergreen  Select Large Cap Blend Fund,  Evergreen Select Small Cap
Growth Fund,  Evergreen Select Small Company Value Fund, Evergreen Select Social
Principles  Fund,   Evergreen  Select  Special  Equity  Fund,  Evergreen  Select
Strategic Growth Fund,  Evergreen Select Strategic Value Fund,  Evergreen Select
Equity Index Fund and Evergreen Select Secular Growth Fund  incorporated  herein
by reference  and to the  references  to our firm under the captions  "FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS"  in the prospectus  and  "Independent  Auditors" in the Statement of
Additional Information.


                                           /s/ KPMG LLP

                                           KPMG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
October 28, 1999


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