SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ ]
Amendment No. 1 [X]
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
(As successor to certain series of Evergreen Trust, Evergreen Micro Cap Fund,
Inc., Evergreen Omega Fund, Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2), Evergreen
Foundation Trust, Evergreen American Retirement Trust, Evergreen Investment
Trust, Evergreen Fund for Total Return, Evergreen Growth and Income Fund,
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund, and Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1))
(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)
The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
[ ] 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 (date) 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)
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act"), by this amendment to Registration Statement No. 2-40357/811-2193 of
Evergreen Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen Fund
series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification of registration and
Registration Statement of such trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act").
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act of 1933, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-40357/811-2193 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the Registration
Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund
series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification of registration and
Registration Statement of such trust under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-81494/811-3653 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Micro Cap
Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-28183/811-1600 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Omega
Fund, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-10660/811-97 on Form N-1A of Keystone Strategic
Growth Fund (K-2), a Pennsylvania common law trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 33-31803/811-5953 on Form N-1A of Evergreen
Foundation Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen
Foundation Fund series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification of
registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 33-31803/811-5953 on Form N-1A of Evergreen
Foundation Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen Tax
Strategic Foundation Fund series thereof under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 33-19317/811-5434 on Form N-1A of Evergreen American
Retirement Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen American
Retirement Fund series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification of
registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-94560/811-4154 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Investment
Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen Utility Fund
series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification of registration and
Registration Statement of such trust under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-94560/811-4154 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Investment
Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen Value Fund
series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification of registration and
Registration Statement of such trust under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 33-11047/811-4950 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Fund for
Total Return, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 33-6700/811-4715 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Growth and
Income Fund, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-61391/811-2829 on Form N-1A of Evergreen Income and
Growth Fund, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts the
Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 33-19317/811-5434 on Form N-1A of Evergreen American
Retirement Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust with respect to the Evergreen Small Cap
Equity Income Fund series thereof under the Securities Act and the notification
of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, by this amendment to
Registration Statement No. 2-10661/811-98 on Form N-1A of Keystone Growth and
Income Fund (S-1), a Pennsylvania common law trust, the Registrant hereby adopts
the Registration Statement of such trust under the Securities Act and the
notification of registration and Registration Statement of such trust under the
1940 Act.
<PAGE>
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust relating to Evergreen
Fund, and the current prospectuses and statement of additional information, as
supplemented, of Evergreen Fund included in the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A of Evergreen Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust relating to Evergreen
Aggressive Growth Fund, and the current prospectuses and statement of additional
information, as supplemented, of Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund included in
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Micro Cap Fund, Inc., and the
current prospectuses and statement of additional information, as supplemented,
of Evergreen Micro Cap Fund, Inc. included in the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Omega Fund, and the current
prospectuses and statement of additional information, as supplemented, of
Evergreen Omega Fund included in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2), and
the current prospectus and statement of additional information, as supplemented,
of Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2) included in the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Foundation Trust relating to
Evergreen Foundation Fund, and the current prospectuses and statement of
additional information, as supplemented, of Evergreen Foundation Fund included
in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Foundation Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Foundation Trust relating to
Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund, and the current prospectuses and
statement of additional information, as supplemented, of Evergreen Foundation
Fund included in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Tax
Strategic Foundation Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen American Retirement Trust
relating to Evergreen American Retirement Fund, and the current prospectuses and
statement of additional information, as supplemented, of Evergreen American
Retirement Fund included in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
American Retirement Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Investment Trust relating to
Evergreen Utility Fund, and the current prospectuses and statement of additional
information, as supplemented, of Evergreen Utility Fund included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Investment Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Investment Trust relating to
Evergreen Value Fund, and the current prospectuses and statement of additional
information, as supplemented, of Evergreen Value Fund included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Investment Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Fund for Total Return, and the
current prospectuses and statement of additional information, as supplemented,
of Evergreen Fund for Total Return included in the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Growth and Income Fund, and the
current prospectuses and statement of additional information, as supplemented,
of Evergreen Growth and Income Fund included in the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Income and Growth Fund, and the
current prospectuses and statement of additional information, as supplemented,
of Evergreen Income and Growth Fund included in the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen American Retirement Trust
relating to Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund, and the current prospectuses
and statement of additional information, as supplemented, of Evergreen Small Cap
Equity Income Fund included in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of
Evergreen American Retirement Trust.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the cross reference sheet
filed pursuant to Rule 481(a) under the Securities Act included in the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1),
and the current prospectus and statement of additional information, as
supplemented, of Evergreen Fund for Total Return included in the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A.
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUSES OF
Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund, Evergreen American Retirement Fund, Evergreen
Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Evergreen Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund,
Evergreen Foundation Fund, Evergreen Fund, Evergreen Georgia Municipal Bond
Fund, Evergreen Global Leaders Fund, Evergreen Growth and Income Fund, Evergreen
High Grade Tax Free Fund, Evergreen Income and Growth Fund, Evergreen
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund, Evergreen International Equity
Fund, Evergreen Institutional Money Market Fund, Evergreen Institutional Tax
Exempt Money Market Fund, Evergreen Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Latin America Fund, Evergreen Micro Cap Fund, Evergreen Money Market
Fund, Evergreen New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund, Evergreen North Carolina
Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Bond Fund, Evergreen Short-Intermediate Municipal
Fund, Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund, Evergreen South Carolina Municipal
Bond Fund, Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Evergreen Tax Strategic
Foundation Fund, Evergreen Treasury Money Market Fund, Evergreen U.S. Government
Fund, Evergreen Utility Fund, Evergreen Value Fund, Evergreen Virginia Municipal
Bond Fund, Evergreen Capital Preservation and Income Fund, Evergreen Fund For
Total Return, Evergreen Global Opportunities Fund, Evergreen Natural Resources
Fund, Evergreen Omega Fund, Evergreen Strategic Income Fund, Evergreen
California Tax Free Fund, Evergreen Massachusetts Tax Free Fund, Evergreen
Missouri Tax Free Fund, Evergreen New York Tax Free Fund, Evergreen Pennsylvania
Tax Free Fund, Evergreen Select Adjustable Rate Fund, and
Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund (each a "Fund" and, collectively, the
"Funds")
The prospectus(es) of each of the Funds are hereby supplemented as follows:
Fund Reorganizations
Each of the above Funds has been reorganized as a separate series of a
Delaware business trust, each of which was organized on September 17, 1997. The
name of each trust is set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Fund Name of Trust
<S> <C>
Evergreen California Tax Free Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen Florida High Income Municipal Evergreen Municipal Trust
Bond Fund
Evergreen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen Missouri Tax Free Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen New Jersey Tax Free Income Evergreen Municipal Trust
Fund
Evergreen New York Tax Free Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen North Carolina Municipal Evergreen Municipal Trust
Bond Fund
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen South Carolina Municipal Evergreen Municipal Trust
Bond Fund
Evergreen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen High Grade Tax Free Fund Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Municipal Evergreen Municipal Trust
Fund
Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Micro Cap Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Omega Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen American Retirement Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Foundation Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Fund for Total Return Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Growth and Income Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Income and Growth Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Value Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Utility Fund Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen U.S. Government Fund Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Evergreen Strategic Income Fund Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Evergreen Capital Preservation and Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Income Fund
Evergreen Intermediate Term Government Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Securities Fund
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Bond Fund Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Evergreen Emerging Markets Growth Fund Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen Global Leaders Fund Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen Global Opportunities Fund Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen International Equity Fund Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen Latin America Fund Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen Natural Resources Fund Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen Money Market Fund Evergreen Money Market Trust
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Evergreen Money Market Trust
Market Fund
Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market Fund Evergreen Money Market Trust
Evergreen Treasury Money Market Fund Evergreen Money Market Trust
Evergreen Institutional Money Market Fund Evergreen Select Money Market Trust
Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money Evergreen Select Money Market Trust
Market Fund
Evergreen Institutional Treasury Money Evergreen Select Money Market Trust
Market Fund
Evergreen Select Adjustable Rate Fund Evergreen Select Fixed Income Trust
Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund Evergreen Select Equity Trust
</TABLE>
In connection with the reorganizations, the investment objective(s) of each
Fund is now "nonfundamental" (i.e., changeable by vote of the Board without a
shareholder vote). In addition, each Fund is now subject to certain standardized
investment restrictions as set forth in the Supplement to the Statement of
Additional Information of each Fund dated the date hereof.
Name Changes
Effective January 12, 1998, the following name changes will occur:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Current Name New Name
<S> <C>
Evergreen Institutional Money Market Fund Evergreen Select Money Market Fund
Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money Evergreen Select Municipal Money
Market Fund Market Fund
Evergreen Institutional Treasury Money Evergreen Select Treasury Money
Market Fund Market Fund
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Evergreen Pennsylvania Municipal
Market Fund Money Market Fund
Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market Fund Evergreen Municipal Money Market Fund
</TABLE>
In addition, the name of the distributor for the Funds has been changed to
Evergreen Distributor, Inc., the name of the administrator for certain of the
Funds has been changed to Evergreen Investment Services, Inc., and the name of
the transfer agent for the Funds has been changed to Evergreen Service Company.
Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Evergreen
Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Market Fund and Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market
Fund
The investment objective of each Fund has been amended to permit the Fund
to invest without limitation in obligations subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax. Under normal circumstances it is anticipated that each Fund will
invest its assets so that at least 80% of its annual interest income is exempt
from federal income tax other than the federal alternative minimum tax.
Each Fund's investments will continue to comply with the requirements of
Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, including the portfolio
quality requirements thereof.
Evergreen Latin America Fund
The investment objective of Evergreen Latin America Fund has been amended
to permit the Fund to invest without limit in securities of issuers located in
Latin America. The list of countries included in Latin America has been amended
to delete Belize. The Fund is no longer required to invest a percentage of its
assets in securities of issuers located in the United States and Canada. In
addition, the Fund's investment restriction relating to industry concentration
has been amended to require that the Fund invest at least 25% of its assets in
issuers in the energy, telecommunications, and utility industries.
Evergreen Florida Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen Georgia Municipal Bond
Fund, Evergreen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen South Carolina
Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen Florida
High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund,
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund, Evergreen High Grade Tax Free Fund,
Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money
Market Fund, Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Market Fund, Keystone
California Tax Free Fund, Keystone Florida Tax Free Fund, Keystone Massachusetts
Tax Free Fund, Keystone Missouri Tax Free Fund, Keystone New York Tax Free Fund,
Keystone Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund, Keystone Tax Free Fund, and Keystone Tax
Free Income Fund
The Funds are permitted to make taxable investments, and may from time to
time generate income subject to federal regular income tax.
Each Fund other than Evergreen High Grade Tax Free Fund, Evergreen Tax
Exempt Money Market Fund, Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,
and Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Market Fund will invest at least 80%
of its assets in bonds that, at the date of investment, are rated within the
four highest categories by Standard and Poor's Rating Group ("S&P") (AAA, AA, A
and BBB) or, if not rated or rated under a different system, are of comparable
quality to obligations so rated as determined by another nationally recognized
statistical ratings organization (an "SRO") or by the Fund's investment adviser.
A Fund may invest the remaining 20% of its assets in lower rated bonds, but it
will not invest in bonds rated below B. Subject to certain exceptions for money
market funds, a Fund is not required to sell or otherwise dispose of any
security that loses its rating or has its rating reduced after the Fund has
purchased it.
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund
The section of the Fund's prospectus entitled "Portfolio Managers" under
"Management of the Funds" is hereby supplemented to reflect the following
change:
Richard K. Marrone is the portfolio manager for the Evergreen
Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund. Since joining First Union in 1993, Mr.
Marrone has been a Vice President and Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager,
with over 15 years of investment and market experience. Prior to joining First
Union, Mr. Marrone was employed at Woodbridge Capital Management where he served
as a portfolio manager for mutual and common trust funds from 1982-1993.
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund
The second full paragraph of the section entitled "Portfolio Managers"
under "Management of the Funds" is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety
with the following paragraph:
Jocelyn Turner is the portfolio manager for the Pennsylvania Fund. Since
joining First Union in 1992, Ms. Turner has been a Vice President and Municipal
Bond Portfolio Manager for CMG. In addition to the Pennsylvania Fund, Ms. Turner
is currently responsible for the portfolio management of the New Jersey Fund.
Ms. Turner was previously employed as a Vice President and Municipal Bond
Portfolio Manager at One Federal Asset Management, Boston, Massachusetts from
1987-1991.
Evergreen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
The section of the Fund's prospectus entitled "Portfolio Managers" under
"Management of the Funds" is hereby supplemented to reflect the following
change:
The portfolio manager for the Fund is Charles E. Jeanne. Since joining
First Union in 1993, Mr. Jeanne has been an Assistant Vice President and
Portfolio Manager. In addition to the Fund, Mr. Jeanne also manages the
Evergreen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund. Prior to joining First Union, Mr. Jeanne
served as a trader/portfolio manager for First American Bank.
Evergreen Global Opportunities Fund
The section of the Fund's prospectus entitled "Portfolio Manager" under
"Fund Management and Expenses" is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety
with the following paragraph:
The portfolio managers for the Fund are Gilman C. Gunn and J. Gary Craven.
Mr. Gunn manages the international portion of the Fund and Mr. Craven manages
the domestic portion of the Fund.
Mr. Gunn joined Keystone in January 1991 and is currently Senior Vice
President, Chief Investment Officer - International.
Mr. Craven joined Keystone in November 1996 and is currently Senior Vice
President, Chief Investment Officer and Group Leader for the small cap equity
area. Prior to joining Keystone, Mr. Craven was a portfolio manager at Invista
Capital Management, Inc. since 1987.
Performance Information
The Funds may quote their "total return" or "yield" for specified periods
in advertisements, reports, or other communications to shareholders. Total
return and yield are computed separately for each Class of shares. Performance
data for one or more Classes may be included in any advertisement or sales
literature using performance data of a Fund.
Purchase and Redemption of Shares
Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans, including eligible
401(k) plans, may purchase Class A shares at net asset value provided that such
plans meet certain required minimum number of eligible employees or required
amount of assets. The CDSC applicable to Class B shares also is waived on
redemptions of shares by such plans. Additional information concerning the
waiver of sales charges is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
December 22, 1997
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUSES OF
KEYSTONE BALANCED FUND (K-1), KEYSTONE DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND (B-2), KEYSTONE
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND (S-1), KEYSTONE HIGH INCOME BOND FUND (B-4), KEYSTONE
INTERNATIONAL FUND, KEYSTONE PRECIOUS METAL HOLDINGS, KEYSTONE QUALITY BOND
FUND (B-1), KEYSTONE SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND (S-4), KEYSTONE STRATEGIC GROWTH
FUND (K-2), AND KEYSTONE TAX FREE FUND (each a "Fund" and, collectively,
the "Funds")
The prospectus(es) of each of the Funds are hereby supplemented as
follows:
FUND REORGANIZATIONS
Each of Keystone High Income Bond Fund (B-4), Keystone Strategic Growth
Fund (K-2), Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1), Keystone International Fund,
and Keystone Precious Metals Holdings Fund has been reorganized as a separate
series of a Delaware business trust, each of which was organized on September
17, 1997. The name of each trust is set forth below.
Name of Fund Name of Trust
Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2) Evergreen Equity Trust
Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1) Evergreen Equity Trust
Keystone High Income Bond Fund (B-4) Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Keystone Precious Metals Holdings Evergreen International Trust
Keystone International Fund Evergreen International Trust
In connection with the reorganizations, the investment objective(s) of
each Fund is now "nonfundamental" (i.e., changeable by vote of the Board without
a shareholder vote). In addition, each Fund is now subject to certain
standardized investment restrictions as set forth in the Supplement to the
Statement of Additional Information of each Fund dated the date hereof.
NAME CHANGES
Effective January 12, 1998, the following name changes will occur:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Current Name New Name
<S> <C>
Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1) Evergreen Blue Chip Fund
Keystone High Income Bond Fund (B-4) Evergreen High Yield Bond Fund
Keystone International Fund Evergreen International Growth Fund
Keystone Precious Metals Holdings Evergreen Precious Metals Fund
Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2) Evergreen Strategic Growth Fund
</TABLE>
In addition, the name of the distributor for the Funds has been changed
to Evergreen Distributor, Inc., the name of the administrator for certain of the
Funds has been changed to Evergreen Investment Services, Inc., and the name of
the transfer agent for the Funds has been changed to Evergreen Service Company.
ADDITION OF MULTIPLE CLASS STRUCTURE
Effective January 9, 1998, each Fund will add two classes of shares
designated as Class A and Class C and will designate its current class of shares
as Class B.
EXPENSE INFORMATION
For all the Funds, the table set forth below summarizes the shareholder
transaction costs associated with an investment in each Class A, Class B and
Class C shares of the Funds.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES Class A Shares Class B Shares(3) Class C Shares
-------------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases 4.75% None None
(as a % of offering price)
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a % of None(1) 5.00%(2) 1.00%
original purchase price or redemption
proceeds, whichever is lower)
</TABLE>
(1) The Funds do not charge a front-end sales charge on purchase of $1 million
or more, but they do charge a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if
you redeem those shares within one year after your purchase.
(2) The deferred sales charge on Class B shares declines from 5.00% to 1.00% of
amounts redeemed within six years after the month of purchase. The Funds
do not charge a contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions made after
that. See "Shareholder Information" for more information.
(3) Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent front-end
sales charges permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. See "Purchase and Redemption of Shares" for more information.
Annual operating expenses reflect the normal operating expenses of the
Fund, and include costs such as management, distribution and other fees. The
table below shows the Fund's estimated annual operating expenses for the fiscal
period ending on the date set forth besides the Fund's name. The example shows
what you would pay if you invested $1,000 over periods indicated. The example
assumes that you reinvest all of your dividends and that the Fund's average
annual return will be 5%. THE EXAMPLES ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY AND
SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR ANNUAL
RETURN. THE FUND'S ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURNS WILL VARY. For a more complete
description of the various costs and expenses borne by the Fund see
"Organization and Service Providers."
KEYSTONE BALANCED FUND (K-1) (March 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .45% .45% .45%
After 1 Year $ 57 $ 66 $ 27 $ 16 $ 17
12b-1 Fees* .25% .88% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 76 $ 80 $ 54 $ 50 $ 54
Other Expenses .25% .25% .25%
After 5 Years $ 98 $106 $ 92 $ 86 $ 92
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $159 $163 $201 $163 $201
Total .95% 1.58% 1.70%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND (B-2) (April 30, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .52% .52% .52%
After 1 Year $ 58 $ 69 $ 29 $ 19 $ 19
12b-1 Fees* .25% 1.00% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 81 $ 88 $ 58 $ 58 $ 58
Other Expenses .33% .33% .33%
After 5 Years $105 $120 $100 $100 $100
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $175 $188 $217 $188 $217
Total 1.10% 1.85% 1.85%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND (S-1) (July 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .64% .64% .64%
After 1 Year $ 59 $ 68 $ 30 $ 18 $ 20
12b-1 Fees* .25% .82% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 84 $ 86 $ 61 $ 56 $ 61
Other Expenses .31% .31% .31%
After 5 Years $110 $116 $105 $ 96 $105
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $186 $186 $227 $186 $227
Total 1.20% 1.77% 1.95%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE HIGH INCOME BOND FUND (B-4) (April 30, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .58% .58% .58%
After 1 Year $ 59 $ 70 $ 30 $ 20 $ 20
12b-1 Fees* .25% 1.00% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 83 $ 91 $ 61 $ 61 $ 61
Other Expenses .35% .35% .35%
After 5 Years $109 $124 $104 $104 $104
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $184 $196 $225 $196 $225
Total 1.18% 1.93% 1.93%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND (October 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .75% .75% .75%
After 1 Year $ 63 $ 74 $ 34 $ 24 $ 24
12b-1 Fees* .25% 1.00% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 95 $103 $ 73 $ 73 $ 73
Other Expenses .59% .59% .59%
After 5 Years $130 $145 $125 $125 $125
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $227 $239 $268 $239 $268
Total 1.59% 2.34% 2.34%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE PRECIOUS METAL HOLDINGS (October 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .74% .74% .74%
After 1 Year $ 64 $ 74 $ 34 $ 24 $ 24
12b-1 Fees* .25% 1.00% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 97 $105 $ 75 $ 75 $ 75
Other Expenses .67% .67% .67%
After 5 Years $133 $149 $129 $129 $129
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $235 $247 $275 $247 $275
Total 1.66% 2.41% 2.41%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE QUALITY BOND FUND (B-1) (October 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees % % %
After 1 Year $ $ $ $ $
12b-1 Fees* .25% 1.00% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ $ $ $ $
Other Expenses % % %
After 5 Years $ $ $ $ $
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $ $ $ $ $
Total % % %
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND (S-4) (September 30, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .48% .48% .48%
After 1 Year $ 57 $ 67 $ 28 $ 17 $ 18
12b-1 Fees* .25% .91% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 78 $ 82 $ 55 $ 52 $ 55
Other Expenses .27% .27% .27%
After 5 Years $100 $110 $ 95 $ 90 $ 95
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $164 $170 $206 $170 $206
Total 1.00% 1.66% 1.75%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND (K-2) (September 30, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees .53% .53% .53%
After 1 Year $ 58 $ 67 $ 29 $ 17 $ 19
12b-1 Fees* .25% .84% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ 81 $ 83 $ 58 $ 53 $ 58
Other Expenses .32% .32% .32%
After 5 Years $105 $112 $100 $ 92 $100
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $175 $176 $217 $176 $217
Total 1.10% 1.69% 1.85%
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
KEYSTONE TAX FREE FUND (May 31, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------
Assuming Redemption at Assuming no
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES End of Period Redemption
- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------
Class A Class B Class C Class A Class B Class C Class B Class C
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees % % %
After 1 Year $ $ $ $ $
12b-1 Fees* .25% 1.00% 1.00%
After 3 Years $ $ $ $ $
Other Expenses % % %
After 5 Years $ $ $ $ $
------- ------- -------
After 10 Years $ $ $ $ $
Total % % %
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
DISTRIBUTION PLANS AND AGREEMENTS
Distribution Plans. The Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares pay for the
expenses associated with the distribution of such shares according to
distribution plans adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") (each a "Plan" or collectively the "Plans"). Under
the Plans, the Fund may incur distribution- related and shareholder
servicing-related expenses which are based upon a maximum annual rate as a
percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Class, as
follows:
Class A shares 0.75% (currently limited to 0.25%)
Class B shares 1.00%
Class C shares 1.00%
Of the amount that each Class may pay under its respective Plan, up to
0.25% may constitute a service fee to be used to compensate organizations, which
may include the Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates, for personal
services rendered to shareholders and/or the maintenance of shareholder
accounts. The Fund may not pay any distribution or services fees during any
fiscal period in excess of the amounts set forth above. Amounts paid under the
Distribution Plans are used to compensate the Fund's distributor pursuant to the
Distribution Agreements entered into by the Fund.
Distribution Agreements. The Fund has also entered into distribution agreements
(each a "Distribution Agreement" or collectively the "Distribution Agreements")
with EDI. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreements, the Fund will compensate EDI
for its services as distributor based upon the maximum annual rate as a
percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Class, as
follows:
Class A shares 0.25%
Class B shares 1.00%
Class C shares 1.00%
The Distribution Agreements provide that EDI will use the distribution
fee received from the Fund for payments (1) to compensate broker-dealers or
other persons for distributing shares of the Fund, including interest and
principal payments made in respect of amounts paid to broker-dealers or other
persons that have been financed (EDI may assign its rights to receive
compensation under the Plans to secure such financings), (2) to otherwise
promote the sale of shares of the Fund, and (3) to compensate broker-dealers,
depository institutions and other financial intermediaries for providing
administrative, accounting and other services with respect to the Fund's
shareholders. FUNB or its affiliates may finance the 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 other mutual funds,
compensation paid to EDI under the Distribution Agreements may be paid by EDI to
the distributors of the acquired funds.
Since EDI's compensation under the Distribution Agreements is not
directly tied to the expenses incurred by EDI, the amount of compensation
received by it under the Distribution Agreements during any 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 level of
compensation paid to EDI for that year may be paid from distribution fees
received from the Fund in subsequent fiscal years.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Class A Shares - Front-End Sales Charge Alternative. You may purchase Class A
shares of the Fund at net asset value plus an initial sales charge on purchases
under $1,000,000. You may purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares without
a front-end sales charge; however, a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC")
equal to the lesser of 1% of the purchase price or the redemption value will be
imposed on shares redeemed during the month of purchase and the 12-month period
following the month of purchase. The schedule of charges for Class A shares is
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Initial Sales Charge
Amount of Purchase As a % of As a % Commission to
the Net of the Dealer/Agent
Amount Offering as a % of
Invested Price Offering
Price
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 4.99% 4.75% 4.25%
$50,000 - $99,999 4.71% 4.50% 4.25%
$100,000 - $249,999 3.90% 3.75% 3.25%
$250,000 - $499,999 2.56% 2.50% 2.00%
$500,000 - $999,999 2.04% 2.00% 1.75%
$1,000,000 or more None None 1.00% of the amount invested up to $2,999,999;
.50% of the amount invested over $2,999,999, up to $4,999,999;
and .25% of the excess over $4,999,999
</TABLE>
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 advisers; (b) investment advisers, 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 advisers or financial planners who place
trades for their own accounts if the accounts are linked to the master account
of such investment advisers 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 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; (g) and upon the initial purchase of an
Evergreen fund by investors reinvesting the proceeds from a redemption within
the preceding thirty days of shares of other mutual funds, provided such shares
were initially purchased with a front-end sales charge or subject to a CDSC.
Certain broker-dealers or other financial institutions may impose a fee on
transactions in shares of the Fund.
Class A shares may also be purchased at net asset value by a
corporation or certain other qualified retirement plans or a non-qualified
deferred compensation plan or a Title I tax sheltered annuity or TSA plan
sponsored by an organization having 100 or more eligible employees, or a TSA
plan sponsored by a public education entity having 5,000 or more eligible
employees.
In connection with sales made to plans of the type described in the
preceding sentence EDI will pay broker-dealers and others concessions at the
rate of 0.50% of the net asset value of the shares purchased. These payments are
subject to reclaim in the event the shares are redeemed within twelve months
after purchase.
When Class A shares are sold, EDI will normally retain a portion of the
applicable sales charge and pay the balance to the broker-dealer or other
financial intermediary through whom the sale was made. EDI may also pay fees to
banks from sales charges for services performed on behalf of the customers of
such banks in connection with the purchase of shares of the Fund. In addition to
compensation paid at the time of sale, entities whose clients have purchased
Class A shares may receive a trailing commission equal to 0.25% of the average
daily net asset value on an annual basis of Class A shares held by their
clients. Certain purchases of Class A shares may qualify for reduced sales
charges in accordance with the Fund's Concurrent Purchases, Rights of
Accumulation, Letter of Intent, certain Retirement Plans and Reinstatement
Privilege. Consult the Application for additional information concerning these
reduced sales charges.
Class B Shares - Deferred Sales Charge Alternative. You may purchase Class B
shares at net asset value without an initial sales charge. However, you may pay
a CDSC if you redeem shares within six years after the month of purchase. The
amount of the CDSC (expressed as a percentage of the lesser of the current net
asset value or original cost) will vary according to the number of years from
the month of purchase of Class B shares as set forth below.
CDSC
Redemption Timing Imposed
Month of purchase and the first twelve-month
period following the month of purchase...............................5.00%
Second twelve-month period following the
month of purchase....................................................4.00%
Third twelve-month period following the
month of purchase....................................................3.00%
Fourth twelve-month period following the
month of purchase....................................................3.00%
Fifth twelve-month period following the
month of purchase....................................................2.00%
Sixth twelve-month period following the
month of purchase....................................................1.00%
No CDSC is imposed on amounts redeemed thereafter.
If you redeem shares purchased after January 1, 1995, but before
January 9, 1998, you will pay a CDSC according to the CDSC schedule in effect at
the time you bought your shares.
The CDSC is deducted from the amount of the redemption and is paid to
EDI. In the event the Fund acquires the assets of other mutual funds, the CDSC
may be paid by EDI to the distributors of the acquired funds. Class B shares are
subject to higher distribution and/or shareholder service fees than Class A
shares for a period of seven years after the month of purchase (after which it
is expected that they will convert to Class A shares without imposition of a
front-end sales charge). The higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class B
shares pay correspondingly lower dividends and may have a lower net asset value
than Class A shares. The Fund will not normally accept any purchase of Class B
shares in the amount of $250,000 or more.
At the end of the period ending seven years after the end of the
calendar month in which the shareholder's purchase order was accepted, Class B
shares will automatically convert to Class A shares and will no longer be
subject to the higher distribution services fee imposed on Class B shares. If
you bought shares before January 1, 1995, your shares will automatically convert
to Class A shares on or about January 16, 1998. If you purchased your shares
after Janaury 1, 1995, your shares will convert to Class A shares seventy-two
months from the date you purchased your shares. Such conversion will be on the
basis of the relative net asset values of the two Classes, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The purpose of the conversion
feature is to reduce the distribution services fee paid by holders of Class B
shares that have been outstanding long enough for the Distributor to have been
compensated for the expenses associated with the sale of such shares.
Class C Shares - Level-Load Alternative. Class C shares are only offered through
broker-dealers who have special distribution agreements with EDI. You may
purchase Class C shares at net asset value without any initial sales charge and,
therefore, the full amount of your investment will be used to purchase Fund
shares. However, you will pay a 1.00% CDSC, if you redeem shares during the
month of purchase and the 12-month period following the month of purchase. No
CDSC is imposed on amounts redeemed thereafter. Class C shares incur higher
distribution and/or shareholder service fees than Class A shares but, unlike
Class B shares, do not convert to any other class of shares of the Fund. The
higher fees mean a higher expense ratio, so Class C shares pay correspondingly
lower dividends and may have a lower net asset value than Class A shares. The
Fund will not normally accept any purchase of Class C shares in the amount of
$500,000 or more. No CDSC will be imposed on Class C shares purchased by
institutional investors, and through employee benefit and savings plans eligible
for the exemption from front-end sales charges described under "Class A Shares -
Front-End Sales Charge Alternative," above. Broker-dealers and other financial
intermediaries whose clients have purchased Class C shares may receive a
trailing commission equal to 0.75% of the average daily net asset value of such
shares on an annual basis held by their clients more than one year from the date
of purchase. The payment of trailing commissions will commence immediately with
respect to shares eligible for exemption from the CDSC normally applicable to
Class C shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Shares obtained from dividend or distribution
reinvestment are not subject to a CDSC. Any CDSC imposed upon the redemption of
Class A, Class B or Class C shares is a percentage of the lesser of (1) the net
asset value of the shares redeemed or (2) the net asset value at the time of
purchase of such shares.
No CDSC is imposed on a redemption of shares of the Fund in the event
of: (1) death or disability of the shareholder; (2) a lump-sum distribution from
a 401(k) plan or other benefit plan qualified under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"); (3) automatic withdrawals from ERISA
plans if the shareholder is at least 59 1/2 years old; (4) involuntary
redemptions of accounts having an aggregate net asset value of less than $1,000;
(5) automatic withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of up to 1.00%
per month of the shareholder's initial account balanced; (6) withdrawals
consisting of loan proceeds to a retirement plan participant; (7) financial
hardship withdrawals made by a retirement plan participant; or (8) withdrawals
consisting of returns of excess contributions or excess deferral amounts made to
a retirement plan participant.
The Fund may also sell Class A, Class B or Class C shares at net asset
value without any initial sales charge or CDSC to certain Directors, Trustees,
officers and employees of the Fund, Keystone, FUNB, Evergreen Asset Management
Corp. ("Evergreen Asset"), EDI and certain of their affiliates, and to members
of the immediate families of such persons, to registered representatives of
firms with dealer agreements with EDI, and to a bank or trust company acting as
a trustee for a single account.
General. The decision as to which Class of shares is more beneficial to you
depends on the amount of your investment and the length of time you will hold
it. If you are making a large investment, thus qualifying for a reduced sales
charge, you might consider Class A shares. If you are making a smaller
investment, you might consider Class B shares since 100% of your purchase is
invested immediately and since such shares will convert to Class A shares, which
incur lower ongoing distribution and/or shareholder service fees, after seven
years. If you are unsure of the time period of your investment, you might
consider Class C shares since there are no initial sales charges and, although
there is no conversion feature, the CDSC only applies to redemptions made during
the first year after the month of purchase. Consult your financial intermediary
for further information. The compensation received by broker-dealers and agents
may differ depending on whether they sell Class A, Class B or Class C shares.
There is no size limit on purchases of Class A shares.
How to Redeem Shares
You may "redeem" (i.e., sell) your shares in the Fund to the Fund for
cash at their net redemption value on any day the Exchange is open, either
directly by writing to the Fund, c/o ESC, or through your financial
intermediary. The amount you will receive is the net asset value adjusted for
fractions of a cent (less any applicable CDSC) next calculated after the Fund
receives your request in proper form.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
How to Exchange Shares. You may exchange some or all of your shares for shares
of the same class of any other Evergreen funds through your financial
intermediary, by calling or writing to ESC or by using the Evergreen Express
Line as described above. Once an exchange request has been telephoned or mailed,
it is irrevocable and may not be modified or canceled. Exchanges will be made on
the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares exchanged next
determined after an exchange request is received. An exchange which represents
an initial investment in another Evergreen fund is subject to the minimum
investment and suitability requirements of each fund.
No CDSC will be imposed in the event shares are exchanged for shares of
the same class of other Evergreen funds. If you redeem shares, the CDSC
applicable to the shares of the Evergreen fund originally purchased for cash is
applied. Also, Class B shares will continue to age following an exchange for the
purpose of conversion to Class A shares and for the purpose of determining the
amount of the applicable CDSC.
Performance Information
The Funds may quote their "total return" or "yield" for specified
periods in advertisements, reports, or other communications to shareholders.
Total return and yield are computed separately for each Class of shares.
Performance data for one or more Classes may be included in any advertisement or
sales literature using performance data of a Fund.
Purchase and Redemption of Shares
Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans, including eligible
401(k) plans, may purchase Class A shares at net asset value provided that such
plans meet certain required minimum number of eligible employees or required
amount of assets. The CDSC applicable to Class B shares also is waived on
redemptions of shares by such plans. Additional information concerning the
waiver of sales charges is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
December 22, 1997
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT TO THE STATEMENTS
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF
Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund, Evergreen American Retirement Fund,
Evergreen Emerging Markets Growth Fund,
Evergreen Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Evergreen Foundation Fund,
Evergreen Fund, Evergreen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund,
Evergreen Global Leaders Fund, Evergreen Growth and Income Fund,
Evergreen High Grade Tax Free Fund, Evergreen Income and Growth Fund,
Evergreen Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund,
Evergreen International Equity Fund,
Evergreen Institutional Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Latin America Fund,
Evergreen Micro Cap Fund,
Evergreen Money Market Fund,
Evergreen New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund,
Evergreen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund,
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Bond Fund,
Evergreen Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund,
Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund,
Evergreen South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund,
Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,
Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund,
Evergreen Treasury Money Market Fund,
Evergreen U.S. Government Fund, Evergreen Utility Fund,
Evergreen Value Fund, Evergreen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund,
Evergreen Capital Preservation and Income Fund,
Evergreen Fund for Total Return, Evergreen Global Opportunities Fund,
Evergreen Natural Resources Fund,
Evergreen Omega Fund, Evergreen Strategic Income Fund,
Evergreen California Tax Free Fund,
Evergreen Massachusetts Tax Free Fund,
Evergreen Missouri Tax Free Fund, Evergreen New York Tax Free Fund,
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund, Keystone Balanced Fund (K-1),
Keystone Diversified Bond Fund (B-2),
Keystone High Income Bond Fund (B-4),
Keystone Small Company Growth Fund (S-4), Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2),
Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1),
Evergreen Select Adjustable Rate Fund,
Evergreen Select Small Cap Growth Fund, Keystone International Fund,
Keystone Precious Metals Holdings, and Keystone Tax Free Fund
(each a "Fund" and, collectively, the "Funds")
The Statements of Additional Information of each of the Funds are hereby
supplemented as follows:
Standardized Fundamental Investment Restrictions
Each of the above Funds except Keystone Balanced Fund (K-1), Keystone
Diversified Bond Fund (B-2), Keystone Small Company Growth Fund (S-4), and
Keystone Tax Free Fund has adopted the following standardized fundamental
investment restrictions. These restrictions may be changed only by a vote of
Fund shareholders.
1. Diversification of Investments
The Fund may not make any investment inconsistent with the Fund's
classification as a diversified [non-diversified] investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
2. Concentration of a Fund's Assets in a Particular Industry. ([All Funds
other than those listed below.)
The Fund may not concentrate its investments 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 [or in
the case of Money Market Funds domestic bank money instruments]).
For Evergreen Utility Fund
The Fund will concentrate its investments in the utilities industry.
For Keystone Precious Metals Holdings, Inc.
The Fund will concentrate its investments in industries related to the
mining, processing or dealing in gold or other precious metals and minerals.
3. Issuance of Senior Securities
Except as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may
not issue senior securities.
4. Borrowing
The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by applicable
law.
5. Underwriting
The Fund may not underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as
the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the disposition of its
portfolio securities.
6. Investment in Real Estate
The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, the Fund may invest in (a) securities directly or
indirectly secured by real estate, or (b) securities issued by companies that
invest in real estate.
7. Commodities
The Fund may not purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities
except to the extent that the 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
The Fund may not make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may lend
its portfolio securities in accordance with applicable law. The acquisition of
investment instruments shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan.
9. Investment in Federally Tax Exempt Securities
The following Funds have also adopted a standardized fundamental investment
restriction in regard to investments in federally tax-exempt securities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Evergreen Tax Exempt Money Market Fund Evergreen Institutional Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Money Market Fund Evergreen Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund
Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund Evergreen High Grade Tax Free Fund
Evergreen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund Evergreen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
Evergreen South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund Evergreen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund
Evergreen New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund Evergreen Massachusetts Tax Free Fund
Evergreen New York Tax Free Fund Evergreen Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund
Evergreen California Tax Free Fund Evergreen Missouri Tax Free Fund
</TABLE>
The Fund will, during periods of normal market conditions, invest its
assets in accordance with applicable guidelines issued by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff concerning investment in tax-exempt securities
for Funds with the words tax exempt, tax free or municipal in their names.
Elimination of Certain Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The nonfundamental investment restrictions described below have been
eliminated by each Fund listed under such restriction:
1. Prohibition on Investment in Unseasoned Issuers
Evergreen Fund, Growth and Income Fund, Income and Growth Fund, American
Retirement Fund, Money Market Fund, Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Short-
Intermediate Municipal Fund, Growth and Income Fund (S-1), Omega Fund, Precious
Metals Holdings, Inc., Strategic Growth Fund (K-2), High Income Bond Fund (B-4),
Capital Preservation and Income Fund, Select Adjustable Rate Fund, Strategic
Income Fund, Fund for Total Return, Global Opportunities Fund, International
Fund Inc.
2. Prohibition on Investment in Companies for the Purpose of Exercising
Control or Management
Evergreen Fund, Growth and Income Fund, Income and Growth Fund, Value Fund,
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund , Foundation Fund, American
Retirement Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global
Leaders Fund, Money Market Fund, Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Pennsylvania Tax
Free Money Market Fund, Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund,
Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund, Growth and Income Fund (S-1), Precious Metals
Holdings, Inc., Strategic Growth Fund (K-2), High Income Bond Fund (B-4), Fund
for Total Return, Global Opportunities Fund, International Fund Inc.
3. Prohibition on Investment in Companies in which Trustees or Officers of
the Funds Also Hold Shares Above Certain Percentage Levels
Evergreen Fund, MicroCap Fund, Inc., Percentage Growth and Income Fund,
Income and Growth Fund, Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund, Foundation
Fund, American Retirement Fund, Money Market Fund, Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,
Treasury Money Market Fund, Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund, Precious Metals
Holdings, Inc.
4. Prohibition on Investment of More Than 5% of a Fund's Net Assets in
Warrants, With No More Than 2% of Net Assets Being Invested in Warrants That Are
Listed on Neither the New York nor American Stock Exchanges Evergreen Fund,
MicroCap Fund, Inc., Growth and Income Fund, Income and Growth Fund, Foundation
Fund, American Retirement Fund, Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Short-Intermediate
Municipal Fund
5. Prohibition on Investment in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or
Development Programs
Evergreen Fund, MicroCap Fund, Inc., Aggressive Growth Fund, Growth and
Income Fund, Small Cap Equity Fund, Income and Growth Fund, Value Fund,
Intermediate Term Government Securities Fund, Foundation Fund, American
Retirement Fund, Money Market Fund, Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, Pennsylvania
Tax Free Money Market Fund, Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund,
Short-Intermediate Municipal Fund, High Grade Tax Free Fund, Precious Metals
Holdings, Inc.
6. Prohibition on Joint Trading Accounts Evergreen Fund, MicroCap Fund,
Inc., Growth and Income Fund, Income and Growth Fund, Foundation Fund, American
Retirement Fund, Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund
7. Prohibition on Investment in Other Investment Companies. [Note: The
Funds may invest in such companies to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder.]
Growth and Income Fund, Utility Fund, Small Cap Equity Income Fund, Income
and Growth Fund, Value Fund, Short-Intermediate Bond Fund, Intermediate Term
Government Securities Fund, Foundation Fund, Tax Strategic Foundation Fund,
American Retirement Fund, New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund, High Grade Tax Free
Fund, Growth and Income Fund (S-1), Omega Fund, Precious Metals Holdings, Inc.
Strategic Growth Fund (K-2), High Income Bond Fund (B-4), Select Adjustable Rate
Fund, Strategic Income Fund, Fund for Total Return, Global Opportunities Fund,
International Fund, Inc., Massachusetts Tax Free Fund, New York Tax Free Fund,
Pennsylvania Tax Free Fund, California Tax Free Fund and Missouri Tax Free Fund.
Reclassification of All Other Fundamental Investment Restrictions
All investment restrictions other than those described above as having been
standardized or eliminated have been reclassified from fundamental to
nonfundamental and, as, such, may be changed by the Funds' Boards of Trustees at
any time without a shareholder vote.
Trustees
The Trustees and executive officers of each Trust, their ages, and their
principal occupations during the last five years are shown below:
JAMES S. HOWELL (72), 4124 Crossgate Road, Charlotte, NC-Chairman of the
Evergreen Group of Mutual Funds and Trustee. Retired Vice President of Lance
Inc. (food manufacturing); Chairman of the Distribution Comm. Foundation for the
Carolinas from 1989 to 1993.
RUSSELL A. SALTON, III, M.D. (49), 205 Regency Executive Park, Charlotte,
NC- Trustee. Medical Director, U.S. Healthcare of Charlotte, North Carolina
since 1996; President, Primary Physician Care from 1990 to 1996.
MICHAEL S. SCOFIELD (53), 212 S. Tryon Street, Suite 980, Charlotte,
NC-Trustee. Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield since 1969.
GERALD M. MCDONNELL (57), 821 Regency Drive, Charlotte, NC - Trustee. Sales
Representative with Nucor-Yamoto Inc. (steel producer) since 1988.
THOMAS L. McVERRY (58), 4419 Parkview Drive, Charlotte, NC - Trustee.
Director of Carolina Cooperative Federal Credit Union since 1990 and Rexham
Corporation from 1988 to 1990; Vice President of Rexham Industries, Inc.
(diversified manufacturer) from 1989 to 1990; Vice President - Finance and
Resources, Rexham Corporation from 1979 to 1990.
WILLIAM WALT PETTIT (41), Holcomb and Pettit, P.A., 227 West Trade St.,
Charlotte, NC - Trustee. Partner in the law firm Holcomb and Pettit, P.A. since
1990.
LAURENCE B. ASHKIN (68), 180 East Pearson Street, Chicago, IL - Trustee.
Real estate developer and construction consultant since 1980; President of
Centrum Equities since 1987 and Centrum Properties, Inc. since 1980.
CHARLES A. AUSTIN III (61), Trustee. Investment counselor to Appleton
Partners, Inc.; former Managing Director, Seaward Management Corporation
(investment advice); and former Director, Executive Vice President and
Treasurer, State Street Research & Management Company (investment advice).
K. DUN GIFFORD (57) Trustee. Chairman of the Board, Director, and Executive
Vice President, The London Harness Company; Managing Partner, Roscommon Capital
Corp.; Trustee, Cambridge College; Chairman Emeritus and Director, American
Institute of Food and Wine; Chief Executive Officer, Gifford Gifts of Fine
Foods; Chairman, Gifford, Drescher & Associates (environmental consulting);
President, Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust (education); and former
Director, Keystone Investments, Inc. and Keystone Investment Management Company.
LEROY KEITH, JR. (57) Trustee. Director of Phoenix Total Return Fund and
Equifax, Inc.; Trustee of Phoenix Series Fund, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund, and
The Phoenix Big Edge Series Fund; and former President, Morehouse College.
DAVID M. RICHARDSON (55) Trustee. Executive Vice President, DMR
International, Inc. (executive recruitment); former Senior Vice President,
Boyden International Inc. (executive recruitment); and Director, Commerce and
Industry Association of New Jersey, 411 International, Inc., and J&M Cumming
Paper Co.
RICHARD J. SHIMA (57) Trustee and Advisor to the Boards of Trustees of the
Evergreen Group of Mutual Funds. Chairman, Environmental Warranty, Inc., and
Consultant, Drake Beam Morin, Inc. (executive outplacement); Director of
Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, Trust Company of Connecticut, Hartford
Hospital, Old State House Association, and Enhance Financial Services, Inc.;
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hartford YMCA; former Director; Executive Vice
President, and Vice Chairman of The Travelers Corporation.
Executive Officers
JOHN J. PILEGGI (37), 230 Park Avenue, Suite 910, New York, NY - President
and Treasurer. Consultant to BISYS Fund Services since 1996. Senior Managing
Director, Furman Selz LLC since 1992, Managing Director from 1984 to 1992.
GEORGE O. MARTINEZ (37), 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH - Secretary.
Senior Vice President/Director of Administration and Regulatory Services, BISYS
Fund Services since April 1995. Vice President/Assistant General Counsel,
Alliance Capital Management from 1988 to 1995.
The officers of the Trusts are officers and/or employees of The BISYS
Group, Inc. ("BISYS Group"), except for Mr. Pileggi, who is a consultant to The
BISYS Group. The BISYS Group is an affiliate of Evergreen Distributor, Inc.
("EDI"), the distributor of each class of shares of each Fund.
No officer or Trustee of the Trusts owned more than 1.0% of any Class of
shares of any of the Funds as of November 30, 1997.
Distribution Plans
The following is added to the disclosure under the caption "Distribution
Plan"
Class A and B shares are made available to employer-sponsored retirement or
savings plans ("Plans") without a sales charge if:
(i) the Plan is recordkept on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch and,
on the date the Plan Sponsor signs the Merrill Lynch Recordkeeping Service
Agreement, the Plan has $3 million or more in assets invested in broker/dealer
funds not advised or managed by Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM")
that are made available pursuant to a Services Agreement between Merrill Lynch
and the Fund's principal underwriter or distributor and in Funds advised or
managed by MLAM (collectively, the "Applicable Investments"); or
(ii) the Plan is record kept on a daily valuation basis by an independent
recordkeeper whose services are provided through a contract or alliance
arrangement with Merrill Lynch, and on the date the Plan Sponsor signs the
Merrill Lynch Recordkeeping Service Agreement, the Plan has $3 million or more
in assets, excluding money market funds, invested in Applicable Investments; or
(iii) the Plan has 500 or more eligible employees, as determined by the
Merrill Lynch plan conversion manager, on the date the Plan Sponsor signs the
Merrill Lynch Recordkeeping Service Agreement.
Plans recordkept on a daily basis by Merrill Lynch or an independent
recordkeeper under a contract with Merrill Lynch that are currently investing in
Class B shares convert to Class A shares once the Plan has reached $5 million
invested in Applicable Investments. The Plan will receive a Plan level share
conversion.
The following is added to the Statement of Additional Information of each
of Keystone Balanced Fund (K-1), Keystone Diversified Bond Fund (B-2), Keystone
High Income Bond Fund (B-4), Keystone Small Company Growth Fund (S-4), Keystone
Strategic Growth Fund (K-2), Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1) and Keystone
Tax Free Fund.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
Distribution Plans and Agreements
Distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly on Class A, Class B
and Class C shares and are charged as class expenses, as accrued. The
distribution fees attributable to the Class B shares 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, and, in the case of Class C
shares, without the assessment of a contingent deferred sales charge after the
first year following the month of purchase, while at the same time permitting
the Distributor to compensate broker-dealers in connection with the sale of such
shares. In this regard, the purpose and function of the combined contingent
deferred sales charge and distribution services fee on the Class B shares and
the Class C shares are the same as those of the front-end sales charge and
distribution fee with respect to the Class A shares in that in each case the
sales charge and/or distribution fee provide for the financing of the
distribution of the Fund's shares.
Under the Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plans that have been adopted by each Fund
with respect to each of its Class A, Class B and Class C shares (each a "Plan"
and collectively, the "Plans"), the Treasurer of each Fund 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 disinterested Trustees
are committed to the discretion of such disinterested Trustees then in office.
Each Adviser may from time to time and from its own funds or such other
resources as may be permitted by rules of the SEC make payments for distribution
services to the Distributor; the latter may in turn pay part or all of such
compensation to brokers or other persons for their distribution assistance.
Each Plan and Distribution Agreement will continue in effect for successive
twelve-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 who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any
agreement related thereto.
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 and Class C shares. The Plans are
designed to (i) stimulate brokers to provide distribution and administrative
support services to each Fund and holders of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
and (ii) stimulate administrators to render administrative support services to
the Fund and holders of Class A, Class B and Class C 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 and
Class C 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 and Class C shares.
In the event that a Plan or Distribution Agreement is terminated or not
continued with respect to one or more Classes of a Fund, (i) no distribution
fees (other than current amounts accrued but not yet paid) would be owed by the
Fund to the Distributor with respect to that Class or Classes, and (ii) the Fund
would not be obligated to pay the Distributor for any amounts expended under the
Distribution Agreement not previously recovered by the Distributor from
distribution services fees in respect of shares of such Class or Classes through
deferred sales charges.
All material amendments to any Plan or Distribution 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 disinterested 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 a 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, Shareholder Services
Plan or Distribution Agreement may be terminated (i) by a 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
disinterested Trustees, or (ii) by the Distributor. 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 the
Distributor. Any Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the
event of its assignment.
HOW THE FUNDS OFFER SHARES TO THE PUBLIC
You may buy shares of a Fund through the Funds' distributor, broker-dealers
that have entered into special agreements with the Funds' distributor or certain
other financial institutions. Each Fund offers four 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 a
Fund's shares, a contingent deferred sales charge (a "CDSC") when you redeem a
Fund's shares or no sales charges at all.
Purchase Alternatives
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 Funds will charge a CDSC
of 1.00% if you redeem during the month of your purchase and the 12-month period
following the month of your purchase. See "Calculation of Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge" below.
Class B Shares
The Funds offer Class B shares at net asset value (without a front-end
load). With certain exceptions, however, the Funds will charge a CDSC of 1.00%
on shares you redeem within 72 months after the month of your purchase. The
Funds will charge CDSCs at the following rate:
REDEMPTION TIMING CDSC RATE
Month of purchase and the first twelve-month
period following the month of purchase....................................5.00%
Second twelve-month period following the month of purchase................4.00%
Third twelve-month period following the month of purchase.................3.00%
Fourth twelve-month period following the month of purchase................3.00%
Fifth twelve-month period following the month of purchase.................2.00%
Sixth twelve-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 the Underwriter. The Funds offer Class
C shares at net asset value (without an initial sales charge). With certain
exceptions, however, the Funds 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 Evergreen
Asset Management Corp. ("Evergreen Asset"), (2) certain institutional investors
and (3) investment advisory clients of the Capital Management Group of First
Union National Bank ("FUNB"), Evergreen Asset, Keystone Investment Management
Company, or their 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.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
The Funds charge 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 Plan"). If imposed, the Funds
deduct 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, a 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.
("NASD"), paid to the Principal Underwriter or its predecessor.
SALES CHARGE WAIVERS OR REDUCTIONS
Reducing Class a Front-end Loads
With a larger purchase, there are several ways that you can combine
multiple purchases of Class A shares in Evergreen funds and take advantage of
lower sales charges.
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%.
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.
Shares That Are Not Subject to a Sales Charge or CDSC
Waiver of Sales Charges
The Funds may sell their shares at net asset value without an initial sales
charge to:
1. purchases 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 advisers;
4. investment advisers, 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 advisers or financial planners who place trades
for their own accounts if the accounts are linked to master account of such
investment advisers 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 a Fund by the broker-dealer;
7. employees of FUNB, its affiliates, Evergreen Distributor, Inc., any
broker-dealer with whom Evergreen Distributor, Inc., has entered into an
agreement to sell shares of the Funds, and members of the immediate families of
such employees;
8. certain Directors, Trustees, officers and employees of the Evergreen
Funds, the Distributor 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
trust company as trustee if the initial investment in or any Evergreen fund 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, each 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 Funds will not charge any
CDSC on redemptions by such purchasers.
Waiver of CDSCs
The Funds do 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 1/2 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 withdrawals 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 withdrawals 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 a Fund for shares of the same class of any
other Evergreen fund, as described under the section entitled "Exchanges" in a
Fund's 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.
HOW THE FUNDS VALUE SHARES
How and When a Fund Calculates its Net Asset Value per Share ("NAV")
Each Fund computes its NAV once daily on Monday through Friday, as
described in the Prospectus. A Fund will not compute its NAV on the day the
following legal holidays are observed: 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 each Fund is calculated by dividing the value of a Fund's net
assets attributable to that class by all of the shares issued for that class.
How a Fund Values the Securities it Owns
Current values for a Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
(1) Securities that are traded on a national securities exchange or the
over-the-counter National Market System ("NMS") are valued on the basis of the
last sales price on the exchange where primarily traded or on the NMS prior to
the time of the valuation, provided that a sale has occurred.
(2) Securities traded in the over-the-counter market, other than on NMS,
are valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices at the time of valuation.
(3) Short-term investments maturing in more than sixty days for which
market quotations are readily available, are valued at current market value.
(4) Short-term investments maturing in sixty days or less (including all
master demand notes) are valued at amortized cost (original purchase cost as
adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount), which, when
combined with accrued interest, approximates market.
(5) short-term investments maturing in more than sixty days when purchased
that are held on the sixtieth day prior to maturity are valued at amortized cost
(market value on the sixtieth day adjusted for amortization of premium or
accretion of discount), which, when combined with accrued interest, approximates
market.
(6) Securities, including restricted securities, for which complete
quotations are not readily available; listed securities or those on NMS if, in
the Fund's opinion, the last sales price does not reflect a current market value
or if no sale occurred; and other assets are valued at prices deemed in good
faith to be fair under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
As described in the prospectus, a shareholder may elect to receive their
dividends and capital grains distributions in cash instead of shares. However,
ESC will automatically convert a shareholder's distribution option so that the
shareholder reinvests 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. The Funds
will hold the returned distribution or redemption proceeds in a non
interest-bearing account in the shareholder's name until the shareholder updates
their address. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed
distribution or redemption checks.
December 22, 1997
<PAGE>
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 24(a). Financial Statements
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust
relating to Evergreen Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust
relating to Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 16 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Micro
Cap Fund, Inc.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 28 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Omega
Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 101 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Keystone
Strategic Growth Fund (K-2).
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
Foundation Trust relating to Evergreen Foundation Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
Foundation Trust relating to Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
American Retirement Trust relating to Evergreen American Retirement Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 53 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
Investment Trust relating to Evergreen Utility Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 53 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
Investment Trust relating to Evergreen Value Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 22 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Fund
for Total Return.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 15 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Growth
and Income Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 28 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Income
and Growth Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 16 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen
American Retirement Trust relating to Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund.
The response to this item is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 94 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Keystone Growth
and Income Fund (S-1).
Item 24(b). Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description Location
- ------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
1 Declaration of Trust Incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Registration Statement
Filed on October 8, 1997
2 By-laws Incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Registration Statement
Filed on October 8, 1997
3 Not applicable
4 Provisions of instruments defining the rights
of holders of the securities being registered
are contained in the Declaration of Trust
Articles II, III.(6)(c), VI.(3), IV.(8), V, VI,
VII, VIII and By-laws Articles II, III and VIII
included as part of Exhibits 1 and 2 of this
Registration Statement
5(a) Form of Investment Advisory and Management
Agreement between the Registrant and First
Union National Bank
5(b) Form of Investment Advisory and Management
Agreement between the Registrant and Evergreen
Asset Management Corp.
5(c) Form of Investment Advisory and Management
Agreement between the Registrant and Keystone
Investment Management Company
6(a) Form of Class A and Class C Principal Underwriting Incorporated by reference to
Agreement between the Registrant and Evergreen Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Distributor, Inc. Filed on November 10, 1997
6(b) Form of Class B Principal Underwriting Agreement Incorporated by reference to
between the Registrant and Evergreen Investment Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Services, Inc. (B-1) Filed on November 10, 1997
6(c) Form of Class B Principal Underwriting Agreement Incorporated by reference to
between the Registrant and Evergreen Distributor, Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Inc. (B-2) Filed on November 10, 1997
6(d) Form of Class B Principal Underwriting Agreement
between the Registrant and Evergreen Distributor,
Inc. (Evergreen/KCF)
6(e) Form of Class Y Principal Underwriting Agreement Incorporated by reference to
between the Registrant and Evergreen Distributor, Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Inc. Filed on November 10, 1997
6(f) Form of Principal Underwriting Agreement between Incorporated by reference to
the Registrant and Kokusai Securities Company Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Limited Filed on November 10, 1997
6(g) Form of Dealer Agreement used by Evergreen Incorporated by reference to
Distributor, Inc. Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
7 Form of Deferred Compensation Plan Incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
8 Form of Custodian Agreement between the Registrant Incoporated by reference to
and State Street Bank and Trust Company Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
9(a) Form of Administration Agreement between Evergreen
Investment Services, Inc. and the Registrant
9(b) Form of Transfer Agent Agreement between the Incoporated by reference to
Registrant and Evergreen Service Company Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
10 Opinion and Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP
11(a) Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
11(b) Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
12 Not applicable
13 Not applicable
15(a) Form of 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Class A Incoporated by reference to
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
15(b) Form of 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Class B Incoporated by reference to
(KAF B-1) Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
15(c) Form of 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Class B Incoporated by reference to
(KAF B-2) Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
15(d) Form of 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Class B
(KCF/Evergreen)
15(d) Form of 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Class C Incoporated by reference to
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
16 Not applicable
17 Not applicable
18 Multiple Class Plan Incoporated by reference to
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
19 Powers of Attorney Incoporated by reference to
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
Filed on November 10, 1997
</TABLE>
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.
None
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities (as of November 30, 1997)
None
Item 27. Indemnification.
Provisions for the indemnification of the Registrant's Trustees and
officers are contained the Registrant's Declaration of Trust.
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 each Principal Underwriting
Agreement between Evergreen Distributor, Inc. and the Registrant.
Item 28. Business or Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
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 P. Terracciano President, First Union Corporation; President
First Union National Bank
John R. Georgius Vice Chairman, First Union Corporation;
Vice Chairman, First Union National Bank
Marion A. Cowell, Jr. 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 Keystone Investment
Management Company is incorporated by reference to the Form ADV (File No.
801-8327) of Keystone Investment Management Company.
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.
The Directors and principal executive officers of Evergreen Distributor,
Inc. are:
Lynn C. Mangum Director, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Robert J. McMullan Director, Executive Vice President and
Treasurer
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., 125 West 55th Street, New York, New York 10019.
Evergreen Distributor, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for each
registered investment company or series thereof that is a part of the Evergreen
Keystone "fund complex" as such term is defined in Item 22(a) of Schedule 14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 30. 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 Keystone
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
Item 31. Management Services.
Not Applicable
Item 32. 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN TRUST
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN MICRO CAP FUND, INC.
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN OMEGA FUND
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
KEYSTONE STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND (K-2)
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN FOUNDATION TRUST
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN AMERICAN RETIREMENT TRUST
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN INVESTMENT TRUST
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN FUND FOR TOTAL RETURN
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
EVERGREEN INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the undersigned 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 12th day of
December, 1997.
KEYSTONE GROWTH AND INCOME FUND (S-1)
By: /s/ John J. Pileggi
-----------------------------
Name: John J. Pileggi
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 12th day of December, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/John J. Pileggi /s/ Laurence B. Ashkin /s/ Charles A. Austin, III
- ------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
John J. Pileggi 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 Trustee Trustee
/s/Gerald M. McDonnell /s/ Thomas L. McVerry /s/ Michael S. Scofield
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
Gerald M. McDonell* Thomas L. McVerry* Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee Trustee Trustee
/s/ David M. Richardson /s/ Russell A. Salton, III MD
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
David M. Richardson* Russell A. Salton, III MD*
Trustee Trustee
/s/ Richard J. Shima
- ------------------------------
Richard J. Shima*
Trustee
</TABLE>
*By: /s/ Terrence J. Cullen
- -------------------------------
Terrence J. Cullen
Attorney-in-Fact
*Terrence J. Cullen, by signing his 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
- ------- -------
5(a) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Registrant and First Union National Bank
5(b) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Registrant and Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
5(c) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Registrant and Keystone Investment Management Company
6(d) Form of Class B Principal Underwriting Agreement
between the Registrant and Evergreen Distributor,
Inc. (Evergreen/KCF)
9(a) Form of Administration Agreement between Evergreen
Investment Services, Inc. and the Registrant
10 Opinion and Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP
11(a) Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
11(b) Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
15(d) Form of 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Class B (KCF/Evergreen)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made the day of 1997, by and between EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST, a
Delaware business trust (the "Trust") and THE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP OF FIRST
UNION NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association (the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to enter into an Agreement
setting forth the terms on which the Adviser will perform certain services for
the Trust, its series of shares as listed on Schedule 1 to this agreement and
each series of shares subsequently issued by the Trust (each singly a "Fund" or
collectively the "Funds").
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
hereinafter contained, the Trust and the Adviser agree as follows:
1. (a) The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to manage and administer
the operation of the Trust and each of its Funds, to supervise the provision of
the services to the Trust and each of its Funds by others, and to manage the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Fund of the Trust in
conformity with such Fund's investment objectives and restrictions as may be set
forth from time to time in the Fund's then current prospectus and statement of
additional information, if any, and other governing documents, all subject to
the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment
and agrees during such period, at its own expense, to render the services and to
assume the obligations set forth herein, for the compensation provided herein.
The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no
authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an
agent of the Trust.
(b) In the event that the Trust establishes one or more Funds, in
addition to the Funds listed on Schedule 1, for which it wishes the Adviser to
perform services hereunder, it shall notify the Adviser in writing. If the
Adviser is willing to render such services, it shall notify the Trust in writing
and such Fund shall become a Fund hereunder and the compensation payable to the
Adviser by the new Fund will be as agreed in writing at the time.
2. The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the account of each Fund with broker-dealers selected
by the Adviser. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting
broker-dealers, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek best execution on
behalf of each Fund. In assessing the best execution available for any
transaction, the Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker-dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any (all for the specific transaction and
on a continuing basis). In evaluating the best execution available, and in
selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may
also consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are used in
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act")) provided
to a Fund and/or other accounts over which the Adviser or an affiliate of the
Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a
broker-dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if, but only if, the Adviser determines in good faith that such
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker-dealer viewed in terms of that particular
transaction or in terms of all of the accounts over which investment discretion
is so exercised.
3. The Adviser, at its own expense, shall furnish to the Trust office
space in the offices of the Adviser or in such other place as may be agreed upon
by the parties from time to time, all necessary office facilities, equipment and
personnel in connection with its services hereunder, and shall arrange, if
desired by the Trust, for members of the Adviser's organization to serve without
salaries from the Trust as officers or, as may be agreed from time to time, as
agents of the Trust. The Adviser assumes and shall pay or reimburse the Trust
for:
(a) the compensation (if any) of the Trustees of the Trust who are
affiliated with the Adviser or with its affiliates, or with any adviser retained
by the Adviser, and of all officers of the Trust as such, and
(b) all expenses of the Adviser incurred in connection with its
services hereunder.
The Trust assumes and shall pay all other expenses of the Trust and its
Funds, including, without limitation:
(a) all charges and expenses of any custodian or depository appointed
by the Trust for the safekeeping of the cash, securities and other property of
any of its Funds;
(b) all charges and expenses for bookkeeping and auditors;
(c) all charges and expenses of any transfer agents and registrars
appointed by the Trust;
(d) all fees of all Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with
the Adviser or any of its affiliates, or with any adviser retained by the
Adviser;
(e) all brokers' fees, expenses, and commissions and issue and transfer
taxes chargeable to a Fund in connection with transactions involving securities
and other property to which the Fund is a party;
(f) all costs and expenses of distribution of shares of its Funds
incurred pursuant to Plans of Distribution adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act");
(g) all taxes and trust fees payable by the Trust or its Funds to
Federal, state, or other governmental agencies;
(h) all costs of certificates representing shares of the Trust or its
Funds;
(i) all fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining
registrations of the Trust, its Funds and of their shares with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and registering or qualifying the
Funds' shares under state or other securities laws, including, without
limitation, the preparation and printing of registration statements,
prospectuses, and statements of additional information for filing with the
Commission and other authorities;
(j) expenses of preparing, printing, and mailing prospectuses and
statements of additional information to shareholders of each Fund of the Trust;
(k) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing, and mailing notices, reports, and proxy materials to
shareholders of the Funds;
(l) all charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Trust and its
Funds and for Trustees of the Trust in connection with legal matters relating to
the Trust and its Funds, including, without limitation, legal services rendered
in connection with the Trust and its Funds' existence, trust, and financial
structure and relations with its shareholders, registrations and qualifications
of securities under Federal, state, and other laws, issues of securities,
expenses which the Trust and its Funds has herein assumed, whether customary or
not, and extraordinary matters, including, without limitation, any litigation
involving the Trust and its Funds, its Trustees, officers, employees, or agents;
(m) all charges and expenses of filing annual and other reports with
the Commission and other authorities; and
(n) all extraordinary expenses and charges of the Trust and its Funds.
In the event that the Adviser provides any of these services or pays
any of these expenses, the Trust and any affected Fund will promptly reimburse
the Adviser therefor.
The services of the Adviser to the Trust and its Funds hereunder are
not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar
services to others.
4. As compensation for the Adviser's services to the Trust with respect
to each Fund during the period of this Agreement, the Trust will pay to the
Adviser a fee at the annual rate set forth on Schedule 2 for such Fund.
The Adviser's fee is computed as of the close of business on each
business day.
A pro rata portion of the Trust's fee with respect to a Fund shall be
payable in arrears at the end of each day or calendar month as the Adviser may
from time to time specify to the Trust. If and when this Agreement terminates,
any compensation payable hereunder for the period ending with the date of such
termination shall be payable upon such termination. Amounts payable hereunder
shall be promptly paid when due.
5. The Adviser may enter into an agreement to retain, at its own
expense, a firm or firms ("SubAdviser") to provide the Trust with respect to all
or any of its Funds all of the services to be provided by the Adviser hereunder,
if such agreement is approved as required by law. Such agreement may delegate to
such SubAdviser all of Adviser's rights, obligations, and duties hereunder.
6. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any of its Funds in connection
with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from the
Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person,
even though also an officer, Director, partner, employee, or agent of the
Adviser, who may be or become an officer, Trustee, employee, or agent of the
Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or any of its Funds
or acting on any business of the Trust or any of its Funds (other than services
or business in connection with the Adviser's duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust or any of its Funds and not as
an officer, Director, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or
direction of the Adviser even though paid by it.
7. The Trust shall cause the books and accounts of each of its Funds to
be audited at least once each year by a reputable independent public accountant
or organization of public accountant or organization of public accountants who
shall render a report to the Trust.
8. Subject to and in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, the governing documents of the Adviser and the governing documents of any
SubAdviser, it is understood that Trustees, Directors, officers, agents and
shareholders of the Trust or any Adviser are or may be interested in the Adviser
(or any successor thereof) as Directors and officers of the Adviser or its
affiliates, as stockholders of First Union Corporation or otherwise; that
Directors, officers and agents of the Adviser and its affiliates or stockholders
of First Union Corporation are or may be interested in the Trust or any Adviser
as Trustees, Directors, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that the Adviser
(or any such successor) is or may be interested in the Trust or any SubAdviser
as shareholder, or otherwise; and that the effect of any such adverse interests
shall be governed by the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, governing documents
of the Adviser and governing documents of any SubAdviser.
9. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date
set forth above and after such date (a) such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, and (b) such
renewal has been approved by the vote of the majority of Trustees of the Trust
who are not interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the
Adviser or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
10. On sixty days' written notice to the Adviser, this Agreement may be
terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the unaffected Funds; and on sixty days' written notice to
the Trust, this Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of
any penalty by the Adviser. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon
its assignment (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). Any notice under this
Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage
prepaid, to the other party at the main office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended at any time by an instrument in
writing executed by both parties hereto or their respective successors, provided
that with regard to amendments of substance such execution by the Trust shall
have been first approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the affected Funds and by the vote of a
majority of Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as that term
is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, any predecessor of the Adviser, or
of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. A "majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or
the affected Funds" shall have, for all purposes of this Agreement, the meaning
provided therefor in the 1940 Act.
12. Any compensation payable to the Adviser hereunder for any period
other than a full year shall be proportionately adjusted.
13. The provisions of this Agreement shall be governed, construed, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of The State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
By:
Name:
Title:
THE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
OF FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
Schedule 1
<PAGE>
Schedule 2
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made the day of 1997, by and between EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST, a
Delaware business trust (the "Trust") and EVERGREEN ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP., a
New York corporation (the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to enter into an Agreement
setting forth the terms on which the Adviser will perform certain services for
the Trust, its series of shares as listed on Schedule 1 to this agreement and
each series of shares subsequently issued by the Trust (each singly a "Fund" or
collectively the "Funds").
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
hereinafter contained, the Trust and the Adviser agree as follows:
1. (a) The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to manage and administer
the operation of the Trust and each of its Funds, to supervise the provision of
the services to the Trust and each of its Funds by others, and to manage the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Fund of the Trust in
conformity with such Fund's investment objectives and restrictions as may be set
forth from time to time in the Fund's then current prospectus and statement of
additional information, if any, and other governing documents, all subject to
the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment
and agrees during such period, at its own expense, to render the services and to
assume the obligations set forth herein, for the compensation provided herein.
The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no
authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an
agent of the Trust.
(b) In the event that the Trust establishes one or more Funds, in
addition to the Funds listed on Schedule 1, for which it wishes the Adviser to
perform services hereunder, it shall notify the Adviser in writing. If the
Adviser is willing to render such services, it shall notify the Trust in writing
and such Fund shall become a Fund hereunder and the compensation payable to the
Adviser by the new Fund will be as agreed in writing at the time.
2. The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the account of each Fund with broker-dealers selected
by the Adviser. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting
broker-dealers, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek best execution on
behalf of each Fund. In assessing the best execution available for any
transaction, the Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker-dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any (all for the specific transaction and
on a continuing basis). In evaluating the best execution available, and in
selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may
also consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are used in
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act")) provided
to a Fund and/or other accounts over which the Adviser or an affiliate of the
Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a
broker-dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if, but only if, the Adviser determines in good faith that such
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker-dealer viewed in terms of that particular
transaction or in terms of all of the accounts over which investment discretion
is so exercised.
3. The Adviser, at its own expense, shall furnish to the Trust office
space in the offices of the Adviser or in such other place as may be agreed upon
by the parties from time to time, all necessary office facilities, equipment and
personnel in connection with its services hereunder, and shall arrange, if
desired by the Trust, for members of the Adviser's organization to serve without
salaries from the Trust as officers or, as may be agreed from time to time, as
agents of the Trust. The Adviser assumes and shall pay or reimburse the Trust
for:
(a) the compensation (if any) of the Trustees of the Trust who are
affiliated with the Adviser or with its affiliates, or with any adviser retained
by the Adviser, and of all officers of the Trust as such, and
(b) all expenses of the Adviser incurred in connection with its
services hereunder.
The Trust assumes and shall pay all other expenses of the Trust and its
Funds, including, without limitation:
(a) all charges and expenses of any custodian or depository appointed
by the Trust for the safekeeping of the cash, securities and other property of
any of its Funds;
(b) all charges and expenses for bookkeeping and auditors;
(c) all charges and expenses of any transfer agents and registrars
appointed by the Trust;
(d) all fees of all Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with
the Adviser or any of its affiliates, or with any adviser retained by the
Adviser;
(e) all brokers' fees, expenses, and commissions and issue and transfer
taxes chargeable to a Fund in connection with transactions involving securities
and other property to which the Fund is a party;
(f) all costs and expenses of distribution of shares of its Funds
incurred pursuant to Plans of Distribution adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act");
(g) all taxes and trust fees payable by the Trust or its Funds to
Federal, state, or other governmental agencies;
(h) all costs of certificates representing shares of the Trust or its
Funds; (i) all fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining
registrations of the Trust, its Funds and of their shares with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and registering or qualifying the
Funds' shares under state or other securities laws, including, without
limitation, the preparation and printing of registration statements,
prospectuses, and statements of additional information for filing with the
Commission and other authorities;
(j) expenses of preparing, printing, and mailing prospectuses and
statements of additional information to shareholders of each Fund of the Trust;
(k) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing, and mailing notices, reports, and proxy materials to
shareholders of the Funds;
(l) all charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Trust and its
Funds and for Trustees of the Trust in connection with legal matters relating to
the Trust and its Funds, including, without limitation, legal services rendered
in connection with the Trust and its Funds' existence, trust, and financial
structure and relations with its shareholders, registrations and qualifications
of securities under Federal, state, and other laws, issues of securities,
expenses which the Trust and its Funds has herein assumed, whether customary or
not, and extraordinary matters, including, without limitation, any litigation
involving the Trust and its Funds, its Trustees, officers, employees, or agents;
(m) all charges and expenses of filing annual and other reports with
the Commission and other authorities; and
(n) all extraordinary expenses and charges of the Trust and its Funds.
In the event that the Adviser provides any of these services or pays
any of these expenses, the Trust and any affected Fund will promptly reimburse
the Adviser therefor.
The services of the Adviser to the Trust and its Funds hereunder are
not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar
services to others.
4. As compensation for the Adviser's services to the Trust with respect
to each Fund during the period of this Agreement, the Trust will pay to the
Adviser a fee at the annual rate set forth on Schedule 2 for such Fund.
The Adviser's fee is computed as of the close of business on each
business day.
A pro rata portion of the Trust's fee with respect to a Fund shall be
payable in arrears at the end of each day or calendar month as the Adviser may
from time to time specify to the Trust. If and when this Agreement terminates,
any compensation payable hereunder for the period ending with the date of such
termination shall be payable upon such termination. Amounts payable hereunder
shall be promptly paid when due.
5. The Adviser may enter into an agreement to retain, at its own
expense, a firm or firms ("SubAdviser") to provide the Trust with respect to all
or any of its Funds all of the services to be provided by the Adviser hereunder,
if such agreement is approved as required by law. Such agreement may delegate to
such SubAdviser all of Adviser's rights, obligations, and duties hereunder.
6. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any of its Funds in connection
with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from the
Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or from reckless
disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person,
even though also an officer, Director, partner, employee, or agent of the
Adviser, who may be or become an officer, Trustee, employee, or agent of the
Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or any of its Funds
or acting on any business of the Trust or any of its Funds (other than services
or business in connection with the Adviser's duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust or any of its Funds and not as
an officer, Director, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or
direction of the Adviser even though paid by it.
7. The Trust shall cause the books and accounts of each of its Funds to
be audited at least once each year by a reputable independent public accountant
or organization of public accountant or organization of public accountants who
shall render a report to the Trust.
8. Subject to and in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, the governing documents of the Adviser and the governing documents of any
SubAdviser, it is understood that Trustees, Directors, officers, agents and
shareholders of the Trust or any Adviser are or may be interested in the Adviser
(or any successor thereof) as Directors and officers of the Adviser or its
affiliates, as stockholders of First Union Corporation or otherwise; that
Directors, officers and agents of the Adviser and its affiliates or stockholders
of First Union Corporation are or may be interested in the Trust or any Adviser
as Trustees, Directors, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that the Adviser
(or any such successor) is or may be interested in the Trust or any SubAdviser
as shareholder, or otherwise; and that the effect of any such adverse interests
shall be governed by the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, governing documents
of the Adviser and governing documents of any SubAdviser.
9. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date
set forth above and after such date (a) such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, and (b) such
renewal has been approved by the vote of the majority of Trustees of the Trust
who are not interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the
Adviser or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
10. On sixty days' written notice to the Adviser, this Agreement may be
terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the unaffected Funds; and on sixty days' written notice to
the Trust, this Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of
any penalty by the Adviser. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon
its assignment (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). Any notice under this
Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage
prepaid, to the other party at the main office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended at any time by an instrument in
writing executed by both parties hereto or their respective successors, provided
that with regard to amendments of substance such execution by the Trust shall
have been first approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the affected Funds and by the vote of a
majority of Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as that term
is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, any predecessor of the Adviser, or
of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. A "majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or
the affected Funds" shall have, for all purposes of this Agreement, the meaning
provided therefor in the 1940 Act.
12. Any compensation payable to the Adviser hereunder for any period
other than a full year shall be proportionately adjusted.
13. The provisions of this Agreement shall be governed, construed, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of The State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
By:
Name:
Title:
EVERGREEN ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP.
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
Schedule 1
<PAGE>
Schedule 2
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made the day of 1997, by and between EVERGREEN SELECT EQUITY
TRUST, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), and KEYSTONE INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser wish to enter into an Agreement setting
forth the terms on which the Adviser will perform certain services for the
Trust, its series of shares as listed on Schedule 1 to this and each agreement
and each (each singly a "Fund" or collectively the "Funds").
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
hereinafter contained, the Trust and the Adviser agree as follows:
1. (a) The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to manage and administer the
operation of the Trust and each of its Funds, to supervise the provision of the
services to the Trust and each of its Funds by others, and to manage the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Fund of the Trust in
conformity with such Fund's investment objectives and restrictions as may be set
forth from time to time in the Fund's then current prospectus and statement of
additional information, if any, and other governing documents, all subject to
the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for the period and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment
and agrees during such period, at its own expense, to render the services and to
assume the obligations set forth herein, for the compensation provided herein.
The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no
authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an
agent of the Trust.
(b) In the event that the Trust establishes one or more Funds, in addition
to the Funds listed on Schedule 1, for which it wishes the Adviser to perform
services hereunder, it shall notify the Adviser in writing. If the Adviser is
willing to render such services, it shall notify the Trust in writing and such
Fund shall become a Fund hereunder and the compensation payable to the Adviser
by the new Fund will be as agreed in writing at the time.
2. The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the account of each Fund with broker-dealers selected
by the Adviser. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting
broker-dealers, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek best execution on
behalf of each Fund. In assessing the best execution available for any
transaction, the Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker-dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any (all for the specific transaction and
on a continuing basis). In evaluating the best execution available, and in
selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may
also consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are used in
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the"1934 Act")) provided
to a Fund and/or other accounts over which the Adviser or an affiliate of the
Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay a
broker-dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
executing a portfolio transaction for a Fund which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if, but only if, the Adviser determines in good faith that such
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker-dealer viewed in terms of that particular
transaction or in terms of all of the accounts over which investment discretion
is so exercised.
3. The Adviser, at its own expense, shall furnish to the Trust office space
in the offices of the Adviser or in such other place as may be agreed upon by
the parties from time to time, all necessary office facilities, equipment and
personnel in connection with its services hereunder, and shall arrange, if
desired by the Trust, for members of the Adviser's organization to serve without
salaries from the Trust as officers or, as may be agreed from time to time, as
agents of the Trust.
The Adviser assumes and shall pay or reimburse the Trust for:
(a) the compensation (if any) of the Trustees of the Trust who are
affiliated with the Adviser or with its affiliates, or with any adviser retained
by the Adviser, and of all officers of the Trust as such, and
(b) all expenses of the Adviser incurred in connection with its services
hereunder.
The Trust assumes and shall pay all other expenses of the Trust and its
Funds, including, without limitation:
(a) all charges and expenses of any custodian or depository appointed by
the Trust for the safekeeping of the cash, securities and other property of any
of its Funds;
(b) all charges and expenses for bookkeeping and auditors;
(c) all charges and expenses of any transfer agents and registrars
appointed by the Trust;
(d) all fees of all Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated with the
Adviser or any of its affiliates, or with any adviser retained by the Adviser;
(e) all brokers' fees, expenses, and commissions and issue and transfer
taxes chargeable to a Fund in connection with transactions involving securities
and other property to which the Fund is a party; (f) all costs and expenses of
distribution of shares of its Funds incurred pursuant to Plans of Distribution
adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act");
(g) all taxes and trust fees payable by the Trust or its Funds to Federal,
state, or other governmental agencies; (h) all costs of certificates
representing shares of the Trust or its Funds; (i) all fees and expenses
involved in registering and maintaining registrations of the Trust, its Funds
and of their shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") and registering or qualifying the Funds' shares under state or
other securities laws, including, without limitation, the preparation and
printing of registration statements, prospectuses, and statements of additional
information for filing with the Commission and other authorities; (j) expenses
of preparing, printing, and mailing prospectuses and statements of additional
information to shareholders of each Fund of the Trust;
(k) all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing,
printing, and mailing notices, reports, and proxy materials to shareholders of
the Funds;
(l) all charges and expenses of legal counsel for the Trust and its Funds
and for Trustees of the Trust in connection with legal matters relating to the
Trust and its Funds, including, without limitation, legal services rendered in
connection with the Trust and its Funds' existence, trust, and financial
structure and relations with its shareholders, registrations and qualifications
of securities under Federal, state, and other laws, issues of securities,
expenses which the Trust and its Funds has herein assumed, whether customary or
not, and extraordinary matters, including, without limitation, any litigation
involving the Trust and its Funds, its Trustees, officers, employees, or agents;
(m) all charges and expenses of filing annual and other reports with the
Commission and other authorities; and
(n) all extraordinary expenses and charges of the Trust and its Funds.
In the event that the Adviser provides any of these services or pays any of
these expenses, the Trust and any affected Fund will promptly reimburse the
Adviser therefor.
The services of the Adviser to the Trust and its Funds hereunder are not to
be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to
others.
4. As compensation for the Adviser's services to the Trust with respect to
each Fund during the period of this Agreement, the Trust will pay to the Adviser
a fee at the annual rate set forth on Schedule 2 for such Fund.
The Adviser's fee is computed as of the close of business on each business
day.
A pro rata portion of the Trust's fee with respect to a Fund shall be
payable in arrears at the end of each day or calendar month as the Adviser may
from time to time specify to the Trust. If and when this Agreement terminates,
any compensation payable hereunder for the period ending with the date of such
termination shall be payable upon such termination. Amounts payable hereunder
shall be promptly paid when due.
5. The Adviser may enter into an agreement to retain, at its own expense, a
firm or firms ("SubAdviser") to provide the Trust with respect to all or any of
its Funds all of the services to be provided by the Adviser hereunder, if such
agreement is approved as required by law. Such agreement may delegate to such
SubAdviser all of Adviser's rights, obligations, and duties hereunder.
6. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of
law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any of its Funds in connection with
the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Adviser's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or from reckless disregard by
it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though
also an officer, Director, partner, employee, or agent of the Adviser, who may
be or become an officer, Trustee, employee, or agent of the Trust, shall be
deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or any of its Funds or acting on
any business of the Trust or any of its Funds (other than services or business
in connection with the Adviser's duties hereunder), to be rendering such
services to or acting solely for the Trust or any of its Funds and not as an
officer, Director, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or
direction of the Adviser even though paid by it.
7. The Trust shall cause the books and accounts of each of its Funds to be
audited at least once each year by a reputable independent public accountant or
organization of public accountant or organization of public accountants who
shall render a report to the Trust.
8. Subject to and in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the Trust,
the governing documents of the Adviser and the governing documents of any
SubAdviser, it is understood that Trustees, Directors, officers, agents and
shareholders of the Trust or any Adviser are or may be interested in the Adviser
(or any successor thereof) as Directors and officers of the Adviser or its
affiliates, as stockholders of First Union Corporation or otherwise; that
Directors, officers and agents of the Adviser and its affiliates or stockholders
of First Union Corporation are or may be interested in the Trust or any Adviser
as Trustees, Directors, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that the Adviser
(or any such successor) is or may be interested in the Trust or any SubAdviser
as shareholder, or otherwise; and that the effect of any such adverse interests
shall be governed by the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, governing documents
of the Adviser and governing documents of any SubAdviser.
9. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date set
forth above and after such date (a) such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, and (b) such renewal has been
approved by the vote of the majority of Trustees of the Trust who are not
interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Adviser or
of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval.
10. On sixty days' written notice to the Adviser, this Agreement may be
terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the unaffected Funds; and on sixty days' written notice to
the Trust, this Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of
any penalty by the Adviser. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon
its assignment (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). Any notice under this
Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage
prepaid, to the other party at the main office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended at any time by an instrument in writing
executed by both parties hereto or their respective successors, provided that
with regard to amendments of substance such execution by the Trust shall have
been first approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the affected Funds and by the vote of a majority of
Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as that term is defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, any predecessor of the Adviser, or of the Trust,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. A
"majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the affected
Funds" shall have, for all purposes of this Agreement, the meaning provided
therefor in the 1940 Act.
12. Any compensation payable to the Adviser hereunder for any period other
than a full year shall be proportionately adjusted.
13. The provisions of this Agreement shall be governed, construed, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of The State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement on
the day and year first above written.
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
By:
Name:
Title:
KEYSTONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
Schedule 1
<PAGE>
Schedule 2
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made as of the day of , 199 , by and between the (the "Trust")
and Evergreen Distributor, Inc. ("EDI")
WHEREAS, The Trust, has adopted one or more Plans of Distribution with
respect to certain Classes of shares of its separate investment series (each a
"Plan", or collectively the "Plans") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") which Plans authorize the Trust
on behalf of the Funds to enter into agreements regarding the distribution of
such Classes of shares (the "Shares") of the separate investment series of the
Trust (the "Funds") set forth on Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Trust has agreed that Evergreen Distributor, Inc. (the
"Distributor"), a Delaware corporation, shall act as the distributor of the
Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Distributor agrees to act as distributor of the Shares for the
period of this Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter
contained, it is agreed as follows:
1. SERVICES AS DISTRIBUTOR.
1.1. The Distributor agrees to use appropriate efforts to promote each Fund
and to solicit orders for the purchase of Shares and will undertake such
advertising and promotion as it believes reasonable in connection with such
solicitation. The services to be performed hereunder by the Distributor are
described in more detail in Section 7 hereof. In the event that the Trust
establishes additional investment series with respect to which it desires to
retain the Distributor to act as distributor for Class B shares hereunder, it
shall promptly notify the Distributor in writing. If the Distributor is willing
to render such services it shall notify the Trust in writing whereupon such
portfolio shall become a Fund and its Class B shares shall become Shares
hereunder.
1.2. All activities by the Distributor and its agents and employees as the
distributor of Shares shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations, including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or
adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") or any securities association registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1.3 In selling the Shares, the Distributor shall use its best efforts in
all respects duly to conform with the requirements of all federal and state laws
relating to the sale of such securities. Neither the Distributor, any selected
dealer or any other person is authorized by the Trust to give any information or
to make any representations, other than those contained in the Trust's
registration statement (the "Registration Statement") or related Fund prospectus
and statement of additional information ("Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information") and any sales literature specifically approved by the Trust.
1.4 The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures, as approved by the
officers of the Trust, for the confirmation of sales to investors and selected
dealers, the collection of amounts payable by investors and selected dealers on
such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary
to comply with the requirements of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), as such requirements may from time to time exist.
1.5. The Distributor will transmit any orders received by it for purchase
or redemption of Shares to the transfer agent and custodian for the applicable
Fund.
1.6. Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by unusual market,
economic or political conditions, or by abnormal circumstances of any kind, the
Trust's officers may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of
Shares until such time as those officers deem it advisable to accept such orders
and to make such sales.
1.7. The Distributor will act only on its own behalf as principal if it
chooses to enter into selling agreements with selected dealers or others. The
Distributor shall offer and sell Shares only to such selected dealers as are
members, in good standing, of the NASD.
1.8 The Distributor agrees to adopt compliance standards, in a form
satisfactory to the Trust, governing the operation of the multiple class
distribution system under which Shares are offered.
2. DUTIES OF THE TRUST.
2.1. The Trust agrees at its own expense to execute any and all documents
and to furnish, at its own expense, any and all information and otherwise to
take all actions that may be reasonably necessary in connection with the
qualification of Shares for sale in such states as the Trust and the Distributor
may designate.
2.2. The Trust shall furnish from time to time, for use in connection with
the sale of Shares such information with respect to the Funds and the Shares as
the Distributor may reasonably request; and the Trust warrants that any such
information shall be true and correct. Upon request, the Trust shall also
provide or cause to be provided to the Distributor: (a) unaudited semi-annual
statements of each Fund's books and accounts, (b) quarterly earnings statements
of each Fund, (c) a monthly itemized list of the securities in each Fund, (d)
monthly balance sheets as soon as practicable after the end of each month, and
(e) from time to time such additional. information regarding each Fund's
financial condition as the Distributor may reasonably request.
3. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST.
3.1. The Trust represents to the Distributor that it is registered under
the 1940 Act and that the Shares of each of the Funds have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Trust will
file such amendments to its Registration Statement as may be required and will
use its best efforts to ensure that such Registration Statement remains
accurate.
4. INDEMNIFICATION.
4.1 The Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, its
Officers and Directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act against any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of
investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), which the
Distributor or such Officer and Director or controlling person may incur under
the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, as from time to time amended or
supplemented, any prospectus or annual or interim report to shareholders of the
Trust, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Trust in
connection therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor, provided, however, that
in no case (i) is the indemnification of the Trust in favor of the Distributor,
its Officer and Directors, or any such controlling persons to be deemed to
protect such Distributor, any Officer or Director thereof, or any such
controlling persons thereof against any liability to the Trust of each Fund or
any securities holders thereof to which the Distributor any Officer or Director
thereof, or any such controlling persons would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their
duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of their obligations and duties
under this Agreement; or (ii) is the Trust to be liable under its indemnity
agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the
Distributor or any such controlling persons, unless the Distributor or such
controlling person, as the case maybe, shall have notified the Trust in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the
Distributor or such controlling persons (or after the Distributor or such
controlling persons shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Trust of any such claim shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have to the person against whom such action it
brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this
paragraph. The Trust will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the
defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such liability, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the
Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in
the suit. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit
and retain such counsel, the Distributor or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by them, but, in case the Trust does not elect to
assume the defense of any such suit, it will reimburse the Distributor or such
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the
reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Trust shall
promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceeding against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the
issuance or sale of any of the shares.
4.2 The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust
against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense described in the foregoing
indemnity contained in paragraph 4.1, but only with respect to statements or
omissions made in reliance upon , and in conformity with, information furnished
to the Trust in writing by or on behalf of the Distributor for uses in
connection with the Registration Statement, as from time to time amended, or the
annual or interim reports to shareholders. In case any action shall be brought
against the Trust or any persons so indemnified, in respect of which indemnity
may be sought against the Distributor, the Distributor shall have rights and
duties given to the Trust, and the Trust and each person so indemnified shall
have the rights and duties given to the Distributor by the provisions of
paragraph 4.1.
5. OFFERING OF SHARES.
5.1. None of the Shares shall be offered by either the Distributor or the
Trust under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and no orders for the
purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust, if and so
long as the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any
necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of
the Securities Act or if and so long as a current prospectus and statement of
additional information as required by Section 10(b)(2) of the Securities Act, as
amended, is not on file with the Commission; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this paragraph 5.1 shall in any way restrict or have any
application to or bearing upon the Trust's obligation to repurchase Shares from
any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus of each Fund
or the Trust's prospectus or Declaration of Trust.
6. AMENDMENTS TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIAL EVENTS.
6.1. The Trust agrees to advise the Distributor as soon as reasonably
practical by a notice in writing delivered to the Distributor: (a) of any
request or action taken by the Commission which is material to the Distributor's
obligations hereunder or (b) any material fact of which the Trust becomes aware
which affects the Distributor's obligations hereunder.
For purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of
the Commission shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the Commission.
7. COMPENSATION OF DISTRIBUTOR.
7.1 (a) On all sales of Shares of the Fund shall receive the current net
asset value. The Trust in respect of each Fund shall pay to the Distributor the
Distributor's Allocable Portion (as defined below) of a fee (the "Distribution
Fee") in respect of the Shares of each such Fund at the rate of .75% per annum
of the average daily net asset value of the Shares of such Fund, subject to the
limitation on the maximum amount of such fees under the Business Conduct Rules
as applicable to such Distribution Fee on the date hereof, as compensation to
the Distributor for its services in connection with the offer and sale of Shares
and shall also pay to the Distributor contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC")
as set forth in the Fund's current Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information, and as required by this Agreement. The Distributor shall also
receive payments consisting of shareholder service fees ("Service Fees") at the
rate of .25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of the Shares. The
Distributor may allow all or a part of said Distribution Fee and CDSCs received
by it (and not paid to others as hereinafter provided) to such brokers, dealers
or other persons as Distributor may determine. The Distributor may also pay
Service Fees to brokers, dealers or other persons providing services to
shareholders.
(b) The provisions of this Section 7.1 shall be applicable to the extent
necessary to enable the Trust to comply with its obligations in respect of each
Fund to pay Distributor its Allocable Portion (as hereinafter described) of the
Distribution Fee paid in respect of Shares of such Fund, and shall remain in
effect with respect to the Shares so long as any payments are required to be
made by the Trust with respect to the Shares of a Fund pursuant to the
irrevocable payment instructions as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement
dated as of May 31, 1995 (as amended and supplemented, the "Purchase Agreement")
among the Distributor, Evergreen Keystone Investment Services, Inc., Citibank,
N.A. and Citicorp North America, Inc. and the Amended and Restated Master Sale
Agreement between the Distributor and Mutual Fund Funding 1994-1 dated as of May
5, 1997, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Master Sale
Agreement") (the "Irrevocable Payment Instructions").
(c) As promptly as possible after the first Business Day (as defined in the
Prospectus) following the twentieth day of each month, the Trust shall pay to
the Distributor the Distributor's Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fee, any
CDSCs and any Service Fees that may be due in respect of each Fund.
(d) The Distributor's Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fee paid by the
Trust in respect of Shares of a Fund shall mean the portion of the Asset Based
Sales Charge allocable to Distributor Shares of such Fund (as defined in
Schedule I to this Agreement) in accordance with Schedule I hereto. The Trust
agrees to cause its transfer agent to maintain the records and arrange for the
payments on behalf of the trust in respect of each Fund at the times and in the
amounts and to the accounts required by Schedule I hereto, as the same may be
amended from time to time. It is acknowledged and agreed that by virtue of the
operation of Schedule I hereto the Distributor's Allocable Portion of the
Distribution Fee paid by the Trust in respect of Shares of each Fund, may, to
the extent provided in Schedule I hereto, take into account the Distribution Fee
payable by such Fund in respect of other existing and future classes and/or
sub-classes of shares of such Fund which would be treated as "Shares: under
Schedule I hereto. The trust will limit amounts paid to any subsequent principal
underwriters of Shares of a Fund to the portion of the Asset Based Sales Charge
paid in respect of Shares attributable to such Shares which are Post-Distributor
Shares (as defined in Schedule I hereto) in accordance with Schedule I hereto.
The Trust shall cause the transfer agent and sub-transfer agents for each
Fund to withhold from redemption proceeds payable to holders of Shares of such
Fund on redemption thereof the CDSCs payable upon redemption thereof as set
forth in the then current Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information
of such Fund and to pay to the Distributor the Distributor's Allocable Portion
of such CDSCs paid in respect of Class B Shares of such Fund which shall be
equal to the portion thereof allocable to Distributor Shares of such Fund (as
defined in Schedule I hereto) in accordance with Schedule I hereto.
(e) The Distributor shall be considered to have completely earned the right
to the payment of its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fee and the right to
payment over to it of its Allocable Portion of the CDSC in respect of Shares of
a Fund as provided for hereby upon the completion of the sales of each
Commission Share of such Fund (as defined in Schedule I hereto) taken into
account as a Distributor Share in computing the Distributor's Allocable Portion
in accordance with Schedule I hereto.
(f) Except as provided in Section 7(g) below in respect of the Distribution
Fee only, the Trust's obligation to pay the Distributor the Distribution Fee in
respect of a Fund and to pay over to the Distributor CDSCs provided for hereby
shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject to dispute, offset,
counterclaim or any defense whatsoever (it being understood that nothing in this
sentence shall be deemed a waiver by the trust of its right separately to pursue
any claims it may have against the Distributor with respect to a Fund and
enforce such claims against any assets (other than the Distributor's right to
its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fee and CDSCs (the "Collection
Rights")) of the Distributor.
(g) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Trust
in respect of each Fund shall pay to the Distributor its Allocable Portion of
the Distribution Fee provided for hereby notwithstanding its termination as
Distributor for the Shares of such Fund or any termination of this Agreement and
such payment of such Distribution fee, and that obligation and the method of
computing such payment, shall not be changed or terminated except to the extent
required by any change in applicable law, including, without limitation, the
1940 Act, the Rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Business Conduct Ruled, in each case enacted or promulgated
after May 1, 1997, or in connection with a Complete Termination (as hereinafter
defined). For the purposes of this Section 7, "Complete Termination" means in
respect of a Fund a termination of such Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan for Class B
Shares involving the cessation of payments of the Distribution Fee, and the
cessation of payments of Distribution Fee pursuant to every other Rule 12b-1
plan of such Fund for every existing or future B-Class-of-Shares (as hereinafter
defined) and the Fund's discontinuance of the offering of every existing or
future B-Class-of-Shares, which conditions shall be deemed satisfied when they
are first complied with hereafter and so long thereafter as they are complied
with prior to the date upon which all of the Shares which are Distributor Shares
pursuant to Schedule I hereto shall have been redeemed or converted. For
purposes of this Section 7, the term B-Class-of-Shares means the Shares of each
Fund and each other class of shares of such Fund hereafter issued which would be
treated as Shares under Schedule I hereto or which has substantially similar
economic characteristics to the B Class of Shares taking into account the total
sales charge, CDSC or other similar charges borne directly or indirectly by the
holder of the shares of such class. The parties agree that the existing C Class
of Shares of any Fund does not have substantially similar economic
characteristics to the B-Class-of-Shares taking into account the total sales
charges, CDSCs or other similar charges borne directly or indirectly by the
holder of such shares. For purposes of clarity the parties to the Agreement
hereby state that they intend that a new installment load class of shares which
may be authorized by amendment to Rule 6(c)-10 under the 1940 Act will be
considered to be a B-class-of-Shares if it has economic characteristics
substantially similar to the economic characteristics of the existing Class B
Shares taking into account the total sale charge, CDCSs or other similar charges
borne directly or indirectly by the holder of such charges and will not be
considered to be a B-Class-of-Shares if it has economic characteristics
substantially similar to the economic characteristics of the existing Class C
shares of the Fund taking into account the total sales charge, CDSCs or other
similar charges home directly or indirectly by the holder of such shares.
(h) The Distributor may assign, sell or otherwise transfer any part of its
Allocable Portions of the Distribution Fees and CDSCs and obligations of the
Trust with respect to a Fund related thereto (but not the Distributor's
obligations to the Trust with respect to such Fund provided for in this
Agreement) to any person (an "assignee") and any such assignment shall be
effective upon written notice to the Trust by the Distributor. In connection
therewith the Trust shall pay all or any amounts in respect of its Allocable
Portions directly to the Assignee thereof as directed in a writing by the
Distributor in the Irrevocable Payment Instructions, as the same may be amended
from time to time with the consent of the Trust, and the trust shall be without
liability to any person of it pays such amounts when and as so directed, except
for underpayments of amounts actually due without any amount payable as
consequential or other damages due to such underpayment and without interest
except to the extent that delay in payment of Distribution Fee and CDSCs results
in an increase in the maximum amount allowable under the NASD Business Conduct
Rules, which increases daily at a rate of prime plus one percent per annum.
Each Fund will not, to the extent it may otherwise be empowered to do so,
change or waive any CDSC with respect to Class B Shares, except as provided in
the Fund's Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information without the
Distributor's or Assignee's consent, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Agreement or any termination of this Agreement or the
Distributor as principal underwriter for the Shares of the Funds, the
Distributor shall be entitled to be paid its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs
whether or not a Fund's Rule 12b- 1 plan for B Shares is terminated and whether
or not any such termination is a Complete Termination, as defined above.
(i) Under this Agreement, the Distributor shall: (i) make payments to
securities dealers and others engaged in the sale of Shares; (ii) make payments
of principal and interest in connection with the financing of commission
payments made by the Distributor in connection with the sale of Shares (iii)
incur the expense of obtaining such support services, telephone facilities and
shareholder services as may reasonably be required in connection with its duties
hereunder; (iv) formulate and implement marketing and promotional activities,
including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (v) prepare, print and
distribute sales literature; (vi) prepare, print and distribute Prospectuses of
the Funds and reports for recipients other than existing shareholders of the
Funds; and (vii) provide to the Trust such information, analyses and opinions
with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time
to time, reasonably request.
(j) The Distributor shall prepare and deliver reports to the Treasurer of
the Trust on a regular, at least monthly, basis, showing the distribution
expenditures incurred by the Distributor in connection with its services
rendered pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan and the purposes therefor, as
well as any supplemental reports as the Trustees, from time to time, may
reasonably request.
(k) The Distributor may retain the difference between the current offering
price of Shares, as set forth in the current prospectus for each Fund, and net
asset value, less any reallowance that is payable in accordance with the sales
charge schedule in effect at any given time with respect to the Shares.
(l) The Distributor may retain any CDSCs payable with respect to the
redemption of any Shares, provided however, that any CDSCs received by the
Distributor shall first be applied by the Distributor or its Assignee to any
outstanding amounts payable or which may in the future be payable by the
Distributor or its Assignee under financing arrangements entered into in
connection with the payment of commissions on the sale of Shares.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-EXCLUSIVE AGENCY.
8.1. The Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other
information relative to the Funds and its prior, present or potential
shareholders, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other
than performance of its responsibilities and to obtain approval in writing by
the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
withheld where the Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt
proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by
duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.
8.2. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Distributor, or
any affiliated person of the Distributor, from performing services similar to
those to be performed hereunder for any other person, firm, or corporation or
for its or their own accounts or for the accounts of others.
9. TERM.
9.1. This Agreement shall continue until ___________, 19__ and thereafter
for successive annual periods, provided such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by (i) a vote of the majority of the Trustees of the
Trust and (ii) a vote of the majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not
interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan, in this Agreement or any agreement
related to the Plan (the "Independent Trustees") by vote cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. This Agreement is
terminable at any time, with respect to the Trust, without penalty, (a) on not
less than 60 days' written notice by vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees, or by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Trust, or (b) upon not less than 60 days' written notice by
the Distributor. This Agreement may remain in effect with respect to a Fund even
if it has been terminated in accordance with this paragraph with respect to one
or more other Funds of the Trust. This Agreement will also terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the
terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons," and
"assignment" shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act.)
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
10.1. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware.
10.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their constructions or effect.
10.3 The obligations of the Trust hereunder are not personally binding
upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any of the Trustees,
shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Trust and only the Trust's
property shall be bound.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below.
EVERGREEN DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
(Fund)
By: By:
Title: Title:
[FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT]
This Administrative Services Agreement is made as of this __ day of
December, 1997 between EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST, a Delaware business trust (herein
called the "Trust"), and Evergreen Investment Services, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (herein called "EIS").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware business trust consisting of one or
more portfolios which operates as an open-end management investment company and
is so registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain EIS as its Administrator to
provide it with administrative services, and EIS is willing to render such
services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR. The Trust hereby appoints EIS as
Administrator of the Trust and each of its portfolios listed on SCHEDULE A
attached hereto on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and EIS
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties
set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement in consideration of the compensation
provided for in Section 4 hereof.
2. SERVICES AND DUTIES. As Administrator, and subject to the
supervision and control of the Trustees of the Trust, EIS will hereafter provide
facilities, equipment and personnel to carry out the following administrative
services for operation of the business and affairs of the Trust and each of its
portfolios:
(a) prepare, file and maintain the Trust's governing
documents, including the Declaration of Trust (which has previously
been prepared and filed), the By laws, minutes of meetings of Trustees
and shareholders, and proxy statements for meetings of shareholders;
(b) prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the appropriate state securities authorities the
registration statements for the Trust and the Trust's shares and all
amendments thereto, reports to regulatory authorities and shareholders,
prospectuses, proxy statements, and such other documents as may be
necessary or convenient to enable the Trust to make a continuous
offering of its shares;
(c) prepare, negotiate and administer contracts on behalf of
the Trust with, among others, the Trust's distributor, custodian and
transfer agent;
(d) supervise the Trust's fund accounting agent in the
maintenance of the Trust's general ledger and in the preparation of the
Trust's financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals
and payments and the determination of the net asset value of the
Trust's assets and of the Trust's shares, and of the declaration and
payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders;
(e) calculate performance data of the Trust for dissemination
to information services covering the investment company industry;
(f) prepare and file the Trust's tax returns;
(g) examine and review the operations of the Trust's custodian
and transfer agent;
(h) coordinate the layout and printing of publicly
disseminated prospectuses and reports;
(i) prepare various shareholder reports;
(j) assist with the design, development and operation of new
portfolios of the Trust;
(k) coordinate shareholder meetings;
(l) provide general compliance services; and
(m) advise the Trust and its Trustees on matters concerning
the Trust and its affairs.
The foregoing, along with any additional services that EIS shall agree
in writing to perform for the Trust hereunder, shall hereafter be referred to as
"Administrative Services." Administrative Services shall not include any duties,
functions, or services to be performed for the Trust by the Trust's investment
adviser, distributor, custodian or transfer agent pursuant to their agreements
with the Trust.
3. EXPENSES. EIS shall be responsible for expenses incurred in
providing office space, equipment and personnel as may be necessary or
convenient to provide the Administrative Services to the Trust. The Trust shall
be responsible for all other expenses incurred by EIS on behalf of the Trust,
including without limitation postage and courier expenses, printing expenses,
registration fees, filing fees, fees of outside counsel and independent
auditors, insurance premiums, fees payable to Trustees who are not EIS
employees, and trade association dues.
4. COMPENSATION. For the Administrative Services provided, the Trust
hereby agrees to pay and EIS hereby agrees to accept as full compensation for
its services rendered hereunder an administrative fee, calculated daily and
payable monthly, at an annual rate determined in accordance with the table
below.
AGGREGATE DAILY NET ASSETS OF
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY EIS
ADMINISTRATIVE FOR WHICH ANY AFFILIATE OF FIRST UNION
FEE NATIONAL BANK SERVES AS INVESTMENT ADVISER
.050% on the first $7 billion
.035% on the next $3 billion
.030% on the next $5 billion
.020% on the next $10 billion
.015% on the next $5 billion
.010% on assets in excess of $30 billion
Each portfolio of the Trust shall pay a portion of the administrative fee equal
to the rate determined above times that portfolio's average annual daily net
assets.
5. RESPONSIBILITY OF ADMINISTRATOR. EIS shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss
resulting from wilful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in
the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. EIS shall be entitled to rely on
and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Trust) on all
matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or
omitted pursuant to such advice. Any person, even though also an officer,
director, partner, employee or agent of EIS, who may be or become an officer,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with the duties of EIS hereunder) to be
rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as an officer,
director, partner, employee or agent or one under the control or direction of
EIS even though paid by EIS.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall be in effect until June 30, 1998, and
shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided it is
approved, at least annually, by a vote of a majority of Trustees of the
Trust including a majority of the disinterested Trustees.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without
payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) day's prior written notice by a
vote of a majority of the Trust's Trustees or by EIS.
7. AMENDMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by
the party against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or
termination is sought.
8. NOTICES. Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust hereunder by
EIS shall be in writing and shall be duly given if delivered to the Trust and to
its investment adviser at the following address: First Union National Bank, One
First Union Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288. Notices of any kind to be
given to EIS hereunder by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given
if delivered to EIS at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Attention: Chief Administrative Officer.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. EIS is hereby expressly put on notice of
the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declaration of Trust and agrees
that the obligations pursuant to this Agreement of a particular portfolio and of
the Trust with respect to that particular portfolio be limited solely to the
assets of that particular portfolio, and EIS shall not seek satisfaction of any
such obligation from the assets of any other portfolio, the shareholders of any
portfolio, the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, or any of
them.
10. MISCELLANEOUS. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court or
regulatory agency decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby. Subject to the provisions of Section 5
hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and shall be governed by
Delaware law; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed in a
manner inconsistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any rule or
regulation promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Administrative
Services Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the
day and year first above written.
EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST
ATTEST:__________________________ By:_______________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
EVERGREEN INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
ATTEST:__________________________ By:_______________________________
NAME:
TITLE:
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
1025 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
TELEPHONE: (202) 775-8190
FACSIMILE: (202) 293-2275
767 THIRD AVENUE ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
TELEPHONE: (212) 486-8200 TELEPHONE: (617) 338-2800
FACSIMILE: (212) 758-2151 FACSIMILE: (617) 338-2880
Evergreen Equity Trust
Evergreen Fixed Income Trust
Evergreen Municipal Trust
Evergreen International Trust
Evergreen Money Market Trust
Evergreen Select Equity Trust
Evergreen Select Fixed Income Trust
Evergreen Select Money Market Trust
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Registration Statements of the Above-Named
Delaware Business Trusts as Successors
to Various Registered Investment Companies
as Described in Certain
Proxy Materials Dated October 24, 1997
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters of Delaware
law in connection with the registration statements on Forms N-1A (each a
"Registration Statement" and together, the "Registration Statements") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") of Evergreen Equity
Trust, Evergreen Fixed Income Trust, Evergreen Municipal Trust, Evergreen
International Trust, Evergreen Money Market Trust, Evergreen Select Equity
Trust, Evergreen Select Fixed Income Trust, and Evergreen Select Money Market
Trust (each a "Trust and together, the "Trusts") in connection with the
succession, pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act, of the Trusts to the
registration statements of certain registered open-end management investment
companies (the "Original Funds") advised by First Union National Bank or its
affiliates, and relating to an indefinite number of the shares of beneficial
interest of the Trusts authorized by the respective Agreements and Declarations
of Trust of the Trusts to be issued to the Original Funds (the "Shares").
We have reviewed the actions taken by the Trustees of the respective Trusts
to organize each Trust and to authorize the issuance and sale of the Shares. In
this connection we have examined the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and
By-Laws of each Trust, the Registration Statements, including the prospectuses
and statements of additional information forming a part thereof, certificates of
officers of the respective Trusts and of public officials as to matters of fact,
and such other documents and instruments, certified or otherwise identified to
our satisfaction, and such questions of law and fact, as we have considered
necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering the opinions expressed
herein. In such examination we have assumed, without independent verification,
the genuineness of all signatures (whether original or photostatic), the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity
to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or
photostatic copies. As to all questions of fact material to such opinions, we
have relied upon the representations contained in the certificates referred to
above. We have assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy of the
relevant facts stated therein.
We are admitted to the Bars of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the
District of Columbia and generally do not purport to be familiar with the laws
of the State of Delaware. To the extent that the conclusions based on the laws
of the State of Delaware are involved in the opinions set forth herein below, we
have relied, in rendering such opinions, upon our examination of Chapter 38 of
Title 12 of the Delaware Code Annotated, as amended, entitled "Treatment of
Delaware Business Trusts" (the "Delaware business trust law") and on our
knowledge of interpretation of analogous common law of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
This letter expresses our opinion as to the provisions of each Trust's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, but does not extend to the Delaware Uniform
Securities Act, or to other federal or state securities laws or other federal
laws.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth
herein, we hereby advise you that, in our opinion:
1. Each Trust is validly existing as a trust with transferable shares under
the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. Each Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest, $.001 par value per share; the Shares have been duly and
validly authorized by all action of the Trustees of the Trust, and no action of
the shareholders of the Trust is required in such connection.
3. When issued and paid for as described in each Registration Statement,
the Shares will be fully paid and nonassessable by any Trust.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to each
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated November
18, 1996, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of
Evergreen Fund (the "Fund") appearing in the Fund's September 30, 1996 Annual
Report to Shareholders, which is also incorporated by reference, into the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information constituting parts of Post-
Effective Amendment No. 33 to the registration statement on Form N-1A of
Evergreen Trust, which registration statement is also incorporated by reference
in this registration statement on Form N-1A.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Financial Highlights"
in such Prospectus and under the headings "Independent Auditors" and "Financial
Statements" in such Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
December 10, 1997
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated
August 26, 1997, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of Evergreen Income and Growth (formerly Total Return) Fund (the "Fund")
appearing in the Fund's July 31, 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is
also incorporated by reference, into the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information constituting parts of Post- Effective Amendment No. 28 to the
registration statement on Form N-1A of the Fund, which registration statement is
also incorporated by reference in this registration statement on Form N-1A.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Financial Highlights"
in such Prospectus and under the headings "Independent Auditors" and "Financial
Statements" in such Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
December 10, 1997
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated
November 18, 1996, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of Evergreen Micro Cap (formerly Limited Market) Fund, Inc. (the "Fund")
appearing in the Fund's September 30, 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which
is also incorporated by reference, into the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information constituting parts of Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to
the registration statement on Form N-1A of the Fund, which registration
statement is also incorporated by reference in this registration statement on
Form N-1A.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Financial Highlights"
in such Prospectus and under the headings "Independent Auditors" and "Financial
Statements" in such Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
December 10, 1997
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated
November 18, 1996, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of Evergreen Aggressive Growth Fund (the "Fund") appearing in the Fund's
September 30, 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is also incorporated by
reference, into the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
constituting parts of Post- Effective Amendment No. 33 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A of Evergreen Trust, which registration statement is also
incorporated by reference in this registration statement on Form N-1A.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Financial Highlights"
in such Prospectus and under the headings "Independent Auditors" and "Financial
Statements" in such Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
December 10, 1997
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Trustees and Shareholders
Evergreen Equity Trust
We consent to the use of our reports:
Dated January 31, 1997 for Evergreen Omega Fund;
Dated November 29, 1996 for Keystone Strategic Growth Fund (K-2);
Dated May 2, 1997 for Evergreen Foundation Fund, a series of Evergreen
Foundation Trust;
Dated may 2, 1997 for Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund, a series of
Evergreen Foundation Trust;
Dated May 2,1997 for Evergreen American Retirement Fund, a series of
Evergreen American Retirement Trust;
Dated August 22, 1997 for Evergreen Utility Fund, a series of Evergreen
Investment Trust;
Dated August 22, 1997 for Evergreen Value Fund, a series of Evergreen
Investment Trust;
Dated August 22, 1997 for Evergreen Fund for Total Return;
Dated August 22, 1997 for Evergreen Growth and Income Fund;
Dated August 22, 1997 for Evergreen Small Cap Equity Income Fund, a series
of Evergreen American Retirement Trust; and
Dated September 27, 1996 for Keystone Growth and Income Fund (S-1)
incorporated by reference herein.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLp
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 12, 1997
DISTRIBUTION PLAN OF CLASS B SHARES
THE EVERGREEN ____________________ TRUST (KCF)
EVERGREEN ___________ FUND
SECTION 1. The Evergreen ____________ Trust (the "Trust") individually
and/or on behalf of its series (the "Fund") referred to above in the title of
this Rule 12b-1 Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") may act as the distributor of
securities which are issued in respect of the Fund's Class B shares ("Shares"),
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")
according to the terms of this Plan.
SECTION 2. The Trust may expend daily amounts at an annual rate of
1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class B shares of the Fund. Such
amounts may be expended to finance activity which is principally intended to
result in the sale of Shares including, without limitation, expenditures
consisting of payments to a principal underwriter of the Fund ("Principal
Underwriter") or others in order (i) to make payments to the Principal
Underwriter or others of sales commissions, other fees or other compensation for
services provided or to be provided, to enable payments to be made by the
Principal Underwriter or others for any activity primarily intended to result in
the sale of Shares, to pay interest expenses associated with payments in
connection with the sale of Shares and to pay any expenses of financing
permitted by this clause (i); (ii) to enable the Principal Underwriter or others
to receive, pay or to have paid to others who have sold Shares, or who provide
services to holders of Shares, a service fee, maintenance or other fee in
respect of such services, at such intervals as the Principal Underwriter or such
others may determine, in respect of Shares previously sold and remaining
outstanding during the period in respect of which such fee is or has been paid;
and/or (iii) to compensate the Principal Underwriter or others for efforts
(including without limitation any financing of payments under (i) and (ii) for
the sale of shares) in respect of sales of Shares since inception of the Plan or
any predecessor plan. Appropriate adjustments shall be made to the payments made
pursuant to this Section 2 to the extent necessary to ensure that no payment is
made by the Fund with respect to the Class in excess of the applicable limit
imposed on asset based, front end and deferred sales charges under subsection
(d) of Rule 2830 of the Business Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers Regulation, Inc. (The "NASDR"). In addition, to the extent
any amounts paid hereunder fall within the definition of an "asset based sales
charge" under said NASDR Rule such payments shall be limited to 0.75 of 1% of
the aggregate net asset value of the Shares on an annual basis and, to the
extent that any such payments are made in respect of "shareholder services" as
that term is defined in the NASDR Rule, such payments shall be limited to .25 of
1% of the aggregate net asset value of the Shares on an annual basis and shall
only be made in respect of shareholder services rendered during the period in
which such amounts are accrued.
SECTION 3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved
by a vote of at least a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding
shares of the Fund.
SECTION 4. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved
together with any related agreements of the Fund by votes of the majority of
both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees of the Trust
who, except for their positions as Trustees, are not "interested persons" (as
defined int he 1940 Act) of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements of the Fund
or any other person related to this Plan (the "Rule 12b-1 Trustees"), cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such
agreements.
SECTION 5. Unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 8, this Plan
shall continue in effect for a period of one year from the date it takes effect
and thereafter shall continue in effect so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of
this Plan in Section 4.
SECTION 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies
paid or payable by the Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall
provide to the Fund's Board and the Board shall review at least quarterly a
written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares.
SECTION 8. Any agreement of the Fund related to this plan shall be in
writing, and shall provide:
A. That such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment
of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a vote of
a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares on not more than sixty days written
notice to any other party to the agreement; and
B. That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of
its assignment.
SECTION 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the
amount of distribution expenses provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such
amendment is approved in the manner provided in Section 3 hereof and no material
amendment to this Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for
in Section 4 hereof.
