ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST
485BPOS, 1999-04-30
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     As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission On April 30, 1999
    
                                               Securities Act File No. 333-47415
                                        Investment Company Act File No. 811-8685
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM N-1A

                                    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. 4                              [X]
    
                        (Check appropriate box or boxes)

                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                               570 Lexington Ave.
                             New York, NY 10022-6837
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (212) 702-3500
              Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code

                               Julie Allecta, Esq.
                        Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                               345 California St.
                            San Francisco, CA, 94104
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

             [X] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
             [ ] On pursuant to paragraph (b)
             [ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
             [ ] On pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
             [ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
             [ ] On pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

================================================================================
<PAGE>
                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST
                                    FORM N-1A
                                     PART C

ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.

          (1)  Agreement and Declaration of Trust (1)
          (2)  By-Laws (1)
          (3)  Specimen Share Certificate (2)
          (4)  Form of Investment Advisory Agreement
          (5)  Form of Distribution Agreement
          (6)  Not applicable
          (7)  Custodian Agreement
          (8)  (1) Form of Administration Agreement (1)
               (2)  Form of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (2)
          (9)  Opinion and consent of counsel
          (10) Not applicable
          (11) Not applicable
          (12) Letter of Understanding relating to initial capital (2)
          (13) Form of Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
          (14) Not Applicable
          (15) Not Applicable

1    Incorporated by reference from Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on
     March 6, 1998

2    Incorporated by reference from Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the
     Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 30, 1998


ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

     As of the date of this Amendment to the Registration Statement, there are
no persons controlled or under common control with the Registrant.

ITEM 25.  INDEMNIFICATION

     Article VII, Section 2 of the Trust's Declaration of Trust provides as
follows:

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 ("Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event
<PAGE>
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.

     With respect to the Investment Adviser, the response to this item is
incorporated by reference to the Adviser's Form ADV as amended, File No.
801-27265.

ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.

     (a) The Advisor also acts as the Registrant's principal underwriter and
does not act in that capacity for other investment companies.

     (b) The following information is furnished with respect to the officers and
directors of the Advisor and Underwriter. Each such person's principal business
address is 570 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.


                               Position and Offices              Position and
Name and Principal               with Principal                  Offices with
 Business Address                 Underwriter                     Registrant
 ----------------                 -----------                     ----------

Carl Acebes                Chairman and Chief Investment    Chairman and Trustee
                           Officer

Garrett R. D'Alessandro    President and Chief Executive    President, Secretary
                           Officer                          & Treasurer

Peter J. McGough           Vice President                   None

Andrew Miranda             Vice President & Controller      None

     (c) Not applicable.
<PAGE>
ITEM 28.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

     The accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by
Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession the Registrant's
custodian and transfer agent, except those records relating to portfolio
transactions and the basic organizational and Trust documents of the Registrant
(see Subsections (2) (iii). (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) of Rule
31a-1(b)), which, with respect to portfolio transactions are kept by the Fund's
Advisor at its address set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional
information and with respect to trust documents by its administrator at 2020 E.
Financial Way, Ste. 100, Glendora, CA 91741.

ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

     There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A
and B.

ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS

     The Registrant undertakes:

     (a) To furnish to each person to whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of
the Fund's latest annual report to shareholders, upon request and without
charge.

     (b) If requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of the Trust's
outstanding shares, to call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes of voting
upon the question of removal of a trustee and assist in communications with
other shareholders.
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
   
     Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933  and  the
Investment Company Act of 1940 the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to this registration  statement
pursuant to Rule  485(b)  under the  Securities  Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this amendment to this Registration  Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereto duly  authorized,  in the City of New York in the State of
New York on April 27, 1999.
    
                                  ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST

                                  By: /s/ Garrett R. D'Alessandro
                                     -------------------------------
                                     Garrett R. D'Alessandro
                                     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 and on the date indicated.

   
/s/Carl Acebes                  Trustee                     April 27, 1999
- -----------------------------
Carl Acebes


/s/Benedict T. Marino           Trustee                     April 27, 1999
- -----------------------------
Benedict T. Marino


Maxime C. Baretge               Trustee                     April 27, 1999
- -----------------------------
* Maxime C. Baretge


/s/Garrett R. D'Alessandro      Principal                   April 27,1999
- -----------------------------   Financial Officer
Garrett R. D'Alessandro


/s/ Garrett R. D'Alessandro
- -----------------------------
 by  Garrett R. D'Alessandro
 * Pursuant to Powers of Attorney
   dated June 24, 1998
    
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBITS

   
     Number                             Item
     ------                             ----
     99.B4                      Advisory Agreement
     99.B5                      Distribution Agreement
     99.B9                      Opinion and consent of counsel
     99.B13                     Distribution Plan
    

                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST
                          INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


         THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT is made as of the 7th day of July,
1998, by and between ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST, a Delaware business trust
(hereinafter called the "Trust"), on behalf of the series of the Trust named in
Appendix A to this Agreement (a "Fund" or the "Funds") and Rochdale Investment
Management Inc. a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Advisor").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company,
registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Investment Company Act"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Fund is a series of the Trust having  separate assets and
liabilities; and

         WHEREAS, the Advisor is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is engaged in the business of
supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

         WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Advisor to render advice and
services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and
the Advisor desires to furnish said advice and services;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual
promises hereinafter set forth, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be
legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:

         1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISOR. The Trust hereby employs the Advisor and the
Advisor hereby accepts such employment, to render investment advice and related
services with respect to the assets of the Fund for the period and on the terms
set forth in this Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the
Trust's Board of Trustees.

         2. DUTIES OF ADVISOR.

         (a) General Duties. The Advisor shall act as investment adviser to the
Fund and shall supervise investments of the Fund on behalf of the Fund in
accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund
as set forth in the Fund's and Trust's governing documents, including, without
limitation, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws; the
Fund's prospectus, statement of additional information and undertakings; and
such other limitations, policies and procedures as the Trustees may impose from

                                       -1-
<PAGE>
time to time in writing to the Advisor. In providing such services,  the Advisor
shall at all times adhere to the  provisions and  restrictions  contained in the
federal securities laws,  applicable state securities laws, the Internal Revenue
Code, the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law.

         Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Advisor shall:
(i) furnish the Funds with advice and recommendations with respect to the
investment of the Fund's assets and the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities for the Fund, including the taking of such steps as may be necessary
to implement such advice and recommendations (I.E., placing the orders); (ii)
manage and oversee the investments of the Funds, subject to the ultimate
supervision and direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees; (iii) vote proxies
for the Fund, file Section 13 ownership reports for the Fund, and take other
actions on behalf of the Fund; (iv) maintain the books and records required to
be maintained by the Fund except to the extent arrangements have been made for
such books and records to be maintained by the administrator or another agent of
the Fund; (v) furnish reports, statements and other data on securities, economic
conditions and other matters related to the investment of the Fund's assets
which the Fund's administrator or distributor or the officers of the Trust may
reasonably request; and (vi) render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such
periodic and special reports with respect to each Fund's investment activities
as the Board may reasonably request, including at least one in-person appearance
annually before the Board of Trustees.

         (b) Brokerage. The Advisor shall be responsible for decisions to buy
and sell securities for the Fund, for broker-dealer selection, and for
negotiation of brokerage commission rates, provided that the Advisor shall not
direct order to an affiliated person of the Advisor without general prior
authorization to use such affiliated broker or dealer for the Trust's Board of
Trustees. The Advisor's primary consideration in effecting a securities
transaction will be execution at the most favorable price. In selecting a
broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Advisor may take the
following into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability,
integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the size of and
difficulty in executing the order; and the value of the expected contribution of
the broker-dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing
basis. The price to the Fund in any transaction may be less favorable than that
available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified
by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered.

         Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may
determine, the Advisor shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have
breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its
having caused the Fund to pay a broker or dealer that provides (directly or
indirectly) brokerage or research services to the Advisor an amount of
commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, if the Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that
particular transaction or the Advisor's overall responsibilities with respect to
the Trust. The Advisor is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it
on behalf of the Fund to such brokers or dealers who also provide research or
statistical material, or other services, to the Trust, the Advisor, or any
affiliate of either. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as
the Advisor shall determine, and the Advisor shall report on such

                                       -2-
<PAGE>
allocations regularly to the Trust, indicating the broker-dealers to whom such
allocations have been made and the basis therefor. The Advisor is also
authorized to consider sales of shares as a factor in the selection of brokers
or dealers to execute portfolio transactions, subject to the requirements of
best execution, I.E., that such brokers or dealers are able to execute the order
promptly and at the best obtainable securities price.

         On occasions when the Advisor deems the purchase or sale of a security
to be in the best interest of one or more of the Fund as well as of other
clients, the Advisor, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may aggregate the securities to be so purchased or sold in order to
obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and the most
efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or
sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the
Advisor in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with
its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and to such other clients.

         3. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ADVISOR.

         (a) The Advisor shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering
the advice and services to the Funds as contemplated by this Agreement.

         (b) The Advisor shall maintain all licenses and registrations necessary
to perform its duties hereunder in good order.

         (c) The Advisor shall conduct its operations at all times in
conformance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act
of 1940, and any other applicable state and/or self-regulatory organization
regulations.

         4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The Advisor shall, for all purposes herein,
be deemed to be an independent contractor, and shall, unless otherwise expressly
provided and authorized to do so, have no authority to act for or represent the
Trust or the Fund in any way, or in any way be deemed an agent for the Trust or
for the Fund. It is expressly understood and agreed that the services to be
rendered by the Advisor to the Funds under the provisions of this Agreement are
not to be deemed exclusive, and the Advisor shall be free to render similar or
different services to others so long as its ability to render the services
provided for in this Agreement shall not be impaired thereby.

         5. ADVISOR'S PERSONNEL. The Advisor shall, at its own expense, maintain
such staff and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other
persons as it shall from time to time determine to be necessary to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Advisor shall be
deemed to include persons employed or retained by the Advisor to furnish
statistical information, research, and other factual information, advice
regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical and
scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as
the Advisor or the Trust's Board of Trustees may desire and reasonably request.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>
         6. EXPENSES.

         (a) With respect to the operation of the Fund, the Advisor shall be
responsible for (I) providing the personnel, office space and equipment
reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund, (ii) the expenses of
printing and distributing extra copies of the Fund's prospectus, statement of
additional information, and sales and advertising materials (but not the legal,
auditing or accounting fees attendant thereto) to prospective investors (but not
to existing shareholders), and (iii) the costs of any special Board of Trustees
meetings or shareholder meetings convened for the primary benefit of the
Advisor. If the Advisor has agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund,
the Advisor shall also be responsible on a monthly basis for any operating
expenses that exceed the agreed upon expense limit.

         (b) The Fund is responsible for and has assumed the obligation for
payment of all of its expenses, other than as stated in Subparagraph 6(a) above,
including but not limited to: fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
issuance, registration and transfer of its shares; brokerage and commission
expenses; all expenses of transfer, receipt, safekeeping, servicing and
accounting for the cash, securities and other property of the Trust for the
benefit of the Fund including all fees and expenses of its custodian,
shareholder services agent and accounting services agent; interest charges on
any borrowings; costs and expenses of pricing and calculating its daily net
asset value and of maintaining its books of account required under the
Investment Company Act; taxes, if any; a pro rata portion of expenditures in
connection with meetings of the Fund's shareholders and the Trust's Board of
Trustees that are properly payable by the Fund; salaries and expenses of
officers and fees and expenses of members of the Trust's Board of Trustees or
members of any advisory board or committee who are not members of, affiliated
with or interested persons of the Advisor; insurance premiums on property or
personnel of each Fund which inure to its benefit, including liability and
fidelity bond insurance; the cost of preparing and printing reports, proxy
statements, prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund or
other communications for distribution to existing shareholders; legal, auditing
and accounting fees; trade association dues; fees and expenses (including legal
fees) of registering and maintaining registration of its shares for sale under
federal and applicable state and foreign securities laws; all expenses of
maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including all charges for
transfer, shareholder recordkeeping, dividend disbursing, redemption, and other
agents for the benefit of the Funds, if any; and all other charges and costs of
its operation plus any extraordinary and non-recurring expenses, except as
herein otherwise prescribed.

         (c) The Advisor may voluntarily absorb certain Fund expenses or waive
the Advisor's own advisory fee.

         (d) To the extent the Advisor incurs any costs by assuming expenses
which are an obligation of a Fund as set forth herein, the Fund shall promptly
reimburse the Advisor for such costs and expenses, except to the extent the
Advisor has otherwise agreed to bear such expenses. To the extent the services
for which a Fund is obligated to pay are performed by the Advisor, the Advisor
shall be entitled to recover from such Fund to the extent of the Advisor's
actual costs for providing such services. In determining the Advisor's actual
costs, the Advisor may take into account an allocated portion of the salaries
and overhead of personnel performing such services.

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
         7. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT FEE.

         (a) Each Fund shall pay to the Advisor, and the Advisor agrees to
accept, as full compensation for all investment management and advisory services
furnished or provided to such Fund pursuant to this Agreement, an annual
management fee equal to 1.00% of the Fund's daily net assets, computed on the
value of the net assets of the Fund as of the close of business each day.

         (b) The management fee shall be accrued daily by each Fund and paid to
the Advisor on or before the tenth business day of the succeeding month.

         (c) The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable on or before
the tenth business day of the first month following the effective date of this
Agreement and shall be prorated as set forth below. If this Agreement is
terminated prior to the end of any month, the fee to the Advisor shall be
prorated for the portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect which
is not a complete month according to the proportion which the number of calendar
days in the month during which the Agreement is in effect bears to the number of
calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within ten (10) days after the
date of termination.

         (d) The fee payable to the Advisor under this Agreement will be reduced
to the extent of any receivable owed by the Advisor to the Fund and as required
under any expense limitation applicable to a Fund.

         (e) The Advisor voluntarily may reduce any portion of the compensation
or reimbursement of expenses due to it pursuant to this Agreement and may agree
to make payments to limit the expenses which are the responsibility of a Fund
under this Agreement. Any such reduction or payment shall be applicable only to
such specific reduction or payment and shall not constitute an agreement to
reduce any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Advisor hereunder or
to continue future payments. Any such reduction will be agreed to prior to
accrual of the related expense or fee and will be estimated daily and reconciled
and paid on a monthly basis.

         (f) Any fee withheld or voluntarily reduced and any Fund expense
absorbed by the Advisor voluntarily or pursuant to an agreed upon expense cap
shall be reimbursed by the Fund to the Advisor, if so requested by the Advisor,
in the first, second or third (or any combination thereof) fiscal year next
succeeding the fiscal year of the withholding, reduction or absorption if the
aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for
such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) do not exceed the
applicable limitation on Fund expenses. Such reimbursement may be paid prior to
the Fund's payment of current expenses if so requested by the Advisor even if
such practice may require the Advisor to waive, reduce or absorb current Fund
expenses.

         (g) The Advisor may agree not to require payment of any portion of the
compensation or reimbursement of expenses otherwise due to it pursuant to this
Agreement.

                                       -5-
<PAGE>
Any such agreement shall be applicable only with respect to the specific items
covered thereby and shall not constitute an agreement not to require payment of
any future compensation or reimbursement due to the Advisor hereunder.

         8. NO SHORTING; NO BORROWING. The Advisor agrees that neither it nor
any of its officers or employees shall take any short position in the shares of
the Funds. This prohibition shall not prevent the purchase of such shares by any
of the officers or employees of the Advisor or any trust, pension,
profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons or affiliates thereof, at
a price not less than the net asset value thereof at the time of purchase, as
allowed pursuant to rules promulgated under the Investment Company Act. The
Advisor agrees that neither it nor any of its officers or employees shall borrow
from the Fund or pledge or use the Fund's assets in connection with any
borrowing not directly for the Fund's benefit. For this purpose, failure to pay
any amount due and payable to the Fund for a period of more than thirty (30)
days shall constitute a borrowing.

         9. CONFLICTS WITH TRUST'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND APPLICABLE LAWS.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Fund to
take any action contrary to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
By-Laws, or any applicable statute or regulation, or to relieve or deprive the
Board of Trustees of the Trust of its responsibility for and control of the
conduct of the affairs of the Trust and Funds. In this connection, the Advisor
acknowledges that the Trustees retain ultimate plenary authority over the Fund
and may take any and all actions necessary and reasonable to protect the
interests of shareholders.

         10. REPORTS AND ACCESS. The Advisor agrees to supply such information
to the Fund's administrator and to permit such compliance inspections by the
Fund's administrator as shall be reasonably necessary to permit the
administrator to satisfy its obligations and respond to the reasonable requests
of the Trustees.

         11. ADVISOR'S LIABILITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) The Advisor shall have responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness (and liability for the lack thereof) of the statements in the
Fund's offering materials (including the prospectus, the statement of additional
information, advertising and sales materials), except for information supplied
by the administrator or the Trust or another third party for inclusion therein.

         (b) The Advisor shall be liable to the Fund for any loss (including
brokerage charges) incurred by the Fund as a result of any improper investment
made by the Advisor.

         (c) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the
Advisor, the Advisor shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or the Fund
or to any shareholder of the Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or
connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be
sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security by the Funds.

                                       -6-
<PAGE>
         (d) Each party to this Agreement shall indemnify and hold harmless the
other party and the shareholders, directors, officers and employees of the other
party (any such person, an "Indemnified Party") against any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating and
defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses and reasonable
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out of the Indemnified
Party's performance or non-performance of any duties under this Agreement
provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect any
Indemnified Party against any liability to which such Indemnified Party would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.

         (e) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust, or officer of the Advisor, from liability in
violation of Sections 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act.

         12. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; TRADING FOR ADVISOR'S OWN ACCOUNT. The Trust's
employment of the Advisor is not an exclusive arrangement. The Trust may from
time to time employ other individuals or entities to furnish it with the
services provided for herein. Likewise, the Advisor may act as investment
adviser for any other person, and shall not in any way be limited or restricted
from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own accounts or
the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided, however,
that the Advisor expressly represents that it will undertake no activities which
will adversely affect the performance of its obligations to the Fund under this
Agreement; and provided further that the Advisor will adhere to a code of ethics
governing employee trading and trading for proprietary accounts that conforms to
the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 and has been approved by the Trust' Board of Trustees.

         13. TERM.

         (a) This Agreement shall become effective at the time the Fund
commences operations pursuant to an effective amendment to the Trust's
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and shall remain in
effect for a period of two (2) years, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter
provided. This Agreement shall continue in effect thereafter for additional
periods not exceeding one (l) year so long as such continuation is approved for
the Fund at least annually by (I) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund and (ii)
the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this
Agreement nor interested persons thereof, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. The terms "majority of the outstanding
voting securities" and "interested persons" shall have the meanings as set forth
in the Investment Company Act.

         (b) The Fund may use the name "Rochdale" or any name derived from or
using the name "Rochdale" only for so long as this Agreement or any extension,
renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect. Within sixty (60) days from such
time as this Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Fund shall cease to use
such a name or any other name connected with the Advisor.

                                       -7-
<PAGE>
         14. TERMINATION; NO ASSIGNMENT.

         (a) This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust on behalf of the Fund
at any time without payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund,
upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Advisor, and by the Advisor upon
sixty (60) days' written notice to a Fund. In the event of a termination, the
Advisor shall cooperate in the orderly transfer of the Fund's affairs and, at
the request of the Board of Trustees, transfer any and all books and records of
the Fund maintained by the Advisor on behalf of the Fund.

         (b) This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of any
transfer or assignment thereof, as defined in the Investment Company Act.

         15. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise
rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

         16. NOTICE OF DECLARATION OF TRUST. The Advisor agrees that the Trust's
obligations under this Agreement shall be limited to the Funds and to their
assets, and that the Advisor shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation
from the shareholders of the Funds nor from any trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Trust or the Funds.

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

         18. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to
the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be
construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or
rule, including the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisors Act of
1940 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first
above written.


ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST           ROCHDALE INVESTMENT
                                    MANAGEMENT INC.


By:                                 By:
   ------------------------            ------------------------
   (Name and Title)                    (Name and Title)


                                       -8-
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX A
        Series of the Rochdale Investment Trust covered by this Agreement



Rochdale Magna Portfolio
Rochdale Atlas Portfolio
Rochdale Alpha Portfolio



July 7, 1998, as amended April 14, 1999

                                       -9-

                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST
                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

         This Agreement, made as of the 7th day of July, 1998 between ROCHDALE
INVESTMENT TRUST, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), and ROCHDALE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC, a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Trust is engaged in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of
l940 (the "1940 Act"), and it is in the interest of the Trust to offer its
series of shares identified on Appendix A to this Agreement ( a "Fund" or the
"Funds") for sale continuously; and

         WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of l934 (the "1934 Act") and is a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");
and

         WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement
with each other with respect to the continuous offering of the shares of
beneficial interest of the Funds (the "Shares"), to commence after the
effectiveness of amendment to the registration statement filed pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") and the 1940 Act relating to the Funds.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

         l. APPOINTMENT OF DISTRIBUTOR. The Trust hereby appoints the
Distributor as its exclusive agent to sell and to arrange for the sale of the
Shares, on the terms and for the period set forth in this Agreement, and the
Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act hereunder directly
and/or through the Trust's transfer agent in the manner set forth in the
Prospectuses (as defined below). It is understood and agreed that the services
of the Distributor hereunder are not exclusive, and the Distributor may act as
principal underwriter for the shares of any other registered investment company.

         2. SERVICES AND DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR

         (a) The Distributor agrees to sell the Shares, as agent for the Trust,
from time to time during the term of this Agreement upon the terms described in
the Funds' Prospectus. As used in this Agreement, the term "Prospectus" shall
mean the prospectus and statement of additional information of the Funds
included as part of the Trust's Registration Statement, as such prospectus and
statement of additional information may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, and the term "Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration
Statement most recently filed from time to time by the Trust with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as
such Registration Statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in
effect. The Distributor shall not be obligated to sell any certain number of
Shares.
<PAGE>
         (b) Upon commencement of the Funds' operations, the Distributor will
hold itself available to receive orders, satisfactory to the Distributor, for
the purchase of the Shares and will accept such orders and will transmit such
orders and funds received by it in payment for such Shares as are so accepted to
the Trust's transfer agent or custodian, as appropriate, as promptly as
practicable. Purchase orders shall be deemed effective at the time and in the
manner set forth in the Prospectus. The Distributor shall not make any short
sales of Shares.

         (c) The offering price of the Shares shall be the net asset value per
share of the Shares (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), plus the sales
charge, if any, (determined as set forth in the prospectus). The Trust shall
furnish the Distributor, with all possible promptness, an advice of each
computation of net asset value and offering price.

         3. DUTIES OF THE TRUST.

         (a) MAINTENANCE OF FEDERAL REGISTRATION. The Trust shall, at its
expense, take, from time to time, all necessary action and such steps, including
payment of the related filing fees, as may be necessary to register and maintain
registration of a sufficient number of Shares under the 1933 Act. The Trust
agrees to file from time to time such amendments, reports and other documents as
may be necessary in order that there may be no untrue statement of a material
fact in a registration statement or prospectus, or necessary in order that there
may be no omission to state a material fact in the registration statement or
prospectus which omission would make the statements therein misleading.

         (b) MAINTENANCE OF "BLUE SKY" QUALIFICATIONS. The Trust shall, at its
expense, use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the qualification of an
appropriate number of Shares for sale under the securities laws of such states
as the Distributor and the Trust may approve, and, if necessary or appropriate
in connection therewith, to qualify and maintain the qualification of the Trust
as a broker or dealer in such states; provided that the Trust shall not be
required to amend its Declaration of Trust or By-Laws to comply with the laws of
any state, to maintain an office in any state, to change the terms of the
offering of the Shares in any state, to change the terms of the offering of the
Shares in any state from the terms set forth in its Prospectuses, to qualify as
a foreign corporation in any state or to consent to service of process in any
state other than with respect to claims arising out of the offering and sale of
the Shares. The Distributor shall furnish such information and other material
relating to its affairs and activities as may be required by the Trust in
connection with such qualifications.

         (c) Copies of Reports and Prospectuses. The Trust shall, at its
expense, keep the Distributor fully informed with regard to its affairs and in
connection therewith shall furnish to the Distributor copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably
request for use in connection with the distribution of Shares, including such
reasonable number of copies of its Prospectuses and annual and interim reports
as the Distributor may request and shall cooperate fully in the efforts of the
Distributor to sell and arrange for the sale of the Shares and in the
performance of the Distributor under this Agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>
         4. CONFORMITY WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND RULES. The Distributor agrees
that in selling Shares hereunder it shall conform in all respects with the laws
of the United States and of any state in which Shares may be offered, and with
applicable rules and regulations of the NASD.

         5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In performing its duties hereunder, the
Distributor shall be an independent contractor and neither the Distributor, nor
any of its officers, directors, employees, or representatives is or shall be an
employee of the Trust in the performance of the Distributor's duties hereunder.
The Distributor shall be responsible for its own conduct and the employment,
control, and conduct of its agents and employees and for injury to such agents
or employees or to others through its agents or employees. The Distributor
assumes full responsibility for its agents and employees under applicable
statutes and agrees to pay all employee taxes thereunder.

         6. INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUST. The Distributor agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Trust and each of its present or former trustees, officers,
employees, representatives and each person, if any, who controls or previously
controlled the Trust within the meaning of Section l5 of the 1933 Act against
any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses (including the
reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability,
damage, claims or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred in
connection therewith) to which the Trust or any such person may become subject
under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at common law, or otherwise,
arising out of the acquisition of any Shares by any person which (I) may be
based upon any wrongful act by the Distributor or any of the Distributor's
directors, officers, employees or representatives, or (ii) may be based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, shareholder report or other information
covering Shares filed or made public by the Trust or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Trust by the Distributor. In no case (I) is the
Distributor's indemnity in favor of the Trust, or any person indemnified to be
deemed to protect the Trust or such indemnified person against any liability to
which the Trust or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his duties or
by reason of his reckless disregard of his obligations and duties under this
Agreement or (ii) is the Distributor to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this Paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Trust or
any person indemnified unless the Trust or such person, as the case may be,
shall have notified the Distributor in writing of the claim within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of
the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust or upon such
person (or after the Trust or such person shall have received notice to such
service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Distributor of
any such claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which the
Distributor may have to the Trust or any person against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of the Distributor's indemnity agreement
contained in this Paragraph.

                                       3
<PAGE>
         The Distributor shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense,
in the defense, or, if the Distributor so elects, to assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim, but, if the Distributor elects to assume
the defense, such defense shall be conducted by legal counsel chosen by the
Distributor and satisfactory to the Trust, to the persons indemnified defendant
or defendants, in the suit. In the event that the Distributor elects to assume
the defense of any such suit and retain such legal counsel, the Trust, the
persons indemnified defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional legal counsel retained by them. If the Distributor
does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Distributor will
reimburse the Trust and the persons indemnified defendant or defendants in such
suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel retained by them.
The Distributor agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the commencement of any
litigation of proceedings against it or any of its officers, employees or
representatives in connection with the issue or sale of any Shares.

         (b) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. The Trust agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its present or former directors,
officers, employees, representatives and each person, if any, who controls or
previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning of Section l5 of the
1933 Act against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
liability, damage, claim or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith) to which the Distributor or any such person may become
subject under the 1933 Act, under any other statute, at common law, or
otherwise, arising out of the acquisition of any Shares by any person which (i)
may be based upon any wrongful act by the Trust or any of the Trust's trustees,
officers, employees or representatives, or (ii) may be based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, shareholder report or other information
covering Shares filed or made public by the Trust or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading unless such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished to the Trust by the Distributor. In no case (i) is
the Trust's indemnity in favor of the Distributor, or any person indemnified to
be deemed to protect the Distributor or such indemnified person against any
liability to which the Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of his duties or by reason of his reckless disregard of his 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 Distributor, or person indemnified unless the Distributor, or such
person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Trust in writing of the
claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written
notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been
served upon the Distributor or upon such person (or after the Distributor or
such person shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent).
However, failure to notify the Trust of any such claim shall not relieve the
Trust from any liability which the Trust may have to the Distributor or any
person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of the
Trust's indemnity agreement contained in this Paragraph.

         The Trust shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense, or, if the Trust so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought
to enforce any such claim, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, such

                                       4
<PAGE>
defense shall be conducted by legal counsel chosen by the Trust and satisfactory
to the Distributor, to the persons indemnified defendant or defendants, in the
suit. In the event that the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit
and retain such legal counsel, the Distributor, the persons indemnified
defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional legal counsel retained by them. If the Trust does not elect to assume
the defense of any such suit, the Trust will reimburse the Distributor and the
persons indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit for the reasonable fees
and expenses of any legal counsel retained by them. The Trust agrees to promptly
notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings
against it or any of its trustees, officers, employees or representatives in
connection with the issue or sale of any Shares.

         7. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIONS. The Distributor is not authorized by the
Trust to give on behalf of the Trust any information or to make any
representations in connection with the sale of Shares other than the information
and representations contained in a registration statement or prospectus filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the 1933 Act and/or
the 1940 Act, covering Shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, or contained in shareholder
reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for
the Distributor's use. This shall not be construed to prevent the Distributor
from preparing and distributing tombstone ads and sales literature or other
material as it may deem appropriate. No person other than the Distributor is
authorized to act as principal underwriter (as such term is defined in the 1940
Act) for the Funds.

         8. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the
date first above written, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided,
this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years from the date
first above written. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect from
year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and
conditions thereof, so long as such continuation shall be specifically approved
at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Funds and, concurrently with such approval
by the Board of Trustees or prior to such approval by the holders of the
outstanding voting securities of the Funds, as the case may be, by the vote,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval,
of a majority of the trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement
or interested persons of any such party. The Distributor shall furnish to the
Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be
necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or
amendment hereof.

         9. AMENDMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may not be
amended or assigned except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and this Agreement
shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.

         10. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated by
either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than upon
60 days' nor less than 30 days' prior notice in writing to the other party;
provided, that in the case of termination by the Trust such action shall have
been authorized by resolution of a majority of the trustees of the Trust who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, or by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds.

                                       5
<PAGE>
         11. MISCELLANEOUS. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

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

         Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust to take
any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or any applicable
statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is
bound, or to relieve or deprive the Board of Trustees of the Trust of
responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust.

         12. DEFINITION OF TERMS. Any question of interpretation of any term or
provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a
term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court,
by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission
validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities", "interested persons",
"assignment", and "affiliated person", as used in Paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 hereof,
shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In
addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general
application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such
rule, regulation or order.

         13. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS. The Trust represents that it is
registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, and
agrees that it will comply with all the provisions of the 1940 Act and of the
rules and regulations thereunder. The Trust and the Distributor each agree to
comply with all of the applicable terms and provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1933
Act and, subject to the provisions of Section 4(d), all applicable "Blue Sky"
laws. The Distributor agrees to comply with all of the applicable terms and
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

         14. NOTICES. Any notice required to be given pursuant to this Agreement
shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage
prepaid, to the Distributor and to the Funds on behalf of the Trust at 570
Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10022-6837.

         15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         16. NO SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. The Distributor understands that the
obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any shareholder of the Trust

                                       6
<PAGE>
personally, but bind only the Trust's property; the Distributor represents that
it has notice of the provisions of the Declaration of Trust disclaiming
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their duly authorized representatives and their respective corporate
seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.

                                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST

                                            By:
                                               ------------------------------
Attest:

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

                                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.


                                            By:
                                               ------------------------------
Attest:

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


                                       7
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX A
                  Series of Shares of Rochdale Investment Trust



Rochdale Magna Portfolio
Rochdale Atlas Portfolio
Rochdale Alpha Portfolio


July 7, 1998, as amended April 14, 1999

                      Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
                              345 California Street
                             San Francisco, CA 94104
                            Telephone (415) 835-1600
                            Facsimile (415) 217-5333
                             Internet: www.phjw.com

                                 April 28, 1999

(415) 835-1600                                                       28372.94307
 www.phjw.com

Rochdale Investment Trust
570 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY  10022-6837

         Re: Rochdale Alpha Portfolio

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Rochdale Investment Trust, a Delaware business trust
(the "Trust"), in connection with Post-Effective Amendment to the Trust's
Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Post-Effective Amendments") and including Post-Effective
Amendment Nos. 1 and 2, relating to the issuance by the Trust of an indefinite
number of $0.01 par value shares of beneficial interest (the "Shares") of
Rochdale Alpha Portfolio (the "Fund"), a series of the Trust.

In connection with this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
records, documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, the genuineness
of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons and the conformity to
the originals of all records, documents and instruments submitted to us as
copies. We have based our opinion upon our review of the following records,
documents and instruments:

     (a)  the Trust's Certificate of Trust as filed with the Secretary of State
          of Delaware on March 10, 1998, certified to us as in effect on the
          date hereof;

     (b)  the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated March 10, 1998
          (the "Trust Instrument"), certified to us by an officer of the Trust
          as being true and complete and in effect on the date hereof;

     (c)  the Bylaws of the Trust dated March 10, 1998, certified to us by an
          officer of the Trust as being true and complete and in effect on the
          date hereof;

     (d)  resolutions of the Trustees of the Trust adopted at a meeting on
          January 20, 1999, authorizing the establishment of the Fund and the
          issuance of its Shares.

     (e)  the Post-Effective Amendments; and
<PAGE>
     (f)  a certificate of an officer of the Trust concerning certain factual
          matters relevant to this opinion.

In rendering our opinion below, we have not conducted an independent examination
of the books and records of the Trust for the purpose of determining whether all
of the Shares were fully paid prior to their issuance and do not believe it to
be our obligation to do so.

Our opinion below is limited to the federal law of the United States of America
and the business trust law of the State of Delaware. We are not licensed to
practice law in the State of Delaware, and we have based our opinion below
solely on our review of Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code (the
"Delaware Business Trust Act") and the case law interpreting such Chapter as
reported in Delaware Corporation Law Annotated (CSC The United States
Corporation Company, 1995, as supplemented 1997) as updated on Lexis on April 6,
1999. We have not undertaken a review of other Delaware law or of any
administrative or court decisions in connection with rendering this opinion. We
disclaim any opinion as to any law other than that of the United States of
America and the business trust law of the State of Delaware as described above,
and we disclaim any opinion as to any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance,
order or other promulgation of any regional or local governmental authority.

Based on the foregoing and our examination of such questions of law as we have
deemed necessary and appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, and assuming
that (i) all of the Shares will be issued and sold for cash at the per-share
public offering price on the date of their issuance in accordance with
statements in the Fund's Prospectus included in the Post-Effective Amendments
and in accordance with the Trust Instrument, (ii) all consideration for the
Shares will be actually received by the Trust, and (iii) all applicable
securities laws will be complied with, then it is our opinion that, when issued
and sold by the Trust, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the Post-Effective Amendments
and is solely for your benefit. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for
any other purpose or relied upon by any other person, firm, corporation or other
entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent. We disclaim any
obligation to advise you of any developments in areas covered by this opinion
that occur after the date of this opinion.

We hereby consent to (i) the reference to our firm as Legal Counsel in the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information included in the
Post-Effective Amendments and (ii) the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Post-Effective Amendments.


                                      Sincerely yours,

                                      /s/ Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST
                              SHARE MARKETING PLAN

                                (Rule 12b-1 Plan)
                            (Fixed Compensation Plan)


         This Share Marketing Plan (the "Plan") is adopted in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Act"), by Rochdale Investment Trust, a Delaware Business Trust (the
"Trust") on behalf of the series of the Trust named in Appendix A to this Plan
(a "Fund") or the "Funds"). The Plan has been approved by a majority of the
Trust's Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Plan (the "independent Trustees"), cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan.

         In reviewing the Plan, the Board of Trustees considered the proposed
range and nature of payments and terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement
between the Trust on behalf of the Fund and Rochdale Investment Management Inc.,
(the "Advisor") and the nature and amount of other payments, fees and
commissions that may be paid to the Advisor, its affiliates and other agents of
the Trust. The Board of Trustees, including the independent Trustees, concluded
that the proposed overall compensation of the Advisor and its affiliates was
fair and not excessive.

         In its considerations, the Board of Trustees also recognized that
uncertainty may exist from time to time with respect to whether payments to be
made by the Funds to the Advisor, as the Distributor and "distribution
coordinator," or other firms under agreements with respect to the Fund may be
deemed to constitute impermissible distribution expenses. As a general rule, an
investment company may not finance any activity primarily intended to result in
the sale of its shares, except pursuant to the Rule. Accordingly, the Board of
Trustees determined that the Plan also should provide that payments by the Trust
and expenditures made by others out of monies received from the Trust which are
later deemed to be for the financing of any activity primarily intended to
result in the sale of Fund shares shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to
the Plan.

         The approval of the Board of Trustees included a determination that in
the exercise of the Trustees' reasonable business judgment and in light of their
fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit
the Trust, the Fund to which the Plan applies and its shareholders.
<PAGE>
         The provisions of the Plan are:

         1. ANNUAL FEE. Each Fund will pay to Advisor, as the Fund's
distribution coordinator, an annual fee for the Advisor's services in connection
with the promotion and distribution of the Fund's shares and related shareholder
servicing. The annual fee paid to Advisor under the Plan will be calculated
daily and paid monthly by the Fund on the first day of each month based on the
average daily net assets of the Fund, as follows: an annual rate of up to 0.25%.
This fee is not tied exclusively to actual distribution and service expenses,
and the fee may exceed the expenses actually incurred.

         2. SERVICES COVERED BY THE PLAN. The fee paid under Section 1 of the
Plan is intended to compensate the Advisor for performing the following kinds of
services: services primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund's shares
("distribution services"), including, but not limited to: (a) making payments,
including incentive compensation, to agents for and consultants to Advisor, any
affiliate of the Advisor or the Trust, including pension administration firms
that provide distribution and shareholder related services and broker-dealers
that engage in the distribution of the Fund'ss shares; (b) making payments to
persons who provide support services in connection with the distribution of a
Fund's shares and servicing of the Funds' shareholders, including, but not
limited to, personnel of Advisor, office space and equipment, telephone
facilities, answering routine inquiries regarding a Fund, processing shareholder
transactions and providing any other shareholder services not otherwise provided
by the Trust's transfer agency or other servicing arrangements; (c) making
payments pursuant to the form of Distribution Agreement attached hereto as an
exhibit; (d) formulating and implementing marketing and promotional activities,
including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio,
newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) printing and
distributing prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports of
the Funds to prospective shareholders of the Funds; (f) preparing, printing and
distributing sales literature pertaining to the Funds; and (g) obtaining
whatever information, analysis and reports with respect to marketing and
promotional activities that the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable.
Such services and activities shall be deemed to be covered by this Plan whether
performed directly by the Advisor or by a third party.

         3. WRITTEN REPORTS. The Advisor shall furnish to the Board of Trustees
of the Trust, for its review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the
monies paid to it under the Plan with respect to the Funds, and shall furnish
the Board of Trustees of the Trust with such other information as the Board of
Trustees may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under the
Plan in order to enable the Board of Trustees to make an informed determination
of whether the Plan should be continued as to each Fund.

         4. TERMINATION. The Plan may be terminated as to each Fund at any time,
without penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, and any Distribution Agreement under the Plan may be likewise
terminated on not more than sixty (60) days' written notice. Once terminated, no
further payments shall be made under the Plan notwithstanding the existence of
any unreimbursed current or carried forward Distribution Expenses.

         5. AMENDMENTS. The Plan and any Distribution Agreement may not be
amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution and
servicing of Fund shares pursuant to Section 1 hereof without approval by a

                                       2
<PAGE>
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. All material
amendments to the Plan and any Distribution Agreement entered into with third
parties shall be approved by the independent Trustees cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment. The Advisor may
assign its responsibilities and liabilities under the Plan to another party who
agrees to act as "distribution coordinator" for the Trust with the consent of a
majority of the independent Trustees.

         6. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES. So long as the Plan is in effect,
the selection and nomination of the Trust's independent Trustees shall be
committed to the discretion of such independent Board of Trustees.

         7. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The Plan shall take effect at such time as
it has received requisite Trustee approval and, unless sooner terminated, shall
continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its
execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including the independent
Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance.

         8. PRESERVATION OF MATERIALS. The Trust will preserve copies of the
Plan, any agreements relating to the Plan and any report made pursuant to
Section 5 above, for a period of not less than six years (the first two years in
an easily accessible place) from the date of the Plan, agreement or report.

         9. MEANINGS OF CERTAIN TERMS. As used in the Plan, the terms
"interested person" and "majority of the outstanding voting securities" will be
deemed to have the same meaning that those terms have under the Act and the
rules and regulations under the Act, subject to any exemption that may be
granted to the Trust under the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                            ROCHDALE INVESTMENT TRUST

                                   ----------

                        EXHIBIT A TO SHARE MARKETING PLAN


         The following Series of Rochdale Investment Trust have adopted the
Share Marketing Plan:

         Rochdale Magna Portfolio                July 7, 1998
         Rochdale Atlas Portfolio                July 7, 1998
         Rochdale Alpha Portfolio                April 14, 1999

                                       4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT ONLY

                            Share Marketing Agreement


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

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

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

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


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This Share Marketing Agreement has been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Company Act"), by
Rochdale Investment Trust, a Delaware business Trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of
various series of the Trust (each series, a "Fund"), as governed by the terms of
a Share Marketing Plan (Rule 12b-1 Plan) (the "Plan").

         The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Trust or the Fund and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the "independent Trustees"),
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan. Such
approval included a determination that in the exercise of the reasonable
business judgment of the Board of Trustees and in light of the Trustees'
fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit
the Fund and its shareholders.

         1. To the extent you provide eligible shareholder services of the type
identified in the Plan to the Fund identified in the attached Schedule (the
"Schedule"), we shall pay you a monthly fee based on the average net asset value
of Fund shares during any month which are attributable to customers of your
firm, at the rate set forth on the Schedule.

         2. In no event may the aggregate annual fee paid to you pursuant to the
Schedule exceed ____ percent of the value of the net assets of the Fund held in
your customers' accounts which are eligible for payment pursuant to this
Agreement (determined in the same manner as the Fund uses to compute its net
assets as set forth in its then effective Prospectus), without approval by a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

         3. You shall furnish us and the Trust with such information as shall
reasonably be requested by the Trust's Board of Trustees with respect to the
services performed by you and the fees paid to you pursuant to the Schedule.

         4. We shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for its
review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the
Plan by us with respect to the Fund and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
<PAGE>
         5. You agree to make shares of the Fund available only (a) to your
customers or entities that you service at the net asset value per share next
determined after receipt of the relevant purchase instruction or (b) to each
such Fund itself at the redemption price for shares, as described in the Fund'ss
then-effective Prospectus.

         6. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Fund or shares of the Fund except those contained in the Fund'ss then-effective
Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information and any such information as
may be released by the Fund as information supplemental to such Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information.

         7. Additional copies of each such Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information and any printed information issued as supplemental to each such
Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information will be supplied by the Fund
to you in reasonable quantities upon request.

         8. In no transaction shall you have any authority whatever to act as
agent of the Fund and nothing in this Agreement shall constitute you or the Fund
the agent of the other. You are not authorized to act as an underwriter of
shares of the Fund or as a dealer in shares of the Fund.

         9. All communications to the Fund shall be sent to: Mr. Garrett R.
D'Alessandro, Rochdale Investment Management Inc., 570 Lexington Ave., New York,
NY 10022 . Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you
at your address as indicated in this Agreement.

         10. This Agreement may be terminated by us or by you, by the vote of a
majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are independent Trustees, or by a vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, on sixty (60) days' written
notice, all without payment of any penalty. It shall also be terminated
automatically by any act that terminates the Plan.

         11. The provisions of the Plan between the Trust and us, insofar as
they relate to you, are incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
         This Agreement shall take effect on the date indicated below, and the
terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and agreed to by us as
evidenced by our execution hereof.


                                 ROCHDALE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.
                                 Advisor and Distribution Coordinator


                                 By:
                                    ---------------------------------
                                                     Authorized Officer


                                 Dated:
                                       ------------------------------

Agreed and Accepted:


- -------------------------------
             (Name)


By:----------------------------
      (Authorized Officer)
<PAGE>
                      SCHEDULE TO SHARE MARKETING AGREEMENT

                         BETWEEN _____________________.
                                       AND
                       ROCHDALE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.
                           as distribution coordinator


         Pursuant to the provisions of the Share Marketing Agreement between the
above parties with respect to Rochdale Investment Management Inc. as
Distribution Coordinator, shall pay a monthly fee to the above-named party based
on the average net asset value of shares of the Fund during the previous
calendar month the sales of which are attributable to the above-named party, as
follows:




                       Fund                            Fee
                       ----                            ---
           Rochdale Magna Portfolio
           Rochdale Atlas Portfolio
           Rochdale Alpha Portfolio


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