SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 10, 1999
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE
MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT QUALIFIED INVESTMENT FUND
THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS WITH (1) A HIGH LEVEL OF CURRENT INCOME AND (2)
INVESTMENT TEST CREDIT UNDER THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT
OF 1977.
PROSPECTUS
_____________, 1999
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE
FUND'S SHARES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. IT IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO STATE OTHERWISE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY............................................................1
Investment Objective..................................................1
Principal Investment Strategy.........................................1
Principal Risks.......................................................1
Fees and Expenses.....................................................2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES..............................................3
FUND INVESTMENTS...............................................................5
RISK FACTORS...................................................................7
FEDERAL TAXES..................................................................8
PRICING OF FUND SHARES.........................................................9
PURCHASING SHARES..............................................................9
Purchase Inquiries....................................................9
Exchange of Securities................................................9
Purchases By Wire Transfer............................................9
Purchases by Check...................................................10
REDEEMING SHARES..............................................................10
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS...................................................11
INVESTMENT ADVISOR............................................................11
DISTRIBUTION PLAN.............................................................12
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RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to provide financial institutions with (1) a
high level of current income and (2) investment test credit under the Community
Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (the "CRA").
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund's principal investment strategy is to invest in mortgage-related and
other debt securities that will cause financial institutions that are subject to
the CRA to receive investment test credit under the CRA with respect to shares
of the Fund held by them.
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The Fund has requested the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC")
to consider whether federal examiners of financial institutions may determine
that financial institutions holding shares of the Fund will receive CRA
investment credit. There is no assurance that the Fund will receive a response
from the OCC, or that examiners will make favorable determinations in specific
cases.
The Fund is new and begins its public offering with this Prospectus. The Fund's
investment adviser, CRAFund Advisors, Inc. (the "Advisor"), is also new, having
been organized to provide investment advice to the Fund. Its associated
personnel have substantial experience in fixed income and CRA-qualifying
investments, but have no experience in managing a mutual fund.
All mutual funds are affected by changes in the economy and swings in investment
markets. You could lose money if the Fund's investments fall in value.
The prices of fixed income debt securities tend to move in the opposite
direction to interest rates. When rates are rising, the prices of debt
securities tend to fall. When rates are falling, the prices of debt securities
tend to rise.
The value of debt securities also depends on the ability of issuers to make
principal and interest payments. If an issuer can't meet its payment obligations
or if its credit rating is lowered, the value of its debt securities will fall.
The ability of a state or local government issuer to make payments can be
affected by many factors, including economic conditions, the flow of tax
revenues and changes in the level of federal, state or local aid. Some municipal
obligations are payable only from limited revenue sources or private entities.
Prepayments of principal on mortgage-backed securities may tend to increase due
to refinancing of mortgages as interest rates decline. When this occurs, the
Fund may lose a portion of its principal investment to the extent the Fund paid
any premium for a security. In addition, the Fund's yield may be affected by
reinvestment of prepayments at higher or lower rates than the original
investment.
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The Fund is a non-diversified investment company. Compared to a diversified
investment company, the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a
particular issuer. To the extent that it does so, a change in value of the
security will affect the value of the Fund's portfolio more than it would affect
a diversified investment company.
FEES AND EXPENSES
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases NONE
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) NONE
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends NONE
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed) 1.00%
Exchange Fee NONE
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
Management Fees 0.50%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees 0.25%*
Other Expenses** 0.19%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (estimated) 0.94%
* If you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, distribution fees
may total more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charge currently allowed by the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
** Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Example: This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in
the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The
Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be
higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
One Year* Three Years*
--------- ------------
$194 $382
* Includes the imposition of a 1% redemption fee.
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You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares at the
end of each period:
One Year Three Years
-------- -----------
$94 $282
Actual annual returns may be greater or less than the annual 5% return assumed
in the Example.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide financial institutions with (1) a
high level of current income and (2) investment test credit under the CRA. The
Fund's Board of Trustees may change the investment objective without shareholder
approval.
The Fund's principal investment strategy is to invest in mortgage-related and
other debt securities that will cause financial institutions that are subject to
the CRA to receive investment test credit under the CRA with respect to shares
of the Fund held by them. The Advisor believes that securities held by the Fund
will provide returns that are competitive with those of similar securities that
are not CRA-qualified.
The CRA requires federal financial regulatory agencies to encourage most
regulated financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of their local
communities, including low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Such institutions
receive an overall rating based on their evaluated performance in three areas:
lending, service and investments. For an institution with $250 million or more
in assets or for an institution whose holding company has $1 billion or more in
assets, the investment test comprises 25% of the overall CRA rating. While
smaller banks are subject only to a lending test, they can use their qualified
investments to enhance their overall rating. Limited purpose and wholesale banks
can elect to be evaluated partially or totally on their qualified investment
performance.
In most cases, qualified investments are required to be responsive to the credit
and community development needs of a financial institution's assessment
(geographical) area or a broader statewide or regional area including the
institution's assessment area. For such a financial institution to receive CRA
investment test credit with respect to the Fund's shares, the Fund must hold
CRA-qualifying investments that relate to the financial institution's assessment
(geographical) area or a broader statewide or regional area. Institutions that
are subject to the CRA that have been designated by their regulator as
"wholesale" or "limited purpose" may receive credit for qualified investments
wholly outside of their assessment (geographical) area, provided they have
otherwise adequately addressed their assessment area needs. Although each
shareholder of the Fund will indirectly own an undivided interest in all the
Fund's investments, the Fund will designate specific securities to specific
shareholders for CRA-qualifying purposes.
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Investments are not designated as CRA-qualifying at the time of issuance by any
governmental agency. Accordingly, the Advisor must evaluate whether each
potential investment may be CRA-qualifying with respect to a specific
shareholder. The final determinations of whether securities are CRA-qualifying
are made by federal financial regulatory agencies during their periodic
examinations of these institutions. There is no assurance that such examiners
will concur with the Advisor's evaluation of securities as CRA-qualifying.
Securities that are determined to qualify at the time of an examination may not
qualify in subsequent examinations.
In determining whether a particular investment is a qualified investment, the
Advisor will consider whether the investment has as its primary purpose
community development. The Advisor will consider whether such investment (1)
provides affordable housing for low-or-moderate income individuals, (2) provides
community services targeted to low-or-moderate income individuals, (3) funds
activities that finance businesses or farms that meet the size eligibility
standards of the Small Business Administration's Development Company or Small
Business Investment Company programs or have annual revenues of $1 million or
less and promote economic development, or (4) funds activities that revitalize
or stabilize low-or-moderate income areas. An activity may be deemed to promote
economic development if it supports permanent job creation, retention, and/or
improvement for persons who are currently low-or-moderate income or supports
permanent job creation, retention, and/or improvement in low-or-moderate income
areas targeted for redevelopment by federal, state, local or tribal governments.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest primarily in securities which
have a rating in the highest category assigned by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization ("Rating Agency"), for example, AAA by Standard
& Poor's Rating Group and/or Aaa by Moody's Investors Services, Inc., or which
are deemed by the Advisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, or
which are credit-enhanced by one or more entities with one of the above credit
ratings.
The Fund may also invest up to 25% if its net assets in securities rated in the
second, third or fourth highest rating categories assigned by a Rating Agency,
or which are deemed by the Advisor to be of comparable quality to securities so
rated, or which are credit-enhanced by one or more entities with one of the
above credit ratings. Such securities, along with those in the highest rating
category, are considered to be "investment grade."
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 90% of its net assets
in CRA-qualifying securities. Such securities would include single-family,
multi-family and economic development loan-backed securities. As a result, the
Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), and
Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA").
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The Fund may also invest in taxable municipal bonds whose primary purpose is
community development.
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit that are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and are issued by financial institutions
that are (1) certified as Community Development Financial Institutions, or (2)
minority- or women-owned and primarily lend or facilitate lending in low- or
moderate-income areas or to low- or moderate-income individuals to promote
community development. The Fund may also invest in certain securities issued by
the Small Business Administration.
The Fund may temporarily hold investments that are not part of its principal
investment strategy to try to avoid losses during unfavorable market conditions
or pending the acquisition of investments believed to be CRA-qualified. These
investments may include cash (which will not earn any income), money market
instruments, debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
agencies and repurchase agreements. This strategy could prevent the Fund from
achieving its investment objective and could reduce the Fund's return and affect
its performance during a market upswing.
The Fund may sell securities that it has held for less than one year. When it
does so, the Fund may realize short-term capital gains, which are taxed at
higher rates than long-term capital gains.
The Fund will require time after selling shares to acquire a significant volume
of investments in certain geographic areas relevant to shareholders. The Advisor
believes that investments in the Fund during these time periods will be
considered CRA-qualified provided the purpose of the Fund includes serving the
investing institution's assessment area(s) and the Fund is reasonably certain to
achieve a significant volume of investments in the region after a reasonable
period of time.
FUND INVESTMENTS
GNMA securities and U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds are direct obligations
of the U.S. Government and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government. Accordingly, these securities carry minimal credit risk.
FNMA and FHLMC securities are issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises.
These securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, but generally enjoy a very high level of creditworthiness.
Taxable municipal bonds are rated as to their creditworthiness by various Rating
Agencies. The Fund will invest only in these securities if they conform to the
credit qualifications described above under "Investment Objective and Policies."
The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities ("MBSs"), such as those issued
by GNMA, FHLMC and FNMA, which generally pay monthly payments consisting of both
interest and principal. The value of MBSs are based on the underlying pools of
mortgages that serve as the asset base for the securities. The value of MBSs
will be significantly influenced by changes in interest rates because mortgage
backed pool valuations fluctuate with interest rate changes. Specifically, when
interest rates decline, many borrowers refinance existing loans, resulting in
principal prepayments which leads to early payment of the securities. Prepayment
of an investment in MBSs can result in a loss to the Fund to the extent of any
premium paid for MBSs. In addition, a decline in interest rates that leads to
prepayment of MBSs may result in a reinvestment requirement at a time when the
interest rate environment presents less attractive investment alternatives.
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Certificates of deposit ("CDs") are promissory notes issued by banks and other
financial institutions for fixed periods of time at fixed rates of interest. The
Fund may invest in CDs issued by Community Development Financial Institutions or
other eligible depositories. Early withdrawal of CDs may result in penalties
being assessed against the holder of the CD.
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and
other financial institutions, provided that the Fund's custodian always has
possession of the securities serving as collateral for the repurchase agreements
or has proper evidence of book entry receipt of said securities. In a repurchase
agreement, the Fund purchases securities subject to the seller's simultaneous
agreement to repurchase those securities from the Fund at a specified time
(usually one day) and price. The repurchase price reflects an agreed-upon
interest rate during the time of investment. All repurchase agreements entered
into by the Fund must be collateralized by U.S. Government securities, the
market values of which equal or exceed 102% of the principal amount of the
Fund's investment. If an institution with whom the Fund has entered into a
repurchase agreement enters insolvency proceedings, the resulting delay, if any,
in the Fund's ability to liquidate the securities serving as collateral could
cause the Fund some loss if the securities declined in value prior to
liquidation. To minimize the risk of such loss, the Fund will enter into
repurchase agreements only with institutions and dealers the Advisor considers
creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Fund
may also engage in reverse repurchase transactions in which the Fund sells its
securities and simultaneously agrees to repurchase the securities at a specified
time and price. Reverse repurchase transactions are considered to be borrowings
by the Fund.
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, and it may purchase or
sell securities for delayed-delivery. These transactions occur when securities
are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place at some
future date. The Fund may enter into such transactions when, in the Advisor's
opinion, doing so may secure an advantageous yield and/or price to the Fund that
might otherwise be unavailable. The Fund has not established any limit on the
percentage of assets it may commit to such transactions, but the Fund will
maintain a segregated account with its custodian consisting of cash, cash
equivalents, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade liquid debt
securities in an amount equal to the aggregate fair market value of its
commitments to such transactions. A risk of investing in this manner is that the
yield or price obtained in a transaction may be less favorable than the yield or
price available in the market when the security delivery takes place.
For further information concerning the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions, see "Investment Policies and Restrictions" in the Fund's Statement
of Additional Information.
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RISK FACTORS
The following information supplements the information set forth in "Risk/Return
Summary - Principal Risks" and "Fund Investments" above.
Your investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of, or insured or
guaranteed by, any entity or person, including the U.S. Government and the FDIC.
The Fund may be particularly appropriate for banks and other financial
institutions that are subject to the CRA. The value of the Fund's investments
will vary from day-to-day, reflecting changes in market conditions, interest
rates and other political and economic factors. There is no assurance that the
Fund can achieve its investment objective, since all investments are inherently
subject to market risk. There also can be no assurance that the Fund's
investments will receive investment test credit under the CRA with respect to
the Fund's shares.
The Fund's goal of holding securities that will allow its shareholders to obtain
CRA investment credit with respect to the Fund's shares will cause the Advisor
to take this factor into account in determining which securities the Fund will
purchase and sell. Accordingly, portfolio decisions will not be exclusively
based on the investment characteristics of the securities, which may or may not
have an adverse effect on the Fund's investment performance. For example, as
noted above, the Fund may hold short-term investments that produce relatively
low yields pending the selection of long-term investments believed to be
CRA-qualified. In addition, the Fund may sell securities for CRA purposes at
times when such sales may not be desirable for investment purposes. Such sales
could occur, for example, if a financial institution redeems its shares of the
Fund, or if investments that have been designated to specific shareholders for
CRA-qualifying purposes are ultimately determined not to be, or to have ceased
to be, CRA-qualifying.
Changes in laws, regulations or the interpretation of laws and regulations could
pose risks to the successful realization of the Fund's investment objectives. It
is not known what changes, if any, will be made to the CRA over the life of the
Fund. CRA regulations play an important part in influencing the readiness and
capacities of financial institutions to originate CRA-qualifying securities.
Changes in the CRA might impact upon Fund operations and might pose a risk to
the successful realization of the Fund's investment objectives.
Many investments purchased by the Fund will have one or more forms of credit
enhancement. An investor in a credit enhanced debt instrument typically relies
upon the credit rating of the credit enhancer to evaluate an issue's credit
quality and appropriate pricing level. There can be no assurance that the credit
rating of a public or private entity used as a credit enhancer on a Fund
investment will remain unchanged over the period of the Fund's ownership of that
investment.
As with other mutual funds, financial and business organizations and individuals
around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
used by the Advisor and the Fund's other service providers don't properly
process and calculate date-related information and data from and after January
1, 2000. This is commonly known as the "Year 2000" or "Y2K" problem. The Advisor
is taking steps to address the Y2K problem with respect to the computer systems
that it uses and to obtain assurances that comparable steps are being taken by
the Fund's other major service providers. At this time, however, there can be no
assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the
Fund.
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FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
applicable federal tax provisions. In any fiscal year in which the Fund
qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to shareholders all
of its net investment income and net capital gains, the Fund generally will not
have to pay any federal tax.
Generally, all ordinary and capital gains distributions to you will be taxable
whether they are reinvested or received in cash, unless you are exempt from
taxation or entitled to a tax deferral. Early each calendar year, you will be
notified as to the amount and federal tax status of all distributions paid to
you from the prior year. Such distributions may also be subject to state or
local taxes.
The Fund's investment strategies will generally cause its annual distributions
to consist primarily of ordinary income. You will generally not be eligible for
any dividends received deduction with respect to Fund distributions.
You may recognize gain or loss on redemptions of Fund shares based on the
difference between your redemption proceeds and your basis in the shares.
Certain restrictions on loss recognition may apply, however, such as the "wash
sale" limitation, which disallows a loss on a sale of stock or securities if
substantially identical stock or securities are purchased within 30 days before
or after the sale.
You should note that if you purchase Fund shares just prior to a capital gain
distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming
distribution, but you will be taxable on the entire amount of the distribution
received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply
constitutes a return of capital. This is known as "buying into a dividend."
This is a brief summary of the tax laws that affect your investment in the Fund.
Please see the section entitled "Tax Information" in the Statement of Additional
Information for more information, and consult with your own tax advisor, since
every investor's tax situation is unique.
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PRICING OF FUND SHARES
The price of the Fund's shares is based on the Fund's net asset value (NAV). The
NAV per share is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time) every day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. NAV per
share is calculated by dividing the total value of the Fund's assets after
subtracting liabilities by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund's
portfolio securities are valued at market value by an independent pricing
service which relies primarily on dealer bid quotations. Securities for which
quotations are not available and any other assets are valued at fair value as
determined in good faith by the Advisor, subject to the review and supervision
of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at the NAV per share next determined after receipt
of a purchase order by the Fund. The minimum initial investment is $250,000.
There is no minimum requirement for subsequent purchases. Shares are sold
without any front-end sales charge, which means that the full amount of your
purchase price will be invested in Fund shares. The Fund imposes no deferred
sales charges; however, the Fund will charge a 1% fee for redemptions of shares.
See "Redeeming Shares" below.
PURCHASE INQUIRIES. If you are considering investing in the Fund, contact Neil
M. Solomon at the Fund's distributor, SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd. ("SunCoast"),
toll-free at 1-800-733-5933. Mr. Solomon will provide information concerning
your investment options and can provide all materials and procedures required to
open an account. New accounts can be opened through an exchange of securities,
by wire transfer, or by check purchase. These options also are available to
existing shareholders and are discussed further below.
EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES. The Fund may issue its shares in exchange for securities
owned by an investor. The Fund will issue its shares only in exchange for
securities that the Advisor believes are CRA-qualified and that the Fund intends
to hold. To determine the number of Fund shares that will be issued in the
exchange, the investor's securities will be valued at the mean between their bid
and asked quotations, which differs from the method used for valuing the Fund's
portfolio securities. See "Pricing of Fund Shares" above. To discuss
arrangements for purchasing Fund shares in exchange for your securities, contact
Neil M. Solomon at SunCoast toll-free at 1-800-733-5933.
PURCHASES BY WIRE TRANSFER. You may purchase shares by making a wire transfer of
federal funds to Declaration Service Company, the Fund's transfer agent. You
must include the full name in which your account is registered and the Fund
account number, and should address the wire transfer as follows:
First Union Bank, N.A.
ABA #
For Account of The Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund
Acct. #
For further credit (Your Name)
Acct. # (Your Acct. No.)
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Before making an initial investment by wire transfer, you must first telephone
SunCoast at 1-800-733-5933 to request an account number and furnish the Fund
with your taxpayer identification number. In addition, you must promptly forward
a completed new account application with signature(s) of authorized officer(s)
and appropriate corporate resolutions or other evidence of authority to:
SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd., 200 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
These documents must be received before any shares may be redeemed from the
account. The Fund will not be responsible for the consequence of delays in the
wire transfer system. See "Purchase Inquiries" above.
PURCHASES BY CHECK. You can purchase shares by sending a check to The Community
Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund, c/o SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd.,
200 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Initial share purchases must be
accompanied by a completed new account application with signature(s) of
authorized officer(s) and appropriate corporate resolutions or other evidence of
authority. See "Purchase Inquiries" above. Checks are accepted subject to
collection. If shares are purchased by check and redeemed within seven business
days of purchase, the Fund may hold redemption proceeds until the purchase check
has cleared, a period of up to fifteen days.
You will receive a statement showing the number of shares purchased, the net
asset value at which your shares were purchased, and the new balance of Fund
shares owned each time you purchase shares of the Fund. The Fund does not issue
share certificates. All full and fractional shares will be carried on the books
of the Fund.
All applications to purchase shares of the Fund are subject to acceptance by
authorized officers of the Fund and are not binding until accepted. The Fund
reserves the right to reject purchase orders.
REDEEMING SHARES
You may redeem your shares in the Fund at any time and for any reason. Upon
receipt by the Fund of a redemption request and any other required documents in
proper form, your shares of the Fund will be redeemed at their next determined
NAV, less a redemption fee equal to 1% of the NAV of the redeemed shares. The
redemption fee is not a sales charge. It is retained by the Fund and is not paid
to the Advisor or the Fund's distributor. The purpose of the redemption fee is
to allocate transaction costs associated with redemptions to investors making
those redemptions, thus protecting shareholders who hold their shares for longer
periods. These costs include, among others, those additional expenses that may
be incurred in selling CRA-qualified securities related specifically to the
redeeming shareholder's geographical area.
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Redemption requests must be in writing and sent to The Community Reinvestment
Act Qualified Investment Fund, c/o SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd., 200 E. Broward
Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. To be in proper form, your redemption request
must:
o Specify the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, if less
than all shares are to be redeemed; and
o Be signed by the authorized representative(s) exactly as their names
appear on the account.
Further documentation, such as copies of corporate resolutions and instruments
of authority, may be requested to evidence the authority of the person or entity
making the redemption request.
When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than you paid for
them, depending upon the value of the Fund's portfolio securities at the time of
redemption.
Payment for shares redeemed is made within seven days after receipt by the Fund
of a request for redemption in proper form. The Fund will normally pay
redemption proceeds in cash but reserves the right to deliver securities owned
by the Fund instead of cash. The Fund reserves the right to suspend or postpone
redemptions during any period when (a) trading on any of the major U.S. stock
exchanges is restricted, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), or that the major exchanges are closed for other than customary weekend
and holiday closings, (b) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (c)
an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists making disposal of portfolio
securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to pay dividends from net investment income and distribute any
net capital gains at least annually, usually in December. Dividends and
distributions are reinvested in additional shares unless you indicate in the
account application or otherwise in writing that you want to have dividends and
distributions paid in cash.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Advisor is a registered investment adviser founded in November 1998, with
headquarters at 200 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1125, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33301.
The Advisor was organized to provide investment advice to the Fund. It currently
has no other clients. Its personnel, except Kenneth H. Thomas, are employees of
SunCoast, a registered broker-dealer. Principal shareholders of SunCoast own 75%
of the outstanding stock of the Advisor. SunCoast serves as distributor of the
Fund's shares and receives payments pursuant to the Fund's distribution plan.
See "Distribution Plan" below.
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Todd J. Cohen is the Fund's portfolio manager and will choose the securities to
purchase for the Fund. Mr. Cohen is President of SunCoast. He oversees
SunCoast's fixed income securities trading operations. Although Mr. Cohen has
substantial experience in trading fixed income securities, managing a mutual
fund is a new position for him.
In managing the Fund's investment portfolio, Mr. Cohen will consult with Kenneth
H. Thomas, Ph.D. Dr. Thomas is President of K. H. Thomas Associates, a sole
proprietorship engaged in consulting with financial institutions. Dr. Thomas has
counseled many banks and thrifts regarding their CRA compliance, and has
authored two books on the subject. Dr. Thomas is also a Lecturer in Finance at
the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania.
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement, the Advisor, subject to the
supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, will manage the investment
operations of the Fund in accordance with the Fund's investment policies. The
Fund will pay to the Advisor monthly a fee equal to an annual rate of 0.50% of
the Fund's average daily net assets.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The distribution plan allows the
Fund to pay fees for the sale and distribution of its shares. Because they are
paid from Fund assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase
the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of
sales charges. Under the distribution plan, the Fund will pay SunCoast up to
0.25% per year of the Fund's average daily net assets for activities primarily
intended to result in sales of the Fund's shares.
12
<PAGE>
Where to find more information
You will find more information about the Fund in the following documents:
Annual and semi-annual reports
The Fund will prepare annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. Such
reports will contain more information about the Fund and a discussion about the
market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on the
Fund's performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI contains detailed information about the Fund and its policies. By law,
it is incorporated by reference into (considered to be part of) this prospectus.
You can get a free copy of these documents, request other information about the
Fund and make shareholder inquiries by calling the Fund toll-free at
1-800-355-3553 or writing to:
The Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund
c/o SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd.
200 E. Broward Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
or on the Internet at www.____________.com
You can write to the SEC Public Reference Section and ask them to mail you
information about the Fund, including the SAI. The SEC will charge you a
duplicating fee for this service. You can also visit the Public Reference Room
to review and copy the documents. For information about the operation of the
Public Reference Room, call the SEC.
Public Reference Section of the SEC
Washington, DC 20549-6009
1-800-SEC-0330
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available on the SEC's
website at www.sec.gov.
The Fund's Investment Company Act File No. is ________________.
13
<PAGE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED FEBRUARY 10, 1999
THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE
AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND
IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER
OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT QUALIFIED INVESTMENT FUND
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT RELATES TO
AND SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE COMMUNITY
REINVESTMENT ACT QUALIFIED INVESTMENT FUND, DATED ____________, 1999. YOU MAY
OBTAIN A COPY OF THE PROSPECTUS, FREE OF CHARGE, BY WRITING TO THE COMMUNITY
REINVESTMENT ACT QUALIFIED INVESTMENT FUND, C/O SUNCOAST CAPITAL GROUP, LTD.,
200 E. BROWARD BLVD., FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301, BY TOLL-FREE PHONE REQUEST AT
1-800-733-5933, OR ON THE INTERNET AT WWW.__________ .COM.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
_________________, 1999
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
DEFINED TERMS...............................................................
THE FUND AND ITS SHARES.....................................................
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS........................................
Investment Quality.................................................
U.S. Government Agency Securities..................................
Zero Coupon Bonds..................................................
Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements............
Taxable Municipal Bonds............................................
Other Securities...................................................
Securities Lending.................................................
Liquidity..........................................................
Illiquid Securities................................................
Investment Restrictions............................................
INVESTMENT ADVISOR..........................................................
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.......................................................
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.....................................................
TAX INFORMATION.............................................................
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS......................................................
DISTRIBUTOR.................................................................
DISTRIBUTION PLAN...........................................................
CUSTODIAN...................................................................
SERVICING AGENT.............................................................
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.....................................................
COUNSEL ....................................................................
APPENDIX A..................................................................
-i-
<PAGE>
DEFINED TERMS
In this Statement of Additional Information, the terms listed below have the
following meanings:
Advisor - CRAFund Advisors, Inc., investment adviser to the Fund.
CRA - The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended.
Fund - The Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund.
Investment Company Act - The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Prospectus - The prospectus for the Fund as described on the front cover page of
this Statement of Additional Information.
THE FUND AND ITS SHARES
The Fund was organized on January 15, 1999, as a business trust under the laws
of the State of Delaware. The Fund is registered as an open-end, management
investment company under the Investment Company Act.
The Fund offers a single class of shares of beneficial interest. Shares when
issued will be fully paid and nonassessable. All shares represent an equal
proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Fund (subject to the
Fund's liabilities). Shareholders have no preemptive or other similar rights to
subscribe to any additional shares of the Fund or other securities issued by the
Fund or the Fund's Trustees.
Shareholders have the power to vote only: (a) for the election of one or more
Trustees in order to comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act;
(b) with respect to any contract required by the Investment Company Act to be
approved by shareholders; (c) with respect to termination of the Fund to the
extent required by applicable law; (d) with respect to any plan adopted pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, and related matters, to the
extent required by the Investment Company Act; and (e) with respect to such
additional matters relating to the Fund as may be required by the Fund's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Fund's bylaws or as the Trustees may
consider necessary or desirable. Each whole share is entitled to one vote and
each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There is
no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person
or by proxy.
All dividends and other distributions will be distributed pro rata to the Fund's
shareholders in proportion to the number of shares they held on the record date
established for payment of the dividend or other distribution. In the event of a
liquidation of the Fund, shareholders will be entitled to distribution of Fund
assets remaining after the payment of all Fund liabilities. Such assets will be
distributed to shareholders in proportion to the number of shares held by them.
1
<PAGE>
The Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds wholly or partly in
securities or other assets. The Fund may postpone the payment of redemption
proceeds and may suspend the right of redemption during any period or at any
time when and to the extent permissible under the Investment Company Act. The
Fund may redeem shares involuntarily if the Trustees determine that failure to
do so may have materially adverse consequences to shareholders. In the event of
an involuntary redemption, shareholders would have no further rights other than
to receive the redemption price. In addition, the Fund may redeem some or all
shares held by:
(1) a shareholder whose account value is less than the minimum required
investment amount as a result of redemptions;
(2) all shareholders of the Fund if the value of all shares is less than
the minimum amount established by the Board of Trustees; or
(3) any shareholder to reimburse the Fund for any loss or expense it has
sustained or incurred resulting from:
(a) the shareholder's failure to make full payment for share
purchases;
(b) any defective redemption request;
(c) indebtedness incurred in connection with facilitating (i) requests
pending receipt of collected funds from investments sold on the date of the
shareholder's redemption request, (ii) redemption requests when the
shareholder has also notified the Fund of its intention to deposit funds in
its account on the date of the redemption request, or (iii) the purchase of
investments pending receipt of collected funds when the shareholder has
notified the Fund of its intention to deposit funds in its accounts on the
date of the purchase of the investments; or
(d) a transaction effected for the benefit of the shareholder.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The following investment information supplements that set forth in the
Prospectus, which describes the Fund's principal investment strategies and the
types of securities in which the Fund primarily invests.
INVESTMENT QUALITY. The Fund invests primarily in securities rated in the
highest rating category assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization ("Rating Agency"), e.g., AAA by Standard & Poor's Rating Group
and/or Aaa by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. The Fund may also invest up to 25%
of its net assets in other "investment grade" securities, i.e., securities rated
in the second, third or fourth highest rating category assigned by a Rating
Agency. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of Rating Agencies.
2
<PAGE>
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY SECURITIES. The Fund invests primarily in securities
issued by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Federal
National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("FHLMC"). GNMA obligations are guaranteed by GNMA and are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. FNMA obligations are guaranteed
by FNMA and are supported by FNMA's ability to borrow directly from the U.S.
Treasury. FHLMC obligations are guaranteed by FHLMC and are supported FHLMC's
ability to borrow directly from the U.S. Treasury.
ZERO COUPON BONDS. The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds
do not make interest payments; instead, they are sold at a discount from their
face value and are redeemed at face value when they mature. Because zero coupon
bonds do not pay current income, their prices can be very volatile when interest
rates change. In calculating its dividend, the Fund takes into account as income
a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's purchase price and its
face value.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Unless a repurchase
agreement has a remaining maturity of seven days or less or may be terminated on
demand upon notice of seven days or less, the repurchase agreement will be
considered illiquid and will be subject to the Fund's 15% limit on investments
in illiquid securities as stated below. Repurchase agreements are considered to
be loans under the Investment Company Act.
Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the
securities sold by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price. The Fund
would pay interest on amounts obtained pursuant to a reverse repurchase
agreement. Whenever the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will
place in a segregated custodial account liquid assets such as cash or liquid
portfolio securities until the repurchase date that are equal in value to the
repurchase price (including accrued interest). The Fund will monitor the account
to ensure such equivalent value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements are
considered to be borrowings by the Fund under the Investment Company Act.
TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BONDS. The Fund may invest in taxable municipal bonds that are
designed primarily to finance community development. The two principal
classifications of taxable municipal bonds which may be held by the Fund are
"general obligation" bonds and "revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are
generally secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing
power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are generally
payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other
specific revenue source such as the user of the facility being financed.
The Fund may also invest in "moral obligation" bonds, which are normally issued
by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation bonds
is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may
draw on a reserve fund, the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a
legal obligation of the state or municipality which created the issuer.
3
<PAGE>
There are, of course, variations in the quality of taxable municipal bonds, both
within a particular category and between categories, and the yields on taxable
municipal bonds depend upon a variety of factors, including general market
conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the
taxable municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity
of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. The ratings of a Rating Agency
represent its opinion as to the quality of taxable municipal bonds. It should be
emphasized that these ratings are general and are not absolute standards of
quality. Taxable municipal bonds with the same maturity, interest rate and
rating may have different yields. Taxable municipal bonds of the same maturity
and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield. Subsequent to
its purchase by the Fund, an issue of taxable municipal bonds may cease to be
rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for
purchase by the Fund.
The payment of principal and interest on most taxable municipal bonds purchased
by the Fund will depend upon the ability of the issuers to meet their
obligations. Each state, the District of Columbia, each of their political
subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities and each multistate
agency of which a state is a member is a separate "issuer" as that term is used
in this Statement of Additional Information. An issuer's obligations under its
taxable municipal bonds are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency
and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the
federal Bankruptcy Code and laws, if any, which may be enacted by federal or
state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or
both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon
the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. The power or ability of an issuer
to meet its obligations for the payment of interest on and principal of its
taxable municipal securities may be materially adversely affected by litigation
or other conditions.
OTHER SECURITIES. As the universe of CRA-qualified securities expands, the Fund
may purchase qualified securities that the Advisor believes are consistent with
the achievement of the Fund's investment objective. The Fund and its
shareholders will bear the risks associated with investments in any such
securities. The Advisor will invest only in securities that meet the credit
standards set forth in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information and that the Advisor believes will not be inconsistent with the
Fund's objective of providing financial institutions with investment test credit
under the CRA.
SECURITIES LENDING. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to financial
institutions such as banks and broker/dealers in accordance with the investment
limitations described below. Such loans involve risks of delay in receiving
additional collateral or in recovering the securities loaned or even loss of
rights in the collateral, should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. Any portfolio securities purchased with cash collateral will be
subject to possible depreciation in value. The Fund will continue to accrue
interest on the securities loaned and will also earn income on the loans. Any
cash collateral received by the Fund will be invested in high quality,
short-term money market instruments. Loans will generally be short term, will be
made only to borrowers that the Advisor deems to be of good standing and only
when, in the Advisor's judgment, the income to be earned from the loan justifies
the attendant risk.
LIQUIDITY. To maintain liquidity, the Fund may hold a portion of its net assets
in repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments and/or cash. Under
normal conditions, the Fund will hold no more than 10% of its net assets in such
instruments.
4
<PAGE>
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its
net assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements with
remaining maturities in excess of seven days, time deposits with maturities in
excess of seven days, restricted securities, non-negotiable time deposits and
other securities which are not readily marketable.
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
allows for a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise
subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a
"safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for
resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. The Fund's
investment in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level
of illiquidity of the Fund during any period that qualified institutional buyers
were no longer interested in purchasing these securities. For purposes of the
15% limitation on purchases of illiquid securities described above, Rule 144A
securities will not be considered to be illiquid if the Advisor has determined,
in accordance with guidelines established by the Fund's Board of Trustees, that
an adequate trading market exists for such securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The following investment restrictions are fundamental
policies of the Fund and may be changed only with the approval of a "majority of
the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund as defined in the Investment
Company Act:
The Fund will not:
1. Make loans, except that the Fund (i) may purchase or hold debt
instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies,
and may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio
securities, and (ii) may lend portfolio securities against collateral
consisting of cash or securities which are consistent with the Fund's
permitted investments, where the value of the collateral is equal at
all times to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned.
2. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that the Fund may
borrow from domestic banks for temporary purposes and may engage in
reverse repurchase transactions to the extent permitted by the
Investment Company Act; or mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not in
excess of the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or, subject to any
limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act. The Fund will not
purchase securities while borrowings (including reverse repurchase
agreements) in excess of 5% of its total assets are outstanding.
3. Act as an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of
1933; except insofar as the Fund might be deemed to be an underwriter
upon disposition of restricted portfolio securities; and except to the
extent that the purchase of securities directly from the issuer
thereof in accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies
and limitations may be deemed to be underwriting.
5
<PAGE>
4. Purchase or sell real estate; except that the Fund may purchase
securities that are secured by real estate and may purchase securities
of issuers which deal in real estate or interests therein; however,
the Fund will not purchase or sell interests in real estate limited
partnerships.
5. Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of
the Fund's total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the
securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business
activities in the same industry other than the real estate industry;
provided, however, that there is no limitation with respect to
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any state,
territory or possession of the U.S. Government, the District of
Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities
(including U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises) or political
subdivisions, including municipal bonds.
6. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, or invest in
futures contracts or options related thereto.
The Fund has also adopted the following restrictions which may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without shareholder approval:
The Fund may not:
7. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising management or
control.
8. Purchase foreign securities.
9. Invest in or sell put options, call options, straddles, spreads, or
any combination thereof.
10. Purchase securities on margin (except such short-term credits as may
be necessary for the clearance of purchases), make short sales of
securities, or maintain a short position.
11. Purchase securities of other investment companies except in connection
with a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or acquisition of
assets, or as is permitted by the Investment Company Act.
If a percentage limitation is satisfied at the time of investment, a later
increase in such percentage resulting from a change in the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities generally will not constitute a violation of the
limitation.
6
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Advisor, located at 200 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, was
organized under the laws of the State of Florida as an investment advisory
corporation in 1998. The Advisor is also registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as amended.
The following persons are affiliated persons of both the Fund and the Advisor:
Todd J. Cohen is Trustee of the Fund and President and Director of the Advisor.
Kenneth H. Thomas, Ph.D., is Trustee and Chairman of the Fund and Vice President
and Director of the Advisor. David A. Zwick is Trustee and President of the Fund
and Director of the Advisor. Neil M. Solomon is Treasurer of the Fund and Vice
President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Advisor.
The Advisor provides investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an
investment advisory agreement with the Fund dated as of ______________, 1999
(the "Advisory Agreement"). Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the
Advisor provides a continuous investment program for the Fund, including
investment research and management with respect to all securities and
investments and cash equivalents in the Fund. The Advisor determines what
securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Fund
and implements such determinations through the placement of orders for the
execution of portfolio transactions with or through brokers or dealers as the
Advisor may select.
For the services provided and expenses assumed under the Advisory Agreement, the
Advisor is entitled to receive advisory fees, computed daily and paid monthly,
at the annual rate of .50% of the Fund's average daily net assets. While it is
expected that the Fund's total operating expenses will not exceed 1.00% of the
Fund's average daily net assets, the Advisor has voluntarily agreed to waive
advisory fees and/or reimburse other expenses to the extent necessary to limit
the total operating expenses of the Fund to 1.00% of its average daily net
assets in the event the Fund's expenses are higher than expected. The Advisor
may revise or discontinue this commitment at any time upon written notice to the
Fund's Board of Trustees. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor shall
not be liable for any loss suffered by the Fund or its shareholders as a
consequence of any act or omission in connection with services under the
Advisory Agreement, except by reason of the Advisor's willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
under the Advisory Agreement.
The Advisory Agreement has an initial term of two years and will continue in
effect from year to year as long as such continuance is approved at least
annually (i) by the vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to the
Advisory Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval; and (ii) by the Board of Trustees, or by a vote of the
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the
Investment Company Act). The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in
the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act).
7
<PAGE>
The Advisor intends to purchase substantially all of the shares of the Fund
prior to the effective date of the Fund's registration statement and will be
deemed initially to control the Fund.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Board of Trustees of the Fund manages the business and affairs of the Fund
in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the Fund's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and its bylaws. The Trustees and officers of the Fund
are listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name, Age, Address, Position with Fund Principal Occupation for the Last Five Years
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Kenneth H. Thomas, Ph.D.* Vice President and Director, the Advisor since
November Trustee and Chairman 1998; President, K.H. Thomas Associates (financial
6255 Chapman Field Drive institution consulting) since August 1975; Lecturer,
Miami, FL 33156 The Wharton School of Business of the University of
Age 51 Pennsylvania since September 1970.
David A. Zwick* Secretary, Treasurer and Director, SunCoast Capital
Trustee and President Group, Ltd. (broker-dealer) since December 1992;
c/o SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd. Director, the Advisor since November 1998.
200 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1125
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Age 32
Todd J. Cohen* President and Director, the Advisor since November
Trustee 1998; President, SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd.
c/o SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd. (broker-dealer) since December 1992.
200 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1125
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Age 33
Neil M. Solomon Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, the Advisor
Treasurer since November 1998; Vice President and Chief Financial
c/o SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd. Officer, SunCoast Capital Group, Ltd. (broker-dealer)
200 East Broward Blvd., Suite 1125 since July 1996; Controller, Costa Cruise Lines, May
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 1994 to July 1996; Associate - Audit, Coopers &
Age 28 Lybrand, May 1992 to May 1994.
Michael P. Malloy Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm) since
Secretary 1993
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
1345 Chestnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Age 39
</TABLE>
* May be deemed to be an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
The table below sets forth the compensation that the Fund expects to pay to each
of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund during the Fund's
first fiscal year. [Table to be completed by amendment]
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pension or
Retirement
Aggregate Benefits Accrued Estimated Annual Total
Name of Compensation as Part of Fund Benefits Upon Compensation
Person/Position from the Fund Expenses Retirement Paid to Trustees
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$12,000 N/A N/A $12,000
</TABLE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund may quote total return figures. "Total Return" for a
period is the percentage change in value during the period of an investment in
Fund shares, including the value of shares acquired through reinvestment of all
dividends and capital gains distributions. "Average Annual Total Return" is the
average annual compounded rate of change in value represented by the Total
Return for the period.
n
Average Annual Total Return is computed as follows: P(1+T) = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment at the
beginning of the applicable period
The formula for calculating Aggregate Total Return is as follows:
Aggregate Total Return = [(ERV/P) - 1]
The Fund may also advertise performance in terms of a 30-day yield quotation.
The 30-day yield quotation is computed by dividing the net investment income per
share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the
last day of the period, according to the following formula:
6
Yield = 2[(a-b/cd + 1) - 1]
Where: a = dividends and interest earned during the period
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursement)
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period
that were entitled to receive dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period
The Fund imposes no sales charges, although a 1% redemption fee will be charged
at the time shares are redeemed. The redemption fee is not reflected in the
Fund's performance calculations.
9
<PAGE>
Income taxes are not taken into account. The Fund's performance is a function of
conditions in the securities markets, portfolio management, and operating
expenses. Although information such as that shown above is useful in reviewing
the Fund's performance and in providing some basis for comparison with other
investment alternatives, it should not be used for comparison with other
investments using different reinvestment assumptions or time periods.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising material, the
Fund may describe general economic and market conditions affecting the Fund and
may compare its performance with (1) that of other mutual funds as listed in the
rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar investment
services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or as set forth in the
publications listed below; (2) one or more benchmark indices, or (3) other
appropriate indices of investment securities or with data developed by the
Advisor derived from such indices. Performance information may also include
evaluation of the Fund by nationally recognized ranking services and information
as reported in financial publications such as Business Week, Fortune,
Institutional Investor, Money Magazine, Forbes, Barron's, The Wall Street
Journal, The New York Times, or other national, regional or local publications.
In reports or other communications to investors or in advertising, the Fund may
also describe the general biography or work experience of the portfolio
manager(s) of the Fund and may include quotations attributable to the portfolio
manager(s) describing approaches taken in managing the Fund's investments,
research methodology, underlying stock selection or the Fund's investment
objective. The Fund may also discuss the continuum of risk and return relating
to different investments. In addition, the Fund may from time to time compare
its expense ratios to those of investment companies with similar objective and
policies, as advertised by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or similar
investment services that monitor mutual funds.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M
of the Internal Revenue Code, and to distribute its income to shareholders each
year, so that the Fund itself generally will be relieved of federal income and
excise taxes. If the Fund were to fail to so qualify: (1) the Fund would be
taxed at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to
shareholders; and (2) shareholders would be taxed as if they received ordinary
dividends, although corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends
received deduction.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Debt securities are generally traded in the over-the-counter market.
Over-the-counter securities are generally purchased and sold directly with
principal market makers who retain the difference in their cost in the security
and its selling price (mark-up). In some instances, the Advisor feels that
better prices are available from non-principal market makers that are paid
commissions directly.
10
<PAGE>
Decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund are made by the Advisor
subject to overall review by the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Advisor places
orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly
with the issuer or with a broker or dealer. In executing portfolio transactions
and selecting brokers or dealers, the Advisor uses its best efforts to seek on
behalf of the Fund the best overall terms available. In assessing the best
overall terms available for any transaction, the Advisor considers all factors
that 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 or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the
specific transaction and on a continuing basis. When the Fund purchases or sells
securities through brokers on an agency basis, in evaluating the best overall
terms available, and in selecting the broker to execute a particular
transaction, the Advisor may also consider the brokerage and research services
(as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) provided to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Advisor or an
affiliate of the Advisor exercises investment discretion. The Advisor is
authorized to pay to a broker who provides such brokerage and research services
a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in
excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for
effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Advisor determines in good faith
that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage
and research services provided by such broker, viewed in terms of that
particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the
Advisor to the Fund.
In addition, the Advisor is authorized to take into account the sale of shares
of the Fund in allocating to brokers or dealers purchase and sale orders for the
Fund's portfolio securities, provided that the Advisor believes that the quality
of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with
other qualified firms. The Advisor will make investment decisions for the Fund
independently from those of other clients of the Advisor. However, the same
security may be held in the portfolio of the Fund and one or more other clients
when the same security is believed suited for the investment objectives of the
Fund and such other client(s). Should two or more clients of the Advisor
simultaneously be engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, to the
extent possible, the transactions will be allocated as to price and amount in a
manner fair and equitable to each client and the Fund.
The Advisor may not execute principal portfolio transactions with SunCoast
Capital Group, Ltd. ("SunCoast"), which is the Fund's distributor and an
affiliate of the Advisor. The Advisor may execute agency transactions through
SunCoast subject to the requirements of applicable law and to review of the
transactions by the Fund's Board of Trustees, provided that the Advisor believes
that such executions will provide the Fund with the best available price and
execution.
DISTRIBUTOR
SunCoast, located at 200 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 serves as
principal underwriter for the Fund's shares. The following persons are
affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of both the Fund
and SunCoast: David A. Zwick is Trustee and President of the Fund and Treasurer,
Secretary, Director and Shareholder of SunCoast; Todd J. Cohen is Trustee of the
Fund and President and Shareholder of SunCoast; and Neil M. Solomon is Treasurer
of the Fund and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SunCoast.
11
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Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis. The distribution agreement
between the Fund and SunCoast requires SunCoast to use all reasonable efforts in
connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares. However, SunCoast has no
obligation to sell any specific number of shares and will only sell shares for
orders it receives.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act. The Distribution Plan authorizes the Fund to pay
SunCoast annual fees of up to .25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund
in consideration for distribution and other services and the assumption of
related expenses. Amounts paid to SunCoast may be used to cover expenses that
are related to (a) distribution of the Fund's shares, (b) ongoing servicing
and/or maintenance of the accounts of the Fund's shareholders, (c) payments to
institutions for selling the Fund's shares, and (d) sub-transfer agency,
sub-accounting, administrative or similar services related to the Fund's shares.
The Fund may pay SunCoast the full fee provided for by the Distribution Plan
even if SunCoast's costs for providing its services are less than the full
amount. Certain officers, directors and/or shareholders of SunCoast are also
interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund and
may be considered to have a direct or indirect financial interest in the
Distribution Plan.
The Distribution Plan has been approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund
(as defined in the Investment Company Act) and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreement
related thereto (the "Disinterested Trustees"). In approving the Distribution
Plan, the Trustees considered various factors and determined that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Distribution Plan would benefit the Fund and its
shareholders. The Distribution Plan may be terminated by a vote of a majority of
the Disinterested Trustees. The Trustees review quarterly a written report of
the amounts expended pursuant to the Distribution Plan and the purposes for
which such expenditures were made. The Distribution Plan may be amended by a
vote of the Trustees, provided that any material amendments also require the
vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees. Any amendment to materially
increase the costs that the Fund's shares bear under the Distribution Plan
requires approval by a majority of the outstanding voting shares (as defined in
the Investment Company Act). For so long as the Distribution Plan is in effect,
selection and nomination of Disinterested Trustees will be committed to the
discretion of the Disinterested Trustees. Any agreement related to the
Distribution Plan may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees. The Distribution
Plan will continue in effect for successive one-year periods, provided that each
such continuance is specifically approved by a majority of the Board of
Trustees, including a majority of the Disinterested Trustees.
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<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN
First Union National Bank (the "Custodian") acts as custodian for the Fund. As
such, the Custodian holds all securities and cash of the Fund, delivers and
receives payment for securities sold, receives and pays for securities
purchased, collects income from investments and performs other duties, all as
directed by officers of the Fund. The Custodian does not exercise any
supervisory function over the management of the Fund, the purchase and sale of
securities or the payment of distributions to shareholders.
SERVICING AGENT
Declaration Service Company ("DSC"), with principal business offices at 555
North Lane, Suite 6160, Conshohocken, PA 19428, provides accounting,
administrative, transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency, and shareholder
servicing agency services for the Fund pursuant to an investment company
services agreement (the "Services Agreement"). Under the Services Agreement, DSC
is responsible for a wide variety of functions, including but not limited to:
o Fund accounting services
o Financial statement preparation
o Valuation of the Fund's portfolio securities
o Pricing the Fund's shares
o Assistance in preparing tax returns
o Preparation and filing of required regulatory reports
o Communications with shareholders
o Coordination of Board and shareholder meetings
o Monitoring the Fund's legal compliance
o Maintaining shareholder account records
[Disclosure of compensation arrangement under the Investment Company Services
Agreement will be filed by amendment]
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
________________________ will serve as the Fund's independent auditors for its
first fiscal year.
COUNSEL
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (of which Michael P. Malloy, Secretary of the Fund,
is a partner), 1345 Chestnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19107, is
counsel to the Fund and will pass upon certain legal matters on its behalf.
13
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APPENDIX A
CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor's for
corporate and municipal debt:
"AAA" - An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is extremely strong.
"AA" - An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest rated obligations
only in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is very strong.
"A" - An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
"BBB" - An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
Obligations rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of
speculation and "C" the highest. While such obligations will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
"BB" - An obligation rated "BB" is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
"B" - An obligation rated "B" is more vulnerable to nonpayment than
obligations rated "BB," but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic
conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
"CCC" - An obligation rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for
the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
A - 1
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"CC" - An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable to
nonpayment.
"C" - The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy
petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this
obligation are being continued.
"D" - An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due
even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action
if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AA" through "CCC" may be modified
by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the
major rating categories.
"r" - This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with
significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of
expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk - such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for corporate and
municipal long-term debt:
"Aaa" - Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest
degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edged."
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
"Aa" - Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together
with the "Aaa" group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not
be as large as in "Aaa" securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be
of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the "Aaa" securities.
"A" - Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
A - 2
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"Baa" - Bonds are considered as medium-grade obligations, (i.e., they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal
security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have
speculative characteristics as well.
"Ba," "B," "Caa," "Ca," and "C" - Bonds that possess one of these ratings
provide questionable protection of interest and principal ("Ba" indicates
speculative elements; "B" indicates a general lack of characteristics of
desirable investment; "Caa" are of poor standing; "Ca" represents obligations
which are speculative in a high degree; and "C" represents the lowest rated
class of bonds). "Caa," "Ca" and "C" bonds may be in default.
Con. (---) - Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of
some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are
bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned in operating experience, (c) rentals which begin when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic
rating classification from "Aa" through "Caa." The modifier 1 indicates that the
obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier
2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the
lower end of its generic rating category.
The following summarizes the long-term debt ratings used by Duff & Phelps
for corporate and municipal long-term debt:
"AAA" - Debt is considered to be of the highest credit quality. The risk
factors are negligible, being only slightly more than for risk-free U.S.
Treasury debt.
"AA" - Debt is considered to be of high credit quality. Protection factors
are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time because of
economic conditions.
"A" - Debt possesses protection factors which are average but adequate.
However, risk factors are more variable in periods of greater economic stress.
"BBB" - Debt possesses below-average protection factors but such protection
factors are still considered sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable
variability in risk is present during economic cycles.
"BB," "B," "CCC," "DD," and "DP" - Debt that possesses one of these ratings
is considered to be below investment grade. Although below investment grade,
debt rated "BB" is deemed likely to meet obligations when due. Debt rated "B"
possesses the risk that obligations will not be met when due. Debt rated "CCC"
is well below investment grade and has considerable uncertainty as to timely
payment of principal, interest or preferred dividends. Debt rated "DD" is a
defaulted debt obligation, and the rating "DP" represents preferred stock with
dividend arrearages.
A - 3
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To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the "AA," "A,"
"BBB," "BB" and "B" ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or
minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these major categories.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Fitch IBCA for corporate and
municipal bonds:
"AAA" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk and are
assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected
by foreseeable events.
"AA" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate
very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity
is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
"A" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality.
These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk and indicate strong
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity may,
nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic
conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
"BBB" - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality.
These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk.
The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate,
but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely
to impair this capacity.
"BB" - Bonds considered to be speculative. These ratings indicate that
there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of
adverse economic changes over time; however, business or financial alternatives
may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in
this category are not investment grade.
"B" - Bonds are considered highly speculative. These ratings indicate that
significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains.
Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued
payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic
environment.
"CCC," "CC," "C" - Bonds have high default risk. Default is a real
possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant
upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. "CC" ratings
indicate that default of some kind appears probable, and "C" ratings signal
imminent default.
A - 4
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"DDD," "DD" and "D" - Bonds are in default. Securities are not meeting
obligations and are extremely speculative. "DDD" designates the highest
potential for recovery of amounts outstanding on any securities involved and "D"
represents the lowest potential for recovery.
To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the Fitch IBCA
ratings from and including "AA" to "B" may be modified by the addition of a plus
(+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these major rating
categories.
Thomson BankWatch assesses the likelihood of an untimely repayment of
principal or interest over the term to maturity of long term debt and preferred
stock which are issued by United States commercial banks, thrifts and non-bank
banks; non-United States banks; and broker-dealers. The following summarizes the
rating categories used by Thomson BankWatch for long-term debt ratings:
"AAA" - This designation indicates that the ability to repay principal and
interest on a timely basis is extremely high.
"AA" - This designation indicates a very strong ability to repay principal
and interest on a timely basis, with limited incremental risk compared to issues
rated in the highest category.
"A" - This designation indicates that the ability to repay principal and
interest is strong. Issues rated "A" could be more vulnerable to adverse
developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings.
"BBB" - This designation represents the lowest investment-grade category
and indicates an acceptable capacity to repay principal and interest. Issues
rated "BBB" are more vulnerable to adverse developments (both internal and
external) than obligations with higher ratings.
"BB," "B," "CCC," and "CC" - These designations are assigned by Thomson
BankWatch to non-investment grade long-term debt. Such issues are regarded as
having speculative characteristics regarding the likelihood of timely payment of
principal and interest. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and "CC"
the highest degree of speculation.
"D" - This designation indicates that the long-term debt is in default.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AAA" through "CC" may include a
plus or minus sign designation which indicates where within the respective
category the issue is placed.
A - 5
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MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS
- ----------------------
A Standard and Poor's rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market
access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following
summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group for municipal
notes:
"SP-1" - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to
pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess very strong
characteristics are given a plus (+) designation.
"SP-2" - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit satisfactory capacity
to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and
economic changes over the term of the notes.
"SP-3" - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity
to pay principal and interest.
Moody's ratings for state and municipal notes and other short-term loans
are designated Moody's Investment Grade ("MIG") and variable rate demand
obligations are designated Variable Moody's Investment Grade ("VMIG"). Such
ratings recognize the differences between short-term credit risk and long-term
risk. The following summarizes the ratings by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
for short-term notes:
"MIG-1"/"VMIG-1" - This designation denotes best quality. There is present
strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
"MIG-2"/"VMIG-2" - This designation denotes high quality, with margins of
protection that are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
"MIG-3"/"VMIG-3" - This designation denotes favorable quality, with all
security elements accounted for but lacking the undeniable strength of the
preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market
access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.
"MIG-4"/"VMIG-4" - This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection
commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present and although
not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific risk.
"SG" - This designation denotes speculative quality. Debt instruments in
this category lack of margins of protection.
Fitch IBCA and Duff & Phelps use the short-term ratings described under
Commercial Paper Ratings for municipal notes.
A - 6
