SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / /
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 / X /
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Post-Effective Amendment No. / /
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and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT / /
OF 1940
Amendment No. 1 / X /
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
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AmeriPrime Advisors Trust - File Nos. 333-85083 and
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811-09541
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (817) 251-6700
Kenneth Trumpfheller, AmeriPrime Advisors Trust, 1793 Kingswood Drive,
Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With copy to:
Donald S. Mendelsohn, Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.
3500 Carew Tower, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: October 1, 1999.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / on pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
/ / this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a)
may determine.
STONERIDGE FUNDS
PROSPECTUS DATED _______, 1999
STONERIDGE EQUITY FUND
STONERIDGE SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
STONERIDGE BOND FUND
c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
431 N. Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(800) ___-____
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
9347 9/30/99 5:22 PM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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STONERIDGE EQUITY FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the StoneRidge Equity Fund is capital
appreciation over the long term.
PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of medium and large
capitalization U.S. companies (those with market capitalizations of $2 billion
or more) that the Fund's adviser believes will outperform other stocks. In
making stock selections, the adviser first uses a proprietary computer ranking
system which focuses on earnings, the adviser's assessment (using quantitative
screening techniques) of whether the stock is valued appropriately by the market
and technical factors (such as the performance of the stock compared to other
stocks over various time periods). To make its final selections, the adviser
then examines fundamental characteristics (such as industry conditions and
outlook, market position and management's ability and reputation) of the
companies and technical aspects (such as price and volume behavior) of the
stocks. The Fund will normally invest at least 65% of its assets in equity
securities of U.S. companies.
The Fund may sell a stock if the adviser believes the company's
prospects have declined, if the adviser learns negative information about the
company's underlying fundamentals, or to rebalance the composition of the Fund's
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
o COMPANY RISK. The value of the Fund may decrease in response to the
activities and financial prospects of an individual company in the Fund's
portfolio. The value of an individual company can be more volatile than the
market as a whole.
o MARKET RISK. Overall stock market risks may also affect the value of the
Fund. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions,
interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets.
o VOLATILITY RISK. Common stocks tend to be more volatile than other
investment choices.
o An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency.
o The Fund is not a complete investment program.
o As with any mutual fund investment, the Fund's returns will vary and you
could lose money.
IS THE FUND RIGHT FOR YOU?
The Fund may be a suitable investment for:
o long term investors seeking a Fund with a total return investment strategy
o investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investment
o investors who can tolerate the greater risks associated with common stock
investments
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STONERIDGE SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund is
capital growth over the long term.
PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of small capitalization
U.S. companies (those with a market capitalization between $50 million and $2
billion) that the Fund's adviser believes will outperform other stocks. In
making stock selections, the adviser first uses a proprietary computer ranking
system which focuses on earnings, the adviser's assessment (using quantitative
screening techniques) of whether the stock is valued appropriately by the market
and technical factors (such as the performance of the stock compared to other
stocks over various time periods). To make its final selections, the adviser
then examines fundamental characteristics (such as industry conditions and
outlook, market position and management's ability and reputation) of the
companies and technical aspects (such as price and volume behavior) of the
stocks. In addition, it is possible that a significant portion of the Fund's
portfolio may be invested in initial public offerings (IPOs). The adviser will
select IPOs based on the above-described fundamental characteristics of the
companies. The Fund will normally invest at least 65% of its assets in equity
securities of small capitalization U.S. companies.
The Fund may sell a stock if the adviser believes the company's
prospects have declined, if the adviser learns negative information about the
company's underlying fundamentals, or to rebalance the composition of the Fund's
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
o SMALL COMPANY RISK. The risks associated with investing in smaller
companies include:
o The earnings and prospects of smaller companies are more volatile than
larger companies.
o Smaller companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger
companies.
o The trading volume of securities of smaller companies is normally less
than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately
affect their market price, tending to make them fall more in response
to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies.
o Smaller companies may have limited markets, product lines or financial
resources and may lack management depth. These factors could negatively
affect the price of the stock and reduce the value of the Fund.
o IPO RISK. Most IPOs involve a high degree of risk not normally
associated with an investment in more seasoned companies.
o Because most IPOs involve smaller companies, the risk factors described
above apply to IPOs.
o Investors in IPOs can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of
their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of
control in existing management and principal shareholders.
o Stock prices of IPOs can also be highly unstable, due to the absence of
a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading
and limited investor information.
o The IPO market tends to favor certain industry sectors. As a result,
the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in those
favored sectors (such as technology or communications). Companies
within a sector may share common characteristics and are likely to
react similarly to negative market, regulatory or economic
developments. A negative development that affects one stock in a sector
could affect the value of all stocks in the Fund's portfolio that are
in that sector.
o LIQUIDITY RISK. Smaller companies are subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity
risk is the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to
sell at the time and price that the investment adviser would like to sell.
The adviser may have to lower the price, sell other securities instead or
forego an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect
on fund management or performance.
o COMPANY RISK. The value of the Fund may decrease in response to the
activities and financial prospects of an individual company in the Fund's
portfolio. The value of an individual company can be more volatile than the
market as a whole.
o MARKET RISK. Overall stock market risks may also affect the value of the
Fund. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions,
interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets.
o An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency.
o The Fund is not a complete investment program.
o As with any mutual fund investment, the Fund's returns will vary and you could
lose money.
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IS THE FUND RIGHT FOR YOU? The Fund may be suitable for:
long-term investors seeking a fund with a growth investment strategy investors
willing to accept price fluctuations in their investment investors who can
tolerate the risks associated with common stock investments investors willing to
accept the greater market price fluctuations of smaller companies
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STONERIDGE BOND FUND
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the StoneRidge Bond Fund is income consistent
with preservation of capital.
PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in a broad range of investment grade fixed
income securities. These include bonds, notes, mortgage-backed securities,
corporate debt, government securities, municipal securities, and short term
obligations, such as commercial paper and repurchase agreements. The Fund's
advisor typically selects intermediate term fixed income securities (those with
maturities of three to ten years), based on the available yield at various
maturity levels. The Fund will normally invest at least 65 % if its assets in
fixed income securities.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS
o INTEREST RATE RISK. The value of your investment may decrease when interest
rates rise.
o DURATION RISK. Prices of fixed income securities with longer effective
maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with
shorter effective maturities.
o CREDIT RISK. The issuer of the fixed income security may not be able to
make interest and principal payments when due. Generally, the lower the
credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will
default on its obligation.
o PREPAYMENT AND EXTENSION RISK. As interest rates decline, the issuers of
securities held by the Fund may prepay principal earlier than scheduled,
forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. As interest
rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the
average life of fixed income securities, locking in below-market interest
rates and reducing the value of these securities. There is a greater risk
that the Fund will lose money due to prepayment and extension risks because
the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities.
o GOVERNMENT RISK. It is possible that the U.S. Government would not provide
financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities if it is not
required to do so by law. If a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality in
which the Fund invests defaults and the U.S. Government does not stand
behind the obligation, the Fund's share price or yield could fall.
o The United States Government's guarantee of ultimate payment of principal
and timely payment of interest of the United States Government securities
owned by a Fund does not imply that the Fund's shares are guaranteed or
that the price of the Fund's shares will not fluctuate.
o An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency.
o The Fund is not a complete investment program.
o As with any mutual fund investment, the Fund's returns will vary and you
could lose money.
IS THIS FUND RIGHT FOR YOU?
The Fund may be a suitable investment for:
o long term investors seeking a fund with an income and capital preservation
strategy
o investors seeking to diversify their holdings with bonds and other
fixed income securities
o investors seeking higher potential returns than a money market fund.
o investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investments.
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GENERAL
EACH FUND may from time to time take temporary defensive positions that
are inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment strategies in attempting
to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions. For
example, any Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in money market
instruments, securities of no-load mutual funds or repurchase agreements. If a
Fund invests in shares of another mutual fund, the shareholders of the Fund
generally will be subject to duplicative management fees. As a result of
engaging in these temporary measures, the Funds may not achieve their investment
objectives.
ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A PRINCIPAL STRATEGY, THE EQUITY FUND may invest in
initial public offerings (IPOs). The risks of investing in IPOs are described
above in connection with the Small Cap Fund
The investment objective and strategies of any Fund may be changed without
shareholder approval.
HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED
Although past performance of a fund is no guarantee of how it will
perform in the future, historical performance may give you some indication of
the risk of investing in the fund because it demonstrates how its returns have
varied over time. The Bar Chart and Performance Table that would otherwise
appear in this prospectus have been omitted because each Fund is recently
organized and has a limited performance history.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
The tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of a Fund.
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Small Cap
Shareholder Fees Equity Fund Equity Fund Bond Fund
(FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases NONE NONE NONE
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) NONE NONE NONE
Redemption Fee NONE NONE NONE
SMALL CAP
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES EQUITY FUND EQUITY FUND BOND FUND
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
Management Fee 0.60 % 1.00 % 0.40 %
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None None None
Other Expenses1 0.30 % 0.30% 0.30 %
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.90 % 1.30 % 0.70 %
Fee Waiver 2 None 0.05 % 0.05%
Net Expenses 0.90 % 1.25 % 0.65 %
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1 "Other Expenses" are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2 The Funds' adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or
reimburse expenses through December 31, 2000 to maintain "Net Expenses" as
follows: Equity Fund, 0.90 %; Small Cap Equity Fund, 1.25 %; Bond Fund,
0.65 %.
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Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated, reinvest dividends and distributions, and then redeem all of 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:
Equity Fund Small Cap Equity Fund Bond Fund
1 Year $92 $128 $67
3 Year $288 $405 $215
HOW TO BUY SHARES
INITIAL PURCHASE
The minimum initial investment in each Fund is $10,000 ($_____ for
qualified retirement accounts and medical savings accounts. The minimum initial
investment in each Fund is $_____ for shareholders participating in the
continuing automatic investment plan. To the extent investments of individual
investors are aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment
adviser, broker or other intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus
account, not to the account of the individual investor.
BY MAIL
You may make your initial investment by following these steps:
o complete and sign the investment application form which accompanies this
Prospectus; o draft a check made payable to the appropriate Fund; o mail the
application and check to:
U.S. Mail: Overnight:
Ameriprime Advisors Trust Ameriprime Advisors Trust
c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc. c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6110 431 North Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
BY WIRE
You may also purchase shares of a Fund by wiring federal funds from your bank,
which may charge you a fee for doing so. To wire money, you must call Unified
Fund Services, Inc., the Funds' transfer agent, at (800)-___-____to set up your
account and obtain an account number. You should be prepared at that time to
provide the information on the application. Then, provide your bank with the
following information for purposes of wiring your investment:
Firstar Bank, N.A.
ABA #0420-0001-3
Attn: Ameriprime Advisors Trust
D.D.A.# _________________
Account Name _________________ (write in shareholder name)
For the Account # ______________ (write in account number)
You must mail a signed application to Firstar Bank, N.A., the Funs'
custodian, at the above address in order to complete your initial wire purchase.
Wire orders will be accepted only on a day on which the Fund, custodian and
transfer agent are open for business. A wire purchase will not be considered
made until the wired money is received and the purchase is accepted by the Fund.
Any delays which may occur in wiring money, including delays which may occur in
processing by the banks, are not the responsibility of the Fund or the Transfer
agent. There is presently no fee for the receipt of wired funds, but the Fund
may charge shareholders for this service in the future.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
You may purchase additional shares of any Fund (subject to a minimum
$1,000) by mail, wire, or automatic investment. Each additional mail purchase
request must contain:
o your name
o the name of your account(s),
o your account number(s),
o the name of the Fund
o a check made payable to the Fund
Send your purchase request to the address listed above. A bank wire should be
sent as outlined above.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
You may make regular investments in a Fund with an Automatic Investment
Plan by completing the appropriate section of the account application and
attaching a voided personal check. Investments may be made monthly to allow
dollar-cost averaging by automatically deducting $___ or more from your bank
checking account. You may change the amount of your monthly purchase at any
time. TAX SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS
Since the Funds are oriented to longer term investments, shares of the
Funds may be an appropriate investment medium for tax sheltered retirement
plans, including: individual retirement plans (IRAs); simplified employee
pensions (SEPs); SIMPLE plans; 401(k) plans; qualified corporate pension and
profit sharing plans (for employees); tax deferred investment plans (for
employees of public school systems and certain types of charitable
organizations); and other qualified retirement plans. Contact the Transfer agent
for the procedure to open an IRA or SEP plan and more specific information
regarding these retirement plan options. Please consult with your attorney or
tax adviser regarding these plans. You must pay custodial fees for your IRA by
redemption of sufficient shares of the Fund from the IRA unless you pay the fees
directly to the IRA custodian. Call the Transfer agent about the IRA custodial
fees.
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
Each Fund may limit the amount of purchases and refuse to sell to any
person. If your check or wire does not clear, you will be responsible for any
loss incurred by the Funds. If you are already a shareholder, the Funds can
redeem shares from any identically registered account in the Funds as
reimbursement for any loss incurred. You may be prohibited or restricted from
making future purchases in the Funds.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
You may receive redemption payments in the form of a check or federal
wire transfer. Presently there is no charge for wire redemptions; however, the
Funds may charge for this service in the future. Any charges for wire
redemptions will be deducted from the shareholder's Fund account by redemption
of shares. If you redeem your shares through a broker/dealer or other
institution, you may be charged a fee by that institution.
BY MAIL - You may redeem any part of your account in a Fund at no
charge by mail. Your request should be addressed to:
Ameriprime Advisors Trust
c/o Unified Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 6110
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6110
"Proper order" means your request for a redemption must include:
o the Fund name and account number,
o account name(s) and address,
o the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem.
This request must be signed by all registered share owner(s) in the
exact name(s) and any special capacity in which they are registered. The Funds
may require that signatures be guaranteed by a bank or member firm of a national
securities exchange. Signature guarantees are for the protection of
shareholders. At the discretion of the Funds or Unified Fund Services, Inc., you
may be required to furnish additional legal documents to insure proper
authorization.
BY TELEPHONE - You may redeem any part of your account in a Fund by
calling the transfer agent at (800) ___-____. You must first complete the
Optional Telephone Redemption and Exchange section of the investment application
to institute this option. The Fund, the transfer agent and the custodian are not
liable for following redemption or exchange instructions communicated by
telephone that they reasonably believe to be genuine. However, if they do not
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine,
they may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. Procedures employed may include recording telephone instructions
and requiring a form of personal identification from the caller.
The Funds may terminate the telephone redemption and exchange
procedures at any time. During periods of extreme market activity it is possible
that shareholders may encounter some difficulty in telephoning the Funds,
although neither the Funds nor the transfer agent has ever experienced
difficulties in receiving and in a timely fashion responding to telephone
requests for redemptions or exchanges. If you are unable to reach the Funds by
telephone, you may request a redemption or exchange by mail.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - If you are not certain of the requirements for
a redemption please call the transfer agent at (800) ___-____. Redemptions
specifying a certain date or share price cannot be accepted and will be
returned. You will be mailed the proceeds on or before the fifth business day
following the redemption. However, payment for redemption made against shares
purchased by check will be made only after the check has been collected, which
normally may take up to fifteen calendar days. Also, when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closing or under any emergency circumstances, as
determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may suspend
redemptions or postpone payment dates.
Because the Funds incur certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder
accounts, each Fund may require you to redeem all of your shares in the Fund on
30 days' written notice if the value of your shares in the Fund is less than
$_____ due to redemption, or such other minimum amount as the Fund may determine
from time to time. An involuntary redemption constitutes a sale. You should
consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of involuntary
redemptions. You may increase the value of your shares in the Fund to the
minimum amount within the 30 day period. Your shares are subject to redemption
at any time if the Board of Trustees determines in its sole discretion that
failure to so redeem may have materially adverse consequences to all or any of
the shareholders of the Funds.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The price you pay for your shares is based on the applicable Fund's net
asset value per share (NAV). The NAV is calculated at the close of trading
(normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is
open for business (the Stock Exchange is closed on weekends, Federal holidays
and Good Friday). The NAV is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund's
total assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received)
minus liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares
outstanding.
The Funds' assets are generally valued at their market value. If market
prices are not available, or if an event occurs after the close of the trading
market that materially affects the values, assets may be valued at their fair
value.
Requests to purchase and sell shares are processed at the NAV next
calculated after we receive your order in proper form.
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund typically distributes substantially all of its net investment
income in the form of dividends and taxable capital gains to its shareholders
[annually]. These distributions are automatically reinvested in the applicable
Fund unless you request cash distributions on your application or through a
written request. Dividends paid by the Funds may be eligible in part for the
dividends received deduction for corporations.
TAXES
In general, selling shares of a Fund and receiving distributions
(whether reinvested or taken in cash) are taxable events. Depending on the
purchase price and the sale price, you may have a gain or a loss on any shares
sold. Any tax liabilities generated by your transactions or by receiving
distributions are your responsibility. Because distributions of long term
capital gains are subject to capital gains taxes, regardless of how long you
have owned your shares, you may want to avoid making a substantial investment
when a Fund is about to make a long term capital gains distribution.
Early each year, the Funds will mail to you a statement setting forth
the federal income tax information for all distributions made during the
previous year. If you do not provide your taxpayer identification number, your
account will be subject to backup withholding.
The tax considerations described in this section do not apply to tax-deferred
accounts or other non-taxable entities. Because each investor's tax
circumstances are unique, please consult with your tax adviser about your
investment.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC, 7 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 290,
Malvern, PA 19355, serves as investment adviser to the Funds. In this capacity,
Stoneridge Investment Partners is responsible for the selection and ongoing
monitoring of the securities in each Fund's investment portfolio and managing
the Funds' business affairs. StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC was formed in
1999. Each Fund is authorized to pay the adviser an annual fee as follows:
Equity Fund, 0.60 %; Small Cap Equity Fund, 1.00 %;Bond Fund, 0.40
A team of investment professionals is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Equity Fund and the Small Cap Equity Fund. This team is
comprised of the following individuals:
Joseph E. Stocke, CFA Mr. Stocke, a managing director and co-founder
of the adviser, was Chief Investment Officer and head of equity investment at
Meridian Investment Company. Mr. Stocke has over 16 years of investment
experience and was with Meridian from 1983 to 1999.
Philip H. Brown II, CFA Mr. Brown is a managing director and co-founder of the
adviser. Prior to co-founding the adviser, Mr. Brown was President of Meridian
Investment Company where, in addition to his responsibilities as president, he
had portfolio management and analytical responsibilities for equity portfolios.
He was with Meridian from 198_ to 1999 and has over 28 years of investment
experience.
Lester Rich, CFA Mr. Rich, a managing director and co-founder of the
adviser, was an equity portfolio manager at Meridian Investment Company. Mr.
Rich has over 16 years of investment experience and was with Meridian from 1990
until 1999.
Daniel H. Cook Mr. Cook, a managing director and co-founder of the
adviser, was an equity portfolio manager at Meridian Investment Company. Mr.
Cook was with Meridian from 1986 to 1999 and has over 13 years of investment
experience.
David M. Killian is responsible for the day-to-day management of the
Bond Fund. Prior to joining the adviser in 1999, he was Vice President and fixed
income portfolio manager for First Union National Bank, where he managed nearly
$1 billion for individual clients. Mr. Killian joined First Union in 1993 and
has seven years of investment experience.
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
Like other mutual funds, financial and business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Funds' adviser or the Funds' various service
providers do not properly process and calculate date-related information and
data from and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as the "Year 2000
Issue."
The Funds' adviser has taken steps that it believes are reasonably
designed to address the Year 2000 Issue with respect to computer systems that
are used and to obtain reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being
taken by the Funds' 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 Funds. In addition, the Funds' adviser cannot make any assurances that the
Year 2000 Issue will not affect the companies in which the Funds invest or
worldwide markets and economies.
<PAGE>
[BACK COVER PAGE]
Several additional sources of information are available to you. The
Statement of Additional Information (SAI), incorporated into this prospectus by
reference, contains detailed information on Fund policies and operations.
Shareholder reports contain management's discussion of market conditions,
investment strategies and performance results as of the Funds' latest
semi-annual or annual fiscal year end.
Call the Funds at 800 __-____ to request free copies of the SAI and the
Funds' annual and semi-annual reports, to request other information about the
Funds and to make shareholder inquiries.
You may also obtain information about the fund (including the SAI and
other reports) from the Securities and Exchange Commission on their Internet
site at http://www.sec.gov or at their Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
Call the SEC at 800-SEC-0330 for room hours and operation. You may also obtain
fund information by sending a written request and duplicating fee to the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6609.
Investment Company Act #811-____
<PAGE>
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
StoneRidge Equity Fund
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund
StoneRidge Bond Fund
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
________ __, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust dated
________ __, 1999. A free copy of the Prospectus can be obtained by writing the
Transfer Agent at 431 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, or
by calling 1-800-___-____
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND..........................................1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISK
CONSIDERATIONS..................................................................
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS..........................................................
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER..........................................................
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS...........................................................
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE............................................
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE....................................................
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE..........................................................
CUSTODIAN.......................................................................
TRANSFER AGENT..................................................................
ACCOUNTANTS.....................................................................
DISTRIBUTOR.....................................................................
ADMINISTRATOR...................................................................
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................................
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND
The StoneRidge Equity Fund, StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund, and
StoneRidge Bond Fund (each a "Fund" or collectively, the "Funds") were organized
as diversified series of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust (the "Trust") on August 3,
1999. The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of
Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 3, 1999 (the "Trust
Agreement"). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited
number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value.
Each Fund is one of a series of funds currently authorized by the Trustees. The
investment adviser to each Fund is StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC (the
"Adviser").
Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in
the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of
that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income
belonging to the series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have
cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the
Trustees have the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of
any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as
the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that series and
the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. In case of any
liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated
will been titled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of
the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series
are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily
identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the
direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair
and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the
Trust without his or her express consent.
Prior to the public offering of the Funds, Highcrest Partners, L.P. (an
affiliate of the Funds' adviser), 3421 Saint Davids Road, Newtown Square, PA
19073, purchased all of the outstanding shares of the Equity fund and the Small
Cap Equity Fund and may be deemed to control those Funds. As the controlling
shareholder, Highcrest Partners, LP would control the outcome of any proposal
submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to a Fund's
fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the adviser.
After the public offering commences, it is anticipated that Highcrest Partners,
LP will no longer control the Funds.
For information concerning the purchase and redemption of shares of the
Funds, see "How to Buy Shares" and "How to Redeem Shares" in the Funds'
Prospectus. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price
and value of each Fund's assets, see "Determination of Net Asset Value" in the
Funds' Prospectus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
This section contains a more detailed discussion of some of the investments the
Funds may make and some of the techniques they may use.
A. Equity Securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred
stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American
Depositary Receipts ("ADR's"), rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock
is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its
terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into
common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity
securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are
similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations. A Fund may not invest
more than 5% of its net assets at the time of purchase in rights and warrants.
B. Corporate Debt Securities. Each Fund may invest in corporate debt
securities. These are bonds or notes issued by corporations and other business
organizations, including business trusts, in order to finance their credit
needs. Corporate debt securities include commercial paper which consists of
short term (usually from one to two hundred seventy days) unsecured promissory
notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. The
Adviser considers corporate debt securities to be of investment grade quality if
they are rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), Baa or
higher by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), or if unrated,
determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Investment grade debt
securities generally have adequate to strong protection of principal and
interest payments. In the lower end of this category, credit quality may be more
susceptible to potential future changes in circumstances and the securities have
speculative elements. The Equity Fund and the Small Cap Equity Fund will not
invest in securities rated below investment grade. If the rating of a security
by S&P or Moody's drops below investment grade, the Adviser will dispose of the
security as soon as practicable (depending on market conditions) unless the
Adviser determines based on its own credit analysis that the security provides
the opportunity of meeting the Fund's objective without presenting excessive
risk. The Bond Fund will not invest more than 5% of the value of its net assets
in securities that are below investment grade. If, as a result of a downgrade,
the Fund holds more than 5% of the value of its net assets in securities rated
below investment grade, the Fund will take action to reduce the value of such
securities below 5%.
C. Municipal Securities. The Bond Fund may invest in municipal
securities. These are long and short term debt obligations issued by or on
behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States, the District
of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and
authorities, as well as other qualifying issuers (including the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam), the income from which is exempt from regular
federal income tax and exempt from state tax in the state of issuance. Municipal
securities are issued to obtain funds to construct, repair or improve various
public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, hospitals, housing,
schools, streets and water and sewer works, to pay general operating expenses or
to refinance outstanding debts. They also may be issued to finance various
private activities, including the lending of funds to public or private
institutions for construction of housing, educational or medical facilities or
the financing of privately owned or operated facilities. Municipal securities
consist of tax exempt bonds, tax exempt notes and tax exempt commercial paper.
Municipal notes, which are generally used to provide short term capital needs
and have maturities of one year of less, include tax anticipation notes, revenue
anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes and construction loan notes. Tax
exempt commercial paper typically represents short term, unsecured, negotiable
promissory notes. The Fund may invest in other municipal securities such as
variable rate demand instruments.
The two principal classifications of municipal securities are
"general obligation" and "revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by
the issuer's full credit and taxing power. Revenue bonds are backed by the
revenues of a specific project, facility or tax. Industrial development revenue
bonds are a specific type of revenue bond backed by the credit of the private
issuer of the facility, and therefore investments in these bonds have more
potential risk that the issuer will not be able to meet scheduled payments of
principal and interest.
The Adviser considers municipal securities to be of
investment grade quality if they are rated BBB or higher by S&P, Baa or higher
by Moody's, or if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality. Investment grade debt securities generally have adequate to strong
protection of principal and interest payments. In the lower end of this
category, credit quality may be more susceptible to potential future changes in
circumstances and the securities have speculative elements. The Equity Fund and
the Small Cap Equity Fund will not invest in securities rated below investment
grade. If the rating of a security by S&P or Moody's drops below investment
grade, the Adviser will dispose of the security as soon as practicable
(depending on market conditions) unless the Adviser determines based on its own
credit analysis that the security provides the opportunity of meeting the Fund's
objective without presenting excessive risk. The Bond Fund will not will invest
more than 5% of the value of its net assets in securities that are below
investment grade. If, as a result of a downgrade, the Fund holds more than 5% of
the value of its net assets in securities rated below investment grade, the Fund
will take action to reduce the value of such securities below 5%.
D. U.S. Government Securities. U.S. government securities may be backed
by the credit of the government as a whole or only by the issuing agency. U.S.
Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and some agency securities, such as those
issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Government National
Mortgage Association (GNMA), are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government as to payment of principal and interest and are the highest quality
government securities. Other securities issued by U.S. government agencies or
instrumentalities, such as securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks and
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are supported only by the credit of
the agency that issued them, and not by the U.S. government. Securities issued
by the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Land Banks, and the Federal
National Mortgage Association (FNMA) are supported by the agency's right to
borrow money from the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances, but are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
E. Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent an
interest in a pool of mortgages. These securities, including securities issued
by FNMA and GNMA, provide investors with payments consisting of both interest
and principal as the mortgages in the underlying mortgage pools are repaid.
Unscheduled or early payments on the underlying mortgages may shorten the
securities' effective maturities. The average life of securities representing
interests in pools of mortgage loans is likely to be substantially less than the
original maturity of the mortgage pools as a result of prepayments or
foreclosures of such mortgages. Prepayments are passed through to the registered
holder with the regular monthly payments of principal and interest, and have the
effect of reducing future payments. To the extent the mortgages underlying a
security representing an interest in a pool of mortgages are prepaid, the Bond
Fund may experience a loss (if the price at which the respective security was
acquired by the Fund was at a premium over par, which represents the price at
which the security will be sold upon prepayment). In addition, prepayments of
such securities held by the Bond Fund will reduce the share price of the Fund to
the extent the market value of the securities at the time of prepayment exceeds
their par value. Furthermore, the prices of mortgage-backed securities can be
significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Prepayments may occur with
greater frequency in periods of declining mortgage rates because, among other
reasons, it may be possible for mortgagors to refinance their outstanding
mortgages at lower interest rates. In such periods, it is likely that any
prepayment proceeds would be reinvested by the Bond Fund at lower rates of
return.
F. Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs). The Bond Fund may invest
in CMOs. CMOs are securities Collateralized by mortgages or mortgage-backed
securities. CMOs are issued with a variety of classes or series, which have
different maturities and are often retired in sequence. CMOs may be issued by
governmental or non-governmental entities such as banks and other mortgage
lenders. Non-government securities may offer a higher yield but also may be
subject to greater price fluctuation than government securities. Investments in
CMOs are subject to the same risks as direct investments in the underlying
mortgage and mortgage-backed securities. In addition, in the event of a
bankruptcy or other default of an entity who issued the CMO held by a Fund, the
Fund could experience both delays in liquidating its position and losses.
G. Zero Coupon and Pay in Kind Bonds. Corporate debt securities and
municipal obligations include so-called "zero coupon" bonds and "pay-in-kind"
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not make regular interest payments. Instead they are
sold at a deep discount from their face value. Each Fund will accrue income on
such bonds for tax and accounting purposes, in accordance with applicable law.
This income will be distributed to shareholders. Because no cash is received at
the time such income is accrued, the Fund may be required to liquidate other
portfolio securities to satisfy its distribution obligations. Because a zero
coupon bond does not pay current income, its price can be very volatile when
interest rates change. In calculating its dividend, the Funds take into account
as income a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's purchase
price and its face value. Certain types of CMOs pay no interest for a period of
time and therefore present risks similar to zero coupon bonds.
The Federal Reserve creates STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered
Interest and Principal of Securities) by separating the coupon payments and the
principal payment from an outstanding Treasury security and selling them as
individual securities. A broker-dealer creates a derivative zero by depositing a
Treasury security with a custodian for safekeeping and then selling the coupon
payments and principal payment that will be generated by this security
separately. Examples are Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (CATs),
Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (TIGRs) and generic Treasury Receipts (TRs).
These derivative zero coupon obligations are not considered to be government
securities unless they are part of the STRIPS program. Original issue zeros are
zero coupon securities issued directly by the U.S. government, a government
agency, or by a corporation.
Pay-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its option, to make current
interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. The value
of zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind bonds is subject to greater fluctuation in
response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which make regular
payments of interest. Both of these types of bonds allow an issuer to avoid the
need to generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly, such bonds
may involve greater credit risks than bonds which make regular payment of
interest. Even though zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind bonds do not pay current
interest in cash, the applicable Fund is required to accrue interest income on
such investments and to distribute such amounts at least annually to
shareholders. Thus, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate other
investments in order to satisfy its dividend requirements.
No Fund will invest more than 5% of its net assets in pay-in-kind bonds.
H. Financial Service Industry Obligations. Financial service industry
obligations include among others, the following:
(1) Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are
negotiable certificates evidencing the indebtedness of a commercial bank or a
savings and loan association to repay funds deposited with it for a definite
period of time (usually from fourteen days to one year) at a stated or variable
interest rate.
(2) Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits
maintained in a banking institution or a savings and loan association for a
specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Time Deposits are considered
to be illiquid prior to their maturity.
(3) Bankers' Acceptances. Bankers' acceptances are credit
instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft which has been
drawn on it by a customer, which instruments reflect the obligation both of the
bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.
I. Asset-Backed and Receivable-Backed Securities. Asset-backed and
receivable-backed securities are undivided fractional interests in pools of
consumer loans (unrelated to mortgage loans) held in a trust. Payments of
principal and interest are passed through to certificate holders and are
typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of
credit, surety bond, limited guaranty, or senior/subordination. The degree of
credit enhancement varies, but generally amounts to only a fraction of the
asset-backed or receivable-backed security's par value until exhausted. If the
credit enhancement is exhausted, certificateholders may experience losses or
delays in payment if the required payments of principal and interest are not
made to the trust with respect to the underlying loans. The value of these
securities also may change because of changes in the market's perception of the
creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the
loans or the financial institution providing the credit enhancement.
Asset-backed and receivable-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon
payment of consumer loans by individuals, and the certificateholder generally
has no recourse against the entity that originated the loans. The underlying
loans are subject to prepayments which shorten the securities' weighted average
life and may lower their return. As prepayments flow through at par, total
returns would be affected by the prepayments: if a security were trading at a
premium, its total return would be lowered by prepayments, and if a security
were trading at a discount, its total return would be increased by prepayments.
No Fund will invest more than 5% of its net assets in asset-backed or
receivable-backed securities.
J. Loans of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may make short and long
term loans of its portfolio securities. Under the lending policy authorized by
the Board of Trustees and implemented by the Adviser in response to requests of
broker-dealers or institutional investors which the Adviser deems qualified, the
borrower must agree to maintain collateral, in the form of cash or U.S.
government obligations, with the Fund on a daily mark-to-market basis in an
amount at least equal to 100% of the value of the loaned securities. The Fund
will continue to receive dividends or interest on the loaned securities and may
terminate such loans at any time or reacquire such securities in time to vote on
any matter which the Board of Trustees determines to be serious. With respect to
loans of securities, there is the risk that the borrower may fail to return the
loaned securities or that the borrower may not be able to provide additional
collateral. No loan of securities will be made if, as a result, the aggregate
amount of such loans would exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets.
K. Foreign Securities. The Equity Fund and Small Cap Equity Fund may
invest in foreign equity securities through the purchase of American Depository
Receipts. American Depository Receipts are certificates of ownership issued by a
U.S. bank as a convenience to the investors in lieu of the underlying shares
which it holds in custody. The Bond Fund may invest in dollar denominated
foreign fixed-income securities issued by foreign companies, foreign governments
or international organizations and determined by the Adviser to be comparable in
quality to investment grade domestic securities. No Fund will invest in a
foreign security if, immediately after a purchase and as a result of the
purchase, the total value of foreign securities owned by the Fund would exceed
10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund. To the extent that a Fund does
invest in foreign securities, such investments may be subject to special risks,
such as changes in restrictions on foreign currency transactions and rates of
exchange, and changes in the administrations or economic and monetary policies
of foreign governments.
L. Repurchase Agreements. Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements
fully collateralized by obligations issued by the U.S. Government or by agencies
of the U.S. governmnet ("U.S. Government obligations"). A repurchase agreement
is a short term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., a Fund) acquires
ownership of a U.S. Government obligation (which may be of any maturity) and the
seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time at a set price,
thereby determining the yield during the purchaser's holding period (usually not
more than seven days from the date of purchase). Any repurchase transaction in
which a Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller's
obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a
bankruptcy or other default of the seller, a Fund could experience both delays
in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value. However, the Funds
intend to enter into repurchase agreements only with the Trust's custodian,
other banks with assets of $1 billion or more and registered securities dealers
determined by the Adviser to be creditworthy.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been
adopted by the Trust with respect to each Fund and are fundamental
("Fundamental"), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of each Fund. As used in the Prospectus and
the Statement of Additional Information, the term "majority" of the outstanding
shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares
of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment
practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of
shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory
policy are considered non-fundamental ("Non-Fundamental").
1. Borrowing Money. The Funds will not borrow money, except (a) from a
bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage
of 300% for all borrowings of the Funds; or (b) from a bank or other persons for
temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an
amount not exceeding 5% of each Fund's total assets at the time when the
borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Funds from entering
into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Funds have an asset
coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Funds
pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions.
2. Senior Securities. The Funds will not issue senior securities. This
limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the
issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's
engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff.
3. Underwriting. The Funds will not act as underwriter of securities
issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that,
in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted
securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal
securities laws.
4. Real Estate. The Funds will not purchase or sell real estate. This
limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are
secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not
preclude the Funds from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in
companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion
of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).
5. Commodities. The Funds will not purchase or sell commodities unless
acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This
limitation does not preclude the Funds from purchasing or selling options or
futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by
commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities
business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.
6. Loans. The Funds will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by
loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or (c)
by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this
limitation, the term "loans" shall not include the purchase of a portion of an
issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.
7. Concentration. No Fund will invest 25% or more of its total assets
in a particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.
With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum
limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the
fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the
excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or
the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set
forth in paragraph 1 above.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment
company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal
holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust,
provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an
investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the
Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger,
consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so
acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein
within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of
consummation.
Non-Fundamental. The following limitations have been adopted by the
Trust with respect to each Fund and are Non-Fundamental (see "Investment
Restrictions" above).
1. Pledging. The Funds will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any
manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Funds except as
may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1)
above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements
with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales
and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage,
pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.
2. Borrowing. No Fund will purchase any security while borrowings
(including reverse repurchase agreements) representing more than one third of
its total assets are outstanding.
3. Margin Purchases. No Fund will purchase securities or evidences of
interest thereon on "margin." This limitation is not applicable to short term
credit obtained by a Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption
of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving
options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and
techniques.
4. Options. The Funds will not purchase or sell puts, calls, options or
straddles.
5. Illiquid Investments. The Funds will not invest in securities for
which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid
securities.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
The investment adviser to the Funds is StoneRidge Investment Partners,
L.L.C., 7 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 290, Malvern, PA 19355, (the "Adviser").
Joseph E. Stocke, CFA, Philip H. Brown II, Lester Rich, CFA and Daniel H. Cook
are the controlling members of the Adviser.
Under the terms of the management agreement (the "Agreement"), the
Adviser manages each Fund's investments subject to approval of the Board of
Trustees. As compensation for its management services and agreement to pay each
Fund's expenses, each Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee (based on
average daily net assets) computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at the
following annual rates: StoneRidge Equity Fund, 0.60%; StoneRidge Small Cap
Equity Fund, 1.00%; StoneRidge Bond Fund, 0.40%. The Adviser has contractually
agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2000 to
maintain each Fund's total operating expenses as follows: Equity Fund, 0.90 %;
Small Cap Equity Fund, 1.25 %; Bond Fund, 0.65 %.
The Adviser retains the right to use the name "StoneRidge" in
connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the
Adviser is or may become associated. The Trust's right to use the name
"StoneRidge" automatically ceases ninety days after termination of the Agreement
and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days written notice.
The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions
that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. The
Glass-Steagall Act prohibits banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of this
prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly defined by the
courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, management of each Fund believes that
the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from providing such services.
However, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations
of federal law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be
required to register as dealers pursuant to state law. If a bank were prohibited
from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of each
Fund believes that there would be no material impact on each Fund or its
shareholders. Banks may charge their customers fees for offering these services
to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall
return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be
lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Funds may from time to time
purchase securities issued by banks which provide such services; however, in
selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such
securities.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust.
The names of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are shown below.
Each Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, is indicated by an asterisk.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS POSITION PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
*Kenneth D. Trumpfheller President and President, Treasurer and Secretary of AmeriPrime Financial Services,
Age: 41 Trustee Inc., the Fund's administrator, and AmeriPrime Financial Securities,
1793 Kingswood Drive Inc., the Fund's distributor, since 1994. President and Trustee of
Suite 200 AmeriPrime Funds and AmeriPrime Insurance Trust. Prior to December,
Southlake, Texas 76092 1994, a senior client executive with SEI Financial Services
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
Paul Bellany Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of AmeriPrime
Age: 39 Treasurer Financial Services, Inc. and AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc.;
1793 Kingswood Drive Treasurer and Secretary of AmeriPrime Funds and AmeriPrime Insurance
Suite 200 Trust. Various positions with Fidelity Investments from 1987 to
Southlake, Texas 76092 1998; most recently Fund Reporting Unit Manager.
==================================== ---------------- ======================================================================
Mark W. Muller Trustee Account Manager for Clarion Technologies, a manufacturer of
Age: 35 automotive, heavy truck, and comsumer goods, from 1996 to present.
175 Westwood Drive From 1986 to 1996, an engineer for Sicor, a telecommunication
Suite 300 hardware company.
Southlake, Texas 76092
==================================== ================ ======================================================================
Richard J. Wright, Jr. Trustee Various positions (most recently Program Manager) with Texas
Age 37 Instruments, a technology company, from 1985 to present.
8505 Forest Lane
MS 8672
Dallas, Texas 75243
==================================== ================ ======================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The following table estimates the Trustees' compensation for the first
full fiscal year. Trustee fees are Trust expenses and each series of the Trust
pays a portion of the Trustee fees.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
==================================== ----------------------- ==================================
AGGREGATE TOTAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST (THE TRUST IS
NAME FROM TRUST NOT IN A FUND COMPLEX)
==================================== ----------------------- ==================================
Kenneth D. Trumpfheller 0 0
==================================== ----------------------- ==================================
Mark W. Muller $6,000 $6,000
==================================== ======================= ==================================
Richard J. Wright $6,000 $6,000
==================================== ======================= ==================================
</TABLE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
the Adviser is responsible for each Fund's portfolio decisions and the placing
of each Fund's portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the
Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for each Fund, taking into account
such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer
spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness
of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker or dealer. The Adviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. Consistent with
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., and subject to its obligation of seeking best qualitative execution, the
Adviser may give consideration to sales of shares of the Trust as a factor in
the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions.
The Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who
also provide brokerage and research services to the Funds and/or the other
accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion and to pay such
brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or
dealer would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that the commission
is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction
or the Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect to the Trust and to other
accounts over which it exercises investment discretion.
Research services include supplemental research, securities and
economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses
of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other
information furnished by brokers through whom the Funds effect securities
transactions may also be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its accounts.
Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other
clients may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to the
Funds. Although research services and other information are useful to the Funds
and the Adviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and
other information received. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and the
Adviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not
reduce the overall cost to the Adviser of performing its duties to the Funds
under the Agreement.
Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with
principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price,
including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are
normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker.
Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the
purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and
asked prices.
While each Fund contemplates no ongoing arrangements with any other
brokerage firms, brokerage business may be given from time to time to other
firms. StoneRidge Investment Partners, L.L.C. will not receive reciprocal
brokerage business as a result of the brokerage business placed by the Funds
with others.
When a Portfolio and another of the Adviser's clients seek to purchase or sell
the same security at or about the same time, the Adviser may execute the
transaction on a combined ("blocked") basis. Blocked transactions can produce
better execution for the Portfolios because of the increased volume of the
transaction. If the entire blocked order is not filled, the Portfolio may not be
able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may
have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Portfolio may not be
able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for
any particular portfolio security if the other client desires to sell the same
portfolio security at the same time. In the event that the entire blocked order
is not filled, the purchase or sale will normally be allocated on a pro rata
basis. The allocation may be adjusted by the Adviser, taking into account such
factors as the size of the individual orders and transaction costs, when the
Adviser believes an adjustment is reasonable.
DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE
The price (net asset value) of the shares of each Fund is determined as
of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each day the Trust is open for business and on any
other day on which there is sufficient trading in each Fund's securities to
materially affect the net asset value. The Trust is open for business on every
day except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a description of the methods
used to determine the net asset value (share price), see "Share Price
Calculation" in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
Each Fund may periodically advertise "average annual total return."
"Average annual total return," as defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, is computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return
for the period indicated that would equate the initial amount invested to the
ending redeemable value, according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n=ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical $1,000 initial investment
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the
applicable period of the hypothetical $1,000
investment made at the beginning of the
applicable period.
The computation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at
the net asset value on the reinvestment dates that the maximum sales load is
deducted from the initial $1,000 and that a complete redemption occurs at the
end of the applicable period. If each Fund has been in existence less than one,
five or ten years, the time period since the date of the initial public offering
of shares will be substituted for the periods stated.
A Fund's "yield" is determined in accordance with the method defined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. A yield quotation is based on a 30 day
(or one month) period and 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:
Yield = 2[(a-b/cd+1)6-1]
Where:
a = dividends and interest earned during the period
b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements)
c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during the
period that were entitled to receive dividends
d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
period
Solely for the purpose of computing yield, dividend income recognized
by accruing 1/360 of the stated dividend rate of the security each day that the
Fund owns the security. Generally, interest earned (for the purpose of "a"
above) on debt obligations is computed by reference to the yield to maturity of
each obligation held based on the market value of the obligation (including
actual accrued interest) at the close of business on the last business day prior
to the start of the 30-day (or one month) period for which yield is being
calculated, or, with respect to obligations purchased during the month, the
purchase price (plus actual accrued interest). With respect to the treatment of
discount and premium on mortgage or other receivable-backed obligations which
are expected to be subject to monthly paydowns of principal and interest, gain
or loss attributable to actual monthly paydowns is accounted for as an increase
or decrease to interest income during the period and discount or premium on the
remaining security is not amortized.
Each Fund may also advertise performance information (a
"non-standardized quotation") which is calculated differently from average
annual total return. A non-standardized quotation of total return may be a
cumulative return which measures the percentage change in the value of an
account between the beginning and end of a period, assuming no activity in the
account other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. A
non-standardized quotation may also be an average annual compounded rate of
return over a specified period, which may be a period different from those
specified for average annual total return. In addition, a non-standardized
quotation may be an indication of the value of a $10,000 investment (made on the
date of the initial public offering of the Fund's shares) as of the end of a
specified period. These non-standardized quotations do not include the effect of
the applicable sales load which, if included, would reduce the quoted
performance. A non-standardized quotation of total return will always be
accompanied by the Fund's average annual total return as described above.
Each Fund's investment performance will vary depending upon market
conditions, the composition of that Fund's portfolio and operating expenses of
that Fund. These factors and possible differences in the methods and time
periods used in calculating non-standardized investment performance should be
considered when comparing each Fund's performance to those of other investment
companies or investment vehicles. The risks associated with each Fund's
investment objective, policies and techniques should also be considered. At any
time in the future, investment performance may be higher or lower than past
performance, and there can be no assurance that any performance will continue.
From time to time, in advertisements, sales literature and information
furnished to present or prospective shareholders, the performance of any of the
Funds may be compared to indices of broad groups of unmanaged securities
considered to be representative of or similar to the portfolio holdings of the
Funds or considered to be representative of the stock market in general. These
may include the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index, the NASDAQ Composite Index or
the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
In addition, the performance of any of the Funds may be compared to
other groups of mutual funds tracked by any widely used independent research
firm which ranks mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives and
assets, such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or Morningstar, Inc. The
objectives, policies, limitations and expenses of other mutual funds in a group
may not be the same as those of any of the Funds. Performance rankings and
ratings reported periodically in national financial publications such as
Barron's and Fortune also may be used.
CUSTODIAN
Firstar Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut Street M.L 6118, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202,
is Custodian of the Funds' investments. The Custodian acts as the Funds'
depository, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other
payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Funds' request and
maintains records in connection with its duties.
TRANSFER AGENT
Unified Fund Services, Inc. ("Unified"), 431 North Pennsylvania Street,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, acts as the Funds' transfer agent and, in such
capacity, maintains the records of each shareholder's account, answers
shareholders' Inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and
redemptions of the Funds' shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing
agent and performs other accounting and shareholder service functions. In
addition, Unified provides the Funds with fund accounting services, which
includes certain monthly reports, record-keeping and other management-related
services. For its services as fund accountant, Unified receives an annual fee
from the Adviser equal to 0.0275% of each Fund's assets up to $100 million
(subject to various monthly minimum fees, the maximum being $2,100 per month for
assets of $20 to $100 million).
<PAGE>
ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of McCurdy & Associates, CPA's, 27955 Clemens Road, Westlake,
Ohio 44145, has been selected as independent public accountants for the Trust
for the first fiscal year. McCurdy & Associates performs an annual audit of the
Funds' financial statements and provides financial, tax and accounting
consulting services as requested.
DISTRIBUTOR
AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200,
Southlake, Texas 76092, is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the
Funds. The Distributor is obligated to sell the shares of the Funds on a best
efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Funds
are offered to the public on a continuous basis.
ADMINISTRATOR
The Funds retain AmeriPrime Financial Services, Inc., 1793
Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, TX 76092, (the "Administrator") to manage
the Funds' business affairs and provide the Funds with administrative services,
including all regulatory reporting and necessary office equipment, personnel and
facilities. The Administrator receives a monthly fee from the Adviser equal to
an annual average rate of 01.0% of each Fund's average daily net assets up to
fifty million dollars, 0.075% of each Fund's average daily net assets from fifty
to one hundred million dollars and 0.050% of each fund's average daily net
assets over one hundred million dollars.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 24, 1999
StoneRidge
StoneRidge Small Cap StoneRidge
Equity Fund Equity Fund Bond Fund
----------- ----------- -----------
ASSETS:
Cash in Bank $50,000 $50,000 $ 0
Total Assets $50,000 $50,000 $ 0
LIABILITIES: $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Total Liabilities $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
NET ASSETS $50,000 $50,000 $ 0
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Capital Paid In $50,000 $50,000 $ 0
OUTSTANDING SHARES
Unlimited Number of Shares
Authorized Without Par Value 5,000 5,000 0
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE $10.00 $10.00 $10.00
See Accountants' Audit Report
AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 24, 1999
1. ORGANIZATION
Ameriprime Advisors Trust (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment
company organized as a business trust under the laws of the State of Ohio by
a Declaration of Trust dated August 3, 1999. The Declaration of Trust
provides for an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial interest
without par value, which may, without shareholder approval, be divided into
an unlimited number of series of such shares, and which presently consist of
three series of shares for the StoneRidge Equity Fund, the StoneRidge Small
Cap Equity Fund, and the StoneRidge Bond Fund (the "Funds"). The investment
objective of the StoneRidge Equity Fund is capital appreciation over the
long term. The investment objective of the StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund
is capital growth over the long term. The investment objective of the
StoneRidge Bond Fund is income consistent with preservation of capital.
The Funds use an independent custodian and transfer agent. No transactions
other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale of 5,000
Shares of the StoneRidge Equity Fund and 5,000 Shares of the StoneRidge
Small Cap Equity Fund have taken place to date.
2. MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC, the Fund's investment adviser, is
registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940.
The adviser receives from each Fund as compensation for its services to the
Funds, an annual fee of 0.60% of the StoneRidge Equity Fund's net assets,
1.00% of the StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund's net assets, and 0.40% of the
StoneRidge Bond Fund net assets. The fee is paid monthly and calculated on
the basis of that month's net assets.
The adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses
through December 31, 2000 to maintain "net expenses" of 0.90% for the Equity
Fund; 1.25% for the Small Cap Fund; and 0.65% for the Bond Fund.
3. ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT/RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Ameriprime Financial
Services, Inc. (a subsidiary of Unified Fund Services, Inc.) acts as the
fund administrator. Unified Fund Services, Inc. acts as the transfer agent
and fund accountant. Ameriprime Financial Securities, Inc (a subsidiary of
Unified Fund Services, Inc.) acts as distributor for the fund. Certain
officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of Unified Fund
Services, Inc. The administrator receives a fee of 0.10% of average daily
net assets under $50 million; 0.075% from $50 to $100 million; and 0.05%
above $100 million. There is a minimum monthly administrative fee of $2,500
per Fund. The transfer agent and fund accountant receive fees based on
transaction volume.
As of September 24, 1999, all of the outstanding shares of the Funds were
owned by Highcrest Partners, L.P. A shareholder who beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the Funds' voting securities may be
deemed a "control person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
4. CAPITAL SHARES AND DISTRIBUTION
At September 24, 1999, an unlimited number of shares were authorized and paid
in capital amounted to $50,000 for the StoneRidge Equity Fund; $50,000 for
the StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund; and $0 for the StoneRidge Bond Fund.
Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
Shares Sold:
StoneRidge Equity Fund 5,000
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund 5,000
StoneRidge Bond Fund 0
Shares Redeemed:
StoneRidge Equity Fund 0
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund 0
StoneRidge Bond Fund 0
Net Increase:
StoneRidge Equity Fund 5,000
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund 5,000
StoneRidge Bond Fund 0
Shares Outstanding:
StoneRidge Equity Fund 5,000
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund 5,000
StoneRidge Bond Fund 0
5. ORGANIZATION COSTS
StoneRidge Investment Paetners, LLC, the Fund's investment adviser, will
pay all organization costs incurred in establishing the Trust. The Funds
are under no obligation to reimburse the adviser for these organization
costs.
To The Shareholders and Trustees
Ameriprime Advisors Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the
Ameriprime Advisors Trust (comprised of the StoneRidge Equity Fund, the
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund, and the StoneRidge Bond Fund) as of September
24, 1999. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial
statement based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the statement of assets and liabilities is free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement of assets and
liabilities. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
statement of assets and liabilities presentation. Our procedures included
confirmation of cash held by the custodian as of September 24, 1999, by
correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of assets and liabilities referred to above
presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
StoneRidge Equity Fund, the StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund, and the StoneRidge
Bond Fund as of September 24, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
McCurdy & Associates CPA's, Inc.
Westlake, Ohio
September 24, 1999
<PAGE>
AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
(a) Articles of Incorporation. Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, which was filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Registration
Statement, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(b) By-laws. Registrant's By-laws, which were filed as an Exhibit to
Registrant's Registration Statement, are hereby incorporated by
reference.
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holder. None (other than in
the Declaration of Trust and By-laws of the Registrant).
(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.
Registrant's Management Agreement with Stoneridge Investment Partners,
LLC for the Stoneridge Equity Fund is filed herewith.
Registrant's Management Agreement with Stoneridge Investment Partners,
LLC for the Stoneridge Small Cap Equity Fund is filed herewith.
(iii) Registrant's Management Agreement with Stoneridge Investment
Partners, LLC for the Stoneridge Bond Fund is filed herewith.
(e) Underwriting Contracts.
(i) Registrant's Underwriting Agreement with AmeriPrime Financial
Securities, Inc. is filed herewith.
(ii) Registrant's form of Dealer Agreement to be supplied.
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.
(g) Custodian Agreements. Registrant's Custodian Agreement with Firstar
Bank, N.A. is filed herewith.
Other Material Contracts. None.
(i) Legal Opinion. Opinion and Consent of Brown, Cummins & Brown Co.,
L.P.A. is filed herewith.
(j) Other Opinions. Consent of McCurdy & Associates CPA's Inc. is filed
herewith.
(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.
(l) Initial Capital Agreements. Letter of Initial Stockholder is filed
herewith.
Rule 12b-1 Plan. None.
(n) Financial Data Schedule. Financial Data Schedule is filed herewith.
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan. None
(p) Power of Attorney.
(i) Power of Attorney for Registrant and Certificate with respect
thereto are filed herewith.
(ii) Powers of Attorney for the trustees of officers are filed
herewith.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Funds
On September 24, 1999, Highcrest Partners, LP purchased all of the outstanding
shares of the Equity Fund and the Small Cap Fund. As the sole member of
Stoneridge Investment Partners, LLC (the Funds' adviser), Highcrest Partners, LP
may be deemed to control the Equity Fund, the Small Cap Fund and the Funds'
adviser.
Item 25. Indemnification
(a) Article VI of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides for
indemnification of officers and Trustees as follows:
Section 6.4 Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc. Subject to and except as
otherwise provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act,
the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons
who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another
organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or
otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") against all
liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including
reasonable accountants' and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or
legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved
as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been
threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been
such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered
Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its
Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.
Section 6.5 Advances of Expenses. The Trust shall advance attorneys' fees or
other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a proceeding to the
full extent permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 1940 Act,
and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1707, as amended. In the event any of these laws
conflict with Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13(E), as amended, these laws, and
not Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13(E), shall govern.
Section 6.6 Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc. The right of indemnification
provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights
to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VI,
"Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors and
administrators. Nothing contained in this article shall affect any rights to
indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and
officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law,
nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on
behalf of any such person.
The Registrant may not pay for insurance which protects the Trustees and
officers against liabilities rising from action involving willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of their offices.
(b) The Registrant may maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory
professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy, if
maintained, would provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers,
and could cover its Advisors, among others. Coverage under the policy would
include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading
statement, neglect or breach of duty.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law and the Agreement and
Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling
person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
(a) Stoneridge Investment Partners, LLC ("Stoneridge"), 3421 Saint Davids Road,
Newtown Square, PA 19073, adviser to the Stoneridge Equity Fund, Stoneridge
Small Cap Equity Fund and Stoneridge Bond Fund, is a registered investment
adviser.
(i) Stoneridge has engaged in no other business during the past two fiscal
years.
(ii) Information with respect to each officer and member of Stoneridge is
incorporated by reference to Schedule D of Form ADV filed by it under the
Investment Advisors Act (File No. 801-56755).
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc. is the Registrant's principal
underwriter. Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200,
Southlake, Texas 76092, is the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the
underwriter and the President and a Trustee of the Registrant. It is also the
underwriter for the AmeriPrime Funds, AmeriPrime Insurance Trust, the Kenwood
Funds, the Rockland Funds Trust, the TANKA Funds, Inc. and the Grand Prix Fund.
(b) Information with respect to each director and officer of AmeriPrime
Financial Securities, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Schedule A of Form BD
filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (File No. 8-48143).
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
Accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder will
be maintained by the Registrant at 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake,
Texas 76092 and/or by the Registrant's Custodian, Firstar Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut
Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, and/or by the Registrant's Transfer Agent,
Unified Fund Services, Inc., 431 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46204.
Item 29. Management Services Not Discussed in Parts A or B
None.
Item 30. Undertakings
None.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio on the 7th day of October,
1999.
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
By: _________/s/_______________
Donald S. Mendelsohn
Attorney-in Fact
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
_______________________ *By: _________/s/_______________
Kenneth D. Trumpfheller,* Donald S. Mendelsohn
President and Trustee Attorney-in Fact
October 7, 1999
_______________________
Mark Muller,*Trustee
_______________________
Richard Wright, *Trustee
_______________________
Paul S. Bellany, *Treasurer
- --------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
1. Management Agreement for StoneRidge Equity Fund............EX-99.23.d.1
2. Management Agreement for StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund..EX-99.23.d.2
3. Management Agreement for StoneRidge Bond Fund..............EX-99.23.d.3
4. Underwriting Agreement.......................................EX-99.23.e
5. Custodian Agreement..........................................EX-99.23.g
6. Opinion and Consent of Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.....EX-99.23.i
7. Consent of McCurdy & Associates CPA's, Inc...................EX-99.23.j
8. Letter of Initial Stockholder................................EX-99.23.l
9. Financial Data Schedule .....................................EX-99.23.n
10. Powers of Attorney...........................................EX-99.23.p
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC
3421 Saint Davids Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Dear Sirs:
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement
with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is StoneRidge Equity Fund (the "Fund").
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this
Agreement.
1. ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment
advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous
investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund,
the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board may from time to time establish. You will advise and assist the officers
of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding
the conduct of the business of the Fund.
2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay the compensation and expenses of any persons
rendering any services to the Fund who are officers, directors, stockholders or
employees of your corporation and will make available, without expense to the
Fund, the services of such of your employees as may duly be elected officers or
trustees of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law. The compensation and expenses of any officers,
trustees and employees of the Trust who are not officers, directors, employees
or stockholders of your corporation will be paid by the Fund. You will pay all
expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the organization and initial
registration of shares of the Fund.
The Fund will be responsible for the payment of all operating
expenses of the Fund, including fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in
connection with membership in investment company organizations; brokerage fees
and commissions; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; non-organizational
expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws;
insurance expenses; taxes or governmental fees; fees and expenses of the
custodian, transfer agent, shareholder service agent, dividend disbursing agent,
plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and distributor
of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption
or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the fees and expenses of trustees of the
Trust who are not affiliated with you; the cost of preparing and distributing
reports and notices to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's
shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other
documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders'
meetings and proxy solicitations; such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses
as may arise, including litigation to which the Trust may be a party and
indemnification for the Trust's officers and trustees with respect thereto; or
any other expense not specifically described above incurred in the performance
of the Fund's obligations. All other expenses not assumed by you herein incurred
by the Fund in connection with the organization, registration of shares and
operations of the Fund will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will also pay
expenses which it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or
times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses
advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement
shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this
Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER
For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be
made as provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month,
the Fund will pay you a fee at the annual rate of 0.60% of the average value of
its daily net assets.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
4. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities
for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the
placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the
account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this
selection by the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the
negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In
the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are
directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution,
taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage
commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility
and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best
qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also
provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts
over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a
broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission
for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative
execution as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of
the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund
portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, and other
applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates
may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund's portfolio
transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion
should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the
shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client
and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to
this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that
you may render investment advice, management and other services to others,
including other registered investment companies.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate
and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or the rules
thereunder, neither you nor your shareholders, members, officers, directors,
employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall be subject
to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the Trust
in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission
connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made
pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this Agreement relates,
except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this Agreement,
or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations
and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee,
member, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become an officer, director,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer,
employee, member, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or
direction, even though paid by you.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a
majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by
a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such
approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated with
respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any penalty, by the
Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.
7. USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name "StoneRidge"
or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a
limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class name. In the
event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to the use of
the name "StoneRidge" shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day following
the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be withdrawn
by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days' written notice
by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any
respect, your right to use the name "StoneRidge" in the name of, or in
connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may become
associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this name.
8. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the series to which the amendment relates.
<PAGE>
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term "AmeriPrime Advisors Trust" means and refers to the
Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the
same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It
is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
10. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void
or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms "majority of the
outstanding voting securities," "control" and "interested person" shall have
their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations
thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act; and the term "brokerage
and research services" shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court,
by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this
Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed
to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
12. NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, TX 76092, and your address for this
purpose shall be 3421 Saint Davids Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073.
<PAGE>
13. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
14. BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has
the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party
indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to
the foregoing terms.
15. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such
counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract
upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
ATTEST:
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
____/s/_______________ By:__/s/______________________________
Paul Bellany Kenneth D. Trumpfheller
Dated: October 1, 1999
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
ATTEST:
StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC
____/s/_________________ By:_/s/_____________________________
Lester Rich Joseph E. Stocke
Dated: October 1, 1999
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC
3421 Saint Davids Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Dear Sirs:
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement
with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund (the "Fund").
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this
Agreement.
1. ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment
advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous
investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund,
the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board may from time to time establish. You will advise and assist the officers
of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding
the conduct of the business of the Fund.
2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay the compensation and expenses of any persons
rendering any services to the Fund who are officers, directors, stockholders or
employees of your corporation and will make available, without expense to the
Fund, the services of such of your employees as may duly be elected officers or
trustees of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law. The compensation and expenses of any officers,
trustees and employees of the Trust who are not officers, directors, employees
or stockholders of your corporation will be paid by the Fund. You will pay all
expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the organization and initial
registration of shares of the Fund.
The Fund will be responsible for the payment of all operating
expenses of the Fund, including fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in
connection with membership in investment company organizations; brokerage fees
and commissions; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; non-organizational
expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws;
insurance expenses; taxes or governmental fees; fees and expenses of the
custodian, transfer agent, shareholder service agent, dividend disbursing agent,
plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and distributor
of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption
or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the fees and expenses of trustees of the
Trust who are not affiliated with you; the cost of preparing and distributing
reports and notices to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's
shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other
documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders'
meetings and proxy solicitations; such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses
as may arise, including litigation to which the Trust may be a party and
indemnification for the Trust's officers and trustees with respect thereto; or
any other expense not specifically described above incurred in the performance
of the Fund's obligations. All other expenses not assumed by you herein incurred
by the Fund in connection with the organization, registration of shares and
operations of the Fund will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will also pay
expenses which it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or
times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses
advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement
shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this
Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER
For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as
provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the Fund
will pay you a fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average value of its daily
net assets.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
4. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities
for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the
placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the
account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this
selection by the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the
negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In
the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are
directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution,
taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage
commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility
and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best
qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also
provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts
over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a
broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission
for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative
execution as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of
the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund
portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, and other
applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates
may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund's portfolio
transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion
should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the
shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client
and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to
this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that
you may render investment advice, management and other services to others,
including other registered investment companies.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be
accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or
the rules thereunder, neither you nor your shareholders, members, officers,
directors, employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall
be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by
the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or
omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or
payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this
Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties
under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons
of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee,
member, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become an officer, director,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer,
employee, member, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or
direction, even though paid by you.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution,
and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date of its
execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i)
the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a
majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or the Trust, by
a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such
approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be
terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate
in the event of its assignment.
7. USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name
"StoneRidge" or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
the use of the name "StoneRidge" shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day
following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be
withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days'
written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or
diminish in any respect, your right to use the name "StoneRidge" in the name of,
or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may
become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this
name.
8. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the series to which the amendment relates.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term "AmeriPrime Advisors Trust" means and refers to the
Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the
same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It
is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
10. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be
void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this
Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms "majority of the
outstanding voting securities," "control" and "interested person" shall have
their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations
thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act; and the term "brokerage
and research services" shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this
Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision
of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the
1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or
in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities
and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a
requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is
revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate
the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
12. NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, TX 76092, and your address for this
purpose shall be 3421 Saint Davids Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073.
13. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
14. BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has
the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party
indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated to
the foregoing terms.
15. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
<PAGE>
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such
counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding contract
upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
ATTEST:
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
__/s/______________ By: ___/s/___________________________
Paul Bellany Kenneth D. Trumpfheller
Dated: October 1, 1999
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
ATTEST:
StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC
___/s/_________________ By:____/s/__________________________
Lester Rich Joseph E. Stocke
Dated: October 1, 1999
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
TO: StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC
3421 Saint Davids Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Dear Sirs:
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust (the "Trust") herewith confirms our agreement
with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment
company. The Trust currently offers several series of shares to investors, one
of which is StoneRidge Bond Fund (the "Fund").
You have been selected to act as the sole investment adviser of the
Fund and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below, and
you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services
under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust
agrees with you as follows effective upon the date of the execution of this
Agreement.
1. ADVISORY SERVICES
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment
advice as you in your discretion deem advisable and will furnish a continuous
investment program for the Fund consistent with the Fund's investment objectives
and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the Fund,
the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the
Fund's assets to be held uninvested, subject always to the Fund's investment
objectives, policies and restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect, and subject further to such policies and instructions as the
Board may from time to time establish. You will advise and assist the officers
of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of the Board regarding
the conduct of the business of the Fund.
2. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES
You will pay the compensation and expenses of any persons
rendering any services to the Fund who are officers, directors, stockholders or
employees of your corporation and will make available, without expense to the
Fund, the services of such of your employees as may duly be elected officers or
trustees of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any
limitations imposed by law. The compensation and expenses of any officers,
trustees and employees of the Trust who are not officers, directors, employees
or stockholders of your corporation will be paid by the Fund. You will pay all
expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with the organization and initial
registration of shares of the Fund.
The Fund will be responsible for the payment of all operating
expenses of the Fund, including fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in
connection with membership in investment company organizations; brokerage fees
and commissions; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; non-organizational
expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws;
insurance expenses; taxes or governmental fees; fees and expenses of the
custodian, transfer agent, shareholder service agent, dividend disbursing agent,
plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and distributor
of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption
or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the fees and expenses of trustees of the
Trust who are not affiliated with you; the cost of preparing and distributing
reports and notices to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to the Fund's
shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates or any other
documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders'
meetings and proxy solicitations; such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses
as may arise, including litigation to which the Trust may be a party and
indemnification for the Trust's officers and trustees with respect thereto; or
any other expense not specifically described above incurred in the performance
of the Fund's obligations. All other expenses not assumed by you herein incurred
by the Fund in connection with the organization, registration of shares and
operations of the Fund will be borne by the Fund. The Fund will also pay
expenses which it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or
times as you may determine in your sole discretion, for any of the expenses
advanced by you, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement
shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this
Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER
For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as
provided in this Agreement, as of the last business day of each month, the Fund
will pay you a fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of the average value of its daily
net assets.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Declaration of Trust of
the Trust or a resolution of the Board, if required. If, pursuant to such
provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for
any particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value
of the net assets of the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value
of the net assets as of the close of the business day, or as of such other time
as the value of the Fund's net assets may lawfully be determined, on that day.
If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been suspended for a
period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as
last determined (whether during or prior to such month).
4. EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities
for the account of the Fund, it is understood that you will arrange for the
placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the
account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of this
selection by the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the
negotiation and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In
the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, you are
directed at all times to seek for the Fund the best qualitative execution,
taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage
commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility
and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission
rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. In seeking best
qualitative execution, you are authorized to select brokers or dealers who also
provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts
over which you exercise investment discretion. You are authorized to pay a
broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission
for executing a Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction if you determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination may be viewed in
terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment
discretion. The Fund and you understand and acknowledge that, although the
information may be useful to the Fund and you, it is not possible to place a
dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically review the
commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over
representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund.
Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best qualitative
execution as described above, you may give consideration to sales of shares of
the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute Fund
portfolio transactions.
Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, and other
applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or any affiliates of your affiliates
may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Fund's portfolio
transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion
should arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the
shares of the Fund, you will act solely as investment counsel for such client
and not in any way on behalf of the Fund. Your services to the Fund pursuant to
this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is understood that
you may render investment advice, management and other services to others,
including other registered investment companies.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be
accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or
the rules thereunder, neither you nor your shareholders, members, officers,
directors, employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any thereof shall
be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by
the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or
omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under, or
payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any other matter to which this
Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties
under this Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons
of your obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee,
member, shareholder or agent of you, who may be or become an officer, director,
trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering
services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering
such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer,
employee, member, shareholder or agent of you, or one under your control or
direction, even though paid by you.
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its
execution, and shall remain in force for a period of two (2) years from the date
of its execution, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval
by (i) the Board or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, provided that in either event continuance is also
approved by a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or
the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting such approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice,
be terminated with respect to the Fund, at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically terminate
in the event of its assignment.
7. USE OF NAME
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name
"StoneRidge" or any variation thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being
granted a limited license to use such words in its Fund name or in any class
name. In the event you cease to be the adviser to the Fund, the Trust's right to
the use of the name "StoneRidge" shall automatically cease on the ninetieth day
following the termination of this Agreement. The right to the name may also be
withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days'
written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or
diminish in any respect, your right to use the name "StoneRidge" in the name of,
or in connection with, any other business enterprises with which you are or may
become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use this
name.
8. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective until approved by the Board, including a majority of the trustees who
are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under
interpretations of the 1940 Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the series to which the amendment relates.
<PAGE>
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY
The term "AmeriPrime Advisors Trust" means and refers to the
Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Declaration of Trust as the
same may subsequently thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It
is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be
binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or
employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders
of the Trust and signed by officers of the Trust, acting as such, and neither
such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor such execution and
delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall
bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of
Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust on file
with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
10. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to
be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of
this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
11. QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms "majority of
the outstanding voting securities," "control" and "interested person" shall have
their respective meanings as defined in the 1940 Act and rules and regulations
thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act; and the term "brokerage
and research services" shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or
provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court,
by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the
effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this
Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or interpretation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be deemed
to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
12. NOTICES
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the Trust is
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, TX 76092, and your address for this
purpose shall be 3421 Saint Davids Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073.
13. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
14. BINDING EFFECT
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents
that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the
party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the party indicated
to the foregoing terms.
15. CAPTIONS
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the
form of acceptance on the accompanying counterpart of this letter and return
such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon this letter shall become a binding
contract upon the date thereof.
Yours very truly,
ATTEST:
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
___/s/______________ By: ___/s/___________________________
Paul Bellany Kenneth D. Trumpfheller
Dated: October 1, 1999
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
ATTEST:
StoneRidge Investment Partners, LLC
___/s/_____________ By:__/s/____________________________
Lester Rich Joseph E. Stocke
Dated: October 1, 1999
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 28, 1999 by and between
AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, an Ohio business trust (the "Trust"), and AmeriPrime
Financial Securities, Inc., a Texas corporation ("Underwriter").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, Underwriter is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust and Underwriter wish to enter into an agreement
providing for the distribution by Underwriter of shares of beneficial interest
(the "Shares") of the series of shares of the Trust listed on Exhibit A attached
hereto, as it may be amended from time to time (the "Series").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and agreements of the
parties contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Appointment. The Trust hereby appoints Underwriter as its exclusive
agent for the distribution of the Shares of the Series and Underwriter hereby
accepts such appointment under the terms of this Agreement. While this Agreement
is in force, the Underwriter shall not sell any Shares of the series except on
the terms set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, the Trust may terminate, suspend or withdraw the offering of Shares of
any Series whenever, in its sole discretion, it deems such action to be
desirable.
2. Sale and Repurchase of Shares.
(a) Underwriter will have the right, as agent for the Trust,
to enter into dealer agreements with responsible investment dealers, and to sell
Shares to such investment dealers against orders therefore at the public
offering price (as defined in subparagraph 2(e) hereof) less a discount
determined by Underwriter, which discount shall not exceed the amount of the
sales charge stated in the Trust's effective Registration Statement on Form N-1A
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the then current
prospectus and statement of additional information (the "Registration
Statement"). Upon receipt of an order to purchase Shares from a dealer with whom
Underwriter has a dealer agreement, Underwriter will promptly cause such order
to be filled by the Trust.
(b) Underwriter will have the right, as agent for the Trust,
to sell such Shares to the public against orders therefor at the public offering
price.
(c) Underwriter will also have the right, as agent for the
Trust, to sell Shares at their net asset value to such persons as may be
approved by the Trustees of the Trust, all such sales to comply with the
provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
(d) Underwriter will also have the right to take, as agent for
the Trust, all actions which, in Underwriter's judgment, are necessary to carry
into effect the distribution of the Shares.
(e) The public offering price for the Shares of each Series
(and, with respect to each Series offering multiple classes of Shares, the
Shares of each Class of such Series) shall be the respective net asset value of
the Shares of that Series (or Class of that Series) then in effect, plus any
applicable sales charge determined in the manner set forth in the Registration
Statement or as permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. In no event shall any
applicable sales charge exceed the maximum sales charge permitted by the Rules
of Fair Practice of the NASD.
(f) The net asset value of the Shares of each Series (or Class
of a Series) shall be determined in the manner provided in the Registration
Statement, and when determined shall be applicable to transactions as provided
for in the Registration Statement. The net asset value of the Shares of each
Series (or each Class of a Series) shall be calculated by the Trust or by
another entity on behalf of the Trust. Underwriter shall have no duty to inquire
into or liability for the accuracy of the net asset value per share as
calculated.
(g) On every sale, the Trust shall receive the applicable net
asset value of the Shares promptly, but in no event later than the tenth
business day following the date on which Underwriter shall have received an
order for the purchase of the Shares.
(h) Upon receipt of purchase instructions, Underwriter will
transmit such instructions to the Trust or its transfer agent for registration
of the Shares purchased.
(i) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Underwriter or any
affiliated person (as defined in the Act) of Underwriter from acting as
underwriter or distributor for any other person, firm or corporation (including
other investment companies) or in any way limit or restrict Underwriter or any
such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or
their own account or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be
acting; provided, however, that Underwriter expressly represents that it will
undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the
performance of its obligations to the Trust under this Agreement.
(j) Underwriter, as agent of and for the account of the Trust,
may repurchase the Shares at such prices and upon such terms and conditions as
shall be specified in the Registration Statement.
3. Sales of Shares by the Trust or other Underwriter. The Trust
reserves the right to issue any Shares at any time directly to the holders of
Shares ("Shareholders"), to sell shares through and enter underwriting
agreements with other underwriters, to sell Shares to its Shareholders or to
other persons approved by Underwriter at not less than net asset value and to
issue Shares in exchange for substantially all the assets of any corporation or
trust or for the shares of any corporation or trust.
4. Basis of Sale of Shares. Underwriter does not agree to sell any
specific number of Shares. Underwriter, as agent for the Trust, undertakes to
sell Shares on a best efforts basis only against orders therefor.
5. Compliance with NASD and Government Rules.
(a) Underwriter will conform to the Rules of Fair Practice of
the NASD and the securities laws of any jurisdiction in which it sells, directly
or indirectly, any Shares.
(b) Underwriter, at its own expense, will pay the costs
incurred in establishing and maintaining its relationship with the dealers
selling the Shares. Underwriter will require each dealer with whom Underwriter
has a dealer agreement to conform to the applicable provisions hereof and the
Registration Statement, and neither Underwriter nor any such dealers shall
withhold the placing of purchase orders so as to make a profit thereby.
(c) Underwriter agrees to furnish to the Trust sufficient
copies of any agreements, plans or other materials it intends to use in
connection with any sales of Shares in adequate time for the Trust to file and
clear them with the proper authorities before they are put in use, and not to
use them until so filed and cleared.
(d) Underwriter, at its own expense, will qualify as dealer or
broker, or otherwise, under all applicable State or federal laws required in
order that Shares may be sold in such States as may be mutually agreed upon by
the parties.
(e) Underwriter shall not make, or permit any representative,
broker or dealer to make, in connection with any sale or solicitation of a sale
of the Shares, any representations concerning the Shares except those contained
in the then current prospectus and statement of additional information covering
the Shares and in printed information approved by the Trust as information
supplemental to such prospectus and statement of additional information. Copies
of the then effective prospectus and statement of additional information and any
such printed supplemental information will be supplied by the Trust to
Underwriter in reasonable quantities upon request.
6. Records to be Supplied by Trust. The Trust shall furnish to
Underwriter copies of all information, financial statements and other papers
which Underwriter may reasonably request for use in connection with the
distribution of the Shares, and this shall include, but shall not be limited to,
one certified copy, upon request by Underwriter, of all financial statements
prepared for the Trust by independent public accountants.
7. Expenses to be Borne by Trust. The Trust will bear the following
expenses:
(a) preparation, setting in type, printing of sufficient
copies of the prospectus and statement of additional information for
distribution to shareholders, and the distribution to shareholders of the
prospectus and statement of additional information;
(b) preparation, printing and distribution of reports and
other communications to shareholders;
(c) registration of the Shares under the federal securities
law;
(d) qualification of the Shares for sale in the jurisdictions
designated by Underwriter;
(e) qualification of the Trust as a dealer or broker under the
laws of jurisdictions designated by Underwriter as well as qualification of the
Trust to do business in any jurisdiction, if Underwriter determines that such
qualification is necessary or desirable for the purpose of facilitating sales of
the Shares;
(f) maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of the
Shares;
(g) supplying information, prices and other data to be
furnished by the Trust under this Agreement; and
(h) any original issue taxes or transfer taxes applicable to
the sale or delivery of the Shares of certificates therefor.
8. Services to and Actions for Trust, Not Underwriter. Any person,
even though also a director, officer, employee, shareholder, member or agent of
Underwriter, who may be or become an officer, trustee, employee or agent of the
Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any
business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with
Underwriter's duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or acting
solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, shareholder,
member or agent, or one under the control or direction of Underwriter, even
though paid by it.
9. Limitation of Liability. Underwriter may rely on information
reasonably believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Except as may otherwise
be required by the Act or the rules thereunder, neither Underwriter nor its
members, shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, control persons
or affiliates of any thereof (collectively, the "Underwriter's Employees") shall
be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by
the Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or
omission in connection with or arising out of any services rendered under or
payments made pursuant to this Agreement or any other matter to which this
Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of the duties of
Underwriter under this Agreement or by reason of reckless disregard by any of
such persons of the obligations and duties of Underwriter under this Agreement.
10. Indemnification of Underwriter. Subject to and except as otherwise
provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Act, the Trust shall
indemnify Underwriter and each of Underwriter's Employees (hereinafter referred
to as a "Covered Person") against all liabilities, including but not limited to
amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and
penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants' and counsel fees,
incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of
any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any
court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be
or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may
be or may have been threatened, while serving as the underwriter for the Trust
or as one of Underwriter's Employees, or thereafter, by reason of being or
having been the underwriter for the Trust or one of Underwriter's Employees,
including but not limited to liabilities arising due to any misrepresentation or
misstatement in the Trust's prospectus, other regulatory filings, and amendments
thereto, or in other documents originating from the Trust. In no case shall a
Covered Person be indemnified against any liability to which such Covered Person
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties of such Covered Person.
11. Advances of Expenses. The Trust shall advance attorneys' fees or
other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a proceeding to the
full extent permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Act.
12. Termination and Amendment of this Agreement. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its
assignment. This Agreement may be amended only if such amendment is approved (i)
by Underwriter, (ii) either by action of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
at a meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding Shares, and (iii) by a majority of the Trustees of
the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or of Underwriter, by vote
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Either the Trust or Underwriter may at any time terminate this Agreement on
sixty (60) days' written notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage
prepaid, to the other party.
13. Effective Period of this Agreement. This Agreement shall take
effect upon its execution and shall remain in full force and effect for a period
of two years from the date of its execution (unless terminated automatically as
set forth in Paragraph 12, and from year to year thereafter), subject to annual
approval (i) by Underwriter, (ii) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or a
vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares, and (iii) by a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust or of
Underwriter, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
14. Limitation of Trust's Liability. The term "AmeriPrime Investment
Trust" means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under the
Trust's Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently thereto have been, or
subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of
the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, Shareholders,
nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust, personally, but bind only
the trust property of the Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the
Trustees and Shareholders of the Trust and signed by the officers of the Trust,
acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees and Shareholders
nor such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been
made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on them personally,
but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its
Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
15. New Series. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall become
automatically applicable to any additional series of the Trust established
during the initial or renewal term of this Agreement.
16. Successor Investment Company. Unless this Agreement has been
terminated in accordance with Paragraph 13, the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall become automatically applicable to any investment company which
is a successor to the Trust as a result of a reorganization, recapitalization or
change of domicile.
17. Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is
determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the
remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
18. Questions of Interpretation.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of Ohio.
(b) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of
this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or
provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of
the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts or in
the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations
or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to said Act.
In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act, reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such provision shall be deemed to
incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
19. Notices. Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed postage paid to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice. Until
further notice to the other party, it is agreed that for this purpose the
address of the Trust shall be 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, Texas
76092 and of the Underwriter shall be 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200,
Southlake, Texas 76092.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
21. Binding Effect. Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and
represents that he has the full power and authority to sign this Agreement on
behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will operate to bind the
party indicated to the foregoing terms.
22. Force Majeure. If Underwriter shall be delayed in its performance
of services or prevented entirely or in part from performing services due to
causes or events beyond its control, including and without limitation, acts of
God, interruption of power or other utility, transportation or communication
services, acts of civil or military authority, sabotages, national emergencies,
explosion, flood, accident, earthquake or other catastrophe, fire, strike or
other labor problems, legal action, present or future law, governmental order,
rule or regulation, or shortages of suitable parts, materials, labor or
transportation, such delay or non-performance shall be excused and a reasonable
time for performance in connection with this Agreement shall be extended to
include the period of such delay or non-performance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and Underwriter have each caused this
Agreement to be signed on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above
written.
ATTEST: AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
__/s/______________ By:___/s/______________________________
Paul Bellany Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, President
ATTEST: AMERIPRIME FINANCIAL SECURITIES, INC.
___/s/_______________________ By:___/s/_____________________________
Paul Bellany Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, President
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT EXHIBIT A
9/20/1999
StoneRidge Bond Fund
StoneRidge Small Cap Equity Fund
StoneRidge Equity Fund
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
FIRSTAR BANK, N.A.
AND
AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Definitions 1
ARTICLE II - Appointment; Acceptence; and Furnishing of Documents
II. A. Appointment of Custodian. 5
II. B. Acceptance of Custodian. 5
II. C. Documents to be Furnished. 5
II. D. Notice of Appointment of Dividend and Transfer Agent. 5
ARTICLE III - Receipt of Trust Assets
III. A. Delivery of Moneys. 6
III. B. Delivery of Securities. 6
III. C. Payments for Shares. 6
III. D. Duties Upon Receipt. 7
ARTICLE IV - Disbursement of Trust Assets
IV. A. Declaration of Dividends by Trust. 7
IV. B. Segregation of Redemption Proceeds. 7
IV. C. Disbursements of Custodian. 8
IV. D. Payment of Custodian Fees. 8
ARTICLE V - Custody of Trust Assets
V. A. Separate Accounts for Each Fund. 8
V. B. Segregation of Non-Cash Assets. 9
V. C. Securities in Bearer and Registered Form. 9
V. D. Duties of Custodian as to Securities. 9
V. E. Certain Actions Upon Written Instructions. 10
V. F. Custodian to Deliver Proxy Materials. 11
V. G. Custodian to Deliver Tender Offer Information. 11
V. H. Custodian to Deliver Security and Transaction Information. 12
ARTICLE VI - Purchase and Sale of Securities
VI. A. Purchase of Securities. 12
VI. B. Sale of Securities. 13
VI. C. Delivery Versus Payment for Purchases and Sales. 14
VI. D. Payment on Settlement Date. 14
VI. E. Segregated Accounts. 14
VI. F. Advances for Settlement. 16
ARTICLE VII - Trust Indebtedness
VII. A. Borrowings. 17
VII. B. Advances. 18
ARTICLE VIII - Concerning the Custodian
VIII. A. Limitations on Liability of Custodian. 18
VIII. B. Actions not Required by Custodian. 20
VIII. C. No Duty to Collect Amounts Due From Dividend and Transfer Agent. 21
VIII. D. No Enforcement Actions. 21
VIII. E. Authority to Use Agents and Sub-Custodians. 22
VIII. F. No Duty to Supervise Investments. 22
VIII. G. All Records Confidential. 23
VIII. H. Compensation of Custodian. 23
VIII. I. Reliance Upon Instructions. 23
VIII. J. Books and Records. 24
VIII. K. Internal Accounting Control Systems. 24
VIII. L. No Management of Assets by Custodian. 24
VIII. M. Assistance to Trust. 25
ARTICLE IX - Termination
IX. A. Termination. 25
IX. B. Failure to Designate Successor Custodian. 26
ARTICLE X - Force Majeure
ARTICLE XI - Miscellaneous
XI. A. Designation of Authorized Persons. 27
XI. B. Limitation of Personal Liability. 27
XI. C. Authorization By Board. 28
XI. D. Custodian's Consent to Use of Its Name. 28
XI. E. Notices to Custodian. 29
XI. F. Notices to Trust. 29
XI. G. Amendments In Writing. 29
XI. H. Successors and Assigns. 29
XI. I. Governing Law. 29
XI. J. Jurisdiction. 30
XI. K. Counterparts. 30
XI. L. Headings. 30
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX E
<PAGE>
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of the 1st day of
October, 1999, by and between AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, an Ohio business trust
(the "Trust") and Firstar Bank, National Association, (the "Custodian"), a
national banking association having its principal office at 425 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202.
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Custodian desire to enter into this
Agreement to provide for the custody and safekeeping of the assets of the Trust
as required by the Act (as hereafter defined).
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth, the Trust and the Custodian agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases, when used in this Agreement, unless
the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
Act - the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
1934 Act - the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Authorized Person - any person, whether or not any such person is an
officer or employee of the Trust, who is duly authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on
behalf of the Trust or any Fund, and named in Appendix A attached hereto and as
amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by
an Officer, and received by the Custodian.
Board of Trustees - the Trustees from time to time serving under the
Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time amended.
Book-Entry System - a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart
O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFT Part 350, or
in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the
form of Subpart O.
Business Day - any day recognized as a settlement day by The New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. and any other day for which the Trust computes the net
asset value of Shares of any fund.
Depository - The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a limited purpose
trust company, its successor(s) and its nominee(s). Depository shall include any
other clearing agency registered with the SEC under Section 17A of the 1934 Act
which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all
Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the
system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping
entry without physical delivery of the Securities provided that the Custodian
shall have received a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified
by an Officer, specifically approving the use of such clearing agency as a
depository for the Funds.
Dividend and Transfer Agent - the dividend and transfer agent
appointed, from time to time, pursuant to a written agreement between the
dividend and transfer agent and the Trust.
Foreign Securities - a) securities issued and sold primarily outside of
the United States by a foreign government, a national of any foreign country, or
a trust or other organization incorporated or organized under the laws of any
foreign country or; b) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the
United States, by any state, by any political subdivision or agency thereof, or
by any entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any state
thereof, which have been issued and sold primarily outside of the United States.
Fund - each series of the Trust listed in Appendix B and any additional
series added pursuant to Proper Instructions. A series is individually referred
to as a "Fund" and collectively referred to as the "Funds."
Money Market Security - debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and/or interest by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, commercial paper, obligations (including certificates
of deposit, bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
agreements with respect to the same), and time deposits of domestic banks and
thrift institutions whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, and short-term corporate obligations where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally require settlement in federal funds or their equivalent
on the same day as such purchase and sale, all of which mature in not more than
thirteen (13) months.
NASD - the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Officer - the Chairman, President, Secretary, Treasurer, any Vice
President, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.
Oral Instructions - instructions orally transmitted to and received by
the Custodian from an Authorized Person (or from a person that the Custodian
reasonably believes in good faith to be an Authorized Person) and confirmed by
Written Instructions in such a manner that such Written Instructions are
received by the Custodian on the Business Day immediately following receipt of
such Oral Instructions.
Proper Instructions - Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Proper
Instructions may be continuing Written Instructions when deemed appropriate by
both parties.
Prospectus - the Trust's then currently effective prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, as filed with and declared effective from
time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Security or Securities - Money Market Securities, common stock,
preferred stock, options, financial futures, bonds, notes, debentures, corporate
debt securities, mortgages, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances,
mortgage-backed securities or other obligations and any certificates, receipts,
warrants, or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive,
purchase, or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other
rights or interest therein, or any similar property or assets, including
securities of any registered investment company, that the Custodian has the
facilities to clear and to service.
SEC - the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of
America.
Shares - with respect to a Fund, the units of beneficial interest
issued by the Trust on account of such Fund.
Trust - the BUSINESS TRUST organized under the laws of OHIO which is an
[OPEN-END DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT] investment company registered under the Act.
Written Instructions - communications in writing actually received by
the Custodian from an Authorized Person. A communication in writing includes a
communication by facsimile, telex or between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices (where the use of such devices have been approved by resolution of the
Board of Trustees and the resolution is certified by an Officer and delivered to
the Custodian). All written communications shall be directed to the Custodian,
attention: Mutual Fund Custody Department.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT; ACCEPTANCE; AND FURNISHING OF DOCUMENTS
II. A. Appointment of Custodian. The Trust hereby constitutes and
appoints the Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash owned by the
Trust at any time during the term of this Agreement.
II. B. Acceptance of Custodian. The Custodian hereby accepts
appointment as such custodian and agrees to perform the duties thereof as
hereinafter set forth.
II. C. Documents to be Furnished. The following documents, including
any amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of
the Agreement, to the Custodian by the Trust:
1. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust certified by
the Secretary.
2. A copy of the By-Laws of the Trust certified by the
Secretary.
3. A copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary.
4. A copy of the then current Prospectus.
5. A Certificate of the President and Secretary of the Trust
setting forth the names and signatures of all Authorized
Persons.
II. D. Notice of Appointment of Dividend and Transfer Agent. The Trust
agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or
change in appointment of any Dividend and Transfer Agent.
ARTICLE III
RECEIPT OF TRUST ASSETS
III. A. Delivery of Moneys. During the term of this Agreement, the
Trust will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all moneys to be
held by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. The Custodian shall be
entitled to reverse any deposits made on any Fund's behalf where such deposits
have been entered and moneys are not finally collected within 30 days of the
making of such entry.
III. B. Delivery of Securities. During the term of this Agreement, the
Trust will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Securities to
be held by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. The Custodian will not
have any duties or responsibilities with respect to such Securities until
actually received by the Custodian. The Custodian is hereby authorized by the
Trust, acting on behalf of the Fund, to actually deposit any assets of the Fund
in the Book-Entry System or in a Depository, provided, however, that the
Custodian shall always be accountable to the Trust for the assets of the Fund so
deposited. Assets deposited in the Book-Entry System or the Depository will be
represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian for
customers, including but not limited to accounts in which the Custodian acts in
a fiduciary or representative capacity.
III. C. Payments for Shares. As and when received, the Custodian shall
deposit to the account(s) of a Fund any and all payments for Shares of that Fund
issued or sold from time to time as they are received from the Trust's
distributor or Dividend and Transfer Agent or from the Trust itself.
III. D. Duties Upon Receipt. The Custodian shall not be responsible
for any Securities, moneys or other assets of any Fund until actually received.
ARTICLE IV
DISBURSEMENT OF TRUST ASSETS
IV. A. Declaration of Dividends by Trust. The Trust shall furnish to
the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
certified by the Trust's Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of the
declaration of any dividend or distribution in respect of Shares of any Fund of
the Trust, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund
shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per
share to Fund shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be
paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing
the declaration of dividends and distributions in respect of Shares of a Fund on
a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian to rely on Written Instructions
setting forth the date of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution,
the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders
entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund
shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the
Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date.
On the payment date specified in the resolution or Written Instructions
described above, the Custodian shall segregate such amounts from moneys held for
the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.
IV. B. Segregation of Redemption Proceeds. Upon receipt of Proper
Instructions so directing it, the Custodian shall segregate amounts necessary
for the payment of redemption proceeds to be made by the Dividend and Transfer
Agent from moneys held for the account of the Fund so that they are available
for such payment.
IV. C. Disbursements of Custodian. Upon receipt of a Certificate
directing payment and setting forth the name and address of the person to whom
such payment is to be made, the amount of such payment, the name of the Fund
from which payment is to be made, and the purpose for which payment is to be
made, the Custodian shall disburse amounts as and when directed from the assets
of that Fund. The Custodian is authorized to rely on such directions and shall
be under no obligation to inquire as to the propriety of such directions.
IV. D. Payment of Custodian Fees. Upon receipt of Written Instructions
directing payment, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the assets of the
Trust in payment of the Custodian's fees and expenses as provided in Article
VIII hereof.
ARTICLE V
CUSTODY OF TRUST ASSETS
V. A. Separate Accounts for Each Fund. As to each Fund, the Custodian
shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States
in the name of the Trust coupled with the name of such Fund, subject only to
draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
and shall hold all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund,
other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used by
the Fund in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Act. Moneys held by the
Custodian on behalf of a Fund may be deposited by the Custodian to its credit as
Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian. Such moneys shall be
deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as such, and shall be withdrawable by
the Custodian only in such capacity.
V. B. Segregation of Non-Cash Assets. All Securities and non-cash
property held by the Custodian for the account of a Fund (other than Securities
maintained in a Depository or Book-entry System) shall be physically segregated
from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian
(including the Securities and non-cash property of the other Funds) and shall be
identified as subject to this Agreement.
V. C. Securities in Bearer and Registered Form. All Securities held
which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, shall be held by the Custodian
in that form; all other Securities held for the Fund may be registered in the
name of the Custodian, any sub-custodian appointed in accordance with this
Agreement, or the nominee of any of them. The Trust agrees to furnish to the
Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold, or deliver in
proper form for transfer, any Securities that it may hold for the account of any
Fund and which may, from time to time, be registered in the name of a Fund.
V. D. Duties of Custodian as to Securities. Unless otherwise instructed
by the Trust, with respect to all Securities held for the Trust, the Custodian
shall on a timely basis (concerning items 1 and 2 below, as defined in the
Custodian's Standards of Service Guide, as amended from time to time, annexed
hereto as Appendix D):
1.) Collect all income due and payable with respect to such
Securities;
2.) Present for payment and collect amounts payable upon all
Securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise
become payable;
3.) Surrender interim receipts or Securities in temporary form
for Securities in definitive form; and
4.) Execute, as Custodian, any necessary declarations or
certificates of ownership under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority, including any foreign taxing
authority, now or hereafter in effect.
V. E. Certain Actions Upon Written Instructions. Upon receipt of a
Written Instructions and not otherwise, the Custodian shall:
1.) Execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in
such Written Instructions proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other
instruments whereby the authority of the Trust as beneficial owner of any
Securities may be exercised;
2.) Deliver any Securities in exchange for other Securities or
cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, or recapitalization of any corporation, or
the exercise of any conversion privilege;
3.) Deliver any Securities to any protective committee,
reorganization committee, or other person in connection with the reorganization,
refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or sale of assets of any
corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such
certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as
may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;
4.) Make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of any Fund
and take such other steps as shall be stated in the Written Instructions to be
for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of liquidation,
reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Trust; and
5.) Deliver any Securities held for any Fund to the depository
agent for tender or other similar offers.
V. F. Custodian to Deliver Proxy Materials. The Custodian shall
promptly deliver to the Trust all notices, proxy material and executed but
unvoted proxies pertaining to shareholder meetings of Securities held by any
Fund. The Custodian shall not vote or authorize the voting of any Securities or
give any consent, waiver or approval with respect thereto unless so directed by
Written Instructions.
V. G. Custodian to Deliver Tender Offer Information. The Custodian
shall promptly deliver to the Trust all information received by the Custodian
and pertaining to Securities held by any Fund with respect to tender or exchange
offers, calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights as described
in the Standards of Service Guide attached as Appendix D. If the Trust desires
to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar
transaction, the Trust shall notify the Custodian at least five Business Days
prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Trust will
provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for
any Security which has unique put/option provisions at least five Business Days
prior to the beginning date of the tender period.
V. H. Custodian to Deliver Security and Transaction Information. On
each Business Day that the Federal Reserve Bank is open, the Custodian shall
furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of monies held for the Fund under
this Agreement and with confirmations and a summary of all transfers to or from
the account of the Fund. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian
shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of the Securities held for the
Fund under this Agreement. Where Securities are transferred to the account of
the Fund without physical delivery, the Custodian shall also identify as
belonging to the Fund a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities
registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the
Custodian's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the Depository.
With respect to information provided by this section, it shall not be necessary
for the Custodian to provide notice as described by Article XI Section F.
Notices to Trust; it shall be sufficient to communicate by such means as shall
be mutually agreeable to the Trust and the Custodian.
ARTICLE VI
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES
VI. A. Purchase of Securities. Promptly after each purchase of
Securities by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with
respect to each purchase of Securities which are not Money Market Securities,
Written Instructions, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market
Securities, Proper Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase
the;
1.) name of the issuer and the title of the Securities,
2.) the number of shares, principal amount purchased (and accrued interest, if
any) or other units purchased,
3.) date of purchase and settlement,
4.) purchase price per unit,
5.) total amount payable,
6.) name of the person from whom, or the broker through which, the purchase was
made,
7.) the name of the person to whom such amount is payable, and
8.) the Fund for which the purchase was made.
The Custodian shall, against receipt of Securities purchased by or for the
Trust, pay out of the moneys held for the account of such Fund the total amount
specified in the Written Instructions, or Oral Instructions, if applicable, to
the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay
out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Securities for a Fund, if in the
relevant Fund custody account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund
for which such purchase was made. With respect to any repurchase agreement
transaction for the Funds, the Custodian shall assure that the collateral
reflected on the transaction advice is received by the Custodian.
VI. B. Sale of Securities. Promptly after each sale of Securities by a
Fund, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and (ii)
with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, Proper Instructions,
specifying with respect to each such sale the:
1.) name of the issuer and the title of the Securities,
2.) number of shares, principal amount sold (and accrued interest, if any) or
other units sold,
3.) date of sale and settlement,
4.) sale price per unit,
5.) total amount receivable,
6.) name of the person to whom, or the broker through which, the sale was made,
7.) name of the person to whom such Securities are to be delivered, and
8.) Fund for which the sale was made.
The Custodian shall deliver the Securities against receipt of the total amount
specified in the Written Instructions, or Oral Instructions, if applicable.
VI. C. Delivery Versus Payment for Purchases and Sales. Purchases and
sales of Securities effected by the Custodian will be made on a delivery versus
payment basis. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion, upon receipt of
Written Instructions, elect to settle a purchase or sale transaction in some
other manner, but only upon receipt of acceptable indemnification from the Fund.
VI. D. Payment on Settlement Date. On contractual settlement date, the
account of the Fund will be charged for all purchased Securities settling on
that day, regardless of whether or not delivery is made. Likewise, on
contractual settlement date, proceeds from the sale of Securities settling that
day will be credited to the account of the Fund, irrespective of delivery.
VI. E. Segregated Accounts. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of Proper
Instructions so directing it, establish and maintain a segregated account or
accounts for and on behalf of a Fund. Cash and/or Securities may be transferred
into such account or accounts for specific purposes, to-wit:
1.) in accordance with the provision of any agreement among the Trust,
the Custodian, and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act, and also a
member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of the Options
Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, any registered contract market, or any
similar organization or organizations requiring escrow or other similar
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;
2.) for purposes of segregating cash or Securities in connection with
options purchased, sold, or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts
or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund;
3.) for the purpose of compliance by the Fund with the procedures
required for reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements, standby
commitment agreements, short sales, or any other securities by Act Release No.
10666, or any subsequent release or releases or rule of the SEC relating to the
maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies;
4.) for the purpose of segregating collateral for loans of Securities
made by the Fund; and
5.) for other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the Board of
Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purposes of such segregated
account.
Each segregated account established hereunder shall be established and
maintained for a single Fund only. All Proper Instructions relating to a
segregated account shall specify the Fund involved.
VI. F. Advances for Settlement. Except as otherwise may be agreed upon
by the parties hereto, the Custodian shall not be required to comply with any
Written Instructions to settle the purchase of any Securities on behalf of a
Fund unless there is sufficient cash in the account(s) pertaining to such Fund
at the time or to settle the sale of any Securities from such an account(s)
unless such Securities are in deliverable form. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the purchase price of such Securities exceeds the amount of cash in the
account(s) at the time of such purchase, the Custodian may, in its sole
discretion, advance the amount of the difference in order to settle the purchase
of such Securities. The amount of any such advance shall be deemed a loan from
the Custodian to the Trust payable on demand and bearing interest accruing from
the date such loan is made up to but not including the date such loan is repaid
at the rate per annum customarily charged by the Custodian on similar loans.
ARTICLE VII
TRUST INDEBTEDNESS
VII. A. Borrowings. In connection with any borrowings by the Trust, the
Trust will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by a bank or broker requiring
Securities as collateral for such borrowings (including the Custodian if the
borrowing is from the Custodian), a notice or undertaking in the form currently
employed by such bank or broker setting forth the amount of collateral. The
Trust shall promptly deliver to the Custodian Written Instructions specifying
with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank or broker, (b) the
amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by
reference an attached promissory note duly endorsed by the Trust, or a loan
agreement, (c) the date, and time if known, on which the loan is to be entered
into, (d) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (e) the total
amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, and (f) the description of
the Securities securing the loan, including the name of the issuer, the title
and the number of shares or other units or the principal amount. The Custodian
shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in the Written Instructions the
required collateral against the lender's delivery of the total loan amount then
payable, provided that the same conforms to that which is described in the
Written Instructions. The Custodian shall deliver, in the manner directed by the
Trust, such Securities as additional collateral, as may be specified in Written
Instructions, to secure further any transaction described in this Article VII.
The Trust shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be
returned directly to the Custodian and the Custodian shall receive from time to
time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it.
The Custodian may, at the option of the lender, keep such collateral in
its possession, subject to all rights therein given to the lender because of the
loan. The Custodian may require such reasonable conditions regarding such
collateral and its dealings with third-party lenders as it may deem appropriate.
VII. B. Advances. With respect to any advances of cash made by the
Custodian to or for the benefit of a Fund for any purpose which results in the
Fund incurring an overdraft at the end of any Business Day, such advance shall
be repayable immediately upon demand made by the Custodian at any time.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
VIII. A. Limitations on Liability of Custodian. Except as otherwise
provided herein, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage,
including counsel fees, resulting from its action or omission to act or
otherwise, except for any such loss or damage arising out of its negligence or
willful misconduct. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund and only from assets of the
Fund (or insurance purchased by the Trust with respect to its liabilities on
behalf of the Fund hereunder), shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the
Custodian and its directors, officers, employees and agents with respect to any
loss, claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or
alleged to arise from or relating to the Trust's duties hereunder or any other
action or inaction of the Trust or its Trustees, officers, employees or agents,
except such as may arise from the negligent action, omission, willful misconduct
or breach of this Agreement by the Custodian, its directors, officers, employees
or agents.. The Custodian shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Trust
and its trustees, officers, employees or agents with respect to any loss, claim,
liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or alleged to
arise from or relating to the Custodian's duties as specifically set forth in
this agreement with respect to the Fund hereunder or any other action or
inaction of the Custodian or its directors, officers, employees, agents,
nominees, or Sub-Custodians as to the Fund, except such as may arise from the
negligent action, omission or willful misconduct of the Trust, its trustees,
officers, employees, or agents. The Custodian may, with respect to questions of
law apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Trust at the
expense of the Fund, or of its own counsel at its own expense, and shall be
fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in
conformity with the advice or opinion of counsel to the Trust, and shall be
similarly protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith
in conformity with advice or opinion of its counsel, unless counsel to the Fund
shall, within a reasonable time after being notified of legal advice received by
the Custodian, have a differing interpretation of such question of law. The
Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any proximate loss or damage
resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any Depository arising by
reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct on the part of the Custodian
or any of its employees, agents, nominees or Sub-Custodians, but not for any
special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages; provided, however, that
nothing contained herein shall preclude recovery by the Trust, on behalf of the
Fund, of principal and of interest to the date of recovery on Securities
incorrectly omitted from the Fund's account or penalties imposed on the Trust,
in connection with the Fund, for any failures to deliver Securities. In any case
in which one party hereto may be asked to indemnify the other or hold the other
harmless, the party from whom indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying
Party") shall be advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in
question, and the party claiming a right to indemnification (the "Indemnified
Party") will use reasonable care to identify and notify the Indemnifying Party
promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears to present a claim
for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall
have the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be
the subject of the indemnification, and in the event the Indemnifying Party so
elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying
Party and satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party will
so notify the Indemnified Party and thereupon such Indemnifying Party shall take
over the complete defense of the claim and the Indemnifying Party shall sustain
no further legal or other expenses in such situation for which indemnification
has been sought under this paragraph, except the expenses of any additional
counsel retained by the Indemnified Party. In no case shall any party claiming
the right to indemnification confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party has been asked to indemnify such party (unless
such confession or compromise is made with such other party's prior written
consent. The provisions of this section VIII. A. shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.
VIII. B. Actions not Required by Custodian. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Custodian, acting in the capacity of Custodian
hereunder, shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable
for:
1.) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for the
account of any Fund, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the
propriety of the amount paid therefor;
2.) The legality of the sale of any Securities by or for the account of
any Fund, or the propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;
3.) The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of any Fund, or the
sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;
4.) The legality of the redemption of any Shares of any Fund, or the
propriety of the amount to be paid therefor;
5.) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the
Trust in respect of Shares of any Fund;
6.) The legality of any borrowing by the Trust on behalf of the Trust or
any Fund, using Securities as collateral;
7.) Whether the Trust or a Fund is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the
regulations thereunder, the provisions of the Trust's charter
documents or by-laws, or its investment objectives and policies as
then in effect.
VIII. C. No Duty to Collect Amounts Due From Dividend and Transfer
Agent. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to
effect collection of any amount due to the Trust from any Dividend and Transfer
Agent of the Trust nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by
any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust of any amount paid by the Custodian
to any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust in accordance with this
Agreement.
VIII. D. No Enforcement Actions. Notwithstanding Section D of Article
V, the Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action, by
legal means or otherwise, to effect collection of any amount, if the Securities
upon which such amount is payable are in default, or if payment is refused after
due demand or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take
such action by Written Instructions and (ii) it shall be assured to its
satisfaction (including prepayment thereof) of reimbursement of its costs and
expenses in connection with any such action.
VIII. E. Authority to Use Agents and Sub-Custodians. The Trust
acknowledges and hereby authorizes the Custodian to hold Securities through its
various agents described in Appendix C annexed hereto. In addition, the Trust
acknowledges that the Custodian may appoint one or more financial institutions,
as agent or agents or as sub-custodian or sub-custodians, including, but not
limited to, banking institutions located in foreign countries, for the purpose
of holding Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund. The Custodian
shall not be relieved of any obligation or liability under this Agreement in
connection with the appointment or activities of such agents or sub-custodians.
Any such agent or sub-custodian shall be qualified to serve as such for assets
of investment companies registered under the Act. The Funds shall reimburse the
Custodian for all costs incurred by the Custodian in connection with opening
accounts with any such agents or sub-custodians. Upon request, the Custodian
shall promptly forward to the Trust any documents it receives from any agent or
sub-custodian appointed hereunder which may assist trustees of registered
investment companies to fulfill their responsibilities under Rule 17f-5 of the
Act.
VIII. F. No Duty to Supervise Investments. The Custodian shall not be
under any duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time
delivered to or held by it for the account of the Trust are such as properly may
be held by the Trust under the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and the
Trust's By-Laws.
VIII. G. All Records Confidential. The Custodian shall treat all
records and other information relating to the Trust and the assets of all Funds
as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any
other person unless (i) the Trust shall have consented thereto in writing or
(ii) such disclosure is compelled by law.
VIII. H. Compensation of Custodian. The Custodian shall be entitled to
receive and the Trust agrees to pay to the Custodian, for the Fund's account
from the Fund's assets only, such compensation as shall be determined pursuant
to Appendix E attached hereto, or as shall be determined pursuant to amendments
to Appendix E as approved by the Custodian and the Trust. The Custodian shall be
entitled to charge against any money held by it for the accounts of the Fund the
amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees, for
which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this
Agreement as determined by agreement of the Custodian and the Trust or by the
final order of any court or arbitrator having jurisdiction and as to which all
rights of appeal shall have expired. The expenses which the Custodian may charge
against the account of a Fund include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
agents or Sub-Custodians incurred in settling transactions involving the
purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund.
VIII. I. Reliance Upon Instructions. The Custodian shall be entitled to
rely upon any Proper Instructions if such reliance is made in good faith. The
Trust agrees to forward to the Custodian Written Instructions confirming Oral
Instructions in such a manner so that such Written Instructions are received by
the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telex, facsimile or otherwise, on the
same Business Day on which such Oral Instructions were given. The Trust agrees
that the failure of the Custodian to receive such confirming instructions shall
in no way affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions hereby authorized by the Trust. The Trust agrees that the Custodian
shall incur no liability to the Trust for acting upon Oral Instructions given to
the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions.
VIII. J. Books and Records. The Custodian will (i) set up and maintain
proper books of account and complete records of all transactions in the accounts
maintained by the Custodian hereunder in such manner as will meet the
obligations of the Fund under the Act, with particular attention to Section 31
thereof and Rules 3la-1 and 3la-2 thereunder and those records are the property
of the Trust, and (ii) preserve for the periods prescribed by applicable Federal
statute or regulation all records required to be so preserved. All such books
and records shall be the property of the Trust, and shall be available, upon
request, for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the
Trust and employees of the SEC.
VIII. K. Internal Accounting Control Systems. The Custodian shall send
to the Trust any report received on the systems of internal accounting control
of the Custodian, or its agents or sub-custodians, as the Trust may reasonably
request from time to time.
VIII. L. No Management of Assets by Custodian. The Custodian performs
only the services of a custodian and shall have no responsibility for the
management, investment or reinvestment of the Securities or other assets from
time to time owned by any Fund. The Custodian is not a selling agent for Shares
of any Fund and performance of its duties as custodian shall not be deemed to be
a recommendation to any Fund's depositors or others of Shares of the Fund as an
investment. The Custodian shall have no duties or obligations whatsoever except
such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and
no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement against the
Custodian.
VIII. M. Assistance to Trust. The Custodian shall take all reasonable
action, that the Trust may from time to time request, to assist the Trust in
obtaining favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants, with
respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder, in connection with the
preparation of the Fund's Form N- IA, Form N-SAR, or other annual reports to the
SEC.
VIII. N. Grant of Security Interest. The Trust hereby pledges to and
grants the Custodian a security interest in the assets of any Fund to secure the
payment of any liabilities of the Fund to the Custodian for money borrowed from
the Custodian. This pledge is in addition to any other pledge of collateral by
the Trust to the Custodian.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
IX. A. Termination. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement
for any reason by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the
date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after
the date of giving of such notice. If such notice is given by the Trust, it
shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust, certified by the Secretary of the Trust, electing to terminate this
Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians each of which
shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate
capital, surplus, and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by
the Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to
the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
certified by the Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians to
act on behalf of the Trust. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, the
Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust
company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus, and
undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall
terminate, and the Custodian, provided that it has received a notice of
acceptance by the successor custodian, shall deliver, on that date, directly to
the successor custodian all Securities and monies then owned by the Fund and
held by it as Custodian. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall pay
to the Custodian on behalf of the Trust such compensation as may be due as of
the date of such termination. The Trust agrees on behalf of the Trust that the
Custodian shall be reimbursed for its reasonable costs in connection with the
termination of this Agreement.
IX. B. Failure to Designate Successor Custodian. If a successor
custodian is not designated by the Trust, or by the Custodian in accordance with
the preceding paragraph, or the designated successor cannot or will not serve,
the Trust shall, upon the delivery by the Custodian to the Trust of all
Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be
delivered to the Trust) and moneys then owned by the Trust, be deemed to be the
custodian for the Trust, and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all
duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with
respect to Securities held in the Book-Entry System, which cannot be delivered
to the Trust, which shall be held by the Custodian in accordance with this
Agreement.
ARTICLE X
FORCE MAJEURE
Neither the Custodian nor the Trust shall be liable for any failure or
delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or
caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control,
including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars;
civil or military disturbances; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; riots; labor
disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or
inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation; provided,
however, that the Custodian, in the event of a failure or delay, shall use its
best efforts to ameliorate the effects of any such failure or delay.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
XI. A. Designation of Authorized Persons. Appendix A sets forth the
names and the signatures of all Authorized Persons as of this date, as certified
by the Secretary of the Trust. The Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian a
new Appendix A in form similar to the attached Appendix A, if any present
Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or if any other or
additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new Appendix
A shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the
provisions of this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or signatures of the then
current Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Appendix A.
XI. B. Limitation of Personal Liability. No recourse under any
obligation of this Agreement or for any claim based thereon shall be had against
any organizer, shareholder, officer, trustee, past, present or future as such,
of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the
Trust or any such predecessor or successor, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law or equity, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood
that this Agreement and the obligations thereunder are enforceable solely
against the assets of the Trust, and that no such personal liability whatever
shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the organizers, shareholders,
officers, or trustees of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, or any of
them as such, because of the obligations contained in this Agreement or implied
therefrom and that any and all such liability is hereby expressly waived and
released by the Custodian as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the
execution of this Agreement.
XI. C. Authorization By Board. The obligations set forth in this
Agreement as having been made by the Trust have been made by the Board of
Trustees, acting as such Trustees for and on behalf of the Trust, pursuant to
the authority vested in them under the laws of the State of OHIO, the
Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust. This Agreement has been
executed by Officers of the Trust as officers, and not individually, and the
obligations contained herein are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Officers,
agents or holders of shares, personally, but bind only the Trust and then only
to the extent of the assets of the Trust.
XI. D. Custodian's Consent to Use of Its Name. The Trust shall obtain
the Custodian's consent prior to the publication and/or dissemination or
distribution, of the Prospectus and any other documents (including advertising
material) specifically mentioning the Custodian (other than merely by name and
address).
XI. E. Notices to Custodian. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian and mailed or delivered to it
at its offices at Firstar Bank Center, 425 Walnut .Street, M. L. 6118,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, attention Mutual Fund Custody Department, or at such
other place as the Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
XI. F. Notices to Trust. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be
sufficiently given when delivered to the Trust or on the second Business Day
following the time such notice is deposited in the U.S. mail postage prepaid and
addressed to the Trust at its office at 1793 KINGSWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 200,
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS 76092 or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time
designate in writing.
XI. G. Amendments In Writing. This Agreement, with the exception of the
Appendices, may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written
agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this Agreement,
and authorized and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust.
XI. H. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall extend to and shall
be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust or
by the Custodian, and no attempted assignment by the Trust or the Custodian
shall be effective without the written consent of the other party hereto.
XI. I. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Ohio.
XI. J. Jurisdiction. Any legal action, suit or proceeding to be
instituted by either party with respect to this Agreement shall be brought by
such party exclusively in the courts of the State of Ohio or in the courts of
the United States for the Southern District of Ohio, and each party, by its
execution of this Agreement, irrevocably (i) submits to such jurisdiction and
(ii) consents to the service of any process or pleadings by first class U.S.
mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by any other means from
time to time authorized by the laws of such jurisdiction.
XI. K. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such
counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
XI. L. Headings. The headings of paragraphs in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction
of any provision of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized as of the day
and year FIRST above written.
WITNESS: TRUST:
AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
___/s/_______________________ By:_/s/____________________________________
Paul Bellany Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, President
WITNESS: CUSTODIAN:
Firstar Bank, N.A.
/s/_______________________ By: /s/_________________________________
Marty Hammond Marsha Croxton
Title: Senior Vice President
<PAGE>
FIRSTAR BANK
CASH MANAGEMENT FEE SCHEDULE FOR AMERIPRIME ADVISORS SERIES TRUST
SERVICES UNIT COST ($) MONTHLY COST ($)
- -------- ------------- ----------------
D.D.A. Account Maintenance 15.00
Deposits .42
Deposited Items .109
Checks Paid .159
Balance Reporting - P.C. Access 50.00 1st Acct
35.00 each add'l
ACH Transaction .105
ACH Monthly Maintenance 40.00
ACH Additions, Deletions, Changes 6.00
ACH Stop Payment 5.00
ACH Debits .12
Deposited Items Returned 6.00
International Items Returned 10.00
NSF Returned Checks 25.00
Stop Payments 22.00
Data Transmission per account 115.00
Drafts Cleared .179
Lockbox Maintenance 60.00
Lockbox items Processed .34
Miscellaneous Lockbox items .12
Positive Pay .06
Issued Items .015
Invoicing for Service Charge 15.00
Wires Incoming
Domestic 11.00
International 11.00
Wires Outgoing
Domestic International
Repetitive 14.00 Repetitive 35.00
Non-Repetitive 13.00 Non-Repetitive 40.00
PC - Initiated Wires:
Domestic International
Repetitive 10.00 Repetitive 25.00
Non-Repetitive 11.00 Non-Repetitive 25.00
Customer Initiated 9.00
UNCOLLECTED CHARGE -- STAR BANK PRIME RATE AS OF FIRST OF MONTH PLUS 4% OTHER
AVAILABLE CASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE PRICED SEPARATELY.
Revised July 1, 1999
BROWN, CUMMINS & BROWN CO., L.P.A.
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
3500 CAREW TOWER
J. W. BROWN (1911-1995) 441 VINE STREET MELANIE S. CORWIN
JAMES R. CUMMINS CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 JOANN M. STRASSER
ROBERT S BROWN TELEPHONE (513) 381-2121 AARON A. VANDERLAAN
DONALD S. MENDELSOHN TELECOPIER (513) 381-2125
LYNNE SKILKEN OF COUNSEL
AMY G. APPLEGATE GILBERT BETTMAN
KATHRYN KNUE PRZYWARA
October 7, 1999
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200
Southlake, Texas 76092
Gentlemen:
This letter is in response to your request for our opinion in
connection with the filing of the Registration Statement of AmeriPrime Advisors
Trust (the "Trust").
We have examined a copy of the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, the Trust's By-Laws, the Trust's record of the various actions by the
Trustee thereof, and all such agreements, certificate of public officials,
certificates of officers and representatives of the Trust and others, and such
other documents, papers, statutes and authorities as we deem necessary to form
the basis of the opinion hereinafter expressed. We have assumed the genuineness
of the signatures and the conformity to original documents of the copies of such
documents supplied to us as original or photostat copies.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, after
registration is effective for purposes of federal and applicable state
securities laws, the shares of each series of the Trust, if issued in accordance
with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust, will
be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We herewith give you our permission to file this opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/___________________________
Donald S. Mendelsohn
Brown, Cummins & Brown Co., L.P.A.
[Letterhead of McCurdy & Associates CPA's Inc.]
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use in this
Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement for the Ameriprime
Advisors Trust of our audit report of the statement of assets and liabilities of
the Trust and all references to our firm included in or made a part of this
Amendment.
_/s/__________________________
McCurdy & Associates CPA's Inc.
September 24, 1999
September 27, 1999
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
1793 Kingswood Drive
Southlake, Texas 76092
Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby purchases 5,000 shares of the StoneRidge Equity
Fund at $10.00 per share, and 5,000 shares of the StoneRidge Small Cap Equity
Fund at $10.00 per share, representing a total investment of $100,000 in the
shares of the series of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust. The undersigned hereby
represents that (i) such purchase is for investment purposes, and (ii) the
undersigned has no present intention of redeeming or selling said shares.
Highcrest Partners, LP
By: _/s/__________________________
Name: James E. Minnick
Title: President of the General Partner
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.00
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
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WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
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<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 0
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, a business trust organized under
the laws of the State of Ohio (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust"),
periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is the President and a Trustee of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES
R. CUMMINS and DONALD S. MENDELSOHN, and each of them, his attorneys for him and
in his name, place and stead, and in his office and capacity in the Trust, to
execute and file any Amendment or Amendments to the Trust's Registration
Statement, hereby giving and granting to said attorneys full power and authority
to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys may or shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of September, 1999.
__/s/_______________________
Kenneth D. Trumpfheller
President and Trustee
STATE OF TEXAS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF TARRANT )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said county and state,
personally appeared KENNETH D. TRUMPFHELLER, known to me to be the person
described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to
me that he executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 29 day of September, 1999.
__/s/__Sandra L. LeGrand
Notary Public
My commission expires: 02/04/2001
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, a business trust organized under
the laws of the State of Ohio (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust"),
periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES
R. CUMMINS and DONALD S. MENDELSOHN, and each of them, his attorneys for him and
in his name, place and stead, and in his office and capacity in the Trust, to
execute and file any Amendment or Amendments to the Trust's Registration
Statement, hereby giving and granting to said attorneys full power and authority
to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys may or shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 27th
day of September, 1999.
/s/ _______________________________
Richard Wright, Trustee
STATE OF TEXAS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF TARRANT )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said county and state,
personally appeared RICHARD WRIGHT, known to me to be the person described in
and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he
executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 27 day of September, 1999
__/s/__Matthew D. Denton
Notary Public
My commission expires: 01/14/2003
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, a business trust organized under
the laws of the State of Ohio (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust"),
periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES
R. CUMMINS and DONALD S. MENDELSOHN, and each of them, his attorneys for him and
in his name, place and stead, and in his office and capacity in the Trust, to
execute and file any Amendment or Amendments to the Trust's Registration
Statement, hereby giving and granting to said attorneys full power and authority
to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys may or shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of September, 1999.
___/s/________________________
Mark W. Muller, Trustee
STATE OF TEXAS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF TARRANT )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said county and state,
personally appeared FRANK BLISS, known to me to be the person described in and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he
executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 29 day of September, 1999.
__/s/___Sandra L. LeGrand
Notary Public
My commission expires: 02/04/2001
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, a business trust organized under
the laws of the State of Ohio (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust"),
periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned is the Secretary and the Treasurer of the
Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES
R. CUMMINS and DONALD S. MENDELSOHN, and each of them, his attorneys for him and
in his name, place and stead, and in his office and capacity in the Trust, to
execute and file any Amendment or Amendments to the Trust's Registration
Statement, hereby giving and granting to said attorneys full power and authority
to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys may or shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 29
day of September, 1999.
___/s/______________________
Paul S. Bellany
Secretary and Treasurer
STATE OF TEXAS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF TARRANT )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said county and state,
personally appeared Paul Ballany, known to me to be the person described in and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he
executed and delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 29 day of September, 1999.
__/s/____Sandra L. LeGrand
Notary Public
My commission expires: 02/04/2001
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
WHEREAS, AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST, a business trust organized under
the laws of the State of Ohio (hereinafter referred to as the "Trust"),
periodically files amendments to its Registration Statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints JAMES
R. CUMMINS and DONALD S. MENDELSOHN, and each of them, its attorneys for it and
in its name, place and stead, and in its office and capacity in the Trust, to
execute and file any Amendment or Amendments to the Trust's Registration
Statement, hereby giving and granting to said attorneys full power and authority
to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as it
might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys may or shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused its name to be subscribed hereto
by the President this 29 day of September, 1999.
ATTEST: AMERIPRIME ADVISORS TRUST
/s/ By: __/s/_________________________
Paul S. Bellany, Secretary Kenneth D. Trumpfheller, President
STATE OF TEXAS )
) ss:
COUNTY OF TARRANT )
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for said county and state,
personally appeared KENNETH D. TRUMPFHELLER, President and PAUL S. BELLANY,
Secretary, who represented that they are duly authorized in the premises, and
who are known to me to be the persons described in and who executed the
foregoing instrument, and they duly acknowledged to me that they executed and
delivered the same for the purposes therein expressed.
WITNESS my hand and official seal this 29 day of September, 1999.
_/s/_____Sandra L. LeGrand
Notary Public
My commission expires: 02/04/2001
<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned, Secretary of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust, hereby
certifies that the following resolution was duly adopted by a majority of the
Board of Trustees at a meeting held September 27, 1999, and is in full force and
effect:
"WHEREAS, AmeriPrime Advisors Trust, a business trust
organized under the laws of the State of Ohio (hereinafter
referred to as the "Trust"), periodically files amendments to
its Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933
and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints JAMES R. CUMMINS and DONALD S. MENDELSOHN, and each
of them, its attorneys for it and in its name, place and
stead, to execute and file any Amendment or Amendments to the
Trust's Registration Statement, hereby giving and granting to
said attorneys full power and authority to do and perform all
and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as it might or could do if personally present at the
doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof."
Dated: September 29, 1999 _/s/_______________________
PAUL S. BELLANY, Secretary
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
