COLONIAL TRUST I
497, 1997-01-07
Previous: AIM FUNDS GROUP/DE, DEFA14A, 1997-01-07
Next: COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO, 424B5, 1997-01-07



December 30, 1996

COLONIAL TAX-MANAGED
GROWTH FUND

PROSPECTUS

BEFORE YOU INVEST

Colonial Management Associates, Inc. (Administrator) and your full-service
financial adviser want you to understand both the risks and benefits of
mutual fund investing.

While  mutual  funds  offer  significant  opportunities  and are  professionally
managed,  they also carry risks  including  possible loss of  principal.  Unlike
savings  accounts and  certificates of deposit,  mutual funds are not insured or
guaranteed by any financial institution or government agency.

Please consult your full-service financial adviser to determine how investing in
this mutual fund may suit your unique needs, time horizon and risk tolerance.

Colonial  Tax-Managed  Growth Fund (Fund),  a diversified  portfolio of Colonial
Trust I (Trust),  an open-end management  investment company,  seeks to maximize
long-term capital growth while reducing shareholder exposure to taxes.

The Fund is managed by Stein Roe & Farnham, Inc. (Adviser),  an affiliate of the
Administrator and successor to an investment  advisory business that was founded
in 1932.

The Fund  currently is  structured  as a  traditional  mutual fund  investing in
individual  securities  but may in the future be  converted  to a  master/feeder
structure.  Under a master/feeder  structure, the Fund would seek to achieve its
objective  by  investing  all of  its  assets  in  another  open-end  management
investment  company  managed by the  Adviser and having  substantially  the same
objective and investment policies as the Fund. Shareholders of the Fund would be
notified but would not have an opportunity to vote on such conversion.

                                                              MG-01/016D-1196

The Fund's Traditional Shares (Classes A, B and D) are intended for traditional
individual, joint, corporate, custodial, trust or retirement account
investors.  The Fund's Trust Shares (Classes E, F, G and H) are designed
for persons  wishing to make an irrevocable gift to a child, grandchild
or other individual. If Trust Shares are chosen, the investment will be held
in an irrevocable trust until the date you have directed that it pass to
the beneficiary of the gift. See "Trust  Shares."  Distributions
from the trust are permitted only for limited, specified purposes.

This Prospectus  explains concisely what you should know before investing in the
Fund.  Read it  carefully  and retain it for  future  reference.  More  detailed
information  about the Fund is in the December 30, 1996  Statement of Additional
Information which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
is obtainable free of charge by calling the Administrator at 1-800-426-3750. The
Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference in (which means
it is considered to be a part of) this Prospectus.


Contents                                                 Page
Summary of Expenses                                        2
Possible Two-Tiered Structure                              3
The Fund's Investment Objective                            4
How the Fund Pursues its Objective
  and Certain Risk Factors                                 4
Adviser Performance Information                            7
How the Fund Measures its Performance                      8
How the Fund is Managed                                    8
How the Fund Values its Shares                             9
Traditional Shares                                         9
Trust Shares                                              10
General Information Regarding Buying
  and Selling Shares                                      13
Distributions and Taxes                                   15
Exchanges                                                 16
Telephone Transactions                                    16
12b-1 Plans                                               17
Organization and History                                  17

FUND  SHARES ARE NOT  DEPOSITS OR  OBLIGATIONS  OF, OR  GUARANTEED,  ENDORSED OR
INSURED BY, ANY BANK OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
Expenses are one of several  factors to consider when investing in the Fund. The
following  tables  summarize your maximum  transaction  costs and your estimated
annual  expenses for an investment in each Class of the Fund's shares.  See "How
the Fund is Managed" and "12b-1  Plans" for a more complete  description  of the
Fund's costs and expenses.  It is anticipated  that the Fund's annual  operating
expenses  would  not  change  materially  upon  conversion  to  a  master/feeder
structure.

Shareholder Transaction Expenses (1)(2)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Class A   Class B  Class D  Class E     Class F      Class G       Class H
<S>                                    <C>        <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
 Maximum Sales Charges (as a % of
   offering price) (3)(4)               5.75%     5.00%    1.99%    5.00%       5.00%        4.50%         5.00%
 Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed
   on  a Purchase (as a % of offering
   price) (3)(4)                        5.75%     0.00%    1.00%    5.00%       0.00%        4.50%         0.00%
 Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales
   Charge (as a % of offering price)    1.00%(5)  5.00%    0.99%    1.00%(5)    5.00%        1.00%(5)      5.00%
   (3)(4)
</TABLE>

(1) For accounts less than $1,000 an annual fee of $10 may be deducted.
    See "General Information Regarding Buying and Selling Shares."
(2) Redemption proceeds exceeding $5,000 sent via federal funds wire will be
    subject to a $7.50 charge per transaction.
(3) Does not apply to reinvested distributions.
(4) Because of the distribution fees applicable to Class B, D, E, F, G and H
    shares, long-term shareholders may pay more in aggregate sales charges
    than the maximum initial sales charge permitted by the National
    Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  See "12b-1 Plans."
(5) Only with respect to any portion of purchases of $1 million to $5 million
    redeemed within approximately 18 months after purchase.  See "Traditional
    Shares" and "Trust Shares."

Estimated Annual Operating Expenses (as a % of average net assets)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Class A      Class B     Class D      Class E     Class F     Class G      Class H
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
 Management and administration fees
   (after expense waiver or reimbursement)  0.73%       0.73%        0.73%       0.73%       0.73%        0.73%       0.73%
 12b-1 fees                                 0.25        1.00         1.00        0.35        1.00         0.35(6)     1.00
 Other expenses                             0.52        0.52         0.52        0.59        0.59         0.59        0.59
                                            ----        ----         ----        ----        ----         ----        ----
 Total operating expenses (after
 expense waiver or reimbursement)(7)        1.50%        2.25%       2.25%       1.67%       2.32%       1.67%        2.32%
                                            =====        =====       =====       =====       =====       =====        =====
</TABLE>

(6) The actual 12b-1 fee will be 0.35% on assets attributed to shares
    outstanding less than five years, and 0.50% on
    assets attributed to shares outstanding for five years or more.
(7) Total expenses,  excluding  brokerage,  interest,  taxes,  12b-1 fees,
    trust service expenses and extraordinary  expenses, are, until further
    notice,  voluntarily  limited by the  Administrator and the Adviser to
    1.25% of the first $100  million of average net  assets,  and 1.50% of
    average net assets over $100 million.  Absent such expense limitation,
    "Management and administration fees" would be 1.00% for each Class and
    "Total  operating  expenses"  are  estimated  to  be  1.77%(Class  A),
    2.52%(Classes  B and D), 1.94% (Class E),  2.59%(Classes  F and H) and
    2.09%(Class G).

Examples
The following Examples show the estimated cumulative expenses  attributable to a
hypothetical  $1,000  investment  in each  Class of  shares  of the Fund for the
periods specified, assuming a 5% annual return and reinvestment of dividends and
distributions.  The 5% return and expenses  used in this  Example  should not be
considered  indicative of actual or expected Fund performance or expenses,  both
of which will vary:

Example 1 (assumes redemption at period end)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Period               Class A        Class B         Class D          Class E          Class F          Class G        Class H
<S>                    <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>           <C>
1 year                 $ 72           $ 73            $43             $ 66              $ 74             $61           $ 74
3 years                $102           $100            $80             $100              $102             $95           $102
</TABLE>

Example 2 (assumes no redemption)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Period               Class A        Class B         Class D          Class E          Class F         Class G        Class H
<S>                    <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>           <C>
1 year                 $ 72           $23             $33             $ 66              $24             $61            $24
3 years                $102           $70             $80             $100              $72             $95            $72
</TABLE>

Without voluntary fee reductions, amounts in the Examples would be as follows:

Example 1 (assumes redemption at period end)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Period               Class A        Class B         Class D          Class E          Class F          Class G        Class H
<S>                    <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>           <C>
1 year                 $ 74           $ 76            $45             $ 69              $ 76            $ 64           $ 76
3 years                $110           $109            $88             $108              $111            $103           $111
</TABLE>

Example 2 (assumes no redemption)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Period               Class A        Class B         Class D          Class E          Class F         Class G        Class H
<S>                    <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>           <C>
1 year                 $ 74           $26             $35             $ 69              $26             $ 64           $26
3 years                $110           $79             $88             $108              $81             $103           $81
</TABLE>

POSSIBLE TWO-TIERED STRUCTURE

The Fund  currently is  structured  as a  traditional  mutual fund  investing in
individual  securities,  but  may  in  the  future  convert  to a  master/feeder
structure by  transferring  all of its portfolio  assets to a separate  open-end
management investment company (Portfolio) with substantially the same investment
objective as the Fund in exchange for an interest in the Portfolio.  Thereafter,
the Fund would seek to achieve its objective by investing all of its  investable
assets in the Portfolio,  and the Portfolio  would invest directly in individual
portfolio  securities.  See "The  Fund's  Investment  Objective,"  "How the Fund
Pursues its Objective  and  Certain  Risk  Factors"  and  "How  the  Fund
is  Managed"  for information concerning the Fund's investment objective,
policies, management and expenses.  Shareholders  of the Fund would be
notified of, but would not have an opportunity to vote on, such conversion.

After  any  such  conversion,  in  addition  to the  Fund,  other  institutional
investors (including other investment companies) also would be able to invest in
the Portfolio. The conversion would be effected to allow other such investors to
invest in the Portfolio,  potentially  creating economies of scale and providing
additional  portfolio  management   flexibility  for  the  Portfolio  which,  if
achieved,  also would  indirectly  benefit  the Fund and its  shareholders.  The
following describes certain of the effects and risks of this structure.

After any such conversion,  matters  submitted by the Portfolio to its investors
for a vote would be passed along by the Fund to its  shareholders,  and the Fund
would vote its entire  interest  in the  Portfolio  in  proportion  to the votes
received  from Fund  shareholders.  It is possible  that other  investors in the
Portfolio could alone or collectively acquire sufficient voting interests in the
Portfolio to control  matters  relating to the  operation of the  Portfolio.  In
addition,  large scale redemptions by any other investors in the Portfolio could
result in untimely  liquidation of the Portfolio's  security  holdings,  loss of
investment  flexibility,  and an  increase  in  the  operating  expenses  of the
Portfolio as a percentage of its assets. After any conversion, you would be able
to obtain  information  about whether there are other investors in the Portfolio
by writing or calling the Administrator at 1-800-426-3750.

After any conversion, the Fund would continue to invest in the Portfolio so long
as the Trust's Board of Trustees  determined it was in the best interest of Fund
shareholders  to do so. In the event that the Portfolio's  investment  objective
were changed so as to be inconsistent with the Fund's investment objective,  the
Board of Trustees would consider what action might be taken,  including  changes
to the Fund's investment objective,  or withdrawal of the Fund's assets from the
Portfolio and investment of such assets in another pooled  investment  entity or
the retention of an investment adviser to manage the Fund's investments. Certain
of these actions may require Fund shareholder approval. Withdrawal of the Fund's
assets from the Portfolio could result in a distribution by the Portfolio to the
Fund of portfolio  securities in kind (as opposed to a cash  distribution),  and
the Fund could incur brokerage fees or other transaction costs and could realize
distributable  taxable  gains in  converting  such  securities  to cash.  Such a
distribution  in kind  could  also  result in a less  diversified  portfolio  of
investments for the Fund.

THE FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks to maximize  long-term capital growth while reducing  shareholder
exposure to taxes.

HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE AND CERTAIN RISK FACTORS

The Fund  invests  primarily  (at least 65% of its  assets) in common  stocks of
large and medium  capitalization  companies  (i.e.,  companies  with at least $1
billion in equity market  capitalization)  believed by the Adviser to have above
average  earnings  growth  prospects.  The  Adviser  uses  fundamental  research
analysis and valuation techniques in order to identify potential investments for
the Fund.  Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in a combination
of (i) common stocks or American  Depository  Receipts  (receipts  issued in the
U.S. by banks or trust  companies  evidencing  ownership of  underlying  foreign
securities) of non-U.S. companies and (ii) common stocks of small capitalization
companies (i.e.,  companies with equity market  capitalizations  of less than $1
billion).

While the Fund's overriding  objective is long-term capital growth,  the Adviser
may use certain investment techniques designed to reduce the payment by the Fund
of taxable  distributions to shareholders and thereby reduce the impact of taxes
on shareholder  returns.  Such techniques will be used only if, in the Adviser's
judgment,  the impact on the Fund's  pre-tax  total return will be no worse than
neutral.  Such  techniques  may include,  among others,  (i)  purchasing  low or
non-dividend paying stocks; (ii) low portfolio turnover, which helps to minimize
the realization and  distribution of taxable capital gains;  (iii) deferring the
sale of a security until the realized gain would qualify as a long-term  capital
gain rather than short-term; (iv) selling securities that have declined in value
to offset  gains  realized on the sale of other  securities;  (v) when selling a
portion of a holding,  selling those  securities with a higher cost basis first;
and (vi)  selling  securities  "short  against the box" (i.e.,  selling  short a
security owned by the Fund).  The use of such  techniques will not eliminate the
payment by the Fund of taxable distributions. The Administrator has retained the
professional  services firm of Price  Waterhouse  LLP to provide tax  consulting
services.

Foreign  Investments.  The Fund may  invest  up to 35% of its  total  assets  in
foreign  securities  including  American  Depository  Receipts.  Investments  in
foreign  securities have special risks related to political,  economic and legal
conditions  outside of the U.S. As a result,  the prices of such  securities may
fluctuate  substantially  more than the prices of securities of issuers based in
the  U.S.  Special  risks  associated  with  foreign   securities   include  the
possibility of unfavorable currency exchange rates, the existence of less liquid
markets, the unavailability of reliable information about issuers, the existence
(or potential  imposition) of exchange control  regulations  (including currency
blockage),  and political and economic  instability,  among others. In addition,
transactions in foreign securities may be more costly due to currency conversion
costs and higher  brokerage and custodial  costs.  See "How the Fund Pursues its
Objective and Certain Risk  Factors--Foreign  Currency  Transactions;  Index and
Interest Rate Futures;  Options" in this Prospectus and "Foreign Securities" and
"Foreign Currency  Transactions" in the Statement of Additional  Information for
more information about foreign investments.

Foreign  Currency  Transactions;  Index and Interest Rate Futures;  Options.  In
connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund may (i) purchase
and sell foreign  currencies on a spot or forward basis, (ii) enter into foreign
currency  futures  contracts,  (iii) write both put and call  options on foreign
currency  futures  contracts,  and (iv)  purchase  and  write  both call and put
options on foreign currencies. Such transactions may be entered into (i) to lock
in a particular  foreign exchange rate pending  settlement of a purchase or sale
of a foreign security or pending the receipt of interest,  principal or dividend
payments  on a foreign  security  held by the Fund,  or (ii) to hedge  against a
decline in the value,  in U.S.  dollars  or in  another  currency,  of a foreign
currency in which securities held by the Fund are denominated.

In  addition,  the Fund may  enter  into (i)  index and  interest  rate  futures
contracts,  (ii) write put and call  options on such  futures  contracts,  (iii)
purchase and write both call and put options on securities and indexes, and (iv)
purchase  other types of forward or  investment  contracts  linked to individual
securities, indexes or other benchmarks. The Fund may write a call or put option
on a security only if the option is covered.

A futures  contract creates an obligation by the seller to deliver and the buyer
to take delivery of a type of instrument at the time and in the amount specified
in the  contract.  A sale of a futures  contract can be terminated in advance of
the specified  delivery date by subsequently  purchasing a similar  contract;  a
purchase of a futures  contract can be terminated by a subsequent  sale. Gain or
loss on a contract generally is realized upon such termination.

An option  generally gives the option holder the right,  but not the obligation,
to purchase or sell prior to the  option's  specified  expiration  date.  If the
option expires  unexercised,  the holder will lose any amount it paid to acquire
the option.

Transactions  in futures,  options and similar  investments  may not achieve the
goal of hedging to the extent  there is an  imperfect  correlation  between  the
price  movements of the contracts and of the underlying  asset or benchmark.  In
addition,  because futures positions may require low margin deposits, the use of
futures contracts involves a high degree of leverage and may result in losses in
excess of the amount of the margin deposit. Finally, if the Adviser's prediction
on interest rates, stock market movements or other market factors is inaccurate,
the Fund may be worse off than if it had not engaged in such transactions.

See the  Statement of Additional  Information  for  information  relating to the
Fund's obligations in entering into such transactions.

Small Companies.  The smaller, less well established companies in which the Fund
may invest may offer greater opportunities for capital appreciation than larger,
better established  companies,  but may also involve certain special risks. Such
companies often have limited product lines,  markets or financial  resources and
depend  heavily on a small  management  group.  Their  securities may trade less
frequently,  in  smaller  volumes,  and  fluctuate  more  sharply  in value than
exchange listed securities of larger companies.

Securities  Loans. The Fund may lend its portfolio  securities to broker-dealers
or banks.  Such loans will not exceed 30% of the Fund's total assets.  Each such
loan will be  continuously  secured by collateral at least equal at all times to
the market value of the securities  loaned.  In the event of bankruptcy or other
default of the borrower,  the Fund could  experience  both delays in liquidating
the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses including (a)
possible  decline  in  the  value  of the  collateral  or in  the  value  of the
securities  loaned  during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights
thereto,  (b) possible  subnormal  levels of income and lack of access to income
during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

Temporary/Defensive  Investments.  Temporarily available cash may be invested in
certificates of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,  high quality commercial paper,
Treasury bills and repurchase agreements.  Some or all of the Fund's assets also
may be invested in such  investments or in investment grade U.S. or foreign debt
securities,  Eurodollar  certificates  of  deposit  and  obligations  of savings
institutions  during  periods of unusual market  conditions.  Under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund buys a security from a bank or dealer, which is obligated to
buy it back at a fixed  price  and  time.  The  security  is held in a  separate
account at the Fund's  custodian and constitutes  the Fund's  collateral for the
bank's or dealer's repurchase obligation. Additional collateral will be added so
that the obligation will at all times be fully  collateralized.  However, if the
bank or dealer defaults or enters bankruptcy,  the Fund may experience costs and
delays in liquidating the collateral,  and may experience a loss if it is unable
to demonstrate its rights to the collateral in a bankruptcy proceeding. Not more
than 15% of the Fund's net assets  will be  invested  in  repurchase  agreements
maturing in more than 7 days and other illiquid securities.

Borrowing  of Money.  The Fund may  borrow  money from  banks for  temporary  or
emergency  purposes up to 10% of the Fund's net assets;  however,  the Fund will
not purchase additional portfolio securities while borrowings exceed 5% of total
assets of the Fund.

Other.  The Fund may not always  achieve its  investment  objective.  The Fund's
fundamental   investment   policies   listed  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information  cannot be changed  without the approval of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding   voting   securities.   The   Fund's   investment   objective   and
non-fundamental investment policies may be changed without shareholder approval.
Additional  information  concerning  certain of the  securities  and  investment
techniques   described  above  is  contained  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information.

ADVISER PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The Fund is newly-organized  and has no performance history of its own. The Fund
is managed using an investment strategy used by the Adviser to manage between $1
and $2 million in equity  investments  since June 30,  1994.  Following  are the
average  annual and  cumulative  total returns  achieved by the Adviser  through
September  30, 1996 using this  strategy and the average  annual and  cumulative
total  returns of the Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500 Index)  during such
period.  Also shown are the average annual and  cumulative  total returns of the
average fund in the Lipper Growth Fund category during such period.

                                      ADVISER
                         Average Annual     Cumulative Total
                         Total Returns          Returns

One Year                     28.50%              28.50%
Two Years                    26.14%              59.11%
Since 6/30/94
   (inception)               25.58%              66.95%

                                      S&P 500
                         Average Annual     Cumulative Total
                         Total Returns          Returns

One Year                     20.32%              20.32%
Two Years                    24.93%              56.07%
Since 6/30/94                24.48%              63.68%

                             AVERAGE LIPPER GROWTH FUND
                         Average Annual     Cumulative Total
                         Total Returns          Returns

One Year                     15.97%              15.97%
Two Years                    20.88%              46.48%
Since 6/30/94                21.26%              54.79%

If the Adviser's returns shown above had been achieved by a fund included within
the Lipper Growth Fund category,  such fund's performance would have been ranked
as follows within such category:

                                HYPOTHETICAL LIPPER
                                    GROWTH FUND
                                 CATEGORY RANKINGS*

One Year                               16/636
Two Years                              55/509
Since 6/30/94                          73/483

*First  number  shows rank within  category/second  number shows total number of
funds in category.

The S&P 500 Index returns represent the total returns,  assuming reinvestment of
all dividends, earned on an unmanaged group of 500 securities.  Index returns do
not reflect sales charges or expenses.  The Lipper Growth Fund category includes
all funds  classified as growth funds by Lipper  Analytical  Services,  Inc., an
independent  mutual fund ranking  organization.  The Adviser's returns have been
calculated in compliance  with  standards  promulgated  by the  Association  for
Investment  Management  and  Research  (AIMR)  for  calculating  and  presenting
performance,  and assume annual fees and expenses of 1.00%.  Actual fees charged
were  lower.  The  returns of the  Adviser,  of funds in the Lipper  Growth Fund
category and of the S&P 500 Index do not represent past performance of the Fund,
and are not  necessarily  indicative  of  future  performance  of the  Fund.  In
particular,  the fees, expenses and sales charges applicable to an investment in
the Fund may be higher than those assumed in calculating the Adviser's  returns,
which would  negatively  impact the Fund's  return.  In addition,  the Adviser's
returns do not reflect the  applicability of the various federal  securities and
tax laws and rules  applicable to mutual funds which,  had they  applied,  might
have  adversely  affected such returns.  Cash flows into and out of the Fund may
also  negatively  impact  the  Fund's  performance  relative  to  the  Adviser's
performance.

HOW THE FUND MEASURES ITS PERFORMANCE

Performance may be quoted in sales literature and  advertisements.  Each Class's
average  annual total returns are  calculated in accordance  with the Securities
and  Exchange   Commission's   formula  and  assume  the   reinvestment  of  all
distributions,  the maximum  initial  sales  charge (if any)  applicable  to the
Class,  and the  contingent  deferred  sales charge or  redemption  fee (if any)
applicable to the time period  quoted.  Other total returns  differ from average
annual total return only in that they may relate to different time periods,  may
represent  aggregate  as opposed to average  annual  total  returns  and may not
reflect the initial or contingent deferred sales charges.

Each Class's yield, which differs from total return because it does not consider
changes in net asset value,  is calculated in accordance with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission's  formula. Each Class's distribution rate is calculated by
dividing the most recent year's  distributions  by the maximum offering price of
that Class at the end of the year.  Each Class's  performance may be compared to
various indices.  Quotations from various  publications may be included in sales
literature and  advertisements.  See "Performance  Measures" in the Statement of
Additional  Information for more  information.  All  performance  information is
historical and does not predict future results.

HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED

The Fund's Trustees formulate the Fund's general policies and oversee the Fund's
affairs. The Fund's investment operations are managed by the Adviser. Subject to
the supervision of the Fund's Trustees,  the Adviser makes the Fund's day-to-day
investment decisions,  arranges for the execution of portfolio  transactions and
generally manages the Fund's investments. See "Management of the Colonial Funds"
and  "Management  of the Fund" in the  Statement of Additional  Information  for
information concerning the Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Fund.

The Fund is managed by a team of investment  professionals assigned to it by the
Adviser.  No single individual has primary  management  responsibility  over the
Fund's portfolio securities.

The Adviser  places all orders for the purchase and sale of  securities  for the
Fund. In doing so, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best combination of price and
execution,  which  involves a number of  judgmental  factors.  When the  Adviser
believes  that more than one  broker-dealer  is  capable of  providing  the best
combination of price and execution in a particular  portfolio  transaction,  the
Adviser often selects a broker-dealer  that furnishes it with research  products
or services.  For its investment management services,  the Adviser receives from
the Fund a monthly  fee at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund's  average  daily
net assets.

The  Administrator  provides the Fund with certain  administrative  services and
generally  oversees the operation of the Fund. The Fund pays the Administrator a
monthly  fee at the annual  rate of 0.40% of average  daily net assets for these
services.  The Administrator  also provides pricing and bookkeeping  services to
the Fund for a monthly fee of $2,250 plus a percentage of the Fund's average net
assets over $50 million.  Colonial Investment Services,  Inc.  (Distributor),  a
subsidiary  of the  Administrator,  serves as the Fund's  distributor.  Colonial
Investors   Service  Center,   Inc.   (Transfer  Agent),  an  affiliate  of  the
Administrator,  serves as the Fund's shareholder services and transfer agent for
a fee of 0.25%  annually  of  average  net  assets  plus  certain  out-of-pocket
expenses.  The Transfer  Agent also provides the Fund with trust  administration
services  with respect to the Fund's  Trust Shares  (Classes E, F, G and H). The
Fund pays a monthly  fee for such  services  equal to $1.50  times the number of
open  Trust  Share  accounts  during the month.  Each of the  foregoing  fees is
subject to any fee waiver or expense  reimbursement  to which the Adviser and/or
the Administrator may agree. See "Summary of Expenses" above.

The Administrator,  the Distributor, the Adviser, and the Transfer Agent are all
direct or indirect  subsidiaries of Liberty Financial  Companies,  Inc. (Liberty
Financial),  which in turn is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance
Company  (Liberty  Mutual).   Liberty  Mutual  is  an  underwriter  of  workers'
compensation insurance and a property and casualty insurer in the U.S.

HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES

Per share net asset  value is  calculated  by  dividing  the total value of each
Class's net assets by its number of outstanding  shares.  Shares of the Fund are
valued as of the close  (normally 4:00 p.m.  Eastern time) of the New York Stock
Exchange  (Exchange)  each day the exchange is open.  Portfolio  securities  for
which  market  quotations  are readily  available  are valued at current  market
value.  Short-term  investments  maturing  in 60  days  or less  are  valued  at
amortized  cost. All other  securities and assets are valued at their fair value
following procedures adopted by the Fund's Trustees.

TRADITIONAL SHARES

Traditional   Shares  may  be  purchased  by  traditional   investors  (such  as
individuals,  joint tenants,  corporations,  custodians,  individual  retirement
accounts,  or qualified  retirement  plan  accounts,  among  others).  Investors
desiring to purchase Traditional Shares may choose among Class A shares, Class B
shares or Class D shares, each of which is described below.

Class A Shares.  Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus an
initial sales charge as follows:

                           _______Initial Sales Charge______
                                                    Retained
                                                  by Financial
                                                    Service
                                                      Firm
                            _____as % of______      as % of
                            Amount     Offering     Offering
 Amount Purchased          Invested      Price       Price

 Less than $50,000           6.10%       5.75%       5.00%
 $50,000 to less than
  $100,000                   4.71%       4.50%       3.75%
 $100,000 to less than
  $250,000                   3.63%       3.50%       2.75%
 $250,000 to less
  than $500,000              2.56%       2.50%       2.00%
 $500,000 to less than
  $1,000,000                 2.04%       2.00%       1.75%
 $1,000,000 or more          0.00%       0.00%       0.00%

From January 2, 1997 through  March 31, 1997,  the entire  initial  sales charge
will be retained by the  financial  service firm  through  which the purchase is
made. Percentages shown in the table apply after March 31, 1997.

On purchases of $1 million or more, the Distributor  pays the financial  service
firm a cumulative commission as follows:

       Amount Purchased                   Commission

       First $3,000,000                      1.00%
       Next $2,000,000                       0.50%
       Over $5,000,000                       0.25%(1)

       (1)  Paid  over 12  months  but  only to the  extent  the  shares  remain
            outstanding.

Purchases of $1 million to $5 million are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1.00% of the purchase  price of the shares being  redeemed  payable to
the Distributor on redemptions  within 18 months from the first day of the month
following the purchase.  The contingent  deferred sales charge does not apply to
the excess of any purchase over $5 million.

Class B Shares. Class B shares are offered at net asset value without an initial
sales charge but subject to a 0.75% annual  distribution  fee for  approximately
eight  years (at which  time they  automatically  convert  to Class A shares not
bearing a distribution fee) and a declining  contingent deferred sales charge if
redeemed  within six years after purchase  equaling a percentage of the purchase
price of the shares being redeemed. As shown below, the amount of the contingent
deferred  sales charge  depends on the number of years after  purchase  that the
redemption occurs:

               Years             Contingent Deferred
           After Purchase           Sales Charge

                0-1                     5.00%
                1-2                     4.00%
                2-3                     3.00%
                3-4                     3.00%
                4-5                     2.00%
                5-6                     1.00%
            More than 6                 0.00%

Year one ends one year  after  the end of the month in which  the  purchase  was
accepted and so on. From January 2, 1997 through March 31, 1997, the Distributor
will  pay  financial  service  firms a  commission  of  4.50%  on  Class B share
purchases. Thereafter, the commission will be 4.00%.

Class D Shares.  Class D shares  are  offered  at net asset  value  plus a 1.00%
initial sales  charge,  subject to a 0.75% annual  distribution  fee and a 1.00%
contingent  deferred  sales charge (0.99% of the offering  price) on redemptions
made within one year from the first day of the month after purchase.

From January 2, 1997 through March 31, 1997, the Distributor  will pay financial
service firms a commission of 2.00% on Class D share purchases.  Thereafter, the
initial  commission will be 1.85% on purchases of Class D shares with an ongoing
commission  of  0.65%  annually.  The  ongoing  commission  may  be  reduced  or
eliminated at any time.

TRUST SHARES

Trust Shares may be purchased by individuals seeking a convenient way to give an
investment in the Fund to a child,  grandchild or other individual.  Rather than
being held directly by you or the gift's eventual recipient (beneficiary), Trust
Shares are held in an irrevocable  trust,  the trustee of which is an officer of
the Administrator,  until the trust termination date you specify,  at which time
the shares pass to the beneficiary.  Distributions  from the trust are permitted
only  for  limited  specified  purposes.  Subsequent  investments  into the same
account  do  not  affect  the  original  trust  termination  date;  however,  no
additional   investments   into  an  account   (other   than   reinvestment   of
distributions)  may be made  within  two  years  of the  termination  date.  The
duration of the trust may be as long as you choose, but must be at least 5 years
from the initial  purchase into the trust or until the  beneficiary  reaches the
age of 18,  whichever  is later.  In any event,  the trust will  terminate,  and
amounts held in the trust will be distributed, in the event of the beneficiary's
death prior to the original trust termination date.

Two  types of  trust  plans  are  available:  Colonial  Gift  Plan and  Colonial
Advantage  Plan.  Each  Plan  has  different   provisions  for  the  payment  of
distributions  prior to trust termination and different tax implications for the
donor and/or beneficiary.  The Plan that is most suitable for you will depend on
your specific  financial and tax circumstances and your gift-giving  objectives.
Each Plan is described below:

Colonial Gift Plan

The Colonial Gift Plan is designed to serve  exclusively as a vehicle for making
a future gift of the Fund's shares. Under the Colonial Gift Plan the beneficiary
will  have no  ability  to access  or  withdraw  the  shares  until the  trust's
termination.  Because the gift is viewed by the  Internal  Revenue  Service as a
gift of a future interest,  the gift will not be eligible for the Federal annual
gift tax exclusion. The trust, not the beneficiary,  will be taxed on any income
and capital  gains  earned by the trust in excess of $100 per year.  The trustee
will prepare and file all Federal and state income tax returns that are required
each  year,  and will  satisfy  any taxes  owed from the  assets of the trust by
redeeming Fund shares.

Colonial Advantage Plan

The Colonial  Advantage  Plan is designed to permit the donor and, under certain
circumstances, the beneficiary, to direct the trustee to make distributions from
the trust for  specified  purposes,  and to provide  additional  benefits to the
donor. Under the Colonial Advantage Plan, during the first 30 days following the
contribution  the  beneficiary  will  have the  right  to  withdraw  the  shares
purchased by such  contribution or their net asset value,  plus any sales charge
paid on the  purchase,  and the  contribution  will be eligible  for the Federal
annual gift tax exclusion.  The trustee will provide the beneficiary with notice
of the withdrawal right at the time of each  contribution.  The beneficiary will
be taxed on all of the trust's income and capital gains.  In connection with the
initial  contribution  the  donor may  direct  the  trustee,  or  authorize  the
beneficiary (if he or she is over 18) or the beneficiary's representative (if he
or she is not also the  donor),  to direct the trustee to redeem Fund shares and
distribute  the proceeds to the  beneficiary  in order to provide  funds for the
beneficiary to pay such taxes. Such  distributions  would be made within 90 days
after the end of each calendar  year. The amount of each  distribution  would be
determined by multiplying the amount of each class of income earned by the trust
during  the year  times the  highest  marginal  Federal  tax rate for  unmarried
individuals  applicable  to that class of income.  Once made,  the  election  to
receive tax distributions may not be revoked.

In connection  with the initial  contribution,  the donor also may authorize the
beneficiary (if he or she is over 18), or the beneficiary's  representative  (if
he or she is not also the donor), to direct the trustee to redeem shares and pay
the proceeds directly to a recognized post-secondary  educational institution to
cover the  beneficiary's  post-secondary  educational  expenses.  Once made, the
election to allow such distributions may not be revoked.

No  other   distributions  from  the  trust  are  permitted  until  the  trust's
termination  date.  The  trustee  will  send  an  information  statement  to the
beneficiary  each year  showing  the  amount of income and  capital  gains to be
reported on his or her income tax returns for that year.

The foregoing is a general summary only of the tax implications of an investment
in the Fund's Trust Shares.  More detailed  information is available below under
"Distributions and Taxes" and in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
You should consult your financial or tax adviser for specific advice  concerning
which option may be most suitable for you.

Under each Plan,  upon  termination of the trust,  the  underlying  Trust Shares
(matured  Trust  Shares)  automatically  pass to the  beneficiary.  Prior to the
termination  date a notice will be sent to the beneficiary  notifying him or her
of the impending  termination date and the options available to the beneficiary,
and requesting certain information  including the beneficiary's  social security
number.  The  beneficiary  may be asked to sign and  return a Form  W-9.  If not
redeemed at this time by the beneficiary, the shares will be reregistered in the
beneficiary's  name.  Thereafter,   the  beneficiary  may  not  make  additional
investments into his or her Trust Share account other than through  reinvestment
of  distributions.  If the  beneficiary  dies during the term of the trust,  the
shares automatically pass to the beneficiary's executors or administrators to be
disposed of as part of the beneficiary's estate.

Classes of Trust Shares

If you choose to purchase  Trust  Shares,  the Class of shares you may  purchase
will depend on the length of time between the purchase  date and the  designated
trust  termination  date. If that period is five years or more but less than ten
years, you have the option of purchasing Class E or F shares. If the termination
date is 10 years or more after the initial purchase date, you have the option of
purchasing Class G or H shares. Class E, Class F, Class G and Class H shares are
described below.

Five to Ten Year Trust Shares:

Class E Shares.  Class E shares are offered at net asset value plus an
initial sales charge as follows:
                           _______Initial Sales Charge______
                                                   Retained
                                                 by Financial
                                                    Service
                                                     Firm
                           _____as % of______       as % of
                            Amount    Offering     Offering
 Amount Purchased          Invested     Price        Price

 Less than $50,000          5.26%       5.00%        5.00%
 $50,000 to less than
  $100,000                  4.17%       4.00%        4.00%
 $100,000 to less than
  $250,000                  3.09%       3.00%        3.00%
 $250,000 to less than
  $500,000                  1.52%       1.50%        1.50%
 $500,000 or more           0.00%       0.00%        0.00%

Class E shares also are subject to a 0.10% annual  distribution fee. In addition
to the amounts shown above as being retained by the financial  service firm, the
Distributor will pay to the financial service firm (i) an additional  commission
at the time of purchase of 0.75% of the offering price for investments up to but
less than $500,000,  and 1.00% for  investments of $500,000 or more, and (ii) an
ongoing  commission of 0.10% annually.  The ongoing commission may be reduced or
eliminated at any time.

Purchases of $1 million to $5 million are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1.00% of the purchase  price of the shares being  redeemed  payable to
the Distributor on redemptions  within 18 months from the first day of the month
following the purchase.  The contingent  deferred sales charge does not apply to
the excess of any purchase over $5 million.

Class F Shares. Class F shares are offered at net asset value without an initial
sales charge and subject to the same declining  contingent deferred sales charge
and annual distribution fee described above under Class B shares. Class F shares
convert  automatically  to  Class  E  shares  approximately  eight  years  after
purchase.  The Distributor pays financial service firms a commission of 4.75% on
Class F share purchases.

Ten or More Year Trust Shares:

Class G Shares. Class G shares are offered at net asset value plus an initial
sales charge as follows:
                          _______Initial Sales Charge______
                                                   Retained
                                                 by Financial
                                                   Service
                                                     Firm
                          _____as % of______       as % of
                          Amount      Offering     Offering
 Amount Purchased        Invested      Price        Price

 Less than $50,000         4.71%       4.50%        4.50%
 $50,000 to less than
  $100,000                 3.63%       3.50%        3.50%
 $100,000 to less than
  $250,000                 2.56%       2.50%        2.50%
 $250,000 to less than
  $500,000                 1.27%       1.25%        1.25%
 $500,000 or more          0.00%       0.00%        0.00%

Class G shares also are subject to an annual distribution fee of up to 0.25%. In
addition to the amounts shown above as being  retained by the financial  service
firm, the Distributor  will pay to the financial  service firm (i) an additional
commission  at the  time  of  purchase  of  1.75%  of  the  offering  price  for
investments  up to but less than $500,000 and 1.25% for  investments of $500,000
or more, and (ii) ongoing  commissions of 0.10% annually for shares  outstanding
for less than five years and 0.25% annually for shares outstanding five years or
more;  provided,  however,  that the additional 0.15% ongoing commission payable
after  five  years will only be paid to  financial  service  firms that pay such
additional  amount  in  full  to  the  individual  representative.  The  ongoing
commission may be reduced or eliminated at any time.

Purchases of $1 million to $5 million are subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1.00% of the purchase  price of the shares being  redeemed  payable to
the Distributor on redemptions  within 18 months from the first day of the month
following the purchase.  The contingent  deferred sales charge does not apply to
the excess of any purchase over $5 million.

Class H Shares. Class H shares are offered at net asset value without an initial
sales charge and subject to the same declining  contingent deferred sales charge
and annual distribution fee described above under Class B shares. Class H shares
convert  automatically  to  Class  G  shares  approximately  eight  years  after
purchase.  The Distributor pays financial service firms a commission of 5.25% on
Class H share purchases.

Withdrawal  Under the  Colonial  Advantage  Plan.  If the  beneficiary  under an
Advantage  Plan trust  exercises  his or her  withdrawal  rights,  the financial
service  firm  shall  refund  to the  Distributor  any sales  charge or  initial
commission  previously  retained  or  paid on the  withdrawn  shares  or  amount
redeemed.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

Buying Shares. Shares of the Fund are offered  continuously.  Orders received in
good form prior to the time at which the Fund  values its shares (or placed with
a  financial  service  firm before such time and  transmitted  by the  financial
service firm before the Fund  processes that day's share  transactions)  will be
processed  based on that day's  closing  net asset  value,  plus any  applicable
initial sales charge.  For purchases of Trust Shares, a signed Trust Declaration
Agreement  adoption  agreement  must be received  within ten days  following the
purchase.

The minimum  initial  investment  generally  is $2,500;  the minimum  subsequent
investment  generally is $250.  For Colonial  retirement  accounts,  the minimum
initial and subsequent  investments are each $25. Certificates generally will be
issued only for Class A shares,  and there are some  limitations on the issuance
of Class A share  certificates.  The Fund may refuse any purchase  order for its
shares. See the Statement of Additional Information for more information.

Which Class is more beneficial to an investor depends on the amount and intended
length of the  investment.  Purchasers  of  Traditional  Shares may choose among
Class A, Class B and Class D shares. Purchasers of Trust Shares with trust terms
of at least five but less than ten years may choose  between Class E and Class F
shares;  Trust Share purchasers with trust terms of ten years or more may choose
between  Class G and Class H shares.  Investors  generally  should  compare  any
initial and/or deferred sales charges and  distribution  fees applicable to each
class,  given the expected  length of the  investment or trust term, in deciding
which Class is most suitable for them.  Investors also should  consider  whether
they prefer to have 100% of the purchase price invested  immediately  (as is the
case with  Classes B, F and H).  Purchases of $250,000 or more must be for Class
A, D, E or G shares.  Purchases  of $500,000 or more must be for Class A, E or G
shares. Consult your financial service firm.

Financial  service firms may receive  different  compensation  rates for selling
different Classes of shares.  Payment of the ongoing  commissions  applicable to
Classes  D, E and G are  conditioned  upon  receipt by the  Distributor  of such
amounts  from the Fund.  The  commission  may be  reduced or  eliminated  if the
distribution  fees paid by the Fund are reduced or eliminated for any reason. If
the  beneficiary  under an Advantage Plan trust  exercises his or her withdrawal
rights,  the financial  service firm shall refund to the  Distributor  any sales
charge or initial commission previously retained or paid on the withdrawn shares
or amount redeemed. The Distributor may pay additional compensation to financial
service  firms  which  have  made or may  make  significant  sales.  Initial  or
contingent  deferred  sales  charges  may be reduced or  eliminated  for certain
persons or  organizations  purchasing  Fund shares alone or in combination  with
certain other Colonial  funds.  See "Programs for Reducing or Eliminating  Sales
Charges" and "How to Sell Shares" in the Statement of Additional Information for
more information.

Selling Shares.  Traditional  Shares and matured Trust Shares may be sold on any
day the Exchange is open,  either directly to the Fund or through your financial
service  firm.  The sale  price is the net  asset  value  (less  any  contingent
deferred sales charge or redemption fee) next  calculated  after the request and
any necessary documentation are received in proper form. Sale proceeds generally
are sent within seven days  (usually on the next business day after your request
is received in good form). However, for Traditional Shares recently purchased by
check,  the Fund will send proceeds as soon as the check has cleared  (which may
take up to 15 days).

To sell shares  directly to the Fund,  send a signed  letter of  instruction  or
stock power form to the Transfer Agent,  along with any  certificates for shares
to be sold. Signatures must be guaranteed by a bank, a member firm of a national
stock exchange or another eligible guarantor institution.  Stock power forms are
available  from  financial  service  firms,  the Transfer  Agent and many banks.
Additional  documentation  is  required  for  sales  by  corporations,   agents,
fiduciaries,  surviving joint owners and individual  retirement account holders.
For details contact:

                     Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.
                                 P.O. Box 1722
                             Boston, MA 02105-1722
                                 1-800-345-6611

For sales  through  financial  service  firms,  the firm must  receive the sales
request  prior to the time at which the Fund  values its shares to receive  that
day's price. The firm is responsible for furnishing all necessary  documentation
to the Transfer Agent and may charge for this service.

The sale of shares is a taxable  transaction  for  income tax  purposes  and may
involve the payment of a contingent  deferred sales charge.  Contingent deferred
sales  charges are paid to the  Distributor.  Shares  issued  upon  distribution
reinvestment  and  amounts  representing  appreciation  are  not  subject  to  a
contingent  deferred  sales  charge.  The  contingent  deferred  sales charge is
imposed on redemptions  which result in the account value falling below its Base
Amount (the total dollar value of purchase  payments  (including  initial  sales
charges,  if any) in the  account,  reduced  by  prior  redemptions  on  which a
contingent  deferred  sales  charge  was paid and any exempt  redemptions).  The
amount of the  contingent  deferred  sales charge is the  applicable  percentage
shown above for each Class,  applied to the cost  (including  any initial  sales
charge) of the shares at the time of purchase. Under unusual circumstances,  the
Fund may suspend repurchases or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer,
as permitted by Federal securities law.

Shareholder  Services and Account  Fees. A variety of  shareholder  services are
available.  For more  information  about these  services or your  account,  call
1-800-345-6611. Some services are described in the attached account application.

In June of any year,  the Fund may deduct $10  (payable to the  Transfer  Agent)
from  accounts  valued at less than $1,000  unless the account value has dropped
below $1,000 solely as a result of share value  depreciation.  Shareholders will
receive 60 days' written  notice to increase the account value before the fee is
deducted.  The Fund also may  deduct  annual  maintenance  and  processing  fees
(payable to the  Transfer  Agent) in  connection  with certain  retirement  plan
accounts. See "Special Purchase Programs/Investor  Services" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more information.

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

The Fund  intends to  qualify  as a  "regulated  investment  company"  under the
Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders virtually all net income
and any net realized gain  annually.  Distributions  on  Traditional  Shares and
matured Trust Shares are  reinvested  in additional  shares of the same Class of
the Fund at net asset  value  unless the  shareholder  elects to  receive  cash.
Distributions  on Trust Shares are  automatically  reinvested  until the trust's
termination  unless  used  to  fund  trust  distributions  permitted  under  the
Advantage  Plan.  Regardless of the  shareholder's  election,  distributions  on
Traditional Shares of $10 or less will be reinvested. To change your election on
Traditional  Shares  or  matured  Trust  Shares,  call the  Transfer  Agent  for
information.

Whether received in cash or in additional shares, distributions must be reported
as  taxable  income  unless  they are held in a tax  qualified  account  or by a
tax-exempt institution.  Under the Colonial Gift Plan, the trustee will file all
income tax  returns  and pay all income  taxes for  income  earned  prior to the
trust's termination.  Under the Colonial Advantage Plan, the beneficiary will be
obligated to report any income earned by the trust on his or her tax returns and
to pay any  applicable  income taxes.  If shares are purchased  shortly before a
distribution is declared,  the  distribution  will be taxable  although it is in
effect a partial return of the amount invested. Each January, information on the
amount and nature of distributions for the prior year is sent to shareholders.

A gift made  through  the  purchase  of the Fund's  Trust  Shares may have to be
reported  under  Federal gift tax laws and may be subject to Federal gift taxes.
In general,  a Federal gift tax return must be filed reporting all gifts made by
an  individual  during any  calendar  year,  unless the gift  qualifies  for the
Federal annual gift tax exclusion.  To so qualify,  the gift must be a gift of a
"present  interest"  and must not exceed  $10,000 when  combined  with any other
gifts  made to the same  beneficiary  during  the  calendar  year.  The limit is
$20,000 for a married couple who elect "gift  splitting," but such election must
be made on a gift tax short form return filed for the calendar year in which the
gift is made.  Whether a gift made  through  the  purchase  of the Fund's  Trust
Shares  qualifies for the annual  exclusion  depends on the Plan selected by the
donor as well as on the combined  amount of the gift and any other gifts made to
the beneficiary by the donor during the particular year. In general, if no other
gifts are made during the year to the  beneficiary,  a gift under the  Advantage
Plan will qualify for the Federal  gift tax  exclusion to the extent it does not
exceed the $10,000/$20,000  maximum; a gift under the Gift Plan will not qualify
for the annual  exclusion.  A gift tax return  reporting  the amount of the gift
under the Gift  Plan and the  amount of any gift  under the  Advantage  Plan not
qualifying  for the  annual  exclusion  must be filed by the  donor.  A gift tax
return must also be filed by a married donor to elect gift splitting and thereby
take advantage of the higher  $20,000  limitation on the annual  exclusion.  Any
gift  tax  due  on  account  of  the  purchase  of  Trust  Shares  is  the  sole
responsibility of the donor and will not be paid from the Trust Shares.

A purchase  of Trust  Shares  may also be  subject  to state gift tax  reporting
requirements under the laws of the state in which the donor of the gift resides.
See "Trust Shares" above and "Additional Tax Matters Concerning Trust Shares" in
the Fund's  Statement of Additional  Information  for more detailed  information
about these and other tax matters  applicable to an investment in the Fund.  Due
to the  complexity of Federal and state laws  pertaining to gifts in trust,  you
should  consult  your  financial or tax adviser  before  investing in the Fund's
Trust Shares.

EXCHANGES

Shares of the Fund may not be exchanged for shares of any other Colonial fund.

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

Telephone  redemption  privileges may be elected for  Traditional  Shares on the
account  application  by completing  the  Telephone  Withdrawal  Option  section
including the Bank  Information.  Such  privileges also may be elected for Trust
Shares after the trust matures by providing  such  information at or after trust
maturity to the Transfer Agent. Once elected,  telephone redemptions may be made
by calling  toll-free  1-800-422-3737  any business day between 9:00 a.m. Boston
time and the time at which the Fund values its shares.  The Transfer  Agent will
employ  reasonable  procedures  to confirm  that  instructions  communicated  by
telephone are genuine and may be liable to the extent reasonable  procedures are
not  employed.  Proceeds and  confirmations  of telephone  transactions  will be
mailed or sent to the address of record. Telephone redemptions are not available
on accounts  with an address  change in the  preceding  30 days.  All  telephone
transactions  are recorded.  Shareholders  and/or their  financial  advisers are
required to provide their name,  address and account number.  Financial advisers
are also required to provide their broker number.  Despite the employment of the
foregoing  procedures,  a  shareholder  may  suffer  a  loss  from  unauthorized
transactions.

Shareholders  and/or  their  financial  advisers  wishing  to  redeem  shares by
telephone  may  experience  difficulty  in  reaching  the Fund at its  toll-free
telephone number during periods of drastic  economic or market changes.  In that
event, shareholders and/or their financial advisers should follow the procedures
for redemption by mail as described above under "General  Information  Regarding
Buying and Selling Shares." The  Administrator,  the Transfer Agent and the Fund
reserve  the right to  change,  modify or  terminate  the  telephone  redemption
services at any time upon prior  written  notice to  shareholders.  Shareholders
and/or their financial advisers are not obligated to transact by telephone.

12B-1 PLANS

Under 12b-1 Plans,  the Fund pays the Distributor an annual service fee of 0.25%
of the Fund's  average net  assets.  The Fund also pays the  Distributor  annual
distribution  fees at the  following  rates:  0.75% of the  average  net  assets
attributed to its Class B, Class D, Class F and Class H shares; 0.10% of average
net assets  attributed to Class E shares;  and up to 0.25% of average net assets
attributed to Class G shares. The actual fee with respect to Class G shares will
be 0.10% on Class G assets  attributed to shares  outstanding for less than five
years and 0.25% on Class G assets  attributable  to shares  outstanding for five
years or more.  Total returns and dividends  will be lower on classes  bearing a
distribution  fee than the returns and  dividends of Class A shares.  Class B, F
and H shares  automatically  convert  to Class A, E and G shares,  respectively,
approximately  eight years after the  original  shares were  purchased.  See the
Statement of Additional  Information for more information.  The Distributor uses
the fees to defray the cost of  commissions  and service  fees paid to financial
service firms which have sold Fund shares,  and to defray other expenses such as
sales literature,  prospectus printing and distribution,  shareholder  servicing
costs and compensation to wholesalers.  Should the fees exceed the Distributor's
expenses in any year,  the  Distributor  would realize a profit.  The Plans also
authorize other payments to the  Distributor  and its affiliates  (including the
Administrator  and the Adviser) which may be construed to be indirect  financing
of sales of Fund shares.

ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY

The Fund was organized in 1996 as a separate  portfolio of the Trust, which is a
Massachusetts   business   trust   established   in  1985.  At  inception,   the
Administrator owned 100% of each Class of shares of the Fund and, therefore, may
be deemed to "control" the Fund.

The Trust is not  required  to hold  annual  shareholder  meetings,  but special
meetings may be called for certain purposes.  Shareholders  receive one vote for
each Fund share.  Shares of the Trust vote together  except when required by law
to vote  separately  by fund or by class.  The trustee of trusts  holding  Trust
Shares will send notices,  proxy statements and proxies for shareholder meetings
to the trusts' beneficiaries to enable them to attend meetings in person or vote
by proxy. The trustee will vote all Trust Shares in accordance with instructions
received from such beneficiaries and will vote all shares for which instructions
are not  received in the same  proportion  as those for which  instructions  are
received.

Shareholders  owning in the  aggregate  ten  percent  of Trust  shares  may call
meetings to consider removal of Trustees. Under certain circumstances, the Trust
will provide information to assist  shareholders in calling such a meeting.  See
the Statement of Additional Information for more information.












                        [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


















Investment Adviser
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
One South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL  60606

Administrator
Colonial Management Associates, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111-2621

Distributor
Colonial Investment Services, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111-2621

Custodian
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company
One Boston Place
Boston, MA  02108-2624

Shareholder Services and Transfer Agent
Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111-2621
1-800-345-6611

Independent Accountants
Price Waterhouse LLP
160 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110-2624

Legal Counsel
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110-2624

Your financial service firm is:

Printed in U.S.A.

December 30, 1996

COLONIAL TAX-MANAGED
GROWTH FUND

PROSPECTUS

Colonial  Tax-Managed  Growth Fund seeks to maximize  long-term  capital  growth
while reducing shareholder exposure to taxes.

For  more  detailed  information  about  the  Fund,  call the  Administrator  at
1-800-426-3750 for the December 30, 1996 Statement of Additional Information.

FUND  SHARES ARE NOT  DEPOSITS OR  OBLIGATIONS  OF, OR  GUARANTEED,  ENDORSED OR
INSURED BY, ANY BANK OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

             Colonial Tax-Managed Growth Fund

                    [COLONIAL FLAG LOGO]
________________________________________________________________
Please send your completed application to:
                              
                        Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.
                        P.O. Box 1722
                        Boston, Massachusetts 02105-1722

New Account Application/Revision to Existing Account

To open a new account, complete sections 1, 2, 3, & 7.

To apply for special services for a new or existing account, complete sections
4, 5, 6, or 8 as appropriate.

___ Please check here if this is a revision.

1-----------Account Ownership--------------
Please choose one of the following.

__Individual: Print your name, Social Security #, U.S. citizen status.

__Joint Tenant: Print all names, the Social Security # for the first person,
                and his/her U.S. citizen status.

__Uniform Gift to Minors: Names of custodian and minor, minor's Social Security
                          #, minor's U.S. citizen status.

__Corporation, Association, Partnership: Include full name, Taxpayer I.D. #.

__Trust: Name of trustee, trust title & date, and trust's Taxpayer I.D. #.

______________________________________
Name of account owner

______________________________________
Name of joint account owner

______________________________________
Street address

______________________________________
Street address

______________________________________
City, State, and Zip

______________________________________
Daytime phone number

______________________________________
Social Security  # or Taxpayer I.D. #

Are you a U.S. citizen? ___Yes    ___No

______________________________________
If no, country of permanent residence


______________________________________
Owner's date of birth

______________________________________
Account number (if existing account)

2 -----Fund Purchasing Information--------
Your investment will be made in Class A shares if no class is indicated.
Certificates are not available for Class B or D shares. If no distribution
option is selected, distributions will be reinvested in additional Fund
shares. Please consult your financial adviser to determine which class of
shares best suits your needs.

Colonial Tax-Managed Growth Fund

$_______________
Amount            

Class
___ A Shares ___ B Shares (less than $250,000) 

___ D Shares (less than $500,000)


Method of Payment

Choose one

___Check payable to the Fund

___Bank wired on   ____/____/____
(Date) Wire/Trade confirmation #__________________

Ways to Receive Your Distributions

Choose one

___Reinvest dividends and capital gains

___Dividends and capital gains in cash

___Dividends in cash; reinvest capital gains

___Direct Deposit via Colonial Cash Connection Complete Bank Information
   in section 4B.  I understand that my bank must be a member of the 
   Automated Clearing House (ACH).

Distributions of $10.00 or less will automatically be reinvested in additional
fund shares. 


3---Your Signature & Taxpayer I.D. Number Certification----

Each person signing on behalf of an entity represents that his/her actions are
authorized.

I have received and read each appropriate Fund prospectus and understand that
its terms are incorporated by reference into this application.  I understand
that this application is subject to acceptance. I understand that certain
redemptions may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.  It is agreed 
that the Fund, all Colonial Companies and their officers, directors, agents, 
and employees will not be liable for any loss, liability, damage, or expense 
for relying upon this application or any instruction believed genuine.  

I certify, under penalties of perjury, that:

1.  The Social Security # or Taxpayer  I.D. # provided is correct.

You must cross out Item 2a, b or c below only if you have been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that you are currently subject to back-up
withholding because of under-reporting interest or dividends on you tax return.

2.  I am not subject to back-up withholding because: (a) I am exempt from back-
    up withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the IRS that I am
    subject to back-up withholding as a result of a failure to report all
    interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer
    subject to back-up withholding.  

The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of 
this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup 
withholdings.
X______________________________________________
 Signature

_______________________________________________
Capacity, if applicable       Date

X______________________________________________
 Signature

_______________________________________________
Capacity, if applicable       Date

4--------Ways to Withdraw-------

It may take up to 30 days to activate the following features. Complete only
the section(s) that apply to the features you would like.

A. Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
You can receive monthly, quarterly, or semiannual checks from your account in
any amount you select, with certain limitations. Your redemption checks can
be sent to you at the address of record for your account, to your bank
account, or to another person you choose. The value of the shares in your
account must be at least $5,000 and you must reinvest all of your
distributions. Checks will be processed on the 10th calendar day of the month
or the following business day.  If you receive your SWP payment via electronic 
funds transfer (EFT), you may request it to be processed any day of the month.  
Withdrawals in excess of 12% annually of your current account value will not be 
accepted. Redemptions made in addition to SWP payments may be subject to a 
contingent deferred sales charge for Class B or Class D shares. Please consult
your financial or tax adviser before electing this option.

Colonial Tax-Managed Growth Fund

Withdrawal Amount
Redeem shares from account as follows:
Dollar amount of payment $___________
or
Total annual %_________

Frequency  (choose one)
__Monthly           __Quarterly         __Semiannually

I would like payments to begin _____/_____ (day, if indicating EFT,month).

Payment Instructions
Send the payment to (choose one):
__My address of record.
__My bank account via EFT. Please complete the Bank Information section below.  
  All EFT transactions will be made two business days after the processing date.
  Your bank must be a member of the Automated Clearing House system.
__The payee listed at right.  If more than one payee, provide the name,
  address, payment amount, and frequency for other payees (maximum of 5) on
  a separate sheet.  If you are adding this service to an existing account,
  please sign below and have your signature(s) guaranteed.

______________________________________________
Name of payee

______________________________________________
Address of payee

______________________________________________
City

______________________________________________
State                    Zip

______________________________________________
Payee's bank account number, if applicable


B.  Telephone Withdrawal Options
All telephone transaction calls are recorded.  These options are not available
for retirement accounts.  Please sign below and have your signature(s)
guaranteed.

1.  Telephone Redemption
__I would like the Telephone Redemption privilege either by federal fund wire
  or EFT. Telephone redemptions over $500 will be sent via federal fund wire,
  usually on the next business day ($7.50 will be deducted).  Redemptions of
  $500 or less will be sent by check to your designated bank.

2.  On-Demand EFT Redemption
__I would like the On-Demand EFT Redemption Privilege.  Proceeds paid via EFT
  will be credited to your bank account two business days after the process
  date. You or your financial adviser may withdraw shares from your fund account
  by telephone and send your money to your bank account. If you are adding this 
  service to an existing account, complete the Bank Information section below 
  and have all shareholder signatures guaranteed.

Colonial's and the Fund's liability is limited when following telephone
instructions; a shareholder may suffer a loss from an unauthorized transaction
reasonably believed by Colonial to have been authorized.

Bank Information (For Sections A and B Above)
I authorize deposits to the following bank account:

____________________________________________________________
Bank name           City           Bank account number

____________________________________________________________
Bank street address State     Zip  Bank routing # (your bank
                                   can provide this)

X__________________________________
Signature of account owner(s)

X__________________________________
Signature of account owner(s)              Place signature guarantee here.

5-----Ways to Reduce Your Sales Charge--------

These services can help you reduce your sales charge while increasing your
share balance over the long term.

A. Right of Accumulation
If you, your spouse or your children own any other shares in other
Colonial funds, you may be eligible for a reduced sales charge. The combined
value of your accounts must be $50,000 or more. Class A shares of money market
funds are not eligible unless purchased by exchange from another Colonial fund.

The sales charge for your purchase will be based on the sum of the purchase(s) 
added to the value of all shares in other Colonial funds at the previous
day's public offering price.

__Please link the accounts listed below for Right of Accumulation privileges,
  so that this and future purchases will receive any discount for which they
  are eligible.

1 _____________________________________
  Name on account

  _____________________________________
  Account number

2 _____________________________________
  Name on account

  _____________________________________
  Account number

B. Statement of Intent
If you agree in advance to invest at least $50,000 within 13 months, you'll
pay a lower sales charge on every dollar you invest. If you sign a Statement
of Intent within 90 days after you establish your account, you can receive a
retroactive discount on prior investments.  The amount required to receive a
discount varies by fund; see the sales charge table in the "How to Buy Shares"
section of your fund prospectus.

__I want to reduce my sales charge.
I agree to invest $ _______________ over a 13-month period starting
______/______/ 19______ (not more than 90 days prior to this application). I
understand an additional sales charge must be paid if I do not complete this
Statement of Intent.

6-------------Periodic Additional Investments------------

 Fundamatic/On-Demand EFT Purchase (Minimum $250.00)
Fundamatic automatically transfers the specified amount from your bank
checking account to your Colonial fund account on a regular basis.  The On-
Demand EFT Purchase program moves money from your bank checking account to
your Colonial fund account by electronic funds transfer based on your
telephone request.  You will receive the applicable price two 
business days after the receipt of your request.  Your bank needs to be a
member of the Automated Clearing House System.  Please attach a blank check
marked "VOID."  Also, complete the section below.  Please allow 3 weeks for
Colonial to establish these services with your bank.

Colonial Tax-Managed Growth Fund

_________________________________
Account number

$_____________________        _________________
Amount to transfer            Month to start


__On-Demand Purchase (will be automatically established if you choose 
  Fundamatic)
__Fundamatic Frequency
__Monthly or   __Quarterly

Check one:

__EFT- Choose any day of the month_____________________
__Paper Draft-Choose either the: 
__5th day of the month
__20th day of the month

Authorization to honor checks drawn by Colonial Investors Service Center,
Inc.  Do Not Detach.  Make sure all depositors on the bank account sign to
the far right.  Please attach a blank check marked "VOID" here.  See reverse
for bank instructions.

I authorize Colonial to draw on my bank account, by check or electronic funds
transfer, for an investment in a Colonial fund. Colonial and my bank are not
liable for any loss arising from delays or dishonored draws. If a draw is not
honored, I understand that notice may not be given and Colonial may reverse
the purchase and charge my account $15.

______________________________________
Bank name

______________________________________
Bank street address

______________________________________
Bank street address

______________________________________
City            State          Zip

______________________________________
Bank account number

______________________________________
Bank routing #

X_____________________________________
 Depositor's Signature(s)
 Exactly as appears on bank records

X_____________________________________
 Depositor's Signature(s)
 Exactly as appears on bank records

7-------------Financial Service Firm---------------------
To be completed by a Representative of your financial service firm.

This application is submitted in accordance with our selling agreement with
Colonial Investment Services, Inc. (CISI), the Fund's prospectus, and this
application. We will notify CISI, Inc., of any purchase made under a Statement
of Intent, Right of Accumulation, or Sponsored Arrangement.  We guarantee the
signatures on this application and the legal capacity of the signers.

_____________________________________
Representative's name

_____________________________________
Representative's number

_____________________________________
Representative's phone number

_____________________________________
Account # for client at financial
 service firm

_____________________________________
Branch office address

_____________________________________
City

_____________________________________
State               Zip

_____________________________________
Branch office number

_____________________________________
Name of financial service firm

_____________________________________
Main office address

_____________________________________
Main office address

_____________________________________
City

_____________________________________
State               Zip


X____________________________________
 Authorized signature

8----------Request for a Combined Quarterly Statement Mailing-----------
Colonial can mail all of your quarterly statements in one envelope. This 
option simplifies your record keeping and helps reduce fund expenses.

__I want to receive a combined quarterly mailing for all my accounts.  Please
  indicate accounts to be linked.

____________________________  ____________________________ 
Account # or Taxpayer I.D. #  Account # or Taxpayer I.D. # 

____________________________
Account # or Taxpayer I.D. #

                 Fundamatic (See Reverse Side)
Applications must be received before the start date for processing.

This program's deposit privilege can be revoked by Colonial without prior
notice if any check is not paid upon presentation. Colonial has no obligation
to notify the shareholder of non-payment of any draw. This program may be
discontinued by Colonial by written notice at least 30 business days prior
to the due date of any draw or by the shareholder at any time.

To the Bank Named on the Reverse Side:

Your depositor has authorized Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc. to
collect amounts due under an investment program from his/her personal checking
account. When you pay and charge the draws to the account of your depositor
executing the authorization payable to the order of Colonial Investors
Service Center, Inc., Colonial Investment Services, Inc., hereby indemnifies
and holds you harmless from any loss (including reasonable expenses) you may
suffer from honoring such draw, except any losses due to your payment of any
draw against insufficient funds.

MG-009D-1196

                          COLONIAL TAX-MANAGED GROWTH FUND
                         Statement of Additional Information
                                   December 30, 1996




This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains information which may be
useful to  investors  but which is not  included in the  Prospectus  of Colonial
Tax-Managed  Growth Fund (Fund).  This SAI is not a prospectus and is authorized
for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by the Prospectus of the Fund
dated December 30, 1996.  This SAI should be read together with the  Prospectus.
Investors  may obtain a free copy of the  Prospectus  from  Colonial  Investment
Services, Inc., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111-2621.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                    Page
Definitions                                                           2
Investment Policies                                                   2
Additional Information Concerning Investment Practices                2
Taxes - General                                                       9
Additional Tax Matters Concerning Gift Shares                        11
Management of the Fund                                               12
Portfolio Turnover                                                   18
Determination of Net Asset Value                                     18
How to Buy Shares                                                    19
Special Purchase Programs/Investor Services                          19
Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges                   20
How to Sell Shares                                                   22
Suspension of Redemptions                                            23
Shareholder Liability                                                23
Shareholder Meetings                                                 23
Performance Measures                                                 23
Appendix I                                                           25


MG-16/008D-1196

DEFINITIONS
"Trust"                   Colonial Trust I
"Fund"                    Colonial Tax-Managed Growth Fund
"Administrator"           Colonial Management Associates, Inc., the Fund's
                          administrator
"CISI"                    Colonial Investment Services, Inc., the distributor
                          of the Fund and each of the
                          open-end mutual funds in the Colonial funds complex
"CISC"                    Colonial Investors Service Center,  Inc.,  shareholder
                          services  and  transfer  agent to the Fund and each of
                          the  open-end  mutual  funds  in  the  Colonial  funds
                          complex
"Adviser"                 Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, the Fund's
                          investment adviser

INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund is subject to the following fundamental investment policies,  which may
not be  changed  without  the  affirmative  vote  of a  majority  of the  Fund's
outstanding voting securities. The Investment Company Act of 1940 (Act) provides
that a "vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding  voting  securities"  means the
affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the Fund or the Fund,  or (2) 67% or more of the shares  present at a meeting if
more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person
or by proxy.

As fundamental investment policies, the Fund may not:
1.    Issue senior securities other than through borrowing money from banks
      for temporary or emergency purposes up to 10% of its net assets;
2.    Own real estate  except real estate  having a value no more than 5% of the
      Fund's total assets acquired as the result of owning  securities  (nothing
      in this  restriction  shall limit the Fund's  ability to purchase and sell
      (i)  securities  which are secured by real estate and (ii)  securities  of
      companies which invest or deal in real estate);
3.    Invest in commodities,  except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures
      contracts and related  options to the extent that total initial margin and
      premiums on the contracts do not exceed 5% of its total assets;
4.    Underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent the Fund
      could be deemed an underwriter when disposing of portfolio securities;
5.    Make loans,  except through (i) lending of securities not exceeding 30% of
      total assets,  (ii) the purchase of debt instruments or similar  evidences
      of  indebtedness  typically sold privately to financial  institutions  and
      (iii) repurchase agreements; and
6.    Concentrate  more than 25% of its total assets in any one industry or with
      respect  to  75%  of  total  assets  purchase  any  security  (other  than
      obligations of the U.S.  government and cash items including  receivables)
      if as a result more than 5% of its total  assets would then be invested in
      securities of a single issuer,  or purchase voting securities of an issuer
      if, as a result of such  purchase  the Fund would own more than 10% of the
      outstanding voting shares of such issuer.

As  non-fundamental   investment   policies  which  may  be  changed  without a
shareholder vote, the Fund may not:
1.    Purchase securities on margin, but it may receive short-term credit to
      clear securities transactions and may make initial or
      maintenance margin deposits in connection with futures transactions;
2.    Have a short securities position, unless the Fund owns, or owns rights
      (exercisable without payment) to acquire, an equal amount of such
      securities;
3.    Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral  exploration  or
      development programs,  including leases;
4.    Pledge more than 33% of its total assets; and 
5.    Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid assets.

Total  assets and net assets are  determined  at current  value for  purposes of
compliance with investment restrictions and policies. All percentage limitations
will apply at the time of  investment  and are not violated  unless an excess or
deficiency  occurs as a result of such  investment.  For the  purpose of the Act
diversification  requirement, an issuer is the entity whose revenues support the
security.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING CERTAIN INVESTMENT PRACTICES
Additional   information  concerning  certain  of  the  Fund's investments and
investment practices is set forth below.

Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest in securities  traded in markets  outside the United States.
Foreign  investments  can be affected  favorably  or  unfavorably  by changes in
currency rates and in exchange control  regulations.  There may be less publicly
available  information  about a foreign company than about a U.S.  company,  and
foreign  companies  may not be subject to  accounting,  auditing  and  financial
reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Securities
of some foreign  companies are less liquid or more  volatile than  securities of
U.S.  companies,  and foreign  brokerage  commissions  and custodian fees may be
higher than in the United States.  Investments in foreign securities can involve
other risks  different from those  affecting U.S.  investments,  including local
political or economic  developments,  expropriation or nationalization of assets
and imposition of withholding  taxes on dividend or interest  payments.  Foreign
securities,  like other assets of the Fund, will be held by the Fund's custodian
or by a subcustodian  or depository.  See also "Foreign  Currency  Transactions"
below.

The Fund may invest in certain  Passive  Foreign  Investment  Companies  (PFICs)
which may be subject  to U.S.  federal  income  tax on a portion of any  "excess
distribution" or gain (PFIC tax) related to the investment.  The PFIC tax is the
highest ordinary income rate, and it could be increased by an interest charge on
the deemed tax deferral.

The Fund may  possibly  elect to include in its income its pro rata share of the
ordinary  earnings and net capital gain of PFICs. This election requires certain
annual  information  from the  PFICs  which in many  cases may be  difficult  to
obtain. An alternative election would permit the Fund to recognize as income any
appreciation  (but not  depreciation)  on its holdings of PFICs as of the end of
its fiscal year.

Money Market Instruments
Government  obligations  are issued by the U.S.  or foreign  governments,  their
subdivisions,  agencies and  instrumentalities.  Supranational  obligations  are
issued by supranational  entities and are generally designed to promote economic
improvements.  Certificates  of  deposits  are  issued  against  deposits  in  a
commercial  bank with a defined return and maturity.  Banker's  acceptances  are
used to finance the import,  export or storage of goods and are "accepted"  when
guaranteed at maturity by a bank. Commercial paper is promissory notes issued by
businesses  to  finance  short-term  needs  (including  those with  floating  or
variable  interest  rates,  or  including  a  frequent  interval  put  feature).
Short-term  corporate  obligations are bonds and notes (with one year or less to
maturity at the time of  purchase)  issued by  businesses  to finance  long-term
needs. Participation Interests include the underlying securities and any related
guaranty,  letter of credit,  or  collateralization  arrangement  which the Fund
would be allowed to invest in directly.

Securities Loans
The Fund may make secured  loans of its  portfolio  securities  amounting to not
more  than the  percentage  of its total  assets  specified  in the  Prospectus,
thereby realizing additional income. The risks in lending portfolio  securities,
as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the
securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail
financially.  As a matter  of  policy,  securities  loans  are made to banks and
broker-dealers  pursuant  to  agreements  requiring  that loans be  continuously
secured by collateral in cash or short-term  debt  obligations at least equal at
all times to the value of the  securities on loan. The borrower pays to the Fund
an amount equal to any dividends or interest  received on securities  lent.  The
Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of the cash
collateral  or receives a fee from the  borrower.  Although  voting  rights,  or
rights to consent,  with respect to the loaned  securities pass to the borrower,
the Fund retains the right to call the loans at any time on  reasonable  notice,
and it will do so in order that the  securities  may be voted by the Fund if the
holders  of such  securities  are  asked  to vote  upon or  consent  to  matters
materially affecting the investment.  The Fund may also call such loans in order
to sell the securities involved.

Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into  repurchase  agreements.  A  repurchase  agreement  is a
contract under which the Fund acquires a security for a relatively  short period
(usually  not more than one week)  subject  to the  obligation  of the seller to
repurchase  and the Fund to  resell  such  security  at a fixed  time and  price
(representing the Fund's cost plus interest). It is the Fund's present intention
to enter into repurchase  agreements  only with commercial  banks and registered
broker-dealers  and only with respect to obligations  of the U.S.  government or
its agencies or  instrumentalities.  Repurchase agreements may also be viewed as
loans made by the Fund which are  collateralized  by the  securities  subject to
repurchase.  The Adviser will monitor such  transactions  to determine  that the
value of the  underlying  securities is at least equal at all times to the total
amount of the  repurchase  obligation,  including  the interest  factor.  If the
seller  defaults,  the Fund could  realize a loss on the sale of the  underlying
security to the extent that the proceeds of sale including  accrued interest are
less than the resale price  provided in the  agreement  including  interest.  In
addition,  if  the  seller  should  be  involved  in  bankruptcy  or  insolvency
proceedings,  the Fund may  incur  delay  and costs in  selling  the  underlying
security or may suffer a loss of  principal  and interest if the Fund is treated
as an unsecured creditor and required to return the underlying collateral to the
seller's estate.

Options on Securities
Writing covered options. The Fund may write covered call options and covered put
options on securities  held in its portfolio.  Call options  written by the Fund
give the purchaser the right to buy the underlying securities from the Fund at a
stated  exercise  price;  put options give the  purchaser  the right to sell the
underlying securities to the Fund at a stated price.

The Fund may write only covered  options,  which means that, so long as the Fund
is  obligated  as the  writer  of a call  option,  it will  own  the  underlying
securities subject to the option (or comparable  securities satisfying the cover
requirements of securities exchanges). In the case of put options, the Fund will
hold cash and/or high-grade short-term debt obligations equal to the price to be
paid if the option is  exercised.  In addition,  the Fund will be  considered to
have  covered a put or call  option if and to the extent that it holds an option
that offsets some or all of the risk of the option it has written.  The Fund may
write combinations of covered puts and calls on the same underlying security.

The Fund will  receive  a  premium  from  writing  a put or call  option,  which
increases the Fund's  return on the  underlying  security if the option  expires
unexercised  or is closed out at a profit.  The amount of the premium  reflects,
among other things, the relationship  between the exercise price and the current
market  value of the  underlying  security,  the  volatility  of the  underlying
security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates,
and the effect of supply and demand in the options  market and in the market for
the  underlying  security.  By  writing  a call  option,  the  Fund  limits  its
opportunity  to profit from any increase in the market  value of the  underlying
security  above the exercise  price of the option but continues to bear the risk
of a decline in the value of the underlying  security.  By writing a put option,
the Fund  assumes the risk that it may be required  to purchase  the  underlying
security  for an exercise  price  higher  than its  then-current  market  value,
resulting  in  a  potential  capital  loss  unless  the  security   subsequently
appreciates in value.

The Fund may terminate an option that it has written prior to its  expiration by
entering into a closing purchase transaction in which it purchases an offsetting
option.  The Fund  realizes a profit or loss from a closing  transaction  if the
cost of the transaction  (option premium plus transaction costs) is less or more
than the premium  received  from  writing the option.  Because  increases in the
market price of a call option generally reflect increases in the market price of
the security  underlying the option,  any loss resulting from a closing purchase
transaction may be offset in whole or in part by unrealized  appreciation of the
underlying security.

If the Fund writes a call option but does not own the underlying  security,  and
when it  writes a put  option,  the  Fund may be  required  to  deposit  cash or
securities  with its broker as "margin" or collateral  for its obligation to buy
or sell the underlying security. As the value of the underlying security varies,
the  Fund  may  have to  deposit  additional  margin  with  the  broker.  Margin
requirements are complex and are fixed by individual brokers, subject to minimum
requirements  currently  imposed  by the  Federal  Reserve  Board  and by  stock
exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations.

Purchasing  put  options.  The Fund may  purchase  put  options to  protect  its
portfolio holdings in an underlying  security against a decline in market value.
Such hedge  protection  is provided  during the life of the put option since the
Fund, as holder of the put option,  is able to sell the  underlying  security at
the put exercise price  regardless of any decline in the  underlying  security's
market  price.  For a put  option  to be  profitable,  the  market  price of the
underlying security must decline  sufficiently below the exercise price to cover
the premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, the Fund
will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized from appreciation of the
underlying  security by the premium  paid for the put option and by  transaction
costs.

Purchasing call options.  The Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an
increase in the price of securities that the Fund wants  ultimately to buy. Such
hedge  protection is provided during the life of the call option since the Fund,
as holder of the call  option,  is able to buy the  underlying  security  at the
exercise price  regardless of any increase in the underlying  security's  market
price.  In order for a call  option to be  profitable,  the market  price of the
underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the
premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit the Fund might
have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the
call option.

Over-the-Counter  (OTC)  options.  The  Staff  of  the  Division  of  Investment
Management  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (SEC)  has  taken the
position  that OTC  options  purchased  by the Fund and assets held to cover OTC
options  written by the Fund are  illiquid  securities.  Although  the Staff has
indicated  that  it is  continuing  to  evaluate  this  issue,  pending  further
developments,  the Fund intends to enter into OTC options transactions only with
primary  dealers in U.S.  Government  Securities and, in the case of OTC options
written by the Fund,  only pursuant to agreements that will assure that the Fund
will at all times have the right to repurchase the option written by it from the
dealer at a  specified  formula  price.  The Fund will treat the amount by which
such  formula  price  exceeds  the  amount,  if any,  by which the option may be
"in-the-money" as an illiquid  investment.  It is the present policy of the Fund
not to enter into any OTC option  transaction if, as a result,  more than 15% of
the Fund's net assets would be invested in (i) illiquid investments  (determined
under the foregoing  formula)  relating to OTC options written by the Fund, (ii)
OTC  options  purchased  by the Fund,  (iii)  securities  which are not  readily
marketable, and (iv) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

Risk factors in options  transactions.  The successful use of the Fund's options
strategies  depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast  interest rate and
market movements correctly.

When it purchases an option, the Fund runs the risk that it will lose its entire
investment in the option in a relatively  short period of time,  unless the Fund
exercises the option or enters into a closing sale  transaction  with respect to
the  option  during  the life of the  option.  If the  price  of the  underlying
security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to
an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the Fund
will lose part or all of its  investment in the option.  This  contrasts with an
investment by the Fund in the underlying securities, since the Fund may continue
to hold its investment in those securities  notwithstanding the lack of a change
in price of those securities.

The  effective  use of options also  depends on the Fund's  ability to terminate
option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. Although
the Fund will take an option  position only if the Adviser  believes  there is a
liquid secondary market for the option, there is no assurance that the Fund will
be  able  to  effect  closing  transactions  at  any  particular  time  or at an
acceptable price.

If a secondary  trading market in options were to become  unavailable,  the Fund
could no longer engage in closing transactions.  Lack of investor interest might
adversely affect the liquidity of the market for particular options or series of
options. A marketplace may discontinue trading of a particular option or options
generally. In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if unusual
events -- such as volume in excess of trading or clearing  capability -- were to
interrupt normal market operations.

A  marketplace  may at  times  find  it  necessary  to  impose  restrictions  on
particular types of options transactions,  which may limit the Fund's ability to
realize its profits or limit its losses.

Disruptions in the markets for the securities  underlying  options  purchased or
sold  by the  Fund  could  result  in  losses  on the  options.  If  trading  is
interrupted in an underlying  security,  the trading of options on that security
is normally  halted as well. As a result,  the Fund as purchaser or writer of an
option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading  resumes,
and it may be  faced  with  losses  if  trading  in the  security  reopens  at a
substantially  different price. In addition,  the Options  Clearing  Corporation
(OCC)  or  other  options  markets  may  impose  exercise  restrictions.   If  a
prohibition  on exercise  is imposed at the time when  trading in the option has
also been  halted,  the Fund as  purchaser or writer of an option will be locked
into its  position  until  one of the two  restrictions  has been  lifted.  If a
prohibition on exercise  remains in effect until an option owned by the Fund has
expired, the Fund could lose the entire value of its option.

Special risks are presented by  internationally-traded  options. Because of time
differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because
different holidays are observed in different countries,  foreign options markets
may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As
a result,  option  premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying
interest in the United States.

Futures Contracts and Related Options
Upon entering into futures contracts, in compliance with the SEC's requirements,
liquid  securities,  equal in value to the amount of the Fund's obligation under
the contract (less any applicable margin deposits and any assets that constitute
"cover" for such obligation),  will be segregated with the Fund's custodian. For
example,  if the Fund enters into a contract  denominated in a foreign currency,
the Fund will segregate  securities equal in value to the difference between the
Fund's  obligation  under the  contract and the  aggregate  value of all readily
marketable equity securities denominated in the applicable foreign currency held
by the Fund.

A futures  contract sale creates an obligation by the seller to deliver the type
of  instrument  called for in the contract in a specified  delivery  month for a
stated price. A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the purchaser
to take  delivery  of the type of  instrument  called for in the  contract  in a
specified delivery month at a stated price. The specific  instruments  delivered
or taken at settlement  date are not determined  until on or near that date. The
determination is made in accordance with the rules of the exchanges on which the
futures  contract was made.  Futures  contracts  are traded in the United States
only on commodity  exchange or boards of trade -- known as "contract markets" --
approved for such trading by the Commodity  Futures Trading  Commission  (CFTC),
and must be executed  through a futures  commission  merchant or brokerage  firm
which is a member of the relevant contract market.

Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance
of commodities or  securities,  the contracts  usually are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery.  Closing out a futures
contract  sale is  effected  by  purchasing  a  futures  contract  for the  same
aggregate amount of the specific type of financial  instrument or commodity with
the same delivery date. If the price of the initial sale of the futures contract
exceeds the price of the offsetting purchase,  the seller is paid the difference
and realizes a gain. Conversely, if the price of the offsetting purchase exceeds
the price of the  initial  sale,  the  seller  realizes a loss.  Similarly,  the
closing  out of a futures  contract  purchase  is  effected  by the  purchaser's
entering into a futures  contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the
purchase price, the purchaser realizes a gain, and if the purchase price exceeds
the offsetting sale price, the purchaser realizes a loss.

Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received
by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures  contract,  although the Fund
is required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of
the futures  broker an amount of cash and/or U.S.  Government  Securities.  This
amount is known as  "initial  margin".  The nature of initial  margin in futures
transactions  is different from that of margin in security  transactions in that
futures  contract  margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the Fund to
finance  the  transactions.  Rather,  initial  margin  is  in  the  nature  of a
performance  bond or good faith  deposit on the contract that is returned to the
Fund  upon  termination  of  the  futures  contract,  assuming  all  contractual
obligations have been satisfied. Futures contracts also involve brokerage costs.

Subsequent  payments,  called "variation margin", to and from the broker (or the
custodian) are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying  security or
commodity  fluctuates,  making  the  long and  short  positions  in the  futures
contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to market."

The Fund may elect to close  some or all of its  futures  positions  at any time
prior to their expiration.  The purpose of making such a move would be to reduce
or eliminate the hedge  position then  currently  held by the Fund. The Fund may
close its positions by taking opposite positions which will operate to terminate
the Fund's position in the futures contracts.  Final determinations of variation
margin are then made,  additional  cash is required to be paid by or released to
the Fund,  and the Fund  realizes a loss or a gain.  Such  closing  transactions
involve additional commission costs.

Options  on futures  contracts.  The Fund will  enter  into  written  options on
futures contracts only when, in compliance with the SEC's requirements,  cash or
equivalents  equal in value to the commodity  value (less any applicable  margin
deposits) have been deposited in a segregated  account of the Fund's  custodian.
The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts it may
buy or sell and enter into closing  transactions with respect to such options to
terminate existing positions. The Fund may use such options on futures contracts
in lieu of writing options  directly on the underlying  securities or purchasing
and selling the underlying futures contracts.  Such options generally operate in
the same  manner as options  purchased  or written  directly  on the  underlying
investments.

As with options on  securities,  the holder or writer of an option may terminate
his  position  by  selling  or  purchasing  an  offsetting  option.  There is no
guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.

The Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance  margin with
respect to put and call options on futures  contracts  written by it pursuant to
brokers' requirements similar to those described above.

Risks of transactions in futures  contracts and related options.  Successful use
of futures  contracts by the Fund is subject to the Adviser`s ability to predict
correctly  movements  in the  direction  of  interest  rates and  other  factors
affecting securities markets.

Compared to the purchase or sale of futures  contracts,  the purchase of call or
put  options on  futures  contracts  involves  less  potential  risk to the Fund
because the maximum  amount at risk is the  premium  paid for the options  (plus
transaction costs).  However,  there may be circumstances when the purchase of a
call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the Fund when
the purchase or sale of a futures  contract  would not, such as when there is no
movement in the prices of the hedged investments.  The writing of an option on a
futures  contract  involves risks similar to those risks relating to the sale of
futures contracts.

There is no assurance  that higher than  anticipated  trading  activity or other
unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain market clearing facilities
inadequate,  and thereby  result in the  institution,  by exchanges,  of special
procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.

To reduce or eliminate a hedge  position held by the Fund,  the Fund may seek to
close out a position.  The ability to establish and close out positions  will be
subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary  market.  It is
not certain  that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular
futures  contract.  Reasons for the absence of a liquid  secondary  market on an
exchange include the following:  (i) there may be insufficient  trading interest
in certain contracts or options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange
on opening  transactions or closing  transactions or both;  (iii) trading halts,
suspensions  or other  restrictions  may be imposed with  respect to  particular
classes or series of  contracts  or  options,  or  underlying  securities;  (iv)
unusual or  unforeseen  circumstances  may  interrupt  normal  operations  on an
exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at
all times be  adequate to handle  current  trading  volume;  or (vi) one or more
exchanges could,  for economic or other reasons,  decide or be compelled at some
future date to discontinue  the trading of contracts or options (or a particular
class or series of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange (or in the class or series of contracts or options) would cease to
exist,  although outstanding  contracts or options on the exchange that had been
issued by a clearing  corporation  as a result of trades on that exchange  would
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Index futures contracts.  An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell
units of an index at a  specified  future  date at a price  agreed upon when the
contract is made.  Entering into a contract to buy units of an index is commonly
referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in the
index.  Entering into a contract to sell units of an index is commonly  referred
to as selling a  contract  or holding a short  position.  A unit is the  current
value of the index. The Fund may enter into stock index futures contracts,  debt
index futures  contracts,  or other index futures  contracts  appropriate to its
objective(s).  The Fund may also  purchase  and sell  options  on index  futures
contracts.

There are several risks in connection  with the use by the Fund of index futures
as a hedging  device.  One risk  arises  because  of the  imperfect  correlation
between movements in the prices of the index futures and movements in the prices
of  securities  which are the subject of the hedge.  The Adviser will attempt to
reduce  this risk by  selling,  to the extent  possible,  futures on indices the
movements of which will, in its judgment,  have a significant  correlation  with
movements in the prices of the Fund's portfolio securities sought to be hedged.

Successful use of index futures by the Fund for hedging purposes is also subject
to the Adviser's ability to predict correctly  movements in the direction of the
market.  It is  possible  that,  where  the Fund has sold  futures  to hedge its
portfolio  against a decline in the  market,  the index on which the futures are
written may advance and the value of securities held in the Fund's portfolio may
decline.  If this  occurs,  the Fund would lose  money on the  futures  and also
experience a decline in the value in its portfolio  securities.  However,  while
this could occur to a certain  degree,  the Adviser  believes that over time the
value of the Fund's  portfolio  will tend to move in the same  direction  as the
market  indices  which are intended to  correlate to the price  movements of the
portfolio  securities sought to be hedged. It is also possible that, if the Fund
has  hedged  against  the  possibility  of a  decline  in the  market  adversely
affecting  securities  held in its  portfolio  and  securities  prices  increase
instead,  the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased  values
of those securities that it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in
its  futures  positions.  In  addition,  in such  situations,  if the  Fund  has
insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements.

In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect correlation, or no
correlation at all, between movements in the index futures and the securities of
the  portfolio  being  hedged,  the prices of index  futures  may not  correlate
perfectly  with  movements  in  the  underlying  index  due  to  certain  market
distortions.  First,  all  participants  in the  futures  markets are subject to
margin  deposit and  maintenance  requirements.  Rather than meeting  additional
margin  deposit  requirements,  investors  may close futures  contracts  through
offsetting  transactions which would distort the normal relationship between the
index and futures markets. Second, margin requirements in the futures market are
less onerous than margin  requirements in the securities market, and as a result
the futures  market may attract more  speculators  than the  securities  market.
Increased  participation  by  speculators  in the futures  market may also cause
temporary price distortions.  Due to the possibility of price distortions in the
futures market and also because of the imperfect  correlation  between movements
in the index  and  movements  in the  prices  of index  futures,  even a correct
forecast  of  general  market  trends by the  Adviser  may still not result in a
successful hedging transaction.

Options on index  futures.  Options on index  futures  are similar to options on
securities except that options on index futures give the purchaser the right, in
return for the premium paid,  to assume a position in an index futures  contract
(a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a
put), at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option.
Upon exercise of the option,  the delivery of the futures position by the writer
of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated  balance in the writer's futures margin account which represents the
amount by which the market  price of the index  futures  contract,  at exercise,
exceeds  (in the  case of a call)  or is less  than  (in the  case of a put) the
exercise  price of the option on the index future.  If an option is exercised on
the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option,  the settlement
will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference between the exercise price
of the option and the closing level of the index on which the future is based on
the  expiration  date.  Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options
prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

Options on indices.  As an  alternative  to  purchasing  call and put options on
index  futures,  the Fund may  purchase  call and put options on the  underlying
indices themselves.  Such options could be used in a manner identical to the use
of options on index futures.

Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund may  engage  in  currency  exchange  transactions  to  protect  against
uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates.

The Fund may engage in both "transaction  hedging" and "position hedging".  When
it engages  in  transaction  hedging,  the Fund  enters  into  foreign  currency
transactions  with  respect to  specific  receivables  or  payables  of the Fund
generally  arising in  connection  with the  purchase  or sale of its  portfolio
securities. The Fund will engage in transaction hedging when it desires to "lock
in" the U.S.  dollar  price of a security it has agreed to purchase or sell,  or
the U.S.  dollar  equivalent  of a  dividend  or  interest  payment in a foreign
currency.  By transaction  hedging the Fund attempts to protect itself against a
possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the  relationship  between the
U.S.  dollar and the applicable  foreign  currency during the period between the
date on which the  security is  purchased  or sold,  or on which the dividend or
interest  payment is declared,  and the date on which such  payments are made or
received.

The Fund may  purchase  or sell a foreign  currency on a spot (or cash) basis at
the prevailing  spot rate in connection  with the settlement of  transactions in
portfolio  securities  denominated in that foreign  currency.  The Fund may also
enter into  contracts  to purchase or sell foreign  currencies  at a future date
("forward contracts") and purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts.

For transaction hedging purposes the Fund may also purchase  exchange-listed and
over-the-counter  call and put options on foreign currency futures contracts and
on foreign currencies. Over-the-counter options are considered to be illiquid by
the SEC staff.  A put option on a futures  contract  gives the Fund the right to
assume a short position in the futures  contract until expiration of the option.
A put  option on  currency  gives the Fund the  right to sell a  currency  at an
exercise  price until the  expiration of the option.  A call option on a futures
contract  gives  the Fund the  right to assume a long  position  in the  futures
contract until the expiration of the option. A call option on currency gives the
Fund the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the expiration
of the option.

When it engages in  position  hedging,  the Fund enters  into  foreign  currency
exchange  transactions to protect against a decline in the values of the foreign
currencies in which its portfolio  securities are denominated (or an increase in
the value of currency for  securities  which the Fund expects to purchase,  when
the Fund holds cash or  short-term  investments).  In  connection  with position
hedging,  the Fund may  purchase  put or call  options on foreign  currency  and
foreign currency futures contracts and buy or sell forward contracts and foreign
currency futures contracts.  The Fund may also purchase or sell foreign currency
on a spot basis.

The precise  matching of the amounts of foreign currency  exchange  transactions
and the  value  of the  portfolio  securities  involved  will not  generally  be
possible since the future value of such  securities in foreign  currencies  will
change as a  consequence  of market  movements in the value of those  securities
between the dates the currency  exchange  transactions  are entered into and the
dates they mature.

It is  impossible  to forecast  with  precision  the market  value of  portfolio
securities  at the  expiration  or  maturity  of a forward or futures  contract.
Accordingly,  it may be necessary  for the Fund to purchase  additional  foreign
currency  on the spot  market  (and bear the  expense of such  purchase)  if the
market value of the security or securities  being hedged is less than the amount
of foreign  currency  the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made
to sell the security or securities  and make  delivery of the foreign  currency.
Conversely,  it may be  necessary to sell on the spot market some of the foreign
currency  received upon the sale of the portfolio  security or securities if the
market  value of such  security  or  securities  exceeds  the  amount of foreign
currency the Fund is obligated to deliver.

Transaction and position hedging do not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the  securities  which the Fund owns or intends to  purchase  or sell.
They simply  establish  a rate of exchange  which one can achieve at some future
point in time. Additionally, although these techniques tend to minimize the risk
of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they tend to limit
any  potential  gain  which  might  result  from the  increase  in value of such
currency.

Currency forward and futures  contracts.  Upon entering into such contracts,  in
compliance with the SEC's requirements, liquid securities, equal in value to the
amount of the Fund's  obligation under the contract (less any applicable  margin
deposits and any assets that constitute  "cover" for such  obligation),  will be
segregated  with the Fund's  custodian.  For example,  if the Fund enters into a
contract  denominated in a foreign currency,  the Fund will segregate cash, cash
equivalents  or  high-grade  debt  securities  equal in value to the  difference
between the Fund's  obligation under the contract and the aggregate value of all
readily  marketable  equity  securities  denominated in the  applicable  foreign
currency held by the Fund.

A forward  currency  contract  involves  an  obligation  to  purchase  or sell a
specific  currency at a future date,  which may be any fixed number of days from
the date of the contract as agreed by the parties, at a price set at the time of
the  contract.  In the  case  of a  cancelable  contract,  the  holder  has  the
unilateral  right to cancel the contract at maturity by paying a specified  fee.
The contracts  are traded in the interbank  market  conducted  directly  between
currency  traders  (usually  large  commercial  banks)  and their  customers.  A
contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at
any stage for trades. A currency futures contract is a standardized contract for
the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date
at a price set at the time of the contract. Currency futures contracts traded in
the United  States are designed  and traded on exchanges  regulated by the CFTC,
such as the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Forward currency  contracts  differ from currency  futures  contracts in certain
respects.  For example, the maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties,  rather
than a  predetermined  date in a given month.  Forward  contracts  may be in any
amounts  agreed upon by the parties  rather than  predetermined  amounts.  Also,
forward  contracts  are  traded  directly  between  currency  traders so that no
intermediary is required.  A forward  contract  generally  requires no margin or
other deposit.

At the maturity of a forward or futures contract,  the Fund may either accept or
make  delivery of the  currency  specified  in the  contract,  or at or prior to
maturity enter into a closing  transaction  involving the purchase or sale of an
offsetting contract.  Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are
usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward
contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures contracts are effected on
a commodities  exchange;  a clearing  corporation  associated  with the exchange
assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.

Positions in currency futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or
board of trade which provides a secondary market in such contracts. Although the
Fund intends to purchase or sell currency futures contracts only on exchanges or
boards of trade where there appears to be an active secondary  market,  there is
no assurance that a secondary market on an exchange or board of trade will exist
for any particular contract or at any particular time. In such event, it may not
be  possible  to close a futures  position  and,  in the event of adverse  price
movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of
variation margin.

Currency options. In general, options on currencies operate similarly to options
on securities and are subject to many similar risks. Currency options are traded
primarily in the  over-the-counter  market,  although options on currencies have
recently  been listed on several  exchanges.  Options are traded not only on the
currencies  of  individual  nations,  but  also on the  European  Currency  Unit
("ECU").  The ECU is composed of amounts of a number of  currencies,  and is the
official  medium of  exchange  of the  European  Economic  Community's  European
Monetary System.

The Fund will only purchase or write currency  options when the Adviser believes
that a  liquid  secondary  market  exists  for  such  options.  There  can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary  market will exist for a particular  option at
any specified time.  Currency options are affected by all of those factors which
influence  exchange rates and  investments  generally.  To the extent that these
options are traded over the counter,  they are  considered to be illiquid by the
SEC staff.

The value of any  currency,  including  the U.S.  dollars,  may be  affected  by
complex  political and economic factors  applicable to the issuing  country.  In
addition, the exchange rates of currencies (and therefore the values of currency
options)  may  be  significantly  affected,  fixed,  or  supported  directly  or
indirectly by government  actions.  Government  intervention  may increase risks
involved in purchasing or selling currency options, since exchange rates may not
be free to fluctuate in respect to other market forces.

The value of a currency option reflects the value of an exchange rate,  which in
turn reflects relative values of two currencies, the U.S. dollar and the foreign
currency in question.  Because currency transactions  occurring in the interbank
market involve  substantially  larger amounts than those that may be involved in
the exercise of currency  options,  investors may be  disadvantaged by having to
deal in an odd lot market  for the  underlying  currencies  in  connection  with
options  at  prices  that  are  less  favorable  than for  round  lots.  Foreign
governmental  restrictions  or taxes could result in adverse changes in the cost
of acquiring or disposing of currencies.

There is no systematic  reporting of last sale  information  for  currencies and
there is no regulatory  requirement that quotations available through dealers or
other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis.  Available  quotation
information is generally  representative of very large round-lot transactions in
the interbank market and thus may not reflect exchange rates for smaller odd-lot
transactions  (less than $1  million)  where  rates may be less  favorable.  The
interbank  market in currencies  is a global,  around-the-clock  market.  To the
extent  that  options  markets are closed  while the markets for the  underlying
currencies  remain open,  significant price and rate movements may take place in
the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.

Settlement procedures.  Settlement procedures relating to the Fund's investments
in foreign  securities and to the Fund's foreign currency exchange  transactions
may be more complex than  settlements  with  respect to  investments  in debt or
equity securities of U.S. issuers,  and may involve certain risks not present in
the Fund's  domestic  investments,  including  foreign  currency risks and local
custom and usage.  Foreign currency  transactions may also involve the risk that
an entity involved in the settlement may not meet its obligations.

Foreign currency  conversion.  Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a
fee for currency  conversion,  they do realize a profit based on the  difference
(spread) between prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Thus,  a dealer  may offer to sell a foreign  currency  to the Fund at one rate,
while  offering a lesser rate of exchange  should the Fund desire to resell that
currency to the dealer.  Foreign currency transactions may also involve the risk
that an entity involved in the settlement may not meet its obligation.

Rule 144A Securities
The Fund may purchase  securities  that have been privately  placed but that are
eligible  for  purchase  and sale under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.  That Rule
permits certain qualified  institutional  buyers,  such as the Fund, to trade in
privately  placed  securities  that have not been  registered for sale under the
1933 Act.  The Adviser,  under the  supervision  of the Board of Trustees,  will
consider  whether  securities  purchased  under Rule 144A are  illiquid and thus
subject  to  the  Fund's  investment  restriction  on  illiquid  securities.   A
determination  of whether a Rule 144A security is liquid or not is a question of
fact.  In making this  determination,  the  Adviser  will  consider  the trading
markets for the specific security,  taking into account the unregistered  nature
of a Rule 144A  security.  In  addition,  the  Adviser  could  consider  the (1)
frequency of trades and quotes, (2) number of dealers and potential  purchasers,
(3) dealer  undertakings to make a market, and (4) nature of the security and of
marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method
of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer). The liquidity of Rule 144A
securities would be monitored and, if as a result of changed  conditions,  it is
determined that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, the Fund's holdings of
illiquid  securities  would be reviewed to  determine  what,  if any,  steps are
required  to assure  that the Fund  does not  invest  more  than its  investment
restriction on illiquid  securities  allows.  Investing in Rule 144A  securities
could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund's assets  invested in
illiquid securities if qualified  institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase
such securities.

TAXES - GENERAL
All  discussions  of taxation at the  shareholder  level relate to federal taxes
only.  Consult your tax adviser for state and local tax  considerations  and for
information about special tax considerations that may apply to shareholders that
are not natural persons.

Dividends  Received  Deductions.  Distributions  will qualify for the  corporate
dividends  received  deduction only to the extent that  dividends  earned by the
Fund qualify.  Any such dividends are,  however,  includable in adjusted current
earnings for purposes of computing corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT).

Return of Capital  Distributions.  To the extent that a distribution is a return
of capital for federal tax purposes,  it reduces the cost basis of the shares on
the record date and is similar to a partial  return of the  original  investment
(on which a sales charge may have been paid).  There is no recognition of a gain
or loss,  however,  unless the return of capital  reduces  the cost basis in the
shares to below zero.

U.S. Government Securities.  Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid
to  shareholders  of mutual funds from  interest  income earned by the Fund from
direct  obligations  of the  U.S.  government.  Investments  in  mortgage-backed
securities (including GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC Securities) and repurchase agreements
collateralized  by U.S.  government  securities do not qualify as direct federal
obligations  in most  states.  Shareholders  should  consult  with their own tax
advisers about the applicability of state and local intangible property,  income
or other taxes to their fund shares and  distributions  and redemption  proceeds
received from the fund.

Sales  of  Shares.  In  general,  any  gain  or  loss  realized  upon a  taxable
disposition of shares by a shareholder will be treated as long-term capital gain
or loss if the shares have been held for more than twelve months,  and otherwise
as  short-term  capital gain or loss  assuming such shares are held as a capital
asset.  However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for
six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, capital
loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain  distributions  received by the
shareholder with respect to those shares.  All or a portion of any loss realized
upon a taxable  disposition  of shares will be  disallowed  if other  shares are
purchased  within 30 days before or after the  disposition.  In such a case, the
basis of the newly  purchased  shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.

Backup  Withholding.  Certain  distributions and redemptions may be subject to a
31% backup withholding unless a taxpayer identification number and certification
that the  shareholder is not subject to the withholding is provided to the fund.
This number and form may be  provided  by either a Form W-9 or the  accompanying
application.  In certain instances, CISC may be notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that a shareholder is subject to backup withholding.

Excise  Tax.  To  the  extent  that  the  Fund  does  not  annually   distribute
substantially  all taxable income and realized gains, it is subject to an excise
tax.  The Adviser  intends to avoid this tax except when the cost of  processing
the distribution is greater than the tax.

Tax Accounting  Principles.  To qualify as a "regulated investment company," the
Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,  interest,
payments  with  respect  to  securities  loans,  gains  from  the  sale or other
disposition of securities or foreign  currencies or other income  (including but
not limited to gains from options,  futures or forward  contracts)  derived with
respect to its business of  investing  in such  securities  or  currencies;  (b)
derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or other  disposition  of
certain assets held less than three months;  (c) diversify its holdings so that,
at the close of each quarter of its taxable year,  (i) at least 50% of the value
of its total assets consists of cash, cash items,  U.S.  Government  securities,
and other  securities  limited  generally  with respect to any one issuer to not
more  than 5% of the  total  assets  of the Fund  and not  more  than 10% of the
outstanding  voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the
value of its assets is invested in the securities of any issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities).

Futures  Contracts.  Accounting for futures contracts will be in accordance with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The amount of any realized gain or
loss on the closing out of a futures  contract  will result in a capital gain or
loss for tax purposes.  In addition,  certain futures contracts held by the Fund
(so-called  "Section 1256 contracts") will be required to be  "marked-to-market"
(deemed  sold) for federal  income tax  purposes at the end of each fiscal year.
Sixty  percent of any net gain or loss  recognized  on such  deemed  sales or on
actual  sales  will be  treated  as  long-term  capital  gain or  loss,  and the
remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

However,  if a futures  contract is part of a "mixed straddle" (i.e., a straddle
comprised  in part of  Section  1256  contracts),  a Fund may be able to make an
election  which  will  affect  the  character  arising  from such  contracts  as
long-term  or  short-term  and the  timing of the  recognition  of such gains or
losses. In any event, the straddle provisions described below will be applicable
to such mixed straddles.

Special Tax Rules Applicable to "Straddles". The straddle provisions of the Code
may affect the  taxation  of the Fund's  options and  futures  transactions  and
transactions in securities to which they relate.  A "straddle" is made up of two
or more offsetting  positions in "personal property," including debt securities,
related options and futures,  equity  securities,  related index futures and, in
certain  circumstances,  options  relating  to equity  securities,  and  foreign
currencies and related options and futures.

The straddle  rules may operate to defer losses  realized or deemed  realized on
the disposition of a position in a straddle, may suspend or terminate the Fund's
holding period in such positions, and may convert short-term losses to long-term
losses in certain circumstances.

Foreign  Currency-Denominated  Securities and Related Hedging Transactions.  The
Fund's  transactions in foreign  currency-denominated  debt securities,  certain
foreign currency options,  futures contracts and forward contracts may give rise
to  ordinary  income or loss to the  extent  such  income or loss  results  from
fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

If more than 50% of the Fund's  total  assets at the end of its fiscal  year are
invested  in  securities  of  foreign  corporate  issuers,  the Fund may make an
election  permitting its  shareholders to take a deduction or credit for federal
tax purposes for their portion of certain  foreign  taxes paid by the Fund.  The
Adviser  will  consider the value of the benefit to a typical  shareholder,  the
cost to the  Fund of  compliance  with the  election,  and  incidental  costs to
shareholders in deciding whether to make the election.  A shareholder's  ability
to claim  such a foreign  tax credit  will be  subject  to  certain  limitations
imposed  by the  Code,  as a result  of which a  shareholder  may not get a full
credit for the amount of foreign taxes so paid by the Fund.  Shareholders who do
not  itemize on their  federal  income tax  returns  may claim a credit  (but no
deduction) for such foreign taxes.

Certain  securities are considered to be Passive  Foreign  Investment  Companies
(PFICS) under the Code, and the Fund is liable for any PFIC-related taxes.

ADDITIONAL TAX MATTERS CONCERNING TRUST SHARES
Federal  Gift Taxes.  An  investment  in Trust  Shares may be a taxable gift for
federal tax purposes,  depending  upon the option  selected and other gifts that
the donor and his or her spouse may make during the year.

Under the  Colonial  Advantage  Plan,  the  entire  amount of the gift will be a
"present interest" that qualifies for the federal gift tax annual exclusion.  In
that  case,  the donor  will be  required  to file a federal  gift tax return on
account of this gift only if (i) the  aggregate  present  interest  gifts by the
donor to the particular beneficiary (including the gift of Trust Shares) exceeds
$10,000 or (ii) the donor  wishes to elect gift  splitting  on gifts with his or
her spouse for the year.  The trustee will notify the  beneficiary of his or her
right of  withdrawal  promptly  following any  contribution  under the Advantage
Plan.

Under the Colonial  Gift Plan,  the entire  amount of the gift will be a "future
interest" for federal gift tax  purposes,  so that none of the gift will qualify
for the federal gift tax annual exclusion.  Consequently, the donor will have to
file a federal gift tax return (IRS Form 709) reporting the entire amount of the
gift, even if the gift is less than $10,000.

No federal  gift tax will be payable  by the donor  until his or her  cumulative
taxable gifts (i.e.,  gifts other than those qualifying for the annual exclusion
or otherwise exempt) exceed the federal gift and estate tax exemption equivalent
amount (currently,  $600,000). Any gift of Trust Shares that does not qualify as
a present  interest or that exceeds the available  annual  exclusion amount will
reduce  the amount of the  Federal  gift and  estate  tax  exemption  that would
otherwise be available  for future gifts for  transfers at death.  The donor and
his or her spouse may elect "gift-splitting" for any gift of Trust Shares (other
than a gift to such  spouse),  meaning  that the donor and his or her spouse may
elect to treat the gift as having been made one-half by each of them.

The donor's  gift of Fund shares may also have to be reported for state gift tax
purposes,  if the  state in which  the donor  resides  imposes a gift tax.  Many
states do not impose such a tax. Some states follow the Federal rules concerning
the  types  of  transfers  subject  to tax and the  availability  of the  annual
exclusion.

Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
If  the  beneficiary  of a  gift  of  Trust  Shares  is a  relative  who  is two
generations  or more  younger  than the donor,  or is not a relative and is more
than 37 1/2 years  younger than the donor,  the gift will be subject in whole or
in part to the generation-skipping  transfer tax (the "GST tax") unless the gift
is made  under the  Advantage  Plan and does not  exceed  the  available  annual
exclusion  amount.  A  $1,000,000  exemption  (the "GST  exemption")  is allowed
against  this tax, and so long as the GST  exemption  has not been used by other
transfers it will  automatically  be allocated to a gift of Trust Shares that is
subject to the GST tax unless the donor  elects  otherwise.  Such an election is
made by  reporting  the gift on a timely  filed  gift tax  return and paying the
applicable  GST tax.  The GST tax is imposed at a flat rate of 55% on the amount
of the gift,  and  payment of the tax by the donor is  treated as an  additional
gift for gift tax purposes.

Income Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service takes the position that a trust  beneficiary who is
given a power of withdrawal over  contributions  to the trust should be treated,
for Federal income tax purposes, as the "owner" of the portion of the trust that
was subject to the power.  Accordingly,  if the donor  selects  Advantage  Trust
Shares, the beneficiary will be treated as the "owner" of all of the Fund shares
in the account for Federal  income tax purposes,  and will be required to report
all of the income and capital  gains  earned in the trust on his or her personal
Federal income tax return. The trust will not pay Federal income taxes on any of
the trust's income or capital gains, and the "throwback  rules" of the Code will
not apply when the trust  terminates.  The  trustee  will  prepare  and file the
Federal  income tax  information  returns that are  required  each year (and any
state income tax returns that may be required),  and will send the beneficiary a
statement  following each year showing the amounts (if any) that the beneficiary
must report on his or her income tax returns for that year.  If the  beneficiary
is under  fourteen  years of age, these amounts may be subject to Federal income
taxation at the marginal  rate  applicable  to the  beneficiary's  parents.  The
beneficiary may at any time after the creation of the trust irrevocably elect to
require  the  trustee  to pay him or her a portion  of the  trust's  income  and
capital  gains  annually  thereafter  to  provide  funds  with  which to pay any
resulting income taxes, which the trustee will do by redeeming Trust Shares. The
amount  distributed  will be a  fraction  of the  trust's  ordinary  income  and
short-term  capital gains and the trust's  long-term  capital gains equal to the
highest  marginal  Federal  income  tax  rate  imposed  on each  type of  income
(currently,  39.6%  and 28%,  respectively).  If the  beneficiary  selects  this
option,  he or she will receive those fractions of his or her trust's income and
capital gains annually for the duration of the trust.

Under the  Advantage  Plan,  the  beneficiary  will also be able to require  the
trustee to pay his or her  tuition,  room and board and other  expense of his or
her college or  post-graduate  education,  and the  trustee  will raise the cash
necessary  to fund these  distributions  by  redeeming  Trust  Shares.  Any such
redemption  will result in the realization of capital gain or loss on the shares
redeemed,  which will be reportable by the  beneficiary on his or her income tax
returns  for the year in which the  shares are  redeemed,  as  described  above.
Payments must be made directly to the educational institution.

If the donor  selects the Gift Plan,  the trust that he or she  creates  will be
subject to Federal  income tax on all income and capital  gains  realized by it,
less a $100  annual  exemption  (in lieu of the  personal  exemption  allowed to
individuals).  The  amount  of the tax  will be  determined  under  the tax rate
schedule applicable to estates and trusts,  which is more sharply graduated than
the rate schedule for  individuals,  reaching the same maximum marginal rate for
ordinary income or short-term  capital gains (currently,  39.6%),  but at a much
lower taxable  income level (for 1996 $7,900) than would apply to an individual.
It is anticipated,  however, that most of the gains taxable to the trust will be
long-term  capital  gain,  on which the  Federal  income  tax rate is  currently
limited to 28%. The trustee will raise the cash  necessary to pay any Federal or
state income  taxes by  redeeming  Fund  shares.  The  beneficiary  will not pay
Federal income taxes on any of the trust's income or capital gains, except those
earned in the year when the trust terminates.  If the trust terminates after the
beneficiary  reaches age 21, the  distribution  of the balance of the trust fund
will be treated in part as an  "accumulation  distribution"  under the so-called
"throwback  rules"  of  the  Code,  which  could  result  in the  imposition  of
additional income tax on the beneficiary.  The trustee will prepare and file all
Federal and state income tax returns that are required each year,  and will send
the  beneficiary  an  information  statement  for the  year in which  the  trust
terminates  showing the amounts (if any) that the beneficiary must report on his
or her  Federal  and state  income tax  returns for that year and the amount (if
any) of any accumulation  distribution  subject to the "throwback  rules" of the
Code.

When the trust terminates,  the distribution of the remaining shares held in the
trust to the  beneficiary  will not be treated as a taxable  disposition  of the
shares.  Any Fund  shares  received by the  beneficiary  will have the same cost
basis as they  had in the  trust at the  time of  termination.  Any Fund  shares
received by the beneficiary's estate will have a basis equal to the value of the
shares at the beneficiary's  death (or the alternate  valuation date for Federal
estate tax purposes, if elected).

Consultation with Qualified Adviser
Due to the  complexity  of  Federal  and state  gift,  GST and  income  tax laws
pertaining to all gifts in trust,  prospective donors should consider consulting
with their financial or tax adviser before investing in Trust Shares.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Each of the Adviser,  the  Administrator,  CISC and CISI is a direct or indirect
wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  Liberty   Financial   Companies,   Inc.  (Liberty
Financial), which in turn is a direct majority-owned subsidiary of LFC Holdings,
Inc., which in turn is a direct subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Equity Corporation,
which in turn is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance  Company
(Liberty  Mutual).  Liberty Mutual is an  underwriter  of workers'  compensation
insurance and a property and casualty  insurer in the U.S.  Liberty  Financial's
address is 600 Atlantic Avenue,  Boston,  MA 02210.  Liberty Mutual's address is
175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02117.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trustees and Officers            Position   Principal Occupation 
Name and Address           Age   with Fund  During Past Five Years
- ----------------           ---   ---------  ----------------------

<S>                        <C>   <C>        <C>
Robert J. Birnbaum(1) (2)  69    Trustee    Retired since 1994 (formerly Special
313 Bedford Road                            Counsel, DechertPrice & Rhoads from
Ridgewood, NJ 07450                         September, 1988 to December, 1993)

Tom Bleasdale              66    Trustee    Retired since 1993 (formerly 
102 Clubhouse Drive #275                    Chairman of the Board and Chief
Naples, FL  34105                           Executive Officer, Shore Bank 
                                            & Trust Company from 1992-1993),
                                            is a Director of The Empire
                                            Company since June, 1995 (3)

Lora S. Collins            61    Trustee    Attorney (formerly Attorney, 
1175 Hill Road                              Kramer, Levin, Naftalis, Nessen,
Southold, NY 11971                          Kamin & Frankel from September,
                                            1986 to November, 1996)(3)

James E. Grinnell (1) (2)  67    Trustee    Private Investor since November, 1988
22 Harbor Avenue
Marblehead, MA 01945

William D. Ireland, Jr.    72    Trustee    Retired since 1990, is a Trustee of certain charitable
103 Springline Drive                        and non-charitable organizations since February, 1990 (3)
Vero Beach, FL 32963

Richard W. Lowry (1) (2)   60    Trustee    Private Investor since August, 1987
10701 Charleston Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963

William E. Mayer*          56    Trustee    Dean, College of Business and Management, University of
College Park, MD 20742                      Maryland since October, 1992 (formerly Dean, Simon
                                            Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester from
                                            October, 1991 to July, 1992) (3)

James L. Moody, Jr.        65    Trustee    Chairman of the Board, Hannaford Bros., Co. since May,
P.O. Box 1000                               1984 (formerly Chief Executive Officer, Hannaford Bros.
Portland, ME  04104                         Co. from May, 1973 to May, 1992) (3)

John J. Neuhauser          53    Trustee    Dean, Boston College School of Management since 1978 (3)
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167

George L. Shinn            73    Trustee    Financial Consultant since 1989 (formerly Chairman, Chief
The First Boston Corp.                      Executive Officer and Consultant, The First Boston
Tower Forty Nine                            Corporation from 1983 to July, 1991) (3)
12 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017

Robert L. Sullivan         68    Trustee    Self-employed Management Consultant since January, 1989 (3)
7121 Natelli Woods Lane
Bethesda, MD 20817

Sinclair Weeks, Jr.        73    Trustee    Chairman of the Board, Reed & Barton Corporation since
Bay Colony Corporate Ctr.                   1987 (3)
Suite 4550
1000 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02154

Harold W. Cogger           59    President  President of Colonial funds since March, 1996 (formerly
                                 (formerly  Vice President from July, 1993 to March, 1996); is
                                 Vice       Director and Chairman of the Board, since March, 1996
                                 President) of the Administrator (formerly  President
                                            from  July,  1993 to December,  1996,
                                            Chief Executive Officer  from March,
                                            1995  to December, 1996);  Director  of
                                            the  Adviser  since November, 1996;
                                            Director and Chairman of the Board, since March,
                                            1996, of The Colonial Group, Inc.(TCG)(formerly
                                            President from October, 1994 to December, 1996,
                                            Chief Executive Officer  from March, 1995 to December,
                                            1996); and Executive Vice  President  and
                                            Director, Liberty Financial (3)

Timothy J. Jacoby          44    Treasurer  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Colonial funds since
                                 and Chief  October, 1996, is Senior Vice President of the
                                 Financial  Adviser since September, 1996 (formerly Senior Vice
                                 Officer    President, Fidelity Accounting and Custody Services
                                            from September, 1993 to September, 1996 and Assistant
                                            Treasurer to the Fidelity Group of Funds from August,
                                            1990 to September, 1993)

Peter L. Lydecker          42    Chief      Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of Colonial
                                 Accounting funds since June, 1993 (formerly Assistant Controller
                                 Officer    from March, 1985 to June, 1993); is Vice President of
                                 and        the Adviser since June, 1993 (formerly Assistant Vice
                                 Controller President of the Adviser from August, 1988 to June,
                                 (formerly  1993) (3)
                                 Assistant
                                 Controller)        
 
Davey S. Scoon             49    Vice       Vice President of Colonial funds since June, 1993, is
                                 President  Executive Vice President since July, 1993 and Director
                                            since March, 1985 of the Adviser (formerly Senior Vice
                                            President and Treasurer of the Adviser from March, 1985
                                            to July, 1993); Executive Vice President and Chief
                                            Operating Officer, TCG since March, 1995 (formerly Vice
                                            President - Finance and Administration of TCG from
                                            November, 1985 to March, 1995) (3)

Arthur O. Stern            56    Secretary  Secretary of Colonial funds since 1985, is Director
                                            since 1985, Executive Vice President since July, 1993,
                                            General Counsel, Clerk and Secretary since March, 1985
                                            of the Adviser; Executive Vice President, Legal since
                                            March, 1995 and Clerk since March, 1985  of TCG
                                            (formerly Executive Vice President, Compliance from
                                            March, 1995 to March, 1996 and Vice President - Legal
                                            of TCG from March, 1985 to March, 1995) (3)
</TABLE>

(1)      Elected to the Colonial Funds complex on April 21, 1995.

(2)      On April 3, 1995,  and in  connection  with the merger of The  Colonial
         Group,  Inc. with a subsidiary of Liberty  Financial  which occurred on
         March 27,  1995,  Liberty  Financial  Trust  (LFT)  changed its name to
         Colonial  Trust VII.  Prior to the  merger,  each of Messrs.  Birnbaum,
         Grinnell,  and Lowry  was a Trustee  of LFT.  Mr.  Birnbaum  has been a
         Trustee of LFT since November, 1994. Each of Messrs. Grinnell and Lowry
         has been a Trustee of LFT since August, 1991. Each of Messrs.  Grinnell
         and Lowry  continue to serve as Trustees  under the new name,  Colonial
         Trust VII, along with each of the other Colonial  Trustees named above.
         The Colonial  Trustees  were elected as Trustees of Colonial  Trust VII
         effective April 3, 1995.

(3)      Elected as a Trustee or officer of the LFC Utilities  Trust, the master
         fund in Colonial Global  Utilities Fund, a series of Colonial Trust III
         (LFC Fund) on March 27, 1995 in connection  with the merger of TCG with
         a subsidiary of Liberty Financial.

*        Trustees who are "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the
         Fund, the Adviser or the Administrator.

The address of the  officers of the Fund is One  Financial  Center,  Boston,  MA
02111.

The Trustees  serve as trustees of all Colonial  funds.  For such service,  each
Trustee receives an annual retainer of $45,000 and attendance fees of $7,500 for
each regular joint meeting and $1,000 for each special joint meeting.  Committee
chairs receive an annual retainer of $5,000. Committee members receive an annual
retainer of $1,000 and $1,000 for each special meeting  attended.  Two-thirds of
the Trustee fees are  allocated  among the  Colonial  funds based on each fund's
relative  net assets and  one-third  of the fees are divided  equally  among the
Colonial funds.

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust  (Declaration) of the Trust provides that
the Trust will  indemnify  its  Trustees and officers  against  liabilities  and
expenses  incurred in connection  with  litigation in which they may be involved
because of their offices with the Trust but that such  indemnification  will not
relieve any officer or Trustee of any liability to the Trust or its shareholders
by reason of  willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross  negligence  or  reckless
disregard of his or her duties.  The Trust, at its expense,  provides  liability
insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.

Trustees Fees
For the  calendar  year ended  December  31,  1995,  the  Trustees  of the Trust
received the following compensation for serving as Trustees:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   Total Compensation From Trust and Fund
                                                                                   Complex Paid To The Trustees For The
Trustee                      Aggregate Compensation From Fund (a)                  Calendar Year Ended December 31, 1995(b)
- -------                      ------------------------------------                  ------------------- --------------------
<S>                                           <C>                                             <C>     
Robert J. Birnbaum(c)                         $508                                            $ 71,250
Tom Bleasdale                                  558                                            $ 98,000 (d)
Lora S. Collins                                508                                            $ 91,000
James E. Grinnell(c)                           508                                            $ 71,250
William D. Ireland, Jr.                        558                                            $113,000
Richard W. Lowry(c)                            508                                            $ 71,250
William E. Mayer                               508                                            $ 91,000
James L. Moody, Jr.                            558                                            $ 94,500 (e)
John J. Neuhauser                              508                                            $ 91,000
George L. Shinn                                568                                            $102,500
Robert L. Sullivan                             548                                            $101,000
Sinclair Weeks, Jr.                            558                                            $112,000
</TABLE>

(a)     Since  the  Fund  has  not   completed   its  first  full  fiscal  year,
        compensation is estimated based upon future payments that will be made.
(b)     At December 31, 1995, the Colonial Funds complex consisted of 33
        open-end and 5 closed-end management investment company portfolios.
(c)     Elected to the Colonial funds complex on April 21, 1995.
(d)     Includes $49,000 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(e)     Total  compensation  of $94,500 for the calendar year ended December 31,
        1995, will be payable in later years as deferred compensation.

The  following  table  sets  forth the  amount of  compensation  paid to Messrs.
Birnbaum, Grinnell and Lowry in their capacities as Trustees or Directors of the
Liberty  All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty  All-Star Growth Fund, Inc.  (formerly
known as The Charles Allmon Trust, Inc.) (together, Liberty Funds I) for service
during the calendar year ended December 31, 1995, and of Liberty Financial Trust
(now known as Colonial  Trust VII) and LFC Utilities  Trust  (together,  Liberty
Funds II) for the period January 1, 1995 through March 26, 1995 (f):

                           Total Compensation From     Total Compensation
                           Liberty Funds II For The    From Liberty Funds I For
                           Period January 1, 1995      The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee                    through March 26, 1995      December 31, 1995 (g)
- -------                    ----------------------      ---------------------

Robert J. Birnbaum           $2,900                      $16,675
James E. Grinnell             2,900                       22,900
Richard W. Lowry              2,900                       26,250 (h)

(f)     On March 27, 1995, four of the portfolios in the Liberty Financial Trust
        (now known as Colonial  Trust VII) were merged  into  existing  Colonial
        funds and a fifth was  reorganized  as a new portfolio of Colonial Trust
        III. Prior to their election as Trustees of the Colonial Funds,  Messrs.
        Birnbaum,  Grinnell  and Lowry  served as Trustees of Liberty  Funds II;
        they continue to serve as Trustees or Directors of Liberty Funds I.
(g)     At December 31, 1995, the Liberty Funds I were advised by Liberty
        Asset Management Company (LAMCO).  LAMCO is an indirect wholly-owned
        subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. (Liberty Financial)(an
        intermediate parent of the Adviser).
(h)     Includes  $3,500  paid to Mr.  Lowry for  service  as Trustee of Liberty
        Newport  World Fund  (formerly  known as Liberty  All-Star  World  Fund)
        (Liberty  Newport)  during the calendar year ended December 31, 1995. At
        December  31,  1995,  Liberty  Newport  was  managed by Newport  Pacific
        Management,   Inc.   and  the   Adviser,   each  an   affiliate  of  the
        Administrator.

Investment Adviser
Under its Management Agreement with the Fund, the Adviser provides the Fund with
discretionary investment services.  Specifically, the Adviser is responsible for
supervising  and directing the  investments  of the Fund in accordance  with the
Fund's investment objective, program, and restrictions as provided in the Fund's
prospectus  and this SAI.  The Adviser is also  responsible  for  effecting  all
security  transactions  on behalf  of the  Fund,  including  the  allocation  of
principal  business and portfolio  brokerage and the  negotiation of commissions
(see "Fund  Transactions"  below).  The  Management  Agreement  provides for the
payment to the Adviser of the fee described in the Prospectus."

The Adviser is the successor to an investment advisory business that was founded
in  1932.  The  Adviser  acts as  investment  adviser  to  wealthy  individuals,
trustees,  pension and profit sharing plans, charitable  organizations and other
institutional  investors.  As of June 30, 1996,  the Adviser  managed over $24.7
billion in net assets:  over $ 7.4 billion in equities and over $17.3 billion in
fixed-income  securities (including $1.2 billion in municipal  securities).  The
$24.7 billion in managed assets included over $7 billion held by open-end mutual
funds managed by the Adviser  (approximately  16% of the mutual fund assets were
held by clients of the  Adviser).  These mutual funds were owned by over 189,000
shareholders. The $7 billion in mutual fund assets included over $660 million in
over 38,000 Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). In managing those assets, the
Adviser utilizes a proprietary  computer-based information system that maintains
and regularly updates information for approximately 6,500 companies. The Adviser
also monitors over 1,400 issues via a proprietary  credit  analysis  system.  At
June 30, 1996, the Adviser employed  approximately  16 research  analysts and 32
account managers. The average investment-related experience of these individuals
is 20 years.

The directors of the Adviser are Harold W. Cogger, Kenneth R. Leibler, C.
Allen Merritt, Jr., Timothy K. Armour and Hans P. Ziegler.  Mr. Cogger's
affiliations and business address are referenced above; Mr. Leibler is
President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Financial; Mr. Merritt is
Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Liberty Financial; Mr. Armour is
President of the Adviser's Mutual Funds division; and Mr. Ziegler is Chief
Executive Officer of the Adviser.  The business address of Messrs.  Leibler
and Merritt is 600 Atlantic Avenue, Federal Reserve Plaza , Boston,
Massachusetts 02210; that of Messrs. Armour and Ziegler is One South
Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Under the  Management  Agreement,  the  Adviser  is not  liable for any error of
judgment  or mistake of law or for any loss  suffered by the Fund or the Fund in
connection  with the  matters to which  such  Agreement  relates,  except a loss
resulting  from  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith  or gross  negligence  in the
performance  of its duties or from  reckless  disregard of its  obligations  and
duties under the Agreement.

Portfolio Transactions
The Adviser places the orders for the purchase and sale of the Fund's  portfolio
securities and options and futures contracts. The Adviser's overriding objective
in effecting portfolio transactions is to seek to obtain the best combination of
price and execution. The best net price, giving effect to brokerage commissions,
if any, and other  transaction  costs,  normally is an important  factor in this
decision,  but a number of other  judgmental  factors  may also  enter  into the
decision.  These include: the Adviser's knowledge of negotiated commission rates
currently  available  and other  current  transaction  costs;  the nature of the
security being traded;  the size of the  transaction;  the desired timing of the
trade;  the  activity  existing  and  expected in the market for the  particular
security; confidentiality;  the execution, clearance and settlement capabilities
of the broker or dealer selected and others which are considered;  the Adviser's
knowledge of the financial  stability of the broker or dealer  selected and such
other  brokers or dealers;  and the  Adviser's  knowledge  of actual or apparent
operational  problems  of any broker or dealer.  Recognizing  the value of these
factors, the Fund may pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another
broker  or  dealer  may  have  charged  for  effecting  the  same   transaction.
Evaluations  of  the  reasonableness  of  brokerage  commissions,  based  on the
foregoing  factors,  are made on an ongoing basis by the  Adviser's  staff while
effecting  portfolio  transactions.  The general level of brokerage  commissions
paid is reviewed by the Adviser,  and reports are made  annually to the Board of
Trustees of the Fund.

With respect to issues of securities involving brokerage commissions,  when more
than one  broker or dealer is  believed  to be  capable  of  providing  the best
combination  of price and  execution  with  respect  to a  particular  portfolio
transaction  for the Fund, the Adviser often selects a broker or dealer that has
furnished  it with  research  products  or services  such as  research  reports,
subscriptions to financial publications and research compilations,  compilations
of securities prices,  earnings,  dividends, and similar data, and computer data
bases, quotation equipment and services, research-oriented computer software and
services,  and services of economic and other consultants.  Selection of brokers
or dealers is not made pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any of the
brokers or dealers;  however,  the Adviser uses an internal allocation procedure
to identify  those brokers or dealers who provide it with  research  products or
services  and the amount of  research  products or services  they  provide,  and
endeavors to direct sufficient commissions generated by its clients' accounts in
the  aggregate,  including  the Fund,  to such  brokers or dealers to ensure the
continued  receipt of research  products or services  that the Adviser feels are
useful.  In certain  instances,  the Adviser  receives  from brokers and dealers
products  or  services  which  are  used  both as  investment  research  and for
administrative,  marketing,  or other non-research  purposes. In such instances,
the Adviser makes a good faith effort to determine the relative  proportions  of
such products or services  which may be considered as investment  research.  The
portion of the costs of such products or services attributable to research usage
may be defrayed by the Adviser  (without prior  agreement or  understanding,  as
noted above) through  transaction  charges  generated by transactions by clients
(including  the  Fund),   while  the  portions  of  the  costs  attributable  to
non-research  usage of such products or services is paid by the Adviser in cash.
No person  acting on behalf of the Fund is  authorized,  in  recognition  of the
value of research  products or services,  to pay a commission  in excess of that
which  another  broker or dealer  might  have  charged  for  effecting  the same
transaction.  Research products or services furnished by brokers and dealers may
be used in  servicing  any or all of the clients of the Adviser and not all such
research  products or services are used in connection with the management of the
Fund.

With  respect  to  the  Fund's  purchases  and  sales  of  portfolio  securities
transacted with a broker or dealer on a net basis, the Adviser may also consider
the part,  if any,  played by the  broker or  dealer in  bringing  the  security
involved to the Adviser's  attention,  including  investment research related to
the security and provided to the Fund.  The Fund has arranged for its  custodian
to act as a soliciting dealer to accept any fees available to the custodian as a
soliciting  dealer in connection with any tender offer for the Fund's  portfolio
securities  held by the Fund.  The custodian  will credit any such fees received
against its custodial fees. In addition,  the Board of Trustees has reviewed the
legal  developments  pertaining  to and  the  practicability  of  attempting  to
recapture   underwriting   discounts  or  selling   concessions  when  portfolio
securities are purchased in underwritten offerings.  However, the Board has been
advised by counsel that  recapture by a mutual fund  currently is not  permitted
under the Rules of Fair  Practice  of the  National  Association  of  Securities
Dealers.

Administration Agreement
Pursuant  to an  Administration  Agreement  with  the  Fund,  the  Administrator
provides certain administrative services including:  (i) providing office space,
equipment and clerical  personnel  necessary for maintaining the organization of
the Fund and for performing the administrative  functions herein set forth; (ii)
arranging, if desired by the Trust, for Directors, officers and employees of the
Administrator  to serve as  Trustees,  officers  or  agents  of the Fund if duly
elected or appointed to such positions and subject to their  individual  consent
and to any  limitations  imposed  by  law;  (iii)  preparation  of  agendas  and
supporting  documents  for and minutes of meetings of  Trustees,  committees  of
Trustees and  shareholders;  (iv)  coordinating and overseeing the activities of
the Fund's other third-party  service providers;  (v) maintaining  certain books
and records of the Fund; and (vi) monitoring the tax-efficiency of the Fund. The
Administration  Agreement  has a one  year  term.  The  Administrator  is paid a
monthly  fee at the  annual  rate of  average  daily net assets set forth in the
Prospectus. The Administrator and/or its affiliate,  Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. (CASI), has rendered  investment  advisory services to investment  company,
institutional and other clients since 1931. The  Administrator  currently serves
as  investment  adviser  and  administrator  for 33  open-end  and 5  closed-end
management  investment  company  portfolios,  and  is  the  administrator  for 5
open-end  management  investment  company  portfolios  (collectively,   Colonial
funds).  Officers of the Trust who are also officers of the Administrator or its
affiliates  will benefit from the  administration  fees,  sales  commissions and
other fees paid or allowed by the Trust.  More than  30,000  financial  advisers
have recommended Colonial funds to over 800,000 clients worldwide,  representing
more than $16.3 billion in assets.

Trust Services Agreement
Pursuant to a Trust  Services  Agreement,  CISC provides the Fund's Trust Shares
with trust administration services, including tax return preparation and filing,
other tax and beneficiary  reporting and recordkeeping.  CISC's fee is described
in the Prospectus.

Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement
The Administrator provides pricing and bookkeeping services to the Fund pursuant
to a Pricing and Bookkeeping  Agreement.  The Pricing and Bookkeeping  Agreement
has a one-year  term. The  Administrator  is paid monthly a fee of $2,250 by the
Fund, plus a monthly percentage fee based on net assets of the Fund equal to the
following:  1/12 of 0.000% of the first $50 million;  1/12 of 0.035% of the next
$950 million;  1/12 of 0.025% of the next $1 billion; 1/12 of 0.015% of the next
$1 billion; and 1/12 of 0.001% on the excess over $3 billion.

Principal Underwriter
CISI is the principal  underwriter of the Fund's shares.  CISI has no obligation
to buy shares,  and purchases shares only upon receipt of orders from authorized
financial service firms (FSFs) or investors.

12b-1 Plans
The Fund  offers  seven  classes of shares - Class A, Class B, Class D, Class E,
Class F, Class G and Class H. The Fund may in the future offer other  classes of
shares.  The Trustees have approved  12b-1 Plans (Plans)  pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Act. Under the Plans, the Fund pays CISI service and distribution fees
at the annual rates described in the Prospectus.  CISI may use the entire amount
of such fees to defray the cost of commissions and service fees paid to FSFs and
for certain other purposes.  Since the distribution and service fees are payable
regardless  of CISI's  expenses,  CISI may realize a profit  from the fees.  The
Plans  authorize  any  other  payments  by the Fund to CISI  and its  affiliates
(including the Adviser and the  Administrator)  to the extent that such payments
might be construed to be indirect financing of the distribution of Fund shares.

The Trustees  believe the Plans could be a significant  factor in the growth and
retention of Fund assets  resulting  in a more  advantageous  expense  ratio and
increased  investment  flexibility  which  could  benefit  each  class  of  Fund
shareholders.  The Plans will  continue  in effect  from year to year so long as
continuance  is  specifically  approved  at  least  annually  by a  vote  of the
Trustees, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and
have no direct or indirect  financial  interest in the operation of the Plans or
in any agreements related to the Plans (Independent Trustees), cast in person at
a meeting  called for the  purpose of voting on the Plans.  The Plans may not be
amended to increase the fee materially without approval by vote of a majority of
the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the  relevant  class of shares  and all
material  amendments of the Plans must be approved by the Trustees in the manner
provided in the foregoing  sentence.  The Plans may be terminated at any time by
vote of a majority of the  independent  Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding  voting securities of the relevant class of shares.  The continuance
of the Plans will only be  effective  if the  selection  and  nomination  of the
Trustees  who are  non-interested  Trustees is  effected by such  non-interested
Trustees.

Shareholder Servicing and Transfer Agent
CISC is the Fund's  shareholder  servicing  agent  (transfer,  plan and dividend
disbursing  agent),  for  which it  receives  fees as  described  in the  Fund's
Prospectus  which  are  paid  monthly  by  the  Fund.  The  agreement  continues
indefinitely  but may be  terminated  by 90 days'  notice by the Fund to CISC or
generally by six months'  notice by CISC to the Fund.  The agreement  limits the
liability  of CISC to the  Fund  for  loss or  damage  incurred  by the  Fund to
situations  involving a failure of CISC to use reasonable care or to act in good
faith in performing  its duties under the  agreement.  It also provides that the
Fund will indemnify CISC against, among other things, loss or damage incurred by
CISC on account of any claim, demand, action or suit made on or against CISC not
resulting  from  CISC's  bad  faith or  negligence  and  arising  out of,  or in
connection with, its duties under the agreement.

Custodian of the Fund
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company is the Fund's custodian.  The custodian is
responsible  for  safeguarding  the Fund's cash and  securities,  receiving  and
delivering securities and collecting the Fund's interest and dividends.

Independent Accountants of the Fund
Price  Waterhouse LLP are the Fund's  independent  accountants  providing  audit
services,  tax return review, other tax consulting services,  and assistance and
consultation in connection with the review of various SEC filings.

Ownership of the Fund
At  inception,  the  Administrator  owned  100% of each  Class of the Fund  and,
therefore,  may be deemed to "control" the Fund. At inception,  the officers and
Trustees of the Trust as a group did not own any shares of the Fund.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The portfolio turnover rate may vary significantly from year to year, but is not
expected to exceed 50% under normal market conditions.  A high rate of portfolio
turnover may result in increased  transaction  expenses and the  realization  of
capital gains and losses.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund  determines  net asset  value  (NAV) per share for each Class as of the
close of the New York Stock  Exchange  (Exchange)  (normally  4:00 p.m.  Eastern
time,  3:00 p.m.  Chicago  time) each day the Exchange is open.  Currently,  the
Exchange is closed  Saturdays,  Sundays and the following  holidays:  New Year's
Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Fund may  invest  in  securities  which  are  primarily  listed  on  foreign
exchanges  that are open and  allow  trading  on days on which the Fund does not
determine NAV. This may  significantly  affect the NAV of the Fund's  redeemable
securities  on  days  when an  investor  cannot  redeem  such  securities.  Debt
securities generally are valued by a pricing service which determines valuations
based upon market transactions for normal,  institutional-size  trading units of
similar  securities.  However,  in  circumstances  where  such  prices  are  not
available   or  where  the   Adviser   deems  it   appropriate   to  do  so,  an
over-the-counter  or exchange  bid  quotation is used.  Securities  listed on an
exchange or on NASDAQ are valued at the last sale price.  Listed  securities for
which there were no sales during the day and unlisted  securities  are valued at
the last  quoted bid price.  Options are valued at the last sale price or in the
absence of a sale,  the mean  between the last quoted bid and  offering  prices.
Short-term  obligations  with a  maturity  of 60  days  or less  are  valued  at
amortized cost pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund's Trustees. The values
of foreign  securities  quoted in foreign  currencies are  translated  into U.S.
dollars at the exchange rate for that day. Fund positions for which there are no
such  valuations and other assets are valued at fair value as determined in good
faith under the direction of the Fund's Trustees.

Generally,  trading  in  certain  securities  (such as  foreign  securities)  is
substantially  completed  each day at  various  times  prior to the close of the
Exchange.  Trading on certain foreign  securities  markets may not take place on
all business days in New York,  and trading on some foreign  securities  markets
takes  place on days  which are not  business  days in New York and on which the
Fund's NAV is not calculated. The values of these securities used in determining
the NAV are  computed  as of such  times.  Also,  because  of the amount of time
required to collect  and  process  trading  information  as to large  numbers of
securities  issues, the values of certain securities (such as convertible bonds,
U.S. government  securities,  and tax-exempt securities) are determined based on
market quotations  collected  earlier in the day at the latest  practicable time
prior to the close of the Exchange. Occasionally,  events affecting the value of
such securities may occur between such times and the close of the Exchange which
will not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's NAV. If events materially
affecting  the value of such  securities  occur during such  period,  then these
securities will be valued at their fair value following  procedures  approved by
the Fund's Trustees.

HOW TO BUY SHARES
The Prospectus contains a general description of how investors may buy shares of
the Fund and tables of charges.  This SAI contains additional  information which
may be of interest to investors.

The Fund will  accept  unconditional  orders  for shares to be  executed  at the
public offering price based on the NAV per share next determined after the order
is  placed  in good  order.  The  public  offering  price  is the NAV  plus  the
applicable  sales  charge,  if any. In the case of orders for purchase of shares
placed through FSFs, the public offering price will be determined on the day the
order is placed in good order,  but only if the FSF  receives the order prior to
the time at which shares are valued and transmits it to the Fund before the Fund
processes that day's transactions.  If the FSF fails to transmit before the Fund
processes  that day's  transactions,  the  customer's  entitlement to that day's
closing  price must be settled  between  the  customer  and the FSF.  If the FSF
receives the order after the time at which the Fund values its shares, the price
will be based on the NAV  determined as of the close of the Exchange on the next
day it is open.  If funds for the purchase of shares are sent  directly to CISC,
they will be invested at the public offering price next determined after receipt
in good order.  Payment for shares of the Fund must be in U.S. dollars;  if made
by check,  the check  must be drawn on a U.S.  bank.  Purchases  of Gift  Shares
require the completion and delivery of additional documentation, and will not be
processed until such documentation is received by CISC in good order.

The Fund  receives  the entire  NAV of shares  sold.  For  shares  subject to an
initial sales charge,  CISI's commission is the sales charge shown in the Fund's
Prospectus  less any applicable  FSF discount.  The FSF discount is the same for
all FSFs,  except that CISI retains the entire sales charge on any sales made to
a shareholder who does not specify a FSF on the Investment  Account  Application
("Application"),  and except that CISI may from time to time reallow  additional
amounts  to all or  certain  FSFs.  CISI  generally  retains  some or all of any
asset-based  sales  charge  (distribution  fee)  or  contingent  deferred  sales
charges.  Such charges generally  reimburse CISI for any up-front and/or ongoing
commissions paid to FSFs.

Checks  presented  for the  purchase of shares of the Fund which are returned by
the  purchaser's  bank will subject the  purchaser to a $15 service fee for each
check returned. Checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank and must be payable in U.S.
dollars.

CISC acts as the shareholder's agent whenever it receives  instructions to carry
out a transaction on the  shareholder's  account.  Upon receipt of  instructions
that shares are to be purchased for a shareholder's  account, the designated FSF
will receive the applicable  sales  commission.  Shareholders may change FSFs at
any time by written notice to CISC,  provided the new FSF has a sales  agreement
with CISI.

Shares credited to an account are transferable upon written instructions in good
order  to CISC  and may be  redeemed  as  described  under  General  Information
Regarding Buying and Selling Shares in the Prospectus.  Certificates will not be
issued for Class A shares unless specifically requested and no certificates will
be  issued  for  Class  B, D, E, F, G or H  shares.  Shareholders  may  send any
certificates  which have been  previously  acquired to CISC for deposit to their
account.

SPECIAL PURCHASE PROGRAMS/INVESTOR SERVICES
The  following  special  purchase  programs/investor  services may be changed or
eliminated at any time.

Fundamatic  Program.  (Classes A, B and D only) As a  convenience  to investors,
Class A and Class B shares of the Fund may be  purchased  through  the  Colonial
Fundamatic  Program.  Preauthorized  monthly  bank  drafts or  electronic  funds
transfer for a fixed amount of at least $250 are used to purchase Fund shares at
the public offering price next determined  after CISI receives the proceeds from
the draft  (normally the 5th or the 20th of each month, or the next business day
thereafter).  If your Fundamatic  purchase is by electronic funds transfer,  you
may  request  the  Fundamatic  purchase  for any day.  Further  information  and
application forms are available from FSFs or from CISI.

Tax-Sheltered  Retirement Plans. (Classes A, B and D only) CISI offers prototype
tax-qualified  plans,  including IRAs, and Pension and Profit-Sharing  Plans for
individuals,  corporations, employees and the self-employed. The minimum initial
Retirement  Plan  investment  is $25. The First  National  Bank of Boston is the
Trustee  of  CISI  prototype  plans  and  charges  a $10  annual  fee.  Detailed
information concerning these Retirement Plans and copies of the Retirement Plans
are available from CISI.

Participants in non-Colonial  prototype  Retirement Plans (other than IRAs) also
are charged a $10 annual fee unless the plan  maintains an omnibus  account with
CISC.  Participants in Colonial  prototype Plans (other than IRAs) who liquidate
the total value of their account will also be charged a $15 close-out processing
fee payable to CISC. The fee is in addition to any applicable CDSC. The fee will
not apply if the  participant  uses the proceeds to open a Colonial IRA Rollover
account in any fund, or if the Plan maintains an omnibus account.

Consultation  with a competent  financial and tax adviser  regarding these Plans
and  consideration  of the suitability of Fund shares as an investment under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or otherwise is recommended.

Telephone Address Change Services. By calling CISC, shareholders,  beneficiaries
or their FSFs of record may  change an  address  on a recorded  telephone  line.
Confirmations  of  address  change  will be  sent  to  both  the old and the new
addresses.  Telephone  redemption  privileges are suspended for 30 days after an
address change is effected.

Colonial  Cash  Connection.  Dividends  and any other  distributions,  including
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) payments, on Class A, Class B or Class D shares
or on matured Gift Shares may be automatically deposited to a shareholder's bank
account via electronic funds transfer.  Shareholders wishing to avail themselves
of this electronic  transfer procedure should complete the appropriate  sections
of the Application.

PROGRAMS FOR REDUCING OR ELIMINATING SALES CHARGES
Rights of  Accumulation  and  Statement of Intent  (Class A, Class E and Class G
only).  Reduced  sales  charges  on Class A, E and G shares can be  effected  by
combining a current  purchase  with prior  purchases  of shares of the  Colonial
funds. The applicable sales charge is based on the combined total of:

1.          the current purchase; and

2.          the value at the public  offering  price at the close of business on
            the previous day of all Colonial fund shares held by the shareholder
            or donor (except  Class A shares of any Colonial  money market fund,
            unless such shares were  acquired by exchange from Class A shares of
            another Colonial fund other than a money market fund).

CISI must be promptly  notified of each purchase which entitles a shareholder to
a  reduced  sales  charge.  Such  reduced  sales  charge  will be  applied  upon
confirmation  of the  shareholder's  or donor's  holdings by CISC.  The Fund may
terminate or amend this Right of Accumulation.

Any person may qualify for reduced  sales charges on purchases of Class A, E and
G shares made within a  thirteen-month  period pursuant to a Statement of Intent
("Statement").  A shareholder may include,  as an accumulation credit toward the
completion of such Statement,  the value of all Colonial fund shares held by the
shareholder  on the date of the  Statement  in Colonial  funds  (except  Class A
shares of any Colonial  money market fund,  unless such shares were  acquired by
exchange from Class A shares of another  non-money  market Colonial  fund).  The
value is determined at the public  offering  price on the date of the Statement.
Purchases  made  through  reinvestment  of  distributions  do not  count  toward
satisfaction of the Statement.

During  the term of a  Statement,  CISC  will  hold  shares  in escrow to secure
payment of the higher sales charge applicable to Class A, E or G shares actually
purchased.  Dividends and capital gains will be paid on all escrowed  shares and
these shares will be released when the amount  indicated has been  purchased.  A
Statement  does not  obligate the investor to buy or the Fund to sell the amount
of the Statement.

If a shareholder exceeds the amount of the Statement and reaches an amount which
would qualify for a further quantity  discount,  a retroactive  price adjustment
will  be  made  at the  time  of  expiration  of the  Statement.  The  resulting
difference  in  offering   price  will  purchase   additional   shares  for  the
shareholder's  account  at the  applicable  offering  price.  As a part  of this
adjustment,  the FSF shall return to CISI the excess commission  previously paid
during the thirteen-month period.

If the amount of the Statement is not purchased,  the shareholder shall remit to
CISI an amount  equal to the  difference  between the sales  charge paid and the
sales charge that should have been paid. If the shareholder  fails within twenty
days after a written request to pay such  difference in sales charge,  CISC will
redeem that number of escrowed Class A , E or G shares to equal such difference.
The additional  amount of FSF discount from the applicable  offering price shall
be remitted to the shareholder's FSF of record.

Additional information about and the terms of Statements of Intent are available
from your FSF, or from CISC at 1-800-345-6611.

Reinstatement  Privilege.  An investor  who has redeemed  Fund shares may,  upon
request, reinstate within one year a portion or all of the proceeds of such sale
in shares of the same  Class of the Fund at the NAV next  determined  after CISC
receives a written  reinstatement request and payment. Any CDSC paid at the time
of the redemption will be credited to the shareholder  upon  reinstatement.  The
period between the redemption and the reinstatement will not be counted in aging
the reinstated  shares for purposes of calculating any CDSC or conversion  date.
Investors  who desire to exercise  this  privilege  should  contact their FSF or
CISC.  Shareholders  may exercise this  privilege an unlimited  number of times.
Exercise of this  privilege  does not alter the Federal  income tax treatment of
any capital gains  realized on the prior sale of Fund shares,  but to the extent
any such shares were sold at a loss,  some or all of the loss may be  disallowed
for tax purposes. Consult your tax adviser.

Shareholders may reinvest all or a portion of a recent cash distribution without
a sales charge.  A shareholder  request must be received within 30 calendar days
of the  distribution.  A shareholder  may exercise this  privilege only once. No
charge is currently made for reinvestment.

Privileges of Colonial  Employees or Financial  Service Firms.  Class A, E and G
shares  of the  Fund  may be sold at NAV to the  following  individuals  whether
currently employed or retired:  Trustees of funds advised or administered by the
Adviser; directors, officers and employees of the Administrator,  CISI and other
companies  affiliated with the  Administrator;  registered  representatives  and
employees  of FSFs  (including  their  affiliates)  that are  parties  to dealer
agreements or other sales arrangements with CISI; and such persons' families and
their beneficial accounts.

Sponsored Arrangements.  Class A, E and G shares of the Fund may be purchased at
reduced or no sales charge  pursuant to sponsored  arrangements,  which  include
programs under which an organization makes  recommendations to, or permits group
solicitation  of, its employees,  members or participants in connection with the
purchase of shares of the Fund on an individual  basis.  The amount of the sales
charge  reduction  will  reflect  the  anticipated  reduction  in sales  expense
associated  with sponsored  arrangements.  The reduction in sales  expense,  and
therefore the reduction in sales charge,  will vary depending on factors such as
the  size  and  stability  of  the   organization's   group,  the  term  of  the
organization's  existence  and  certain  characteristics  of the  members of its
group.  The Fund  reserves  the right to revise  the terms of or to  suspend  or
discontinue sales pursuant to sponsored plans at any time.

Class A, E and G shares of the Fund may also be purchased at reduced or no sales
charge by clients of dealers,  brokers or  registered  investment  advisers that
have entered into agreements with CISI pursuant to which the Fund is included as
an investment option in programs involving fee-based compensation arrangements.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) (Classes B, D, E, F, G and H
shares only).  CDSCs may be waived on  redemptions  in the following  situations
with the proper documentation:

1. Death.  CDSCs may be waived on redemptions of Class B shares or matured
   Class F or H shares within one year following the death of (i) the sole
   shareholder on an individual account, (ii) a joint tenant where the
   surviving joint tenant is the deceased's spouse, or (iii) the beneficiary
   of a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA), Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
   (UTMA) or other custodial account.  If, upon the occurrence of one of
   the foregoing, the account is transferred to an account registered in the
   name of the deceased's estate, the CDSC will be waived on any redemption
   from the estate account occurring within one year after the death.  If
   the shares are not redeemed within one year of the death, they will remain
   subject to the applicable CDSC, when redeemed from the transferee's account.
   If the account is transferred to a new registration and then a
   redemption is requested, the applicable CDSC will be charged.

2. Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP).  CDSCs may be waived on redemptions of
   Class B shares or matured Class F or H shares occurring pursuant to a
   monthly, quarterly or semi-annual SWP established with CISC, to the extent
   the redemptions do not exceed, on an annual basis, 12% of the account's
   value, so long as at the time of the first SWP redemption the account had
   had distributions reinvested for a period at least equal to the period
   of the SWP (e.g., if it is a quarterly SWP, distributions must have been
   reinvested at least for the three month period prior to the first SWP
   redemption); otherwise CDSCs will be charged on SWP redemptions until
   this requirement is met; this requirement does not apply to Class B
   accounts if the SWP is set up at the time the account is established,
   and distributions are being reinvested.  See below under "How to Sell
   Shares - Systematic Withdrawal Plan."

3. Disability.  CDSCs may be waived on redemptions of Class B shares or
   matured Class F or H shares occurring within one year after the sole
   shareholder on an individual account or a joint tenant on a spousal joint
   tenant account becomes disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the
   Internal Revenue Code).  To be eligible for such waiver, (i) the
   disability must arise after the purchase of shares and (ii) the disabled
   shareholder must have been under age 65 at the time of the initial
   determination of disability.  If the account is transferred to a new
   registration and then a redemption is requested, the applicable CDSC will be
   charged.

4. Death of a trustee.  CDSCs may be waived on  redemptions of Class B
   shares or matured Class F or H shares occurring upon dissolution of
   a revocable living or grantor trust following the death of the sole
   trustee  where (i) the grantor of the trust is the sole trustee and
   the sole life beneficiary, (ii) death occurs following the purchase
   and (iii) the trust document  provides for dissolution of the trust
   upon the trustee's  death.  If the account is  transferred to a new
   registration   (including  that  of  a  successor   trustee),   the
   applicable CDSC will be charged upon any subsequent redemption.

5. Returns of excess contributions. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions
   of Class B shares or matured Class F or H shares required to return
   excess  contributions  made to retirement plans or IRAs, so long as
   the FSF agrees to return the  applicable  portion of any commission
   paid by Colonial.

6. Qualified  Retirement Plans.  CDSCs may be waived on redemptions of
   Class B shares  or  matured  Class F or H shares  required  to make
   distributions from qualified  retirement plans following (i) normal
   retirement (as stated in the Plan document) or (ii) separation from
   service.  CDSCs also will be waived on SWP  redemptions  of Class B
   shares or matured Class F or H shares made to make required minimum
   distributions from qualified retirement plans that have invested in
   Colonial funds for at least two years.

7. Trust Share Taxes.  CDSCs will be waived on redemptions of Class E, F, G
   and H shares (i) where the proceeds are used to directly pay trust taxes,
   and (ii) where the proceeds are used to pay beneficiaries for the
   payment of trust taxes.

The CDSC also may be waived where the FSF agrees to return all or an agreed upon
portion of the commission earned on the sale of the shares being redeemed.

HOW TO SELL SHARES
Shares may also be sold on any day the Exchange is open,  either directly to the
Fund or through the shareholder's  FSF. Sale proceeds  generally are sent within
seven days  (usually on the next  business day after your request is received in
good form).  However, for shares recently purchased by check, the Fund will send
proceeds as soon as the check has cleared (which may take up to 15 days).

To sell shares  directly to the Fund,  send a signed  letter of  instruction  or
stock power form to CISC, along with any certificates for shares to be sold. The
sale price is the net asset value (less any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge)  next  calculated  after the Fund  receives  the request in proper form.
Signatures  must be  guaranteed  by a bank,  a member  firm of a national  stock
exchange  or another  eligible  guarantor  institution.  Stock  power  forms are
available from FSFs, CISC, and many banks. Additional  documentation is required
for sales by corporations,  agents, fiduciaries,  surviving joint owners and IRA
holders. Call CISC for more information 1-800-345-6611.

FSFs must receive requests before the time at which the Fund's shares are valued
to receive  that day's price,  are  responsible  for  furnishing  all  necessary
documentation to CISC and may charge for this service.

Systematic  Withdrawal  Plan (Class A, B and D shares and matured  Trust  Shares
only)
If a  shareholder's  Account  Balance is at least $5,000,  the  shareholder  may
establish a SWP. A specified dollar amount or percentage of the then current net
asset  value  of the  shareholder's  investment  in the Fund  designated  by the
shareholder  will be paid monthly,  quarterly or  semi-annually  to a designated
payee. The amount or percentage the shareholder  specifies generally may not, on
an annualized  basis,  exceed 12% of the value,  as of the time the  shareholder
makes the election of the shareholder's investment. Withdrawals from Class B, D,
F and H shares  of the  under a SWP will be  treated  as  redemptions  of shares
purchased through the reinvestment of Fund distributions, or, to the extent such
shares in the shareholder's  account are insufficient to cover Plan payments, as
redemptions from the earliest  purchased shares of the Fund in the shareholder's
account.  No CDSCs apply to a redemption  pursuant to a SWP of 12% or less, even
if, after giving effect to the redemption,  the shareholder's Account Balance is
less than the  shareholder's  base amount.  Qualified plan  participants who are
required by Internal  Revenue Code  regulation  to withdraw more than 12%, on an
annual  basis,  of the value of their Class B, D, F or H share account may do so
but will be subject to a CDSC ranging from 1% to 5% of the excess over 12%. If a
shareholder  wishes to participate in a SWP, the shareholder  must elect to have
all of the  shareholder's  income dividends and other  distributions  payable in
shares of the Fund rather than in cash.

A shareholder  or a  shareholder's  FSF of record may establish a SWP account by
telephone on a recorded  line.  However,  SWP checks will be payable only to the
shareholder  and sent to the address of record.  SWPs from  retirement  accounts
cannot be established by telephone.

A  shareholder  may not  establish  a SWP if the  shareholder  holds  shares  in
certificate form.  Purchasing additional shares (other than through dividend and
distribution   reinvestment)   while   receiving   SWP  payments  is  ordinarily
disadvantageous  because  of  duplicative  sales  charges.  For this  reason,  a
shareholder  may not maintain a plan for the  accumulation of shares of the Fund
(other than through the reinvestment of dividends) and a SWP at the same time.

SWP payments are made through share  redemptions,  which may result in a gain or
loss for tax purposes,  may involve the use of principal and may  eventually use
up all of the shares in a shareholder's account.

The Fund may terminate a shareholder's SWP if the shareholder's  Account Balance
falls below  $5,000 due to any  transfer  or  liquidation  of shares  other than
pursuant to the SWP. SWP payments will be  terminated on receiving  satisfactory
evidence of the death or  incapacity  of a  shareholder.  Until this evidence is
received,  CISC will not be liable for any payment made in  accordance  with the
provisions of a SWP.

The cost of  administering  SWPs for the benefit of shareholders who participate
in them is borne by the Fund as an expense of all shareholders.

Shareholders  whose  positions are held in "street name" by certain FSFs may not
be able to  participate  in a SWP.  If a  shareholder's  Fund shares are held in
"street  name",  the  shareholder  should  consult  his or her FSF to  determine
whether he or she may participate in a SWP.

Telephone Redemptions.  Telephone redemption privileges are described in
the Prospectus.

Non Cash  Redemptions.  For  redemptions  of any single  shareholder  within any
90-day  period  exceeding  the lesser of  $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net asset
value,  the Fund may make the payment or a portion of the payment with portfolio
securities  held by the Fund  instead  of  cash,  in  which  case the  redeeming
shareholder  may incur  brokerage  and other  costs in  selling  the  securities
received.

SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS
The Fund may suspend  shareholders'  right of redemption or postpone payment for
more than seven  days (i) if the  Exchange  is closed  for other than  customary
weekends or holidays,  (ii) during certain  periods when trading on the Exchange
is restricted,  (iii) during any emergency which makes it impracticable  for the
Fund to dispose of its  securities  or to determine  fairly the value of its net
assets,  or (v)  during  any  other  period  permitted  by  order of the SEC for
protection of investors.

SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
Under  Massachusetts law,  shareholders could, under certain  circumstances,  be
held  personally  liable  for  the  obligations  of  the  Trust.   However,  the
Declaration  disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund
and the Trust and  requires  that  notice  of such  disclaimer  be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the
Trust's  Trustees.  The  Declaration  provides for  indemnification  out of Fund
property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally  liable for
the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder  liability is limited to circumstances (which are
considered remote) in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations and
the disclaimer was inoperative.

The risk of a particular  fund  incurring  financial  loss on account of another
fund of the Trust is also believed to be remote,  because it would be limited to
circumstances  in which the  disclaimer was  inoperative  and the other fund was
unable to meet its obligations.

SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
As described under the caption "Organization and History" in the Prospectus, the
Fund will not hold annual  shareholders'  meetings.  The  Trustees  may fill any
vacancies  in the Board of  Trustees  except  that the  Trustees  may not fill a
vacancy if, immediately after filling such vacancy,  less than two-thirds of the
Trustees  then  in  office  would  have  been  elected  to  such  office  by the
shareholders. In addition, at such times as less than a majority of the Trustees
then in office  have  been  elected  to such  office  by the  shareholders,  the
Trustees  must call a meeting of  shareholders.  Trustees  may be  removed  from
office by a written  consent signed by a majority of the  outstanding  shares of
the Trust or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares at
a meeting duly called for the purpose,  which meeting shall be held upon written
request  of the  holders of not less than 10% of the  outstanding  shares of the
Trust.  Upon written request by the holders of 1% of the  outstanding  shares of
the Trust  stating  that such  shareholders  of the  Trust,  for the  purpose of
obtaining the signatures necessary to demand a shareholders' meeting to consider
removal of a Trustee,  request information  regarding the Trust's  shareholders,
the Trust will provide  appropriate  materials (at the expense of the requesting
shareholders). Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus and this SAI, the
Trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint their successors.

At any shareholders' meetings that may be held, shareholders of all series would
vote  together,  irrespective  of series,  on the  election  of  Trustees or the
selection of independent accountants, but each series would vote separately from
the others on other matters,  such as changes in the investment policies of that
series or the approval of the management agreement for that series.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Total Return
Standardized  average  annual total return.  Average  annual total return is the
actual return on a $1,000  investment  in a particular  class of shares of the ,
made at the beginning of a stated period,  adjusted for the maximum sales charge
or  applicable  CDSC  for the  class  of  shares  of the and  assuming  that all
distributions  were  reinvested  at NAV,  converted to an average  annual return
assuming annual compounding.

Nonstandardized   total  return.   Nonstandardized  total  returns  differ  from
standardized  average  annual  total  returns  only in that  they may  relate to
nonstandardized  periods,  represent  aggregate rather than average annual total
returns or in that the sales charge or CDSC is not deducted.

Yield
Non  money  market.  The yield for each  class of  shares is  determined  by (i)
calculating the income (as defined by the SEC for purposes of advertising yield)
during the base period and  subtracting  actual  expenses for the period (net of
any  reimbursements),  (ii)  dividing  the result by the  product of the average
daily number of shares of the Fund  entitled to dividends for the period and the
maximum  offering  price of the on the last day of the  period,  and (iii)  then
annualizing  the result  assuming  semi-annual  compounding.  Adjusted  yield is
calculated in the same manner as yield except that expenses voluntarily borne or
waived by Colonial have been added back to actual expenses.

Distribution  rate. The distribution rate for each class of shares is calculated
by  annualizing  the most  current  period's  distributions  and dividing by the
maximum  offering  price on the last day of the  period.  Generally,  the Fund's
distribution  rate reflects total amounts actually paid to  shareholders,  while
yield reflects the current earning power of the Fund's portfolio securities (net
of the Fund's  expenses).  The  Fund's  yield for any period may be more or less
than the amount actually distributed in respect of such period.

Performance Depictions and Comparisons.  The Fund may compare its performance to
various  unmanaged  indices  published by such sources as listed in Appendix II.
The Fund may also refer to  quotations,  graphs and  electronically  transmitted
data from sources  believed by CISI or the  Administrator  to be reputable,  and
publications in the press pertaining to the Fund's performance or to the Adviser
or its  affiliates,  including  comparisons  with  competitors  and  matters  of
national and global economic and financial  interest.  Examples  include Forbes,
Business Week, Money Magazine,  The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The
Boston Globe, Barron's National Business & Financial Weekly, Financial Planning,
Changing  Times,  Reuters  Information   Services,   Wiesenberger  Mutual  Funds
Investment Report,  Lipper Analytical Services Corporation,  Morningstar,  Inc.,
Sylvia Porter's  Personal Finance Magazine,  Money Market  Directory,  SEI Funds
Evaluation Services, FTA World Index and Disclosure Incorporated.

All data are based on past performance and do not predict future results.

Tax-Related Illustrations.  The Fund also may present hypothetical illustrations
(i)  comparing the Fund's and other mutual  fund's  pre-tax and after-tax  total
returns,  and (ii) showing the effects of income,  capital gain and estate taxes
on performance.

                                     APPENDIX I
                                        1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SOURCE                                                      CATEGORY                                                 RETURN (%)

<S>                                                         <C>                                                       <C> 
Donoghue                                                    Tax-Free Funds                                             3.39
Donoghue                                                    U.S. Treasury Funds                                        5.19
Dow Jones Industrials                                                                                                 36.95
Lipper                                                      Global Funds                                              16.05
Lipper                                                      Growth Funds                                              30.79
Lipper                                                      Growth & Income Funds                                     30.82
Lipper                                                      Mid Cap Funds                                             32.04
Lipper                                                      U.S. Government Money Market Funds                         5.26
Lipper                                                      Small Company Growth Funds                                31.55
S&P 500                                                     S&P                                                       37.54
S&P Utility Index                                           S&P                                                       42.39
S&P                                                         Barra Growth                                              38.13
S&P                                                         Barra Value                                               37.00
S&P                                                         Midcap 400                                                28.56
Morgan Stanley Capital International                        Pacific Region Funds Ex-Japan                             12.95
Inflation                                                   Consumer Price Index                                        N/A
FHLB-San Francisco                                          11th District Cost-of-Funds Index                           N/A
Federal Reserve                                             Six-Month Treasury Bill                                     N/A
Federal Reserve                                             One-Year Constant-Maturity Treasury Rate                    N/A
Federal Reserve                                             Five-Year Constant-Maturity Treasury Rate                   N/A
Frank Russell & Co.                                         Russell 2000                                              28.45
Frank Russell & Co.                                         Russell 1000 Value                                        38.35
Frank Russell & Co.                                         Russell 1000 Growth                                       37.19
Bloomberg                                                   NA                                                           NA
Credit Lyonnais                                             NA                                                           NA
Statistical Abstract of the U.S.                            NA                                                           NA
World Economic Outlook                                      NA                                                           NA

*in U.S. currency
</TABLE>



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission