COLONIAL TRUST IV, 485BPOS, 1997-03-24

COLONIAL TRUST IV
485BPOS, 1997-03-24

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Registration Nos: 2-62492
811-2865
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ X ]

Pre Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post Effective Amendment No. 45 [ X ]

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ X ]

Amendment No. 43 [ X ]

COLONIAL TRUST IV
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
(Address of Principal Executive Office)

(617) 426-3750
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Name and Address of Agent for Service: Copy to:

Arthur O. Stern, Esquire John M. Loder, Esquire
Colonial Management Associates, Inc. Ropes & Gray
One Financial Center One International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02111 Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2624

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
[ X ] on March 31, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b).
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

DECLARATION PURSUANT TO RULE 24f-2

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of its shares of
beneficial interest under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2
under the Investment Company Act of 1940. On January 28, 1997, the Registrant
filed a Rule 24f-2 Notice in respect to its series which had fiscal years ending
on November 30, 1996.

<PAGE>

COLONIAL TRUST IV

Cross Reference Sheet

Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund

Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund

Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund

Item Number of Form N-1A Location or Caption in Prospectus

Part A

1. Cover Page

2. Summary of Expenses

3. The Funds' Financial History

4. The Funds' Investment Objectives; Organization and History; How the Funds
Pursue their Objectives and Certain Risk Factors

5. Cover Page; How the Funds are Managed; Organization and History; The Funds'
Investment Objectives; Back Cover

6. Organization and History; Distributions and Taxes; How to Buy Shares

7. Cover Page; Summary of Expenses; How to Buy Shares; How the Funds Value
their Shares; 12b-1 Plans; Back Cover

8. Summary of Expenses; How to Sell Shares; How to Exchange Shares; Telephone
Transactions

9. Not Applicable

<PAGE>
REVISIONS ARE MADE TO THE COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND PROSPECTUS

March 31, 1997

COLONIAL TAX-
EXEMPT FUND

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND

COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

PROSPECTUS

BEFORE YOU INVEST

Colonial Management Associates, Inc. (Adviser) 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
each of these mutual funds may suit your unique needs, time horizon and risk
tolerance.

Each of Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund (the Tax-Exempt Fund), Colonial Tax-Exempt
Insured Fund (the Insured Fund) and Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund (the
Intermediate Fund) (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) is a diversified
portfolio of Colonial Trust IV (Trust), an open-end management investment
company. The Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund each seek as high a level of
after-tax total return as is consistent with prudent risk, by pursuing current
income exempt from federal income tax and opportunities for long-term
appreciation from a portfolio primarily invested in investment-grade municipal
bonds (the Tax-Exempt Fund) and () insured municipal bonds (the Insured Fund).
The Intermediate Fund seeks as high a level of after-tax total return as is
consistent with moderate volatility, by pursuing current income exempt from
federal income tax and opportunities for appreciation from a portfolio primarily
invested in investment grade, intermediate-term municipal bonds. See "How the
Funds Pursue Their Objectives and Certain Risk Factors" for a detailed
discussion of the nature and limitations of portfolio insurance for the Insured
Fund.

TE-01/XXX-0397

Each Fund is managed by the Adviser, an investment adviser since 1931. This
Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before investing in each of
the Funds. Read it carefully and retain it for future reference. More detailed
information about the Funds is in the March 31, 1997 Statement of Additional
Information which, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is obtainable free of charge by calling the Adviser 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.

Each Fund offers two classes of shares. Class A shares are offered at net asset
value plus a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, Class B shares are
offered at net asset value and are subject to an annual distribution fee and a
declining contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions made within six years
(the Tax-Exempt Fund, the Insured Fund) or four years (the Intermediate Fund) of
purchase. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after
approximately eight years. See "How to Buy Shares".

Contents Page
Summary of Expenses 2
The Funds' Financial History 3
The Funds' Investment Objectives 5
How the Funds Pursue Their
Objectives
and Certain Risk Factors 5
How the Funds Measure Their
Performance 7
How the Funds are Managed 7
How the Funds Value Their Shares 8
Distributions and Taxes 8
How to Buy Shares 8
How to Sell Shares 10
How to Exchange Shares 10
Telephone Transactions 10
12b-1 Plans 11
Organization and History 11
Appendix

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

NOT FDIC-INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

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

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

2
<PAGE>

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES

Expenses are one of several factors to consider when investing in a Fund. The
following tables summarize your maximum transaction costs and your annual
expenses for an investment in each Class of each Fund's shares. See "How the
Funds are Managed" and "12b-1 Plans" for more complete descriptions of the
Funds' various costs and expenses.

Shareholder Transaction Expenses(1)(2)

The Tax-Exempt Fund The Intermediate
The Insured Fund Fund
------------------- ----------------
Class A Class B Class A Class B
Maximum Initial Sales Charge
Imposed on a Purchase 4.75% 0.00%(5) 3.25% 0.00%(5)
(as a % of offering price)(3)
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge (as a % of 1.00%(4) 5.00% 1.00%(4) 4.00%
offering price)(3)

(1) For accounts less than $1,000 an annual fee of $10 may be deducted. See
"How to Buy 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) Only with respect to any portion of purchases of $1 million to $5 million
redeemed within approximately 18 months after purchase. See "How to Buy
Shares."

(5) Because of the 0.75% (the Tax-Exempt Fund, the Insured Fund) or 0.65% (the
Intermediate Fund) distribution fee applicable to Class B shares, long-term
Class B shareholders may pay more in aggregate sales charges than the
maximum initial sales charge permitted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. However, because the Funds' Class B shares
automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately 8 years, this
is less likely for Class B shares than for a class without a conversion
feature.

Annual Operating Expenses (as a % of average net assets)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Tax-Exempt Fund The Insured Fund The Intermediate Fund
------------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management fee 0.52% 0.52% 0.55% 0.55% 0.00%(6) 0.00%(6)
12b-1 fees 0.25 1.00 0.25 1.00 0.20 0.85
Other expenses 0.22 0.22 0.25 0.25 0.40(7) 0.40(7)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total operating expenses 0.99% 1.74% 1.05% 1.80% 0.60%(7)(8) 1.25%(7)(8)
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>

(6) After fee waiver.

(7) After expense waiver.

(8) Effective August 1, 1995, the Adviser had voluntarily reimbursed the Fund
to the extent total Fund expenses (exclusive of 12b-1 fees, brokerage
commissions, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, if any) exceed
0.40% annually of the Fund's average net assets. This agreement may be
revoked at any time. Absent such agreement, the "Management fee" would have
been 0.55%, "Other expenses" would have been 0.57% for each Class of
shares, and "Total operating expenses" would have been 1.32% for Class A
shares and 1.97% for Class B shares.

Example

The following Example shows the cumulative expenses attributable to a
hypothetical $1,000 investment in each Class of shares of each Fund for the
periods specified, assuming a 5% annual return and, unless otherwise noted,
redemption at period end. 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:

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Tax-Exempt Fund The Insured Fund The Intermediate Fund(12)
------------------- ---------------- ------------------------
Period: Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(9) (9) (9) (10) (9) (10)
1 year $57 $68 $18 $58 $68 $18 $38 $53 $13
3 years 78 85 55 79 87 57 51 60 40
5 years 100 114 94 103 117 97 65 69 69
10 years 163 185(11) 185(11) 170 192(11) 192(11) 105 133(11) 133(11)
</TABLE>

(9) Assumes redemption at period end.

(10) Assumes no redemption.

(11) Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately
8 years; therefore, years 9 and 10 reflect Class A share expenses.

(12) Without voluntary fee and expense reduction, the amounts would be $46, $73,
$102 and $186 for Class A shares for 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively;
$60, $82, $106 and $213 for Class B shares assuming redemptions for 1, 3,
5, and 10 years, respectively; and $20, $62, $106 and $213 for Class B
shares assuming no redemptions for 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively.
Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately
8 years; therefore, years 9 and 10 reflect Class A share expenses.

3
<PAGE>

THE FUNDS' FINANCIAL HISTORY

The following financial highlights for a share outstanding throughout each
period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants. Their
unqualified report is included in each Fund's 1996 Annual Report and is
incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. Each
Fund adopted its current investment objective on May 31, 1995. The data
presented for periods prior to May 31, 1995 represent operations under earlier
investment objectives and policies.

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $13.720 $12.180 $13.920 $13.480 $13.190
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.756 0.771 0.795 0.842 0.913
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.171) 1.535 (1.744) 0.451 0.277
------- ------ ------- ------ ------
Total from Investment Operations 0.585 2.306 (0.949) 1.293 1.190
------ ------ ------- ------ ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.755) (0.766) (0.791) (0.853) (0.900)
From net realized gains --- --- --- --- ---
From capital paid in --- --- --- --- ---
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Distributions Declared to Shareholders (0.755) (0.766) (0.791) (0.853) (0.900)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $13.550 $13.720 $12.180 $13.920 $13.480
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total return (b) 4.47% 19.35% (7.08)% 9.80% 9.29%
===== ====== ======= ===== =====
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.99% (c) 1.01% (c) 1.01% 1.02% 1.05%
Net investment income 5.61% (c) 5.82% (c) 6.00% 6.06% 6.81%
Portfolio turnover 40% 41% 56% 28% 14%
Net assets at end of period (in millions) $2,818 $3,111 $2,858 $3,357 $2,899
- ---------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
---------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
---------------------------------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $12.890 $13.020 $12.970 $12.760 $13.880
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.955 0.986 1.001 1.007 1.083
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.305 (0.120) 0.045 0.235 (1.159)
------ ------- ------ ------ -------
Total from Investment Operations 1.260 0.866 1.046 1.242 (0.076)
------ ------ ------ ------ -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.955) (0.996) (0.996) (1.032) (1.015)
From net realized gains --- --- --- --- (0.029)
From capital paid in (0.005) (a) --- --- --- ---
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Distributions Declared to Shareholders (0.960) (0.996) (0.996) (1.032) (1.044)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $13.190 $12.890 $13.020 $12.970 $12.760
======== ======== ======== ======== =======
Total return (b) 10.12% 6.95% 8.33% 10.03% (0.55)%
====== ===== ===== ====== =======
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.03% 1.05% 1.03% 1.06% 1.08%
Net investment income 7.29% 7.64% 7.67% 7.77% 7.79%(d)
Portfolio turnover 10% 10% 9% 22% 20%
Net assets at end of period (in millions) $2,486 $1,886 $1,547 $1,389 $1,278
- ---------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) Because of differences between book and tax basis accounting, there was no
return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

(b) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and
no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

(c) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.

(d) Ratio excludes reduction of provision for accumulated earnings tax.

4
<PAGE>

THE FUNDS' FINANCIAL HISTORY (CONT'D)

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 (a)
---- ---- ---- ---- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $13.720 $12.180 $13.920 $13.480 $13.230
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.656 0.673 0.695 0.740 0.462
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.171) 1.535 (1.744) 0.451 0.248
------- ------ ------- ------ -----
Total from Investment Operations 0.485 2.208 (1.049) 1.191 0.710
------ ------ ------- ------ -----
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.655) (0.668) (0.691) (0.751) (0.460)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $13.550 $13.720 $12.180 $13.920 $13.480
======== ======== ======== ======== =======
Total return(b) 3.70% 18.47% (7.78)% 9.00% 9.29% (d)
===== ====== ======= ===== =====
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.74% (c) 1.76% (c) 1.76% 1.77% 1.80% (e)
Net investment income 4.86% (c) 5.07% (c) 5.25% 5.31% 6.06% (e)
Portfolio turnover 40% 41% 56% 28% 14%
Net assets at end of period (in millions) $427 $469 $440 $430 $137
- -----------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) Class B shares were initially offered on May 5, 1992. Per share amounts
reflect activity from that date.

(b) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and
no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

(c) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.

(d) Not annualized.

(e) Annualized.

5
<PAGE>

THE FUNDS' FINANCIAL HISTORY (CONT'D)

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $8.380 $7.450 $8.420 $8.080 $7.880
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.403 0.418 0.439 0.456 0.480
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) (0.045) 0.935 (0.977) 0.338 0.200
------- ------ ------- ------ ------
Total from Investment Operations 0.358 1.353 (0.538) 0.794 0.680
------ ------ ------- ------ ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.408) (0.423) (0.432) (0.454) (0.480)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
From net realized gain --- --- --- --- ---
Total Distributions Declared to
Shareholders (0.408) (0.423) (0.432) (0.454) (0.480)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $8.330 $8.380 $7.450 $8.420 $8.080
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total return (a) 4.48% 18.55% (6.61)% 10.00% 8.85%
===== ====== ======= ====== =====
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.05% (b) 1.05% (b) 1.05% 1.07% 1.10%
Net investment income 4.92% (b) 5.20% (b) 5.44% 5.44% 5.97%
Portfolio turnover 25% 31% 36% 12% 7%
Net assets at end of period (000) $206,713 $240,894 $198,909 $241,610 $217,782
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
------------------------------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $7.660 $7.680 $7.460 $7.260 $8.120
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.496 0.506 0.508 0.510 0.501
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss 0.222 (0.016) 0.222 0.201 (0.767)
------ ------- ------ ------ -------
Total from Investment Operations 0.718 0.490 0.730 0.711 (0.266)
------ ------ ------ ------ -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.498) (0.510) (0.510) (0.511) (0.498)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
From net realized gain --- --- --- --- (0.096)
Total Distributions Declared to
Shareholders (0.498) (0.510) (0.510) (0.511) (0.594)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $7.880 $7.660 $7.680 $7.460 $7.260
======= ======= ======= ======= ======
Total return (a) 9.66% 6.65% 10.07% 10.05% (3.35)%
===== ===== ====== ====== =======
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.08% 1.10% 1.12% 1.12% 1.14%
Net investment income 6.35% 6.66% 6.70% 6.85% 6.63%
Portfolio turnover 8% 15% 38% 78% 129%
Net assets at end of period (000) $189,483 $142,525 $124,119 $104,074 $105,944
- ------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and
no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

(b) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.

6
<PAGE>

THE FUNDS' FINANCIAL HISTORY (CONT'D)

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 (a)
---- ---- ---- ---- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $8.380 $7.450 $8.420 $8.080 $7.910
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.342 0.359 0.378 0.395 0.240
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) 0.045 0.935 (0.977) 0.338 0.170
------ ------ ------- ------ -----
Total from Investment Operations 0.297 1.294 (0.599) 0.733 0.410
------ ------ ------- ------ -----
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.347) (0.364) (0.371) (0.393) (0.240)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $8.330 $8.380 $7.450 $8.420 $8.080
======= ======= ======= ======= ======
Total return (b) 3.70% 17.68% (7.31)% 9.20% 5.23% (d)
===== ====== ======= ===== =====
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.80% (c) 1.80% (c) 1.80% 1.82% 1.85% (e)
Net investment income 4.17% (c) 4.45% (c) 4.69% 4.69% 5.22% (e)
Portfolio turnover 25% 31% 36% 12% 7%
Net assets at end of period (000) $44,621 $50,016 $45,801 $46,035 $16,519
</TABLE>

(a) Class B shares were initially offered on May 5, 1992. Per share amounts
reflect activity from that date.

(b) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and
no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

(c) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.

(d) Not annualized.

(e) Annualized.

<PAGE>

THE FUNDS' FINANCIAL HISTORY (CONT'D)

COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended Period Ended
November 30 November 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993(b)
-------------------- -------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning
of period $7.850 $7.850 $7.210 $7.210 $7.810 $7.810 $7.500 $7.500
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (a) 0.375 0.324 0.387 0.338 0.366 0.317 0.305 0.263
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) 0.022 0.022 0.641 0.641 (0.596) (0.596) 0.302 0.302
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ -----
Total from Investment
Operations 0.397 0.346 1.028 0.979 (0.230) (0.279) 0.607 0.565
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ -----
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO
SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.367) (0.316) (0.388) (0.339) (0.370) (0.321) (0.297) (0.255)
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $7.880 $7.880 $7.850 $7.850 $7.210 $7.210 $7.810 $7.810
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======
Total return (c)(d) 5.23% 4.55% 14.56% 13.82% (3.05)% (3.68)% 8.18% (e) 7.61% (e)
===== ===== ====== ====== ======= ======= ===== =====
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.60% (f) 1.25% (f) 0.36% (f) 1.01% (f) 0.20% 0.85% 0.20% (g) 0.85% (g)
Fees and expenses waived or
borne by the Adviser 0.72% (f) 0.72% (f) 0.96% (f) 0.96% (f) 1.07% 1.07% 1.33% (g) 1.33% (g)
Net investment income 4.75% (f) 4.10% (f) 5.03% (f) 4.38% (f) 4.85% 4.20% 4.53% (g) 3.88% (g)
Portfolio turnover 20% 20% 69% 69% 26% 26% 5% (g) 5% (g)
Net assets at end of period
(000) $12,479 $13,080 $13,317 $14,820 $16,791 $14,138 $14,700 $9,396
- ---------------------------

(a) Net of fees and expenses
waived or borne by the
Adviser which amounted to $0.057 $0.057 $0.074 $0.074 $0.080 $0.080 $0.090 $0.090
</TABLE>
(b) The Fund commenced investment operations on February 1, 1993.

(c) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and
no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

(d) Had the Adviser not waived or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total
return would have been reduced.

(e) Not annualized.

(f) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.

(g) Annualized.

Further performance information is contained in each Fund's Annual Report to
shareholders, which is obtainable free of charge by calling 1-800-426-3750.

<PAGE>

THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

The Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund each seek as high a level of after-tax
total return as is consistent with prudent risk, by pursuing current income
exempt from federal income tax and opportunities for long-term appreciation from
a portfolio primarily invested in investment-grade municipal bonds (the
Tax-Exempt Fund) and insured municipal bonds (the Insured Fund). The
Intermediate Fund seeks as high a level of after-tax total return as is
consistent with moderate volatility, by pursuing current income exempt from
federal income tax and opportunities for appreciation from a portfolio primarily
invested in investment grade, intermediate-term municipal bonds. In this
Prospectus, "tax-exempt bonds" means debt securities, the interest on which is,
in the issuer's counsel's opinion, exempt from federal income taxes.

HOW THE FUNDS PURSUE THEIR OBJECTIVES AND CERTAIN RISK FACTORS

The Tax-Exempt Fund. The Tax-Exempt Fund normally invests substantially all its
assets in tax-exempt bonds. The Tax-Exempt Fund may invest in bonds of any
maturity. Certain bonds do not pay interest in cash on a current basis. However,
the Tax-Exempt Fund will accrue and distribute interest on these bonds on a
current basis and may have to sell securities to generate cash for
distributions. Many bonds have call features that permit the issuer to repay the
bond before maturity. If this occurs, the Tax-Exempt Fund may only be able to
invest the proceeds at lower yields.

The value of tax-exempt bonds and other debt securities (and thus of Tax-Exempt
Fund shares) usually fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates.

The Tax-Exempt Fund currently intends to limit its investments in (a) bonds
rated lower than Baa by Moody's, bonds rated lower than BBB by S&P or bonds with
comparable ratings from another national rating service (collectively,lower
rated bonds) and (b) unrated bonds of all credit qualities but excluding
prerefunded bonds, in the aggregate, to not more than 35% of the Tax-Exempt
Fund's total assets. The Tax-Exempt Fund currently intends to limit its
investments in unrated bonds of all credit qualities (but excluding prerefunded
bonds) to 25% of total assets (which 25% shall be included in the 35% aggregate
limit for lower rated and unrated bonds above). Compared to securities of higher
quality, lower rated bonds:

1. Are likely to have more volatile market prices because:

a. an economic downturn or increased interest rates may have a more
significant effect on the yield, price and
potential for default;

b. the secondary market may at times become less liquid or respond to
adverse publicity or investor perceptions, increasing the difficulty in
valuing or disposing of the bonds;

c. existing legislation limits and future legislation may further limit (i)
investment by certain institutions or (ii) tax deductibility of the
interest by the issuer, which may adversely affect value; and

d. certain lower rated bonds do not pay interest in cash on a current basis.

2. The Tax-Exempt Fund's achievement of its investment objective is more
dependent on the Adviser's credit analysis; and

3. Lower rated bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes but are more
sensitive to adverse economic developments.

Weighted average composition of the Tax-Exempt Fund's portfolio at November 30,
1996, was:

Rated Unrated
Investment grade X.X% X.X%
B-BB and X.X X.X
equivalent
Below B X.X X.X
--- ---
Total X.X% X.X%
=== ===

This composition does not necessarily reflect the current or future portfolio.
The Tax-Exempt Fund is not required to sell a security when its rating is
reduced.

The Insured Fund. The Insured Fund normally invests at least 65% of its assets
in high quality tax-exempt bonds of any maturity that are fully insured as to
the payment of interest and principal. The balance of the Insured Fund's assets
may be invested in uninsured debt

9
<PAGE>

securities of any maturity that are rated BBB or Baa or higher, but no more than
20% of the Fund's assets will be rated BBB or Baa. The value of tax-exempt bonds
and other debt securities (and thus the Insured Fund shares) usually fluctuates
inversely to changes in interest rates. The Insured Fund may invest in
securities that do not pay interest in cash on a current basis. The Insured Fund
will, however, accrue and distribute this interest on a current basis and may
have to sell securities to generate cash for distributions. Many bonds have call
features that permit the issuer to repay the bond before maturity. If this
occurs, the Insured Fund may only be able to invest the proceeds at lower
yields.

The Insured Fund will generally buy tax-exempt bonds insured under an insurance
policy obtained by the issuer or underwriter at the time of issuance. These
bonds will all be rated AAA when acquired. The Insured Fund may also buy
uninsured tax-exempt bonds and simultaneously buy insurance on those bonds from
an insurance company, but only if S&P gives a AAA rating to bonds insured by
that insurance company. The Insured Fund may also buy a portfolio insurance
policy that covers its holdings of uninsured tax-exempt bonds. Insurance reduces
but does not eliminate the credit risk of holding tax-exempt bonds, since an
insurer may not be able to meet its obligations. Insurance does not reduce
fluctuations in the Insured Fund share values resulting from changes in market
interest rates. Insured bonds generally have lower yields than comparable
uninsured bonds. The Insured Fund's purchases of insurance to cover uninsured
bonds reduce the Insured Fund's yield. Some forms of insurance cover bonds only
so long as the Insured Fund holds them, so that, if the bond issuer's
creditworthiness declines, the bonds would be worth less to other investors than
to the Insured Fund. Thus, the Insured Fund might not be able to sell the bonds
for an acceptable price and might continue to hold bonds that it would otherwise
sell to buy higher-yielding bonds. In valuing such securities, the Insured Fund
values the insurance at the difference between the market value of the security
and the market value of similar securities whose issuers' creditworthiness has
not substantially declined.

The Intermediate Fund. The Intermediate Fund normally invests substantially all
its assets in investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Intermediate Fund may
invest in bonds of any maturity. The weighted average maturity will normally
range from 3 to 10 years. Tax-exempt bonds may include fixed, variable or
floating rate general obligation and revenue bonds (including municipal lease
obligations and resource recovery bonds); zero coupon and asset-backed
securities; inverse floating obligations; tax, revenue or bond anticipation
notes; and tax-exempt commercial paper. The value of debt securities (and thus
the Intermediate Fund shares) usually fluctuates inversely to changes in
interest rates. The Intermediate Fund may buy or sell securities on a
delayed-delivery basis and may purchase when-issued securities and securities
restricted as to resale. Many bonds have call features that permit the issuer to
repay the bond before maturity. If this occurs, the Intermediate Fund may only
be able to invest the proceeds only at lower yields.

Investment grade securities are rated Baa or higher by Moody's or BBB or higher
by S&P or unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality. Bonds rated Baa or BBB are considered to have some speculative
characteristics and could be more adversely affected by unfavorable economic
developments than higher rated bonds. The Intermediate Fund is not required to
sell a security when its rating is reduced. The Intermediate Fund currently
intends to limit its investments in unrated bonds to less than 25% of total
assets.

"Inverse floating obligations," also known as "residual interest bonds,"
represent interests in tax-exempt bonds. These securities carry interest rates
that vary inversely to changes in market interest rates. Such securities have
investment characteristics similar to investment leverage. Their market values
are subject to greater risks of fluctuation than securities bearing a fixed rate
of interest which may lead to greater fluctuation in the value of the
Intermediate Fund shares.

"Asset-backed securities" are interests in pools of debt securities. Principal
and interest payments on the underlying debt are passed through to the holders
of the asset-backed securities. A pool may issue more than one class of
asset-backed securities, representing different rights to receive principal
and/or interest. Principal on the asset-backed securities may be prepaid if the
underlying debt securities are prepaid. As a result, these securities may not
increase in value when interest rates fall. The Intermediate Fund may be able to
invest prepaid principal only at lower yields. The prepayment of such securities
purchased at a premium may result in losses equal to the premium.

10
<PAGE>

Zero coupon securities are debt securities which do not pay interest, but
instead are issued at a deep discount from par. The value of the security
increases over time to reflect the interest accrued. The value of these
securities may fluctuate more than similar securities which are issued at par
and pay interest periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to
holders prior to maturity, interest on these securities is reported as income to
the Intermediate Fund and distributed to its shareholders. These distributions
must be made from the Intermediate Fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the
proceeds of sales of portfolio securities. The Intermediate Fund will not be
able to purchase additional income producing securities with cash used to make
such distributions and its current income ultimately may be reduced as a result.

Certain bonds, including zero coupon bonds, do not pay interest in cash on a
current basis. However, the Intermediate Fund will accrue and distribute this
interest on a current basis, and may have to sell securities to generate cash
for distributions.

The Tax-Exempt Fund, the Insured Fund and the Intermediate Fund.
"When Issued" and "Delayed Delivery" Securities. Each Fund may acquire
securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis by contracting to
purchase securities for a fixed price on a date beyond the customary settlement
time with no interest accruing until settlement. If made through a dealer, the
contract is dependent on the dealer completing the sale. The dealer's failure
could deprive the Fund of an advantageous yield or price. These contracts
involve the risk that the value of the underlying security may change prior to
settlement. A Fund may realize short-term gains or losses if the contracts are
sold. Transactions in when-issued securities may be limited by certain Internal
Revenue Code requirements.

Options and Futures. Each Fund may write covered call and put options on
securities held in its portfolio and purchase call and put options on debt
securities. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy a security from,
and a put option the right to sell a security to, the option writer at a
specified price, on or before a specified date. A Fund will pay a premium when
purchasing an option, which reduces a Fund's return on the underlying security
if the option is exercised and results in a loss if the option expires
unexercised. A Fund will receive a premium from writing an option, which may
increase its return if the option expires or is closed out at a profit. So long
as a Fund is the writer of a call option it will own the underlying security
subject to the option (or comparable securities satisfying the cover
requirements of securities exchanges). So long as a Fund is the writer of a put
option it will hold cash and/or high-grade debt obligations equal to the price
to be paid if the option is exercised. If a Fund is unable to close out an
unexpired option, a Fund must continue to hold the underlying security until the
option expires. Trading hours for options may differ from the trading hours for
the underlying securities. Thus significant price movements may occur in the
securities markets that are not reflected in the options market. This may limit
the effectiveness of options as hedging devices.

Each Fund may buy or write options that are not traded on national securities
exchanges and not protected by the Options Clearing Corporation. These
transactions are effected directly with a broker-dealer, and each Fund bears the
risk that the broker-dealer will fail to meet its obligations. The market value
of such options and other illiquid assets will not exceed 10% of each Fund's
total assets.

For hedging purposes, each Fund may purchase or sell (1) interest rate and
tax-exempt bond index futures contracts, and (2) put and call options on such
contracts and on such indices. A futures contract creates an obligation by the
seller to deliver and the buyer to take delivery of the type of instrument at
the time and in the amount specified in the contract. Although futures call for
delivery (or acceptance) of the specified instrument, futures are usually closed
out before the settlement date through the purchase (sale) of a comparable
contract. If the initial sale price of the future exceeds (or is less than) the
price of the offsetting purchase, a Fund realizes a gain (or loss). Options on
futures contracts operate in a similar manner to options on securities, except
that the position assumed is in futures contracts rather than in securities. A
Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or purchase related options if
immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of deposits for initial margin or

11
<PAGE>

premiums on the existing futures and related options positions would exceed 5%
of the market value of that Fund's total assets. Transactions in futures and
related options involve the risk of (1) imperfect correlation between the price
movement of the contracts and the underlying securities, (2) significant price
movement in one but not the other market because of different trading hoursand
(3) the possible absence of a liquid secondary market at any point in time.
Also, the Adviser's prediction on interest rates is inaccurate, a Fund may be
worse off than if it had not hedged.

Short Term Investments. A portion of each Fund's assets may be held in cash or
invested in short-term securities for day-to-day operating purposes. Each Fund
intends that its short-term investments will be tax-exempt, but if suitable
tax-exempt securities are not available or are available only on a when-issued
basis, each Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in repurchase agreements;
short-term taxable obligations rated A-1+ of banks which have or whose parent
holding companies have long-term debt ratings of AAA, or of corporations with
long-term debt ratings of AAA; and securities of the U.S. government. The
Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund may each invest up to 20% of its assets
(reduced by the percentage of its total assets invested in "private activity
bonds." Based on the Adviser's determination, each Fund may temporarily invest
more than 20% of its assets in such taxable obligations for defensive purposes.
Each Fund's policy is not to concentrate in any industry, but each Fund may
invest up to 25% of its assets in industrial development revenue bonds based on
the credit of private entities in any one industry (governmental issuers are not
considered to be part of any "industry"). As a fundamental policy, each Fund
normally limits investments in securities subject to the federal alternative
minimum tax to a maximum of 20% of total assets.

Temporary/Defensive Investments. Temporarily available cash may be invested in
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, treasury bills and repurchase
agreements. Some or all of each Fund's assets may be invested in such
investments during periods of unusual market conditions. Under a repurchase
agreement, a 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 a Fund's custodian and constitutes a 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, a Fund may experience costs and delays
in liquidating the collateral and may experience a loss if it is unable to
demonstrate its right to the collateral in a bankruptcy proceeding. Not more
than 10% of each Fund's net assets will be invested in repurchase agreements
maturing in more than 7 days and other illiquid assets.

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

Short-Term Trading. Each Fund may trade portfolio securities for short-term
profits to take advantage of price differentials. These trades are limited by
certain Internal Revenue Code requirements.

Other. Each Fund may not always achieve its investment objective. Each Fund's
investment objective and non-fundamental investment policies may be changed
without shareholder approval. Each Fund will notify investors in connection with
any material change in its investment objective. If there is a change in the
investment objective, shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains an
appropriate investment in light of their financial position and needs.
Shareholders may incur a contingent deferred sales charge if shares are redeemed
in response to a change in investment objective. Each Fund has a fundamental
investment policy of investing under normal circumstances at least 80% of its
total assets in tax-exempt bonds. This policy and each Fund's fundamental
investment policies listed in the Statement of Additional Information cannot be
changed without the approval of a majority of that Fund's outstanding voting
securities. Additional information concerning certain of the securities and
investment techniques described above is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information.

HOW THE FUNDS MEASURE THEIR PERFORMANCE

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<PAGE>

Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund) or 3.25% (the Intermediate Fund) on Class
A shares, and the contingent deferred sales charge applicable to the time period
quoted on Class B shares. Other total returns differ from the 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 and tax-equivalent yield, which differ from total return
because they do not consider changes in net asset value, are calculated in
accordance with the Securities Exchange Commission's formula. Each Class's
distribution rate is calculated by dividing the most recent month's
distribution, annualized, by the maximum offering price of that Class at the end
of the month. 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 FUNDS ARE MANAGED

The Trustees formulate the Funds' general policies and oversee the Funds'
affairs as conducted by the Adviser.

Colonial Investment Services, Inc. (Distributor), a subsidiary of the Adviser,
serves as the distributor for each of the Fund'sshares. Colonial Investors
Service Center, Inc. (Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as
the shareholder services and transfer agent for each Fund. Each of the Adviser,
Distributor and the Transfer Agent is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., which in turn is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company (Liberty Mutual). Liberty Mutual is considered to be
the controlling entity of the Adviser and its affiliates. Liberty Mutual is an
underwriter of workers' compensation insurance and a property and casualty
insurer in the U.S.

The Adviser furnishes each Fund with investment management, accounting and
administrative personnel and services, office space and other equipment and
services at the Adviser's expense. For these services, the Funds paid the
Adviser the following percentages of their average daily net assets in fiscal
year 1996: the Tax-Exempt Fund - 0.52%, the Insured Fund - 0.55% and the
Intermediate Fund - 0% (after fee waiver). During 1996, the Tax-Exempt Fund's
fee was reduced as follows:

Cumulative Annualized
Effective Date Reduction
-------------- ---------------------
January 1, 1996 0.01%
April 1, 1996 0.02%
July 1, 1996 0.03%
October 1, 1996 0.04%

Bonny E. Boatman, Senior Vice President and Director of the Adviser and head of
the Adviser's Tax-Exempt Group, has managed the Tax-Exempt Fund since 1993 and
has managed various other Colonial tax-exempt funds since 1985. Robert S. Waas,
Vice President of the Adviser, has co-managed the Tax-Exempt Fund since July
1995. Prior to joining the Adviser in July 1995, Mr. Waas was a portfolio
manager at Van Kampen/American Capital and the Colonial Penn Group.

William C. Loring, Vice President of the Adviser, has managed the Insured Fund
and the Intermediate Fund since 1987 and 1993, respectively, and various other
Colonial tax-exempt funds since 1986.

The Adviser also provides pricing and bookkeeping services to each Fund for a
monthly fee of $2,250 plus a percentage of each Fund's average net assets over
$50 million.

The Transfer Agent provides transfer agency and shareholder services to each
Fund for a fee of 0.14% annually of the Fund's average net assets plus certain
out-of-pocket expenses.

Each of the foregoing fees is subject to any reimbursement or fee waiver to
which the Adviser may agree.

The Adviser places all orders for purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
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,

13
<PAGE>

and may consider sales of shares of a Fund as a factor in the selection of the
broker-dealer.

HOW THE FUNDS VALUE THEIR 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 Funds are
valued as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (Exchange) (normally 4:00
p.m. Eastern time) 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
when the Adviser determines, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees,
that such cost approximates current market value. All other securities and
assets are valued at fair value following procedures adopted by the Trustees.

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

Each Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders net income monthly and
any net realized gain at least annually.

The Funds generally declare distributions daily. Distributions of each Fund are
invested in additional shares of the same Class of a Fund at net asset value
unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Regardless of the shareholder's
election, distributions of $10 or less will not be paid in cash to shareholders
but will be invested in additional shares of the same Class of a Fund at net
asset value. To change your election, call the Transfer Agent for information.
If the Funds make taxable distributions they will generally be taxable whether
you receive distributions in cash or in additional Fund shares; you must report
them as taxable income unless you are a tax-exempt institution. Although the
Funds' distributions of interest from tax-exempt bonds will not be subject to
regular federal income tax, a portion of such interest may be included in
computing a shareholder's federal alternative minimum tax liability. In
addition, shareholders will generally be subject to state and local income taxes
on distributions they receive from the Fund. Furthermore, capital gains
distributions by the Funds will generally be subject to federal, state and local
income taxes. Each Fund may at times purchase tax-exempt securities at a
discount from the price at which they were originally issued, especially during
periods of rising interest rates. For federal income tax purposes, some or all
of the market discount will be included in a Fund's ordinary income and will be
taxable to shareholders as such when it is distributed to them. Social security
benefits may be taxed as a result of receiving tax-exempt income. Each January,
information on the amount and nature of distributions for the prior year is sent
to shareholders.

HOW TO BUY SHARES

Shares of the Funds are offered continuously. Orders received in good form prior
to the time at which the Funds value their shares (or placed with a financial
service firm before such time and transmitted by the financial service firm
before a 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.

The minimum initial investment is $1,000; subsequent investments may be as small
as $50. The minimum initial investment for the Colonial Fundamatic program is
$50 and the minimum initial investment for a Colonial retirement program is $25.
Certificates will not be issued for Class B shares and there are some
limitations on the issuance of Class A share certificates. The Funds may refuse
any purchase order for their shares. See the Statement of Additional Information
for more information.

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

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<PAGE>

The Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund

Initial
Sales Charge
---------------------------------------------
Retained
as % of by Financial
------------------------- Service Firm
Amount Amount Offering as % of
Purchased Invested Price Offering Price
Less than $50,000 4.99% 4.75% 4.25%
$50,000 to less than $100,000 4.71% 4.50% 4.00%
$100,000 to less than $250,000 3.63% 3.50% 3.00%
$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%

The Intermediate Fund
Initial
Sales Charge
---------------------------------------------
Retained
as % of by Financial
------------------------- Service Firm
Amount Amount Offering as % of
Purchased Invested Price Offering Price
Less than $100,000 3.35% 3.25% 3.00%
$100,000 to less than $250,000 2.56% 2.50% 2.25%
$250,000 to less $500,000 2.04% 2.00% 1.75%
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000 1.52% 1.50 1.25%
$1,000,000 or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

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.

In determining the sales charge and commission applicable to a new purchase
under the above schedules, the amount of the current purchase is added to the
current value of shares previously purchased and still held by the investor. If
a purchase results in an account having a value from $1 million to $5 million,
then the shares purchased will be subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales
charge, payable to the Distributor, if redeemed within 18 months from the first
day of the month following the purchase. If the purchase results in an account
having a value in excess of $5 million, the contingent deferred sales charge
will not apply to the portion of the purchased shares representing such excess
amount.

Class B Shares. Class B shares are offered at net asset value, without an
initial sales charge, and are subject to a 0.75% (the Tax-Exempt Fund and the
Insured Fund) or 0.65% (the Intermediate Fund) 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 (the Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund) or four
(the Intermediate Fund) years after purchase. As shown below, the amount of the
contingent deferred sales charge depends on the number of years after purchase
that the redemption occurs:

The Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund.

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%

The Intermediate Fund.

Years Contingent
Deferred
After Purchase Sales Charge

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

Year one ends one year after the end of the month in which the purchase was
accepted and so on.

15
<PAGE>

The Distributor pays financial service firms a commission of 4.00% (the
Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund) or 3.00% (the Intermediate Fund) on Class
B share purchases.

General. All contingent deferred sales charges are deducted from the amount
redeemed, not the amount remaining in the account, and 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 in the account reduced by prior redemptions on which a
contingent deferred sales charge was paid and any exempt redemptions). 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. Large investments, qualifying for a reduced Class A
sales charge, avoid the distribution fee. Investments in Class B shares have
100% of the purchase invested immediately. Purchases of $250,000 or more must be
for Class A shares. Consult your financial service firm.

Financial service firms may receive different compensation rates for selling
different classes of shares. The Distributor may pay additional compensation to
financial service firms which have made or may make significant sales.
See the Statement of Additional Information for more information.

Special Purchase Programs. The Funds allow certain investors or groups of
investors to purchase shares with reduced, or without, initial or contingent
deferred sales charges. These programs are described in the Statement of
Additional Information under "Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales
Charges."

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.
A shareholder's manual explaining all available services will be provided upon
request.

In June of any year, a 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. See "Special Purchase Programs/Investor Services" in the Statement of
Additional Information for more information.

HOW TO SELL SHARES

Shares of the Funds may be sold on any day the Exchange is open, either directly
to a Fund or through your financial service firm. 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, a Fund
will send proceeds as soon as the check has cleared (which may take up to 15
days).

Selling Shares Directly To A Fund. Send a signed letter of instruction or stock
power form to the Transfer Agent, 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 particular 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 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

Selling Shares Through Financial Service Firms. Financial service firms must
receive requests prior to the time at which the Funds value their shares to
receive that day's price, are responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to the Transfer Agent and may charge for this service.

General. The sale of shares is a taxable transaction for income tax purposes and
may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The contingent deferred
sales charge may be waived under certain circumstances. See the Statement of
Additional Information for more information. Under unusual circumstances, a Fund
may suspend repurchases or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer, as
permitted by federal securities law.

16
<PAGE>

HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES

Exchanges at net asset value may be made among shares of the same class of most
Colonial funds. Shares will continue to age without regard to the exchange for
purposes of conversion and in determining the contingent deferred sales charge,
if any, upon redemption. Carefully read the prospectus of the fund into which
the exchange will go before submitting the request. Call 1-800-426-3750 to
receive a prospectus and an exchange authorization form. Call 1-800-422-3737 to
exchange shares by telephone. An exchange is a taxable capital transaction. The
exchange service may be changed, suspended or eliminated on 60 days' written
notice.

Class A Shares. An exchange from a money market fund into a non-money market
fund will be at the applicable offering price next determined (including sales
charge), except for amounts on which an initial sales charge was paid. Non-money
market fund shares must be held for five months before qualifying for exchange
to a fund with a higher sales charge, after which exchanges are made at the net
asset value next determined.

Class B Shares. Exchanges of Class B shares are not subject to the contingent
deferred sales charge. However, if shares are redeemed within six years (the
Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund) or four years (the Intermediate Fund)
after the original purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge will be assessed
using the schedule of the fund into which the original investment was made.

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

All shareholders and/or their financial advisers are automatically eligible to
exchange each Fund's shares by telephone and may redeem up to $50,000 of a
Fund's shares by calling 1-800-422-3737 toll-free any business day between 9:00
a.m. and the time at which the Fund values its shares. Telephone redemption
privileges for larger amounts may be elected on the account application. The
Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine and may be liable for losses related to
unauthorized transactions in the event reasonable procedures are not employed.
Such procedures include restrictions on where proceeds of telephone redemptions
may be sent, limitations on the ability to redeem by telephone shortly after an
address change, recording of telephone lines and requirements that the redeeming
shareholder and/or their financial adviser provide certain identifying
information. Financial advisers are also required to provide their broker
number. Shareholders and/or their financial advisers wishing to redeem or
exchange shares by telephone may experience difficulty in reaching a 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 or exchange by mail as described above under "How to
Sell Shares." The Adviser, the Transfer Agent and each Fund reserve the right to
change, modify or terminate the telephone redemption or exchange 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, each Fund pays the Distributor monthly a service fee at an
annual rate of 0.25% (the Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund) or 0.20% (the
Intermediate Fund) of the Fund's net assets attributed to each Class of shares.
Each Fund also pays the Distributor monthly a distribution fee at an annual rate
of 0.75% (the Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund) or 0.65% (the Intermediate
Fund) of the average daily net assets attributed to its Class B shares. Because
the Class B shares bear the additional distribution fees, their dividends will
be lower than the dividends of Class A shares. Class B shares automatically
convert to Class A shares, approximately eight years after the Class B shares
were purchased. The multiple class structure could be terminated should certain
Internal Revenue Service rulings be rescinded. 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 a Fund's 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 Adviser)
which may be construed to be indirect financing of sales of a Fund's shares.

17
<PAGE>

ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY

The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized in 1978. Each Fund
represents the entire interest in a separate portfolio of the Trust.

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. 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.

APPENDIX

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

S&P

AAA bonds have the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and
repay principal is extremely strong.

AA bonds have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and
they differ from AAA only in small degree.

A bonds have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, although
they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB bonds are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a
weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal than for bonds in the A
category.

BB, B, CCC and CC bonds are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative
with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and
CC the highest degree. While such debt will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or large
exposures to adverse conditions.

C ratings are reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

D bonds are in default, and payment of interest and/or principal is in arrears.

Plus(+) or minus (-) are modifiers relative to the standing within the major
rating categories.

MOODY'S

Aaa bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree
of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge". Interest
payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and
principal is secure. While various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally
strong position of such issues.

Aa bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with Aaa
bonds they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated
lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as
in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater
amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks
appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities. Those bonds in the Aa through B
groups which Moody's believes possess the strongest investment attributes are
designated by the symbol Aa1, A1 and Baa1.

A bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as
upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and
interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa bonds are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither
highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security
appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking
or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such
bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative
characteristics as well.

Ba bonds are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be
considered as well secured. Often the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good
and bad times

18
<PAGE>

over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B bonds generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract
over any long period of time may be small.

Caa bonds are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca bonds represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such
issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C bonds are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded
as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment
standing.

19
<PAGE>

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

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

Custodian
UMB, n.a.
928 Grand Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64106

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.

March 31, 1997

COLONIAL TAX-
EXEMPT FUND

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND

COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND

PROSPECTUS

Each of Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund (the Tax-Exempt Fund) and Colonial Tax-Exempt
Insured Fund (the Insured Fund) seek as high a level of after-tax total return
as is consistent with prudent risk, by pursuing current income exempt from
federal income tax and opportunities for long-term appreciation from a portfolio
primarily invested in investment-grade municipal bonds (the Tax-Exempt Fund) and
insured municipal bonds (the Insured Fund). Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt
Fund (the Intermediate Fund) seeks as high a level of after-tax total return as
is consistent with moderate volatility, by pursuing current income exempt from
federal income tax and opportunities for appreciation from a portfolio primarily
invested in investment grade, intermediate-term municipal bonds.

For more detailed information about the Funds, call the Adviser at
1-800-426-3750 for the March 31, 1997 Statement of Additional Information.

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

NOT FDIC-INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

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

<PAGE>
[COLONIAL FLAG LOGO]

Colonial Mutual Funds
_________________________________________________________________
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

______________________________________
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 -----Colonial Fund(s) You Are Purchasing--------
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.

Fund Fund Fund

________________ ___________________ _____________________

$_______________ $__________________ $____________________
Amount Amount Amount

Class
___ A Shares ___ B Shares (less than $250,000) ___ C Shares (Adjustable Rate
U.S. Government Fund only)

___ D Shares (less than $500,000, available on certain funds; see prospectus)

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

___Automatic Dividend Diversification See section 5A, inside

___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 from Your Fund-------

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.

Funds for Withdrawal:

___________________
Name of 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).

___________________
Name of 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. Fast Cash
You are automatically eligible for this service. You or your financial
adviser can withdraw up to $50,000 from your account and have it sent to your
address of record. For your protection, this service is only available on
accounts that have not had an address change within 30 days of the redemption
request.

2. Telephone Redemption
__I would like the Telephone Redemption privilege either by federal fund wire
or EFT. Telephone redemptions over $1,000 will be sent via federal fund wire,
usually on the next business day ($7.50 will be deducted). Redemptions of
$1,000 or less will be sent by check to your designated bank.

3. 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 Make Additional Investments--------

These services involve continuous investments regardless of varying share
prices. Please consider your ability to continue purchases through periods of
price fluctuations. Dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit or protect
against loss in declining markets.

A. Automatic Dividend Diversification
Please diversify my portfolio by investing distributions from one fund into
another Colonial fund. These investments will be made in the same share class
and without sales charges. Accounts must be identically registered. I have
carefully read the prospectus for the fund(s) listed below.

____________________________
From fund

____________________________
Account number (if existing)

____________________________
To fund

____________________________
Account number (if existing)

____________________________
From fund

____________________________
Account number (if existing)

____________________________
To fund

____________________________
Account number (if existing)

B. Automated Dollar Cost Averaging
This program allows you to automatically have money from any Colonial fund in
which you have a balance of at least $5,000 exchanged into the same share
class of up to four other identically registered Colonial accounts, on a
monthly basis. The minimum amount for each exchange is $100. Please complete
the section below.

____________________________________
Fund from which shares will be sold

$_________________________
Amount to redeem monthly

1____________________________________
Fund to invest shares in

$_________________________
Amount to invest monthly

2____________________________________
Fund to invest shares in

$_________________________
Amount to invest monthly

C. Fundamatic/On-Demand EFT Purchase
Fundamatic automatically transfers the specified amount from your bank
checking account to your Colonial fund account by electronic funds transfer on
any specified day of the month. 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.

1____________________________________
Fund name

_________________________________
Account number

$_____________________ _________________
Amount to transfer Month to start

2___________________________________
Fund name

________________________________
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

______________________________________
City State Zip

______________________________________
Bank account number

______________________________________
Bank routing #

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

6------------Ways to Reduce Your Sales Charges------------
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.

_____________________________________
Name on account

_____________________________________
Account number

_____________________________________
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.

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

_____________________________________
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.______________________

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.

SH-938B-0396
<PAGE>
COLONIAL TRUST IV

Cross Reference Sheet

Colonial High Yield Municipal Fund

Item Number of Form N-1A Location or Caption in Prospectus

Part A

1. Cover Page

2. Summary of Expenses

3. The Fund's Financial History

4. The Fund's Investment Objective; Organization and History; How the Fund
Pursues its Objective and Certain Risk Factors

5. Cover Page; How the Fund is Managed; Organization and History; The Fund's
Investment Objective; Back Cover

6. Organization and History; Distributions and Taxes; How to Buy Shares

7. Cover Page; Summary of Expenses; How to Buy Shares; How the Fund Values its
Shares; 12b-1 Plans; Back Cover

8. Summary of Expenses; How to Sell Shares; How to Exchange Shares; Telephone
Transactions

9. Not Applicable

<PAGE>

March 31, 1997

COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND

PROSPECTUS

BEFORE YOU INVEST

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

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 High Yield Municipal Fund (Fund), a diversified portfolio of Colonial
Trust IV (Trust), an open-end management investment company, seeks a high level
of after-tax total return by pursuing current income exempt from ordinary
federal income tax and opportunities for long-term appreciation from a portfolio
primarily invested in medium- to lower-grade municipal bonds.

The Fund is managed by the Adviser, an investment adviser since 1931.

The Fund may invest in lower rated bonds (commonly referred to as "junk bonds")
which are regarded as speculative as to payment of principal and interest.
Purchasers should carefully assess the risks associated with an investment in
the Fund.

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 March 31, 1997 Statement of
Additional Information which has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is obtainable free of charge by calling
the Adviser 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. The Fund offers two classes of shares. Class A shares are offered at
net asset value plus a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase; Class B
shares are offered at net asset value and are subject to an annual distribution
fee and a declining contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions made within
six years after purchase. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares
after approximately eight years. See "How to Buy Shares."

Contents Page
Summary of Expenses
The Fund's Financial History
The Fund's Investment Objective
How the Fund Pursues its Objective and
Certain Risk Factors
How the Fund Measures its Performance
How the Fund is Managed
How the Fund Values its Shares
Distributions and Taxes
How to Buy Shares
How to Sell Shares
How to Exchange Shares
Telephone Transactions
12b-1 Plans
Organization and History
Appendix

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

NOT FDIC-INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

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

<PAGE>

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 annual
expenses for an investment in each Class of the Fund's shares. See "How the Fund
is Managed" and "12b-1 Plans" for more complete descriptions of the Fund's
various costs and expenses.

Shareholder Transaction Expenses (1)(2)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B
<S> <C> <C>

Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed on a Purchase (as a % of offering
price)(3) 4.75% 0.00%(5)
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a % of offering price)(3) 1.00%(4) 5.00%
</TABLE>

(1) For accounts less than $1,000 an annual fee of $10 may be deducted. See "How
to Buy 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) Only with respect to any portion of purchases of $1 million to $5 million
redeemed within approximately 18 months after purchase. See "How to Buy
Shares."
(5) Because of the 0.75% distribution fee applicable to Class B shares,
long-term Class B shareholders may pay more in aggregate sales charges than
the maximum initial sales charge permitted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. However, because the Fund's Class B shares
automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately 8 years, this is
less likely for Class B shares than for a class without a conversion
feature.

Annual Operating Expenses (as a % of average net assets)
Class A Class B

Management fee 0.55% 0.55%
12b-1 fees 0.25 1.00
Other expenses 0.30 0.30
Total operating expenses 1.10% 1.85%

Example

The following example shows the cumulative expenses attributable to a $1,000
investment in each Class of shares of the Fund for the periods specified,
assuming a 5% annual return and, unless otherwise noted, redemption at period
end. The 5% return and expenses in this Example should not be considered
indicative of actual or expected Fund performance, both of which will vary:

Class A Class B
Period
(6) (7)
1 year $ 58 $ 69 $ 19
3 years 81 88 58
5 years 105 120 100
10 years 175 197(8) 197(8)

(6) Assumes redemption at period end.
(7) Assumes no redemption.
(8) Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately 8
years; therefore years 9 and 10 reflect Class A share expenses.

2
<PAGE>

THE FUND'S FINANCIAL HISTORY

The following financial highlights for a share outstanding throughout each
period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants. Their
unqualified report is included in the Fund's 1996 Annual Report and is
incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund
adopted its current investment objective on May 31, 1995. The data presented for
periods prior to May 31, 1995 represent operations under earlier investment
objectives and policies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended November 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
Class A Class B Class A Class B
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $10.230 $10.230 $9.330 $9.330
------------ ------------- ------------- ------------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.624 0.548 0.656 0.583
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) (0.051) (0.051) 0.912 0.912
Total from Investment Operations 0.573 0.497 1.568 1.495
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.643) (0.567) (0.668) (0.595)
Net asset value - End of period $10.160 $10.160 $10.230 $10.230
============ ============= ============== =================
Total return (d) 5.86% 5.07% 17.28% 16.42%
============ ============= ============== =================
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.10% (g) 1.85% (g) 1.17% (g) 1.92% (g)
Fees waived by the Adviser --- --- --- ---
Net investment income 6.19% (g) 5.44% (g) 6.67% (g) 5.92% (g)
Portfolio turnover 8% 8% 26% 26%
Net assets at end of period (000) $37,420 $145,200 $17,997 $137,893
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period Ended
Year ended November 30 November 30
----------------------------------------------- ---------------
1994 1993 1992
Class A(a) Class B Class B Class B(b)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $9.800 $10.320 $10.070 $10.000
------------ ------------- ------------- ------------------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.188 0.605 0.609 0.338 (c)
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) (0.496) (1.016) 0.277 0.041
Total from Investment Operations (0.308) (0.411) 0.886 0.379
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.162) (0.579) (0.636) (0.309)
Net asset value - End of period $9.330 $9.330 $10.320 $10.070
============= ================================ ===============
Total return (d) (3.15)% (e) (4.10)% 9.00% 3.80% (e)(f)
============= ================================ ===============
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.15% (h) 1.90% 1.94% 2.00% (h)
Fees waived by the Adviser --- --- --- 0.01% (h)
Net investment income 7.19% (h) 6.44% 5.95% 6.83% (h)
Portfolio turnover 25% 25% 31% 13% (h)
Net assets at end of period (000) $6,027 $113,549 $120,523 $63,390
</TABLE>

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

(a) Class A shares were initially offered on September 1, 1994. Per share
amounts reflect activity from that date.
(b) The Fund commenced investment operations on June 8, 1992.
(c) Net of fees and expenses waived or borne by the Adviser which amounted to
$0.000.
(d) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and no
initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.
(e) Not annualized.
(f) Had the Adviser not waived or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return
would have been reduced.
(g) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.
(h) Annualized.

Further performance information is contained in the Fund's Annual Report to
shareholders, which is obtainable free of charge by calling 1-800-426-3750.

3
<PAGE>

THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks a high level of after-tax total return by pursuing current income
exempt from ordinary federal income tax and opportunities for long-term
appreciation from a portfolio primarily invested in medium- to lower-grade
municipal bonds.

HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE AND CERTAIN RISK FACTORS

The Fund has a fundamental policy of investing at least 80% of its total assets
in tax-exempt securities (securities of any maturity that, in the opinion of
issuer's counsel, are exempt from ordinary federal income tax). The Fund
ordinarily invests primarily in securities rated BBB through C by S&P,
comparably rated by another national rating service or unrated but considered by
the Adviser to be of similar quality. Securities rated lower than BBB by S&P,
comparably rated securities and similar unrated securities are considered to be
speculative. The value of debt securities (and therefore of Fund shares) usually
fluctuates inversely to changes in interest rates. Many bonds have call features
that require the Fund to tender the bond back to the issuer at the issuer's
request. If a bond is called, the Fund may be able to invest the proceeds only
at lower yields.

The Fund may invest any or all of its assets in higher quality tax-exempt
securities when the Adviser expects interest rates to increase or when yield
spreads narrow. This may reduce the Fund's current income. The Fund intends to
hold short-term tax-exempt securities to meet its operating needs, but when such
securities are not available, or are only available on a "when-issued" basis,
the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in taxable high quality money
market instruments. In periods of unusual market conditions, for temporary
defensive purposes, the Fund may invest more than 20% of its total assets in
taxable securities.

Three common types of tax-exempt bonds are general obligation bonds (GOs),
revenue bonds (RBs) and industrial revenue bonds (IRBs). GOs are payable from
the issuer's unrestricted revenues and may depend on appropriation by the
applicable legislative body. RBs are payable only from a specified revenue
source, not the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. An IRB generally is payable
only from the revenues of the corporate user of a facility and consequently its
credit rating relates to that of the corporate user. While the Fund may invest
more than 25% of its total assets in IRBs, it limits its investments in IRBs
which are based on the credit of private entities in any one industry to 25% or
less. The Fund may invest in a relatively high percentage of tax-exempt
securities issued by entities with similar characteristics (i.e., location or
revenue source), possibly making the Fund more susceptible to economic,
political or regulatory occurrences.

The Fund may invest without limit in securities, the income from which is
subject to the individual alternative minimum tax; therefore, while the Fund's
distributions from tax-exempt securities are not subject to regular federal
income tax, a portion or all may be included in determining a shareholder's
federal alternative minimum tax. Social security benefits may be taxed as a
result of receiving tax-exempt income.

Certain Investment Techniques And Risk Factors
Lower Rated Debt Securities (commonly referred to as junk bonds). Compared to
securities of higher quality, lower rated bonds and unrated bonds:

1. Are likely to have more volatile market prices because:

a. an economic downturn or increased interest rates may have a more
significant effect on the yield, price and potential for default;

b. the secondary market may at times become less liquid or respond to
adverse publicity or investor perceptions, increasing the difficulty of
valuing or disposing of the security;

d. certain lower rated bonds do not pay interest in cash on a current
basis.

4
<PAGE>

2. The Fund's achievement of its investment objective is more dependent on the
Adviser's credit analysis; and

3. Lower rated debt securities are less sensitive to interest changes but are
more sensitive to adverse economic developments.

Weighted average composition of the Fund's portfolio at November 30, 1996:

Rated Unrated

Investment grade % %
B-BB and equivalent % %
Below B --- %
Total % %

This composition does not necessarily reflect the current or future portfolio.
The Fund is not required to sell a security when its rating is reduced.

Temporary/Defensive Investments. The Fund may invest temporarily available cash
in certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, high quality commercial paper,
treasury bills and repurchase agreements. Under unusual market conditions the
Fund may invest any or all of its assets in such instruments and U.S. government
securities. 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 may 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 right to
the collateral in a bankruptcy proceeding. While there is no limit on the Fund's
investment in repurchase agreements, not more than 10% of the Fund's net assets
will be invested in repurchase agreements maturing in more than 7 days.

"When-Issued" and "Delayed Delivery" Securities. The Fund may without limit
acquire securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis by contracting
to purchase securities for a fixed price on a date beyond the customary
settlement time with no interest accruing until settlement. If made through a
dealer the contract is dependent on the dealer completing the sale. The dealer's
failure could deprive the Fund of an advantageous yield or price. These
contracts involve the additional risk that the value of the underlying security
changes prior to settlement. The Fund may realize short-term gains or losses if
the contracts are sold. Transactions in when-issued securities may be limited by
certain Internal Revenue Code requirements.

Options and Futures. The Fund may write covered call and put options on
securities held in its portfolio and purchase call and put options on debt
securities. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy a security from,
and a put option the right to sell a security to, the option writer at a
specified price, on or before a specified date. The Fund will pay a premium when
purchasing an option, which reduces the Fund's return on the underlying security
if the option is exercised and results in a loss if the option expires
unexercised. The Fund will receive a premium from writing an option, which may
increase its return if the option expires or is closed out at a profit. So long
as the Fund is the writer of a call option it will own the underlying securities
subject to the option (or comparable securities satisfying the cover
requirements at securities exchange). So long as the Fund is a writer of a put
option it will hold cash and /or high-grade debt obligations equal to the price
to be paid if the option is exercised. If the Fund is unable to close out an
unexpired option, the Fund must continue to hold the underlying security until
the option expires. Trading hours for options may differ from the trading hours
for the underlying securities. Thus, significant price movements may occur in
the securities markets that are not reflected in the options market. This may
limit the effectiveness of options as hedging devices. The Fund may buy or write
options that are not traded on national securities exchanges and not protected
by the Options Clearing Corporation. These transactions are effected directly
with a broker-dealer, and the Fund bears the risk that the broker-dealer will
fail to meet its obligations. The market value of such options and other
illiquid assets will not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets.

For hedging purposes the Fund may purchase or sell (1) interest rate and
tax-exempt bond index futures contracts, and (2) put and call options on

5
<PAGE>

such contracts and on such indices. A futures contract creates an obligation by
the seller to deliver and the buyer to take delivery of the type of instrument
at the time and in the amount specified in the contract. Although futures call
for delivery (or acceptance) of the specified instrument, futures are usually
closed out before the settlement date through the purchase (sale) of a
comparable contract. If the initial sale price of the future exceeds (or is less
than) the price of the offsetting purchase, the Fund realizes a gain (or loss).
Options on futures contracts operate in a similar manner to options on
securities, except that the position assumed is in futures contracts rather than
in the securities. The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or
purchase related options if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of
deposits for initial margin or premiums on the existing futures and related
options positions would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total
assets. Transactions in futures and related options involve the risk of (1)
imperfect correlation between the price movement of the contracts and the
underlying securities, (2) significant price movement in one but not the other
market because of different trading hours and (3) the possible absence of a
liquid secondary market at any point in time. Also, if the Adviser's prediction
on interest rates is inaccurate, the Fund may be worse off than if it had not
hedged.

Borrowing of Money. The Fund may borrow money from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes up to 10% of its net assets.

Short-Term Trading. Each Fund may trade portfolio securities for short-term
profits to take advantage of price differentials. These trades are limited by
certain Internal Revenue Code requirements.

Other. The Fund may not always achieve its investment objective. The Fund's
investment objective and non-fundamental investment policies may be changed
without shareholder approval. The Fund will notify investors in connection with
any material change in the Fund's investment objective. If there is a change in
the investment objective, shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains
an appropriate investment in light of their financial position and needs.
Shareholders may incur a contingent deferred sales charge if shares are redeemed
in response to a change in the 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. Additional information concerning certain of the securities and
investment techniques described above is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information.

HOW THE FUND MEASURES ITS PERFORMANCE

Performance may be quoted in sales literature and advertisements. Each Class's
average 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 of 4.75% on Class A shares and the contingent
deferred sales charge applicable to the time period quoted on Class B shares.
Other total returns differ from the average annual total return only in that
they may relate to different time periods, represent aggregate as opposed to
average annual total return, and may not reflect the initial or contingent
deferred sales charge.

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 month's distribution, annualized, by the maximum
offering price of that Class at the end of the month. Each Class's performance
may be compared to various indices. Quotations from publications may be included
in sales literature and advertisements. See "Performance Measures" in the
Statement of Additional Information.

All performance information is historical and does not predict future results.

HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED

The Trustees formulate the Fund's general policies and oversee the Fund's
affairs as conducted by the Adviser.

6
<PAGE>

shareholder services and transfer agent for the Fund. Each of the Adviser, the
Distributor and the Transfer Agent is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc., which in turn is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company (Liberty Mutual). Liberty Mutual is considered to be
the controlling entity of the Adviser and its affiliates. Liberty Mutual is an
underwriter of workers' compensation insurance and a property and casualty
insurer in the U.S.

The Adviser furnishes the Fund with investment management, accounting and
administrative personnel and services, office space and other equipment and
services at the Adviser's expense. For these services, the Fund paid the Adviser
0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets for fiscal year 1996.

Bonny E. Boatman, Senior Vice President and Director of the Adviser and head of
the Adviser's Tax-Exempt Group, has managed the Fund since its inception and
various other Colonial tax-exempt funds since 1985.

Peter C. Andersen, Vice President of the Adviser, has co-managed the Fund since
January 1996. Prior to co-managing the Fund, Mr. Andersen was an Associate
Portfolio Manager of the Fund and a high yield credit analyst for the Adviser's
tax-exempt funds. Before joining the Adviser in 1993, Mr. Andersen was a venture
capital research associate at MTDC and a management consultant at Arthur D.
Little.

The Adviser 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. The Transfer Agent provides transfer agency and shareholder
services to the Fund for a fee of 0.14% annually of average net assets plus
certain out-of-pocket expenses.

Each of the foregoing fees is subject to any reimbursement or fee waiver to
which the Adviser may agree.

The Adviser places all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
In selecting broker-dealers, the Adviser may consider research and brokerage
services furnished by such broker-dealers to the Adviser and its affiliates and
may, in recognition of the research and brokerage services provided, pay the
selected broker-dealer a higher commission than would have been charged by
another broker-dealer not providing such services. Subject to seeking best
execution, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Fund (and of certain
other Colonial funds) in selecting broker-dealers for portfolio security
transactions.

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 when the Adviser determines, pursuant to procedures adopted by
the Trustees, that such cost approximates current market value. All other
securities and assets are valued at fair value following procedures adopted by
the Trustees.

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders net income monthly and
any net realized gain at least annually.

The Fund generally declares distributions daily and pays them monthly.
Distributions are invested in additional shares of the Fund at net asset value
unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Regardless of the shareholder's
election, distributions of $10 or less will not be paid in cash to shareholders,
but will be invested in additional shares of the same Class of the Fund at net
asset value. To change your election, call the Transfer Agent for information.
If the Fund makes taxable distributions, they will generally be taxable whether
you receive them in cash or in additional Fund shares; you must report them as
taxable income unless you are a tax-exempt institution. Although the Fund's
distribution of interest from tax-exempt bonds will not be subject to regular
federal income tax, a portion or all of such interest may be included in
computing a shareholder's federal alternative minimum tax liability. In
addition, shareholders will generally

7
<PAGE>

be subject to state and local income taxes on distributions they receive from
the Fund. Furthermore, capital gains distributions by the Fund will generally be
subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The Fund may at times purchase
tax-exempt securities at a discount from the price at which they were originally
issued, especially during periods of rising interest rates. For federal income
tax purposes, some or all of the market discount will be included in the Fund's
ordinary income and will be taxable to shareholders as such when it it
distributed to them. Social security benefits may be taxed as a result of
receiving tax-exempt income. Each January, information on the amount and nature
of distributions for the prior year is sent to shareholders.

HOW TO BUY 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.

The minimum initial investment is $1,000; subsequent investments may be as small
as $50. The minimum initial investment for the Colonial Fundamatic program is
$50 and the minimum initial investment for a Colonial retirement account is $25.
Certificates will not be issued for Class B 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.

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
as % of Firm
--------------------- as % of
Amount Offering Offering
Amounted Purchased Invested Price Price
Less than $50,000 4.99% 4.75% 4.25%
$50,000 to less than
$100,000 4.71% 4.50% 4.00%
$100,00 to less than
$250,000 3.63% 3.50% 3.00%
$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%

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

Amount Purchase 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 shares remain outstanding.

Class B Shares. Class B shares are offered at net asset value, without an
initial sales charge, and are 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. As shown below, the amount
of the contingent deferred sales charge depends on the number of years after
purchase that the redemption occurs:

8
<PAGE>

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. The Distributor pays financial service firms a commission of
4.00% on Class B share purchases.

Special Purchase Programs. The Fund allows certain investors or groups of
investors to purchase shares with reduced or without initial or contingent
deferred sales charges. The programs are described in the Statement of
Additional Information under "Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales
Charges."

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.
A shareholder's manual explaining all available services will be provided upon
request.

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 may also 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.

HOW TO SELL SHARES

Shares of the Fund may be sold on any day the Exchange is open either directly
to the Fund or through your financial service firm. 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).

Selling 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. 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 your financial service firm, 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

9
<PAGE>

Selling Shares Through Financial Service Firms. Financial service firms must
receive requests prior to the time at which the Fund values its shares to
receive that day's price, are responsible for furnishing all necessary
documentation to the Transfer Agent and may charge for this service.

General. The sale of shares is a taxable transaction for income tax purposes and
may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The contingent deferred
sales charge may be waived under certain circumstances. See the Statement of
Additional Information for more information. Under unusual circumstances, the
Fund may suspend repurchases or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer,
as permitted by federal securities law.'

HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES

Exchanges at net asset value may be made among shares of the same class of most
Colonial funds. Shares will continue to age without regard to the exchange for
purposes of conversion and determining the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, upon redemption. Carefully read the prospectus of the fund into which the
exchange will go before submitting the request. Call 1-800-426-3750 to receive a
prospectus and an exchange authorization form. Call 1-800-422-3737 to exchange
shares by telephone. An exchange is a taxable capital transaction. The exchange
service may be changed, suspended or eliminated on 60 days' written notice.

Class A Shares. An exchange from a money market fund into a non-money market
fund will be at the applicable offering price next determined (including sales
charge), except for amounts on which an initial sales charge previously was
paid. Non-money market fund shares must be held for five months before
qualifying for exchange to a fund with a higher sales charge, after which,
exchanges are made at the net asset value next determined.

Class B Shares. Exchanges of Class B shares are not subject to the contingent
deferred sales charge. However, if shares are redeemed within six years after
the original purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge will be assessed using
the schedule of the fund into which the original investment was made.

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

All shareholders and/or their financial advisers are automatically eligible to
exchange Fund shares by telephone and redeem up to $50,000 of Fund shares by
calling 1-800-422-3737 toll-free any business day between 9:00 a.m. and the time
at which the Fund values its shares. Telephone redemption privileges for larger
amounts may be elected on the account application. The Transfer Agent will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine and may be liable for losses related to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone transactions in the event reasonable procedures are not
employed. Such procedures include restrictions on where proceeds of telephone
redemptions may be sent, limitations on the ability to redeem by telephone
shortly after an address change, recording of telephone lines and requirements
that the redeeming shareholder and/or their financial adviser provide certain
identifying information. Shareholders and/or their financial advisers wishing to
redeem or exchange 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 or exchange by mail as described
above under "How to Sell Shares." The Adviser, the Transfer Agent and the Fund
reserve the right to change, modify or terminate the telephone redemption or
exchange 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

10
<PAGE>

Under 12b-1 Plans, the Fund pays the Distributor monthly a service fee at the
annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's net assets attributed to each Class of
shares. The Fund also pays the Distributor monthly a distribution fee at the
annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributed to its Class B
shares. Because the Class B shares bear the additional distribution fee, their
dividends will be lower than the dividends of Class A shares. Class B shares
automatically convert to Class A shares, approximately eight years after the
Class B shares were purchased. The multiple class structure could be terminated
should certain Internal Revenue Service rulings be rescinded. 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
Adviser) which may be construed to be indirect financing of sales of Fund
shares.

ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY

The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized in 1978. The Fund
represents the entire interest in a separate portfolio of the Trust.

APPENDIX

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

S&P

AAA bonds have the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and
repay principal is extremely strong.

AA bonds have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and
they differ from AAA only in small degree.

11
<PAGE>

large uncertainties or large exposures to adverse conditions.

C ratings are reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

D bonds are in default, and payment of interest and/or principal is in arrears.

Plus(+) or minus (-) are modifiers relative to the standing within the major
rating categories.

MOODY'S

Caa bonds are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca bonds represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such
issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C bonds are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded
as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment
standing.

12
<PAGE>

13
<PAGE>

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

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

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

Custodian
UMB, n.a.
928 Grand Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64106

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.

March 31, 1997

COLONIAL HIGH YIELD
MUNICIPAL FUND

PROSPECTUS

Colonial High Yield Municipal Fund seeks a high level of after-tax total return
by pursuing current income exempt from ordinary federal income tax and
opportunities for long-term appreciation from a portfolio primarily invested in
medium- to lower-grade municipal bonds.

For more detailed information about the Fund, call the Adviser at 1-800-426-3750
for the March 31, 1997 Statement of Additional Information.

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

NOT FDIC-INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

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

<PAGE>

COLONIAL TRUST IV

Cross Reference Sheet

Colonial Utilities Fund

Item Number of Form N-1A Location or Caption in Prospectus

Part A

1. Cover Page

2. Summary of Expenses

3. The Fund's Financial History

4. The Fund's Investment Objective; Organization and History; How the Fund
Pursues its Objective and Certain Risk Factors

5. Cover Page; How the Fund is Managed; Organization and History; The Fund's
Investment Objective, Back Cover

6. Organization and History; Distributions and Taxes; How to Buy Shares

7. Cover Page; Summary of Expenses; How to Buy Shares; How the Fund Values its
Shares; 12b-1 Plans; Back Cover

8. Summary of Expenses; How to Sell Shares; How to Exchange Shares; Telephone
Transactions

9. Not Applicable

March 31, 1997

COLONIAL
UTILITIES
FUND

PROSPECTUS

BEFORE YOU INVEST

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

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 Utilities Fund (Fund), a diversified portfolio of Colonial Trust IV
(Trust), an open-end management investment company, seeks primarily current
income and secondarily long-term growth.

The Fund is managed by the Adviser, an investment adviser since 1931.

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 March 31, 1997 Statement of Additional
Information which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
is obtainable free of charge by calling the Adviser 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.

The Fund offers two classes of shares. Class A shares are offered at net asset
value plus a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase; Class B shares are
offered at net asset value and are subject to an annual distribution fee and a
declining contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions made within six years
after purchase. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after
approximately eight years. See "How to Buy Shares."

Contents Page
Summary of Expenses 2
The Fund's Financial History 3
The Fund's Investment Objective 5

How the Fund Pursues its Objective and
Certain Risk Factors 5

How the Fund Measures its Performance 6
How the Fund is Managed 6
How the Fund Values its Shares 7
Distributions and Taxes 7
How to Buy Shares 8
How to Sell Shares 9
How to Exchange Shares 10
Telephone Transactions 10
12b-1 Plans 10
Organization and History 11

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

NOT FDIC-INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

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

<PAGE>

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES

Shareholder Transaction Expenses (1)(2)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B
<S> <C> <C>
Maximum Initial Sales Charge Imposed on a Purchase (as a % of offering price)(3) 4.75% 0.00%(5)
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a % of offering price)(3) 1.00%(4) 5.00%
</TABLE>

(1) For accounts less than $1,000 an annual fee of $10 may be deducted. See "How
to Buy Shares."

(5) Because of the annual 0.75% distribution fee applicable to Class B shares,
long-term Class B shareholders may pay more in aggregate sales charges than
the maximum initial sales charge permitted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. However, because the Fund's Class B shares
automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately 8 years, this is
less likely for Class B shares than for a class without a conversion
feature.

Annual Operating Expenses (as a % of average net assets)

Class A Class B

Management fee 0.65% 0.65%
12b-1 fees 0.25 1.00
Other expenses 0.30 0.30
----- -----
Total operating expenses 1.20% 1.95%
===== =====

Example
The following Example shows the 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, unless otherwise noted,
redemption at period end. 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.

Period: Class A Class B
(6) (7)
1 year $ 59 $ 20 $ 70
3 years 84 61 91
5 years 110 105 125
10 years 186 208(8) 208(8)

(6) Assumes no redemption.
(7) Assumes redemption.
(8) Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately 8
years; therefore, years 9 and 10 reflect Class A share expenses.

2
<PAGE>

THE FUND'S FINANCIAL HISTORY

The following financial highlights for a share outstanding throughout each
period has been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants. Their
unqualified report is included in the Fund's 1996 Annual Report and is
incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. The
financial highlights have been restated to reflect the 4:1 split which occurred
on February 10, 1992. The Fund adopted the objectives of seeking current income
and, to the extent consistent with the objective, growth of income and long-term
capital appreciation on March 4, 1992. Effective February 28, 1995, the wording
of the Fund's objective was modified so that the Fund seeks primarily current
income and secondarily long-term growth. The data presented below does not
necessarily reflect results that would have been achieved had the Fund's current
objective and policies then been in effect.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992(a) 1991(a)
----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $14.370 $11.720 $13.600 $12.960 $11.440 $10.090
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.612 0.640 0.681 0.713 0.741 0.917
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.831 2.659 (1.896) 0.616 1.517 1.377
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Investment Operations 1.443 3.299 (1.215) 1.329 2.258 2.294
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.603) (0.649) (0.665) (0.689) (0.727) (0.941)
From net realized gains --- --- --- --- --- ---
From capital paid in --- --- --- --- (0.011) (b) (0.003)(b)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Distributions Declared to Shareholders (0.603) (0.649) (0.665) (0.689) (0.738) (0.944)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $15.210 $14.370 $11.720 $13.600 $12.960 $11.440
======= ======= ======== ======= ======= =======
Total return (c) 10.27% 28.90% (9.04)% 10.20% 20.21% 23.56%
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.20% (d) 1.21% (d) 1.23% 1.19% 1.16% 1.11%
Net investment income 4.16% (d) 5.00% (d) 5.49% 4.92% 5.52% 8.50%
Portfolio turnover 8% 7% 16% 6% 35% 1%
Average commission rate (e) $0.0484 --- --- --- --- ---
Net assets at end of period (in $348 $400 $373 $503 $232 $135
millions)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A
-------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
-------------------------------------------
1990(a) 1989(a) 1988(a) 1987(a)
------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $11.600 $10.710 $10.300 $12.560
------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.930 0.939 0.851 0.988
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.472) 0.927 0.529 (2.110)
------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Investment Operations (0.542) 1.866 1.380 (1.122)
------- ------- ------- -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.968) (0.932) (0.850) (0.973)
From net realized gains --- (0.044) (0.120) (0.165)
From capital paid in --- --- --- ---
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Distributions Declared to Shareholders (0.968) (0.976) (0.970) (1.138)
------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value - End of period $10.090 $11.600 $10.710 $10.300
======= ======= ======= =======
Total return (c) (4.74)% 17.94% 13.75% (9.84)%
-------- ------- ------- -------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.17% 1.12% 1.15% 1.09%
Net investment income 8.69% 8.10% 7.94% 8.18%
Portfolio turnover 2% 24% 11% 206%
Average commission rate (e) --- --- --- ---
Net assets at end of period (in $162 $141 $183 $288
millions)
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(a) All per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 4-for-1 stock split
effective February 10, 1992.
(b) The return of capital is for book purposes only and is a result of book-tax
differences arising from the merger of Colonial Utilities Fund (formerly
Colonial Corporate Cash Trust I) and Colonial Corporate Cash Trust II in a
prior year. The 1992 amount represents a reclassification, for book purposes
only, relating to that merger.
(c) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and no
initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.
(d) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.
(e) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
to disclose its average commission rate per share for trades on which
commissions are charged.

3
<PAGE>

THE FUND'S FINANCIAL HISTORY(CONT'D)

<TABLE>
Class B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended November 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992(a)
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value - Beginning of period $14.370 $11.720 $13.600 $12.960 $12.310
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income 0.502 0.544 0.587 0.612 0.296
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.831 2.659 (1.896) 0.616 0.691
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Total from Investment Operations 1.333 3.203 (1.309) 1.228 0.987
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income (0.493) (0.553) (0.571) (0.588) (0.337)
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Net asset value - End of period $15.210 $14.370 $11.720 $13.600 $12.960
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total return (b) 9.45% 27.96% (9.73)% 9.42% 6.06% (c)
-------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.95% (e) 1.96% (e) 1.98% 1.94% 1.91% (d)
Net investment income 3.41% (e) 4.25% (e) 4.74% 4.17% 4.77% (d)
Portfolio turnover 8% 7% 16% 6% 35%
Average commission rate (f) $0.0484 ---- ---- ---- ----
Net assets at end of period (in millions) $729 $821 $744 $971 $156
</TABLE>

- ---------------------------------
(a) Class B shares were initially offered on May 5, 1992. Per share amounts
reflect activity from that date.
(b) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested and no
initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.
(c) Not annualized.
(d) Annualized.
(e) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had no impact. Prior years' ratios are net of benefits
received, if any.
(f) For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund is required
to disclose its average commission rate per share for trades on which
commissions are charged.

Further performance information is contained in the Fund's 1996 Annual Report to
shareholders, which is obtainable free of charge by calling 1-800-426-3750.

4
<PAGE>

THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks primarily current income and secondarily long-term growth.

HOW THE FUND PURSUES ITS OBJECTIVE AND CERTAIN RISK FACTORS

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in common and
preferred equity securities of companies engaged in the manufacture, production,
generation, transmission, sale or distribution of electricity, natural gas or
other types of energy, or water or other sanitary services, companies engaged in
telecommunications, including telephone, telegraph, satellite, microwave,
cellular, wireless or other communications media and companies primarily engaged
in public broadcasting, print media and cable television (Utility Companies).
Normally, substantially all of the Fund's assets will be invested in equity
securities issued by Utility Companies. As a result, the value of the Fund's
shares will be closely tied to factors affecting Utility Companies and may be
more volatile than for a fund investing in a wider variety of industries.

Utility Companies. The values of securities issued by Utility Companies (and
therefore the value of Fund shares) are especially affected by changes in
prevailing interest rate levels (as interest rates increase, the values of
securities issued by Utility Companies tend to decrease, and vice versa). The
values of and dividends paid on such securities also are affected by general
competitive and market forces in the utility industries (in general, Utility
Companies are facing increased competition), changes in federal and state
regulation, energy conservation efforts and other environmental concerns,
changes in energy demand due to weather conditions and, particularly with
respect to nuclear facilities, shortened economic life and repair and
decommissioning costs. Utility Companies are facing a trend toward deregulation
which (by replacing monopoly positions with competition) can adversely affect
their profitability by driving down prices and profit margins. Moreover, unless
specifically provided for by regulatory agreements in the move towards a
competitive environment, certain electric utility companies may not be able to
recover all of their investment, in contracts or plants producing power, at
above-market rates. Additionally, utilities, either directly or through joint
ventures with other firms,may make investments abroad. Such investments, whether
for the construction of power plants or as controlling or minority interests in
foreign utility firms, may subject the investing companies, and, in turn, the
Fund's holdings of its securities, to risks associated with foreign investments,
such as adverse economic and political developments and unfavorable currency
exchange rates.

When-Issued Securities. The Fund may invest in equity securities on a
"when-issued" or forward basis. This means that the Fund will enter into a
contract to purchase the underlying security for a fixed price on a date beyond
the customary settlement date. No interest accrues until settlement.

Options. The Fund may write covered call options and purchase put options on
stocks and stock indexes to hedge. A call option gives the purchaser the right
to buy from the Fund, and a put option gives the Fund the right to sell to the
seller of the put, a specified security at the exercise price at any time prior
to the expiration of the contract. The Fund will receive a premium from writing
a call option which increases its return on the underlying security if the
option expires or is closed out at a profit. Written calls may obligate the Fund
to sell the underlying

5
<PAGE>

security at a below market price. The Fund will pay a premium for a put option,
which will represent a loss to the Fund if the option expires unexercised. Both
are exercisable at any time prior to expiration.

Temporary/Defensive Investments. Temporarily available cash may be invested in
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, high quality commercial paper,
treasury bills, U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements. Some or
all of the Fund's assets also may be invested in such investments 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 right to the collateral in a bankruptcy proceeding. Not more
than 10% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in repurchase agreements
maturing in more than 7 days and other illiquid assets.

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

Other. The Fund may not always achieve its investment objective. The Fund's
investment objective and non-fundamental investment policies may be changed
without shareholder approval. The Fund will notify investors in connection with
any material change in the Fund's investment objective. If there is a change in
the investment objective, shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains
an appropriate investment in light of their financial position and needs.
Shareholders may incur a contingent deferred sales charge if shares are redeemed
in response to a change in objective. The Fund's fundamental policies listed in
the Statement of Additional Information cannot be changed without the approval
of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. Additional
information concerning certain of the securities and investment techniques
described above is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.

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 of 4.75% on Class A shares and
the contingent deferred sales charge applicable to the time period quoted for
Class B shares. Other total returns differ from the average annual total return
only in that they may relate to different time periods, may represent aggregate
as opposed to average annual total return, 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
change 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 month's distribution, annualized, by the maximum
offering price of that Class at the end of the month. 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.

6
<PAGE>

All performance information is historical and does not predict future results.

HOW THE FUND IS MANAGED

The Trustees formulate the Fund's general policies and oversee the Fund's
affairs as conducted by the Adviser.

Colonial Investment Services, Inc. (Distributor), a subsidiary of the Adviser,
serves as the distributor for the Fund's shares. Colonial Investors Service
Center, Inc. (Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the
shareholder services and transfer agent for the Fund. Each of the Adviser, the
Distributor and the Transfer Agent is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc. which in turn is an indirect subsidiary of Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company (Liberty Mutual). Liberty Mutual is considered to be
the controlling entity of the Adviser and its affiliates. Liberty Mutual is an
underwriter of workers' compensation insurance and a property and casualty
insurer in the U.S.

The Adviser furnishes the Fund with investment management, accounting and
administrative personnel and services, office space and other equipment and
services at the Adviser's expense. For these services, the Fund paid the Adviser
0.65% of the Fund's average daily net assets for fiscal year 1996.

John E. Lennon serves as manager of the Fund. Mr. Lennon, Vice President of the
Adviser, has managed or co-managed the Fund since 1984 and various other
Colonial equity funds since 1982.

The Adviser 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.

The Transfer Agent provides transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund
for a fee of 0.20% annually of average net assets plus certain out-of-pocket
expenses.

Each of the foregoing fees is subject to any reimbursement or fee waiver to
which the Adviser may agree.

The Adviser places all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
In selecting broker-dealers, the Adviser may consider research and brokerage
services furnished by such brokers to the Adviser and its affiliates and may, in
recognition of the research and brokerage services provided, pay the selected
broker-dealer a higher commission than would have been charged by another
broker-dealer not providing such services. Subject to seeking best execution,
the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Fund (and of certain other
Colonial funds) in selecting broker-dealers for portfolio security transactions.

HOW THE FUND VALUES ITS SHARES

<PAGE>

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

The Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders net income monthly and
any net realized gain at least annually.

The Fund generally declares distributions daily. Distributions are invested in
additional shares of the same Class of the Fund at net asset value unless the
shareholder elects to receive cash. Regardless of the shareholder's election,
distributions of $10 or less will not be paid in cash to shareholders but will
be invested in additional shares of the same Class of the Fund at the net asset
value. To change your election, call the Transfer Agent for information. Whether
you receive distributions in cash or in additional Fund shares, you must report
them as taxable income unless you are a tax-exempt institution. Each January,
information on the amount and nature of the Fund's distributions for the prior
year is sent to shareholders.

Distributions will qualify for the federal corporate dividends-received
deduction only to the extent of aggregate qualifying dividends received by the
Fund. Corporate shareholders must hold shares of the Fund for 46 days to be
eligible for the deduction. The amount of dividends qualifying for the deduction
will be reduced if a shareholder has indebtedness "directly attributable" to the
shares owned. A corporate shareholder's distributions from the Fund are
includable in its adjusted current earnings for purposes of computing the
corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and may result in AMT liability.

HOW TO BUY SHARES

The minimum initial investment is $1,000; subsequent investments may be as small
as $50. The minimum initial investment for the Colonial Fundamatic program is
$50; and the minimum initial investment for a Colonial retirement account is
$25. Certificates will not be issued for Class B 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.

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
as % of Firm as
------------------- % of
Amount Offering Offering
Amount Purchased Invested Price Price
Less than $50,000 4.99% 4.75% 4.25%
$50,000 to less than $100,000 4.71% 4.50% 4.00%
$100,000 to less than $250,000 3.63% 3.50% 3.00%
$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%

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.

8
<PAGE>

In determining the sales charge and commission applicable to a new purchase
under the above schedules, the amount of the current purchase is added to the
current value of shares previously purchased and still held. If a purchase
results in an account having a value from $1 million to $5 million, then the
shares purchased will be subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge,
payable to the Distributor, if redeemed within 18 months from the first day of
the month following the purchase. If the purchase results in an account having a
value in excess of $5 million, the contingent deferred sales charge will not
apply to the portion of the purchased shares comprising such excess amount.

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.

The Distributor pays financial service firms a commission of 4.00% on Class B
share purchases.

Special Purchase Programs. The Fund allows certain investors or groups of
investors to purchase shares with reduced, or without, initial or contingent
deferred sales charges. These programs are described in the Statement of
Additional Information under "Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales
Charges".

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

9
<PAGE>

provided upon request. 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 may also 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.

HOW TO SELL SHARES

Shares of the Fund may be sold on any day the Exchange is open, either directly
to the Fund or through your financial service firm. 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).

Selling 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. 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 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

General. The sale of shares is a taxable transaction for income tax purposes and
may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The contingent deferred
sales charge may be waived under certain circumstances. See the Statement of
Additional Information for more information. Under unusual circumstances, the
Fund may suspend repurchases or postpone payment for up to seven days or longer,
as permitted by federal securities law.

HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES

Exchanges at net asset value may be made among shares of the same class of most
Colonial funds. Shares will continue to age without regard to the exchange for
purposes of conversion and determining the contingent deferred sales charge, if
any, upon redemption. Carefully read the prospectus of the fund into which the
exchange will go before submitting the request. Call 1-800-426-3750 to receive a
prospectus and an exchange authorization form. Call 1-800-422-3737 to exchange
shares by telephone. An exchange is a taxable capital transaction for federal
tax purposes. The exchange service may be changed, suspended or eliminated upon
60 days' written notice.

10
<PAGE>

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

All shareholders and/or their financial advisers are automatically eligible to
exchange Fund shares by telephone and may redeem up to $50,000 of Fund shares by
calling 1-800-422-3737 toll-free any business day between 9:00 a.m. and the time
at which the Fund values its shares. Telephone redemption privileges for larger
amounts may be elected on the account application. The Transfer Agent will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine and may be liable for any losses related to unauthorized
or fraudulent telephone transactions in the event reasonable procedures are not
employed. Such procedures include restrictions on where proceeds of telephone
redemptions may be sent, limitations on the ability to redeem by telephone
shortly after an address change, recording of telephone lines and requirements
that the redeeming shareholder and/or financial adviser provide certain
identifying information. Shareholders and/or their financial advisers wishing to
redeem or exchange 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 or exchange by mail as described
under "How to Sell Shares." The Adviser, the Transfer Agent and the Fund reserve
the right to change, modify or terminate the telephone redemption or exchange
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 monthly a service fee at the
annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's net assets attributed to each Class of
shares. The Fund also pays the Distributor monthly a distribution fee at the
annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributed to its Class B
shares. Because the Class B shares bear the additional distribution fee, their
dividends will be lower than the dividends of Class A shares. Class B shares
automatically convert to Class A shares, approximately eight years after the
Class B shares were purchased. The multiple class structure could be terminated
should certain Internal Revenue Service rulings be rescinded. 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
Adviser) which may be construed to be indirect financing of sales of Fund
shares.

ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY

The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized in 1978. The Fund
represents an

11
<PAGE>

entire interest in a separate portfolio of the Trust.

12
<PAGE>

Investment Adviser
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.

March 31, 1997

COLONIAL
UTILITIES
FUND

PROSPECTUS

Colonial Utilities Fund seeks primarily current income and secondarily long-term
growth.

For more detailed information about the Fund, call the Adviser at 1-800-426-3750
for the March 31, 1997 Statement of Additional Information.

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

NOT FDIC-INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE

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

<PAGE>

COLONIAL TRUST IV

Cross Reference Sheet

Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund

Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund

Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund

Location or Caption in Statement of
Item Number of Form N-1A Additional Information

Part B

10. Cover Page

11. Table of Contents

12. Not Applicable

13. Investment Objectives and Policies of the Funds; Fundamental Investment
Policies of the Funds; Other Investment Policies of the Funds;
Miscellaneous Investment Practices; Portfolio Turnover

14. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

15. Fund Charges and Expenses

16. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

17. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

18. Shareholder Meetings

19. How to Buy Shares; Determination of Net Asset Value; Suspension of
Redemptions; Special Purchase Programs/Investor Services; Programs for
Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges; How to Sell Shares; How to Exchange
Shares

20. Taxes

21. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

22. Fund Charges and Expenses; Investment Performance; Performance Measures 23.
Independent Accountants

<PAGE>

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND
COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND

COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Statement of Additional Information

March 31, 1997

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-Exempt Fund, Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund and Colonial Intermediate
Tax-Exempt Fund (each a Fund and, collectively, the Funds). This SAI is not a
prospectus and is authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded
by the Prospectus of the Funds dated March 31, 1997. 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.

Part 1 of this SAI contains specific information about the Funds. Part 2
includes information about the Colonial funds generally and additional
information about certain securities and investment techniques described in the
Funds' Prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part 1 Page

Definitions

Investment Objectives and Policies

Fundamental Investment Policies
Other Investment Policies
Fund Charges and Expenses
Investment Performance
Custodian
Independent Accountants

Part 2

Miscellaneous Investment Practices
Taxes
Management of the Colonial Funds
Determination of Net Asset Value
How to Buy Shares
Special Purchase Programs/Investor Services
Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges
How to Sell Shares
Distributions
How to Exchange Shares
Suspension of Redemptions
Shareholder Liability
Shareholder Meetings
Performance Measures
Appendix I
Appendix II

Part 1

COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND
COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND

COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND
Statement of Additional Information

March 31, 1997

DEFINITIONS

"Trust" Colonial Trust IV
"Fund or Tax-Exempt Fund" Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund
"Fund or Insured Fund" Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund
"Fund or Intermediate Fund" Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund
"Adviser" Colonial Management Associates, Inc., the Funds'
investment adviser
"CISI" Colonial Investment Services, Inc., the Funds'
distributor
"CISC" Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc., the
Funds' investor services and transfer agent

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Prospectus describes the Funds' investment objectives and investment
policies. Part 1 of this SAI includes additional information concerning, among
other things, the fundamental investment policies of the Funds. Part 2 contains
additional information about the following securities and investment techniques
that are described or referred to in the Prospectus:

Short-Term Trading
Zero Coupon Securities (Intermediate Fund)
High Yield Bonds (Tax-Exempt Fund)
Forward Commitments
Repurchase Agreements
Options on Securities
Futures Contracts and Related Options
Inverse Floating Obligations (Intermediate Fund)

Except as indicated below under "Fundamental Investment Policies," the Funds'
investment policies are not fundamental, and the Trustees may change the
policies without shareholder approval.

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
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 (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. The following fundamental
investment policies can not be changed without such a vote.

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 of
deficiency occurs as a result of such investment. For the purpose of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (Act) diversification requirement, an issuer is
the entity whose revenues support the security.

Each Fund may:

1. Issue senior securities only through borrowing from banks for temporary
or emergency purposes up to 10% of its net assets; however, the Fund will
not purchase additional portfolio securities while borrowings exceed 5%
of net assets;
2. Invest up to 5% of its net assets in real estate as a result of owning
securities (i.e., foreclosing and collateral);
3. Purchase and sell futures contracts and related options so long as the
total initial margin and premiums on the contracts does not exceed 5% of
its total assets;
4. Underwrite securities issued by others only when disposing of portfolio
securities;
5. Make loans through lending of securities not exceeding 30% of total
assets, through the purchase of debt instruments or similar evidences of
indebtedness typically sold privately to financial institutions and
through repurchase agreements;
6. Not 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;

7. Only own real estate acquired as the result of owning securities and not
more than 5% of total assets; (Tax-Exempt Fund, Insured Fund)

8. Invest up to 10% of net assets in illiquid assets; (Tax-Exempt Fund,
Insured Fund)

9. And will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its total
assets in tax-exempt bonds.

OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES

As non-fundamental investment policies which may be changed without a
shareholder vote, each 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; and

3. Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid assets. (CITEF)

FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES

Under the Tax-Exempt Fund's and the Insured Fund's management agreement, the
Trust pays the Adviser a monthly fee based on the average daily net assets
allocated among the Tax-Exempt Fund, Insured Fund and Colonial High Yield
Municipal Fund at the following annual rates:

Average Net Assets Annual Fee Rate

First $1 billion 0.60%
Next $2 billion 0.55%
Next $1 billion 0.50%
Excess over $4 billion 0.45%

Effective July 1, 1995, the management fee applicable to the Tax-Exempt Fund was
reduced by 0.05% annually on the average daily net assets of the Fund between $2
billion and $3 billion.

In addition, a further reduction to the management fee applicable to the
Tax-Exempt Fund has been made based on the following schedule:

Effective Date Cumulative Annualized Reduction

January 1, 1996 0.01%
April 1, 1996 0.02%
July 1, 1996 0.03%
October 1, 1996 0.04%

Under Intermediate Fund's management agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a
monthly fee based on the average net assets of the Fund, determined at the close
of each business day during the month at the annual rate of 0.55% (subject to
reductions that the Adviser may agree to periodically).

Recent Fees paid to the Adviser, CISI and CISC (dollars in thousands)

Tax-Exempt Fund
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Management fee $17,385 $19,170 $20,098
Bookkeeping fee 763 765 766
Shareholder service and transfer agent fee 5,532 5,668 5,864
12b-1 fees:
Service fee 8,365 8,770 9,151
Distribution fee (Class B) 3,317 3,436 3,540

Insured Fund
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Management fee $1,475 $1,544 $1,506
Bookkeeping fee 103 108 106
Shareholder service and transfer agent fee 430 452 436
12b-1 fees:
Service fee 666 699 685
Distribution fee (Class B) 350 364 372

Intermediate Fund
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Management fee $145 $157 $162
Bookkeeping fee 27 27 27
Shareholder services and transfer agent fee 42 50 46
12b-1 fees:
Service fee 53 56 59
Distribution fee (Class B) 89 95 83
Fees and expenses
waived or borne by
the Adviser (190) (273) (317)

Brokerage Commissions (dollars in thousands)

Tax-Exempt Fund
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Total Commissions $49 $73 $37
Directed transactions (a) 0 0 0
Commissions on directed transactions 0 0 0

Insured Fund
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Total commissions $2 $7 $2
Directed transactions (a) 0 0 0
Commissions on directed transactions 0 0 0

Intermediate Fund
Year ended November 30
----------------------

1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Total commissions $144 $689 $662
Directed transactions (a) 0 0 0
Commissions on directed transactions 0 0 0

(a) See "Management of the Colonial Funds-Portfolio Transactions-Brokerage and
Research Services" in Part 2 of this SAI.

Trustees' Fees

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996 and the calendar year ended December
31, 1996, the Trustees received the following compensation for serving as
Trustees(b):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate Total Compensation From
Compensation Compensation Compensation Trust and Fund Complex
From Tax-Exempt From Insured Fund From Intermediate Paid To The Trustees For
Fund For The For The Fiscal Fund For The Fiscal The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee Fiscal Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended November 30, December 31, 1996(c)
------- November 30, 1996 November 30, 1996 1996 ------------------------
----------------- ----------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert J. Birnbaum $13,823 $1,850 $ 903 $ 92,000
Tom Bleasdale 15,506(d) 2,073(f) 1,015(h) 104,500(i)
Lora S. Collins 13,820 1,845 902 92,000
James E. Grinnell 13,971 1,870 912 93,000
William D. Ireland, Jr. 16,209 2,169 1,059 109,000
Richard W. Lowry 14,117 1,889 923 95,000
William E. Mayer 13,691 1,830 892 91,000
James L. Moody, Jr. 15,823(e) 2,118(g) 1,036(i) 106,500(j)
John J. Neuhauser 14,174 1,895 927 94,500
George L. Shinn 15,748 2,109 1,027 105,500
Robert L. Sullivan 15,164 2,028 991 102,000
Sinclair Weeks, Jr. 16,360 2,192 1,071 110,000
</TABLE>

(b) The Fund does not currently provide pension or retirement plan benefits
to the Trustees.
(c) At December 31, 1996, the Colonial Funds complex consisted of 37 open-end
and 5 closed-end management investment portfolios.
(d) Includes $7,677 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(e) Includes $15,823 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(f) Includes $1,024 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(g) Includes $2,118 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(h) Includes $502 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(i) Includes $1,036 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(j) Includes $51,000 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(k) Total compensation of $106,500 for the calendar year ended December 31,
1996 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 of the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc.
(formerly known as The Charles Allmon Trust, Inc.) (together, Liberty Funds) for
service during the calendar year ended December 31, 1996:

Total Compensation
From Liberty Funds For
The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee December 31, 1996 (l)
- ------- ---------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum $25,000
James E. Grinnell 25,000
Richard W. Lowry 25,000

(l) At December 31, 1996, the Liberty Funds were advised by Liberty Asset
Management Company (LAMCO). LAMCO is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. (an intermediate parent of the Adviser).

Ownership of the Fund

At February 28, 1997, the officers and Trustees of the Trust owned less than 1%
of the then outstanding shares of each of the Funds.

At March 7, 1997, the following shareholders owned 5% or more of the named
Fund's outstanding shares:

Class B shares of the Tax-Exempt Fund: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith,
Inc., Attn: Book Entry, Mutual Funds Operations, 4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. 3rd FL,
Jacksonville, FL 32216, owned 6.72%.

Class A shares of the Intermediate Fund: John A. McNeice, Jr., TTEE, John A.
McNeice, Jr. Revocable Trust U/A 6/5/68, 47 Green Street, Canton, MA 02021-1023,
owned 6.06%.

Class B shares of the Intermediate Fund: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith,
Inc., Attn: Mutual Funds Operations, 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 3rd Floor,
Jacksonville, FL 32216, owned 8.28%.

At February 28, 1997 , there were 70,603 Class A and 11,543 Class B
recordholders of the Tax-Exempt Fund.

At February 28, 1997, there were 5,071 Class A and 1,030 Class B shareholders of
Insured Fund.

At February 28, 1997, there were 325 Class A and 346 Class B shareholders of the
Intermediate Fund.

Sales Charges (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Tax-Exempt Fund
Class A Shares
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate initial sales charges on Fund share sales $1,804 $2,093 $6,172
Initial sales charges retained by CISI 218 243 468
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Insured Fund
Class A Shares
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate initial sales charges on Fund share sales $150 $214 $384
Initial sales charges retained by CISI 19 27 34
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Intermediate Fund
Class A Shares
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate initial sales charges on Fund share sales $14 $39 $ 74
Initial sales charges retained by CISI 1 6 4
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Tax-Exempt Fund
Class B Shares
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate contingent deferred sales charges
(CDSC) on Fund redemptions retained by CISI $1,201 $1,472 $1,272
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Insured Fund
Class B Shares
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate CDSC on Fund redemptions retained by CISI $142 $161 $187
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Intermediate Fund
Class B Shares
Year ended November 30
----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate (CDSC)
on Fund redemptions retained by CISI $36 $46 $30
</TABLE>

12b-1 Plans, CDSCs and Conversion of Shares

Each Fund offers two classes of shares - Class A and Class B. The Funds 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, each of the
Tax-Exempt Fund and the Insured Fund pays CISI monthly a service fee at an
annual rate of 0.25% of net assets attributed to each Class of shares and a
distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets
attributed to Class B shares. Under the Plans, the Intermediate Fund pays CISI
monthly an annual service fee of 0.20% of the net assets attributed to each
Class of shares and a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of the average
daily net assets attributed to Class B shares. CISI may use the entire amount of
such fees to defray the costs of commissions and service fees paid to financial
service firms (FSFs) and for certain other purposes. Since the distribution and
service fees are payable regardless of the amount of CISI's expenses, CISI may
in some cases realize a profit from the fees.

The Plans authorize any other payments by the Funds to CISI including its
affiliates (including the Adviser) 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 each Fund's assets resulting in a more advantageous expense ratio
and increased investment flexibility which could benefit each class of each
Fund's 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.

Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus varying sales charges which
may include a CDSC. Class B shares are offered at net asset value and are
subject to a CDSC if redeemed within six years after purchase for the Tax-Exempt
Fund and the Insured Fund and within four years after purchase for the
Intermediate Fund. The CDSCs are described in the Prospectus.

No CDSC will be imposed on an amount which represents an increase in the value
of the shareholder's account resulting from capital appreciation above the
amount paid for the shares. In determining the applicability and rate of any
CDSC, it will be assumed that a redemption is made first of
shares representing capital appreciation, next of shares representing
reinvestment of distributions and finally of other shares held by the
shareholder for the longest period of time.

Eight years after the end of the month in which a Class B share is purchased,
such share and a pro rata portion of any shares issued on the reinvestment of
distributions will be automatically converted into Class A shares having an
equal value, which are not subject to the distribution fee.

Sales-related expenses (dollars in thousands) of CISI relating to each Fund
were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Tax-Exempt Fund
Year ended November 30, 1996
----------------------------
Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Fees to FSFs $7,213 $1,737
Cost of sales material relating to the Fund
(including printing and mailing expenses) 168 39
Allocated travel, entertainment and other promotional
expenses (including advertising) 210 51
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Insured Fund
Year ended November 30, 1996
----------------------------
Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Fees to FSFs $535 $219
Cost of sales material relating to the Fund
(including printing and mailing expenses) 12 8
Allocated travel, entertainment and other promotional
expenses (including advertising) 12 8
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Intermediate Fund
Year ended November 30, 1996
----------------------------
Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Fees to FSFs $ 23 $44
Cost of sales material relating to the Fund (including
printing and mailing expenses) 4 2
Allocated travel, entertainment and other promotional
expenses (including advertising) 1 2
</TABLE>

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

Each Fund's yields for the month ended November 30, 1996 were:

Tax-Exempt Fund
Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------

Tax-equivalent Tax-equivalent
Yield Yield Yield Yield
----- ----- ----- -----

5.28% 8.74% 4.79% 7.93%

Insured Fund
Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------

Tax-equivalent Tax-equivalent
Yield Yield Yield Yield
----- ----- ----- -----

4.17% 6.90% 3.62% 5.99%

Intermediate Fund

Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------

Tax-Equivalent Adjusted Yield Tax-Equivalent Adjusted
Yield Yield Yield Yield Yield
- ----- -------------- -------- ----- -------------- ---------

4.42% 7.32% 3.84% 3.91% 6.47% 3.32%

Each Fund's average annual total returns at November 30, 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Tax-Exempt Fund
Class A Shares
--------------
1 year 5 years 10 years
------ ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
With sales charge of 4.75% (0.49)% 5.78% 6.34%
Without sales charge 4.47% 6.81% 6.86%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Insured Fund
Class A Shares
--------------
1 year 5 years 10 years
------ ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
With sales charge of 4.75% (0.49)% 5.69% 6.09%
Without sales charge 4.48% 6.73% 6.61%
</TABLE>

Intermediate Fund

Class A Shares
--------------
February 1, 1993
(commencement of investment operations)
1 Year through November 30, 1996
------ -------------------------
With sales charge of 3.25% 1.81% 5.39%
Without sales charge 5.23% 6.31%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Tax-Exempt Fund

Class B Shares
--------------
May 5, 1992
(commencement of investment operations)
1 year through November 30, 1996
------ -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
With applicable CDSC (1.24)% (4.94% CDSC) 5.57% (2.00% CDSC)
Without CDSC 3.70% 5.93%
</TABLE>

Insured Fund

Class B Shares
--------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
May 5, 1992
(commencement of investment operations)
1 year through November 30, 1996
------ -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
With applicable CDSC (1.27)% (4.97% CDSC) 5.53%(2.00% CDSC)
Without CDSC 3.70% 5.89%
</TABLE>

Intermediate Fund

Class B Shares
--------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
February 1, 1993
(commencement of investment
operations)
1 Year through November 30, 1996
------ -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
With applicable CDSC 0.55% (4.00% CDSC) 5.40% (1.00% CDSC)
Without CDSC 4.55% 5.62%
</TABLE>

Each Fund's Class A and Class B distribution rates at November 30, 1996, which
are based on the most recent month's distributions, annualized, and the maximum
offering price at the end of the month were:.

Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------
Tax-Exempt Fund 5.21% 4.74%
Insured Fund 4.57% 4.06%
Intermediate Fund 4.64% 4.16%

See Part 2 of this SAI, "Performance Measures," for how calculations are made.

CUSTODIAN

UMB, n.a. is the Funds' custodian. The custodian is responsible for safeguarding
the Funds' cash and securities, receiving and delivering securities and
collecting the Funds' interest and dividends.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

Price Waterhouse LLP are the Funds' independent accountants providing audit and
tax return preparation services and assistance and consultation in connection
with the review of various Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The
financial statements incorporated by reference in this SAI have been so
incorporated, and the financial highlights included in the Prospectus have been
so included, in reliance upon the report of Price Waterhouse LLP given on the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements and Report of Independent Accountants appear on the
following pages of each Fund's November 30, 1996 Annual Report and are
incorporated in this SAI by reference:

Tax-Exempt Fund Pages 6 through 56
Insured Fund Pages 6 through 29
Intermediate Fund Pages 6 through 22

<PAGE>

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PART 2

The following information applies generally to most Colonial funds. "Colonial
funds" or "funds" include each series of Colonial Trust I, Colonial Trust II,
Colonial Trust III, Colonial Trust IV, Colonial Trust V, Colonial Trust VI and
Colonial Trust VII. In certain cases, the discussion applies to some but not all
of the Colonial funds, and you should refer to your Fund's Prospectus and to
Part 1 of this SAI to determine whether the matter is applicable to your Fund.
You will also be referred to Part 1 for certain data applicable to your Fund.

MISCELLANEOUS INVESTMENT PRACTICES

Part 1 of this Statement lists on page b which of the following investment
practices are available to your Fund. If an investment practice is not listed in
Part 1 of this SAI, it is not applicable to your Fund.

Short-Term Trading
In seeking the fund's investment objective, the Adviser will buy or sell
portfolio securities whenever it believes it is appropriate. The Adviser's
decision will not generally be influenced by how long the fund may have owned
the security. From time to time the fund will buy securities intending to seek
short-term trading profits. A change in the securities held by the fund is known
as "portfolio turnover" and generally involves some expense to the fund. These
expenses may include brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other
transaction costs on both the sale of securities and the reinvestment of the
proceeds in other securities. If sales of portfolio securities cause the fund to
realize net short-term capital gains, such gains will be taxable as ordinary
income. As a result of the fund's investment policies, under certain market
conditions the fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher than that of other
mutual funds. The fund's portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal year is the ratio
of the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities to the monthly
average of the value of portfolio securities, excluding securities whose
maturities at acquisition were one year or less. The fund's portfolio turnover
rate is not a limiting factor when the Adviser considers a change in the fund's
portfolio.

Lower Rated Bonds
Lower rated bonds are those rated lower than Baa by Moody's, BBB by S&P, or
comparable unrated securities. Relative to comparable securities of higher
quality:

1. the market price is likely to be more volatile because:

a. an economic downturn or increased interest rates may have a more
significant effect on the yield, price and potential for default;

b. the secondary market may at times become less liquid or respond to
adverse publicity or investor perceptions, increasing the difficulty in
valuing or disposing of the bonds;

d. certain lower rated bonds do not pay interest in cash on a current basis.
However, the fund will accrue and distribute this interest on a current
basis, and may have to sell securities to generate cash for
distributions.

2. the fund's achievement of its investment objective is more dependent on
the Adviser's credit analysis.

3. lower rated bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but are
more sensitive to adverse economic developments.

Small Companies
Smaller, less well established companies may offer greater opportunities for
capital appreciation than larger, better established companies, but may also
involve certain special risks related to limited product lines, markets, or
financial resources and dependence on a small management group. Their securities
may trade less frequently, in smaller volumes, and fluctuate more sharply in
value than securities of larger companies.

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

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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.

Zero Coupon Securities (Zeros)

The fund may invest in debt securities which do not pay interest, but instead
are issued at a deep discount from par. The value of the security increases over
time to reflect the interest accrued. The value of these securities may
fluctuate more than similar securities which are issued at par and pay interest
periodically. Although these securities pay no interest to holders prior to
maturity, interest on these securities is reported as income to the fund and
distributed to its shareholders. These distributions must be made from the
fund's cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of portfolio
securities. The fund will not be able to purchase additional income producing
securities with cash used to make such distributions and its current income
ultimately may be reduced as a result.

Step Coupon Bonds (Steps)
The fund may invest in debt securities which do not pay interest for a stated
period of time and then pay interest at a series of different rates for a series
of periods. In addition to the risks associated with the credit rating of the
issuers, these securities are subject to the volatility risk of zero coupon
bonds for the period when no interest is paid.

Tender Option Bonds
A tender option bond is a Municipal Security (generally held pursuant to a
custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at
a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax-exempt rates,
that has been coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank,
broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such institution
grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their
securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As
consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives
periodic fees equal to the difference between the Municipal Security's fixed
coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or
near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled
with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus,
after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand
obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term tax-exempt rate. The
Adviser will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuer of
the underlying Municipal Securities, of any custodian, and of the third-party
provider of the tender option. In certain instances and for certain tender
option bonds, the option may be terminable in the event of a default in payment
of principal or interest on the underlying Municipal Securities and for other
reasons.

Pay-In-Kind (PIK) Securities
The fund may invest in securities which pay interest either in cash or
additional securities at the issuer's option. These securities are generally
high yield securities and in addition to the other risks associated with
investing in high yield securities are subject to the risks that the interest
payments which consist of additional securities are also subject to the risks of
high yield securities.

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 Part 1 of this SAI,
thereby realizing additional income. The risks in lending portfolio securities,
as with other extensions of credit, consist

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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.

Forward Commitments
The fund may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond customary settlement time ("forward commitments" and "when
issued securities") if the fund holds until the settlement date, in a segregated
account, cash or high-grade debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet the
purchase price, or if the fund enters into offsetting contracts for the forward
sale of other securities it owns. Forward commitments may be considered
securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the
security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date. Where such
purchases are made through dealers, the fund relies on the dealer to consummate
the sale. The dealer's failure to do so may result in the loss to the fund of an
advantageous yield or price. Although the fund will generally enter into forward
commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for
delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, the fund may dispose
of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do
so. The fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward
commitments.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls
In a mortgage dollar roll, the fund sells a mortgage-backed security and
simultaneously enters into a commitment to purchase a similar security at a
later date. The fund either will be paid a fee by the counterparty upon entering
into the transaction or will be entitled to purchase the similar security at a
discount. As with any forward commitment, mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk
that the counterparty will fail to deliver the new security on the settlement
date, which may deprive the fund of obtaining a beneficial investment. In
addition, the security to be delivered in the future may turn out to be inferior
to the security sold upon entering into the transaction. Also, the transaction
costs may exceed the return earned by the fund from the transaction.

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.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements
In a reverse repurchase agreement, the fund sells a security and agrees to
repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price. A reverse
repurchase agreement may also be viewed as the borrowing of money by the fund
and, therefore, as a form of leverage. The fund will invest the proceeds of
borrowings under reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, the fund will enter
into a reverse repurchase agreement only when the interest income expected to be
earned from the investment of the proceeds is greater than the interest expense
of the transaction. The fund will not invest the proceeds of a reverse
repurchase agreement for a period which exceeds the duration of the reverse
repurchase agreement. The fund may not enter into reverse repurchase agreements
exceeding in the aggregate one-third of the market value of its total assets,
less liabilities other than the obligations created by reverse repurchase
agreements. Each fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a separate
account with a segregated portfolio of securities in an amount at least equal to
its purchase obligations under its reverse repurchase agreements. If interest
rates rise during the term of a reverse repurchase agreement, entering into the
reverse repurchase agreement may have a negative impact on a money market fund's
ability to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share.

Options on Securities
Writing covered options. The fund may write covered call options and covered put
options on securities held in its portfolio when, in the opinion of the Adviser,
such transactions are consistent with the fund's investment objective and
policies. 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.

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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 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% (10% in some cases, refer
to your fund's Prospectus) 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.

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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 Securities and
Exchange Commission's requirements, cash, cash equivalents or high-grade debt
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 a fund investing primarily in foreign equity securities 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 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

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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.

Use by tax-exempt funds of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and options.
The funds investing in tax-exempt securities issued by a governmental entity may
purchase and sell futures contracts and related options on U.S. Treasury
securities when, in the opinion of the Adviser, price movements in Treasury
security futures and related options will correlate closely with price movements
in the tax-exempt securities which are the subject of the hedge. U.S. Treasury
securities futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or

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the purchaser to take delivery of, the type of U.S. Treasury security called for
in the contract at a specified date and price. Options on U.S. Treasury security
futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to
assume a position in a U.S. Treasury futures contract at the specified option
exercise price at any time during the period of the option.

In addition to the risks generally involved in using futures contracts, there is
also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and
related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for
tax-exempt securities.

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.

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<PAGE>

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, cash, cash equivalents or high-grade
debt 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 a fund investing primarily in foreign equity securities 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

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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.

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Municipal Lease Obligations
Although a municipal lease obligation does not constitute a general obligation
of the municipality for which the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a
municipal lease obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality's covenant
to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the municipal lease
obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation"
clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or
installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for
such purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations
are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of
foreclosure might prove difficult. In addition, the tax treatment of such
obligations in the event of non-appropriation is unclear.

Determinations concerning the liquidity and appropriate valuation of a municipal
lease obligation, as with any other municipal security, are made based on all
relevant factors. These factors include, among others: (1) the frequency of
trades and quotes for the obligation; (2) the number of dealers willing to
purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the
willingness of dealers to undertake to make a market in the security; and (4)
the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of
the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of the
transfer.

Participation Interests
The fund may invest in municipal obligations either by purchasing them directly
or by purchasing certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing
direct ownership of interest payments or principal payments, or both, on
municipal obligations, provided that, in the opinion of counsel to the initial
seller of each such certificate or instrument, any discount accruing on such
certificate or instrument that is purchased at a yield not greater than the
coupon rate of interest on the related municipal obligations will be exempt from
federal income tax to the same extent as interest on such municipal obligations.
The fund may also invest in tax-exempt obligations by purchasing from banks
participation interests in all or part of specific holdings of municipal
obligations. Such participations may be backed in whole or part by an
irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of the selling bank. The selling bank
may receive a fee from the fund in connection with the arrangement. The fund
will not purchase such participation interests unless it receives an opinion of
counsel or a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service that interest earned by it
on municipal obligations in which it holds such participation interests is
exempt from federal income tax.

Stand-by Commitments
When the fund purchases municipal obligations it may also acquire stand-by
commitments from banks and broker-dealers with respect to such municipal
obligations. A stand-by commitment is the equivalent of a put option acquired by
the fund with respect to a particular municipal obligation held in its
portfolio. A stand-by commitment is a security independent of the municipal
obligation to which it relates. The amount payable by a bank or dealer during
the time a stand-by commitment is exercisable, absent unusual circumstances
relating to a change in market value, would be substantially the same as the
value of the underlying municipal obligation. A stand-by commitment might not be
transferable by the fund, although it could sell the underlying municipal
obligation to a third party at any time.

The fund expects that stand-by commitments generally will be available without
the payment of direct or indirect consideration. However, if necessary and
advisable, the fund may pay for stand-by commitments either separately in cash
or by paying a higher price for portfolio securities which are acquired subject
to such a commitment (thus reducing the yield to maturity otherwise available
for the same securities.) The total amount paid in either manner for outstanding
stand-by commitments held in the fund portfolio will not exceed 10% of the value
of the fund's total assets calculated immediately after each stand-by commitment
is acquired. The fund will enter into stand-by commitments only with banks and
broker-dealers that, in the judgment of the Trust's Board of Trustees, present
minimal credit risks.

Inverse Floaters
Inverse floaters are derivative securities whose interest rates vary inversely
to changes in short-term interest rates and whose values fluctuate inversely to
changes in long-term interest rates. The value of certain inverse floaters will
fluctuate substantially more in response to a given change in long-term rates
than would a traditional debt security. These securities have investment
characteristics similar to leverage, in that interest rate changes have a
magnified effect on the value of inverse floaters.

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

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<PAGE>

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 by the Adviser 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
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.

Funds that invest in 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.

Distributions from Tax-Exempt Funds. Each tax-exempt fund will have at least 50%
of its total assets invested in tax-exempt bonds at the end of each quarter so
that dividends from net interest income on tax-exempt bonds will be exempt from
Federal income tax when received by a shareholder. The tax-exempt portion of
dividends paid will be designated within 60 days after year-end based upon the
ratio of net tax-exempt income to total net investment income earned during the
year. That ratio may be substantially different from the ratio of net tax-exempt
income to total net investment income earned during any particular portion of
the year. Thus, a shareholder who holds shares for only a part of the year may
be allocated more or less tax-exempt dividends than would be the case if the
allocation were based on the ratio of net tax-exempt income to total net
investment income actually earned while a shareholder.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 makes income from certain "private activity bonds"
issued after August 7, 1986, a tax preference item for the AMT at the maximum
rate of 28% for individuals and 20% for corporations. If the fund invests in
private activity bonds, shareholders may be subject to the AMT on that part of
the distributions derived from interest income on such bonds. Other provisions
of the Tax Reform Act affect the tax treatment of distributions for
corporations, casualty insurance companies and financial institutions; interest
on all tax-exempt bonds is included in corporate adjusted current earnings when
computing the AMT applicable to corporations. Seventy-five percent of the excess
of adjusted current earnings over the amount of income otherwise subject to the
AMT is included in a corporation's alternative minimum taxable income.

Dividends derived from any investments other than tax-exempt bonds and any
distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. Any distributions of net long-term gains will in general be
taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of
time fund shares are held.

Shareholders receiving social security and certain retirement benefits may be
taxed on a portion of those benefits as a result of receiving tax-exempt income,
including tax-exempt dividends from the fund.

Special Tax Rules Applicable to Tax-Exempt Funds. Income distributions to
shareholders who are substantial users or related persons of substantial users
of facilities financed by industrial revenue bonds may not be excludable from
their gross income if such income is derived from such bonds. Income derived
from the fund's investments other than tax-exempt instruments may give rise to
taxable income. The fund's shares must be held for more than six months in order
to avoid the disallowance of a capital loss on the sale

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of fund shares to the extent of tax-exempt dividends paid during that period. A
shareholder who borrows money to purchase the fund's shares will not be able to
deduct the interest paid with respect to such borrowed money.

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.

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

MANAGEMENT OF THE COLONIAL FUNDS (in this section, and the following sections
entitled "Trustees and Officers," "The Management Agreement," "Administration
Agreement," "The Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement," "Portfolio Transactions,"
"Investment decisions," and "Brokerage and research services," the "Adviser"
refers to Colonial Management Associates, Inc.)

The Adviser is the investment adviser to each of the Colonial funds
(except for Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund, Colonial Global
Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Cub
Fund and Colonial Newport Japan Fund - see Part I of each Fund's
respective SAI for a description of the investment adviser). The Adviser
is a subsidiary of The Colonial Group, Inc. (TCG), One Financial Center,
Boston, MA 02111. TCG is a direct subsidiary of Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc. (Liberty Financial), which in turn is a direct 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.

Trustees and Officers (this section applies to all of the Colonial funds)

Position
Name and Address Age with Fund Principal Occupation
- ---------------- --- --------- --------------------

Robert J. Birnbaum 69 Trustee Retired (formerly Special Counsel,
313 Bedford Road Dechert Price & Rhoads from September,
Ridgewood, NJ 07450 1988 to December, 1993).

Tom Bleasdale 66 Trustee Retired (formerly Chairman of the Board
102 Clubhouse Drive and Chief Executive Officer, Shore Bank
#275 & Trust Company from 1992-1993), is a
Naples, FL 34105 Director of The Empire Company since
June, 1995.
Lora S. Collins 61 Trustee Attorney (formerly Attorney, Kramer,
1175 Hill Road Levin, Naftalis, Nessen, Kamin &
Southold, NY 11971 Frankel from September, 1986 to
November, 1996).

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

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

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

William E. Mayer* 56 Trustee Partner, Development Capital, LLC
500 Park Avenue, 5th (formerly Dean, College of Business and
Floor Management, University of Maryland from
New York, NY 10022 October, 1992 to November, 1996, Dean,
Simon Graduate School of Business,
University of Rochester from October,
1991 to July, 1992).

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

John J. Neuhauser 53 Trustee Dean, Boston College School of
140 Commonwealth Management since 1978.
Avenue

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Chestnut Hill, MA
02167

George L. Shinn 73 Trustee Financial Consultant since 1989.
Credit Suisse First
Boston Corp.
Eleven Madison
Avenue, 25th Floor
New York, NY
10010-3629

Robert L. Sullivan Trustee Retired Partner, Peat Marwick Main &
7121 Natelli Woods Lane Co. (formerly self-employed Manage-
Bethesda, MD 20817 ment Consultant, since January, 1989).

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

Harold W. Cogger 61 President President of Colonial funds since
(formerly March, 1996 (formerly Vice
President Vice from July, 1993 to
March, 1996); is President) Director,
since March, 1984 and Chairman of the
Board since March, 1996 of the Adviser
(formerly President from July, 1993 to
December, 1996, Chief Executive
Officer from March, 1995 to December,
1996 and Executive Vice President from
October, 1989 to July, 1993); Director
since October, 1991 and Chairman of
the Board since March, 1996 of TCG
(formerly President from October, 1994
to December, 1996 and Chief Executive
Officer from March, 1995 to December,
1996); Executive Vice President and
Director since March, 1995, Liberty
Financial; Director since November,
1996 of Stein Roe & Farnham
Incorporated.

Timothy J. Jacoby 44 Treasurer Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
and Chief of Colonial funds since October,
Financial 1996, is Senior Vice President of the
Officer Adviser since September, 1996
(formerly Senior Vice 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 43 Chief Chief Accounting Officer and
Accounting Controller of Colonial funds since
Officer and June, 1993 (formerly Assistant
Controller Controller from March, 1985 to June,
(formerly 1993); is Vice President of the
Assistant Adviser since June, 1993 (formerly
Controller) Assistant Vice President of the
Adviser from August, 1988 to June,
1993).

Davey S. Scoon 50 Vice Vice President of Colonial funds
President since June, 1993, is 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

14
<PAGE>

Administration of TCG from November,
1985 to March, 1995).

Arthur O. Stern 58 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).

* A Trustee who is an "interested person" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940) of the fund or the Adviser.

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

The Trustees serve as trustees of all Colonial funds for which each Trustee will
receive 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 Adviser and/or its affiliate, Colonial Advisory Services, Inc. (CASI), has
rendered investment advisory services to investment company, institutional and
other clients since 1931. The Adviser currently serves as investment adviser and
administrator for 38 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). Trustees and officers of the
Trust, who are also officers of the Adviser or its affiliates, will benefit from
the advisory fees, sales commissions and agency 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.

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.

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<PAGE>

The Management Agreement (this section does not apply to the Colonial Municipal
Money Market Fund, Colonial Global Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund,
Colonial Newport Japan Fund or Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund)

Under a Management Agreement (Agreement), the Adviser has contracted to
furnish each fund with investment research and recommendations or fund
management, respectively, and accounting and administrative personnel and
services, and with office space, equipment and other facilities. For
these services and facilities, each Colonial fund pays a monthly fee
based on the average of the daily closing value of the total net assets
of each fund for such month. Under the Agreement, any liability of the
Adviser to the fund and its shareholders is limited to situations
involving the Adviser's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties.

The Agreement may be terminated with respect to the fund at any time on 60 days'
written notice by the Adviser or by the Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund. The Agreement will
automatically terminate upon any assignment thereof and shall continue in effect
from year to year only so long as such continuance is approved at least annually
(i) by the Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the fund and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who
are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Adviser or the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.

The Adviser pays all salaries of officers of the Trust. The Trust pays all
expenses not assumed by the Adviser including, but not limited to, auditing,
legal, custodial, investor servicing and shareholder reporting expenses. The
Trust pays the cost of printing and mailing any Prospectuses sent to
shareholders. CISI pays the cost of printing and distributing all other
Prospectuses.

The Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability to
the Trust or to any shareholder of the Trust for any act or omission in the
course of or connected with rendering services to the Trust in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
duties on the part of the Adviser.

Administration Agreement (this section applies only to the Colonial Municipal
Money Market Fund, Colonial Global Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund,
Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund and their
respective Trusts).

Under an Administration Agreement with each Fund, the Adviser, in its capacity
as the Administrator to each Fund, has contracted to perform the following
administrative services:

(a) providing office space, equipment and clerical personnel;

(b) arranging, if desired by the respective Trust, for its Directors,
officers and employees to serve as Trustees, officers or agents
of each Fund;

(c) preparing and, if applicable, filing all documents required for
compliance by each Fund with applicable laws and regulations;

(d) preparation of agendas and supporting documents for and minutes
of meetings of Trustees, committees of Trustees and shareholders;

(e) coordinating and overseeing the activities of each Fund's other
third-party service providers; and

(f) maintaining certain books and records of each Fund.

With respect to the Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund, the Administration
Agreement for this Fund provides for the following services in addition to the
services referenced above:

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<PAGE>

(g) monitoring compliance by the Fund with Rule 2a-7 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and reporting to
the Trustees from time to time with respect thereto; and

(h) monitoring the investments and operations of the SR&F Municipal
Money Market Portfolio (Municipal Money Market Portfolio) in
which Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund is invested
and the LFC Portfolio and reporting to the Trustees from time to
time with respect thereto.

The Adviser is paid a monthly fee at the annual rate of average daily net assets
set forth in Part 1 of this Statement of Additional Information.

The Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement

The Adviser provides pricing and bookkeeping services to each Colonial fund
pursuant to a Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement. The Pricing and Bookkeeping
Agreement has a one-year term. The Adviser, in its capacity as the Administrator
to each of Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund and Colonial Global Utilities
Fund, is paid an annual fee of $18,000, plus 0.0233% of average daily net assets
in excess of $50 million. For each of the other Colonial funds (except for
Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport
Tiger Cub Fund), the Adviser is paid monthly a fee of $2,250 by each 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

The Adviser provides pricing and bookkeeping services to Colonial Newport Tiger
Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund for an
annual fee of $27,000, plus 0.035% of each Fund's average daily net assets over
$50 million.

Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated, the investment adviser of each of the
Municipal Money Market Portfolio and LFC Portfolio, provides pricing and
bookkeeping services to each Portfolio for a fee of $25,000 plus 0.0025%
annually of average daily net assets of each Portfolio over $50 million.

Portfolio Transactions

The following sections entitled "Investment decisions" and "Brokerage and
research services" do not apply to Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund, and
Colonial Global Utilities Fund. For each of these funds, see Part 1 of its
respective SAI. The Adviser of Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport
Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund follows the same procedures as
those set forth under "Brokerage and research services."

Investment decisions. The Adviser acts as investment adviser to each of the
Colonial funds (except for the Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund, Colonial
Global Utilities Fund, Colonial Newport Tiger Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund
and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund, each of which is administered by the
Adviser. The Adviser's affiliate, CASI, advises other institutional, corporate,
fiduciary and individual clients for which CASI performs various services.
Various officers and Trustees of the Trust also serve as officers or Trustees of
other Colonial funds and the other corporate or fiduciary clients of the
Adviser. The Colonial funds and clients advised by the Adviser or the funds
administered by the Adviser sometimes invest in securities in which the Fund
also invests and sometimes engage in covered option writing programs and enter
into transactions utilizing stock index options and stock index and financial
futures and related options ("other instruments"). If the Fund, such other
Colonial funds and such other clients desire to buy or sell the same portfolio
securities, options or other instruments at about the same time, the purchases
and sales are normally made as nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in
proportion to the amounts desired to be purchased or sold by each. Although in
some cases these practices could have a detrimental effect on the price or
volume of the securities, options or other instruments as far as the Fund is
concerned, in most cases it is believed that these practices should produce
better executions. It is the opinion of the Trustees that the desirability of
retaining the Adviser as investment adviser to the Colonial funds outweighs the
disadvantages, if any, which might result from these practices.

The portfolio managers of Colonial International Fund for Growth, a series of
Colonial Trust III, will use the trading facilities of Stein Roe & Farnham
Incorporated, an affiliate of the Adviser, to place all orders for the purchase
and sale of this fund's portfolio securities, futures contracts and foreign
currencies.

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<PAGE>

Brokerage and research services. Consistent with the Rules of Fair Practice of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking
"best execution" (as defined below) and such other policies as the Trustees may
determine, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Colonial funds as a
factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute securities transactions for
a Colonial fund.

The Adviser places the transactions of the Colonial funds with broker-dealers
selected by the Adviser and, if applicable, negotiates commissions.
Broker-dealers may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions,
including the purchase and writing of options, the effecting of closing purchase
and sale transactions, and the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon
the exercise of options and the purchase or sale of other instruments. The
Colonial funds from time to time also execute portfolio transactions with such
broker-dealers acting as principals. The Colonial funds do not intend to deal
exclusively with any particular broker-dealer or group of broker-dealers.

It is the Adviser's policy generally to seek best execution, which is to place
the Colonial funds' transactions where the Colonial funds can obtain the most
favorable combination of price and execution services in particular transactions
or provided on a continuing basis by a broker-dealer, and to deal directly with
a principal market maker in connection with over-the-counter transactions,
except when it is believed that best execution is obtainable elsewhere. In
evaluating the execution services of, including the overall reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid to, a broker-dealer, consideration is given to, among
other things, the firm's general execution and operational capabilities, and to
its reliability, integrity and financial condition.

Securities transactions of the Colonial funds may be executed by broker-dealers
who also provide research services (as defined below) to the Adviser and the
Colonial funds. The Adviser may use all, some or none of such research services
in providing investment advisory services to each of its investment company and
other clients, including the fund. To the extent that such services are used by
the Adviser, they tend to reduce the Adviser's expenses. In the Adviser's
opinion, it is impossible to assign an exact dollar value for such services.

The Trustees have authorized the Adviser to cause the Colonial funds to pay a
broker-dealer which provides brokerage and research services to the Adviser an
amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction, including the sale
of an option or a closing purchase transaction, for the Colonial funds in excess
of the amount of commission which another broker-dealer would have charged for
effecting that transaction. As provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, "brokerage and research services" include advice as to the
value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
securities and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of
securities; furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends and portfolio strategy and performance
of accounts; and effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement). The Adviser must
determine in good faith that such greater commission is reasonable in relation
to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing
broker-dealer viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Adviser's
overall responsibilities to the Colonial funds and all its other clients.

The Trustees have authorized the Adviser to utilize the services of a clearing
agent with respect to all call options written by Colonial funds that write
options and to pay such clearing agent commissions of a fixed amount per share
(currently 1.25 cents) on the sale of the underlying security upon the exercise
of an option written by a fund.

Principal Underwriter
CISI is the principal underwriter of the Trust's shares. CISI has no obligation
to buy the Colonial funds' shares, and purchases the Colonial funds' shares only
upon receipt of orders from authorized FSFs or investors.

Investor Servicing and Transfer Agent

CISC is the Trust's investor servicing agent (transfer, plan and dividend
disbursing agent), for which it receives fees which are paid monthly by the
Trust. The fee paid to CISC is based on the average daily net assets of each
Colonial fund plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses. See "Fund
Charges and Expenses" in Part 1 of this SAI for information on fees received by
CISC. The agreement continues indefinitely but may be terminated by 90 days'
notice by the Fund to CISC or generally by 6 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

18
<PAGE>

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.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

Each Colonial fund determines net asset value (NAV) per share for each Class as
of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (Exchange) (generally 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. Funds with portfolio securities which are primarily
listed on foreign exchanges may experience trading and changes in NAV on days on
which such Fund does not determine NAV due to differences in closing policies
among exchanges. This may significantly affect the NAV of the Fund's redeemable
securities on days when an investor cannot redeem such securities. The net asset
value of the Municipal Money Market Portfolio will not be determined on days
when the Exchange is closed unless, in the judgment of the Municipal Money
Market Portfolio's Board of Trustees, the net asset value of the Municipal Money
Market Portfolio should be determined on any such day, in which case the
determination will be made at 3:00 p.m., Chicago time. 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 Trustees. The values of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are
translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate for that day. Portfolio
positions for which there are no such valuations and other assets are valued at
fair value as determined by the Adviser in good faith under the direction of the
Trust'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 each Colonial 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 Trust's Trustees.

(The following two paragraphs are applicable only to Colonial Newport Tiger
Fund, Colonial Newport Japan Fund and Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund -
"Adviser" in these two paragraphs refers to each fund's Adviser, Newport Fund
Management, Inc.)

Trading in securities on stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets in the Far
East is normally completed well before the close of the business day in New
York. Trading on Far Eastern securities markets may not take place on all
business days in New York, and trading on some Far Eastern securities markets
does take place on days which are not business days in New York and on which the
Fund's NAV is not calculated.

The calculation of the Fund's NAV accordingly may not take place
contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the Fund's portfolio
securities used in such calculations. Events affecting the values of portfolio
securities that occur between the time their prices are determined and the close
of the Exchange (when the Fund's NAV is calculated) will not be reflected in the
Fund's calculation of NAV unless the Adviser, acting under procedures
established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, deems that the particular
event would materially affect the Fund's NAV, in which case an adjustment will
be made. Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign
currencies are translated prior to the next determination of the NAV of the
Fund's shares into U.S. dollars at prevailing market rates.

Amortized Cost for Money Market Funds (this section currently applies only to
Colonial Government Money Market Fund, a series of Colonial Trust II - see
"Amortized Cost for Money Market Funds" under "Other Information Concerning the
Portfolio" in Part 1 of the SAI of Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund for
information relating to the Municipal Money Market Portfolio)

Money market funds generally value their portfolio securities at amortized cost
according to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Portfolio instruments are valued under the amortized cost method, whereby the
instrument is recorded at cost and thereafter amortized to maturity. This method
assures a constant NAV but may result in a yield different from that of the same
portfolio under the market value method. The Trust's Trustees have adopted
procedures intended to stabilize a money market fund's NAV per share at $1.00.
When a money market fund's market value deviates from the amortized cost of
$1.00, and results in a material dilution to existing

19
<PAGE>

shareholders, the Trust's Trustees will take corrective action that may include:
realizing gains or losses; shortening the portfolio's maturity; withholding
distributions; redeeming shares in kind; or converting to the market value
method (in which case the NAV per share may differ from $1.00). All investments
will be determined pursuant to procedures approved by the Trust's Trustees to
present minimal credit risk.

See the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in the shareholder report of the
Colonial Government Money Market Fund for a specimen price sheet showing the
computation of maximum offering price per share of Class A shares.

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.

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"). CISI generally retains 100% of any asset-based sales charge
(distribution fee) or contingent deferred sales charge. 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 or checkwriting privilege checks for which there are
insufficient funds in a shareholder's account to cover redemption will subject
such purchaser or shareholder 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 "How to Sell 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, C, D, T
or Z shares. The Colonial money market funds will not issue certificates.
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. As a convenience to investors, shares of most Colonial funds
may be purchased through the Colonial Fundamatic Program. Preauthorized monthly
bank drafts or electronic funds transfer for a fixed amount of at least $50 are
used to purchase a Colonial fund's 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.

Automated Dollar Cost Averaging (Classes A, B and D). Colonial's Automated
Dollar Cost Averaging program allows you to exchange $100 or more on a monthly
basis from any Colonial fund in which you have a current balance of at least
$5,000 into the same class of shares of up to four other Colonial funds.
Complete the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging section of the Application. The
designated amount will be exchanged on the third Tuesday of each month. There is
no charge for exchanges made pursuant to the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging
program. Exchanges will continue so long as your Colonial fund balance is
sufficient to complete the transfers. Your normal rights and privileges as a
shareholder remain in full force and effect. Thus you can buy any fund, exchange
between the

20
<PAGE>

same Class of shares of funds by written instruction or by telephone exchange if
you have so elected and withdraw amounts from any fund, subject to the
imposition of any applicable CDSC.

Any additional payments or exchanges into your Colonial fund will extend the
time of the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging program.

An exchange is a capital sale transaction for federal income tax purposes.

You may terminate your program, change the amount of the exchange (subject to
the $100 minimum), or change your selection of funds, by telephone or in
writing; if in writing by mailing your instructions to Colonial Investors
Service Center, Inc. P.O. Box 1722, Boston, MA 02105-1722.

You should consult your FSF or investment adviser to determine whether or not
the Automated Dollar Cost Averaging program is appropriate for you.

CISI offers several plans by which an investor may obtain reduced initial or
contingent deferred sales charges . These plans may be altered or discontinued
at any time. See "Programs For Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges" for more
information.

Tax-Sheltered Retirement Plans. CISI offers prototype tax-qualified plans,
including Individual Retirement Accounts (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 or their FSF 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, 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.

Automatic Dividend Diversification. The automatic dividend diversification
reinvestment program (ADD) generally allows shareholders to have all
distributions from a fund automatically invested in the same class of shares of
another Colonial fund. An ADD account must be in the same name as the
shareholder's existing open account with the particular fund. Call CISC for more
information at 1-800- 422-3737.

PROGRAMS FOR REDUCING OR ELIMINATING SALES CHARGES
Right of Accumulation and Statement of Intent (Class A and Class T shares only)
(Class T shares can only be purchased by the shareholders of Colonial Newport
Tiger Fund who already own Class T shares). Reduced sales charges on Class A and
T shares can be effected by combining a current purchase with prior purchases of
Class A, B, C, D, T and Z 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 funds' Class A shares held by the
shareholder (except 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 and Class B, C, D, T and Z
shares).

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 holdings by CISC. A Colonial fund may
terminate or amend this Right of Accumulation.

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Any person may qualify for reduced sales charges on purchases of Class A and T
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 Class A, B, C, D, T and Z shares
held by the shareholder on the date of the Statement in Colonial funds (except
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 or T 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 a 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 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.

Colonial Asset Builder Investment Program (this section currently applies only
to the Class A shares of Colonial Growth Shares Fund and The Colonial Fund, each
a series of Colonial Trust III). A reduced sales charge applies to a purchase of
certain Colonial funds' Class A shares under a Statement of Intent for the
Colonial Asset Builder Investment Program. The Program offer may be withdrawn at
any time without notice. A completed Program may serve as the initial investment
for a new Program, subject to the maximum of $4,000 in initial investments per
investor. Shareholders in this program are subject to a 5% sales charge. CISC
will escrow shares to secure payment of the additional sales charge on amounts
invested if the Program is not completed. Escrowed shares are credited with
distributions and will be released when the Program has ended. Shareholders are
subject to a 1% fee on the amount invested if they do not complete the Program.
Prior to completion of the Program, only scheduled Program investments may be
made in a Colonial fund in which an investor has a Program account. The
following services are not available to Program accounts until a Program has
ended:

Systematic Withdrawal Plan Share Certificates

Sponsored Arrangements Exchange Privilege

$50,000 Fast Cash Colonial Cash Connection

Right of Accumulation Automatic Dividend Diversification

Telephone Redemption Reduced Sales Charges for any "person"

Statement of Intent

*Exchanges may be made to other Colonial funds offering the Program.

Because of the unavailability of certain services, this Program may not be
suitable for all investors.

The FSF receives 3% of the investor's intended purchases under a Program at the
time of initial investment and 1% after the 24th monthly payment. CISI may
require the FSF to return all applicable commissions paid with respect to a
Program terminated within six months of inception, and thereafter to return
commissions in excess of the FSF discount applicable to shares actually
purchased.

Since the Asset Builder plan involves continuous investment regardless of the
fluctuating prices of funds shares, investors should consult their FSF to
determine whether it is appropriate. The Plan does not assure a profit nor
protect against loss in declining markets.

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Reinstatement Privilege. An investor who has redeemed Class A, B, D or T 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 any Colonial 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.

Privileges of Colonial Employees or Financial Service Firms (in this section,
the "Adviser" refers to Colonial Management Associates, Inc. in its capacity as
the Adviser or Administrator to the Colonial Funds). Class A shares of certain
funds 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 Adviser, CISI and other companies affiliated with
the Adviser; 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 and Class T shares (Class T shares can only be
purchased by the shareholders of Colonial Newport Tiger Fund who already own
Class T shares) of certain funds 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 Colonial funds reserve the
right to revise the terms of or to suspend or discontinue sales pursuant to
sponsored plans at any time.

Class A and Class T shares (Class T shares can only be purchased by the
shareholders of Colonial Newport Tiger Fund who already own Class T shares) of
certain funds 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 Colonial funds are included as
investment options in programs involving fee-based compensation arrangements,
and by participants in certain retirement plans.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSCs) (in this section, the
"Adviser" refers to Colonial Management Associates, Inc. in its capacity as the
Adviser or Administrator to the Colonial Funds) (Classes A, B, and D) CDSCs may
be waived on redemptions in the following situations with the proper
documentation:

1. Death. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions 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 Class B 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
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 if the SWP is set up at the time the account
is established, and distributions are being reinvested. See below under
"Investor Services - Systematic Withdrawal Plan."

3. Disability. CDSCs may be waived on redemptions 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

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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 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
required to return excess contributions made to retirement plans or
individual retirement accounts, 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 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 made to make
required minimum distributions from qualified retirement plans that have
invested in Colonial funds for at least two years.

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 only after 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
individual retirement account 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

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 any Colonial 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
and Class D shares of the fund 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 such 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 Service regulation to withdraw
more than 12%, on an annual basis, of the value of their Class B and Class D
share account may do so but will be subject to a CDSC ranging from 1% to 5% of
the amount withdrawn. If a shareholder wishes to participate in a SWP, the
shareholder must elect to have all of the shareholder's income dividends and
other fund 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.

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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.

A 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. All Colonial fund shareholders and/or their FSFs (except
for Colonial Newport Tiger Cub Fund and Colonial Newport Japan Fund) are
automatically eligible to redeem up to $50,000 of the fund's shares by calling
1-800-422-3737 toll-free any business day between 9:00 a.m. and the close of
trading of the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Transactions received
after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time will receive the next business day's closing price.
Telephone redemption privileges for larger amounts and for the Colonial Newport
Tiger Cub Fund and the Colonial Newport Japan Fund may be elected on the
Application. CISC will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine. Telephone redemptions are not available
on accounts with an address change in the preceding 30 days and proceeds and
confirmations will only be mailed or sent to the address of record unless the
redemption proceeds are being sent to a pre-designated bank account.
Shareholders and/or their FSFs will be required to provide their name, address
and account number. FSFs will also be required to provide their broker number.
All telephone transactions are recorded. A loss to a shareholder may result from
an unauthorized transaction reasonably believed to have been authorized. No
shareholder is obligated to execute the telephone authorization form or to use
the telephone to execute transactions.

Checkwriting (in this section, the "Adviser" refers to Colonial Management
Associates, Inc. in its capacity as the Adviser or Administrator of the Colonial
Funds) (Available only on the Class A and Class C shares of certain Colonial
funds) Shares may be redeemed by check if a shareholder has previously completed
an Application and Signature Card. CISCwill provide checks to be drawn on The
First National Bank of Boston (the "Bank"). These checks may be made payable to
the order of any person in the amount of not less than $500 nor more than
$100,000. The shareholder will continue to earn dividends on shares until a
check is presented to the Bank for payment. At such time a sufficient number of
full and fractional shares will be redeemed at the next determined net asset
value to cover the amount of the check. Certificate shares may not be redeemed
in this manner.

Shareholders utilizing checkwriting drafts will be subject to the Bank's rules
governing checking accounts. There is currently no charge to the shareholder for
the use of checks. The shareholder should make sure that there are sufficient
shares in his or her open account to cover the amount of any check drawn since
the net asset value of shares will fluctuate. If insufficient shares are in the
shareholder's open account, the check will be returned marked "insufficient
funds" and no shares will be redeemed; the shareholder will be charged a $15
service fee for each check returned. It is not possible to determine in advance
the total value of an open account because prior redemptions and possible
changes in net asset value may cause the value of an open account to change.
Accordingly, a check redemption should not be used to close an open account. In
addition, a check redemption, like any other redemption, may give rise to
taxable capital gains.

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

DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions are invested in additional shares of the same Class of the fund at
net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Regardless of the
shareholder's election, distributions of $10 or less will not be paid in cash,
but will be invested in additional shares of the same Class of the Fund at net
asset value. Undelivered distribution checks returned by the post office will be
reinvested in your account.

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<PAGE>

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.

Shares of most funds that pay daily dividends will normally earn dividends
starting with the date the fund receives payment for the shares and will
continue through the day before the shares are redeemed, transferred or
exchanged. The daily dividends for Colonial Municipal Money Market Fund will be
earned starting with the day after that fund receives payments for the shares.

HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for the same class of shares of the other
continuously offered Colonial funds (with certain exceptions) on the basis of
the NAVs per share at the time of exchange. Class T and Z shares may be
exchanged for Class A shares of the other Colonial funds. The prospectus of each
Colonial fund describes its investment objective and policies, and shareholders
should obtain a prospectus and consider these objectives and policies carefully
before requesting an exchange. Shares of certain Colonial funds are not
available to residents of all states. Consult CISC before requesting an
exchange.

By calling CISC, shareholders or their FSF of record may exchange among accounts
with identical registrations, provided that the shares are held on deposit.
During periods of unusual market changes or shareholder activity, shareholders
may experience delays in contacting CISC by telephone to exercise the telephone
exchange privilege. Because an exchange involves a redemption and reinvestment
in another Colonial fund, completion of an exchange may be delayed under unusual
circumstances, such as if the fund suspends repurchases or postpones payment for
the fund shares being exchanged in accordance with federal securities law. CISC
will also make exchanges upon receipt of a written exchange request and, share
certificates, if any. If the shareholder is a corporation, partnership, agent,
or surviving joint owner, CISC will require customary additional documentation.
Prospectuses of the other Colonial funds are available from the Colonial
Literature Department by calling 1-800-426-3750.

A loss to a shareholder may result from an unauthorized transaction reasonably
believed to have been authorized. No shareholder is obligated to use the
telephone to execute transactions.

You need to hold your Class A and Class T shares for five months before
exchanging to certain funds having a higher maximum sales charge. Consult your
FSF or CISC. In all cases, the shares to be exchanged must be registered on the
records of the fund in the name of the shareholder desiring to exchange.

Shareholders of the other Colonial open-end funds generally may exchange their
shares at NAV for the same class of shares of the fund.

An exchange is a capital sale transaction for federal income tax purposes. The
exchange privilege may be revised, suspended or terminated at any time.

SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS

A Colonial fund may not suspend shareholders' right of redemption or postpone
payment for more than seven days unless the Exchange is closed for other than
customary weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the SEC during
periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted or 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 during any other period permitted by
order of the SEC for the 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 of
each Colonial fund, 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

26
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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
fund, made at the beginning of a stated period, adjusted for the maximum sales
charge or applicable CDSC for the class of shares of the fund and assuming that
all distributions were reinvested at NAV, converted to an average annual return
assuming annual compounding.

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

Yield
Money market. A money market fund's yield and effective yield is computed in
accordance with the SEC's formula for money market fund yields.

Non money market. The yield for each class of shares of a fund 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), and (ii) dividing the result by the product of the
average daily number of shares of the Fund that were entitled to dividends
during the period and the maximum offering price of the fund on the last day of
the period, (iii) then annualizing the result assuming semi-annual compounding.
Tax-equivalent yield is calculated by taking that portion of the yield which is
exempt from income tax and determining the equivalent taxable yield which would
produce the same after-tax yield for any given federal and state tax rate, and
adding to that the portion of the yield which is fully taxable. 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 of a fund 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.

The fund may compare its performance to various unmanaged indices published by
such sources as are listed in Appendix II.

The fund may also refer to quotations, graphs and electronically transmitted
data from sources believed by the Adviser to be reputable, and publications in
the press pertaining to a 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.

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APPENDIX I
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION (S&P)

AAA The highest rating assigned by S&P indicates an extremely strong capacity to
repay principal and interest.

AA bonds also qualify as high quality. Capacity to repay principal and pay
interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances, they differ from AAA
only in small degree.

A bonds have a strong capacity to repay principal and interest, although they
are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions.

BBB bonds are regarded as having an adequate capacity to repay principal and
interest. Whereas they normally exhibit protection parameters, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to repay principal and interest than for bonds in the A category.

BB, B, CCC, and CC bonds are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative
with respect to capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CC
the highest degree. While likely to have some quality and protection
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.

C ratings are reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

D bonds are in default, and payment of interest and/or principal is in arrears.
Plus(+) or minus (-) are modifiers relative to the standing within the major
rating categories.

Provisional Ratings. The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A
provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project being
financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service
requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely
completion of the project. This rating, however, although addressing credit
quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comments on the
likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such completion. The
investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and
risk.

Municipal Notes:
SP-1. Notes rated SP-1 have very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and
interest. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics
are designated as SP-1+.

SP-2. Notes rated SP-2 have satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.

Notes due in three years or less normally receive a note rating. Notes maturing
beyond three years normally receive a bond rating, although the following
criteria are used in making that assessment:

Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely the issue will be rated as a note).

Source of payment (the more dependent the issue is on the market for its
refinancing, the more likely it will be rated as a note).

Demand Feature of Variable Rate Demand Securities:
S&P assigns dual ratings to all long-term debt issues that have as part of their
provisions a demand feature. The first rating addresses the likelihood of
repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only
the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to
denote the long-term maturity, and the commercial paper rating symbols are
usually used to denote the put (demand) option (for example, AAA/A-1+).
Normally, demand notes receive note rating symbols combined with commercial
paper symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).

Commercial Paper:
A. Issues assigned this highest rating are regarded as having the greatest
capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with
the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree to safety.

A-1. This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics are designed A-1+.

Corporate Bonds:
The description of the applicable rating symbols and their meanings is
substantially the same as the Municipal Bond ratings set forth above.

28
<PAGE>

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. (MOODY'S)

Aa bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with Aaa
bonds they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated
lower than the best bonds because margins of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

Those bonds in the Aa through B groups that Moody's believes possess the
strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbol Aa1, A1 and Baa1.

A bonds possess many of the favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present that
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa bonds are considered as medium grade, neither highly protected nor poorly
secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the
present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack
outstanding investment characteristics and in fact, have speculative
characteristics as well.

Ba bonds are judged to have speculative elements: their future cannot be
considered as well secured. Often, the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good
and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes these
bonds.

Caa bonds are of poor standing. They may be in default or there may be present
elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca bonds are speculative in a high degree, often in default or having other
marked shortcomings.

C bonds are the lowest rated class of bonds and can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Conditional Ratings. Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of
some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are
bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned in operating experience, (c) rentals which begin when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting
conditions attach. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon
completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.

Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba, and B groups which Moody's believes
possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa 1,
A 1, Baa 1, Ba 1, and B 1.

Municipal Notes:
MIG 1. This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection
by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated
broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2. This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3. This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are
accounted for, but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding
grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well established.

Demand Feature of Variable Rate Demand Securities:
Moody's may assign a separate rating to the demand feature of a variable rate
demand security. Such a rating may include:

VMIG 1. This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated
broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

VMIG 2. This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.

VMIG 3. This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are
accounted for, but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding
grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well established.

29
<PAGE>

Commercial Paper:
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:

Prime-1 Highest Quality
Prime-2 Higher Quality
Prime-3 High Quality

If an issuer represents to Moody's that its Commercial Paper obligations are
supported by the credit of another entity or entities, Moody's, in assigning
ratings to such issuers, evaluates the financial strength of the indicated
affiliated corporations, commercial banks, insurance companies, foreign
governments, or other entities, but only as one factor in the total rating
assessment.

Corporate Bonds:
The description of the applicable rating symbols (Aaa, Aa, A) and their meanings
is identical to that of the Municipal Bond ratings as set forth above, except
for the numerical modifiers. Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in
the Aa and A classifications of its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1
indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating
category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3
indicates that the issuer ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

FITCH INVESTORS SERVICES

Investment Grade Bond Ratings

AAA bonds are considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and/or
dividends and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.

AA bonds are considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated `AAA'. Because bonds rated in the
`AAA' and `AA' categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future
developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated `F-1+'.

A bonds are considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than debt securities with higher ratings.

BBB bonds are considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest or dividends and repay principal
is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these
securities and, therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that the
ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for
securities with higher ratings.

Conditional
A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a project or
the occurrence of a specific event.

Speculative-Grade Bond Ratings

BB bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified, which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.

B bonds are considered highly speculative. While securities in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.

CCC bonds have certain identifiable characteristics that, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.

CC bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.

C bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.

DDD, DD, and D bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
securities are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. `DDD'
represents the highest potential for recovery on these securities, and `D'
represents the lowest potential for recovery.

30
<PAGE>

DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO.

AAA - Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.

AA+, AA, AA - High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is modest
but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.

A+, A, A - Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk factors
are more available and greater in periods of economic stress.

BBB+, BBB, BBB - Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.

BB+, BB, BB - Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations when
due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate according to
industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move up or down
frequently within this category.

B+, B, B - Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will not
be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctuate widely according to
economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes. Potential exists
for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into a higher or
lower rating grade.

CCC - Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal, interest or preferred dividends. Protection
factors are narrow and risk can be substantial with unfavorable
economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company developments.

DD - Defaulted debt obligations. Issuer failed to meet scheduled principal
and/or interest payments.

31
<PAGE>

APPENDIX II
1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SOURCE CATEGORY RETURN (%)
- ------ -------- ----------

<S> <C> <C>
Donoghue Tax-Free Funds 3.39
Donoghue U.S. Treasury Funds 5.19
Dow Jones & Company Industrial Index 36.95
Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index 11.22
Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE GDP 11.16
Index

Libor Six-month Libor N/A
Lipper Adjustable Rate Mortgage 4.73
Lipper California Municipal Bond Funds 18.32
Lipper Connecticut Municipal Bond Funds 16.58
Lipper Closed End Bond Funds 20.83
Lipper Florida Municipal Bond Funds 17.84
Lipper General Bond Fund 20.83
Lipper General Municipal Bonds 16.84
Lipper General Short-Term Tax-Exempt 7.43
Bonds
Lipper Global Funds 16.05
Lipper Growth Funds 30.79
Lipper Growth & Income Funds 30.82
Lipper High Current Yield Bond Funds 16.44
Lipper High Yield Municipal Bond Debt 15.98
Lipper Fixed Income Funds 15.19
Lipper Insured Municipal Bond Average 17.59
Lipper Intermediate Muni Bonds 12.89
Lipper Intermediate (5-10) U.S. 15.75
Government Funds
Lipper Massachusetts Municipal Bond Funds 16.82
Lipper Michigan Municipal Bond Funds 16.89
Lipper Mid Cap Funds 32.04
Lipper Minnesota Municipal Bond Funds 15.39
Lipper U.S. Government Money Market Funds 5.26
Lipper Natural Resources 18.80
Lipper New York Municipal Bond Funds 16.73
Lipper North Carolina Municipal Bond 17.51
Funds
Lipper Ohio Municipal Bond Funds 16.81
Lipper Small Company Growth Funds 31.55
Lipper U.S. Government Funds 17.34
Lipper Pacific Region Funds-Ex-Japan 1.95

Shearson Lehman Composite Government Index 18.33
Shearson Lehman Government/Corporate Index 19.25
Shearson Lehman Long-term Government Index 30.90
S&P S&P 500 Index 37.54
S&P Utility Index 42.39

S&P Barra Growth 38.13
S&P Barra Value 37.00
S&P Midcap 400 28.56
First Boston High Yield Index 17.38
Swiss Bank 10 Year U.S. Government 22.24
(Corporate Bond)
Swiss Bank 10 Year United Kingdom (Corporate 16.19
Bond)
Swiss Bank 10 Year France (Corporate Bond) 26.72
Swiss Bank 10 Year Germany (Corporate Bond) 25.74
Swiss Bank 10 Year Japan (Corporate Bond) 17.83
Swiss Bank 10 Year Canada (Corporate Bond) 25.04
Swiss Bank 10 Year Australia (Corporate Bond) 19.42
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Hong Kong (Equity) 23.83
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Belgium (Equity) 20.67

32
<PAGE>

<CAPTION>
SOURCE CATEGORY RETURN (%)
- ------ -------- ----------

<S> <C> <C>
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Austria (Equity) 10.85
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year France (Equity) 15.30
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Netherlands (Equity) 19.33
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Japan (Equity) 12.82
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Switzerland (Equity) 17.06
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year United Kingdom (Equity) 15.02
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Germany (Equity) 10.66
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Italy (Equity) 7.78
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Sweden (Equity) 19.43
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year United States (Equity) 14.82
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Australia (Equity) 15.13
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Norway (Equity) 10.72
Morgan Stanley Capital International 10 Year Spain (Equity) 17.91
Morgan Stanley Capital International World GDP Index 18.14
-----
Morgan Stanley Capital International Pacific Region Funds Ex-Japan 12.95

Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (Inflation) 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 N/A
Treasury Rate
Federal Reserve Five-Year Constant-Maturity N/A
Treasury Rate
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

</TABLE>

*in U.S. currency

33
<PAGE>

COLONIAL TRUST IV

Cross Reference Sheet

Colonial High Yield Municipal Fund

Location or Caption in Statement of
Item Number of Form N-1A Additional Information

Part B

10. Cover Page

11. Table of Contents

12. Not Applicable

13. Investment Objective and Policies; Fundamental Investment Policies; Other
Investment Policies; Miscellaneous Investment Practices

14. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

15. Fund Charges and Expenses

16. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

17. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

18. Shareholder Meetings

20. Taxes

21. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

22. Fund Charges and Expenses; Investment Performance; Performance Measures

23. Independent Accountants

<PAGE>

COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND
Statement of Additional Information
March 31, 1997

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains information which may be
useful to investors but which is not included in the Prospectus of Colonial High
Yield Municipal 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 March 31, 1997. 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.

Part 1 of this SAI contains specific information about the Fund. Part 2 includes
information about the Colonial funds generally and additional information about
certain securities and investment techniques described in the Fund's Prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part 1 Page

Definitions
Investment Objective and Policies
Fundamental Investment Policies
Other Investment Policies
Fund Charges and Expenses
Investment Performance
Custodian
Independent Accountants

Part 2

Miscellaneous Investment Practices
Taxes
Management of the Colonial Funds
Determination of Net Asset Value
How to Buy Shares
Special Purchase Program/Investor Services
Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charges
How to Sell Shares
Distributions
How to Exchange Shares
Suspension of Redemptions
Shareholder Liability
Shareholder Meetings
Performance Measures
Appendix I
Appendix II

a
<PAGE>

Part 1

COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND
Statement of Additional Information
March 31, 1997

DEFINITIONS

"Trust" Colonial Trust IV
"Fund" Colonial High Yield Municipal Fund
Adviser Colonial Management Associates, Inc., the Fund's investment
adviser
"CISI" Colonial Investment Services, Inc., the Fund's distributor
"CISC" Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc., the Fund's
shareholder services and transfer agent

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Fund's Prospectus describes the Fund's investment objectives and policies.
Part 1 of this SAI includes additional information concerning, among other
things, the fundamental investment policies of the Fund. Part 2 contains
additional information about the following securities and investment techniques
that are described or referred to in the Prospectus:

Short-Term Trading
High Yield Bonds
Forward Commitments
Repurchase Agreements
Futures Contracts and Related Options
Options

Except as indicated below under "Fundamental Investment Policies," the Fund's
investment policies are not fundamental, and the Trustees may change the
policies without shareholder approval.

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
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 that 50% of the outstanding shares of 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. The following fundamental
investment policies can not be changed without such a vote.

The Fund may:

1. Only issue senior securities through borrowing money from banks for
temporary or emergency purposes up to 10% of its net assets;
2. Invest in real estate only up to 5% of its net assets;
3. Invest in illiquid assets only up to 10% of its net assets;
4. Purchase and sell futures contracts and related options only so long as the
total initial margin and premiums on the contracts do not exceed 5% of its
total assets;
5. Only underwrite securities issued by others when disposing of portfolio
securities;
6. Make loans only through lending of securities not exceeding 30% of total
assets, through the purchase of debt instruments or similar evidences of
indebtedness typically sold privately to financial institutions and through
repurchase agreements;
7. Not 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 the voting securities of an issuer
if, as a result of such purchases, the Fund would own more than 10% of the
outstanding voting shares of such issuer.; and
8. Ordinarily invest at least 80% of its total assets in tax-exempt securities.

b
<PAGE>

OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
As non-fundamental investment policies which may be changed without a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities, 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; and
2. Have a short securities position, unless the Fund owns, or owns rights
(exercisable without payment) to acquire, an equal amount of such
securities.

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.

FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES
Under the Fund's management agreement, the Trust pays the Adviser a monthly fee
based on the average daily net assets allocated among the Fund, the Colonial
Tax-Exempt Fund and the Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund at the following annual
rates: 0.60% on the first $1 billion, 0.55% on the next $2 billion, 0.50% of the
next $1 billion and 0.45% of any excess over $4 billion.

Recent Fees paid to the Adviser, CISI and CISC (dollars in thousands)

Year ended November 30
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----

Management fee $925 $759 $651
Bookkeeping fee 68 58 51
Shareholder service and transfer
agent fee 271 227 193
12b-1 fees:
Service fee 418 345 297(a)
Distribution fee (Class B) 1,057 948 882

(a) Class A shares were offered for sale to the general public commencing
September 1, 1994.

c
<PAGE>

Brokerage Commissions
The Fund did not pay brokerage commissions for the fiscal years ended November
30, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

Trustees Fees
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996 and the calendar year ended December
31, 1996, the Trustees received the following compensation for serving as
Trustees (b).
Total Compensation
Aggregate From Trust And
Compensation Fund Complex Paid To
From Fund For The The Trustees For The
Fiscal Year Ended Calendar Year Ended
Trustee November 30, 1996 December 31, 1996(c)
- ------- ----------------- --------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum $ 1,408 $ 92,000
Tom Bleasdale 1,584(d) 104,500 (e)
Lora S. Collins 1,407 92,000
James E. Grinnell 1,424 93,000
William D. Ireland, Jr. 1,651 109,000
Richard W. Lowry 1,438 95,000
William E. Mayer 1,395 91,000
James L. Moody, Jr. 1,614(f) 106,500 (g)
John J. Neuhauser 1,448 94,500
George L. Shinn 1,596 105,500
Robert L. Sullivan 1,547 102,000
Sinclair Weeks, Jr. 1,670 110,000

(b) The Fund does not currently provide pension or retirement plan benefits
to the Trustees.
(c) At December 31, 1996, the Colonial Funds complex consisted of 37 open-end
and 5 closed-end management investment company portfolios.
(d) Includes $786 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(e) Includes $51,000 payable in later years as deferred compensation.
(f) Total compensation of $1,614 will be payable in later years as deferred
compensation.
(g) Total compensation of $106,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996
will be payable in later years as deferred compensation.

Total Compensation
From Liberty Funds For
The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee December 31, 1996 (h)
- -------- ------------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum $25,000
James E. Grinnell 25,000
Richard W. Lowry 25,000

d
<PAGE>

(h) At December 31, 1996, the Liberty Funds were advised by Liberty Asset
Management Company (LAMCO). LAMCO is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. (an intermediate parent of the Adviser).

Ownership of the Fund

At February 28, 1997, the officers and Trustees of the Fund as a group owned
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

At March 7, 1997 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., Attn: Fund
Administration, 4800 Deer Lake Drive, E. 3rd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32216
owned 12.01% of the Fund's outstanding Class B shares.

At February 28, 1997, there were 1,054 Class A and 3,654 Class B shareholders.

Sales Charges (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares

September 1, 1994
Years Ended November 30 (commencement of investment operations)
1996 1995 through November 30, 1994
---- ---- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate initial sales charges on Fund share sales $428 $228 $110
Initial sales charges retained by CISI 49 27 12
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B Shares
Year Ended November 30

1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate contingent deferred sales charges
(CDSC) on Fund redemptions retained by CISI $281 $265 278
</TABLE>

12b-1 Plans, CDSC and Conversion of Shares

The Fund offers two classes of shares - Class A and Class B. 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 monthly a service fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the net assets
attributed to each Class of shares. The Fund also pays CISI monthly a
distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets
attributed to Class B shares. CISI may use the entire amount of such fees to
defray the cost of commissions and service fees paid to financial service firms
(FSFs) and for certain other purposes. Since the distribution and service fees
are payable regardless of the amount 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) to the extent that such payments might be construed to
be indirect financing of the distribution of Fund shares.

e
<PAGE>

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 not interested persons is
effected by such non-interested Trustees.

No CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of distributions or
amounts representing capital appreciation. In determining the applicability and
rate of any CDSC, it will be assumed that a redemption is made first of shares
representing capital appreciation, next of shares representing reinvestment of
distributions and finally of other shares held by the shareholder for the
longest period of time.

Sales-related expenses (dollars in thousands) of CISI relating to the Fund were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended November 30, 1996
----------------------------
Class A Shares Class B Shares
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Fees to FSFs $77 $1,310
Cost of sales material relating to the Fund (including
printing and mailing expenses) 31 60
Allocated travel, entertainment and other promotional
expenses (including advertising) 44 78

</TABLE>

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

The Fund's Class A and Class B yields for the month ended November 30, 1996,
were:

Class A Class B
------- -------
Tax-Equivalent Tax-Equivalent
Yield Yield Yield Yield
- ----- -------------- ----- --------------

5.57% 9.22% 5.09% 8.43%

f
<PAGE>

The Fund's average annual total returns at November 30, 1996 were:

Class A Shares
--------------

Since inception
1 year 9/1/94 to 11/30/96
------ ------------------
With sales charge of 4.75% 0.84% 6.21%
Without sales charge 5.86% 8.53%

Class B Shares
--------------
Since inception
1 year 6/8/92 to 11/30/96
------ ------------------
With applicable CDSC 0.11% (5.00% CDSC) 6.15%(3.00% CDSC)
Without CDSC 5.07% 6.51%

The Fund's Class A and Class B distribution rates at November 30, 1996, based on
the most recent month's distribution, annualized, and the maximum offering price
at the end of the month, were 5.96% and 5.52%, respectively.

See Part 2 of this SAI, "Performance Measures," for how calculations are made.

CUSTODIAN
UMB, n.a. 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

Price Waterhouse LLP are the Fund's independent accountants providing audit and
tax return preparation services and assistance and consultation in connection
with the review of various Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The
financial statements incorporated by reference in this SAI have been so
incorporated, and the financial highlights included in the Prospectus has been
so included, in reliance upon the report of Price Waterhouse LLP given on the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements and Report of Independent Accountants appearing on
pages 6 through 30 of the November 30, 1996 Annual Report, are incorporated in
this SAI by reference.

<PAGE>

COLONIAL TRUST IV

Cross Reference Sheet

Colonial Utilities Fund

Location or Caption in Statement of
Item Number of Form N-1A Additional Information

Part B

10. Cover Page

11. Table of Contents

12. Not Applicable

13. Investment Objective and Policies; Fundamental Investment Policies; Other
Investment Policies; Miscellaneous Investment Practices

14. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

15. Fund Charges and Expenses

16. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

17. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

18. Shareholder Meetings

20. Taxes

21. Fund Charges and Expenses; Management of the Colonial Funds

22. Fund Charges and Expenses; Investment Performance; Performance Measures

23. Independent Accountants

COLONIAL UTILITIES FUND
Statement of Additional Information

March 31, 1997

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains information which may be
useful to investors but which is not included in the Prospectus of Colonial
Utilities 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 March 31, 1997. 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

Part 1 Page

Definitions b
Investment Objective and Policies b
Fundamental Investment Policies b
Other Investment Policies b
Special Tax Considerations c
Fund Charges and Expenses c
Investment Performance f
Custodian f
Independent Accountant f

Part 2

Miscellaneous Investment Practices 1
Taxes 10
Management of the Colonial Funds 12
Determination of Net Asset Value 17
How to Buy Shares 18
Special Purchase Programs/Investor Services 19
Programs for Reducing or Eliminating Sales Charge 20
How to Sell Shares 22
Distributions 24
How to Exchange Shares 24
Suspension of Redemptions 25
Shareholder Liability
Shareholder Meetings 25
Performance Measures 25
Appendix I 27
Appendix II 30

a
<PAGE>

Part 1

COLONIAL UTILITIES FUND
Statement of Additional Information
March 31, 1997

DEFINITIONS
"Trust" Colonial Trust IV
"Fund" Colonial Utilities Fund
"Adviser" Colonial Management Associates, Inc., the Fund's investment
adviser
"CISI" Colonial Investment Services, Inc., the Fund's distributor
"CISC" Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc., the Fund's investor
services and transfer agent

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The Fund's Prospectus describes its investment objective and investment
policies. Part 1 of this SAI includes additional information concerning, among
other things, the fundamental investment policies of the Fund. Part 2 contains
additional information about the following securities and investment techniques
which the Fund may use or invest in:

Options (on Indices and
Securities)
Repurchase Agreements
Rule 144A Securities

Except as described below under "Fundamental Investment Policies," the Fund's
investment policies are not fundamental, and the Trustees may change the
policies without shareholder approval.

The Fund may:

1. Issue senior securities only through borrowing from banks for temporary or
emergency purposes up to 10% of its net assets; however, it will not purchase
additional portfolio securities while borrowings exceed 5% of net assets;
2. Only own real estate acquired as the result of owning securities and not more
than 5% of total assets;
3. Invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid assets;
4. Purchase and sell futures contracts and related options so long as the total
initial margin and premiums on the contracts do not exceed 5% of its total
assets;
5. Underwrite securities issued by others only when disposing of portfolio
securities;
6. Make loans through lending of securities not exceeding 30% of total assets,
through the purchase of debt instruments or similar evidences of indebtedness
typically sold privately to financial institutions and through repurchase
agreements;
7. And will concentrate more than 25% of its total assets in any single
industry; and
8. With respect to 75% of total assets, not 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 the voting securities of an issuer
if, as a result of such purchases, the Fund would own more than 10% of the
outstanding voting shares of such issuer.

OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
As non-fundamental investment policies which may be changed without a
shareholder vote, the Fund may not:

b
<PAGE>

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.

SPECIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The Fund may designate dividends as eligible for the dividends-received
deduction only to the extent that the Fund receives dividends for which the Fund
would be entitled to the dividends-received deduction if the Fund were a regular
corporation and not a regulated investment company. The dividends-received
deduction is available only to corporations and is not available to certain
special corporations, such as Subchapter S corporations, to other entities or to
individuals. There can be no assurance that the dividends-received deduction
will not be reduced or eliminated in the future.

For dividends designated by the Fund as eligible for the dividends-received
deduction to qualify as such by a particular shareholder, the shareholder must
meet the 46-day holding period. The basis of a shareholder's shares may be
reduced by an amount equal to the non-taxed portion of "extraordinary dividends"
eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

One-hundred percent of the distributions paid by the Fund from investment income
earned in the year ended November 30, 1996, qualified for the corporate
dividends-received deduction.

FUND CHARGES AND EXPENSES
Under the Fund's management agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee
based on the average daily net assets at the annual rate of 0.65%. The Adviser
has voluntarily agreed to waive its fee so that its actual fee will not exceed
0.65% of average daily net assets of the first $1 billion and 0.60% in excess of
$1 billion.

Recent Fees paid to the Adviser, CISI and CISC (for the fiscal years ended
November 30) (dollars in thousands)

1996 1995 1994
------ ------ ------
Management fee $7,437 $7,486 $8,204
Bookkeeping fee 399 401 450
Shareholder service and transfer agent fee 2,809 2,955 3,134
12b-1 fees:
Service fee 2,882 2,905 3,187
Distribution fee (Class B) 5,869 5,843 6,401

<PAGE>

Brokerage Commissions (for the fiscal years ended November 30)
(dollars in thousands)

1996 1995 1994
--------- -------- --------
Total commissions $509 $ 468 $ 1,067
Directed transactions (a) --- 7,301 16,100
Commissions on directed transactions --- 7 24

(a) See "Management of the Colonial Funds-Portfolio Transactions-Brokerage and
Research Services" in Part 2 of this SAI.

Trustees and Trustees Fees

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996 and the calendar year ended December
31, 1996, the Trustees received the following compensation for serving as
Trustees (b):

Total Compensation
Aggregate From Fund and
Compensation Fund Complex Paid To
From Fund For The Trustees For
Fiscal Year Ended Calendar Year Ended
Trustee November 30, 1996 December 31, 1996(c)
- ------- ----------------- ---------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum $5,305 $ 92,000
Tom Bleasdale 5,958(d) 104,500(e)
Lora S. Collins 5,308 92,000
James E. Grinnell 5,363 93,000
William D. Ireland, Jr. 6,237 109,000
Richard W. Lowry 5,418 95,000
William E. Mayer 5,247 91,000
James L. Moody, Jr. 6,074(f) 106,500(g)
John J. Neuhauser 5,444 94,500
George L. Shinn 6,067 105,500
Robert L. Sullivan 5,820 102,000
Sinclair Weeks, Jr. 6,296 110,000

Total Compensation
From Liberty Funds For
The Calendar Year Ended
Trustee December 31, 1996 (h)
- ----------------- ------------------------
Robert J. Birnbaum $25,000
James E. Grinnell 25,000
Richard W. Lowry 25,000

d
<PAGE>

(h) The Liberty Funds are advised by Liberty Asset Management Company (LAMCO).
LAMCO is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Financial Companies,
Inc. (an intermediate parent of the Adviser).

Ownership of the Fund

The following information is as of February 28, 1997:

The officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the then
outstanding shares of the Fund.

The following shareholders owned 5% or more of the Fund's outstanding shares:
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive, East, 3rd
Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32216 (5.96% of Class A shares); Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith, Inc.,4800 Deer Lake Drive, East, 3rd Floor, Jacksonville, FL
32216 (18.14% of Class B shares).

There were 18,895 Class A and 41,378 Class B shareholders.

Sales Charges (for the fiscal years ended November 30) (dollars in thousands)

Class A Shares

1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Aggregate initial sales charges
on Fund share sales $117 $706 $1,892
Initial sales charges retained by CISI $ 68 $ 74 $ 210

Class B Shares

1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
Aggregate contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC)
on Fund redemptions retained by CISI $3,366 $3,597 $4,073

12b-1 Plans, CDSCs and Conversion of Shares

The Fund offers two classes of shares - Class A and Class B. The Fund may in the
future offer other classes of shares. The Trustees have approved 12b-1 plans
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Plans, the Fund pays CISI
monthly a service fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the net assets attributed to
each class of shares. The Fund also pays CISI monthly a distribution fee at the
annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributed to Class B
shares. CISI may use the entire amount of such fees to defray the costs of
commissions and service fees paid to financial service firms (FSFs) and for
certain other purposes. Since the distribution fee is payable regardless of the
amount of CISI's expenses, CISI may in some cases realize a profit from the
fees.

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.

e
<PAGE>

Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus varying sales charges which
may include a CDSC. Class B shares are offered at net asset value subject to a
CDSC if redeemed within six years after purchase. The CDSC's are described in
the Prospectus.

Sales-related expenses (dollars in thousands) of CISI relating to the Fund for
the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Shares Class B Shares
----------------- ------------------

<S> <C> <C>
Fees to FSFs $882 $3,564
Cost of sales material relating to the Fund
(including printing and mailing expenses 38 104
Allocated travel, entertainment and other promotional
expenses (including advertising) 43 124
</TABLE>

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

The Fund's Class A and Class B yields for the month ended November 30, 1996 were
3.75% and 3.18%, respectively.

The Fund's average annual total returns at November 30, 1996, achieved in part
under the investment objectives and policies of the Fund prior to its conversion
to a utilities fund on March 4, 1992, were:

Class A Shares
----------------------

1 year 5 years 10 years
--------- -------- ---------
With sales charge of 4.75% 5.03% 10.28% 8.79%
Without sales charge 10.27% 11.36% 9.32%

Class B Shares
----------------------

Since inception
1 year 5/5/92 to 11/30/96
------ -------------------
With applicable CDSC 4.45%(5.00% CDSC) 8.86%(2.00% CDSC)
Without CDSC 9.45% 9.18%

The Fund's Class A and Class B distribution rates at November 30, 1996, which
are based on the latest month's distributions, annualized, and the maximum
offering price at the end of the month, were 3.76% and 3.22%, respectively.

See Part 2 of this SAI, "Performance Measures," for how calculations are made.

CUSTODIAN
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

Price Waterhouse LLP are the Fund's independent accountants providing audit and
tax return preparation services and assistance and consultation in connection
with the review of various Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The
financial statements incorporated by reference in this SAI have been so
incorporated, and the schedule of financial highlights included in the
Prospectus has been so included, in reliance upon the report of Price Waterhouse
LLP given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

f
<PAGE>

The financial statements and Report of Independent Accountants appearing on
pages 7 through 21 of the Fund's November 30, 1996 Annual Report are
incorporated in this SAI by reference.

g
<PAGE>

Part C OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a) Financial Statements:

Included in Part A

Summary of Expenses

The Fund's Financial History

Incorporated by reference into Part B are the financial
statements contained in the Annual Reports for the Registrant's
series, each as of November 30, 1996, which have previously been
filed electronically pursuant to Section 30(b)(2) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940:

Fund Accession Number
Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund 0000021847-97-000011
Colonial Utilities Fund 0000021847-97-000013
Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund 0000021847-97-000016
Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund 0000021847-97-000014
Colonial High Yield Municipal Fund 0000021847-97-000017

The Financial Statements contained in each series' Annual Report
are as follows:

<PAGE>

Investment Portfolio
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights
Report of Independent Accountants

(b) Exhibits:(each exhibit is applicable to all series of the Trust
unless otherwise referenced)

1. Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (c)

2.(a)Amended By-Laws (2/16/96) (e)

3. Not Applicable

4. Form of Specimen of Share Certificate

5.(a)Management Agreement (CTEF, CTEIF, CHYMF) (e)

(a)(1) Amendment No. 2 to Management Agreement (CTEF, CTEIF, CHYMF) (e)

(a)(2) Management Agreement (CUF) (e)

(a)(3) Management Agreement (CITEF) (e)

(b) Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement (CTEF, CTEIF, CITEF, CSTTEF, CHYMF, CUF)
- filed as Exhibit 8. in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
10 to the Registration Statement of Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File
Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made
a part of this Registration Statement

(b)(1) Amendment to Appendix I of Pricing and Bookkeeping Agreement (CTEF,
CTEIF, CHYMF, CITEF, CUF) - filed as Exhibit 9(b)(i) in Part C, Item 24(b)
of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A of Colonial Trust III (File Nos. 2-15184 & 811-881) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement

6.(a)Distributor's Contract with Colonial Investment Services, Inc. - filed
as Exhibit 6(a) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust III (File Nos.
2-15184 and 811-881) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a
part of this Registration Statement

(b) Form of Selling Agreement - filed as Exhibit 6(b) in Part C, Item 24(b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement

(c) Form of Bank and Bank Affiliated Selling Agreement - filed as Exhibit 6(c)
in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos.
33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a
part of this Registration Statement

(d) Form of Asset Retention Agreement - filed as Exhibit 6(d) in Part C, Item
24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is
hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration
Statement

7. Not Applicable

8.(a)Custodian Agreement with United Missouri Bank (CTEF, CTEIF, CHYMF,
CITEF) (f)

<PAGE>

(b) Custody Agreement with Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company - filed as
Exhibit 8. in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos.
33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a
part of this Registration Statement (CUF)

(c) Amendment to Custody Agreement with Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company -
filed as Exhibit 8.(a) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI
(File Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby incorporated by reference and
made a part of this Registration Statement (CUF)

9.(a)Amended and Restated Shareholders' Servicing and Transfer Agent
Agreement as amended - filed as Exhibit 9(b) to Part C, Item 24(b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
of Colonial Trust VII (File Nos. 33-41559 & 811-6347) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement

(b) Amendment No. 8 to Schedule A of Amended and Restated Shareholders'
Servicing and Transfer Agent Agreement as amended - filed as Exhibit
9(a)(i) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust III (File Nos.
2-15184 & 811-881) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part
of this Registration Statement

(c) Amendment No. 14 to Appendix I of Amended and Restated Shareholders'
Servicing and Transfer Agent Agreement as amended - filed as Exhibit
9(a)(ii) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust III (File Nos.
2-15184 & 811-881) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part
of this Registration Statement

(d) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (CUF) (f)

(e) Credit Agreement - filed as Exhibit 9.(d) in Part C, Item 24(b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
of Colonial Trust V (File Nos. 33-12109 & 811-5030) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement

10.(a) Opinion and Consent of Counsel (CTEF)

(b) Opinion and Consent of Counsel - filed as Exhibit 10. in Part C, Item 24(b)
of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
of CUF (File Nos. 2-71242 & 811-3148) and is hereby incorporated by
reference and made a part of this Registration Statement (CUF)

11. Consent of Independent Accountants (CTEF, CTEIF, CUF, CITEF, CHYMF)

12. Not Applicable

13. Not Applicable

14.(a)Form of Colonial Group of Mutual Funds Money Purchase Pension and Profit
Sharing Plan Document and Trust Agreement - filed as Exhibit 14(a) in Part
C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529)
and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this
Registration Statement

(b) Form of Colonial Group of Mutual Funds Money Purchase Pension and Profit
Sharing Establishment Book - filed as Exhibit 14(b) in Part C, Item 24(b)
of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement

(c) Form of Colonial Group Funds Individual Retirement Account and Application
- filed as Exhibit 14(c) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File
Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made
a part of this Registration Statement

(d) Form of Colonial Mutual Funds Simplified Employee Plan and Salary Reduction
Simplified Employee Plan - filed as Exhibit 14(d) in Part C, Item 24(b) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos. 33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement

(e) Form of Colonial of Mutual Funds 401(k) Plan Document and Trust Agreement -
filed as Exhibit 14.(v) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 27 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust II
(File Nos. 2-66976 & 811-3009) and is hereby incorporated by reference and
made a part of this Registration Statement

(f) Form of Colonial Mutual Funds 401(k) Plan Establishment Booklet - filed as
Exhibit 14.(vi) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust II (File Nos.
2-66976 & 811-3009) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part
of this Registration Statement

(g) Form of Colonial Mutual Funds 401(k) Employee Reports Booklet - filed as
Exhibit 14(g) in Part C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust VI (File Nos.
33-45117 & 811-6529) and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a
part of this Registration Statement

15. Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Section 12b-1 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, incorporated by reference to the Distributor's
Contract

16.(a)(1) Calculation of Performance Information (CTEF) (e)

(a)(2) Calculation of Yield (CTEF) (e)

(b)(1) Calculation of Performance Information (CTEIF) (e)

(b)(2) Calculation of Yield (CTEIF) (e)

(c)(1) Calculation of Performance Information (CUF) (e)

(c)(2) Calculation of Yield (CUF) (e)

(d)(1) Calculation of Performance Information (CHYMF) (e)

(d)(2) Calculation of Yield (CHYMF) (e)

(e)(1) Calculation of PerformanceInformation (CITEF) (e)

(e)(2) Calculation of Yield (CITEF) (e)

17.(a) Financial Data Schedule (Class A) (CTEF)

(b) Financial Data Schedule (Class B) (CTEF)

(d) Financial Data Schedule (Class B)(CTEIF)

(e) Financial Data Schedule (Class A)(CUF)

(f) Financial Data Schedule (Class B)(CUF)

(g) Financial Data Schedule (Class A)(CHYMF)

(h) Financial Data Schedule (Class B)(CHYMF)

(i) Financial Data Schedule (Class A)(CITEF)

(j) Financial Data Schedule (Class B)(CITEF)

18.(a) Power of Attorney for: Robert J. Birnbaum, Tom Bleasdale, Lora S.
Collins, James E. Grinnell, William D. Ireland, Jr., Richard W. Lowry,
William E. Mayer, James L. Moody, Jr., John J. Neuhauser, George L. Shinn,
Robert L. Sullivan and Sinclair Weeks, Jr. - filed as Exhibit 18(a) in Part
C, Item 24(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A of Colonial Trust III (File Nos. 2-15184 & 811-881)
and is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this
Registration Statement 18.(b) Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 filed as Exhibit 18(b) in Part C, Item 24(b)
of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A of Colonial Trust III (File Nos. 2-15184 & 811-881) and is hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of this Registration Statement
---------------------------------

(a) Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on
Form S-5 filed on 10/23/78.

(b) Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 filed on or
about 11/30/84.

(d) Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 filed on or
about 7/27/95.

(e) Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 filed on
3/22/96.

(f) Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 filed on
October 15, 1996.

Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

None

Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities

(1) (2)

Title of Class Number of Record Holders as of 2/28/97

Shares of beneficial interest 70,603 Class A record holders (CTEF)
11,543 Class B record holders

Shares of beneficial interest 5,071 Class A record holders (CTEIF)
1,030 Class B record holders

Shares of beneficial interest 18,895 Class A record holders (CUF)
41,378 Class B record holders

Shares of beneficial interest 1,054 Class A record holders (CHYMF)
3,654 Class B record holders

Shares of beneficial interest 325 Class A record holders (CITEF)
346 Class B record holders

<PAGE>

Item 27. Indemnification

See Article VIII of Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement and Declaration
of Trust filed as Exhibit 1 hereto.

The Registrant's adviser or administrator, Colonial Management
Associates, Inc. (Colonial), has an ICI Mutual Insurance Company Directors
and Officers/Errors and Omissions Liability insurance policy. The policy
provides indemnification to the Registrant's trustees and officers.

<PAGE>

Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

The following sets forth business and other connections of each
Director and officer of Colonial Management Associates, Inc.
(see next page).

ITEM 28.
- --------

Registrant's investment adviser/administrator, Colonial Management
Associates, Inc., is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (1940 Act). Colonial Advisory Services, Inc. (CASI), an
affiliate of Colonial Management Associates, Inc., is also registered as an
investment adviser under the 1940 Act. As of the end of its fiscal year,
December 31, 1996, CASI had one institutional, corporate or other account under
management or supervision, the market value of which was approximately $42.0
million. As of the end of its fiscal year, December 31, 1996, Colonial
Management Associates, Inc. was the investment adviser, sub-adviser and/or
administrator to 49 Colonial mutual funds, the market value of which investment
companies was approximately $17,165.0 million. Colonial Investment Services,
Inc., a subsidiary of Colonial Management Associates, Inc., is the principal
underwriter and the national distributor of all of the funds in the Colonial
Mutual Funds complex, including the Registrant.

The following sets forth the business and other connections of each
director and officer of Colonial Management Associates, Inc.:

(1) (2) (3) (4)
Name and principal
business
addresses* Affiliation
of officers and with Period is through 2/28/97. Other
directors of investment business, profession, vocation or
investment adviser adviser employment connection Affiliation
- ------------------ ---------- -------------------------------- -----------

Babbitt, Debra V.P.

Andersen, Peter V.P.

Archer, Joseph A. V.P.

Berliant, Allan V.P.

Bertocci, Bruno V.P. Stein Roe Global Capital Mngmt. Principal

Boatman, Bonny E. Dir.; Colonial Advisory Services, Inc. Exec. V.P.
Sr.V.P.;
IPC Mbr.

Campbell, Kimberly V.P.

Carnabucci,
Dominick V.P.

Carroll, Sheila A. Sr.V.P.;
Dir.

Citrone, Frank V.P.

Cogger, Harold W. Dir.; The Colonial Group, Inc. Dir.;
Chairman; Chrm.
IPC Mbr.; Colonial Trusts I through VII Pres.
Exe. Cmte. Colonial High Income
Mbr. Municipal Trust Pres.
Colonial InterMarket Income
Trust I Pres.
Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund Pres.
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust Pres.
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust Pres.
LFC Utilities Trust Pres.
Liberty Financial Exec V.P.;
Companies, Inc. Dir.
Stein Roe & Farnham Dir.
Incorporated

Conlin, Nancy V.P.; Colonial Investors Service
Asst. Center, Inc. Asst. Clerk
Sec.; The Colonial Group, Inc. Asst. Clerk
Asst Colonial Advisory Services,
Clerk and Inc. Asst. Clerk
Counsel Colonial Investment Services,
Inc. Asst. Clerk
Colonial Trusts I through VII Asst. Sec.
Colonial High Income
Municipal Trust Asst. Sec.
Colonial InterMarket Income
Trust I Asst. Sec.
Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund Asst. Sec.
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust Asst. Sec.
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust Asst. Sec.

Daniszewski, V.P. Colonial Investment Services,
Joseph J. Inc. V.P.

DiSilva, Linda V.P. Colonial Advisory Services, Compliance
IPC Mbr. Inc. Officer

Ericson, Carl C. Dir; Sr. Colonial Intermediate High
V.P. Income Fund V.P.
IPC Mbr. Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. Exec. V.P.

Evans, C. Frazier Dir.; Colonial Investment Services,
Sr.V.P. Inc. Sr. V.P.

Feingold, Andrea S. V.P. Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund V.P.
Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. Sr. V.P.

Feloney, Joseph L. V.P. Colonial Investment Services,
Inc. A.V.P.

Finnemore, V.P. Colonial Advisory Services,
Leslie W. Inc. Sr. V.P.

Franklin, Sr. V.P.
Fred J.

Gauger, Richard V.P.

Gerokoulis, V.P. Colonial Investment Services,
Stephen A. Inc. Sr. V.P.

Gibson, Stephen E. Dir.; Pres.; The Colonial Group, Inc. Dir.;
CEO; Exec. Pres.; CEO;
Cmte. Mbr. Exec. Cmte.
Mbr.
Colonial Investment Services, Dir.; Chm.
Inc.
Colonial Advisory Services, Dir.; Chm.
Inc.
Colonial Investors Service Dir.; Chm.
Center, Inc.

Harasimowicz, V.P. Colonial Investment Services,
Stephen Inc. V.P.

Harris, David V.P. Stein Roe Global Capital Mngmt Principal

Hartford, Brian V.P.

Haynie, James P. V.P. Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. Sr. V.P.

Hill, William V.P.

Jacoby, Timothy J. Sr. V.P. Colonial Trusts I through VII Treasr.,CFO
Colonial High Income
Municipal Trust Treasr.,CFO
Colonial InterMarket Income
Trust I Treasr.,CFO
Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund Treasr.,CFO
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust Treasr.,CFO
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust Treasr.,CFO
LFC Utilities Trust Treasr.,CFO

Johnson, Gordon V.P.

Kimball, Erik V.P.

Koonce, Michael H. V.P.; Colonial Trusts I through VII Asst. Sec.
Asst. Colonial High Income
Sec.; Municipal Trust Asst. Sec.
Asst. Colonial InterMarket Income
Clerk & Trust I Asst. Sec.
Counsel Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund Asst. Sec.
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust Asst. Sec.
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust Asst. Sec.
Colonial Investment Services,
Inc. Asst. Clerk
Colonial Investors Service
Center, Inc. Asst. Clerk
The Colonial Group, Inc. Asst. Clerk
Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. Asst. Clerk

Lennon, John E. V.P. Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. V.P.

Lenzi, Sharon V.P.

Loring, William C. V.P.

Lydecker, Peter L. V.P.; Colonial Trusts I through VII Controller;CAO
Asst. Colonial High Income
Treasurer Municipal Trust Controller;CAO
Colonial InterMarket Income
Trust I Controller;CAO
Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund Controller;CAO
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust Controller;CAO
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust Controller;CAO
LFC Utilities Trust Controller;CAO

MacKinnon, Dir.;
Donald S. Sr.V.P.

McGregor, Dir.; Colonial Investment Services, Pres.; CEO;
Jeffrey L. Sr.V.P. Inc. Dir.

Newman, Maureen V.P.

O'Neill, Charles A. Sr.V.P.; Colonial Investment Services,
Dir. Inc. Exec. V.P.

Ostrander, Laura V.P.

Peters, Helen F. Dir.; Colonial Advisory Services, Dir. Pres.,
Sr.V.P.; Inc. CEO
IPC Mbr.

Peterson, Ann T. V.P. Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. V.P.

Rao, Gita V.P.

Reading, John V.P.

Rega, Michael V.P.

Rie, Daniel Sr.V.P.; Colonial Advisory Services,
IPC Mbr.; Inc. Exec. V.P.
Dir.

Scoon, Davey S. Dir.; Colonial Advisory Services,
Exe.V.P.; Inc. Dir.
IPC Mbr.; Colonial High Income
Exec. Comm. Municipal Trust V.P.
Mbr. Colonial InterMarket Income
Trust I V.P.
Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund V.P.
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust V.P.
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust V.P.
Colonial Trusts I through VII V.P.
LFC Utilities Trust V.P.
Colonial Investors Service Dir; Pres.
Center, Inc.
The Colonial Group, Inc. COO; Ex. V.P.
Colonial Investment Services,
Inc. Director

Seibel, Sandra L. V.P.

Spanos, Gregory Sr. V.P.

Stern, Arthur O. Exe.V.P.; Colonial Advisory Services,
Dir.; Inc. Clerk, Dir.
Sec.; Colonial High Income
Clrk. & Municipal Trust Secretary
Gnrl. Colonial InterMarket Income
Counsel; Trust I Secretary
IPC Mbr. Colonial Intermediate High
Income Fund Secretary
Colonial Investment Grade
Municipal Trust Secretary
Colonial Municipal Income
Trust Secretary
Colonial Trusts I through VII Secretary
LFC Utilities Trust Secretary
Colonial Investors Service
Center, Inc. Clerk
The Colonial Group, Inc. Exec. V.P.;
Clerk; General
Counsel
Colonial Investment Services, Dir., Chrmn.
Inc. Counsel; Clrk.

Stevens, Richard V.P. Colonial Advisory Services,
Inc. V.P.

Stoeckle, Mark V.P.

Waas, Robert S. V.P.

Wallace, John V.P.- Corp. Colonial Advisory Services,
Finance and Inc. Controller
Controller

Welsh, Stephen Treasurer The Colonial Group, Inc. Controller,
Chief Acctng.
Officer,
Asst. Treasurer
Colonial Investment Services,
Inc. Treasurer
Colonial Advisory Service,
Inc. Treasurer
Colonial Investors Service
Center, Inc. Controller

Wiley, Peter V.P.

Young, Deborah V.P.
- ------------------------------------------------
*The Principal address of all of the officers and directors of the investment
adviser is One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111.

<PAGE>

Item 29 Principal Underwriter
- ------- ---------------------

(a) Colonial Investment Services, Inc. a subsidiary of Colonial
Management Associates, Inc., Registrant's principal
underwriter, also acts in the same capacity to
Colonial Trust I, Colonial Trust II, Colonial Trust III,
Colonial Trust V, Colonial Trust VI and Colonial Trust
VII; and sponsor for Colony Growth Plans (public offering of which
were discontinued June 14, 1971).

(b) The table below lists each director or officer of the principal
underwriter named in the answer to Item 21.

(1) (2) (3)

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

Babbitt, Debra V.P. None

Ballou, Rich Regional V.P. None

Balzano, Christine R. V.P. None

Bartsokas, David Regional V.P. None

Cairns, David Regional V.P. None

Chrzanowski, Regional V.P. None
Daniel

Clapp, Elizabeth A. V.P. None

Crossfield, Andrew Regional V.P. None

Daniszewski, V.P. None
Joseph J.

Davey, Cynthia Regional Sr. V.P. None

Desilets, Marian V.P. None

Donovan, John Regional V.P. None

Eckelman, Bryan Sr. V.P. None

Emerson, Kim P. Regional V.P. None

Erickson, Cynthia G. V.P. None

Evans, C. Frazier Sr. V.P. None

Feldman, David Regional V.P. None

Gerokoulis, Sr. V.P. None
Stephen A.

Gibson, Stephen E. Director; Chairman None
of the Board

Goldberg, Matthew Regional V.P. None

Harasimowicz, V.P. None
Stephen

Hodgkins, Joseph Sr. Regional V.P. None

Karagiannis, Sr. V.P. None
Marilyn

Kavolius, Mark Regional V.P. None

Kelley, Terry M. Regional V.P. None

Kelson, David W. Sr. V.P. None

Lloyd, Judith H. Sr. V.P. None

McGregor, Jeffrey L. Director, CEO, None
President

Moberly, Ann R. Regional Sr. V.P. None

Morner, Patrick V.P. None

O'Neill, Charles A. Exec. V.P. None

Palmer, Laura V.P. None

Prescott, Peter Regional V.P. None

Reed, Christopher B. Sr. Regional V.P. None

Scarlott, Rebecca V.P. None

Scoon, Davey Director V.P.

Scott, Michael W. Sr. V.P. None

Sorrells, Sr. V.P. None
Elizabeth

Spanos, Gregory J. Sr. V.P. None

Stern, Arthur O. Clerk and Secretary
Counsel, Dir.

Sutton, R. Andrew Regional V.P. None

VanEtten, Keith H. V.P. None

Villanova, Paul Regional V.P. None

Wallace, John V.P. None

Welsh, Stephen Treasurer Asst. Treasurer

Wess, Valerie Regional V.P. None

Young, Deborah V.P. None

- --------------------------
* The address for each individual is One Financial Center, Boston, MA
02111.

<PAGE>

Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records

Persons maintaining physical possession of accounts, books and
other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder
include Registrant's Secretary; Registrant's investment adviser
and/or administrator, Colonial Management Associates, Inc.;
Registrant's principal underwriter, Colonial Investment
Services, Inc.; Registrant's transfer and dividend disbursing
agent, Colonial Investors Service Center, Inc.; and the
Registrant's custodians, UMB, n.a. and Boston Safe Deposit and
Trust Company. The address for each person except the
Registrant's custodians is One Financial Center, Boston, MA
02111. The address for UMB, n.a. is 928 Grand Avenue, Kansas
City, MO 64106. The address for Boston Safe Deposit and Trust
Company is One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02108.

<PAGE>

Item 31. Management Services

See Item 5(c), Part A and Item 16(d), Part B.

Item 32. Undertakings

(a) Not applicable

(b) The Registrant hereby undertakes to promptly call a
meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon
the question of removal of any trustee or trustees when
requested in writing to do so by the record holders of
not less than 10 per cent of the Registrant's outstanding
shares and to assist its shareholders in the
communicating with other shareholders in accordance with
the requirements of Section 16(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940.

(c) The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person
to whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of the
Registrant's series' latest annual report to shareholders
upon request and without charge.

<PAGE>

************

NOTICE

A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, of Colonial
Trust IV (Trust) is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this Registration Statement has
been executed on behalf of the Trust by an officer of the Trust as an officer
and by its Trustees as trustees and not individually and the obligations of or
arising out of this Registration Statement is not binding upon any of the
Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the
assets and property of the Trust.

<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, Colonial Trust IV, certifies
that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of the Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) and has duly caused this Post-Effective
Amendment No 45 to its Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
and Amendment No. 43 to its Registration Statement under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, to be signed in this City of Boston in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on this 21st day of March, 1997.

COLONIAL TRUST IV

By: /s/ HAROLD W. COGGER
Harold W. Cogger, President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment has been signed below by the following persons in their
capacities and on the date indicated.

SIGNATURES TITLE DATE

/s/ HAROLD W. COGGER President March 21, 1997
- ----------------------
Harold W. Cogger

/s/ TIMOTHY J. JACOBY Treasurer and Chief March 21, 1997
- -----------------------
Timothy J. Jacoby Financial Officer

/s/ PETER L. LYDECKER Controller and Chief March 21, 1997
- -----------------------
Peter L. Lydecker Accounting Officer

<PAGE>

/s/ ROBERT J. BIRNBAUM * Trustee
Robert J. Birnbaum

/s/ TOM BLEASDALE * Trustee
Tom Bleasdale

/s/ LORA S. COLLINS * Trustee
Lora S. Collins

/s/ JAMES E. GRINNELL * Trustee
James E. Grinnell

/s/ WILLIAM D. IRELAND, JR. * Trustee /s/ * MICHAEL H. KOONCE
William D. Ireland, Jr. Michael H. Koonce
Attorney-in-fact
/s/ RICHARD W. LOWRY * Trustee For each Trustee
Richard W. Lowry March 21, 1997

/s/ WILLIAM E. MAYER * Trustee
William E. Mayer

/s/ JAMES L. MOODY, JR. * Trustee
James L. Moody, Jr.

/s/ JOHN J. NEUHAUSER * Trustee
John J. Neuhauser

/s/ GEORGE L. SHINN * Trustee
George L. Shinn

/s/ ROBERT L. SULLIVAN * Trustee
Robert L. Sullivan

/s/ SINCLAIR WEEKS, JR. * Trustee
Sinclair Weeks, Jr.

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT INDEX

4. Form of Specimen Share Certificate

10.(a) Opinion and Consent of Counsel (CTEF)

10.(c) Opinion and Consent of Counsel (CMMMF)

11. Consent of Independent Accountants

17.(a) Financial Data Schedule (Class A) (CTEF)

17.(b) Financial Data Schedule (Class B) (CTEF)

17.(c) Financial Data Schedule (Class A) (CTEIF)

17.(d) Financial Data Schedule (Class B) (CTEIF)

17.(e) Financial Data Schedule (Class A) (CUF)

17.(f) Financial Data Schedule (Class B) (CUF)

17.(g) Financial Data Schedule (Class A) (CHYMF)

17.(h) Financial Data Schedule (Class B) (CHYMF)

17.(i) Financial Data Schedule (Class A) (CITEF)

17.(j) Financial Data Schedule (Class B) (CITEF)

[Front of certificate]
NUMBER SHARES

COLONIAL FUND
SHARE CERTIFICATE

THIS CERTIFIES THAT is the owner of
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

CLASS A SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OF
COLONIAL FUND

a series of Colonial Trust , subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
of Colonial Trust , as amended, on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. This certificate is executed by the Trust and is not binding
upon any Trustee or officer of the Trust or shareholder of the Fund individually
but is binding only upon the assets of the Fund.
This certificate is valid only when countersigned by the Transfer Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile signatures of the Trust's duly authorized officers.
Dated
COUNTERSIGNED:
COLONIAL INVESTORS SERVICE CENTER, INC.
BY: TRANSFER AGENT

STEPHEN T. WELSH, HAROLD W. COGGER
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE ASSISTANT TREASURER PRESIDENT

[Rear of certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations may be used on the face of this certificate

Abbreviation Equivalent Abbreviation Equivalent
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
JT TEN As joint tenants, with TEN IN COM As tenants in common
rights of survivorship TEN BY ENT As tenants by the entirety
and not as tenants UGTA Under Uniform Gifts to
incommon Minors Act
UTMA Uniform Transfer to
Minors Act
ADM Administrator FDN Foundation
Administratrix PL Public Law
AGMT Agreement TR Trustee
CUST Custodian for UA Under Agreement
EST Estate of UW Under Will
EX Executor Executrix
FBO For the benefit of

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above
list.
_______________________________________________________________________________
TRANSFER FORM
SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE:_______________

The undersigned assigns to
________________________________________________________
(Please print or typwrite name and address of assignee)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________shares
(indicate the number of shares to be redeemed A new certificate will be issued
for any balance)

represented by this certificate and irrevocably appoints
The Secretary of the Trust______________________________________Attorney to
transfer said shares on the books of the Trust with full power of substitution.

DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM UNLESS THE ASSIGNEE IS NAMED ABOVE

Dated This request must be signed exactly
as each owner is named on this
certificate by every named owner.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED BY Signature______________________________
(Signature guarantees are subject to
acceptance in accordance with the rules of the Transfer Agent)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION FORM
The undersigned requests the redemption of
_______________________________________________shares
(indicate the number of shares to be redeemed. A new certificate will be issued
for any balance)

represented by this Certificate.

This request must be signed as
each owner is named on this
certificate by every named
owner.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED BY Signature____________________

- -----------------------------
(Signature guarantees are
subject to acceptance in
accordance with the rules of
the Transfer Agent.)

----------------------------
Address
----------------------------
34028- 94882

ROPES & GRAY
225 FRANKLIN STREET
BOSTON 02110
CABLE ADDRESS "ROPGRALOR" AREA CODE 617 423-6100
TELEX NUMBER 940519

October 20, 1978

Colonial Tax-Managed Trust
75 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Gentlemen:

We are furnishing this opinion with respect to the proposed offer and sale
from time to time of an indefinite number of shares of shares of beneficial
interest (the "Shares") of Colonial Tax-Managed Trust (the "Trust"), being
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 by Registration Statement No.
2-62492 of the Trust.

We have acted as counsel for the Trust since its organization and are
familiar with the action taken by its Trustees to authorize the issuance of the
Shares. We have examined its records of trustee and shareholder action, its
By-Laws and its Agreement and Declaration of Trust on file at the Office of the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have examined a certificate
of the Treasurer of the Trust dated today stating that there are issued and
outstanding 8,552 shares, and that the Trust has received the appropriate
consideration for such outstanding shares. We have also examined such other
documents as we deem necessary for the purpose of this opinion.

We supervised the action taken by the Trust to effect registration with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a management investment company by the
filing of a Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. We have examined executed copies of a Registration
Statement, as amended, under said Act on Form N-8B-1 and of a Registration
Statement, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-5, all in the
forms filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We assume that appropriate action will be taken to register or qualfiy the
sale of the Shares under any applicable state and

ROPES & GRAY

Colonial Tax-Managed Trust -2- October 20, 1978

federal laws regulating sales and offerings of securities and that upon sales
of the Shares the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Trust is a legally organized and validly existing unincorporated
voluntary association under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is
authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, of which 8,552 shares are
presently issued and outstanding.

2. Upon the issue of any of the Shares for cash at net asset value and
receipt by the Trust of the authorized consideration therefor, the Shares so
issued will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.

The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability
for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer
be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed
by the Trust or the Trustees. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides
for indemnification out of the Trust property for all loss and expense of any
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the
risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder
liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable
to meet its obligations.

We understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
registration of the Shares for offering and sale pursuant to the Securities Act
of 1933. We consent to the filing of this opinion with and as a part of said
Registration Statement on Form S-5 and amendments thereto, and to our being
named under the caption "Counsel, Auditors and Custodian" in the Prospectus
included in said Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

Ropes & Gray

ROPES & GRAY
225 FRANKLIN STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
(617) 423-6100
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
IN PROVIDENCE TELEX NUMBER 940519 ROPGRALOR BSN IN WASHINGTON
30 KENNEDY PLAZA TELEX NUMBER 951973 ROPES GRAY BSN 1001 TWENTY-SECOND STREET, N.W.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. 02902 TELECOPIERS: (617) 423-2377 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
(401) 521-6400 (617) 423-7841 (202) 429-1600
TELECOPIER: (401) 521-0910 INTERNATIONAL: (617) 423-6905 TELECOPIER: (202) 429-1629
</TABLE>

June 5, 1987

Colonial Tax-Exempt Money Market Trust
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Gentlemen:

You have informed us that you propose to register under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and offer and sell from time to time your
shares of beneficial interest ("Shares") at not less than "net asset value",
as defined in your Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

We have examined your Agreement and Declaration of Trust on file in the
office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Clerk of
the City of Boston and are familiar with the action taken by your trustees to
authorize (i) the issue and sale of certain Shares to Colonial Management
Associates, Inc., as described below, and (ii) the issue and sale to the public
from time to time of authorized and unissued Shares. We have further examined
a copy of your By-Laws and such other documents, receipts and records as we
have deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that :

1. The Trust is a duly organized and validly existing unincorporated
association under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is
authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares.

2. The issue and sale of your authorized but unissued Shares has been
duly authorized under Massachusetts law, and, upon the original issue and sale
of any of the authorized but unissued Shares and upon receipt of the

ROPES & GRAY

Colonial Tax-Exempt -2- June 5, 1987
Money Market Trust

authorized consideration therefore in an amount not less than the respective
net asset values of the Shares at the time of their sale, the Shares so issued
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.

The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust". Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability
for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such
disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into
or executed by the Trust or its Trustees. The Agreement and Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of the property of the Trust for all
loss and expense of any shareholder of the Trust held personally liable solely
by reason of his being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of being a shareholder is
limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet
its obligations.

We understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
registration of an indefinite number of your shares of beneficial interest
for offering and sale pursuant to the Act. We consent to the filing of this
opinion with and as a part of your Registration Statement on Form N-1A
(File No. 33-13922) relating to such offering and sale.

Very truly yours,

Ropes & Gray

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Statements of
Additional Information constituting parts of this Post-Effective Amendment No.
45 to the registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of
our reports dated January 10, 1997, relating to the financial statements and
financial highlights appearing in the November 30, 1996 Annual Reports to
Shareholders of Colonial Tax-Exempt Fund, Colonial Tax-Exempt Insured Fund,
Colonial High Yield Municipal Fund, Colonial Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund and
Colonial Utilities Fund, each a series of Colonial Trust IV, which are also
incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to
the references to us under the headings "The Fund's Financial History" and
"Independent Accountants" in the Statements of Additional Information.

Price Waterhouse LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 21, 1997

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL
TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3005565
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3159361
<RECEIVABLES> 74416
<ASSETS-OTHER> 78
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 140
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 74634
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 30125
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 19430
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 49555
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3141005
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 207923
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 226745
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2545
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (51806)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 153796
<NET-ASSETS> 3245540
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 221277
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 36439
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 184838
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 36263
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (82294)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 138807
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 164142
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 420494
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 764164
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 91754
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (334477)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 2504
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (81578)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 17385
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 36439
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2909005
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.72
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.756
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.171)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.755)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.55
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.99
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTRIETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL
TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3005565
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3159361
<RECEIVABLES> 74416
<ASSETS-OTHER> 78
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<TOTAL-ASSETS> 74634
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 30125
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 49555
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3141005
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 34196
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 184838
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (82294)
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 22446
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 69907
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 11854
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (334477)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 2504
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (81578)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 36439
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 442097
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.72
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.656
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.171)
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.55
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.74
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND, CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 228370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 248708
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<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 234888
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 24821
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 63
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<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (3910)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 20293
<NET-ASSETS> 251334
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<EXPENSES-NET> (3153)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 12766
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1722
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (4024)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 10464
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 10994
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 12464
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 51021
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 6488
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (39576)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 230
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (5593)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1475
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 266752
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.38
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.402
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.043)
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.33
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.05
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> COLONIAL TAX-EXEMPT INSURED FUND, CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 228370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 248708
<RECEIVABLES> 4587
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1990
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<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 234888
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 5358
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 63
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 12766
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (4024)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3033
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 9160
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1129
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (39576)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 230
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (5593)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 266752
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.38
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.340

<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.043)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.347)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.33
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL UTILITIES FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL
UTILITIES FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 5
<NAME> COLONIAL UTILITIES FUND, CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 942708
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1078603
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<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1042449
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 22909
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<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (102210)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 135895
<NET-ASSETS> 1077407
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 61476
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 42162
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 13770
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 48040
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 103972
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1421
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 7146
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 784
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (143895)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 796
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (102080)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 7437
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 19701
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1156352
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.37
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.612
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<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 15.21
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.20
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL UTILTIES FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL
UTILITIES FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 5
<NAME> COLONIAL UTILITIES FUND, CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 942708
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1078603
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 6011
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 57110
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1273
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (102210)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 135895
<NET-ASSETS> 1077407
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 61476
<INTEREST-INCOME> 387
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<EXPENSES-NET> 19701
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 42162
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 13770
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 48040
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 103972
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 26326
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3596
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 14191
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1425
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (143895)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 796
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (102080)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 7437
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<GROSS-EXPENSE> 19701
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1156352
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.37
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<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.831
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 15.21
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.95
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND, CLASS A YEAR END NOV-30-1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTRIETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND, CLASS A
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND, CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 171370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 177094
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<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 9
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 184210
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<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1087
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<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1259
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 51
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<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (4450)
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<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 5724
<NET-ASSETS> 182260
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9306
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 73
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (634)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8745
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 1682
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2243
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 364
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 47
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 26730
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 337
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (4414)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 925
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2897
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 167361
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.23
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.624
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.051)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.16
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.10
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTRIETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND, CLASS B YEAR END NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> COLONIAL HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND, CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 171370
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<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1590
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 14296
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 51
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<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (4450)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
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<NET-ASSETS> 182260
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9306
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<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8745
<EQUALIZATION> 0
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3109
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<SHARES-REINVESTED> 351
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 26730
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 337
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (4414)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 925
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2897
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 167361
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.23
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.548
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.051)
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.16
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS A YEAR END
NOV-30-1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS A YEAR END
NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 6
<NAME> COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1572
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<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0

</TABLE>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS B YEAR END
NOV-30-1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTRIETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXMEPT FUND, CLASS B YEAR END
NOV-30-1996
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000276716
<NAME> COLONIAL TRUST IV
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 6
<NAME> COLONIAL INTERMEDIATE TAX-EXEMPT FUND, CLASS B
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<S> <C>
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</TABLE>